"Major... We are ready for the first Test. Ready when you and your pilot are. Yes!"

This from the lead scientist on Project X777... 'Golden Rainbow'. A back-engineered UFO.

Built from scratch, after studying three different retrieved vehicles that crashed since the 1940's.

Major 'Hap' Himenez was ready. And so was his test pilot: Mike Greenfield. Not his actual name. No.

"OK... Let's get this party started. Mike, the Pilot, is ready. I'll have him sent over from the barracks"

the Major replied brightly, behind his aviator, green-tinted sunglasses. Official Air Force issue of course.

#-#-#

The Major: "Mike, no fancy stuff. Just get the thing up in the air and circle the field a few times, if you can."

Mike (the Pilot): "Alright, 'Hap'. Whatever you say. Just don't let Joe or Steve wring her out before I get a try?"

Major Himenez: "No worries, Mike. You do good today on this 1st Test; you can conduct all the rest. Promise!"

Those words were music to the Test Pilot's ears. This was the culmination of all the years of his flying career.

#-#-#

"Power Mode... On." "Magnetic Flux Generator... On." "Mercury Vapor Module... On!" This from the project's engineers.

The Major smiled again. "Awesome..." A minute later, he pressed the Flight Com button. "Alright, Mike. Go for broke!"

Pilot Greenfield: "That a joke, Hap? OK, here goes... Something." The silver-blue hued craft slowly rose up. Hovered.

Mike took it around the field at an altitude of 100 feet. "Smooth as silk... Or water across a hot greased skillet. Yowie!"

The craft did move very smoothly and effortlessly. It circled the field three times at low power and minimum speed.

"Good Job, Mike. Bring her down. That's enough for today. Dinner tonight on me!" spoke the Major over the com mic.

#-#-#

Gradually the craft was put through more trials and testing. Jumping to 1K feet and back down to a mere 10 feet 'AGL'.

(Above Ground Level) Quick 90 degree turns, left then right. The vehicle was encased in a No-Time-Space-Field, so the

pilot felt no effect of gravity or of acceleration. He in fact told the Major that he felt no pull on his body whatsoever. None!

#-#-#

Mike took a week off... To go visit his family in Minnesota. A reward for a successful series of test flights. He had earned it, surely.

The Major was thrilled. "Nice to see you looking Happy, 'Hap'..." spoke the lead scientist on Project 'Golden Rainbow', Kal Johnston.

"Why not... The project is progressing at a steady pace. 'Slow and Steady... Wins the Race!' as my grandfather used to say to me."

Suddenly, one of the assistant engineers came in and handed a long printout sheet to his superior, Kal. After perusing it a minute...

"Major, can we have a talk. In your Private Office?" spoke Johnston. Unlike the Major a minute ago, Kal wasn't happy. Not mad.

Simply... Perplexed. 'The Unknowns' were expected in this type of undertaking of course. But this was out of Left Field. Way Out!

(End of Part 1. To Be Continued...)