“Well, there’s nothing on here about launching a flying saucer from a float so I guess we’re clear for liftoff.” Willie laughs, handing the sheet to Jared before looking at his watch. “Ten minutes to go!”
I look behind to see the other club members gathered around the float. Carly and Anna have changed into white jump suits with the acronym F.A.C.E. written on the back in bright orange letters. They are climbing up on the float getting into position. Manny and Evan are talking, fingering the triggers of the fire extinguishers that will simulate engine exhaust. Evan has done a real good job of running hoses around the float so the cloud will be evenly dispersed.
The outside noise becomes more nerve-wracking as each minute passes. I want to shout to relieve the tension, but can’t. “I wonder where our parents will be watching from.”
“I told Dad where we hope to launch,” Kylie answers just as softly. She squeezes my hand again. “And Gramps is going to join them, if I heard their plan correctly.”
“I wonder where Stiles is watching from.”
“I’m sure he’s got us in his sights somewhere,” Jared answers.
“Well, there’s nothing he can do to stop us now,” Willie comments, looking at his watch again. “Ok. Let’s do it.” He hops out of the Beast and walks around to the back. Tommy, Kylie, and I join him near the hitch with the others lining up across from us.
“Tommy,” Willie says, turning to our young friend, “would you tell Evan and Manny that it’s time to mount and hook their extinguishers up? They know where.”
“Sure!” Tommy replies with excitement, and takes off.
Willie releases the catch on the winch and begins pulling on the cable. “Okay, Jer,” he says quietly, “you and Jen crawl under all this flowery trim stuff, and I’ll hand you this clevis pin. Make sure you run it around all the cable guides so it doesn’t interfere with the gyro-frame. And watch out for the exhaust hoses, too.”
I look under the tissue paper skirt. It is softly lit. Jared easily makes his way to the back of the float with the cable as Willie feeds it out. A minute later we hear a soft clank as Jared attaches the cable to the gangway. Willie then lowers the tailgate and pulls out the weighted cooler containing the envelopes with the bits. He looks around quickly. “Here you go,” he says, passing the box to Jennifer where she waits under the skirt. We hear a distant air horn announce the parade is starting to move.
Then Kylie pulls another white jump suit from under the seat and hands it to me. It also has the F.A.C.E. acronym on the back. “For good luck,” she says. I slip it on over my shorts and t-shirt. My name is embroidered on the front as well.
“Well man, this is it.” I turn to face Willie who holds out his hand. Hesitantly I shake it. “This is the day we make history,” he continues more seriously than I have ever heard him. “God speed, Tyler Williams.”
I turn to Kylie. “Get up there,” she urges. Then she embraces me with a hug, and lets me go with a kiss. I look into her eyes one more time. They are glistening just like that day we walked home from her house and she ended up coming over for dinner.
“We gotta roll!” Willie yells back at me. I look forward to see him step into the Beast and close the driver’s door. I run to the back of the float. Venturi has appeared from somewhere, claps me on the back, and says, “Have a good flight.” I stop and stare at him for a moment. Does he know? Then he laughs at his joke and helps me up onto the float.
Carly steps off the gantry so I can climb up. “Isn’t this great?” she squeals with excitement.
It takes some balance to cross the gangway. I hear Willie slapping his hand on the door panel impatiently. As I climb into the cockpit, I look up the line of the parade into which he is being motioned. Everything seems to be rushed now. My phone chirps. “Kylie Charles call…” I stick the hands free earpiece in and answer.
“How’s it going?” she asks calmly.
“Just fine.”
Jared is peering up through the gyro-point frame. “Hey! Get moving there.” We can all hear the marching band cadence in the background, signaling their readiness to start moving. We are already behind schedule. I hit the switch for the computer. Nothing happens. “Fire up the fuel cells,” Jared suggests.
I nervously reach over to open the regulator for the hydrogen tank on the right side, then the left. I hear the gas start to flow and note the power gauge on the fuel cell coming to life with fresh energy. I turn to flip the key to bring the gyroscope wheels to life. “Shit!” I exclaim. “Damn Stiles!”
“What?” Kylie shouts in my earpiece as we start moving.
“The key is gone! We’re screwed!”
A few seconds pass. “No we’re not! Stand up!” Kylie instructs me. I stand up in the cockpit so I can see her. As she walks along side the float, she is reaching around the back of her neck, pulling a chain over her head. It’s the duplicate key I had given her a couple of months ago on that walk home past The Hill.
“Ready?” she asks, preparing to pitch it to me. I nod. The key, chain and all, come flying at me. Good thing she has an older brother to play catch with. The throw is perfect, though the catch is not as smooth. The chain hooks around my little finger and wraps around my wrist. I insert the key as I quickly sit back down. The instrument panel lights up. Punching the power button, the computer boots up with no further delay. But we’ve lost more precious time.
We are almost up to the first turn onto Foch Street. Jared is desperately watching for my signal that the program is running. I smile and speak the password as I key it in. “That’s right,” Kylie responds. The flight control software flashes onto the screen. Pressing the slider for the front group of lifters, I shoot Jared a ‘thumbs up’ and point towards the front. He looks away at Jen who is probably and quickly testing for the electrical current in the tubes. Jared disappears. A few minutes pass before he reappears and points to the right side. I press the appropriate slider on the screen.
We turn the first corner. Behind me I can hear Carly and Anna begin chanting “five, four, three, two, one, liftoff!” Evan and Manny squeeze off a blast from their fire extinguishers, a portion of which comes up through the gyro-frame.
Jared reappears, waving his hand in front of his face. I can tell the pseudo exhaust cloud is hindering their progress. He points left. I press the left slider, signaling them to continue. It seems like ages before he reappears for the back set of lifters. I can’t imagine how difficult their job is. The moving float jars over each pothole, patch, or manhole cover in the street. Somebody should have thought about bringing kneepads.
“Five, four, three, two, one, liftoff!” comes the chant again, this time Manny and Evan join in before the shot of exhaust. At least, or hopefully, Jared and Jennifer can hear the countdown and prepare for the interruption. We are coming up to the next turn very quickly. I’m beginning to think we won’t make our planned launch point.
“What’s going on in there?” Kylie asks.
“They’re almost done with the lifters,” I reply. Just then, Jared gets back to signal me. “We’re starting on the front pitch controllers… now.” I press the slider on my screen, and Jared takes off. “These are going to take more time. They have to travel out to the perimeter of the saucer to get to the individual groups. And the side tubes hang over the outside of the trailer almost a full foot. And the exhaust just gets in their way.”
“Maybe that wasn’t such a good idea.”
“The crowd sure enjoys it.”
“Well, I guess that’s something.”
“Five, four, three, two, one, liftoff!” comes the chant for a third time, seeming louder to me.
“Kylie?”
“Yeah, that’s right. The crowd chanted along with the countdown this time. Kids are keeping pace with the float so they can countdown with us. It’s crazy. I think we are the most popular float this year.”
Jennifer’s face appears below me, looking worn and tired. She takes a few deep breaths. Jared appears beside her, point
ing doggedly towards the back. I press the slider on my screen and signal. They disappear again.
We turn the next corner onto Marie Street. This is a short stretch. We aren’t going to make it. “Kylie,” I say, “tell Willie we’re not going to be ready by the next turn and not to raise the gangway.”
“Is that all?”
“That’s the most important part. Tell him we’re going to plan B.”
“We have a plan B?” she asks.
“I’m working on it.”
Jennifer appears beneath me, signaling for the left PCs. She is already gone when I give my ‘ready’ response. The chant goes off again, and I’m surprised that it is really beginning to annoy me. Things just aren’t going smoothly for us, but the crowd really loves it. We make the next turn heading up to the high school and the football field. I assume the parade route will be in front of the grandstands, finishing at the far end-zone like the previous year.
“There’s Gramps,” Kylie says, “and the dads. Your mom’s here, too. She’s really starting to show.”
“Umm, yeah, but can we focus on this task, please.”
“Your grandfather has his arms out like he wants to know what’s going on. Should I go tell them?”
“Just signal them to follow along,” I suggest. “And Kylie, tell Willie plan B is to stop in front of the grandstand for the launch. Now that I think about it, there are no power lines there either. I just have to watch out for the light poles.”
“That’s what we’ll do then. I’ll tell him.”
Lights! Dusk is rapidly overtaking our parade. That was the other reason for launching before we got to the football field.
“Willie’s all set. He thinks it’s a great idea!”
“Do you know if the tower beacon at Elf City works?” I ask her.
“It works. Should come on automatically,” she answers.
“Could you call Uncle Earl, let him know I’m coming in late and double check. I’m afraid I’m going to have to find my way back home in the dark.”
“Use the compass.”
“I will. I just want to make sure I have a backup in case I get turned around or something.”
“Okay. I’ll call him. Be right back.”
I look down to see Jared frantically wanting my attention. Pointing right, he disappears quickly. The last group of G-bits are finally being loaded! The poorly maintained drive up to the school will give them even more trouble. Another chant is heard as we approach the turn that will take us down to the field. I’m not sure what Jared and Jennifer will do once their job is complete.
Kylie comes back on the phone. “Okay. Ty?”
“Yeah?”
“Uncle Earl says the beacon is good. He says the other lights are on, too, and the drop hatch is wide open. And he wants me to remind you not to go up too high. He doesn‘t think we need any more guests.”
“I know. I remember his concerns from the test flight. We’ll just have to see how it goes. This is only my second time at the controls. I’m not sure what to expect once I’m out in the open.”
“Oops. Yikes! Look out!” Kylie cries in the phone. “Wow!”
“What?” I ask.
“Jared and Jen just fell off the side of the float. They’re ok, but Jen almost got hit by the trailer.”
“And everything is set to go?”
“Yep. They look exhausted,” Kylie observes.
“I’m going to put it into flight mode now,” I say. I reach for the button on the screen.
“Wait! Are you sure?” Kylie comes back. “What if the calibration if off just a bit. You might take off too soon.”
I sit back, trying to relax. She’s right. “Ok, but I don’t want to wait too long.”
“You won’t have to. We’re turning onto the track that goes around the football field.”
This is it then. I peek out over the cowling. The grandstands are full on both sides. The lighting poles are off to the right of the track about twenty feet. They won’t be a problem I guess. People are cheering for the bands, for the floats, and for the team. I never understood why homecoming was such a big deal, but being on the field, with the cheering, I begin to have a new sense about it. Suddenly the float stops. We are centered directly in front of the grandstand. The group in front continues forward. I can only hope that behind us the rest of the parade is stopping, though they won’t quite know why.
I hear the winch cable below me scrape along the trailer. I notice the gangway rising up to the gantry out of the corner of my eye. I wish I could see the look on Carly’s face. The crowd just cheers louder. I feel the gangway stop. I look behind me to check the clearance. Carly and Anna have jumped off the float. I’m sure they’re wondering what’s going on.
“Looks good to go,” Kylie remarks.
Then I hear her and a couple hundred people begin shouting. “Five, four, three,” I press the flight mode button, “two, one, liftoff!” Evan and Manny give a long pull on the fire extinguishers. Being their last performance, I think they’re trying to empty them. The white fog is all around the saucer. The crowd is cheering wildly. I apply some power to the lifters easing the saucer up off the trailer. The cloud disappears below me; the crowd noise ceases in unexpected wonder.
“This is weird,” Kylie whispers into my earpiece. “The whole place is dead quiet.”
The whir of the gyroscope wheels is all I can hear as I continue my ascent. Then faintly, a soft rumble of applause begins as the crowd absorbs what is happening. Do they know what they are seeing? Do they assume that F.A.C.E. has built what they are seeing? I wish I could see Mr. Venturi’s face now! Have a good flight. Indeed!
I hover when I am well above the lights of the field. The change in brightness tells me I’ve risen slightly out of their range. “Kylie? What does it look like from where you are?” I ask.
“Pretty cool,” she replies in awe. “The colors of the bits are just barely visible under you. They’re undulating with their pale blue color.”
“Hope I get a chance to see it,” I comment.
“You will. There’s got to be at least a hundred cameras taking shots of you right now,” she says. “You should probably start for home. I can see the authorities on their way here to shut our party down.”
“I can’t see a thing of what’s going on down there. Can you fill me in.” I adjust the speed of the gyro wheels to point the saucer in the direction home.
“Not right now,” her voice sounds hurried. “Willie thinks we better get going if we’re going to meet you back at the hangars.”
“Ok then. I’ll race you.” I lean the saucer forward and feel the speed increase as it creates a glide path. It’s a smooth ride. I just have to keep power applied to the lifters to keep from getting too close to the ground.
“Tyler?”
“Yeah, Ky?” The joy of flight is in my voice.
“Please be careful.”
“I will. Love you.”
“Love you, too.” She sounds worried. I hear the roar of Willie’s Beast over the earpiece, and I know they are rolling again. Some interference causes the call to get lost. I guess I’m on my own for a while.
I turn my concentration to the saucer. Through the gyro frame, I can see the houses and streets pass under me. The little bit of forward pitch I need, allows me to see what I am heading for, too. I begin to go a little higher in preparation. Off to my left I can see a part of The Butte, though it is quickly sinking into darkness. That’s my biggest worry; flying in the dark. Once I’m over the hills, I’ll feel much better.
It’s a pretty calm night though there is plenty of breeze in the partially open cockpit as I head east-southeast out of town. The sky is clear, with only a few clouds lit underneath by the setting sun. I wonder how fast I am going. I see Route 51 pass under me. The altimeter says I’m three hundred feet off the ground. I’m surprised I don’t feel more anxious but everything seems to be running smoothly. The Rio Grande passes quietly below me. I have to pull up a little mor
e to float safely over the foothills which are ahead of me.
I’ve only flown once before in my life, and I’m surprised again by how different the ground looks. Familiar landmarks don’t look the same. I had read once that pilots need to be able to identify what they are seeing on the ground to make their way towards their destination. I wonder if I could get confused and head in the wrong direction. The sun is behind me though, and I can still see well. As long as the beacon is on, I don’t think I’ll have any trouble.
My phone comes alive again. “Kylie Charles…”
“Tyler?” my earpiece crackles again. “Tyler? Are you there?”
“I’m here, Kylie. This is great up here. I hope I can take you up some time. It’s so quiet and peaceful. You’d really…”
“Tyler!” Her voice demands attention. “Your uncle just called. He says to expect company. He says you’ve gone too high.”
“What exactly does that mean?” I ask uneasily.
“He says he’s been monitoring the airbase at Roswell. They’ve scrambled a couple of jets because you’re unidentified and heading towards White Sands. Your uncle thinks you have about ten minutes before they get here.”
“That soon, huh,” I comment uneasily.
“Yeah. He suggests you get as low as you feel comfortable with as soon as possible. He doesn’t think you put off enough heat for them to track you thermally.”
“And I don’t have any lights other than the instrument panel. I’m just getting over the top of the hills now, so I can start to go down again, but it’s getting pretty dark on the surface.”
“Can you see the beacon yet?”
I look over the cowling and wait a few seconds for the light to rotate around. “It’s off to the right about two degrees,” I report. “I’m heading for it.” I can feel the adrenaline start pumping again as I move the rudder pedals. The saucer responds slowly. “Did you guys escape okay?” I ask, trying to forget my predicament.
“Willie took the back streets. We got back to the car museum okay. The trailer was really slowing us down. Jen, Jared and I are in her car now.”
“Willie left his Beast behind?” I ask incredulously.
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