Shadow Flight

President Jarrett was a personable, compassionate, family-oriented man who divided his free weekends between Camp David and his home on the New England coast. "We have had word from General Donovan," Jarrett said, as they made their way to the presidential retreat. "The airborne search is under way — has been for more than an hour — and they haven't spotted anything thus far."

"I don't expect they will find anything," the vice president responded, "if my hunch is correct."

Kerchner and Parkinson looked at each other in surprise, then glanced at Truesdell. The president was already forming his words. "What do you mean, Kirk?" Jarrett asked, frowning.

"Let's wait until we have some privacy," Truesdell responded, "if you don't mind, sir."

"I agree, Kirk," the president replied, arching his eyebrows in an unspoken question. "I've had a strange feeling about this since our conversation early this morning."

The group walked the last few yards to the main lodge in quiet contemplation. Each had questions to resolve in the strange mystery of the missing Stealth bomber.

After the four men had settled into the president's office, Jarrett opened the conversation. "Kirk, tell us what's on your mind."

Truesdell reached for the writing pad on the small conference table. "I'm not as well versed about airplanes as General Parkinson," the vice president said, "but I've been a licensed pilot for more than twenty-two years, and this disappearance defies everything I've ever heard of — short of being swallowed by a UFO."

Kerchner and Parkinson glanced at each other, clearly puzzled.

Truesdell paused a moment, contemplating the bizarre situation. "An airplane the size of the B-2 doesn't disappear without any trace. Especially on a designated and precise route segment."

The president turned to Parkinson, waited a moment, then asked a question. "General, what is your professional judgment — what do you think happened to the B-2?"

Parkinson calmly folded his hands together on the conference table. "I'll be very candid, Mister President. I don't know what happened."

Jarrett pressed harder. "You must have a personal feeling, or some intuition, general."

"Yes, sir," Parkinson responded guardedly, "I do. First, and most logical, is that the aircraft strayed off course and crashed in some remote area. It could be anywhere — it's invisible to radar, especially low to the water, or ground."

Kerchner raised his hand slightly, indicating he had a question. "Bernie," the president acknowledged quietly.

"I'm sorry, general," Kerchner said in a pleasant voice, "but I can't subscribe to that theory. The crew was highly qualified, as we discussed, and they had the most precise navigation system available." He saw Truesdell nod his head in agreement. "Besides," Kerchner continued, "General Donovan says that the emergency code flashed on the Canadian radar screen directly over the route the Stealth was flying, at the exact time the aircraft should have been there."

Kerchner looked at Parkinson, then Jarrett. "Too coincidental:* "You're right, Bernie," Truesdell replied. "I believe that the Stealth was commandeered — hijacked."

"What?" Kerchner said, stunned. "You believe the B-2 was stolen?"

Truesdell waited to respond, seeing the surprised look on everyone's face. "Yes, I do. Our Stealth bomber is one of the most highly classified weapons systems we have. We know the Soviets have been trying, without much success, to develop a Stealth aircraft for the past six years. There are undoubtedly some in the military who aren't willing to accept the loss of power. It would be a real coup to snatch a Stealth aircraft."

Parkinson tensed. "Are you suggesting that our pilots would defect?"

"I'm not accusing anyone, at this point, general," Truesdell said, then turned to Jarrett. "I have a couple of suggestions, with the president's permission."

"Of course, Kirk," Jarrett replied, taken aback by Truesdell's speculation.

"First, we need to run a thorough background check on all three men aboard the B-2. At the same time, we need to query every air traffic control center and sector in the Stealth's range," Truesdell said calmly, fixing his gaze on General Parkinson. "The aircraft didn't vanish into thin air."

"I concur," Jarrett replied, turning to his secretary of defense. "Bernie, call Fred Adcock at FBI. Make it top priority. We have to have answers in a matter of hours, not days. I want them to concentrate their efforts on the civilian technician."

"Yes, sir," Kerchner responded, shaken by the thought of a B-2 being captured by renegade Russians.

The president turned to Truesdell. "Kirk, have Mel Collins get the FAA moving. We need to know if any FAA facility had anything unusual occur last night. Have him go directly into the system — no passing it down the ranks."

"Yes, sir," the vice president responded, sliding back his chair. "General, check with SAC and see what they've found."