Somewhere over Spain

June 1

Colonel Steve Austin, USAF, Astronaut, a man bored out of his mind. He was flying co-pilot on Air Force One. It was another 'undercover in plain sight' assignments. There have been threats made against the President, so the Office of Scientific Investigation sent their bionic operative to keep an enhanced eye out. Steve wondered why anybody would want to hurt President Ford, much less assassinate him. He seemed like a nice enough guy, the most controversial thing he did was pardon Nixon.

Steve got on the PA, "Mr. President and ladies and gentlemen, prepare for landing."

As usual, the touch down was flawless. Bands started playing and the red carpet was rolled out. The ladder rolled up to the plane, and the door opened. The President stepped on the the ladder, then went down…fast. The crowd gasped. Steve was up and out of his seat so quickly he appeared as a blur to most people.

Steve was on the President even before the Secret Service. "Mr. President, where are you hit?" Colonel Austin asked.

Gerald Ford replied, "I'm alright Colonel, I just slipped."

Slipped! Austin thought, Oh well, just goes to show that the President is human.

Steve helped the President up, and saluted, "Very well, sir." He didn't know what else to say.

Oscar Goldman called Steve in his hotel room, "Saw you on the news, Steve, quick thinking… but we've got to be careful using bionics around the press."

"What should I have done, Oscar, I thought the President had been shot," Austin replied.

Oscar ignored Steve's remark and went on, "We're turning protection back over to the Secret Service. Air Force One's regular co-pilot is flying into Madrid tonight. Tomorrow morning you are to report to Kennedy Space Center."

Steve's interest perked, "Am I going back up into space?" The former astronaut asked.

"No, Steve, this is a little more routine," Oscar answered, "you are to do a fitness report on a prospective O-6."

Steve got annoyed at being given a task that would normally go to a probationary agent, "A fit rep? Anything else you want me to do, how about clean the office copy maker and pick up your dry cleaning?"

Oscar was patient, "We've been getting odd reports about this Astronaut for almost 10 years now, which had been shelved as delusions of a burnt out psychiatrist. But I promised a family friend I'd look into it."

Steve grunted, "Odd reports, let me guess… Tony Nelson."

Oscar was surprised, "You know him?"

Steve replied, "He spent most of his time at Kennedy while I spent most of mine at Johnson Space Center near Houston, but the astronaut corps is a small group. We all know each other, and I've heard some of the rumors myself. OK, I'll go down and ask some questions. It shouldn't raise eyebrows, since a background investigation is SOP for promotion to Colonel."

"Thanks Steve," Oscar replied, then hung up.

That morning, Steve went to Rota, where a Navy transport took him to NAS Jacksonville. A Bell UH-1 "Huey" helicopter was waiting for him at the Florida Navy base. He hopped into the empty left seat, and saw a very familiar figure in the pilot's seat.

"Roger Healey, it's been way too long!" Austin exclaimed.

Roger replied, "When I heard they were going to send a chopper to pick up a Colonel Steve Austin, I volunteered. Last I heard, you were involved in one hell of a crack-up."

Steve replied, "Yeah, but you know what they say about any landing you can walk away from…"

Seeing his old friend looked uncomfortable, Roger changed the subject, "There is a lot more excitement at NASA, with the plans for the STS. We're glad you're able to come on board."

Steve was relieved, his cover story held, "Thanks, Rog…"

"Plus," Roger added, "it'll be nice to have another single guy to hang around with. Tony's married, along with most of the guys there. There are some very hot babes in Florida this time of year eager for an Astronaut. Plus you should see our new flight surgeon… Navy woman, but whooo wee."

Steve Austin laughed. Same old Roger. This assignment might not be so bad, The Bionic Man thought, at least I'll be around old friends and NASA.