As I've mentioned in the previous chapter, Timeline of AH's creation, I've conducted an immense and wide research to stick to facts. Compared to the creation of Dead Reckoning, which focused on Gregorio del Pilar, Artificial Horizon focused on Lt. César Basa, a man whose history was definitely an enigma in an era where information was definitely easily recorded and accessed. To be honest, it was surprising that there were more records of del Pilar than Basa at all, and I doubt that it was because del Pilar served more in the military than Basa did, when both of them died serving the country; and not because of the great feat del Pilar did, as Basa also had achievements of his own that made him a hero, too.

Anyhow, written here were trivia in the creation of the story that fully formed its own world.

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1. Lt. César Basa and his family
Lt. César Basa was the son of Fernando María Basa and Rosario Tianko. He was born at Isabela, Negros Occidental where he was said to finish his early education. Some sources mentioned that he had a sister named Maria Clara Basa. As there weren't any further details about it, I decided to omit the existence of a sibling if he had one or not at all.
However, regarding the status of the Basa family was left as a question. Records noted that Basa was from a normal family with no evident connections to political or military officials of the time. But the fact that his school records denoted him to be a graduate of Ateneo de Manila University since grade school until college meant that his family was part of the well-off middle-class to support his education, as Ateneo was a private institution ever since the taking over of the American Jesuits.

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2. Lt. César Basa's education
Though records agreed that Lt. César Basa graduated Bachelor of Science Major in Chemistry with honors at Ateneo de Manila University, there were contradictory records when he actually graduated. There were claims of him graduating as part of class 1938 (at 22 years old) or class 1939 (at 23 years old).
However, further records showed that the education system in the Philippines during the American regime had been a strict one that at seven years old, everyone should be in school for their primary education. The education system was comprised of 3 years in primary elementary school, 4 years in secondary elementary school, 4 years in high school, and college.
As Lt. César Basa was born on 21 June 1915 and classes started at June, he could've enrolled for primary education before he turned seven years old. Doing the math, he would've graduated as part of class 1937 (ahead than the records claimed; at 21 years old). If ever not, that he started primary education at seven years old, almost eight years old, he would've graduated as part of class 1938 (supported by one document). This was much more ideal as there's a record, too, that he entered the Philippine Army Air Corps Flying School in the same year and graduated in 1940. Though this would mean that it took him about two years to complete the flying course, when other records denoted that he finished it in a year.
But then, a record of him graduating as part of class 1939 was further detailed with records from Ateneo de Manila University. According to the Fabilioh IV, Lt. César Basa was part of the 1988 Induction as "Cesar Ma. "Tarzan" T. Basa, GS '30 HS '34 BS '39 - Basketball, Football, Swimming, Track & Field". I'll be honest that I was doubtful that it would be him but those doubts was cleared up when he was mentioned to be part of the 1937 NCAA along with Fermin Fernando (one of the Ateneo student part of Felipe Buencamino III's unit as mentioned on his diary of 30 December 1941, the same entry that mentioned Lt. César Basa's death and him saying that they used to swim together that noted he was also a swimmer in Ateneo). To add, the same In Memoriam listed such years of his graduation class.
For the purpose of the story, I've decided to take in the latter and consideration that he graduated as part of class 1939 (at 23 years old) and indeed took a year of flying course at the Philippine Army Air Corps Flying School.

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3. Lt. César Basa and Ateneo de Manila University
Records had been consistent regarding Lt. César Basa being a graduate of Ateneo de Manila University with honors for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Chemistry. The years were the contradictory ones; nevertheless, it was an evident fact that he entered Ateneo as mentioned as well by diarists like Ramón Alcaraz, Felipe Buencamino III and Teodoro Locsin, Sr., where the latter two were also graduates of Ateneo.
Searching through the records of Ateneo, two documents of a "Cesar Ma. T. Basa" existed: In Memoriam and Fabilioh IV - 1988 Induction. Of course, anyone could have the same names, right? But Lt. César Basa's full name was "César Fernando María Tianko Basa"; hence, it could be the same person.
In Memoriam, he was listed as "Mr. Cesar Ma. T. Basa | GS 1930, HS 1934, BS Industrial Technology 1939"; while Fabilioh IV - 1988 Induction listed him as "Cesar Ma. "Tarzan" T. Basa, GS '30 HS '34 BS '39 - Basketball, Football, Swimming, Track & Field" and "Member, 1937 NCAA champions Ateneo Blue Eagle team; 1988 Inductee, Ateneo Sports Hall of Fame".
It was mentioned from other records that Lt. César Basa finished his early education at his hometown in Isabela, Negros Occidental; and his family later transferred to Manila where he entered Ateneo. But it could be that Lt. César Basa finished just primary school at Isabela, and continued his secondary school at Ateneo de Manila University.
If that was the case, Lt. César Basa graduated grade school in 1930 (at 14 years old); high school in 1934 (at 18 years old); and college in 1939 (at 23 years old). For the purpose of the story, this is what I've decided to take in.
Then, what's with the five years difference between high school and college, and what course did he really took? He could've really took BS Industrial Technology and Major in Chemistry that would result for five-years in college.

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4. Lt. César Basa and family's status (extended from #1)
There were no records about the exact wealth of Lt. César Basa's family. Though the idea of his family transferring to Manila and him be a graduate of Ateneo de Manila University since secondary school up to college meant that, no matter how ordinary or normal his family was to lack further recognitions, his family was well-off middleclass ones. Even though Basa's days in Ateneo might be because of his intelligence and athletic wit, as he was both known for, it was definitely not enough for a family to simply live in the capital and even allowed him to enter the military after graduation.
Let's be honest, my parents would definitely kick my ass if I decided to enter Ateneo and took Chemistry, and later decide on my last year to enter flight training. Just to share, Chemistry is also one of my dreamed courses before I realized that I much wanted to be a pilot; hence, an aviation-related course.
Even though entering the Philippine Army Air Corps Flying School would be one shouldered by the military, it was still an extended year for Basa to be dependent of his parents in a matter after years of education in Ateneo. In short, the Basa family had the means to allow such whim than to tell him that he should've decided to enter PMA since the beginning.
A further example of this was Capt. Jesús Villamor who've also entered De La Salle College to study commerce, but later gave it up and headed on to pursue flying quite early on for him to be part of the PAACFS of 1936 despite being about seven months older than Lt. César Basa.
For the sake of the story and based on the writings of Ramón Alcazar, I take in consideration that he could surely afford such a lifestyle that was almost considered luxurious or elite being part of the military. Not to mention that according to Closer than Brothers by Alfred McCoy, in describing Lt. Victor Osias, a close friend and army basketball teammate of Lt. César Basa, PAAC pilots were also known to attend society parties. In short, the status of a PAAC pilot or even part of the military had been of elite status ever since despite the Philippines being an American colony still at that time.

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5. Lt. César Basa's P26-A
As I was searching for pictures of PAAC's P26-A's empennage to see if it has trim tabs, which it doesn't, I came to an interesting blog (https://shellwings.wordpress.com/2017/06/02/the-boeing-p-26a-peashooter-of-the-paac-part-1-a-color-analysis/). I will not go on the details of the color scheme but much more in details of the markings and tactical numbers of the aircraft. According to his blog, P-26s bore the PAAC blue diamond with a white diamond surrounding it; the tactical numbers were in black and located on the tail just before the PAAC diamond; and the words "PHIL ARMY" was located underneath the wings, as it was considered the standard. Additionally, it was stated that according to Villamor, Juliano and Kare, pilots do not even remember the tactical numbers of the aircraft they flew nor even the color schemes as they were more concerned with the enemy than the appearance of their aircraft. I believe this meant that they don't remember their group's tactical number since Villamor seemed so attached to his 303 plane as he mentioned it on his book. Perhaps, the only thing they also looked for a comrade was the fact that they could see one another as the pilots behind the cockpit. I was after the research of what was Basa's last aircraft's tactical number could be; unfortunately, there were no records at all about it, too.

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6. Lt. César Basa's flights and battles
There was only one credited battle for Lt. César Basa, and that was the one over Batangas Airfield as he was coming back from a reconnaissance mission and decided to aid his squad despite only having fifteen minutes worth of fuel, then ultimately leading to his death.
However, it had been contradictory then for the written account in Tempest in the Tropical Paradise by Michel Reich that Basa and Lt. Antonio Mondigo, who were uncredited as per further records, were also part of the fighting for the attack of Nichols Field on 10 December 1941. Another misconception of it was that Reich mentioned that it was at that day that the accounted events of 12 December 1941 happened, including Basa's death.
For the purpose of the story, I've decided to include Basa and Mondigo on the fighting of 10 December 1941, but further details that were attributed to that of 12 December 1941 were removed for the purpose of creative liberties taken.

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7. Lt. César Basa's death
Records about his death were also questionable as three different versions were known:
First, his plane was shot down by Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighters and he crash landed. There was only one record of this, and many even considered this scenario as doubtful.
Second, he bailed out and a Zero mercilessly shot him with their machine guns while he helplessly free-fall to the ground. This situation mirrored that of Lt. Antonio Mondigo, though he was saved by Lt. Godofredo Juliano by distracting a Zero after witnessing the same thing happening to Basa. According to Mondigo, he bailed out at 8000 feet and only opened his parachute at 1000 feet and Juliano indeed diverted the Zero approaching to kill him midair.
And lastly, he managed to land his battered plane at Nichols Field and a Zero ground strafed him as he was running for cover. Lt. Victor Osias who was nearby, ran for his rescue but to no avail as Basa expired in his arms. This was supported with a statement by Osias himself, saying, "The Japanese fighter came down and strafed him. I ran out to help Basa and he fell down almost into my arms with a bullet in the head and a bullet in the stomach. I had to stand there in the field cradling in my arms a man who in his strength and youth had been a fellow basketball player and I had to watch him die in my arms. A very upsetting, very moving, very saddening experience."
It had never been my intention to glorify the gruesome fact of death that a hero tragically suffered. But for the story, I've decided to use the third scenario where Osias came to his supposed rescue. After all, it was not only Osias who've said such happening, but also two diarists—Ramón Alcaraz and Felipe Buencamino III—supported his claim. However, the second scenario was one that was commented to be witnessed by other members of the 6th Pursuit Squadron at that time. Not to mention that records of where he was buried couldn't be found as such. However, even the history of the Philippine Air Force, credited the words of both Alcaraz and Buencamino than those of the 6th Pursuit Squadron.

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8. How much fuel did Basa actually have on 12 December 1941, and how come he made it still at Nichols Field?
I wasn't able to find further information about the P-26A, and for the things that I am after for are in need of technicalities beyond the given resources found online. After all, my biggest question had been necessary for César's and the 6th Pursuit Squadron's POV. In the end, I turn to my own knowledge, take out the C172 Operating Handbook and a Spitfire Manual, and make comparisons even if I should not do such as they are very far from one another. But then, who could blame me when resources are actually limited?
For example, reviewing the Spitfire Manual and the cockpit, the fuel gauge only shows until 48 gallons, which is according to the manual only shows the main fuel tank when the ultimate capacity of fuels a Spitfire with a full tank is about 85 to 95 gallons. Compared to what I gathered out of a P-26A which has 88 gallons but only shows 55 gallons on its fuel gauge; in short, there is a 33 gallons not part of the main tank.
But then again, on the fateful day of 12 December 1941, Capt. Villamor asked Basa for a reconnaissance mission with three hours' worth of fuel, which is then a question if it is a full tank or not; given that there had been an embargo as well concerning aviation jet fuel since 1 August 1941 in US's trial to diminish the power of the Japanese; and focus on the western hemisphere and the territories of Britain. So, there's my question of how much fuel does Basa actually have at that time, aside from the remaining words that he only has 15 minutes' worth of fuel upon his return from the reconnaissance mission.
Here comes my knowledge concerning a C172. A C172 has a full tank of 56 gallons, 53 of it usable. That 53 gallons is 6 hours' worth of fuel; however, I couldn't take in consideration the fuel rate consumption per hour without prior records of it.
However, I manage to come to an understanding of the possible route that Basa had taken on that day. This computations were all based on the maximum cruising speed (which uses 100% power that meant more fuel consumption).

d (distance) = s (speed) x t (time)
d = 173 kts x 3 hr
d = 519 NM

A quick research and given the records that he was coming from a patrol of Ragay Gulf, Batangas to Burias Island (an island just south of Ragay Gulf) was roughly 128 NM; and a return trip would lead for a total range of 256 NM. Then, I assumed that he also patrolled north earlier on; and I took in consideration that he came as far as Olongapo which was only 79.1 NM from Batangas. Doing all the math, he exhausted roughly 414.2 NM. However, when he returned from the patrol, it was said that he only have 15 minutes' worth of fuel, which was once again back to our equation.

d (distance) = s (speed) x t (time)
d = 173 kts x [(1 hr / 60 min) x 15 min]
d = 43.75 NM

This was all, once again, relative to the maximum cruising speed. So, now, the question would be, could he still reach and land in Nichols Field? Short answer is yes, though not because of the fuel he has but with the aerodynamic theory that fixed-wing aircraft are able to glide with a proper glide speed.

Based on this made navigation log of mine concerning his possible routes, Batangas to Manila is credited to be 44 NM away from each other. A dogfight didn't only takes a small radius especially in the air. To add, a P-26A has a combat radius or range of 312 NM. So, how far that could be for a chase range? For the record, Batangas to Pagudpud is 290.5 NM away from each other in flight. But dogfights aren't just a stationary chase as there were turns and climbs and descents. Anyway, as I've mentioned, glide speed had been the reason behind the fact that the P-26As managed to land somewhere else than in Batangas; the farthest had been Aclan at Maniquis (which is 104 NM away from Batangas).
Glide speed and distance are actually what we usually call as rule of thumb. For a C172, with the proper glide speed, there's a ratio of 1.5:1. That means that you gain 1.5 NM horizontal distance in every 1,000 ft you lost. An A320 has a ratio of 17:1, and a Spitfire has a 13-15:1. Sadly, there was no record with the P-26As, too. Hence, it is another rough estimation and assumption in my part that it could be roughly 5-10:1. How come I came to this realization? For one, a C172's cruising speed is about half that of a P-26As; just as the cruising speed of a P-26A is half of that of a Spitfire. Safest bet will be a 7:1 ratio. It had been reported that the fighting was at 8000 to 12000 ft; and even if Basa didn't reach this altitude, he would still make it back to Nichols by gliding the plane (even though it is burning). Believe me, it could still glide even if a wing or engine is burning. Not to mention that gliding or increasing the rate of descent is helpful to somehow extinguish the fire!
(After all, in any event of a wing fire, all lights should be off because the lights are the only circuit line on the wings; and in any event of an engine fire, just cut off all the fuel lines and achieve a much higher airspeed than glide speed or an airspeed where an incombustible fuel could be achieved.)
An additional rule of thumb that we used during Instrument Flights was that of concerning the "Top of Descent" or when should a plane start descending to reach its desired altitude. The greatest rate of descent a plane could descend without even hurting the ears was a 500 ft per minute one. Assuming that he was on 12000 ft and gliding at a 300 ft per minute, he had a horizontal distance of 40 NM to completely descend to 0 ft altitude. However, he could've a rate of descent much lower than 300-500 ft per minute given that glide speeds are commonly achieve in a maximum 100 ft per minute descent.
Anyway, even though we don't have a fix idea of his altitude at that time at all but with an assumption of the glide ratio, the minimal altitude he could be to still reach Nichols; with another assumption that it had been a straight-in landing as turns decreases the vertical component of lift; the safest would definitely be at 8000 ft, 12000 ft would be more. The lowest I could assume is 2000 ft given that he still has minimal fuel before it absolutely runs out.

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This will be updated once in a while for the succeeding chapters! So stay tuned!