The Last Flight

By Armaghan Afridi

The Last Flight ✈
Theme:
The mysterious disappearance and reappearance of a British World War pilot. If fate allows you to fix something, you should fix it regardless of your life.

The Story begins with Flight Lieutenant William Terrance Decker, a British Royal Flying Corps pilot from World War I, who lands his biplane at an American airbase in France. However, when he lands, he is shocked to discover that it is not March of 5 1917, but March of 5, 1959. Decker is confused and disoriented, as he was flying in the middle of a dogfight with German aircraft just moments before.

Decker is questioned by Major Wilson, who is suspicious of Decker’s story. Decker gradually realizes that he somehow traveled 42 years into the future. He becomes even more disturbed when he learns that his comrade, Alexander Mackaye, who he believed he left behind to die, is actually alive and scheduled to visit the base that very day. Mackaye had become an Air Vice Marshal and a highly respected officer.

Decker eventually confesses that during the dogfight, he was overcome by fear and he cowardly abandoned Mackaye, fleeing into a cloud. He now realizes that the cloud brought him to the future. He believes that he was given a chance to redeem himself by returning to the past and helping Mackaye survive.

Decker convinces Major Wilson to allow him to return to his aircraft, and he takes off. As he disappears into the sky, he returns to the year 1917. It is revealed that he went back in time and saved Mackaye by engaging the German planes. Decker is killed in the process, but Mackaye survives.

In the final moments of the Story, Major Wilson receives confirmation that Mackaye’s story aligns with Decker’s account, and that Decker indeed sacrificed himself to save his friend. The Story ends with a reflection on the mysterious and inexplicable events that had unfolded.

Themes:

• Time Travel: The Story explores the concept of time travel and the possibility of altering one’s fate or destiny.
• Redemption: Decker’s journey is one of redemption, where he overcomes his cowardice to fulfill his duty.
• Courage and Sacrifice: The Story highlights themes of bravery and the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good.

“The Last Flight” is a classic example of the ability to blend science fiction with moral and philosophical questions, leaving the audience pondering the nature of time, fate, and human courage.