The plane's loudspeakers crackled to life. "We are now departing Churchill, Manitoba. Air Canada hopes you've had a memorable experience."
Many of the sleepy passengers took the little cloth pillows, and propped them in various positions. Then they threw their new arctic parkas over themselves for warmth.
"I'd remember a lot more if we could leave at a more decent hour," grumbled an overweight man.
The elderly woman next to him nodded in agreement. "Same here. Seriously, who made this schedule? Six A.M. departure, in the dark? We're supposed to be on a freakin' vacation!"
Amidst the yawns and complaints, Sarah sat quietly. Looking through her digital pictures, she was absorbed in thought.
"The people and animals are so fascinating... but could I be happy? No supermarkets full of fresh food. No plays, cinemas, or galleries. Nothing but the arctic as far as the eye can see..."
Then she beamed when she came to her favorite series of pictures. She had taken them when she came upon an Inuit brother and sister, no older than four. They were playing with a litter of husky puppies.
"I think I could be happy up here, learning the secrets of the Northland," she whispered. Sighing, she pulled out a thick University book. "But before I can do it, I have to get my degree..."
The plane took flight, and those who were still awake were treated to a colorful display of the Aurora Borealis encircling the little community. "I wonder if I'll ever take seeing this for granted, after I move to the arctic?" mused Sarah, having made her decision.
Doug adjusted his cap, then looked at his copilot. "Hey Steve, those northern lights are really moving this morning."
Steve grinned. "No matter how many times I see them, it never gets old!"
Doug nodded. "It never could, buddy. Not in a million years..."
"Where's Tina?" asked Steve.
Doug frowned. "She called in sick, and there's no replacement available. They'll just have to wait until we get there for coffee and donuts."
About ten minutes into the flight, Doug's eyes widened. "That's not another Aurora up ahead, Steve. It's mixed in with it, but it's something else."
"We need to stay away from it, Doug. I think it's some sort of tunnel, made of energy. A friend who flies down in the Bermuda triangle told me about things like this. Sometimes you come out of it miles away, but most people are never seen again."
The two veteran pilots turned the unwieldy plane around, but the anomaly easily overtook them.
Doug swore, then looked at the dead instrument panel. "We have to make an emergency landing. Get on the speakers."
Once the passengers had been given ample time to prepare, the plane was slowly brought closer to the ground.
Seconds before impact, everything went dark. No Aurora, no flashing energy, and still no instruments.
Doug was on his feet the moment he recovered from the rough landing. He staggered to the cockpit door, and observed passengers looking around in confusion.
He went back to inform his copilot, who was rubbing a walnut-sized bump on his forehead.
"Not our smoothest landing, but at least we all seem to be in one piece... the passengers are all conscious. Are you okay, Steve? That's a nasty bump."
Steve nodded, then flinched and rubbed his head again. "I'm fine. Let's just be thankful this happened so close to Churchill. Otherwise if the ELT was damaged by whatever that was, we could be out here for days."
"I'll reassure the passengers. You find out if it's working, and try to contact the airport."
Several minutes later, Steve exited the cockpit, shoulders slumped. "The ELT is dead, and so is everything else. I think whatever it was that caught us fried the electronics. Even my phone and watch are dead."
With that revelation, every passenger withdrew a phone. Not one of them lit up. After much tapping, shaking, and swearing, they were reluctantly returned to pockets and bags.
Doug stood up. "We're close to Churchill, and directly along the flight path. Search parties will be deployed once we don't show up on time. The biggest problem we have right now is heat. Without power, this place is going to get really cold, really fast."
"Let's all squeeze into the cockpit. Our body heat can keep us warm easier in a small space," suggested Steve.
Doug nodded in agreement. "If we have to, we can use the fuel from the engines to heat the cockpit area - if we can rig up some type of heater."
"I work on oil heaters," spoke up the overweight man who had complained about the early departure.
Doug smiled. "Excellent. Then you and I will get that ready. We also have some supplies for food and drinks, but they need to be prepared."
"I can help with them," offered the elderly woman.
Steve took her hand. "They're right over here, Ma'am."
The passengers gathered in the cockpit. Dan, the oil heater repairman, was busy bending and cutting sheet metal. Most curled up and slept. Sarah looked out the window, daydreaming about when she would have time to explore properly. The elderly woman, Fern, was making a careful inventory of the supplies.
"What's that?" asked Sarah.
Doug squinted. "I'd say it's sunrise, but it's still too early. Maybe a search party, but let's wait and find out. No reason to get excited until we know."
The lights stayed put. But everyone who was awake stared at them intently.
When the skyp began to lighten. Several figures emerged from the direction of the strange lights.
Sarah jumped up, and almost shouted before looking at the lumps hidden under parkas. Then she whispered "Steve, those are Inuit! Maybe they're looking for us."
"They're probably looking for caribou. It's too soon for a rescue party. But it's definitely a stroke of good luck! They can help us get back to town."
Careful not to wake those who chose to nap, Steve and Sarah slipped out. Doug and Dan were grinning, but kept working. Fern was curious, but not inclined to leave the relatively warm shelter.
There were three men, none of whom spoke a word of English. "The language isn't even fully Inuit," said Sarah, frowning. Then she looked at the knife hanging from the leader's belt, and gasped.
To be continued!
Describe what you see:
I see a plane departing, in the dark. The Aurora Borealis is bright in the sky.
Describe what you feel:
I feel like this is the beginning of a great adventure!
