Entry thrusters fired and the cruiser started to enter the atmosphere. The friction started to build up. The speed increased. Genghis updated their status as they went in.
“We’re going through the thermosphere, 250 miles from the surface.”
The top of the cruiser started to glow red, then as the speed increased even more it changed to an orange white.
“Now traveling through the mesosphere, approximately fifty-three miles from the surface.”
The top of the cruiser was now glowing white; the heat reflectors doing their job of protecting the occupants. The vibration was minimal and the white glow was visible through the front windows. Then the glow started to fade.
“We are now in the stratosphere, 31 miles from the surface; speed 18,000. Righting the cruiser.”
Aft bottom thrusters fired again, sending the stern down and under while the bow came up and over, completing the pivot. Bottom bow thrusters fired, bringing the cruiser back to a level trajectory.
“Right then,” Trent said. “Now that we’re out of orbit we can go ahead and replicate the exterior and cockpit of the cruiser to resemble an ordinary human wheeled auto-mo-bile.”
Genghis activated the computer to start the transformation. The outside of the IPF cruiser began to glow in a light blue aura that enveloped the ship. The color of the cruiser changed from a flat gray to a bright white. The length and width began to shorten. Metal alloys morphed into new shapes. The front directional thrusters moved closer and became four round headlights. Underneath the newly formed headlights a chrome grill, resembling the gaping maw of a catfish, materialized within a chrome bumper. Aft thrusters changed from rectangles to four red round tail lights. The bottom became a chassis with a transmission housing, drive shaft, front and rear axles. The top heat reflector slowly morphed into a white canvas top. The ancient Native American symbol of the Thunderbird slowly emerged on the front nose of the newly transformed cruiser, its turquoise body glistening in the sun's light.
Inside the cockpit, computers became analog dials within a red dashboard. Underneath Jeff Trent and Genghis Khan, the pilot and co-pilot seats became reupholstered from black and gray to a two-toned red and white. In front of Trent, his computer systems formed into a shaft and from the tip of the shaft the steering wheel emerged.
With the exterior and interior transformation complete, Genghis looked around the newly formed IPF cruiser, “I’m always amazed at how well this thing works,” he said glancing around. “This is a very nice human auto-mo-bile cockpit.”
“Yes,” Trent replied. “Cozy, isn’t it? This dial in the middle is called a ‘speed-o-meter’ and indicates our speed. This one on the left indicates our fuel consumption. This is a timepiece, and this sphere in front of me is the directional device. You turn it and the front wheels correspond with the turn, pointing the nose in the direction you wish to go.”
“Very simplistic.” Genghis said, not having as much training with human automobiles as Trent had. “Refresh my memory, what are the pedals for again?”
“Hmm?”
“The pedals,” he motioned with his head, “on the floor.”
“Oh, yes. One accelerates the auto-mo-bile and one stops it.”
“Which is which?” Genghis asked, trying to remember.
A moment of hesitation and Trent replied, “The skinny one accelerates, the fat one stops.”
“Don’t get them confused.”
“Oh, no that won’t happen,” Trent responded. “I’ve spent a total of forty-five hours in the simulator and have become very proficient in the operations of many human auto-mo-biles.”
“That’s very good,” Genghis said. “Because I’m sure human canines aren’t allowed to operate auto-mo-biles.” He then turned and spoke to the cruiser. “Mainframe online.” A hologram of the cruiser's computer console appeared around him. Just as it was before the replication. The Doberman started accessing several computer readouts.
“The navigation computer has given us an approximate entry grid.” Genghis said. “It will get us within several miles of IPPT 964.” He started to input information. “Coordinates are set. The computer has selected a deserted stretch of thoroughfare for us to land on. Speed, still 18,000.” Genghis looked up from the displays and at Trent. “I suggest we land as soon as possible. We can’t be electronically detected, but we are in visual range.”
“Well, then,” Trent replied. “Let's proceed. Lower the gears.”
Touching several prompts on the screen, Genghis activated the computer and four shiny black Goodyear tires with white sidewalls unfolded from beneath the cruiser and locked into place.
“Gears lowered and locked.”
“Right then,” Trent said as he reached up with his left hand and turned a small silver key.
The 460 cubic inch human combustion replicated engine roared to life. Trent revved the engine, “This is exhilarating, to operate a real auto-mo-bile and not a simulator.”
“Well, that’s instilling a lot of confidence,” Genghis said.
“Not to worry,” Trent said with elation. He reached up with his right hand to the steering column and moved a small lever as he said, “I’m very qualified. My instructor was very pleased with how well I did. And you know, I even made up a joke. See right here, the little human symbol ‘D’?”
“Yeah.”
“It stands for ‘Dat-A-Way.’ ” He pointed forward, then laughed hysterically.
Genghis just rolled his eyes and turned back to his computers.
Trent threw the car into gear and pushed the pedal (the skinny one) to the floor. The little needle on the analog speedometer shot all the way to the right to the number 140. The transmission engaged and the back wheels started to spin rapidly. Aft thrusters disguised as tail lights fired as directed by the navigational computer and the cruiser started to descend.
“The thoroughfare is coming into view,” Genghis announced. “All systems are normal. Speed has increased to 18,500.” They could feel the g-forces pushing them into the back of their seats.
“I see it,” Trent said. “Very long and deserted, we should be able to land unnoticed.”
At one thousand feet above the surface the front thrusters fired automatically in three second bursts, considerably slowing the cruiser's speed.
“Taking manual control,” Trent announced.
Genghis
