Chapter 2: My Private Flight

      The next day came and I can tell you now, I was really excited about my trip to Egypt.
      Mr Tracy had arranged everything for me last night so I was all set up for my trip out onto the distant sands of the beautiful country.
      Alan and I stood out on the balcony that early morning in the bright sunlight, the breeze was soft gentle and felt cool against my skin.
      I was wearing a baggy pink and white cotton shirt with short sleeves and a grey pair of nylon shorts; I had the appropriate brown walking boots with matching socks.
      Alan looked had a few minutes to spare before he was going to relieve John from the space station; we just enjoyed the moment together.
      Alan wrapped his arm around my waist and held me close, I let my head drop against his shoulder.
      He looked at me and smiled softly before gazing out over the glimmering blue ocean that brushed against the sandy shores on the beach below.
      I was so wrapped up in the moment I didn't want to let go of him.
      Scott came out onto the balcony.
      "Ok Alan, it's time to go up to relieve John" Scott said swiftly.
      Alan looked at him then back at me.
      "Time for me to go" He said, letting me slip from his grip.
      I nodded and put a sweet smile on my face.
      I looked at Scott who just smirked at me and walked off.
      "Bye Alan" I said, "See you soon"
      He kissed my lips with contempt, his warmth against me. He pulled back slowly and smiled before walking into the lounge.
      I stood there, wrapped up in the emotion that was bestowed on me; I was breathless, he never had kissed me before.
      I walked into the lounge, just to see the couch disappear into the depths of the island carrying Scott and Alan.
      I sighed sadly and sat on the nearest chair.
      I watched as a second couch came up, empty.
      It was a moment that had slowed down the axis of time and made everything seem less important to me.
      Virgil came out off the library and went and picked up my suitcase to bring it over to me.
      He stood before me and offered his hand.
      "Your carriage awaits," He said smiling.
      I laughed and excepted his hand and I stood up, taking my suitcase with my other hand.
      He lead me to the passenger shoot, I put my suitcase down inside next to me and pulled the bar down.
      "See you in Thunderbird 2" Virgil said walking off.
      "Ok Virgil" I said as the passenger shoot started down.
      It was like being dropped into the centre of the earth, going into an unknown but amazing atmosphere.
      I could see Thunderbird 2 just below me; the gleaming green paintwork wasn't hard to miss.
      I could see Virgil's special shoot making its way into the top of the vehicle that I would be in shortly.
      It smelt a bit stuffy as I descended above the Thunderbird machine; I was getting butterflies from excitement of the vacation that lay ahead.
      I was soon in Thunderbird 2 as the passenger shoot stopped and lent forward at a straight angle.
      Virgil was in his International Rescue uniform, how smart he looked.
      I climbed out and dragged my heavy suitcase with me and sat down on one of the couches behind Virgil.
      "Welcome to you private flight Miss Kyrano" Virgil joked.
      "Very funny" I said, but I had to admit, It did feel like my own private flight.
      The front of the hanger opened and the great machine slowly heaved forward out into the light of day.
      Thunderbird 2 rolled out to the small area of runway, the palm trees dropping down as the big machine trod out fully.
      It was a smooth ride down to the launch pad as we were lent back ready for take off.
      I heard the engines roar as the thrust from behind the machine pushed us forward into the air.
      We were up, up and away.
      It was brilliant to be able to cruise across the air in the gigantic Thunderbird; the world below us sure looked amazing and so small.
      "We shall be arriving in Egypt in four and one half hours" Virgil informed me.
      "Ok," I replied as I looked out of the side window over the glittery blue sea.
      Time went as slow as ever, I filled in the time by reading some tourism books of Egypt that Brains has let me borrow and by looking out across the scenic view from above the world below.
      Soon, we were very close; I could see the golden sands of the desert glimmer under us.
      "Wow, just look how gorgeous the pyramids are" I said admiring the ancient monuments.
      "Yes, they are spectacular" Virgil agreed.
      I smiled at him and then looked back over at the beautiful sites.
      "I think you should get down to the jeep" Virgil said, "We are coming close to the landing site, just out of range of anyone"
      "If they ask how I got there, I'll say I came by charted flight" I told Virgil as I headed to the pod.
      I went straight down to the pod, the jeep and my caravan where waiting there for me.
      I climbed into the front of the jeep and gripped the wheel and leaned back in my seat.
      "This is Virgil to Tintin, can you hear me?"
      It was the radio; I pushed the switch next to it.
      "This is Tintin to Virgil, loud and clear"
      "We are about to touch down now Tintin, so fire up the engine"
      "FAB Virgil" I replied "Over and out"
      I turned on the ignition and the engine purred and hummed.
      I smiled and waited; there was a big bump that vibrated the pod a little.
      We had landed.

On to Chapter 3: Egypt.