"Mom, where are we going?" Sierra asked for the third time today. Leah still hadn't told her, and she knew she wouldn't get the answer out of me; especially after the last two days of her trying to doll me up. Samantha ended up being her life-sized doll when she dropped by in civilian clothes.

Shortly after the question was asked, Erica drove the 10 passenger Bently onto the tarmac of the airport where Noelle's plane was kept.

"Really, Mom. This is getting weird; where are we going?" She asked aprehensive about the answer.

"Sierra;" I began, "no one here is telling you. You will just have to find out as we travel. Just enjoy the trip, without worrying about the destination. At least you aren't being asked if you have your passport, so that should be reducing possibilities enough already."

She seemed to ponder my answer for a few minutes before looking out the window until we stopped next to the plane we would be taking.

The door opens, and we file out of the car, and walk toward the plane; Will helps Erica and Samantha get the few small bags of luggage, and carries them to the plane where a man directs him to put them on the ground so he can load them the way he wants them. Its at this point I realize he is either the pilot or 2nd seat.

We get on board, and a steward asks us if we wanted some water before takeoff. Sierra was the only one to request any.

"Ambassador, both engines had their perscribed maintinance completed, a service memo was found for the flap bellcranks, and the mechanics brought us into compliance. There was an issue found with the air brake deployment mechanism, this was repaired as well."

"Were the brakes and tires checked as I had asked?" Noelle responded to the Steward's statement.

"Yes, ma'am. We found the service memo during our routine checks, the brakes and tires are well within their expected lifespan. The nosegear landing lights were replaced as they were getting close to hours, but the rest of the craft is well within its service life; especially considering she was phased only two months ago, shortly after your initial arrival."

"Thank you for your report." She says dismissively.

The Steward goes,back to what he was doing. And Sierra again strikes up a conversation.

"I only understood part of that. What did he mean by 'phase'?"

"Aircraft have some very specific maintenance requirements, much like your family car does; however, unlike a car, if any part, of certain componets, are on the aircraft for too many operational hours, the airframe can not legally fly. In general, we refer to maintaining these groups of componets as phases. This aircraft has three phases. I'll use an analogy here, because its not quite right, just bear with me." Reed seemed to really like aircraft. "Think of Phase 1 like a tune-up and an oil change on your car. Its basically periodic maintenance, but a lot more expensive. Phase2 is like the two year maintinance that is supposed to be done on most cars; checking and replacing rotating parts, critical components that can result in the failure of the aircraft to stay aloft, wiring connections, that sort of thing; as well as all of the Phase 1 work. Phase 3; well think,of Phase 3 as a major overhaul meant to keep the plane in working condition. Its a lot more detailed, and checks as much as possible, as well as having all the work od phases 1 &2 as well. Although the fuselage is checked for stresses during every phase; phase 3 takes it a bit further and checks every rivet for stress fracturing."

"So which phase was two months ago?" I ask.

"Phase 1." She answered promptly. "However the two engines have different hours on them, so during the phase, their maintinace schedules were brought in line with the rest of the aircraft."

"Why do the engines have differing hours?" Sierra asked.

"Three years ago, the number 2 engine, the one on the right wing, dropped a bearing during a pan American flight, it had to be replaced, so that one is newer. Up until this plane was assigned to Ambassador, there wasn't enough alloted time between needed flights to get that engine's maintinace adjusted to be in line with the rest of the aircraft. Although, both engines are scheduled to be replaced later this year during its phase 3, so doing it this late is just a convinence thing for us."

"Reed, I know you enjoy planes, but I think you're starting to overwhelm them. Perhaps dial back your tech-speak a bit?" Noelle says to her.

"Sorry." Samantha says as the APU spools to life. The loud wine, and vibrations, seem to bring the once static metal bird to life.

"Sam, don't fret on it too long." I said to her; her eyes going wide all of a sudden. "What?"

"Taylor, thats the first time you haven't called me formally. Its always 'Reed', 'Master Chief', 'Samantha', or a combination."

"She is right," Erica interjected. "You usually call everyone formally, so that was kind of surprising, I had thought you didn't like us."

I lean forward in my seat, placing my elbows on my knees, and my chin on the back of my interlaced fingers. I felt the plane begin to move under me as I replied.

"If I didn't like you, all of you, I would disappear. Its not that hard for me to do. I'm the only one Cassie can't locate, so its easy for me. Living as many lifrtimes as we have; we know the importance of having trustworthy people around us. There are things I still have to keep you all at arms length from, but I don't hate you."

As I finish, I see Leah and Sierra beginning to tear up. I pointedly ignore them as our taxi onto the runway competes, and the engines accelerate. When I felt the brakes release I wondered how that first flight at Kitty Hawk must have felt. Another event I wasn't at; but I heard Melody was there.