Mission Incomplete Eagle Failure

All you have to do is swoop down in front of a grade school, grab up a kindergarten student, and fly off. This will strike terror in everyone, my commander told me. He laughed at my surprised look. It is Halloween, he told me. You can drop the child in a soft pile of hay or something. Did you get your assignment? My mother asked. Yes, I say, and it beats dormitory nest cleanings. Maybe it is a test my bunkmate cautioned me, as I confided in him, my qualms about it and everything. Maybe if you do it, you will get recycled and have to re-start your entire training, he adds. I get a follow up call at noon. Here is the name of the grade school, my commander tells me. Be there by three. I am high in the sky when I see the little ones running out of the school toward mamas and papas in cars, and nasty-looking school bus drivers. Some of these people look pretty intense. Those bus drivers might be armed. I have heard of this. Hey, there is a little one the devil inside me says. She has broken off from the line, she might be easy to grab. Pretty soon I am sitting on a high perch, looking at an empty school yard, a complete failure. Mission incomplete. Waiting to be recycled. The call does not come. I do not get a recommendation or a medal I received my Eagle flying lesson completion mission yesterday. Apparently as a final test, I was supposed to argue with a superior officer. He gave me two chances, remember? Once in person, and once on the phone. I was too scared to do it though. If you have served, you will understand.