A transmission from one station to another station in circumstances where two-way communication cannot be established but where it is believed that the called station is able to receive the transmission.

* * *

December 7th, 0830Z (1630LCL)
Location: Boracay, Caticlan, Philippines

Compared to the rainy weather of Palawan, Boracay is all sunny and warm despite the cooling December month. Due to the removal of majority of the screenplay to be shoot in Palawan, everyone else decides to catch-up a few other things then such as an additional shooting here with Boracay's beautiful white sands, clear blue water, and breathtaking sunset view. And, of course, the flight and cabin crews are aware that there will be some scenes to be shot at Boracay; hence, there is no excuse for them not to be prepared with the necessary attires.

Well, even the production team are also prepared to switch to comfortable and less skin revealing clothes due to the heat. Hence, wearing the comfortable beachwear, both the flight and cabin crews are definitely like any other tourists walking down the beaches of Boracay.

Definitely, I'll be honest that my eyes linger on to Elian, with his well-sculpted model body. Currently, he is dressed in some beach shorts and unbuttoned short-sleeved button-down that reveals much his lean but taut muscled figure with those hard-earned abs and prominent V-line, evoking then such a sex appeal with tousled hair and dark-tinted sunglasses to complement the look. Seeing him this way is incredibly a fresh one, and I'll be honest that I shall not be surprised to see that there's definitely no difference between him and César when it comes to the physical features, indeed.

Well, I can say that much, I ponder before looking away from him to stop myself from blushing. Mag-aassume na lang din ako that the rest are the same; hindi naman kailangan pa malaman what's inside the package...

"(Y/N)," Ellen calls for my attention with a slight snicker. "Alam na naman namin na may something concerning you and Face of the Airlines, at siguro sa side niya mayroon pero sa iyo wala. But then... may nagbloblossom na ba para tumitig ka ng gano'n?"

I raise an eyebrow at her and Lara, recognizing the knowing smiles they have thrown at me right now. "Anong titig na 'gano'n'?"

The two of them share a giggle. "You know?" chides Lara as they draw closer to stand on different sides of me, and look on at where Elian currently is conversing with a few other members of the PR team all the while having a smoke himself. "'Yong titig na... nauuhaw ka. I mean, just look at that body. Madaming lalaki ang hanggang pangarap lang sa ganyan, and yet... Damn, don't get me wrong, (Y/N), pero halata naman kahit kapag naka-uniform siya na talagang matipuno. Dapat nag-Bench body endorser din siya kahit once, ano?"

"'Oy!" Ellen turns to Lara and like a giddy child, she holds on to the other's upper arm and shakes her slightly. "Grabe 'yan! Pero bet ko 'yang iniisip mo, ha! Dapat ba magkaroon na rin tayo ng partnership kasama sila just to make it happen?!"

I frown at them. "Seryoso ba kayo diyan? I mean, parang kayo nga 'yong gano'n makatingin sa kanya eh."

They share knowing looks to one another before Ellen elbows me slightly, saying, "Is that the jealous girlfriend kicking in, (Y/N)?"

Hells... walang kami ni Elian, okay? I want to tell them. That's the truth. However, hindi ko rin naman ma-idedeny that I did look; and it all once again reminded me of César, yet...

I sigh heavily. "Seriously, walang kami, okay? Pero kailangan suitable for children din 'yong shoot."

Lara breathes out. "Dapat talaga next time may hiwalay na promotion para sa mga bata and para sa mga matatanda. I mean... just imagine how much of a thirst trap we can feature out of him!"

"Totoo!" Ellen agrees. "Ilista natin lahat ng iyan para sa susunod na promotion shooting!"

"Kailangan ko ba ipaalala na promotion shoot para sa isang airlines ang ginagawa natin dito at hindi drama series or what?" I inquire.

"Don't be so much of a prude, (Y/N)! Let's admit it, this might be the first and last time we'll get to have a glimpse of that beach body," explains Lara once more. "Or baka pasilip pa lang ito sa iyo, (Y/N), knowing how things are escalating between the two of you!"

I want to insist once more that there's definitely nothing going on between us; but definitely with how our interaction had been for the past few days, anyone with eyes will be able to connect the dots that there is really something. It may all be nothing on my side, but what about on his side? And also... To be honest, seeing Elian this way is not my first time.

If people had known about him due to him being part of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, then I am quite different among them. When I entered Ateneo as a freshman, Elian was already a rising star in the junior year. True, he had been playing for the team since first year but I am part of the few who isn't at all interested with sports; hence, I am a novice not to know about him. Many would say that they first saw him playing basketball for Ateneo, but it might be a little bit of a surprise for me to say that it isn't the case for me.

"My brother is part of the swimming team," Lola, a college friend and classmate of mine, remarks just a month or two since our first year started. We were a group of five, all girls, and from varying places in the country and of varying social status. Among all, Lola was the one who comes from a respectable and known family, and when discussions concerning romances were brought up, our group had been throwing shades wherever, as we were all single, if ever not part of the 'no boyfriend since birth' group, too.

College freshman girls were definitely the newest ones to watch out for by any boys in search of a lover; and definitely, my friends were after some school romance. Hence, Lola suggested such. That with her with us, using the excuse that she was to watch his brother practice, it would be an opportunity that will not even cause eyebrows at our direction at once. And, for some reasons, all of them were eager to come along to have a chance to view some possible beau.

That was just one ordinary college afternoon, after our morning classes ended and instead of heading straight home, made it as an excuse to start off with their so-called hunting.

Lola's brother, Philip, was indeed part of Ateneo's swimming team, taking up the course in communications major in journalism. He wasn't surprised in seeing her and us, and been welcoming and heartwarming to receive us by saying that we're free to watch them practice.

Of course, everyone had their own standards when it came to physical appearances. And for that young version of me at that time, love was rather a trivial thing, and that my vision of it was something that was heavily fantasized by fiction. However, it was strange when one tested it and finally learned what it all meant to be.

Lola and the others had been squealing as they watched one after another, the men's division of the swimming team had their turns with practice sessions. There were a number of them, each group compromising of eight, taking their positions and plunging into the pool at the sound of the coach's whistle. Each of their times were logged, written on a nearby whiteboard for every trial and round, visible from the front bleachers where we were seated as ushered by Philip from earlier.

I was actually not interested with anyone at all. For me, they were all just flapping their arms to propel themselves through the water, trying to beat one another's records. Until, he was there.

A graceful form as the smooth surface of the water broke, and the synchronized movement of his arms resembling that of an angel's wings. I was entranced by the movement; and later be captivated by the man himself. He finished faster than the rest with his record—1:18.2—listed under the one hundred meters butterfly right next to his name.

Lola, seated right next to me at that time, chuckled lightly and drew closer to me, asking, "Do you know him?"

"Should I?" I inquired as I scrambled my memory bank at that time if the name was familiar, and failed.

"Elian Basa," she said. "Not just one of the best swimmers, pero part din siya ng basketball, football, and track and field team. Definitely a reason why there's the on-going nickname of his being regarded as "Tarzan". So, ayon kay kuya, he also has the making of an Olympic swimmer; pero mukhang walang interes sa ganoon."

"Mukhang ang daming nakwekwento ng kuya mo sa iyo about those things, ha?"

"Well, he inspired to be one of the best. But definitely not so. Alam ko na hindi aaminin ng kuya ko, pero alam kong hinahangaan niya si Elian."

His record was definitely the fastest among all others, surely because of his almost immaculate form. But the man himself was all another matter; that when he left the pool, his entire physique had proven quite a well-toned and muscled body, making quite a statement to strong limbs and broad shoulders of a swimmer indeed. He had removed his goggles and swim cap before tousling his hair. And even for a brief moment, his eyes scanned the area that our eyes met.

I was honest to say that at that moment, I was awe-struck and decided to keep whatever building infatuation I have buried as a well-kept secret. It was definitely that moment—that first sight of him—that truly captivated me; compared to the others who only took notice of him for being a basketball star.

"Hey, isn't that the Ateneo basketball player from before?" I hear a nearby woman, visibly a tourist who is along with her friends, stopping at once as her eyes are pinned on to where Elian and the others are shooting their current scene. "'Yong kasabayan nila Ray Fernando and Bong Arce?"

"Oh my, no way!" one of her friends exclaimed in shocked. "Seryoso ba?"

"Oo nga, 'no! Shit... Hindi ko inakala na dito pa natin siya makikita," another added. "Sa tingin niyo pwede magpa-picture or magpa-autograph sa kanya?"

Ellen sighs heavily and crosses her arms. "Picture at autograph? Eh tayo nga na within the circle na, hindi makapagpapicture sa kanya ng selfie o makahingi man ng autograph."

It seems like that respective group of fans aren't the only ones; that by the time I turn around, I realize that there had been quite a gathering crowd. As if we're shooting some drama series or movie than just a simple promotional shooting for the company. As if Elian had been part of the spotlight.

Kathleen had called the end of the shoot itself, and I am sure that she and everyone else in the team are surprised with the group that had gathered with Elian's presence here being in front of the cameras and all. However, despite the fans' shyness, there are still those bold enough to hurry and approach Elian, rather cautiously, asking indeed for a photo or even a possible autograph.

Exhaustion is visible on Elian's features. After a morning flight today and to have this shooting now seems to make him wish to just run back to the hotel and catch some sleep. With how much of an enigma Elian had established in his profile, one that I only manage to break through for the past few days, it is obvious that he hated the public attention.

I am about to take matters on my own hands, as a responsibility of securing our actors; however, I am beaten by it when familiar faces arrive on the scene. Who will have any idea that they'll also be here for some vacation?

"Elian?" calls a man, clearly in a floral-patterned polo and shorts, and dark-tinted sunglasses. When he raises his sunglasses, I finally make a conclusion with my deduction of who it is. "Hanggang dito sinusundan ka talaga ng kasikatan, ano?"

"Okay, tama na 'yan. Kailangan magpahinga ni capt, at—"

"Ray Fernando?!" another fan inquires, almost squealing. "Oh my God! Pwede rin ba magpapicture and humingi ng autograph?"

"A-Ah, sure. Basta iiwas lang natin kay Capt. Basa, okay?"

"Iba talaga kapag sikat, ano?" asks the other man, the question thrown at Elian, who seems to have been polite in declining from the photos and autographs himself.

For some reasons, completely out of the blue, we earn a protection barrier for Elian. And for others, it might appear like some gathering of famed Ateneo alumni right now.

* * *

I recently return back to my room for me to retire for the night. Dinner had been quite an exhausting one having to deal with the likes of Elian's so-called protection squad out of Philip Buencamino III, Gonzalo Gonzales, Fermin Fernando, Alex Albert, Bert Misa, and a few more others. All of them from the same alma mater.

It seems like some courtesy in our part to join them for some drinks, as the entire team had been invited over by them. And as we're to stay another day here, as scheduled, it seems like it had given everyone a chance to drink to our hearts' content. After a few bottle of my own, not wanting to find myself dealing with a hangover tomorrow, I and a few from the team did return to the hotel, excusing ourselves first. We leave behind both Capt. Zablan and Elian with his Ateneo friends, as well as the flight stewards, the men of the PR team, and the layover crew of Captains Geronimo Aclan and Victor Osias. The latter two, surprisingly, were also invited by Elian over upon knowing that they're also spending the night here; much definitely urged to drink with the rest of us upon knowing their own flight details.

As I remember, Capt. Zablan, who've already finished a few bottles himself, told the two others who've joined us, "Basta ba't eight hours na bottle to throttle."

I sigh heavily as I stare at the mirror to apply the last of the creams I've been using as part of my nightly routine. I look a little flush, definitely because of the alcohol even after drinking about a liter or more of water already to flush it out of my system, at least. But even if that's the case, I know at the back of my mind that I am still sober and has a good recollection of the things that happened.

Afterwards, I head on to bed, feeling that despite the things I've done to remove the remnants of alcohol, my mind seems a little lightheaded. Maybe it is because of my lack of sleep or what, but I know that I'll find myself too easy to sleep tonight.

However, a knocking on my door pulls me widely awake. Fear creeps down my skin at once, wondering who it could be. I wait for a second, but the knocking continues. Checking my phone for the time, I realize that it is just few minutes passed midnight. I wait another minute if the knocking will stop, but it didn't; at the same time that it remained to be a calm one than someone agitated for not being answered at once.

Another minute passed, and the knocking continues. Still not as sharp as of someone who is losing his patience.

I calm my nerves and finally decide to see who it is outside my hotel room. I take a quick peek at the peephole and am surprised myself in seeing who it is once more. Unlocking and opening the door, I finally come face-to-face once more—the second consecutive night that he is outside my hotel room at night—and compared to last night, he seems a little too different.

"Uhm, capt," I stammer with the formalities, keeping most of my body shielded by the door in any event that I'll be needing to push him out and lock it once more. "May kailangan ka ba?"

Elian, compared to the times I see him completely of perfection and mystery, this time, he is anything but. His hair is definitely tousled in a wild mess, and his eyes stare back at me with a sense of urgency. After the photoshoot, he opted back to his usual apparel—a match of trousers and a dress shirt with sleeves folded until the elbows—though slightly rumpled as he reeks of alcohol and cigarette. He seems like a lost boy who also finds himself.

I am about to speak up once more and inquire how he is when suddenly, he says, "Dare or not, I never considered you a stranger nor a friend alone."

"What?" I blink and frown at him in question.

However, whatever other words I am about to say to him had been caught up in my throat and by his lips. Swallowing further inquiries that send my mind to an override at once.

* * *

A/N: Vote, comment and share! Whatever you do means a lot to me, and I am really wishing for some feedback!

A few list of notes/flight trivia to share!
1. Lola and Philip were based on the siblings Dolores (1922-?) and Felipe Buencamino III (1920-1949), the two eldest children out of six of Victor Buencamino, son of the infamous Felipe Buencamino (the same guy during the Philippine Revolution and Phil-Am War). Felipe III was also known as Philip, and an Ateneo student and part of the swimming team where he really met César (according to Philip's diary entry of 30 December 1941); though he took Pre-Law at that time, instead of journalism, which he had passion for as it became his work after the war. For Dolores's side, as Ateneo remained an all-boys' school at that time, she never became a student there. For the purpose of the reality's timeline, as well, I made some adjustments concerning their ages. In this one, Felipe III was about the same age as Elian, and Lola was two years younger, about Leonor's age. However, in the dreamscape, Felipe III remained five years younger than César, having managed to swim together in Ateneo when they were on their first and last year in college, respectively.
2. Is that an Olympic 100-meters butterfly record? 1:18.2 isn't even near to the current world record to the long course, which is 49.45; though a little closer to the world record back then in 1957, which is 1:03.4. But, with that record, there was no doubt that it was the makings of an Olympic swimmer.
3. The "Tarzan" nickname was something that really took me by surprise when I was researching about Basa. You'll definitely see my surprise through the chapter, Creating the world of AH, but here we were. He was indeed called as "Tarzan". If we're to look at his countless sports, definitely it attributed him to having almost superhuman physical strength, agility and prowess. Asking my friends for what it could then mean starts from bad to worst? I mean, it could be because of the aforementioned meaning, then to the possibility of being quite the famous young man he was, then to something already below the belt of being considered a sex icon... Anyway, we could only presume why he was given with such a nickname then.
4. Fermin "Ray" Fernando was an Ateneo HS graduate of 1938 and a member of the 1937 NCAA champions Ateneo Blue Eagles along with Basa and Arce. More information about him during the war would be revealed later on.
5. Jess "Bong" Arce was an Ateneo GS graduate of 1930, HS graduate of 1934 and BS graduate of 1938, and called as King Eagle for being the team captain of the 1937 NCAA champions Ateneo Blue Eagles along with Basa and Fernando.
6. Gonzalo Gonzales, Alex Albert and Bert Misa, along with Fermin Fernando, were a few mentioned by Felipe Buencamino III in his diary entry of 30 December 1941 after finding out about what happened to Basa and realizing that there were many Ateneo boys in the same division as him, which was the G-2 of the Philippine Army.
7. Victor Osias is a graduate of PMA Class 1940, a student officer of PAAC Flying School's Class 41-A, and a member of the Sixth Pursuit Squadron. More information about him during the war would be revealed later on.
8. Bottle to throttle. As mentioned from Chapter 18: Crosswind, pilots aren't actually prone to alcohol, and just as how driving while drunk is a criminal offense, flying drunk is also one as it posed question concerning safety. Hence, there is the remark of "Bottle to throttle" in aviation which is the allotted time between the last drink to the hour of reported duty to fly. Bottle to throttle is opted for eight hours, with an additional notice of only having 0.04% alcohol content in the body before flying.

Chapter title: Blind Transmission. For the chapter, there isn't much to discuss about its title; especially with how the chapter ended after the previous ones wherein Elian was definitely acting a little weird and questionable for the Reader...

Follow me on twitter @23meraki for more updates and trivia. ;)
#CFBArtificialHorizon