SILENT FLIGHT ~ THE CHASE

Dave, Anne and Bobby woke with the sun the next morning and turned on the television to check the newest news pertaining to Bobby’s PPP-1. The only thing on the news other than what had already happened was a top-secret military leak saying that an attempt had been made to catch the PPP-1 somewhere over the mid-west. Bobby was a little dejected when an exact location was not mentioned. Dave was patient and waited for the weather satellite picture before commenting. When the picture flashed on the screen Dave quickly pointed out the path of the PPP-1 as they knew it so far. He then extended his finger across the dusty screen following the edge of an eastbound frontal system. “They have to be in this area, ahead of it and they would get rained on and behind it the high pressure system would ground the PPP-1 because of the stable air mass containing no lift”.  Dave’s finger slid across the screen leaving a squiggly trail in the dust and stopped in the middle of the Rockies, “we’ll go here for the intercept” Dave commented thoughtfully. After a quick phone call to the news station, the trio was off. They were headed for the Rockies and the news media had everyone in the country looking for the PPP-1.

          Bobby was looking at the map and was confused, Dave, I think we’re going the wrong way” he said. Dave laughed and told Bobby that in order to get to the Rockies in the shortest amount of time sometimes one had to go the opposite direction at first. Bobby was now really confused! All Bobby could manage was a puzzled “Huh?” “Look over there” Dave said pointing out the window. Bobby read the sign out loud; “Southern Pacific” Bobby read slowly and precisely, his mouth twisting in confusion.

          Dave explained that one of his friends who also flew hang gliders worked for Southern Pacific Railroad and that they would soon be loading the Silent Flight tow unit on a flat car for the long journey and that they would be having dinner in the dining car and sleeping the next couple of nights on board a private Pullman car. Bobby understood now, and, since trains were his next favorite thing to planes, he was a very happy puppy!!

          It didn’t take long to load the tow unit and gliders on a flat car and find their private Pullman car. The train started with a clanky jerk and picked up speed quickly. Dave’s friend had to use his pull to arrange a non-stop ride to the Rockies and the miles started clacking by.

          Upstairs in the dining car Dave, Anne and Bobby enjoyed a continental breakfast as they watched the city turn to country. Bobby had only watched trains from a distance and this was his very first ride, he could barely contain his excitement. When the porter came through to pick up the dishes after breakfast, Dave asked that Bobby be taken to the engine for a while. Bobby couldn’t believe what was happening. A few days ago his friends were laughing at his paper airplane and now he was on an adventure that only happens in the movies. Bobby seemed to float out of the dining car following the porter to the front of the long train leaving Dave and Anne alone.

          Anne and Dave sat in silence for quite a while just watching the countryside fly by in the direction they had come from. Anne was the first to speak, “I want to thank you for helping take care of Bobby, and you’re really helping build his self esteem”. Dave nodded and told her that he was young once and that he just loved to help when he could. Anne smiled another thank you, closed her eyes and leaned against Dave’s shoulder to nap.

          Dave sat staring out the window of the seemingly sub-sonic train. The countryside was flashing by in a blur but Dave’s focus was on the sky. The sky was saturated with lifty cumulus clouds. He was feeling just a tad ground sick, he hadn’t flown for days. Dave pulled the train schedule from his pocket and studied it briefly. He then pulled out a map of the area and checked his watch. He needed to get in the air, he couldn’t sit next to Anne much longer with out developing stronger feelings towards her; the sky was also calling his name.

Chapter Fifteen