As the plane finally came to a stop, everywhere was filled with smoke and lit up in flames.
Rick, as well as the other seventy passengers on board were all alive; bruised and injured but alive.
Rick then began to urge everyone to get out of the plane as quickly as they could.
All the passengers began to go back one by one and slowly but surely leave the plane while others stayed back to escorts some passengers out of the plane.
Almost everyone was out except Rick who struggled to find an escape in the cockpit.
The smoke began to fill the cockpit and the fire began spreading into it.
Rick began to lose his sense of sight and began having a few breathing problems as his lungs were filled up with smoke.
He began to feel around and soon enough, he found the gun of the old man laid beside him.
It didn't take long before firefighters and rescue men rushed to the scene and began putting out the fire.
Rick, while still inside the cockpit could hear the screams of the people outside of the plane calling on him.
The sirens of the vehicles as well as the screams of the people reminded of when he worked as a civil defense officer. One of the reasons why he was so calm and first to act during the ambush.
His work as a civil defense officer was one which he loved.
His bold stature as well as a commanding and serene attitude made him a valuable asset to the group.
He loved that more than anything during that period.
It all started after his university days. As soon as he got out of the university, he applied for a job at the civil defense group.
He had to wait a few more years as he was too young and had not yet reached the limit age for entry.
When he was finally admitted, the love for the job soon kicked in.
The commanding nature of the job as well as the environment he experienced each day where surprisingly satisfying for Rick.
Sometimes, he didn't even consider if he was in a life and death situation, he just took it as he was playing an epic video game.
After two years in the job, Rick met a young man named Colg. He loved the job almost as much as Rick did.
He was commanding as well had a bold stature. He was almost the exact replica of Rick.
Soon enough, they were best friends. They could not be seen apart. They were at lunches together, the same camp and sometimes even slept together.
The job got a lot better as Rick discovered Colg.
It was one day, two years later when the union were called into a meeting.
"The other clang, Moshoba, has been unto us for a long time. I think it is time that we shut their operation", was the key point summarised from the meeting.
Rick was appointed leader of the execution for the first time in his tenure and Colg felt accomplished for him.
The situation even got so crazy with Rick and Colg that they were both promoted at the same day almost the same hour.
The day of the assault came and as usual, Rick took it casual like a video game.
Unfortunately, he may have taken it a bit too casual as he miscalculated the exact locations of where the clans would be and they were struck with an ambush where a few members of the group died.
The union had to retreat off the attack and when they reported back to the commander he was fuming.
"You said what", the commander yelled.
"So you led a team of qualified civil defenders into retreat. I am disappointed", the commander said with a slight shake of the head.
"So sorry. I must have miscalculated the attack locations. It won't happen again", Rick then begged in plea.
The commander took it as a hiccup and moved on but promised that Rick will never be in charge of leading an execution ever again.
Rick decided to report back to Colg about the good news of his trial.
"Colg, Colg, COLG", Rick yelled for the last time as Colg was nowhere to be seen.
"Where is he", Rick mustered as the answer came closer and closer. Soon it hit him like a tap on the shoulder.
"Colg was not reported back after the execution. Word is in that he is dead", a civil defense officer said with a groaned face.
Rick went down on his knees, one reason because he had just lost Colg and the other being he is the one who technically killed him.
From then on, the joy of the job completely left Rick.
The memory of Colg never left his mind.
He would remember him during executions, meetings, plots and even while he was in the bathroom.
His case got so bad that he was reported to the commander several times where he never gave any form of defense for his actions.
"I did it. Can we leave now?", was one of his responses while they were acting on his case.
Although Rick was a very good fellow at first and the company knew that the cause of his sudden downfall was the loss of Colg but they had no choice but to depromote him.
He stayed at the union for one more year where he was eventually fired and told to pack his bags.
He was organized a huge farewell party as well as given a few gifts which said sorry for your loss.
Rick left with no regrets except for the case of Colg.
He immediately decided looking on a dating app to see if he couod bid farewell to life risks and a new beginning to a normal family.
The story of how he met Mrs. Rick is one for another day.
Meanwhile, the firefighters were still trying to put of the fires as Rick laid inside the plane shedding tears about the thought of losing his wife and young child to death.
He promised that he would always be there for them but has failed to keep it.
He slowly put his hand on the trigger and got ready to pull it.
He began hearing voices from what he was confused was either inside or outside his head. The loud noise of an object about to blow soon sprung through the air and about that same time, 'BOOM', Rick pulled the trigger.
Everywhere began to sound as a ringing tone and it looked blurry for Rick as he slowly fell onto the body of the old hijacker.