Night Lantern Tour Leg 2

Leg 2 — LIPH → LDPL Treviso, Italy → Pula, Croatia A dangerous Adriatic crossing delivering medical supplies and extraction codes toward resistance sectors operating along Croatia’s northern coastline. Under Black Skies Treviso’s military apron remained completely dark until moments before departure. Only lanterns marked the taxi route. The resistance network avoided radio transmissions whenever possible now. Too many aircraft had already been tracked through intercepted signals and electronic surveillance. Your route eastward crossed the northern Adriatic beneath heavy cloud cover and scattered thunderstorms. Lightning illuminated the sea in violent flashes while isolated islands drifted silently below. Halfway across the water, another aircraft briefly appeared off your left wing. No navigation lights. No transponder. Just a dark silhouette pacing your heading through the storm before disappearing again. Friendly. Or hunting. Nobody knew anymore. Pula finally emerged through sea fog near 02:00 with only dim lanterns marking the runway edges. The crews unloading your cargo never spoke above whispers.