Read The Return of the Manhattan Online
Authors: Lee Ecker
David ordered the Manhattan positioned over the mid-Atlantic in preparation for the launch of the C9 for the historic return to Andrews Air Force Base. David and Roger watched intently, as Brad and Laura planned their strategy occasionally interjecting a suggestion. They planned to reenter the United States from the mid-Atlantic off the coast of Puerto Rico, approximating the flight path the C9s flew on a weekly scheduled basis, land at Andrews Air Force Base, conceal the aircraft, and meet with President Dugan. They wanted no surprises, yet they desired maximum control over the situation to give them a chance to get off to a flying start. They decided Brad should make two calls, one to the president, and the other to the Scott AFB command post. Brad had no illusions about his ability to cut through the red tape and talk to the president, but David assured him it was a piece of cake. Their plan was a calculated risk, but the fewer people knowing about the return flight, the better their odds of success. He thought they should have bluffed their way into landing at Scott, but they needed access to the president, and David convinced him it would be better to land at Andrews and get through to the president as soon as possible.
Their first call bypassed White House protocol, and connected Brad directly to the president’s interphone. The buzzer sounded on the president’s desk, and he picked it up, expecting his secretary’s voice on the other end, answering casually, “Yes.”
“Mr. President, this is Major Brad Anderson; may I speak with you?”
“Major who? How’d you get on this line?”
“I’m Major Brad Anderson, the aircraft commander from the C9 medical evacuation aircraft that disappeared a few weeks ago.”
“You’re who?” Brad had his attention. “Is this some kind of joke?”
“No, Sir! We will be arriving at Andrews Air Force Base just about three weeks late.”
“What happened?” he demanded.
“I’m sorry, I can’t discuss it over the phone, and there is more I need to talk to you about privately.”
“Have you been hijacked? Is somebody coercing you to make this call?” He sounded concerned.
“No Sir! That’s not it, but I’m not at liberty to say why or where I’ve been. It won’t do any good for you to ask any more questions at—“
“Ridiculous! I’m the president, I demand to know! Where are you?”
“With your permission, I will be arriving at Andrews at 1400 hours this afternoon. For national security reasons, we must hangar the C9 and keep it from public view.”
“That may be difficult considering. Hold on a minute.” Brad waited patiently, overhearing the president giving orders to his secretary, “Major Anderson, what you are telling me is impossible, I won’t deal with terrorists, or insubordinate military officers.”
“Sir, I can’t explain over the telephone, but I assure you, I’m not dealing with terrorists; I insist and I must have your cooperation. For national security reasons I must see you, in person, alone, before I can say more.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t accept those arrangements,” he stated, stalling for time. “I think you should start by telling me the whole story.”
“I’d like to. Believe me I would, but I can’t. All I can say is the future of our civilization hangs in the balance. The people I’m working with will stop at nothing short of complete success for this mission, and I know you will be one hundred percent behind us as soon as we have an opportunity to speak with you!”
“I can’t see you under those conditions. I can’t even be sure of your identity!”
“I will speak with the duty officer at the Scott Air Force Base Command Post and with your permission, they can make those arrangements. They will also verify my identity. I’ll be in touch—good-bye sir.” He disconnected without giving the president a chance to say any more.
Brad turned around, “He didn’t believe me. I’m afraid I wasn’t very convincing.”
“That’s to be expected. If we don’t succeed at first, we’ll try again. Let’s hope your friends at the command post will listen, and we can get through to the President that way.”
At Scott Air Force Base, the same NCO who had been on duty the morning the aircraft disappeared answered, “Good morning, Scott Command Post, Sergeant Walter, may I help you, Sir?”
“Morning, Sergeant Walter, this is Major Anderson.”
“Major who?” Her amazement was evident. “What are you doing on the phone? You’re dead! We already had a memorial service for you! Are you a ghost?”
She kept rambling on until Brad broke in, “Hold on! You know who I am, and you know I’m alive. I waited until I knew you were working this morning; I wanted you to be the first one I talked with,” Brad added to humor her a little, and hopefully settle her down.
“Where are you? What happened? Is everybody okay?” When he hesitated and didn’t speak for a minute, she turned to the officer on duty, “Sir, I think you better handle this!”
The duty officer, sensing her confusion, picked up the phone, “This is Major Sparks, may I help you?”
“Bob, this is Brad. I’m glad you’re on duty today.” Major Robert Sparks was an old friend of Brad’s; they had been buddies in Vietnam. “I know this may be a shock to you… Sorry about that, but we’re on our way home!”
Major Sparks hesitated a moment before responding joyfully, “It’s good to hear your voice, Brad! Best news I’ve heard all year, but you’ve lost me! What happened? Where are you?”
“We’ve been through a fantastic experience best described as one out of the twilight zone; maybe someday I can tell you all about it. I’m more excited than I’ve ever been before in my entire life. I’m really sorry I couldn’t get back to you sooner, but you’re the one I need to talk with. You know my voice, and I know I can count on you.”
“Sure, but you know you’ve already turned this base upside down. You don’t know how many friends you have until the worst happens. I don’t know if we can take any more.”
“I know, and I’m sorry about all the fuss. We are okay, and will be arriving at Andrews in a few hours. I talked with President Dugan, but I couldn’t convince him. I told him I would be calling here; I’ll bet you will be getting some high-level calls pretty darn quick!”
“I don’t doubt that for a minute. Did you know he was here at Scott for your memorial?”
“Yes, I’ve been watching the news! At least he is aware of everything that has happened up to this point, and that should make him easier to deal with. Listen, unless your recorder is down, you should be getting all this on tape, so please don’t interrupt until I finish. I can’t give you many details, but I do need your help.”
“Sure, Brad, the recorder is working fine, go ahead.”
“I don’t know if you will be questioned about it, but if you think it might be important, we could go through the identify verification procedures?”
“No, that’s not necessary, I know who you are. We don’t have that information here anyway. I would have to go through the squadron to get your file.”
“Okay, this is important. We are not in difficulty, and everyone is in excellent physical condition, including Dana Higgins, our urgent patient. I need you to keep this secret. Nobody, I mean nobody, except those absolutely necessary! Talk it over with Colonel Brandt, he will understand. I know this line is not secure, but nothing is perfect. If all goes as planned, we will arrive at Andrews at 1400 today, and we need to hangar the aircraft immediately to keep it from the public’s view. More importantly, I urgently need to speak to President Dugan privately. Those are the things I’ve already tried to convey to him, so far without success. Do you understand all that?”
“I understand, and I wouldn’t have believed you either if I didn’t know you so well, but why?”
“It’s a matter of national security, and I need your cooperation on this. There is no danger to anyone; I have not been hijacked, and these are not terrorist’s demands. But, I need you to understand that the aircraft must be hangered, and guarded so that no one can enter it without my knowledge. I also need a flight plan filed. If you will file a standard six eighty-one flight plan from Rosy Rhoads that will more than suffice.”
“That’s a big order Brad, I’m not sure we can do all that.”
“Bob, I’m counting on you. I’ll be ready to pick up that flight plan in less than an hour.”
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. “I hope Dad can make it back okay. I don’t know how things will turn out. I feel so out of place, and so alone.”
He wanted to hold her as he reached across the console, taking her hand to reassure her, “Don’t worry, I’ll be with you every step of the way; you can’t drive me away. You’re not alone, and your father will be fine. You’ve got to believe that, and since there is no way you’ll ever know for sure, you should only think the best. I know he will have no regrets; he made a major contribution to our civilization’s survival. Remember him that way. You’ll do fine; hang in there.”
“Thanks! I’ll try not to embarrass you!”
“You couldn’t; it’ll probably be just the opposite. By the way, we are entering the United States in the normal way on this flight plan, and the customs agents will probably want to meet us. We’ll just have to fake it. Do you have customs in your time?”
“No! And that’s no longer my time!”
“Good, now snap out of it and let’s get on with our business. You’ve sulked long enough!” He relentlessly continued, “It’s a good thing your father can’t see you now. Your father had a great deal of faith in you. Have a little in him!”
“Yes, Sir, Major Anderson!” She responded angrily.
“Well, that’s better! I thought for a minute you had given up. Let’s get back to work.”
“Here we are swinging the Tacan at Grand Turk,” she announced.
“Thanks; go ahead and give them a call.” He flipped the VHF radio to 135.15 for her.
“Miami Radio, Air Evac six eight one, Grand Turk, flight level three five zero.”
“Roger, Air Evac six eight one, radar contact.”
“Gee, they didn’t have radar down this far last time I was here. I guess they are getting more modern all the time.”
“A far cry from modern; it all sounds primitive to me. I’d better go back, and check on the patients and see how the crew is doing; they should be waking up by now.”
Brad busied himself with checking over the new navigation equipment, comparing the computer-generated maps on the newly installed CRTs with the islands gently passing by far below them. The islands were some of the most beautiful in the world as seen from the air. The colors around the islands varied from deep blue to light shades of pale green looking inviting for scuba diving or sailing. They were beautiful and he thought he could watch them forever, but he was glad he was going home.
Laura quietly returned, “They’re doing fine; your copilot Jon can’t understand why it’s so quiet back there.”
“The C9s are normally quite noisy the closer you get to the engines near the tail compartment. If the engines are a little out of sync, the throbbing vibrations can get to you. I hope he doesn’t get too curious before we get to Andrews, and wonder why he’s not up here.”
“Right now he probably couldn’t even force himself to stand. His mind is a bit sluggish, just beginning to function.”
“A few more minutes and we’ll be over Bimini and from there on over Miami and back in the States.”
“Wow! It’s beautiful down below. After four years without being able to look outside, I can’t get enough of it. Of course the Manhattan has viewing ports in the command center, but while traveling through time, it’s a blur.”
“What did you do during those four long years?”
“It didn’t seem that long; there was always something to do. I did a lot of studying with Dr. Dorn and Dr. Baker, a lot of exercise, and of course a lot of waiting. I’m sorry now I didn’t spend more time with my father.”
“Tell me about your mother.”
“Not much to tell, I don’t remember her; she died when I was two. My father says she was beautiful, and he’s always saying he never remarried because he could never find another woman that could compare. He did find someone though, but he hasn’t been able to convince her to marry him. She was my real mother.”
“Sounds like your dad and I have a lot in common. There’s always something between us and the women we love.” Laura didn’t respond; he continued, “My mom and dad are living, but Mom is in pretty bad shape. She is completely dependent on Dad, but he has a pretty strong faith in God, believing that she will be completely healed someday.”
“What’s her problem?”
“She has a form of crippling rheumatoid arthritis which has kept her confined to a wheelchair for over twenty years.”
“I’m sorry, that’s a long time to suffer. We don’t, I mean they don’t have that problem in the twenty-seventh century; Mom died during that long voyage I told you about. She was an astronaut and died during a pirate attack on her shuttle. My father won’t talk about it. I think he blames himself.”
“Hey look out there, traffic at about eleven o’clock?”
“It’s two aircraft flying in close formation. Are they ours?”
“This close to Miami, I hope so; probably interceptors sent to check us out. I don’t think they mean any harm, but to be on the safe side, why don’t you get your dad to turn on the force field. I don’t want to be shot down before our mission begins.”
She coordinated with the Manhattan, “Okay, it’s on.”
The radio suddenly came to life, “Air Evac six eight one, Miami Center, you are being intercepted by two Air Force F15s; they request you come up on frequency three three five point two.”
“Roger, Air Evac six eight one.”
By the time Brad tuned in the UHF radio, the F15 Eagle fighters were clearly visible, making a slow turn to come up behind them. “Air Evac six eight one, this is Topper three one flight, how do you read?”
“Five by.”
“We have been ordered to look you over and escort you to Homestead Air Force Base!”
Without hesitation, Brad came back, “Sorry, Topper, no can do. You’re welcome to look us over, but we will not land at Homestead!” His heart skipped a beat or two as he realized the critical nature of his position.
The lead fighter edged a little closer but encountered too much turbulence as he approached within 500 feet of the C9 and could come no closer—stopped cold by the force field. The fighter pilot turned his camera on and pulled back coming alongside on the right. He could see nothing unusual and dropped back with the other fighter. “Air Evac, we had our look and insist that you follow us to Homestead.”
“I can’t do that!”
“Then we insist you turn around, and go back.”
‘Go back where?’ Brad was beginning to think he hadn’t communicated as well with his friend Bob as he thought.
The silence was punctuated by cannon fire as the lead fighter fired a volley across the nose of the C9. “Air Evac, that was a warning; we mean business, and will not allow you to proceed any farther!”
The C9 continued on its present course, as Brad had no intention of going back.
“Final warning, turn back!”
As Brad hesitated and didn’t respond, there appeared a large orange ball of flame, and all three aircraft vanished from Miami Center’s radar screen. The Sidewinder heat-seeking missile barely cleared the launcher before exploding upon contact with the protective shield surrounding the aircraft. The lead F15 was immediately engulfed in the fireball and destroyed, sending fragments of the aircraft falling into the sea far below, disappearing without a trace. The second F15 after colliding with the debris, tumbled toward the ocean surface out of control, leaving no opportunity for the pilot to eject.