The Return of the Manhattan by Lee Ecker

Author:Lee Ecker
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781491702789
Publisher: iUniverse
Published: 2013-09-03T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 27

Laura spent a few minutes with her father while Brad went to the aircraft to complete the preflight inspection, and assist Dr. Baker boarding his crewmembers and patients. David was acting his role making sure Laura understood how little time they had if they were going to be able to return to their time, but to Laura it was all too real. He had a hard time keeping a straight face as he allowed Laura to join Brad in the C9.

The strongbox containing the top-secret plans for the time machine was stowed in the forward cargo compartment. The rest of the storage areas were filled with spare engines, parts, and the equipment Laura needed for the introduction of the new engines. She had a wealth of technical information stored in the massive memory banks of her computer which she carried with her in a small attaché case. David insisted that she keep back up files stored with the other equipment in the forward storage compartment, even though from his perspective, he didn’t think she would need them since their portable computers were 100 percent reliable.

As they passed several miles to the north of Puerto Rico, Brad descended to 17,500 feet, turned on the transponder to the VFR code 2100, and attempted contact with Miami Air Route Control Center, convinced all arrangements were completed. “Miami Center, Air Evac six eight one.”

“Air Evac six eight one, this is Miami Center, go ahead.” was the immediate reply.

“Miami, Air Evac six eight one, four zero miles southeast of Grand Turk at one seven thousand five hundred feet heading three two zero. Request clearance to Andrews Air Force Base.”

“Cleared to Andrews Air Force Base, direct Grand Turk, as filed, climb and maintain flight level three five zero. Squawk six eight one one.”

“Roger, cleared to Andrews, direct Grand Turk, as filed, climbing to flight level three five zero, squawking six eight one one.”

“Report Grand Turk to Miami Radio on one three five point one five.”

“Roger Miami.”

Brad pushed the throttles forward slightly and eased the nose up as they began their climb, flipped on the autopilot, and began to relax. “Easy as pie, no problems here, we’ll arrive at Andrews right on schedule.”

Brad observed Laura closely sitting silently, trancelike, morosely, berating herself for something beyond her control. But even her sullen disposition could not detract him from the love he felt or his resolve for his life with her. He needed to take her mind off her father, “Laura, how about checking making sure we arrive over the outer marker on approach to Andrews at exactly 1353; we want to make our arrival as close to the time I gave the president as possible.”

Laura spent a few minutes toying with the computer and connecting the auto throttles that would control the proper speed to arrive on time. Unable to concentrate more than a short time, she sat in silence a few minutes before confiding, “Brad, I’m afraid.” She lost a little more of her assurance and composure.

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