Chapter Seven Point Five: Buzzing the Tower

"Panda Bear four-nine-four, cleared for takeoff runway zero-one."

"Cleared for takeoff runway zero-one, Panda Bear four-nine-four"

A cup of coffee was put on the table for the Senior Air Traffic Controller. "Looks like it will be a slow morning."

"I hate slow mornings. Things always pick up and you're out of the swing of things. I'd rather be busy all day and stay at the top of my game." The Senior Air Traffic Controller took a large gulp of his coffee.

"We'll just have to do our best then, Sir." The Junior Air Traffic Controller took his seat next to his Superior.

"That we do." The Senior Air Traffic Controller took another large swig of his coffee.

"Sir, something just got picked up by the SSR. It's unscheduled and does not have a Squawk."

"What the hell, how was it not picked up by the Primary Surveillance Radar?"

"Let me see here sir, wow. It has still not been picked up by the PSR. Do you think it's a terrorist attack? Should I alert G.U.N.?"

"No… try to contact them on an open channel."

"..."

"Sir, I've made contact. I'm talking to them right now."

"What do they want?"

"They want to land."

"Tell them they do not have permission and are violating international aviation guidelines by having their Airborne Transponder Equipment turned off."

"Uhhhh. They said they weren't asking. The pilot wants to know WHERE he can land without issue."

"Tell them to go f-" The Senior ATC took a deep breath, massaged his temples before continuing. "Tell them we are unable to accommodate them as they are not on our incoming flight schedule. Nor do they have an emergency."

"Yes, sir. Just let me relay that to them..."

"What did they say?"

"They said, Mayday mayday mayday."

"You have gotta be kidding me. What is their alleged Emergency?"

"He said they have, and I quote, a need for speed."

"Tell them no."

"Sir, they're getting rather close to the airport."

"Tell them to deviate from their flight path and to maintain five-thousand-five-hundred feet and circle around the air and standby."

"Sir, I told them that and they're not deviating."

"I can see that!"

"Should I contact the police?"

"Not yet. Let's wait and see what they do."

"Sir… what is… that?"

"I don't know, it looks like… what? A blimp?"

"But it's moving so fast, sir."

"I can see that. That can't be a blimp. Blimps can't move as fast as a jet."

"Sir. SIR! It's... it's coming right for us!"

The Senior Air Traffic Controller turned in his swivel chair and yelled to everyone else in the room, "Everyone! Hit the ground, now!"

The sound of the engines was deafening. The entire tower shook as the massive blimp flew by at speeds no blimp had any right nor has ever had the ability to go, a mere dozen feet from the tower.

"THAT SON OF A- move over junior I'm talking to him now."

The two switched seats.

"Who are you? What the HELL do you think you're doing? This isn't some game. I'm going to have your wings for this!"

"..."

"I don't care if you're a bird. You in violation of-"

The Blimp sped past the Air Traffic Control Tower a second time.

"Fine, FINE! Just stop this nonsense already. Squakless, you're cleared to land runway one-niner."

The Junior Air Traffic Controller whispered, "Sir, shall I call the authorities now?"

"Not yet… wait for them to get settled and exit their aircraft. We'll have our cameras get a mugshot of them then file a report. In a few days time those bird brains are going to get a nasty surprise from the police. We'll have the airport authorities lock down their craft so they can't leave anytime soon. Idiot kids. This is why we need stricter enforcement of pilot license requirements. Too many mavericks are flying these days."

After the unusual blimp landed the Senior Air Traffic Controller gave another direction to the craft, "Squakless, Taxi to runway two-seven right via alpha two. Cross runway three-five." Once the directions were being carried out the Senior Air Traffic Controller changed frequencies. "Finally, that crap is over."

"Yes sir. Anything I can do to help further?"

"Actually there is..."

"Yes sir?"

"Get me another cup of coffee. I can't believe the day is only just getting started."