Alternate Timeline

Dulles International Airport, Washington, DC
First Officer Chandler Benson’s heart beat a little faster than normal when he stepped off the jet bridge and boarded the Boeing 787-10. His eyes widened, and a thrill shot through him. His long-handled leather flight bag trailed behind, its scuffs and frayed edges revealing years of service.
The many weeks of simulations had ended four days ago. Today he’d serve as the co-pilot of the massive jetliner that could carry over three hundred passengers across the Atlantic Ocean.
He’d logged more than a hundred hours in a simulator and piloted a nearly identical plane dozens of times during certification.
At forty-two years old, Chandler had flown smaller jets as a senior pilot for years. He’d only recently earned his certification on the Dreamliner, as the 787 was nicknamed. He willingly accepted the brief demotion to First Officer, knowing the new aircraft certification would open opportunities, and he welcomed the challenge.
A short, dark-haired flight attendant in a navy-blue uniform stood before him with her back turned. He hadn’t seen her in a couple of years, but he recognized her immediately. She spoke with a Hispanic male colleague he’d never met, and they were reviewing an inventory list.
“Hey, Wendy,” he said with a smile.
As she spun around, her face lit up. “Captain Benson! I heard you jumped to the 787. I’m glad to fly with you again. It’s been a few years.”
“I’m glad to see you too, but today I’m the First Officer. It may take a while before they call me Captain again. For now, I look forward to familiarizing myself with this big beauty and earning that title back soon.”
Wendy pointed to her colleague. “Willy, this is Chandler Benson. We flew domestic routes together for several years. He’s one of the good guys to work with.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Willy.” Chandler reached out, and the other man shook the offered hand.
“Thank you, sir.”
Chandler stepped into the cockpit and paused for a moment. He gazed at the high-tech layout that now felt familiar. The glowing screens and instruments already displayed critical data about the aircraft’s systems.
Chandler climbed into the right seat, rested his hand on the console, and closed his eyes. He paused, reflected on the time and effort that had carried him here, and felt thankful. Next, he pulled a tablet from his bag. After the device powered on, the pre-flight checklist appeared, and he tapped and swiped through each item.
A tall man with graying hair and a similar uniform entered the cockpit. Chandler turned at the sound and smiled. “Good morning, Captain.”
The man answered in a friendly tone, “So you’re my brand-new First Officer. I’m Ronald Simon, but you can call me Ron.”
“Good to meet you, Ron. I’m Chandler.”
“Last night I reviewed your record. With your experience and simulator scores, I’m sure you’ll adapt to the new plane quickly.”
“Thanks! I’m looking forward to the new challenge.”
Captain Simon sat, pulled out his own tablet, and retrieved a bottle of orange pills. He shook three into his hand.
Chandler noticed Ron’s flushed face. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. Everything is fine,” Ron said. “They’re just ibuprofen.”
He handed Chandler the near-empty bottle. Chandler recognized the pills as one of the few over-the-counter medications a pilot could take without medical clearance and returned the bottle.
Ron explained, “I get mild headaches from time to time. This one has lasted several days. The flight surgeon examined and cleared me previously, but I still scheduled a check-up after we return from London. He has no concerns about me flying until then.”
Ron felt a twinge of guilt as he put the bottle back in his bag. He’d downplayed his pain to both the flight surgeon and his new first officer. His latest round of headaches was far more intense than those they’d evaluated him for three years ago.