Major Sleet and family spend one last night in Brisbane with Machspeed and friends, then head home. Let the fun begin!
Hal and his family discuss how they managed to be together when the Event happened at a dinner before heading home from Australia. Then the group, Machspeed and Flashpoint included, head back to North America. Next problem is getting from Santijuana to Vegas in anything resembling promptness. Always those pesky interruptions....
A Ponies after People tale, crossing Goldfur's Safe Landings with Mixtape's Sin Never Dies. My gratitude to them both, and to Starscribe, without whom I wouldn't be writing this.
All good things must come to an end, and tonight was just such a night. For the past eight weeks, Major Hal Sleet, his wife Raven Blacklight, their children Black Onyx and Kaleidoscope, and their housemate and good friend Wordsmythe had been touring Australia, with the aid of their new friend Flashpoint. Teleporting was so much faster than taking a train or ship. The family had readily accepted Flashpoint’s offer to take them back to the Colorado Territories, at least as far as Santijuana. They intended to make a family trip out of the excursion, riding the train from Santijuana through Yuma, Blythe, Havasu, and Riviera before going to Vegas, continuing to Salt Lake City, to add some more destinations to Flashpoint’s list of sure targets for teleportation. The ARRRS had few contacts in the North American continent, and the squad is taking the opportunity to get some.
This night, Machspeed and Flashpoint took the visiting family into Brisbane to one of their favorite restaurants, leaving Black Onyx and Kaleidoscope in the charge of their daughter Starstruck, to give the parents (and uncle) one night alone with adult companionship. At the last minute, Amelia and Sunbeam asked to join the party, which was accepted by all involved.
The meal, as usual for Brantlee’s, was excellent, and the seven ponies were relaxing with after-dinner drinks when Amelia asked a question. “It’s obvious that the three of you get along well. Were you friends before the Event?”
“Hal and I have been best friends for almost twenty years before the Event. Still are now, mostly.” Raven said with a slight menacing edge in her voice, which all knew was in fun, not menace.
“While I knew Hal for about ten years, mostly online, but once every year or so, I would make the drive out from Texas to where Hal lived in Scottsdale. Made a good change from caring for my parents.” Wordsmythe contributed. “I’m glad they will Return healthy, if they have not already.”
“Have you been able to find out?” Sunbeam asked.
“No, not really,” the orange earth pony said with a sigh. “My part of Texas is not exactly the big city. More of a small one.”
“Then, what brought you out to be with Hal and Raven?” Machspeed asked.
A glance went around the three visiting ponies before Wordsmythe went on. “Hal, or Chuck Corso, as he was known then, had called me a week before, saying I should get my backside out there as soon as possible…”
# # #
Carl Jones’ pickup truck pulled into the driveway of Chuck Corso’s house in northern Scottsdale, Arizona at about five in the morning. A fifteen-hour drive had left him tired, as it usually did, but he was still wondering why Chuck was so insistent he get out there. The front door opened and Chuck came out.
“Let’s get into my car and head to Einstein’s. Janet’s sleeping now, and I don’t want to wake her up just yet.” Chuck said.
“Okay, Chuck. I can do with a couple of bagels. Just what’s going on?” One thing Carl liked about going to Arizona is the bagel shops. The nearest one to where he lived in Texas was a couple of hundred miles away.
Chuck and Carl got into Chuck’s Chevy Impala. As Chuck turned the key, he said to Carl, “You know Janet moved in with me ever since Brian went into the VA home. We got some news last week. Not good news.” Chuck said.
“What’s happening? The Red Heifer take a turn for the worse?” Carl asked, using his nickname for Brian, someone he did not like very much.
“Worse than that. Janet’s kidneys are failing rapidly. Doctors estimate she has maybe a year left, probably less. She’s to start dialysis next month. A transplant is out of the question, due to her other issues.” Chuck said as he made the left onto Thunderbird Road, heading for the Einstein’s on 40th street.
“So, why you ask me to drop everything and come out here?’
“Starting this weekend, I’m taking several days off from work. We’re going to fly to Vegas, and I’m going to ask Janet to marry me. I want you there as my Best Man. You willing?”
Carl sat there in surprise. “You’re going to marry Janet? I thought you were a confirmed bachelor!”
“I am. Janet has been my best friend now for years, and I want to see her happy. If marrying her and keeping her happy for the rest of her life is what it will take, then, I will do it. She deserves no less.” Chuck said as they pulled into the bagel shop parking lot.
“You really do love her, don’t you?”
“I have for almost twenty years, but I would never get in her way. First, she was married to Ogron, then she left him and went with the Red Heifer. Now that he’s in the hospital with dementia, it’s up to me. I’ve rented a Cessna 182 and we’re going to fly to Vegas after close of business Friday night, coming back Wednesday morning.”
“Where we going to stay at?”
“The MGM Grand. I have a suite reserved, and tickets to some shows. I know Janet wants you there as well. So, you willing?”
“You better believe I am! Janet is a friend of mine, too. If she’s not going to make it, I’m going to help her, too!” Carl said emphatically.
“Good. What bagels do you want? On me.” Chuck said as they went inside. Carl made his selections, Chuck ordered for himself and Janet, and they headed back to Chuck’s house, where Carl made use of the spare bedroom, and Chuck headed in to work at Carver Avionics.
# # #
“You truly are a good friend, to head out on a simple request to do so” Flashpoint said to Wordsmythe.
“Well, Hal and Raven are good friends. When Hal said to get out there as soon as possible, I jumped, because he does NOT act that way. Well, he didn’t.” Wordsmythe said.
“I was just a simple avionics technician, willing to live and let live, be who you are in exchange for letting me be me.” Hal said.
“That’s why we became best friends.” Raven chimed in with. “He never tried to change me, and I didn’t try to change him. We supported each other when we needed it.
“When I divorced Gregory, and moved in with Brian, he was there to give me strength. When Brian finally lost to dementia, Chuck offered to have me move in. He didn’t demand, he simply offered. When I said yes, his delight supported my sinking spirits.”
“That was very kind of you, Hal.” Machspeed said to the pegasus.
Hal shrugged his wings some. “I loved her from the minute we met. She was with my best friend, and I would not steal from him. I would not force myself on her, as much as I wanted to, because it would not have been right. Not since my first wife did I love anyone as much as I loved Janet.”
“What happened to her, if I may ask?” Amelia asked.
“She was killed in a traffic accident while I was out at sea on my first sub, the six twenty-four. I got a message four days before the ship pulled in to Holy Loch. I was given an option to be evaced off the Woody Wilson, but I said no. We were going to be back in Connecticut the next week, and she would still be dead.” Hal said sadly. “I was due for a shore rotation after that patrol, but I transferred to Charleston and served five patrols on the six fifty-six, the G.W. Carver, then going to shore duty at the Charleston navy base before discharging and heading home.”
“That was no picnic either.” Raven said. “Two months after coming home, his father died of a lung infection. Four months later, his mother died of cancer. He used some of the life insurance money to finish paying off the house, literally taking over his mother’s job at Carver Avionics, saw his one sister married and the other one graduate high school before they headed out for their own lives.”
“Keeping the house gave me the opportunity to have people over without censure. Paying it off saved on bills, too. Plus, I got paid well as a master avionics technician.” Hal added.
“How did you manage to be together when the Event hit?” Machspeed asked.
“I’m getting to that.” Wordsmythe said.
# # #
Before Chuck got off work that Friday afternoon, Janet fell ill and Carl rushed her to the hospital emergency room. Fortunately, the ailment was easily treated, but it wasn’t until after ten that night before Janet was released. It was shortly after midnight, Saturday, May 23rd, 2015 when the Cessna 182 took off from Scottsdale Airport, destination Henderson Executive Airport outside of Las Vegas.
The night was clear and the stars bright as they flew northwestward, Chuck following the few lights on US Highway 93 from Phoenix to Wickenburg, then north to the Interstate 40, over to Kingman and up to Vegas. “I’ve known you for over ten years, and we’ve been to Vegas together several times, but this is the first time we flew, instead of drove.” Carl said, looking out the window at the beam of light coming from the Luxor, the city still hidden beyond a mountain range.
“Haven’t had the need to before. Now, I don’t want to spend six hours doing something I can do in less than three.” Chuck said, glancing at Janet dozing in the back seat.
“It is faster, and a bit different. Too bad you can’t fly out to Texas to get me.”
“I’ll have to land once to refuel about a hundred or so miles from your place. Top off again there, then land again in Tucson to refuel. Believe me, with the price of avgas, driving is cheaper.” Chuck said as they crested the last mountain range before their destination, the lights of Vegas spread in the valley below. “Besides, you need your truck to get around while I’m at work.”
“You do have a point there, Chuck.”
“Wake up Janet while I call the airport, Carl. She will want to see this.” Chuck said, putting on the combination headset and microphone.
Carl reached into the back seat and gently shook Janet. “Hey, Birdie, wake up. We’re almost there.”
Janet snorted and opened her eyes. “Wow… that’s some sight! What time is it?” she asked.
Carl checked his watch. “Just coming on three. We’ll be landing in a few minutes. Chuck wanted you to see this.”
“I’m glad you woke me up. This is some sight.” Janet said as she picked up her phone and started taking some pictures as Chuck verified getting on final approach for landing.
Chuck landed the plane and taxied to a tie-down spot. The clock on the dash clicked over to 3:14 am, Saturday May 23rd, 2015. As Janet filmed video of the lights, especially the bright beacon of Luxor, the dark of night suddenly changed to the light of day, the sun just over the mountain range to the east.
All three people screamed in surprise, because they quickly discovered they were no longer people, but horses of some sort. Janet found herself a lustrous black unicorn, with a purple horn, hooves and mane. Carl found himself a burly dark red horse with a rusty orange mane, while Chuck was slate gray with a mane of several different colors, blue, red, orange, yellow and green. His shirt bulged oddly at the back, too.
Chuck shouted something distinctly profane in Italian, his headset slipping some on his head. “What in hell happened?”
“It has to be some sort of magic, Chuck. Good magic. I have not felt this good in years!” Janet said from the back seat, sounding elated.
“Well, maybe this magic could help us open the doors, because I can’t get a grip on it.” Carl grumbled.
“I think we have another problem. We’re not in Vegas anymore.” Chuck said, waving a hoof around. Outside the plane was a vast stretch of desert terrain, with no sign of the airport that was there seconds before.
“Yes, we are, Chuck. Look this way.” Carl said.
Everyone looked in the direction Carl indicated, to see the Stratosphere Tower glittering brightly in the morning sunlight a few miles away. “Where did everything go?” Janet wondered.
“I don’t know, but I’m going to try the radio. My back aches.” Chuck grumbled, fighting to get the microphone switch pressed without a thumb.
“Henderson Control, this is Two Juliet Mike, do you copy?” No response came to Chuck’s ears. “Henderson Control, this is Two Juliet Mike, do you hear me?”
“Isn’t there an emergency frequency you can dial in to the radio, Chuck?” Carl asked.
“There is. I just hope I can throw the switches to change things.”
“I got my pocket tool kit, Chuck. Maybe I can work the pliers with my mouth, or both hooves.”
“Worth a try. Or better yet, a pen or something. I need to change frequencies. I got one in my shirt pocket. Can you reach it?” Chuck asked, leaning over to his right.
Carl leaned to his left, twisting his head to grab the pen. When he did, Chuck indicated the radio selector. “Keep pushing that until I say stop.” Clumsily, Carl managed the feat. “Okay, my turn.”
“Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. This is Two Juliet Mike calling anyone who is listening. Something weird has happened, and I am unable to operate the plane. Send help, please.” Chuck said into the mic.
“Two Juliet Mike, this is Nellis Operations. What is your location and status?” came a woman’s voice over Chuck’s headset.
“Nellis Operations, Two Juliet Mike. We had just landed at Henderson Executive Airport when everything changed, including the three of us.” Chuck reported.
“Okay, Two Juliet Mike. Just stay put and somepony will be down there in just a few minutes. Keep calm and don’t panic, okay? You’re in good hooves now.” said the voice on the radio.
“Somepony? Good hooves? I don’t understand.” Chuck said, getting more confused by the second.
“You will, Two Juliet Mike. I’ve called for the Dust Devils. They will be there soon. Is your engine still running? I hear a roar in the background.”
“Nellis Operations, Two Juliet Mike. Yes, it is. We had just landed, and had taxied to a tie down spot when everything changed.”
“Well, when help arrives, shut off the engine. You can get a lot of money for your fuel and your plane. Where did you take off from, and what plane do you have?”
“We took off from Scottsdale Airport a little before midnight. Two Juliet Mike is a Cessna 182. Tanks should be about half full. Get a lot of money? What do you mean?” Chuck asked.
“Some time has elapsed since you landed, Two Juliet Mike. Like about thirty-two hundred years.”
“Thirty. Two. Hundred. YEARS?” Chuck squeaked, getting the attention of Carl and Janet.
“That’s right. The Dust Devils will be there in a moment. They rescue ponies like you. You’ll be well taken care of. They’re good at what they do.” Nellis Control said as a group of horses appeared about a hundred feet in front of the plane. After a brief pause, Chuck heard, “Shut your motor off now, please.”
“Finished with engines, aye.” Chuck said quietly, throttling back the engine and shutting down the plane. “Engines off.”
# # #
“Our first meeting with the Dust Devils was a bit anticlimactic.” Raven said with a small smile. “When Ace opened the doors and unbuckled the belts, both Chuck and Carl fell out and faceplanted in the sand. Imagine our surprise when Chuck’s wings came out from under his shirt.”
“Raven, not in front of us!” Hal and Wordsmythe chorused, with identical grimaces.
When the laughter died down, Raven went on. “We were taken to the retraining and re-education center, where we learned how to be ponies. I was the fastest through basic, then Carl, then Chuck. We decided to stay together, because we all cared for each other both before and after. Every ailment I had while human went away when I became a unicorn.”
“Other than the kidney failure, what did you have?” Sunbeam asked.
“Lupus, cancer once, scoliosis in my back, and a bad vertebra. I was in a wheelchair most of the time. Not anymore!” Raven said with a smile.
“It’s so good, seeing her move without pain. Same with me.” Hal said. “I was the oldest of the bunch of us. Some days, I felt every year. I’m glad my job did not put too much strain on me.”
“What did you do after indoctrination?” Machspeed asked, sipping his beer.
“We got an apartment together while we went to our species training. I went to Bummer, Hal to Poofta, and Wordsmythe to Creep. Hal found his talent for weather control there, I settled into magic design, and Wordy found he has a dab hoof in making things grow, be they plants or ideas.” Raven told the group.
The words led to confusion among the Australians. “Bummer?” Flashpoint asked.
Raven had the grace to look embarrassed. “Sorry. There are three main Returnee training schools in Las Vegas. Pegasus Flight Training Academy, the P.F.T.A., is referred to as ‘poofta’ by many. ‘Bummer’ is for the Brotherhood of Unicorns Magic Association, or B.U.M.A, and ‘Creep’ is the Center for Rehabilitation and Education of Earth Ponies. Whoever thought of those names centuries ago had to have been a Returnee.”
“I can see why.” Sunbeam said.
Amelia looked to Hal. “Is there a rule number six?”
Hal looked back at Amelia coolly. “There IS no rule number six!” he said. “We use that for unforeseen circumstances.”
“Like when your old boss in the NAS tried to overthrow his boss and take his place last year.” Wordsmythe said.
Hal grimaced a little and nodded. “Yeah. He tried to amp up a storm and take out the Stratosphere Tower. Lucky for all I was Duty Officer that day, and got wind of his plans early. Wordy’s girlfriend overheard something weeks before, she told him, and he told me. When everything fit together, I took steps to put the kibosh on his plans.”
“And spent a week in a body cast and a month in hospital after you busted that storm.” Raven said drily. “Sent me into labor two days early.”
“A week in a body cast? Must have been one rough landing.” Sunbeam said.
“The bolt was more powerful than I had expected. I could not have been more than fifty feet away from it. The thunderclap knocked me out and dislocated my wing shoulder. When I woke up, I could just barely level out. I didn’t notice, in the wind, rain and dark, just how low I was.”
“You damn near died, Hal. In fact, you DID die, but Green Mane managed to resuscitate you.” Raven said with a hint of bitterness. “If Ace didn’t have a fix on you, you would have been found on the sands, dead.”
Hal blushed some. “Well, my mother gave me a choice. I decided to stay here and raise my children. I wasn’t ready to leave you just yet. She was a pegasus, too, which confused me.”
“I thought your mother had died before the Event. How could she be a pegasus?” Flashpoint asked.
“Damned if I know. All I can report is what I saw. She shoved two of her wing feathers up my nose. That HURT!” Hal said before having a slug of beer.
“Near-death experiences don’t have to be logical. They just are.” Raven said.
“So, what did you wind up doing after you finished your secondary schools?” Sunbeam asked.
A glance bounced around the three visitors before Wordsmythe spoke. “The proceeds from the sale of the plane set us up in fine fashion. Hal bought a nice villa on a hillside near Lake Las Vegas, uphill from the town. I got a job at City Hall, working in the records department.
“Vegas keeps extensive records on Returnees, carefully interviewing them and getting data on who they were, what they were doing and so on, in case others of the group return, or, if residents, family members. I also got a side job writing articles for the Review-Journal, the local newspaper, and occasionally do newsreel features.”
“While I stayed on at BUMA, learning more about my magic. I got adept with telekinesis, and started working on other spells. I have five new ones to my credit so far, chasing ideas that I have had for a long time. I’m a Professor now at BUMA, on leave while touring with the family and kids.” Raven supplied.
“New spells are right, la bruja pendeja. I decided to follow a passion of mine, music. I had an extensive collection on my laptop, and sold many to Las Vegas Radio Services. I parlayed that into a job doing part-time on-air work, as well as doing technical repairs of the transmitters in the Strat Tower.
“I also tested well in Weather Control, serving in the Nassie’s Monsoon Control team my first year there, learning team methods, tactics, and how to use my weather control skills. I got my butt print when during that first summer, I managed to kill a storm cell with one of the bolts like you saw in Sydney. Let me tell you, Colonel Stormcloud was impressed, and repeatedly requested that I join Weather Control full time. But, I like working at Las Vegas Radio Two, playing music from the mid-fifties to the mid-eighties,” Hal explained.
“He went from a weekend gig to a full-time spot that first winter, and got the afternoon slot the following spring, mixing music with commentary and jabs at the community politicians and big shots, calling things as he saw them. His popularity has soared with the populace, and now he’s the number-one rated deejay in Vegas,” Wordsmythe explained.
“Then, how did you get conned into a months-long expedition to Australia?” Machspeed asked wonderingly.
“Two reasons. One, I have always wanted to see Australia, being a big fan of both footy and Paul Hogan. Two, Blue Blizzard asked. He rewrote the book on weather control procedures in the Vegas area,” Hal explained.
“He may not be able to READ it anymore, but yes, he wrote it.” Raven said, just a little snarkily.
“Hey, after I saved his bacon last year when Colonel Hard Ass decided to try a power play, and damn near destroyed the Stratosphere Tower in the process, he decided to make my commission in the Aeronautical Survey permanent, while sending me here to see if anyone else in near-similar environments to Vegas and the American West had other ideas on weather control,” Hal said before snorting some. “Looks like I have been the one bringing innovation here, rather than finding it.”
“I still think it was a good trip, Hal. I got a kick out of you hanging over the rail for three days on the freighter,” Wordsmythe said as Hal blushed some.
Raven added, “I don’t think I have ever seen that shade of green on a pony’s face before. I know the kids haven’t.”
Hal hid behind a mug as the others laughed. “So, I get seasick. It’s not unknown. Subs travel UNDER the waves, not THROUGH them.”
“But barfing for three days straight? That must be a record. You told me one time the Wilson was taking forty-five-degree rolls while going into Holy Loch, and you took it without problems,” Wordsmythe said, hiding (not very successfully) a smile.
“Yeah, but I wasn’t watching water moving the whole time. I was watching people flying through the berthing spaces. I’m just glad I had a bottom bunk.”
“While I’m glad we will be teleporting back. Thank you so very much for agreeing to do so, Flashpoint,” Raven said to her fellow unicorn.
“We have been wanting more and better contacts in North America. We don’t have many now.”
“Many?” Mach countered his wife. “We have one. The only reason why we have it is that we wanted to go to sea on our honeymoon. Not half a day after arriving in Santijuana, I get a call for a A320 heading out of Auckland. We handled that job, and never really thought of going back.”
“The time zones will be against us,” Amelia added. “what with the distances involved. What is early morning there will be late evening for us. We may not be able to scramble there fast enough to be effective.”
“Still, it would be good to have you on call, in case Ace can’t get matters handled in time. We had a jet pancake at Nellis last spring. Definitely not fun. I saw the smoke plume from the studio.” Hal said, shivering some.
“That’s our job to do. I’m sure your folk have good skills, but we have Flashpoint.” Machspeed said.
Amelia jumped in with, “Not to mention the rest of the team.”
“If and when I can ever get to the same level of skill as Flashpoint, you just might have a rival in business,” Raven said, eyes twinkling and her horn sparkling a little.
“A rivalry I can live with, Raven. You’re picking up the teleport spell readily enough. It’s the scan portion that is giving you fits.”
“Yeah,” Raven snorted before sipping from her wine. “I’ve got your talents diagrammed out, it’s finding a way to make it mesh for me that is giving me hornaches.”
“You’ll get there. I’m sure of it.” Machspeed said before stealing a look at the clock. “If you’re wanting to be in Santijuana at nine in the morning, we’re going to have to leave at two a.m. here.”
“It’s seven p.m. now. I think we can all get a nap in, unless someone wound up Onyx and Kalie.” Wordsmythe said, finishing his beer.
“You’ve shown us your home, allow us to return the compliment,” Hal told his hosts.
“I’ve flown in to Las Vegas a few times, working for Qantas.” Amelia said.
Hal looked at Amelia. “It’s a lot different. The Old City is pretty much gone, the center of business having shifted to the shores of Lake Las Vegas, a bit to the east, not quite to Lake Mead. The only things still going in the Old City area are the Stratosphere Tower and Nellis Field,” he said quietly. “It’s a bit of a shock.”
“Before we go, I want to ask you a couple of questions,” Sunbeam said as Machspeed went to pay the bill.
“Go right on ahead, Beamer.” Raven said.
“When did you find out that Hal wanted to marry you, why did you change your names, and what happened to the overthrow attempt you mentioned?”
Raven handled the first part. “It was after we had all graduated the secondary schools. We had settled into the villa, we all started our jobs, and were getting back to a normal life. When Hal said he wanted to marry me, it was not much of a surprise. I knew how much he cared for me, and it just seemed the right thing to do. Besides, it helped me be able to control this wild stallion!”
Hal shot Raven a smoky Look as he answered the second part. “After graduating Basic, we all decided at once to change our names. I chose the one I did because of my weather-related abilities, Janet became Raven Blacklight, and Carl originally wanted Wordsmith, but that was already taken, so he chose Wordsmythe. We weren’t the same people as before the Event, so why keep the same names?”
Wordy handled the third part as Mach came back from paying the bill. “Mayor Good Deal was so grateful to Hal for saving the Stratosphere, he offered Hal command of the Weather Department.”
“I said that I would accept, if he would allow me to jam a lightning bolt so far up his ass he could pick his teeth with it!” Hal said to much laughter. “I told him that I wanted to stay just what I was, a radio deejay who put politicians in their places. He accepted that, and struck back at me later.”
“I can get you the newsreel of the dinner and roast the city put on for Hal after he recovered.” Wordy said with an evil grin.
“Oh, no, you won’t! I’ll have Archives burn every single print of that!” Hal protested, his ears turning reddish.
“Now, why would that be?” Amelia asked innocently.
“The roast was payback for all the heckling Hal has done to the movers and shakers of Las Vegas for the past five years. The Mayor did say when he visited Hal in the hospital that he would throw the first pie. He did. The first of about a hundred.” Raven said, trying not to laugh.
“You helped them with that hold pony spell you put on me! For two minutes, I could not move!”
Wordy laughed some more. “Not to mention being covered head to tail with pie filling. Took groomers half an hour to clean you up!”
“Oh, that HAD to have been a sight…” Machspeed said.
“I’ll get you a copy of the newsreel.” Wordy said. “One advantage to working both for the Records department AND the news service.”
“You do that, Wordy, and I’ll fly you out to Goodsprings and make you walk home!”
“You could not even lift me, Hal.”
“That’s beside the point!” Hal shouted to the other’s laughter as they left Brentlee’s.
It was past midnight in Brisbane when the group heading back to the Colorado Territories was woken up. It was a somewhat groggy bunch that made sure the saddlebags were packed, as well as a small cart laden with souvenirs and awards they had received on the trip. Fortunately, Machspeed had some strong coffee in stock at the house, so, by the time they had to leave, almost all were alert, the exception being the younger contingent, Starstruck, Black Onyx and Kaleidoscope.
Before departing, Machspeed called Amelia to him. “Get the crystal Raven made for you, please,” he asked. When she brought it out, he tapped an identical crystal he had to hers. “While I’m away, you are in charge. If a call comes in, tap your crystal. It will cause mine to chime. If I can call you immediately, I will tap once. If not, I will tap twice. If it is real urgent, tap repeatedly for ten seconds. Flashpoint will teleport us back home to assist. Got it?”
“Got it, Mach. How long do you plan on being away?” Amelia asked.
‘I’m hoping for a week, to fix Santijuana, Yuma, Vegas and Salt Lake City in Flashpoint’s target list.”
“Why Yuma?”
“It’s the site of a former military base. It has the longest runways in the area. I want to add Tucson, but I don’t think the rail schedules will fit. There are trains between the cities, but service from Tucson direct to Vegas is somewhat sporadic, ever since they pretty much abandoned Phoenix. Tucson has good runways, too.”
“Here’s hoping, Mach.” Amelia said seriously, then grabbed Mach by the jacket and pulled his face to hers. “Don’t forget to call me if needed…”
“I won’t. Believe me, I won’t…” Mach gasped as Amelia let go.
“Good. I don’t want to miss out on any fun!”
“You won’t, Captain Amelia. You’re in the saddle now.”
Somewhat groggily, Onyx and Kalie wandered up to Amelia for a good-bye snuggle before Raven picked them up, putting the sleepy unicorn colt on her back and the drowsy pegasus filly onto Hal’s. “Let’s get this show on the road, ponies,” she said.
“Sounds good to me. Gather round, everyone.” Flashpoint announced. The departing party jostled some, to get in contact with her before she activated her teleportation, and the group disappeared, to reappear in the mid-morning light of Santijuana, on a pier.
“Okay, I know where we are. The train station should be two miles that way.” Hal said, pointing with a wing south and east.
“Let’s get going,” Wordy said, starting to walk in that direction. “If I remember right, there is an eastbound train leaving at eleven. Should arrive in Yuma by five. We can overnight there, or take a night train north.”
“One step at a time, Wordy,” Machspeed told the burly earth pony. “We’ll need to place mana beacons in Yuma and hopefully Tucson. With the old air force bases that way, it would be good for us to at least make contact.”
“Okay. While you and Hal get the tickets, I’ll try to find train schedules. Just remember, out here, train schedules are more a hope than actual times. Sometimes they are early, others late. Bank more on late than early.”
“I know the feeling, Wordy. The only transport that can be relied on is IRT, and they are NOT cheap.” Machspeed replied, referring to Interurban Rapid Transit, a company run by a family of unicorns who can open telegates between places. The main trouble with using them, if you can pay their rates, is if they can put you where you want to go. More than likely, you’ll have some more traveling to do, but a lot less than not using them.
“No, they are not. Blizz considered using them to send us to Brisbane, but when he got a quote, he put us on that freighter,” Hal said as he walked.
“At least he paid for the train, Hal. He is a good pony to know.” Raven retorted.
“Even though he can’t squeeze water out of a wet sponge now. He is a canny politician. Has to be, to remain as head of the Nevada Aeronautical Survey for the past fifty years.”
“You know Kalie likes him.”
“Heck, I do too. He’s a good old duffer who should have retired a decade ago. But, he doesn’t want to.”
Wordy jumped in to the conflict. “Back off, you two! I know you’re cranky and time-lagged. You can nap on the train!”
“Yes, Wordy,” the bickering couple chorused.
Machspeed whispered to Wordy, “Are they usually like this when cranky?”
“Only when they are together.”
Upon arriving at the train station, they were surprised to find the train not only there, but getting ready to leave. Hal bought first class tickets, Wordy got a schedule, and once everyone had boarded, the train pulled out, destination El Centro and Yuma. All eight of the ponies slept soundly, if a little uncomfortably, as the train stopped in El Centro for an hour, loading and offloading passengers and freight, before resuming its journey to Yuma, arriving at about five that afternoon. By then, everypony was up and hungry, and descended on the train station restaurant for a healthy dinner before finding the hotel and checking in.
Before leaving the station, Machspeed picked up another schedule, finding out that another train company ran in the Colorado Territories, different than from New Angeles. A little checking showed that they could go to Tucson the next day, arriving mid-afternoon and changing trains later that day for the trip through Phoenix, Flagstaff, Kingman, and Riviera before arriving in Las Vegas sometime the day after next. Mach thought about calling Hal to discuss plans when a knock sounded from the door.
Starstruck got the door, she being nearest. Hal was outside. “Mach, want to head to the airport? Maybe you can get some contacts there, and I want to meet Weather Control.”
Mach looked at his wife and daughter. “Sounds like a good idea to me. Would you be all right here, Starstruck? We may be gone a couple of hours.”
Starstruck held up a book. “I can keep myself out of trouble, Dad. If anything happens, I’ll ask Raven for help.”
Flashpoint smiled at her daughter’s words. “Saves us from having to say it.”
“Knew you were smart, Starry,” Machspeed said. “You know where to go, Hal?”
“Yes, I do. It’s not too far away. Just not much traffic here.”
“Here?” Mach snorted. “Not much traffic anywhere.”
“Don’t I know it. Maybe I should go for my twin license. Up at Nellis, they have some of the new DC-3 copies. I’m sure I can refresh my training there.”
“Out for Mach’s job, Hal?” Flashpoint said with a laugh.
“No way! I have too much to do without doing that. Besides, I never learned how to fly jets. It’s just having been working with you these last couple months make me want to try to get back in harness again. Just because I’m a pegasus now doesn’t mean I won’t sneer at other means of flight,” Hal said as they approached the airport gates. “I have been around planes all my life. Why stop now?”
“Good point, Hal.” Machspeed agreed as they got to the gate to the airport.
Hal went up to the guard post. “I’m Major Sleet, Nevada Aeronautical Survey, Station Victor. Which way to the Station Yankee building?” he asked the guard, an earth pony of quite impressive stature.
“Over that way,” the guard said, pointing with a hoof. “You’re the pony that got pie-eyed big time last year, yeah? Saw the newsreel.”
Hal looked like he was going to melt as Mach and Flashpoint laughed. “Yeah, that was me. I have yet to get even with the wife over that. These two clowns are Machspeed and Flashpoint, from the Aeronautical Returnee Rescue Response Squad, from Australia. Who is in charge at the tower?”
“Telegraphony, the manager’s apprentice. She drew the overnights this week.”
“Is it permitted to visit the tower?” Flashpoint asked.
“Yeah. I’ll phone ahead, so she can unlock the door.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“Who’s on duty tonight at the station?” Hal asked.
“Captain Radigan and Number Four squad.”
“Good! I’ve spoken to Raddie before. Can you let him know I’m here?”
“I can, pie-eye,” the guard said with a snort.
Hal looked to the clear early evening sky. “Why must I be remembered for THAT?” he groaned as all three laughed, splitting up to head to their destinations while the guard made some phone calls.
# # #
Machspeed and Flashpoint found the door to the small tower unlocked, so, up the stairs they went. Atop the tower, they found a pink pegasus filly with green mane, tail and wings at the radio. “Oliver Five, this is Yuma Tower. Say again, please.”
“Yuma Tower, Oliver Five. We are a KC-135 out of Sky Harbor out to do night refueling operations over the proving grounds. Something happened, and, well…. We’re all weird horses!” the voice over the radio said, sounding close to panic.
“Looks like we got here at a good time.” Flashpoint murmured to Machspeed.
“Got that right,” he replied.
Telegraphony asked, “Oliver Five, what is your location?”
“Yuma Tower, when this happened, we were about twenty-five miles south of Gila Bend, heading two seven zero. Autopilot still has control. What do we do? We’re full of fuel up here!”
Machspeed came up alongside Telegraphony. “Allow me, this is my stock in trade. Get on the radar and get me a fix on them, please.”
Telegraphony jumped, a wing nearly whacking Mach on the horn. “Oh, you’re here. Please, if you know what to do, then show me how to do it.”
“I’ll do what I can to show you, but first, we have a plane to get down.” Mach said as he took the microphone. “Oliver Five, I am Captain Machspeed of the Aeronautical Returnee Rescue Response Squad. Rescuing aircraft like yours is what I do for a living. Once you show up on our radar here, I can get a fix on you and come up to assist.”
“Just how do you plan on doing that, Captain?”
“Magic has arrived, and we know how to use it. My wife is a very skilled teleporter, and once you show on our radar, she can get a fix on you, and we can get out there to help you.”
“Hope you can land a flying gas station, Captain Machspeed.”
“I was in the Royal Australian Air Force before retiring. After that, a commercial pilot. I’m pretty sure I can land a KC-135.”
“Mach, we have contact. Range seventy-five miles, bearing zero-seven-two. I have a fix on them.”
“Right, Flash,” Mach said before going back to the radio. “Oliver Five, just keep flying straight and level. We will be there in two minutes or so.”
“Oliver Five ten-four.”
Mach then turned to Telegraphony. The young pegasus was out of her depth, knew it, and was glad for the help. “I want you to call Weather Control here and have Major Sleet report to the tower. After that, call the airport manager and let him know that you have an inbound aircraft. We’re going to need some lights turned on for nav aids.”
“Her… she’s my grandmother. I’ll let her know. She should be here before you land.” Telegraphony said.
“Her, then. Also, alert whatever authorities you have here for Returnees and let them know some will be coming in.”
“Yes, Captain.”
“Good! Flash, let’s do this.”
Flashpoint moved next to her husband. “Doing,” she said before doing so.
They reappeared on the flight deck of the aircraft. “Hello, ponies, welcome to the future! I’m Captain Machspeed, and this is my wife, Flashpoint. Who might you be?” Mach asked cheerfully.
The two ponies in the flight positions, a unicorn pilot and a pegasus copilot, both turned to look at the two unicorns, their eyes a little glassy. The copilot dropped the microphone he was holding in both hooves. “I’m First Lieutenant Williams, and that is Captain Collins. We are both in the Arizona Air National Guard, 161st Refueling Wing, out of Goldwater Air National Guard base in Phoenix. Sergeant Rockford is in the back, and we have not heard from him. Will we get out of this alive?” the white pegasus asked.
“Yes, you will, one way or another, we’ll get you down. First thing is to get you two out of those seats and back into the cabin,” Machspeed told the ponies. Mach’s horn glowed, and the seat belts on both pilots opened. Mach lifted Collins, and Flash lifted Williams, moving them both to the cabin.
“Flash, you handle the new ponies, and check on the sergeant. I have a flying gas tank to land!” Machspeed said as he went to the cockpit, settling himself in to the pilot’s seat, putting on the radio headset.
“Machspeed to Yuma Tower, do you hear me?”
“Mach, this is Hal. Read you five by. The tower operator is calling the manager, and I have the duty weather teams available. What’s your status?”
“Everything nominal for now. Situation under control, three ponies aboard. At this speed, I should be in your area within fifteen minutes. Can you get the runway lit?”
“I’ll do my best. If not one way, in another way.”
“How long is the landing strip?” Mach asked.
There was a pause before Hal replied. “Mach, it’s a nine-thousand-foot strip, but only the southern five thousand feet can be declared truly safe. The northern four thousand feet has not been cleaned off in several months, so it’s likely to be a little rough.”
“This tanker has full tanks, so it’s going to take a little while to stop. I hope that north end isn’t too bad.”
“It’s rough enough, with lots of drifted sand.” A different voice said over the radio. “No rocks, but you had best have a steady hoof on the wheel as you do your roll out, buddy.”
“I’ll remember that. Who am I talking to?”
“Captain Radigan of the Sonoran Weather Arizona Control Teams. We always have our swact together. I’ve been around here now for going on forty years. That runway is stable, just not all clean. We don’t get many Returning planes coming in here. Most go to Tucson. They’re better equipped there.”
“What are the chances I can get to Tucson?”
“Pretty damn good. If I remember those tankers right, you can be there in about half an hour. Steer zero-nine-five and keep on that heading until Tucson picks you up. I’ll give them boys a ring once you’re headin’ the right way.”
“Sounds good to me, Captain Radigan. Disengaging autopilot, turning to zero-nine-five.”
“Good to hear, Captain Machspeed. If given a choice between here and Tucson, I would land there every time, especially with a fully loaded flyin’ explosion waitin’ to happen.”
“Mach, this is Hal. I’ll handle explanations here, and I’ll look after Starry until you get back.”
“Saves me from asking, Major. I’ll be back when I can. Right now, I got a big touchy bird to handle.”
“This is Radigan. Stay on this frequency, I’ll tell Tucson, and they will call you. They got the better stuff, anyway,” he finished with a grumble.
“Ten-four, Captain Radigan. I’d like to see you after this is done.”
“What a coincidence. I want to meet you too. Safe flying.”
“Right. I’ll need it. Oliver Five ten-ten.”
“Mach, everything is stable back here. The boom operator is now a zebra, and in more shock than the captain is. All three are resting comfortably in the cabin, and the Lieutenant is talking. What’s the course change for?” Flashpoint asked.
“Yuma advised us to divert to Tucson. Runway in Yuma only has five thousand feet clear. Captain Radigan is calling ahead to alert Tucson. Better equipment there, he says.” Mach told his wife as he steadied the tanker on course.
“Okay, I’ll let them know. Just one thing… should I go get Amelia?”
Mach gave it some thought before replying. “Not right now. I think I have this. I’ll let her yell when we get back.”
“It’s your tail end, not mine.” Flashpoint laughed as she headed back to her charges.
Mach sat back and contemplated the night sky he was flying through. For a spring evening, the weather was clear and cool, with a breeze from the north. The stars shone bright at this altitude as the plane raced east. “This is why I like to fly,” Mach thought. “The peace and beauty can hardly be found on the ground, unless you’re lucky. I sure am very, very lucky.”
A squawk from the radio interrupted Mach’s reverie. “Oliver Five, this is Monthan Base. Do you copy?”
“Read you five by, Monthan. This is Captain Machspeed of the A-triple-R-S piloting.”
“Machspeed, I’ve heard about you. Didn’t you rescue a blimp outside of Rome a couple of months back?”
“Yes, I did. How did you hear of it?”
“I’m Marco Voltefiore. My cousin Leonardo Saldacci is airport manager in Rome. He told his mother, who told her mother, who called my mother, who told me. Even though my mother left Rome forty years ago, she still keeps in touch with Granmama Rosa.”
“So, my reputation precedes me. May I live up to it. Do you have me on radar?”
“Yes, I do, Captain Machspeed. You’re about fifty miles west-northwest of Monthan. Come to course one-three-five. I’m going to have you circle the base to get a good judge on what wind we have blowing until I can get all the lights and apparatus set up. Once we’re set, you can bring her in on runway three-two left.”
“Sounds good to me, Monthan Base. Are you the manager there?”
“The one on duty. Thanks to all the military traffic going on at the Event, we are the primary go-to place for larger aircraft for the better part of a thousand miles in all directions. Farther north, there’s Las Vegas and Salt Lick. We here at the Boneyard keep this place ready for new arrivals. There are other strips in between, but we’re best equipped to handle problem situations.” Marco explained.
“Maybe we can make an arrangement between my organization and yours. Coming to one-three-five.”
“Like you said, your reputation precedes you. Leonardo went on and on about how you and your team got that blimp down without damage or injury. The airport made a big chunk of change from selling off the components and gases.”
“I know. We got our share. What do you think we can get for this?” Mach asked.
“A tanker full of aviation fuel? Quite a bit. That is, if we can land the thing intact.”
“Believe me, Marco, I am hoping for the same thing. Where am I now?”
“Look ahead of you and to the left. You should see our lights coming on.”
Mach looked left as a double row of electric lights came on, a double row with a few gaps in them. “I see you, Monthan Base.”
“Good! Now, settle into a holding pattern while we get emergency vehicles into position. Maintain five thousand feet altitude as you circle. Everything should be in place within fifteen minutes.”
“Oliver Five going into holding pattern.”
“Are we there yet, Captain?” came a voice from behind him, the voice of Lieutenant Williams.
“In a holding pattern while they ready emergency equipment. How are you feeling?”
“Shaky, but stable. I’m willing to help, if you want.”
“Get up here and help me through the landing checklist. I’ll get us down, don’t you worry,” Machspeed told the new pegasus.
“After what happened today, I’m not worried about anything.” Williams said as he crawled his way to the copilot seat.
“Good to hear.” Together, they went through the landing checklist while Monthan Base got themselves ready. When all WAS set, Mach brought the KC-135 in for a textbook landing, coming to a stop before the end of the runway. Mach taxied the jet to a designated hangar, emergency vehicles trailing behind.
When the plane came to a halt, Williams asked one question. “How are we going to get down from here?”
Machspeed smiled as he got up. “More magic, of course. Soon, you will be able to fly with your wings. If you don’t believe me, look out there.”
Williams looked out the cockpit window to see not one, but two pegasi fluttering around the KC-135, doing a detailed inspection of the tanker jet. “Ho-lee…” he breathed. “I can do that, too?”
Machspeed chuckled as he helped Williams out of the copilot’s seat. “Not right now, but in time, oh, yes. Let’s get you handed off to the authorities here, who will see to your rehabilitation as a pony.”
“I love flying. Now, I can fly on my own… wonder of wonders…” Williams said quietly as he was led to the access hatch. “How can we get down?”
“Flashpoint will get me down. As for you, time for your first free flight. Don’t panic.” Mach enveloped the new pegasus in the green glow from his horn, lifting him up off the cabin floor, out through the door, and down to the ground. “Easy enough, eh?”
“That was impressive!” Williams called back up as two ponies approached him.
“You think that was good?” Mach called down as Flashpoint appeared next to him. “Watch this!” Within two breaths, Mach and Flash were next to Williams.
“That’s not impressive, that’s impossible!” Williams squawked, his new wings ruffling some.
“You’ll be believing a lot if impossible things before breakfast, Williams. I believe these two ponies will take you to the Tucson Rehabilitation Center, or whatever they call it here.”
“We call it the Tucson Hall for Incoming Survivors,” one of the two ponies, a bright yellow earth pony mare said.
“Butt, why?” Williams asked, with a smile.
The other pony, a green and blue pegasus stallion, handled the response. “Good come back. You seem to be adapting easier than the other two are.”
“I’m not leaving much behind. My Air National Guard service helped me, but my regular job wasn’t supporting me well. I’m glad to be here now instead of there,” Williams told the pair.
“Good. Come with us, and we’ll see about getting you and the others situated for the night,” the earth pony said.
Flashpoint asked a question as the trio started to walk off, the earth pony gently supporting Williams. “Who came up with that ridiculous name for the Returnee center?”
The pegasus stallion handled that. “A returnee about nine centuries ago who took the name Alphabet Soup. She got the place organized and set up, and we’ve kept it going. Nobody’s had the heart to change it.”
“I wonder if she made it to Las Vegas. Some of their names are equally strange.”
“She did,” the two chorused as they led Williams off.
“Now, who do we see about getting paid?” Mach asked.
“That would be me,” came a voice from above as a crimson pegasus with white mane, tail and wings landed next to the pair of unicorns. “Marco Voltefiore, at your service. Nice job getting the jet down. Come with me and we’ll get the paperwork going.”
Five hours later, a weary Mach and Flash teleported back to Yuma, to Hal’s room, because that was where the beacon was. They found everyone asleep, including Starstruck, who was sleeping with the children. As they took a cautious step, Wordy opened his eyes. “About time you got back.”
“Ponies may work from sun to sun, but the paperwork is never done.” Mach said.
“How did it go?”
“Very well. Plane down intact, everyone safe, and we have a contract with Monthan Field to be on call if they feel we can be of help,” Flash said in a whisper.
“Good. I have us booked on the afternoon train north to Blythe, Parker, Havasu, Riviera and Vegas. We should be arriving in Vegas day after tomorrow in the afternoon. Captain Radigan wants to meet you tomorrow after breakfast. Now, go get some sleep, okay?”
Mach and Flash flopped down on the available pad, removing their jackets before doing so. “Will do,” Mach said, and soon the two joined the rest in sleep.
# # #
The group woke early in the morning, thanks to two active foals. After breakfast, the families went to the airport, to meet with both Captain Radigan and the airport manager, an older pegasus mare named Radiotelephone. The meeting with the Captain was mainly because he did want to meet Mach and Flash more than any real need to see them. The meeting with Radiotelephone was more businesslike, the mare wanting details about how the rescue was made before allowing a contract to be drawn up to contact the ARRRS if necessary.
“Time zones may work against us, Captain Machspeed, but I personally like to have the option of having you as a contact, in case we can’t get anyone else to help out. That, and getting an overseas line may take a while,” she told the ARRRS ponies.
“We have little trouble in Australia, getting calls from Europe and Asia.” Machspeed said.
“Yeah, but things are a little more broken up here. We got Nueva Angeles to the west, Sonoran Territories here, Colorado Territories farther north, and a bunch of others up north of Angeles. You can call Tucson from here without too much trouble, Vegas and Angeles and other points you have to go through an operator for a circuit. Sometimes it can be exasperating.”
“During stormy weather, calling from Vegas to here can be problematical. Telegraphy is more reliable,” Hal reported.
“I was the one who got the request for weather data that day, pie-face.” Radiotelephone said. “It was pretty nasty down here. Almost lost some prime lettuce fields to flooding, but we saved the crop.”
Hal winced. “Did every pony down here see that newsreel?” he groaned.
“Oh, yes. They have it still at the Movie Barn, and they replay it on occasion, for the comedy value.”
“Where’s my lighter? I got me a film to burn!” Hal snorted, more in embarrassment than anything else.
“Too late, pie-face. I have a copy, too.” Captain Radigan drawled.
As Hal started to go red in the face, Kalie raced up to her father and gave him a snuggle, flying up to his back to give a four-legged hug. Hal immediately calmed down. “Hello, I must be going. I cannot stay I came to say I must be going, I’m glad I came but just the same I must be going,” he said in a Groucho Marx voice, swiftly hoofbumping their hosts before trotting out of the office.
“That’s our cue to leave,” Flashpoint said. “We have the contact information, and if you think we can help, call. If we can respond, we will.”
“Sounds good to me, Flashpoint. Have a safe trip to Vegas. Later, Pie-face!” Radiotelephone shouted out the window as Hal left, followed by the rest.
“Someday, I’m going to get even with you, Raven…” Hal muttered as they walked from the airport to the train station.
“Dreaming again, Hal?” Raven laughed as she scooped up Onyx in her lavender glow and set the foal on her back.
“Are they always like this, Wordy?” Mach asked.
“Nope. Only when they are awake at the same time, and together. Been like that for as long as I have known them.” Wordsmythe replied quietly.
At the train station, the northbound train had not even arrived from San Luis yet, so, they were forced to wait until it chugged in, well over an hour behind schedule. Heading northbound was slower than expected, putting them in Havasu when night fell. Not wanting to sleep on the train, they got off in Havasu to find a hotel. After dinner, Hal sought out Station Hotel’s weather squad while the rest crashed out in the hotel.
Mach had been asleep about an hour when he felt a ping. Waking up, he looked around, wondering where the noise came from. He felt another ping, and remembered that Amelia had a crystal comm. He dug out his crystal and tapped it once before going to the phone. “Hello, operator, I would like to place an overseas call to Brisbane, Australia.”
“Number, please,” came a dull voice.
“Toowoomba seven-zero-zero-zero.”
“I’ll see what I can do, sir. Please hold.”
“Holding.” For five minutes, Mach waited as he heard the operator struggle to put a call to Nueva Angeles before he got a connection.
“Overseas operator. Country of destination, please,” came a different voice.
“Queensland, Australia,” Mach said, his temper starting to fray a little.
“Number, please.”
“Toowoomba seven-zero-zero-zero, the headquarters of the Aeronautical Returnee Rescue Squad.”
“Please hold.”
“I’m holdping.” Mach said as another ping came from Amelia.
After another few minutes waiting, and the operator came back on line. “I’m sorry, sir, all circuits are busy at this time. Please try your call later,” she said before disconnecting.
Mach’s horn glowed for a moment as he stamped his hoof and hung up the phone with a little more force than necessary. “Flash, head back home and find out what’s going on, please.” he said as another ping came through.
“On my way, Mach,” she said before vanishing. Mach paced a bit while he waited, Starstruck watching him.
“Something wrong, Father?” she asked.
“Maybe something at home. Trying to place a phone call from here to home can be a pain in the tail end.”
“If you have to leave, I’m sure Raven will watch over me.”
“I’m sure she will, too. Mother can track either you or Major Sleet to return.”
“Happy to help, Father.” Starstruck said.
Flashpoint popped back in. “Mach, we got a triple-seven that had taken off from Wellington about twenty minutes before the Event. Amelia needs me, and wants to know if you want to get in on the fun.”
“Well, that’s nice of her. Tell her yes, get the initial team established on it, then ping me before you come and get me. I’ll let Hal know. We can catch up with them later.”
“Will, do, Mach,” Flash said before blinking out.
Starstruck went to hug her father. “I’ll be okay. Let’s go let them know. You have a job to do.”
Mach snugged his daughter close. “Thank you for being so smart about it.”
“So, I have good examples to learn from. Let’s let the others know.”
Mach filled in Hal and his family what was going on. “Flash will lock in on you and keep you informed. If this takes a while, just keep on training to Vegas and we’ll lock in on you on the way.”
“Sounds good to me, Mach,” Hal told his friend. “We’ll keep on chugging, and you can catch up later. Go do your job, and we’ll head on back to ours.”
“Thanks for being so understandping, Hal,” Mach said as a ping came in from Amelia.
“Understandping?” Wordy asked.
“Just got a signal. Flash is on her way.”
“Look forward to the story, Mach,” Wordy said as Flash flashed in.
“Let’s get going, Mach. We got our hooves full with this one.”
“Let’s go.” With a flash of magic, they did.
In the morning, when Mach and Flash had not returned, Hal and his family got tickets for the next northbound train, making sure to explain to the train ponies about how ARRRS worked, and they would be teleporting in sometime during the trip. The train ponies accepted the explanation, but insisted tickets be purchased for them. The day started damp and oppressive, with low heavy clouds and high temperatures. “Look like the monsoon’s getting an early start,” Raven said as they boarded the train.
“Not the monsoon, Raven. Winds are coming more out of the west. Monsoon would be coming from the southeast,” Hal said, looking at the clouds. “I don’t like the looks of it.”
Raven sighed as she herded the foals into the train. “You know weather better than I do, Hal.”
“Hey, who was the only kid on the street to watch Aviation Weather every Friday without fail for two years?”
“The same idiot who puts the Weather Channel on in the hotel rooms,” Wordy snapped, feeling a little grouchy that morning.
“Easy, Wordy,” Raven said as they found their seats.
“Sorry, Raven.”
The rain started less than an hour after the train pulled out of Havasu, heavy rains that slashed visibility to not very much, with winds that rocked the train on occasion. “This really does not feel good.” Hal muttered. “At this rate, we’ll be lucky to get to Riviera.”
“Trust you to be optimistic, Hal,” Raven muttered as she tried to soothe Black Onyx, who was nervous about the weather. Kalie, on the other hoof, was thrilled, eagerly watching out the window at the lightning, rain and wind.
As Hal was about to snap out a retort, Mach and Flash appeared in the aisle, looking indecently not grumpy. “About time you got back.” Raven told them.
“A triple-seven had taken off from Wellington about twenty minutes before the Flash, one hundred fifty-two passengers and crew. Full fuel tanks, and a lot of panic. Took four hours flying before everyone aboard had settled enough to get the plane down,” Mach said, finding a seat. “After that, five hours getting everyone sorted and settled in Auckland, then handling paperwork. After that, some sleep before coming back.”
“You returned at a great time.” Hal said, looking out the window. “I don’t know where this blew in from, but if we’re doing twenty miles an hour, I’ll be surprised.”
“There was a front passing through New Zealand while we were up,” Flashpoint reported as she flopped down. “Bumpy ride all flight. Didn’t help matters any.”
“You might as well catch some sleep while you can. If you can,” Hal said drily as a lash of lightning lit up the train car, and the crack of thunder shook it, Kalie laughing gleefully, Onyx trying to hide.
The train chugged its way into the Riviera station, where it came to a stop, a good hour and a half late according to the schedule. The rain was easing, but it was still miserable. After sitting for an hour, the conductor came into the car. “All passengers will disembark here. There has been a washout of the tracks between here and Las Vegas, and repairs are estimated to take two to three days,” he said in a loud voice before moving on.
“Two to three DAYS?” Wordy groaned.
“At least. Depends on where the problem is,” Hal said mournfully.
“Come on. Let’s get off here and find a hotel,” Mach said.
“I just hope they not all booked up. I’d hate to have to beg a shelter from Station Romeo. I know I can get one, but I would prefer a bed to a cot.”
“The way our luck has been running this trip, I’m expecting it,” Raven said as she herded the foals off as Wordy and Hal grabbed the luggage.
It turned out that they DID have to beg shelter from NAS Station Romeo, but fortunately for all, it was the bunkroom. Hal, Mach and Flash got into a chat with the commander of Station Romeo, Major Blowing Dust, who sent a runner to fetch the manager of the airport, a returnee earth pony named Rotary Wing (she was a helicopter pilot before the Event). The group hit it off with each other immediately, a rapport quickly developing between the ponies. Wordy and Raven joined the group discussion during and after dinner, which Blowing Dust sent out for. Only once did Rotary Wing call Hal pie-face. Blowing Dust didn’t, because the two had met several times before in the course of working for the NAS.
At about seven, after dinner, the storm line having blown through and cooling off the heat of the desert day, the phone in the station rang. The Duty Officer, Captain Lariat, got the phone. After a few seconds, she called out from the control area, “It’s for you, Spinner!”
“Wonder who wants me.” Rotary Wing said as she got up.
“Spinner?” Mach asked quietly.
“She flew whirlybirds. Easier to say than Rotary Wing,” Blowing Dust answered.
“You have a point.”
Seconds later, Rotary Wing called out, “Captain Machspeed, can you come over here, please?”
Mach and Flash looked at each other. “Maybe we should have stayed home,” Flash said as she got up.
“Hey, we’re making money on this trip, right?”
“Mach, Station Kilo’s radar has picked up a small plane that has appeared in the air between Flagstaff and Kingman, heading north-northwest. Think you can try a rescue?” Rotary Wing asked.
“I’m going to need some more information first. Do you have it on radar yet?” Mach asked in return.
“No. Our radar system is blocked going to the east and north east by mountains. We look mainly south and east. We won’t pick it up on radar until it clears the mountains, and it may be too far north for us to catch it.”
Mach sighed deeply. “Are there any spotters that can get a position on it?”
“Yes. We do have weather spotters scattered across the area,” Rotary wing said, then turned back to the phone she was holding. “Mackey, call the switchboard. Alert all spotters to do a BOLO for the plane. We need a posit!” After listening to the response, she hung up the phone.
“Okay, the on-duty controller has got matters well in hoof. Let’s get to the airport tower.” Rotary Wing said to the assembled.
“Hold on a moment, Spinner. I got a squad out in that direction chasing the storm line. Let me see if they can spot anything.” Blowing Dust said as he flew across the hangar to the control room.
Hal spoke up. “Spinner, Mach, Flash, head for the tower. I’ll wait here, get any posit data, and fly over to you with it.”
“Sounds like a plan to me,” Spinner said as she started walking to the exit, Mach and Flash following. Once outside, she broke into a run. Mach and Flash found it hard to keep up with the green and brown earth pony as they raced to the tower, which was almost a mile away, at the far north end of the airport. There, they met with the duty controller, a black and brown male unicorn who was introduced as Mackey Messer.
“Nothing new yet to report, Mom. I told the switchboard to call out to the outliers. Nothing on radio or radar.”
“Good going, son. I’m proud of you. Keep listening, and grab the phone if it rings. I’ll take over for now.”
“Right, Mom. Who are your friends?” Introductions were made, and all went to different positions in the tower, which did give a spectacular view of the river.
“All we can do now is wait.” Mach said.
Five minutes later, the phone rang. Mackey quickly answered it. “Got a posit? Peach Springs?” A pause, then he nodded. “Okay. Get confirmation,” he said before hanging up and looking at the others. “A sweep flier noticed it about five miles north of Peach Springs, speed two hundred, course three-one-zero, apparently heading for Las Vegas.”
“Did they get a read on what kind of plane it is?” Flash asked.
“Report is a low-wing turboprop. The sweep flier did not know what kind of airplane it is, but she did get the registration number. Major Sleet is on his way here. Blowing Dust said he was excited.”
“I see him.” Spinner said, looking to the south. “He’s moving fast. Hope Dust told him about the roof hatch.”
“What roof hatch?” Flash asked, looking up and not seeing one.
“The one with the handle on the outside.” Spinner said as Hal was seen backwinging in for a landing on the roof, his mane blowing. There was a quadruple thump on the roof, and a fumbling at the hatch before Hal pulled it open.
“Mach! I know that plane! It’s a 2009 Piper Malibu I overhauled and updated the avionics on about two years before the Event!” Hal shouted down.
“Great! Got a fix on it?”
“Bearing approximately zero-six-zero, range about sixty-five miles. Flash, is that enough for you?”
Flashpoint concentrated in the approximate direction for a few seconds before grinning. “Got it!”
“Rotary Wing, what’s the comm frequency?” Mach asked.
“177.2, and the emergency frequency. We monitor both.”
“Right. Let’s go!” Flash triggered her teleport, and the two unicorns left the tower, to reappear on the small plane.
Aboard, they found two ponies in the front seats, a unicorn in the left seat, and what appeared to be a foal in the right seat, either an earth pony or a pegasus. The unicorn looked around when the pair arrived. “Who are you?” the unicorn asked.
“Hello! We’re the Welcome Wagon!” Flashpoint said.
“Excuse me, but if you keep going the way you are, you’re going to miss your target. You’re already a bit late, like thirty-two hundred plus years.” Mach said in a calm voice laced with humor. ‘Please to pardon us, but we’re going to move you and your passenger to the back and I’ll fly. I’m Captain Machspeed of the Aeronautical Returnee Rescue Response Squad. What’s your name?” he asked as Flash’s horn lit up, first undoing the seat belts, then lifting the passenger up and back.
“Art. Arthur Lyles, and that is my granddaughter Rebecca Lyles. How are you moving her?”
“Magic has arrived, which moved you to this time and changed you into a pony. You’ll learn more later. Now, just relax, Mister Lyles, and I’ll move you to the back. Don’t worry, I’m a retired RAAF and commercial pilot, who Returned just like you did. Flashpoint, my wife, was born here in this time frame.” Mach said smoothly as his own horn lit up, the glow surrounding Arthur and lifting him gently, putting him in the back of the plane before moving forward to take over the pilot’s seat. He dialed the radio to 177.6 and called Riviera.
“Riviera Tower, this is Machspeed. How you read?”
“Read you three by, Captain. We don’t have the best receivers,” he heard Rotary Wing say.
“Can you give me a vector to Riviera? Sun’s going down and I don’t know the area.”
“Mach, this is Hal. I’m on the phone now, trying to get a connection to Vegas. Suggest you stay on course and head that way. Nellis is monitoring the emergency frequency, and they have better radios there. If I get through, I’ll have them call you. Good thing the storms passed.”
“Sounds good to me, Hal. Will make it easier to get there.”
“What I was thinking. Beats waiting for them to fix the tracks. Keep your horns crossed I get through.”
“That’s going to be hard to do. Not much room for both of us up front. Machspeed ten-ten.”
“Riviera Tower ten-ten.” Rotary Wing replied. Mach tuned the second radio to the emergency frequency.
“While we have some time, where did you take off from?” Mach asked.
“We took off from Stellar Airpark in Chandler yesterday morning. We flew to Flagstaff, where I landed to do a little sightseeing with Rebecca. A small fault developed in the fuel system, and it took a while to get fixed. We were heading to Vegas where my son and his wife are vacationing.” Arthur explained.
“What sort of fault?” Mach asked.
“Fuel pump developed a fault. Landing at Flagstaff was a bit of a challenge. It was easier to head there than to land at Sedona. Took a while to find a part.”
“How old is your granddaughter?”
“She’s six. Sound asleep, too. She could sleep through a thunderstorm. Seeing as I have a head spike like you do, could I learn to do what you can?”
“I don’t see any reason why not. I know Las Vegas has a good Returnee retraining center. I’m friends with some ponies who went through it a few years ago. He says he knows this plane.”
“How could he know this plane?” Arthur asked, puzzled.
“He told me he overhauled the avionics a couple years ago.”
“I did have them updated when I bought the plane a couple of years ago, up in Scottsdale.”
“Well, your technician remembered the number on the aircraft. That enabled us to see if we could get in for a rescue. If it was a smaller plane, I might not have been able to teleport in with Mach. He’s the pilot, I’m just the teleporter,” Flash explained.
“Teleporter, eh? That explains how you got up here. Handy talent to have,” Arthur said. “Too bad I never thought of personal teleportation, just mechanical.”
“What do you mean, Mr. Lyles?”
“I am a screenwriter and novelist, or, I should say, I was. Mostly science fiction. Was what I liked.”
“I like what I do, too.” Mach said from his seat at the controls. “Makes work fun, right?”
As Arthur was about to answer, the radio came to life. “Nellis Operations to Five Tango Alpha. Do you copy?”
“Nellis Operations, this is Five Tango Alpha, Captain Machspeed piloting. Read you loud and clear.”
“Good. Major Sleet managed to send us a wire saying you were coming and where to look. Phones into and out of the city are out, but the telegraph wires are more securely set. Any returnees?”
“Two. A unicorn grandfather and his granddaughter, age six, species indeterminate. Both in good health, the grandfather is reasonably stable. The granddaughter is sound asleep.”
“That’s good to hear, Captain. You should be here within half an hour. If the sun was up, you would see the Grand Canyon off to your right. We’re going to turn on a couple of searchlights when you get close enough. Estimate your arrival within half an hour.”
“Sounds good to me, Nellis. Time to get everyone ready.”
“We’ll be waiting, Five Tango Alpha.”
The rest of the flight in was uneventful, with only a little clear air turbulence. Rebecca woke up just before landing, and it was discovered she was a little pink and yellow pegasus. After landing, the two Returnees were turned over to the authorities, the paperwork filed, and Mach and Flash got to meet the duty weather section, led by Captain Harper Tune. Mach waited there while Flash went back to Riviera to fetch Hal and the rest. Harper Tune called the duty section of the Dust Devils and spread the news of Hal’s return to Vegas. After a warm, but surprised, welcome, because Hal was not due back until at least September, Raven and Flash figured out a way to get to the villa without walking.
Raven would put on Hal’s jacket and teleport to the villa, which was just within her range. Flashpoint would follow, using the jacket as a mana beacon, leaving a beacon of her own before teleporting the two of them back, because the party was only getting started. That chore took more than a few minutes, because Raven needed to check everything over, turn on the power, water and phone, check the cooler system out, dust and make sure the rooms were squared away before declaring the house fit to live in again.
It was a happily weary herd of ponies that arrived at the house after midnight, glad to have finally arrived at their destination after a prolonged case of what Hal called Transitus Interruptus. It was a good thing that the herd ate at the party, because there was no fresh food in the house at all, just dried, preserved stuff. Wordy said he would get up early and shop the markets to restock.
Sipping water, which was all they had to drink in the villa, they turned on the big radio to listen to the one a.m. newscast. The lead story was about the Returnee plane landing at Nellis, and how LVR News was trying to get in touch with this Captain Machspeed who landed the plane.
“Looks like you are going to face an interview in the morning, Mach. Don’t worry about it being rough, though, because I’ll be getting the grilling.” Hal said before turning the radio to his station, LVR’s Retro Radio Two.
“I just hope they will believe me that I have no plans to open a branch office here. The way your communications are snarled up, by the time I find out about it, it would be too late to get here,” Mach sighed.
“If Raven can figure out how to teleport like Flash does, you might have some competition. But, don’t hold your breath.”
“I heard that!” Raven shouted from the kids’ room. “You want to sleep in the doghouse tonight?”
“We don’t have a doghouse, Raven! We don’t even have a dog!”
Raven came out of the kids’ room, brandishing what looked like to be a cast iron skillet in her violet glow. “Keep pushing, Hal, keep pushing! You’re going to get a wallop that will land you in Phoenix… taking the LONG way round!”
“Yes, Raven. Welcome home, Raven.” Hal said meekly, cowed by the skillet.
“Does this happen all the time?” Flash murmured to Wordy.
“Heck, no,” Wordy murmured back, flinching a little from the sight of the skillet, having felt it before. “Only on days ending in ‘y’.”
Flash hummed some, looking at Mach speculatively. “Raven, don’t give Flash any ideas!” Mach exclaimed.
“Who says I need any more?” Flash said with an evil grin. “I got enough of my own!”
