"There is nothing unusual about the test we're going to run. There will be plenty unusual about the actual rocket flight," Lipton replied. "Then the pilot who sits in the plane doesn't necessarily have to be what you might call a 'hot shot'?" Lipton shrugged. "Not particularly. He only takes over if the drone control goes out." "Then any pilot would do?" "Any pilot who could handle the jet." Rick wondered what Gordon was leading up to. "Then why can't we find a check pilot here on the base?" Rick now understood what Gordon was leading up to! "We could do that," Lipton agreed. "Do you have any pilots on hand?" Gordon turned suddenly and looked straight at Rick. "Don't I recall that you were flying your own plane when you worked on that job at Spindrift?" Rick gulped. "Yes, sir. I fly my own plane. But it isn't a jet, sir!" "What is it?" Lipton asked. Rick named it. "Ever fly a jet?" Rick had, and for the moment he was sorry. Thanks to his friends at JANIG, he had been given an opportunity to try out a Navy jet trainer after the case of _The Wailing Octopus_ in the Virgin Islands. Steve Ames had made special arrangements at the Naval Air Station when Rick wistfully said he would like to fly a jet just once. Lipton studied him. "Hmmm. This jet is hotter than those trainers by a factor of three, except in landing. Since landing is the critical factor, I'll buy it. First, though, we'll take a little ride." Rick was filled with mixed excitement and apprehension. "I'll be glad to try, sir," he said, with more confidence than he felt. The test pilot rode to the lake bed with Rick in the jeep. On the way he inspected the boy critically. "You're pretty young," he said at last. "Yes, sir," Rick said, thinking that Lipton wasn't very old himself, especially for his rank. "Remember the first rule of flying?" "Yes, sir. Keep your nerve and your flying speed." "Correct. Remember that, and follow it, and you'll have no trouble." Lipton followed with a rapid-fire description of instruments, controls, and procedures that left Rick's mind reeling. Finally the test pilot produced a check list. "Think you can follow it?" Rick swallowed hard. "Can I sit in the plane for a few minutes and study, sir?" Lipton smiled. "Sure. Call me when you're ready." Rick climbed into the pilot's seat and took the stick, put his feet in the stirrups, and started getting acquainted with the feel of the controls while eyes and brain concentrated on the incredible clutter of instruments that every pilot has to know better than the working of his own hand. More study wouldn't help. It was now or never. He called to the pilot. "Ready, sir." Lipton climbed up on the wing and motioned to Rick to put on the helmet and plug in his phones. There was a spare helmet-and-phone set in the rear seat for the Air Force officer. Rick switched the radio on and heard the soft hum of dynamotors. He cleared his throat and asked, "Do you read me?"