(Part 2)
"You pulling my leg, Kal? What you're saying... Isn't that near impossible?" said the Major.
Johnston the Lead Scientist/Engineer replied cooly: "You'd think so. But these findings... Strange!"
The pilot Mike Greenfield had undergone medical testing, after the last batch of test flights of the 'UFO'.
The chief Flight Surgeon (doctor) had run the medical set of health tests on the pilot himself. He was stumped.
"Major... I have no explanation. But from what I've seen on these full-spectrum health analysis tests... It seems
Mr. Greenfield... Has gotten younger. The cell counts, the DNA strands and T-Cells, and much more bear this out."
'Hap' took it in stride. "That seems impossible. Can you run all the tests on the Pilot again? Today, if you please..."
The Flight Surgeon nodded a 'Yes'. Before he was excused, his parting words: "But I've run them three times already."
#-#-#
"When are you going to tell the pilot..." Kal asked the Major, curiously.
"Soon... This effect of him getting 'younger'. It still seems so improbable. I'm finding it rather hard to believe myself!"
Head Engineer Kal nodded in agreement with the Major. "Hap... Ever hear of the Ghost Jellyfish? It copies itself, then dies."
"No... My older brother is the oceanographer. He'd know more about stuff like that. But what exactly are you getting at, Kal?
Kal Johnston gave a deadpan look, then replied: "Just that it seems this project comes with many unknowns. 'High Strangeness'..."
"That is the understatement of the decade. And I highly agree with you. We've left Terra Ferma for sure, as for what comes next!"
#-#-#
The Major did not mention the unexpected side effect of the flight testing... To his pilot. The alterations were all minimal. Up till now.
In the wee hours of the night, the decision was weighed. And then weighed again... And again... And again. By the Major and Kal too.
The next morning, over some fresh hot coffee: "Kal... I think it is safe to proceed with the next round of Flight Tests. To 'Go for Broke'."
"Alright... It's your decision. But I have to tell you I'm having some reservations in the back of my mind" replied Kal. The Honest Truth.
(To be continued...)