Chapter 12: One Small Step

Emma Janes flicked through one pile of papers. Then she frowned. Then she flicked through another. Her frown deepened. She returned to the first pile; this time going through the pages more slowly. After she'd done that she repeated the process with the second. Not satisfied with the result she picked her briefcase off the floor and started pulling papers out of it…

"Have you lost something?" Jeff asked. He'd grown stronger these past few weeks and, although he was looking tired now, he was managing to work a full day.

Schooling her face so that there was no hint of her satisfaction at his nibbling at her bait, Emma frowned. "I can't find the S.O.T.A. contract. I thought I'd put it in my bag…" She delved back into the briefcase again to hide her face, which she was sure must have been glowing red. She hated lying; even in a good cause.

Her flush hadn't escaped Jeff's notice, although, much to Emma's relief he had misinterpreted it. "Don't panic. I'm sure it's here somewhere."

"But where?" Emma made a helpless gesture. "I can't find it anywhere! Do you remember where I had it last?"

It was Jeff's turn to frown. "No. I don't remember seeing it today."

"Well, I know I had it at the office this morning." It felt good to tell the truth. "Robert and I were discussing the Glasson contract in the document vault, and I know I had the S.O.T.A. contract in my hands then." Emma screwed up her eyes as if she was trying to visualise the scene. "Then he showed me the clauses Glasson's are quibbling over and I… I remember…" She opened her eyes and her hand flew to her mouth. "I must have put the S.O.T.A. contract down on the table! I don't remember picking it up again! It's still in the vault!"

Jeff was unperturbed. "At least it's secure there."

"But I was going to send it out with the courier tonight so that S.O.T.A. would have it on their desk first thing Monday morning!"

Jeff looked at the clock. "If you hurry, you can make it back to the office before the courier's last pickup time."

"That's no good. I can't get into the vault!" Emma hit herself on the forehead. "Idiot!"

"Then Robert will have to let you in."

"Robert's gone to the mountains, remember?"

"Yes…" Now Jeff was starting to show some concern at their predicament. "Can't you unlock the vault?"

"No. My palm print doesn't have clearance," Emma lied. "John wanted to restrict access to the document vault to the fewest number of people possible. So the only ones who can unlock the door are John, Robert and…" She looked at Jeff as if an idea was coming to her. "You!"

"Mih?"

"Yes! I'm pretty sure that John, since Tracy Industries is your company, left you as one of the only people able to get access to the vault."

"Darn fool," Jeff growled.

"Not if you can get me out of this mess I've got the company into," Emma told him. "But it'll mean that you'll have to go in to the office."

"No!" Agitated, Jeff began wheeling his hoverchair around the room. "That's impossible."

"Why?"

"I haven't been to the office in years! Not since…" Jeff spun the 'chair so he was facing away from her. "It's impossible," he repeated.

"You might be the company's only hope. It's either that or I may as well hand in my notice right now."

Jeff spun back. "You can't do that!"

"I may have cost the company a lucrative contract."

"You may have left the contract on your desk back at the office. You'll have to go and look."

This would have been Emma's cover story if she'd been unsuccessful in her ploy to get Jeff Tracy out of his home, and she was still hoping that she wouldn't have to use it. "It would be better if you were to come with me and unlock the door. Look, it doesn't have to be tonight. We can make it early tomorrow when no one's at work to see what a fool I've been, and then I can get the Saturday courier to pick it up. Please, Jeff… I like working for the Tracys too much to want to leave."

She could see him weakening. "There's no chance of Robert coming in?"

"I don't think so. But I guess I can try his phone in case he hasn't left yet." Emma put Jeff's desk phone into hands free mode and dialled the assistant manager's mobile number. She and Jeff listened as the phone made its connection.

"This is Robert Thornton of Tracy Industries. I am currently unable to answer my phone. Leave a message and I…"

What Jeff didn't know was that Emma and Robert had agreed that this weekend he wouldn't answer any call from Jeff's number. But, if a genuine emergency had cropped up, all Emma had to do was call from any phone but this one and Robert would have answered straight away… That was if he wasn't out of range.

Emma disconnected the call. "See! You've got to come into the office with me tomorrow, Jeff… Please…"

"All right," he growled. "But only because I don't want to have to tell my son that it was my fault that his favourite employee felt that she had to leave the company." He noted Emma's blush at the description. "I'll have to arrange some transport."

"Let me do that," Emma offered.

"But you've finished work for the day."

"And it's my fault that we're both going to have to work on a Saturday. It's the least I can do."

She seemed so eager to make amends that Jeff let her have her way…

-I-R-

-F-A-B-

The limousine pulled up at the house early the next day. The chauffeur, resplendent in navy jacket, matching trousers, and smart peaked hat, alighted from the vehicle and walked around to the rear passenger door, which he pulled open.

"Thank you, Dan," Emma said as she alighted. "Are you sure everything's arranged?"

Dan touched the peak of his cap. "Everything is just as you asked, Ms Janes. I will prepare the car while you get Mr Tracy."

Emma gave him a slightly nervous smile. "Thank you. Wish me luck for the day."

He responded with a more reassuring smile. "I've seen your plans. I don't think you'll need luck."

Emma jogged up the steps and rang the doorbell.

Sara opened the door. Emma had already let her in on her secret and the two of them shared a conspiratorial grin as she stepped aside. "He's waiting for you in the lounge."

"How is he?"

"Trying to pretend that he's not nervous. If you can carry this through to the end, you'll have done him a great service."

"Well, I'll do my best." Emma walked through into the lounge. "Good morning, Jeff."

"Morning, Emma." He sounded pleasant enough, but Jeff Tracy was doing the hoverchair equivalent of pacing. "Is everything ready?"

"Everything's fine. I've contacted security and asked them to make sure that no one else uses the underground entrance. That way we'll be able to take the elevator straight up to the office without being waylaid by anyone wanting to stop for a chat. We don't want to work any longer on a Saturday than we have to, do we?"

Jeff said nothing about her neat sidestep of his fears. "And the car?"

"Is waiting outside. It's specially designed to be able to carry hoverchairs. I hope we'll both find it comfortable."

Jeff made no comment as she led the way towards the portal to her dream: his nightmare.

Dan had opened the door of the limousine down and out so that the top edge rested level with the ramp leading from the house. He touched his cap in salute as Jeff hovered just short of the door. "Good morning, Mr Tracy, sir. My name is Dan Pierce and I am your chauffeur for the morning."

Jeff nodded his acknowledgement, but did not speak. What was the point when this stranger wouldn't be able to understand him?

Dan did not appear to be perturbed by the lack of feedback. "I can assure you that my vehicle is designed to be strong and comfortable. If you would care to enter the car, we'll be underway."

Jeff hesitated. Emma had promised that he wouldn't meet anyone he knew, and the limousine's darkened windows were sure to hide him from the outside world, but did he really want to do this? Did he want to leave his home for something as trivial as a piece of paper? Then, determined to prove that he wasn't a total washout as a human being, he sent the hoverchair down the makeshift ramp and into the car.

Turning away so he wouldn't see her share a thumbs up gesture with Sara, Emma said goodbye to the nurse. Then she got back into the limo and sat in one of the luxurious seats. "Are you comfortable, Jeff, or would you rather sit in one of these seats?"

"I'm fine," he growled, and started when Dan entered the vehicle to secure the hoverchair to the floor.

Working quickly, efficiently and with no fuss, Dan clipped the hoverchair into place so it was facing forwards. "All set," he announced. "Sit tight and we'll be at Tracy Industries within twenty minutes." He touched the brim of his cap again, and withdrew back out into the sun. The interior of the car darkened as the door rose back up into place.

Emma decided that for this first part of their journey she would leave Jeff alone to his thoughts. But despite that she couldn't help observing him. At first he seemed more interested in the cocoon of rich leather that surrounded him. She'd already gazed awestruck at the luxurious fittings as she and Dan had travelled from her home to the Tracy homestead. She'd heard about these cars that had their own TVs, sound systems, drinks cabinets and other extravagances, but had never actually been in one. This particular car was taller in height and shorter in body length than a good many limos, since it was designed to accommodate mobility vehicles of various shapes and sizes, but that didn't mean that the owner had scrimped on the accepted luxuries.

Now, ten minutes into their journey, Jeff seemed to be taking an interest in the world that was flying past their windows, and Emma wondered how much of what he was seeing he remembered, and how much was new... And what he felt about the whole experience. That would be critical to the next stage of her plan.

Ahead of them loomed the Tracy Industries building.

"I have been talking to the security guard," Dan's disembodied voice told them over the in-car intercom. "He says that no one has come into the building this morning and that the underground entrance is cleared for us."

Emma pressed the button that reversed the communication link. "Thank you, Dan."

The big car turned off the road and started descending.

Jeff's relatively good hand, Emma noted, was clenched in his lap as they drew up to the security guard's booth's window. Through the one way windows they could see the guard lean out to talk to Dan.

"It looks like David Ostend's on duty today," Emma murmured.

"David?" For a moment Jeff looked as though he was going to raise his hand to acknowledge the guard. Then he looked down at the withered limb and allowed it to collapse back into his lap.

Emma lowered the window enough so that she could offer the security guard a smile, but not so much that he could see the other passenger. "Hello, David. Did you draw the short straw today?"

"Hello, Ms Janes. It's a bit quiet today, but when you get to my age you begin to appreciate a little peace." He admired the limo. "This car's a bit flasher than the one you usually drive."

Emma laughed. "My boyfriend decided to treat me," she joked.

David chuckled as if he were in on the joke. "How's Mr Tracy?"

She managed to avoid looking at Jeff. "He is well. I'll tell him you were asking after him."

"Tell him I'm planning on retiring next year, that's if we manage to survive this one. But make sure you also say I've always been proud to work for Jeff Tracy... and his son. They're both good men."

Emma smiled. "I think so."

"I'm holding you up." David took a step back. "Have a good weekend, Ms Janes."

"You too, David." Emma wound the window back up as the car rolled forward. "He's such a sweetheart." She looked back over at Jeff. "How long has he worked for you?"

Jeff had been reflecting on that during her conversation with the security guard. "Must be well over thirty years... Yes, that's right. John asked me to his thirty-year anniversary party..." There was real regret in his voice when he added: "I didn't go." He diverted his attention to the grey walls that bordered the underground carpark.

The limo pulled to a stop next to the lift doors. They didn't even feel it move as Dan got out of the car and walked around to the back. The rear door of the car swung downwards and he climbed inside. "I hope you've both enjoyed your trip so far."

"Very smooth, thank you," Emma complimented. She climbed out and stood to one side as Jeff was uncoupled from the car's chassis and exited the vehicle.

Dan touched the peak of his cap again. "I will wait in the car."

Jeff seemed to relax once the pair of them were in the confines of the lift. "This place hasn't changed much."

The lift doors slid open and, more confident in the success of her mission, Emma stepped out.

Jeff followed her, but then pulled up short. "What on Earth is that doing there?!"

Emma looked at the portrait of the younger, fitter, able-bodied Jeff Tracy. "You're still the boss, so John left it there."

"No, I'm not."

She looked at him in mock surprise. "Then why am I working for you?"

"John should have his own portrait there."

"He wanted to keep yours. He said that it did him good to have you looking over his shoulder all the time."

"Darn fool," Jeff growled, but Emma saw the hint of a smile playing around his eyes. "Is the document vault still where it used to be?"

"I assume so. I wasn't here when you worked here, remember?" Emma trotted along behind the hoverchair.

Jeff found the room and swung his 'chair around so that his stronger side was close to the palm print reader. Then he reached upwards.

To her horror, Emma realised that there was a flaw in her otherwise flawless plan. Jeff's reach from a sitting position was not high enough to touch the plate that would allow access to the safe. If he had a normal range of movement in that limb he wouldn't have had any problems, but now, as he lifted his arm to the maximum, he was at least three inches too short. She could help him lift his arm a little bit further, but that seemed to be such an imposition...

Jeff had other ideas. Backing the hoverchair up a short distance he shuffled forward on his seat and closer to the wall. Placing both feet firmly on the footplate he pushed with his good arm against the armrest. Gaining a kind of standing posture, he balanced against the wall with his weaker arm and then let go of the armrest long enough to press his palm against the reader.

It beeped its acceptance.

He fell back into his 'chair. "There. Easy," he puffed.

Emma hurried over to the keypad. "What's the code?"

"Erm..." Jeff frowned and she mentally hurried him long. The palm print activation would only remain active for 30 seconds and she didn't want to see him strain himself again. "65930"

"Six, five, nine, three, zero," she enunciated as she pressed the keys, and breathed a sigh of relief when the door slid back. "Whew... Had you forgotten it?"

"No... It's the date of our first mis..." Jeff hesitated. "It's a special date to my family and I had to remember what format I used to enter it."

Emma walked into the huge vault. Rows and rows of shelves containing highly sensitive documents filled the space. "Now... Let me see... Robert and I were talking... down... here!" She pounced onto a folder on a table and held it aloft jubilantly. "Found it!" She flicked through the papers. "Yes, it's all here." She signed the relevant section, walked out of the room and pushed the close button on the keypad. The thick steel door slid shut and locked. "Now I just need to get a courier bag from my office and we can drop it off at the depot. Then that's work over for the week." She hugged the folder to her chest. "What a relief!"

"First thing you do on Monday is to arrange for you to have full access to that vault," Jeff advised. "John can't complain about that when I'm the one who's authorised it."

"Yes, Sir. I promise that by next weekend I'll be able to come and go out of that vault as I please."

Dan was standing by the lift door when they emerged back in the carpark. "Was it a successful trip?" he asked as he secured the hoverchair back into the limousine.

"Very," Emma stated. "Jeff. This is going to be a longer trip, because we've got to stop off at the courier depot. Why don't you enjoy the ride on one of these more comfortable seats? You must get tired of sitting in that 'chair so much of the day."

"That's a good idea," Dan enthused. "If you need an arm to lean on, here I am."

Jeff considered the offer briefly; then he nodded.

Emma raised the arm of the 'chair, allowing Jeff to swing around until he was facing towards the middle of the car. Dan, finding it easier than stooping to avoid the car's roof, crouched next to the hoverchair. "Now, Mr Tracy, I don't want to underestimate your abilities. You're going to have to tell me what you can do and what you need me to do to help."

Jeff cast a worried look towards Emma. "There's not a lot of room to stand and get your balance in here," she said. "Do you want Dan to support you while you move?"

Jeff nodded and wished the 4th of September, the date of his operation, would hurry up and arrive. He wanted more independence.

Dan braced himself and assisted the elder man to his feet; then giving Jeff a chance to adjust his footing, swung him around, before, with great care and respect, lowering him into the centremost of the leather upholstered seats in the back row. "Is that all right, Sir? You should be able to see out of both sides of the car from there. Can I assist you with anything else?"

Jeff shook his head. That had been humiliating enough.

Dan gave him a reassuring smile. "In that case we'd better get rolling. We don't want your parcel to miss its courier, do we?"

"No, we don't," Emma confirmed. "Thank you, Dan."

"It's a pleasure, Ms Janes." Dan did his habitual salute and left the car.

Emma hesitated. Then she reached out and squeezed Jeff's arm. "Are you okay?"

He grimaced. "Frustrated."

"I know. But remember that your operation's less than a month away. Fingers crossed that things are better after that, right?"

"Right."

"Thank you for coming in with me this morning. I don't think I could have faced John again if we'd lost that contract because of my stupidity."

"If I hadn't come in we wouldn't have lost the contract through your 'stupidity', it would have been through my selfishness."

"You're not selfish."

"Yes I am. I'm letting my insecurities, my fears, and my irrational behaviours rule my life."

"And you're going to do something about them. You are going to beat your insecurities, your fears, and your irrational behaviour. You've made a start today."

He looked slightly surprised by her statement. "I suppose I have, haven't I?"

"Yes. That's one small step for a man..."

"And one giant leap towards the abyss."

"Now, Mr Tracy!" Emma scolded. "You've got to be more positive. If you want to give yourself any chance of recovery, you've got to believe that you will get better!"

"I know. It's just that I've been this helpless for eight years. I think I've forgotten what it's like to be that man in that portrait in the corridor."

"And I've never had the chance to know him. You'll have to introduce me to him, Jeff."

The limousine was slowing down. It stopped and Dan appeared at the door. "Would you like me to take in your parcel, Ms Janes?"

Emma picked up the courier bag. "No. Thank you, Dan. I think I'd better hand this in myself. I won't be happy until I know that this contract is on its way to S.O.T.A." She climbed out of the car. "I'll only be a minute."

Dan stayed outside the open door of the limo, enjoying the warmth of the sun after the car's overly cool air-conditioning. "It's a lovely day, Mr Tracy."

Jeff decided that it was time to acknowledge the chauffeur. "Jiz"

"Are you comfortable? How is the temperature?"

"Fveyn."

"Could I get you something to eat? Something to drink? Would you like me to put the stereo on?"

"No, sdan' y'."

"Well, if you do want anything, there's a button by your seat. Push that and it will open the two-way intercom."

"Sdan' y'."

Emma trotted out. She was looking as though all her cares had evaporated. "I'm happy now," she admitted, as she climbed back into the limo. "Let's roll, Dan!"

"Excellent," he said. "Just sit back and enjoy the ride."

And Emma did enjoy the ride. She and Jeff relaxed back in the luxurious seats and chatted. Sometimes discussing the lighter side of business, sometimes the news (avoiding all talk of Doomsday), and sometimes commenting on the scenes outside the window.

Jeff frowned as a local landmark passed by. "Where are we?" He shot Emma a sharp look. "We are going back to my house, aren't we?"

"Oh, yes!" she exclaimed. "We will end up there."

"When? Why are we heading north when my place is out east?"

"I'm glad to see that you haven't lost your sense of direction, Jeff."

"Emma..." Jeff growled, not pleased at her flippant response. "Just what is going on?"

"It's a lovely day. We've got the use of Dan and his limousine all morning. Why shouldn't we make the most of it?"

Now Jeff was starting to get angry. "No! I agreed to go with you to the office and no further! Take me home!"

"To do what? What did you have planned to do today?"

"I won't stand for your insubordination!"

Emma looked confused. "I'm sorry, Jeff. I didn't understand what you said. You won't stand for what?"

"Take me home!"

"We can't turn here. We're on the freeway."

This was true. "Tell Dan to turn back at the first opportunity."

But Dan was turning anyway. The limo eased right onto an off-ramp and then motored along the road through what appeared to be a thinly populated area.

Jeff was becoming more agitated. "I want to go home!"

"Jeff, please relax," Emma begged. "We're not kidnapping you. I'm treating you to a morning out and I'm hoping that you will enjoy the experience. And so are your sons."

"My what?!" They felt the limousine turn off the road. "Where are w...?" Jeff spied a sign that answered his aborted question.

Tracy Airfield.

The car stopped and Jeff and Emma watched through the one-way windows as Dan spoke to a guard at the gate. He was directed forward and they started moving again.

"It's been years since I've been here."

"So I've been told."

Jeff turned to Emma. "What have you got planned for me?"

"Nothing horrific. We're just going on a little journey."

"They always say that in B-grade movies. Right before they dump the body out of the plane."

Emma laughed.

Dan drove around the front of a row of hangars and then through the gaping maw of one of the larger ones. The doors closed behind them.

Jeff peered out into the relative gloom. "This is my hangar! And that's my plane..."

"Yes. How would you like a flight?"

"I would not like it! Tell Dan to take me home!"

"We've come all this way, and as you said the plane's yours. Wouldn't you at least like to look at it again?"

"No!"

"There's no one out there. They're all under strict instructions that no one is to enter the hangar until after we've given them the all clear."

"Emma!" Jeff growled. "I do not appreciate being tricked! If it weren't for John I'd be asking you to hand in your notice!" He felt for the intercom button. "Dan! Take me home! NOW!"

There was no reply from the chauffeur as they stopped beside the aircraft. After a short delay Dan opened the door and, smiling, climbed inside. He'd discarded his jacket revealing his smart white shirt; the epaulettes of which bore the insignia of a pilot. "I'm sorry, Mr Tracy, I didn't catch what you said earlier," he announced. "Are you ready for part two of the journey?"

"No I'm not!" Jeff grumbled.

"I'm afraid he's not very happy with us, Dan," Emma explained. "He doesn't like surprises."

"No I don't! Take me home!"

Dan seemed unperturbed at his passenger's intractable behaviour. "It's been a long trip. Wouldn't you like to get out and stretch your legs?"

"My legs don't work that way."

Emma gave an exasperated sigh. "I would. Excuse me, Mr Tracy." She pushed past and stood admiring the aeroplane. "Tell me all about it, Dan."

Jeff sat, fuming. How dare she!? This woman, whom he'd only known less than a month, had the cheek to trick him into taking a trip he had no wish to take, with a man he did not know, to a place he didn't want to return to...!

He took a deep breath to try to calm his temper and his fear-filled, pounding heart. As he did a warm feeling of déjà vu came flooding over him. The smells of aviation fuel, grease, rubber, and other associated odours sent him flying back to earlier, happier times.

The thrill of seeing his first aeroplane soar through the skies...

His first flight...

His years in the Air Force...

Taking his future wife on their first ever plane ride together...

Teaching his sons how to control an aeroplane...

Seeing his dreams come to life as the Thunderbirds took to air...

He made a decision. "E vad t' gedow."

Emma winked at Dan. "He wants to get out," she whispered.

"Certainly, Sir," Dan responded. "Would you like a hand getting back into your hoverchair, Mr Tracy?"

"Jiz, pliz."

A short time later Jeff Tracy found himself in his hangar, looking up at his aeroplane. "You have filed a flight plan?"

"Dan assures me that he's done everything correctly and by the book," Emma reassured him. "He took the plane for a test flight yesterday to reassure himself that he can fly it safely."

"She's a dream to fly, Mr Tracy," Dan said. "You're a lucky man to have one as good as her."

"John's kept her shipshape," Emma added. "Just in case you ever wanted to go for a flight in it."

"Where are we going now?"

Dan made an intelligent guess as to what Jeff had said. "Just on a short flight, Sir. I'm under strict instructions that I'm to have you home in time for your lunch."

Jeff turned to Emma. "I imagined that you were planning on taking me to Tracy Island."

"Not this time. But would you like to go there sometime soon? Maybe I could arrange..."

"No. The trip's too long for me to cope with." And they'd stop the boys from doing their vital work.

Emma smiled at her boss. "Maybe when you've had your operation you'll be strong enough to visit your sons?"

To see his family again was one of Jeff's greatest wishes. "Maybe."

Dan extended his arm towards the aeroplane. "Shall we board?"

Jeff hesitated. Then he made up his mind. Since his stroke he'd barely left his home, let alone local airspace, and it was time he expanded his horizons again. "Jiz."

Fortunately the craft had been constructed to transport supplies to Tracy Island, and the same lifting mechanism that had been used for loading crates of food was tailor-made to allow a hoverchair to board.

Once in the aeroplane, Dan asked Jeff what was, to the older man, an unexpected question. "Would you like to sit in the co-pilot's seat, Sir?

There was no need for a co-pilot on this craft. Jeff could have sat back in the passenger compartment with complete confidence in the aeroplane, if not yet the pilot; but he'd never been much of a back seat passenger when it came to flying. "You do realise that I'll be a useless co-pilot?"

For the first time Dan showed some hesitation in his understanding of the situation, but Emma came to the rescue. "Do you need a co-pilot, Dan? I thought John said that it was a solo pilot craft, or something."

Dan smiled. "Oh, it is. But I always think the view's so much better from the flight deck. Don't you, Mr Tracy?"

Jeff had to agree that the pilot was right. He was wheeled to the front of the aeroplane and then assisted into the co-pilot's seat.

"Oh, this is exciting!" Emma exclaimed as she strapped herself into a seat at the back of the cabin. "I've never travelled in the flightpit before."

She was astonished when both men laughed. "It's called the flight deck, Emma," Jeff explained. "Or the cockpit. Not the flightpit. Didn't you ever fly up here with John?"

"No..." Emma was looking embarrassed by her mistake. "Is John a pilot?"

"Yes, he is," Jeff told her. "I taught all my boys to fly. Didn't he tell you he was a pilot?'

"Not that I remember." Emma appeared intrigued at this new revelation about her old boss. "And he never flew when I was on board. We always worked; getting ready for whatever meeting we've been going too, or else holding a debriefing afterwards."

Jeff guessed that those meetings were excuses to spend time with the secretary. "He works too hard."

"I kept on telling him that. He would always reply that he was only following your example."

Jeff had to admit that she was right. It had been one of the contributing factors of his stroke. "He should use me AS an example and take a break when he can. Work too hard and you get sick."

"I used to tell him that too."

It was advice that Jeff was pretty sure his entire family weren't taking at the moment. They had too much to do and there was too much at stake. He could only hope that they would survive until after the crisis was over; then he would insist that each and every one of them take a long holiday.

Dan had been on the radio and now the hangar, which had previously been deserted apart from the three of them, showed signs of life. Light streamed in as the doors in front of the plane slid open. They taxied forward out into the bright sunlight.

"Perfect weather for flying," Dan commented and they faced down the long grey ribbon of runway and waited for clearance.

As if sensing Jeff's unspoken question for the pilot, Emma asked. "How long have you been flying?"

"As long as I've been allowed to sit behind the controls of a plane," Dan replied. "It's been my life."

"Air Force?" Jeff asked.

He wasn't sure whether he'd been understood or if Dan had the intuition of what one airman would ask another. "I left the Air Force five years ago to start up my business. There are plenty of pilots looking for work out there, so I thought I'd sell myself as the complete package. Chauffeur and pilot. I've got my own plane, so it means that businessmen, such as yourself, Mr Tracy, are able to be taken from their base, here in town, to wherever they need to go with the minimum of fuss." He received clearance and no one said anything as he launched the aeroplane into the sky.

Jeff felt the barely remembered sensations as his body won the battle over gravity and left the ground. He gazed outside, allowing the wonder of flight to envelope his senses. The steady thrum of the engines; the blue of the skies; the feeling that he was looking down on a miniature world best viewed through a microscope, the white cotton wool of the clouds as they passed through… He hadn't experienced this in years! Whatever had possessed him to neglect this passion?

Dan had settled into his work. "If I may say so, Mr Tracy, it's an honour to be your pilot. I mean, apart from the fact that you are a world famous astronaut…"

Jeff dragged his thoughts away from the glories outside the window. He would have expressed the pilot's sentence in the past tense. His astronaut days were so long ago that he was never mentioned in any lists of the most influential or inspiring people of the first half of the century. And since his stroke, his name had largely dropped off the business radar too.

"I was in Scott's flight in the Air Force…" Dan continued on, "and the fact that one of the best pilots in the Force during all my years in the service would recommend me to pilot his father… Well, Sir, it's an honour and a privilege."

Jeff stared at the pilot. Scott had had a hand in this? When had he found the time?

"I'm surprised that he hasn't taken you flying himself," Dan was saying. "But then I was surprised that he left the service so early in his career. He could have made it all the way to the top."

"He wanted to keep flying," Jeff explained, forgetting that he wouldn't be understood by the pilot. "He didn't want to wind up in a desk job. And I've been too chicken to leave my home and my boys haven't wanted to force me."

"Scott's been working for Jeff's company as a test pilot," Emma paraphrased. "And all of Jeff's sons have respected their father's wish to be left alone. It's taken a disrespectful outsider like me to push him beyond his comfort zone."

Dan chuckled. "How would you like to show a disrespectful outsider just what you can do, Mr Tracy? How would you like to control her for a little while…? And I'm not talking about Ms Janes." Emma laughed, but Jeff was trying to comprehend what Dan was saying. "How well do you think you can hold on to the control yoke?"

Jeff looked at the steering unit, a twin of the pilot's, in front of him. Hold the control yoke? How well could he hold on to it?

Emma took it on herself to reply in the affirmative. "He can do it."

"I thought so. Okay, Mr Tracy. I've got a firm hold of the yoke. Let me know when you want me to let go."

Never was Jeff's first thought. Then he chided himself for being so negative. Supporting his weaker left hand with his stronger right one, he wrapped his fingers around the yoke. The vibrations from the aeroplane were transmitted into his hand bringing back memories of the many flights he'd made. When he thought his left hand's grip was secure he shifted his right arm across to the other side of the steering column and grasped it as tight as his weak hand was able.

"Are you ready?" Dan asked.

Jeff nodded.

"Right. Don't worry about any of the other controls, I'll keep an eye on them, you concentrate on keeping her steady."

"Gi."

Keeping his palms braced against his control yoke, Dan uncurled his fingers. Then he slowly withdrew his hands, keeping his hands on his lap, palm up, and a close watch for any signs of change to their altitude or orientation.

Jeff felt the sensations in his hands change as control was transferred to him.

He was flying! He was piloting an aeroplane again!

A little voice inside him told him that hanging onto the control yoke of an aeroplane that could practically fly itself, while another man next to him controlled everything else, was not being a pilot. He told that little voice to shut up.

He was flying! He was flying his aeroplane!

"Jeff!" Emma applauded. "You're doing it! John will be so proud of you!"

Jeff's little voice was just thinking that it would be the first time in years, when the day's activities caught up with him and he was overcome by a wave of exhaustion. His left hand flopped onto his lap and his right hand trembled as it tried to maintain its hold.

Dan took a gentle grip of his own control yoke. "Do you want me to take over, Sir?"

Jeff nodded, frustration overwhelming him. This wasn't fair! Not when he'd only just relearned how wonderful flight could be!

Emma was awake to his body language, even though she'd known him for only a month. "Are you tired? Do you want to go back home?"

No. Jeff didn't want to go home. He wanted to stay up here soaring above the clouds. But his stupid, traitorous, weak body was telling him that he needed to rest. He nodded and felt the aeroplane's orientation change as Dan altered course. No one said anything throughout the rest of the flight, other than Dan's communications with the control tower.

The aeroplane taxied into the hangar and they alighted.

Once he was back in his hoverchair, Jeff looked up at Dan. "Have you ever flown a Karearea jet?"

"Mr Tracy?"

"A what, Jeff?" Emma asked. "I didn't catch what you said. Has Dan ever flown a… what?"

"A Karearea jet."

"A Carwowo jet?"

"No. A Karearea. K. A. R…"

"K.A.R…"

"E…"

"E…"

"R…"

"A Karearea jet?" Dan guessed.

"Jiz."

"No."

"Have you ever seen one?"

"Have you ever seen one?" Emma translated.

"No."

"I don't even know what it is," Emma admitted. "Obviously some sort of plane."

"Only the fastest, most manoeuvrable jet of its time," Dan explained.

"And what time was that?"

"About fifty years ago. Am I right, Mr Tracy?"

"Weyd." Jeff spun the hoverchair around. "Follow me."

Emma and Dan shared a mystified glance and followed in the wake of the lightly kicked up dust.

Jeff stopped side on to a palm print reader. This one was at a reachable height and he pressed his hand against it and the accompanying door slid open.

Emma and Dan followed him into another hangar. This was smaller than the one they'd just left and only contained one aeroplane. But even Emma could tell that this craft was something special.

"A Karearea!" Dan gasped. "But only twenty were ever made!"

"This is number 15," Jeff explained.

"If this was the 15th one out of 20," Emma paraphrased, as much for Dan's benefit as for her own, "then they must be pretty rare?"

"Only ten are known to survive," Dan told her. "Can I touch her?"

"Be my guest."

Clearly awed by the experience, Dan allowed his hand to trace the outline of the wing. "She's a work of art, Mr Tracy."

"She is."

Dan spun back so he was facing his two companions. "I remember now! Scott came back from leave one time and he told us you'd just bought a Karearea. He wasn't one for bragging about your achievements or wealth, Mr Tracy, but we could all tell how proud he was of you. But when he came back after flying this baby… Well, if I'd had the chance to fly a Karearea I'd be bragging to all and sundry too!"

"Would you like to fly her someday?"

Dan looked as if he'd understood what Jeff had said, but wasn't prepared to believe that he'd done so. "Mr Tracy?"

"I think Jeff's asking if you like to fly this plane sometime."

Dan nodded, clearly trying not to look like an over-eager puppy and not quite succeeding. "It would be a great honour, Sir."

Jeff beckoned to Emma. "Tell the maintenance staff to give this old girl a complete overhaul. When she's ready Dan and I can go for a flight."

Emma got out her smartphone and started entering. "Get – Karearea… I've probably spelt that wrong… checked – over," she enunciated as she wrote. "When – ready – contact – Dan – to – take – Jeff – for – a – flight."

"But wouldn't you rather Scott flew you?" Dan asked. "After all, he has had experience in her before."

"Scott's busy."

"Scott's busy."

"Oh," Dan nodded his understanding. "Doing what?"

Jeff spun the hoverchair about and glided out of the hangar. Emma looked at Dan and with an "I have no idea" shrug, followed her boss towards the car.

Once Jeff was safely ensconced in the comfortable leather seats, Emma claimed her seat next to him. "I hope you've enjoyed your morning"

Jeff didn't answer her question. "Tell me, Emma Janes, was that missing file a ruse just to get me out of the house?"

Emma blushed. "Yes."

"It seems a bit strange to me that John would risk leaving the document vault with only one person able to open it. Is that what he did?"

Emma's complexion went from cerise to scarlet. "No."

"You can open it too?"

"Yes, Mr Tracy." Emma plucked at the material of her slacks. "Do I still have a job on Monday?"

Jeff treated her to a wry grin. "I think that both John and I would lose someone very special if you didn't."

Emma gave him a shy smile. "Thank you."

"No. Thank you, Emma. You showed me some of what I've missed these last eight years. Even my boys were unable to do that."

Emma gave a light laugh. "Just call me International Rescue; since they don't seem to be going to do anything to save the world from our predicament."

"Maybe they are working on reinstating their equipment?"

"No. I think they would have let people know if they were going to try. I mean, look at all the suicides and murders that have happened because people don't believe that they've got a future."

"Perhaps International Rescue don't want to get anyone's hopes up until they're sure they can do something?"

"Perhaps… But maybe they are just too old to do what they used to do? I mean, how long ago was it that they were in action?"

"About seven years."

"Is that all?! You've got a good memory."

"International Rescue ceasing operations was one of the first newspaper headlines I read after my stroke."

"Ah…" Emma thought. "Yes. I suppose that's about right. It seems like forever, but I guess I was only in my early thirties when they finished." A wistful smile crossed her face. "I used to daydream that I was trapped in some hopeless situation; something really dire where I was sure I was going to die; and then this handsome young man from International Rescue would literally sweep me off my feet, into his arms, and to safety." She sighed. "I suppose that quite a few young ladies dreamed that."

Jeff smiled.

Emma loved that smile. She didn't see it nearly often enough. Because of his stroke there wasn't much movement to his lips, but his eyes twinkled as if was hiding a secret which he wasn't going to share with anybody. He reminded her of a naughty schoolboy who had placed a whoopee cushion on his teacher's chair and couldn't wait for her to sit down. "What?"

"Nothing."

"You're laughing at me and my daydreams."

"No, I'm not."

"You've thought of something funny then?"

"Not funny."

"Tell me."

"Nothing to tell," he teased.

"Jeff!"

"Emma."

She pouted.

"I was just thinking that if young women would dream of being swept off their feet by the men of International Rescue and young men I knew used to dream of belonging to the organisation… What a shock everyone would have got it was staffed entirely by women."

Emma laughed at the idea. "Except that all the reports I heard had male operatives… Did your sons wish they belonged? I can't imagine John wanting to do anything that daring. Maybe as one of the men behind the scenes; coordinating maintenance rosters and doing purchasing, but I can't see him on the front line… From what I've heard of Scott, he'd probably love being able to pilot one of those… What did they call them…?"

There was that smile again. "Thunderbirds."

"Ah! That's right! Thunderbirds! What about your other sons, Jeff? I don't know them. Would they have dreamt of being part of International Rescue?"

"Haven't you met them?"

"Only in passing and occasional phone calls."

Jeff pretended to ponder the question. "They often used to talk about International Rescue."

"Virgil's an artist, isn't he? I can't see that being a lot of use to a rescue organisation."

Jeff laughed. "No. It wouldn't be. Alan loves the adrenalin rush of speed."

"So would he have liked the adrenalin rush of rescuing somebody?"

"Sweeping young ladies off their feet? I'm sure he would have loved that… Gordon was a WASP and he still loves the water, so I think he would have liked to have been involved with the submarine… What's wrong?"

Emma had lost her smile at Gordon's name. "Nothing." She forced it back onto her face. "I wish your sons had been here to see you fly that plane today."

"Dan said that Scott had a hand in your plans. Have you been talking to him?"

"No. I rang Mr Kyrano and John called me back."

Jeff sat forward. "How did he sound?"

"Um… Tired. And a little grumpy… Although that could have been me; he woke me up in the middle of the night, which is never a good idea. I wanted to ask him if he thought my idea would work. Fortunately he did and he gave me the numbers of various people to contact, plus permission to charge it all to his account. He must have discussed it with his brothers because he sent me an email saying that Scott suggested that we hire Dan. I'm glad we did."

"So am I. Do you want to come on our flight in the Karearea?"

"I don't suppose I'll have much option will I? Dan didn't do too badly today – you must both speak the same pilot's language – but you'll need someone there to help him understand you… At least until after your operation."

"Yes." Jeff slumped back in his seat.

"You're tired, aren't you? Sara's going to be mad at me for overtaxing you."

"Tell her I'm not mad at you."

Emma smiled. "Thank you, Jeff."

They continued the rest of the trip in silence. As they turned the final corner for home, Jeff glanced across over at the secretary. She was in a world of her own and he wondered if some brave stranger was sweeping her off her feet.

He hoped that her hero looked like John.

To be continued…