The Presidential limousine made its way to Joint Base Andrews and pulled up beside Air Force One. The side door was opened by an agent and the President, Chief of Staff, and the President's Aide stepped out and made their way up the long staircase. The plane would not leave for another half hour, so everyone made themselves at home. The President and Chief of Staff settled in the office and began discussing the final details of the meeting with the Brazilian President and his top advisors. Main topics would include rain forest deforestation, monetary policy, devaluation of the Brazilian currency, and the impact of the drug problem in Brazil, and how the United States could help the government combat it. Over the next two hours, the two men would cover the topics and hit the high points that the President needed to emphasize in the talks.
At nine, the phone rang in the office. Jed picked it up. "Yes?"
"Mr. President, Colonel Walker here. We have been notified that everyone is now aboard and we are waiting for your approval to take off."
"Colonel, you have my approval."
"Thank you. Sir. Fasten your seatbelts."
Jed hung up. "Leo, we're ready for takeoff."
"Good."
Just then, the intercom came alive. "Attention, this is Colonel Walker. We have been given clearance for takeoff. Please return to your seats and fasten your seatbelts."
Everyone heard the engines rev up and in a matter of seconds, the plane started its motion down the runway. As it gathered speed, the engines got louder until the nose of the plane eased upward and the wheels lifted completely off the runway. Minutes later, Jed and Leo felt the tires fold underneath them into the undercarriage of the plane, and the fuselage turn south.
They were on their way.
After a couple of hours, Jed stood, then Leo did the same. "Leo, it's getting late so I think I'm going to my cabin and try to sleep. See you in the morning."
"Good night, Mr. President."
When Jed left, Leo took off his jacket and kicked off his shoes. He grabbed a blanket, and laid down on the most comfortable sofa on the plane, the one in the President's office. It didn't take long before the President, Leo, and the whole plane was sound asleep as the plane flew toward the Southern Hemisphere and a week of experiences that no one could have predicted.
