Riga Twisted Heart

 

 

 

Riga Twisted Heart

Pilots hate bad news especially about being grounded. Riga was told bad news. She may have to stop combat flying. The Flight Surgeon called into his office. There is something I need to tell you. This isn’t good news. I’ll get to the point. You won’t be able to fly warplanes any more. You have a heart problem. It’s not fixable. It’s not a combat wound. It will be genetic. Inherited from your parents. Your heart is twisted. The aorta. Riga interrupted the doctor and laughed. Several of the pilots say that yes. My heart is twisted and I ditch them when they fall for me. I’m not joking here Riga. This is real. Look here. See the X-ray and 3D scans. You can see it here. This is what I’m saying. Your aorta is misaligned. If you are in a dog fight with another plane flown by a competent pilot you may die. Not by losing and being shot down. That’s the risk of what you all do. No. I mean the g-forces may kill you. If you pull too much positive g’s you may have heart failure. This is a risk. I advise you to stop combat flying immediately Riga. By combat I mean interceptions, low level attack and air combat. Recon flights will be ok if you fly straight and level. I don’t want to have to ground you. In fact we are friends. I’m not sure I could ground you. Pull your wings. I’d feel bad about it. Just promise me you will take care ok? How sure are you of this doctor? I cannot stop flying. Riga cried, tears streaming. It’s what I do. To make things right for my father and all the others who died in this pointless war. I’ll be careful. The doctor examined the results. He nodded. I’m very sure Riga. I am sorry. The results do not lie and nor do I. We are friends. Please take care. Riga composed herself. She thanked the flight surgeon and said she had an afternoon mission. She would be careful. She had to be for her surviving sister and her kids. Poor little Riga. More worries for her…

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