Crow Lake Intergalactic Airport

By Sean Casey

For decades, aliens have been secretly visiting Earth. Among these aliens, Earth has become a popular tourist destination. Their visits have not gone unnoticed; the CIA has been working to steal alien technology since the seventies. John Heyman is a CIA agent tasked with studying the aliens, and he tries to take their technology. His brother, Will, has a normal job at a golf course. X16b4p is an alien who wants to have an adventure on the primitive planet of Earth. When a flying saucer appears in Northern Minnesota, two estranged brothers must work together to save the world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543451368

Sean Casey

Sean Casey is a major in the U.S. military with two combat tours in Iraq currently pursuing a career in professional communications. He is the former Director of Marketing for Discussion Partner Collaborative and presently a public relations consultant. He is the author of the blog Sean May Be Heard and contributor to Executive Transitions-Plotting The Opportunity! Sean can be reached at [e-mail] or via Twitter:@seancasey442

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

John Heyman did not realize he was bad with directions until he started driving. Until he learned how to drive, he had never needed to memorize a series of landmarks to get to the right place. His mom or dad had just put him in the back seat, and he seemed to reach is destination by magic.

When John turned 15, in 2003, his father began to teach him how to drive. They would drive down to the gas station or to the grocery store, but John’s mother or father was always there with him, telling him where to turn.

In the fall of 2003, John, his father, and his little brother William went on a hunting trip. John’s father owned a little piece of hunting land outside a small town called Red Plain. The land was in the middle of nowhere, without a building for miles around.

John loved the piece of forest and enjoyed every second he spends there with his father, even if his brother bugged him. In the morning, when the family arrived at the deer stand, John was the first to jump out of the car. John’s father and brother were stilled tired, but the forest had invigorated John, and he was full of energy despite the early hour.

The wind blew quietly though the leaves and the grass that morning. The fall air was cold but fresh, and the air seemed to fill John’s lungs with a cold energy. John’s father was less pleased. He wrapped his coat tighter around himself and briskly walked toward the deer stand.

John, Will, and their father climbed the ladder into the deer stand. The deer stand was a wooden box on top of four long legs. It was not the nicest stand in the forest, but it worked, and that was enough for the Heymans.

John and Will were both still too young to have an actual gun, so they kept a look out for deer, and told their father whenever they spotted one. To John’s father these hunting trips were more about spending time with his kids than getting meat, so he did not mind if the kids were a little loud and scared away some of deer.

The morning passed uneventfully. Around 9, Will thought he had seen a deer in the bushes, but it turned out just to be a squirrel. About an hour later, the hunters heard a branch break in the woods. They scanned the trees to try to find deer, but they could not spot him.

At noon, they had lunch. John’s mother had packed them some ham sandwiches. John did not really like ham sandwiches, but he was hungry enough that he did not care. He wolfed down the sandwich. Will was less quiet with his unhappiness. I don’t want a sandwich. Will complained, I want pizza. It’s the sandwich or nothing. Will’s father told him bluntly. Will did not look happy, but he ate half of the sandwich.

The hunting trip did not get any more exciting as the sun began to set. The day had been nice and the sunset was beautiful, but the deer were nowhere to be found.

As the twilight turned to darkness, the Heymans had to admit defeat. They had done their best, but they had not been able to fire a single shot. John had enjoyed the day just sitting in the stand amongst nature, so he did not count the day as a loss. His father felt differently. He had brought his kids to the woods to have some fun, and he had failed. But the night wasn’t over yet. Hey John He asked, Do you want to drive? John had never driven his father’s car before, so this was a small way to make up for the boring day.

Mr. Heyman drove a nice car, probably a little over what he could afford. It was a classic ford mustang painted blue with a white stripe. It was Mr. Heyman’s pride and joy.

Sure, John said, and broke out into a big smile.

Do you remember how to get back to the cabin? John’s father asked him.

of course, John said confidently.

John’s brother and father quickly fell asleep in the car. The day had been long and tiring even if they did not get any deer. John felt proud and old to be to be the one driving and the only one awake.

John listened to the few channels on the radio as he drove. There was one channel that was playing classic rock, but this channel only came in and out every once and a while. There was a different channel that was playing classical music. This channel came in a little better, but would still drop out every once and a while.

John found one station that was just saying numbers. The radio station was just the voice of a young woman reading numbers. John heard the numbers 34, 28, and 93, then turned the channel.

The next station John found was very clear. It was playing music in a language that John had never heard before. John could hear string instruments in the background along with loud gongs and wind chimes. John listened to this station for several minutes before changing the station. The music was ok, but John thought there might be something better.

The next station John found was a high-pitched clicking noises. The clicks varied in volume and pitch, so John figured that they must be some kind of music. Some kind of experimental electronic music, but why would they be playing that way out here?

That was the end of the dial, so John turned the dial back to the weird foreign music.

It was about this time that John realized that he did not know where he was. One moment he was on the road he had been on a dozen times, then somehow, he had been transported to a completely different road.

John knew he should wake his father up; John was lost and he knew it. But maybe, John thought, if I drive a little farther, I will recognize something. He drove a little bit further, but he did not recognize anything.

John patted his father on the shoulder. Dad He said I got lost.

Umhgh his father said has he woke up. John’s father rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and looked down the road. That’s fine. He said with a hoarse voice. I shouldn’t have fallen asleep. There was a moment of silence then he said have you seen any street signs lately?

The road through the forest was winding and unpredictable. There were very few land marks or buildings. The Heymans groped blindly though the dark for several hours before they saw some lights in the distance.

Finally, John’s father said.

John said nothing, but internally he breathed a sigh of relief. He blamed himself for getting lost, even if his father did not.

The building they approached was a restaurant. It was a 50’s style dinner with bright neon lights and a big sign that said Max’s The large pane windows of the building were spilling light on to the street and displaying the many customers in the restaurant.

John pulled into the parking lot and took a spot. I’m hungry Will said from the back seat. Me too John’s father said. We can grab a burger here before we head back to the cabin.

The family piled out of the car and made their way into the restaurant.

The restaurant was surprisingly crowded for almost 11 at night. The entire building was almost full, John thought there must be about a hundred people in the restaurant. Where had they all come from? This was supposed to be the middle of nowhere.

Many of the patrons of the restaurant looked odd. John saw several men who had different colored hair and beards. He saw about a dozen people who had heterochromia, had two different colored eyes. He saw one man wearing a Santa hat. He saw another man wearing a pair of bunny ears. He saw a woman who was wearing nothing but a bikini, even though it was a brisk fall night. He also saw about 15 men in pilot’s uniforms.

Could we get a table? John’s father asked the waiter. Sure said the waiter, follow me.

The waiter led them between the tables to a booth in the back. As always, we accept American dollars said the waiter, however we will be willing to barter for any blueprints or technology that may be on your person, as is common in human cultures.

Do you accept visa? John’s father asked.

Yes waiter replied, looking a little puzzled.

The waiter handed them three menus then walked away.

The restaurant had a very odd menu. It had many of the common food you would see at a 50’s dinner like burgers, fries, and shakes. But it also had many strange dishes. John saw a menu item called roasted gulla grubs. He saw another plate called sliced sizzler bot.

A boy, about 11 or 12, walked up to their table holding a book. Mr. the boy said could you help me with my homework?

Mr. Heyman was confused. What kind of kid was working on his homework at 11 at night on a Saturday?

Sure, Mr. Heyman said hesitantly, what is your homework about?

Quantum Theories of Black holes

Mr. Heyman was silent for a second, then said I don’t think I can help you kid.

The kid walked away and began to ask for help from a different table. Before John or his father could comment on this weird kid, their waiter came over to the table. What would you guys like? he asked.

We’ll have three cheese burgers, said Mr. Heyman.

But Dad, John said. I wanted to try the roasted gulla grubs

No, Mr Heyman said. I’m not going to get you food you’re not going to eat.

John grumbled, but did not reply to his father.

Will was not paying attention to this conversation. He had made eye contact with another child who was sitting across the restaurant. The kid was around 10 years old and he had blonde hair and blue eyes. He was holding a spoon in one hand and a fork in the other. A third hand came out from under his shirt and waved at Will. Will waved back.

A man in a chef outfit came out of the kitchen. Well I’m sorry folks, the chef said in a southern drawl. We just don’t have enough Anti-matter to finish all of yall’s meals. There was a bit of muttering among the patrons, then one man stood up and said, These backwaters never seem to have enough supplies. The man withdrew a vial from his jacket and handed it to the chef. This had better be the best roasted gulla grubs I’ve eaten. The chef thanked the man and returned to the kitchen.

Mr. Heyman decided now would be a good time to ask around for a map. He stood up and walked over to one of the waiters. Hey, me and my kids are lost, do you know where I could get a map? Mr. Heyman asked.

I do not have a map, the waiter replied in a robotic voice. He turned to a man sitting in a booth could you help us kind sir? The man looked surprised and said, well I just have this map I got at the airport. The man handed Mr. Heyman a folded map. Thanks Mr. Heyman said.

The waiter took Mr. Heyman aside and said, We retired that one, it never gets anything useful. You really need to stay up to date on this stuff.

Mr. Heyman looked at the waiter confused what are you talking about.

The waiter looked toward where John and Will were sitting then looked back at Mr. Heyman. I’ll make sure your food gets done quickly, sir. The waiter then disappeared into the kitchen. Mr. Heyman walked back to his booth and sat down with his children.

John could hear the conversation that was going on in the booth next to him. all of black hole theory revolves around the Shultz equation. A coefficient of 0 is normal space. A coefficient of 1 for a black hole and 12 for a grey hole … the man continued, but John was not interested in the conversation.

The food arrived quickly and the Heymans ate it fast. All of them were very hungry. When they finished eating, the waiter came over to their table and said, the meal is on the house, don’t worry about the bill.

Mr. Heyman was suppressed. I can pay for my food Mr. Heyman told the waiter.

We think that your experience may not have been the full Max’s experience, so we wanted to give you your food for free and make sure you got back home ok. The waiter said very calmly. While the waiter was talking, some of the men in pilot’s uniforms had crowded around the Heyman’s table.

We will help you get to your car, one of the pilots said. We want you to have a good night.

Mr. Heyman and his children stood up and walked to their car surrounded by waiters and pilots.

I’m going to be driving now, John. Mr. Heyman told his sons, but John had already figured this out.

Where did you say you came from, sir? the waiter asked, rather rudely. we would just like to know so that we can help you get there.

We have a cabin right outside Red Plain, Mr. Heyman told the waiter.

Do you still have the map? The waiter asked Mr. Heyman.

Yes Mr. Heyman said, and took it out of his pocket. When he had put the map in his pocket he had not looked at the title of the map. Stamped on the front of the map were the words Crow Lake Intergalactic Airport Local Map.

The map could be unfolded and one side was a local map of the city of Crow Lake. On the other side was a state map of Minnesota. This state map had the town of Crow Lake on it, Mr. Heyman had never seen that town on a map before.

Why are you dressed up like that? Will asked the pilots oblivious to the tension in the adults around him.

Because we are pilots. One of the uniformed men said stiffly. Another pilot shot him a glare as if to say, ‘shut up’.

Mr. Heyman got in his car and began to drive. John was the navigator, reading the strange map from the café. Will slept in the back seat.

The pilots and the waiters followed them in black SUVs for about half of an hour. Then they turned back and returned to the restaurant.

Will soon forgot about the whole thing, John did not.

CHAPTER 2

Pleasant Hills Golf Course was a nice golf course, Will worked hard to make it that way. The grass was green, and the water was blue. Small patches of neatly groomed trees spotted the hills.

Will worked as a mechanic at the Pleasant Hills golf course. It didn’t pay the best, but it was a job he loved. Can you put a price on happiness?

On the afternoon of June 12, 2017, Will looked out over the golf course and admired its beauty.

It had been 14 years since Will had had his strange meal at Max’s dinner, and Will had almost completely forgot about the night.

The day was very nice, and the sun shone warmly against Will’s skin.

Will stood outside hole 10, drinking a coke. ‘Most people don’t get to feel the Sun during the day anymore, trapped in cubicles’ maybe that was what was wrong with the world’ Will thought.

Will’s boss, Herman Thorn, yelled at Will from a golf cart Will, we got a problem, we need you.

Will was confused. It was about 2 in the afternoon, so all of the machines should be back. No one reported any problems, and he was pretty sure all the machines were put away in the barn. What could have broken?

Herman drove up to Will in his golf cart. Get in, Herman ordered Will.

Will reluctantly got into the cart.

Some guy’s car broke down in the parking lot, Herman explained to Will. could you take a look at it? Herman asked it like a question, but he followed it up with. I told him you could.

Will sighed, technically this was not a part of his job, but he was still on the clock and he had nothing else to do. do you know what is wrong with the car? Will asked.

No, Herman replied. That is why we need you.

Herman’s golf cart pulled into the parking lot of the golf course. The cars in the lot were far nicer than anything Will could afford. Will saw a Lamborghini and a Porcha. He saw several BMW’s and a few Lexus. Will saw a mustang parked in the corner. For a second Will thought back to his father’s car.

Will saw an angry looking man in a blue polo and tan kakis. The man was standing next to a Mercedes that was not running. The man was tapping the wheel of the car with his golf shoe. Somehow this small tapping conveyed extreme anger and frustration.

My car seems to be acting defectively, the man said. My name is Martian Swan the fourth, I am a pilot and this is my car. I do not expect you to understand such a complex machine as a Mercedes. It is truly an engineering work of art, and probably far beyond your plane of knowledge.

Will asked the man for his keys and got into the driver’s seat of the car. Will turned the key and realized the battery was dead. The switch for the head lights had been left on and the battery must have died while the man was playing golf. The car could be jumped and then it would be fine.

Mr. Swan, your car is fine, it just needs a jump, you must have left your lights on. Will informed Mr. Swan.

Mr. Swan looked discussed and repulsed by Will’s words. I assure you lawn-man, I did not leave my lights on because I am an enlightened and civilized gentleman. We can try your fixing method of ‘jumping’ but you will have to explain it to me.

Will was surprised that Mr. Swan did not know what it meant to jump a car and turned to Herman for help.

When your battery does not have a charge, you can hook it up to another car and take the charge from the other battery to start your car.

Mr. Swan looked mortified, you barbarians! You will not desecrate my beautiful Mercedes with your Neanderthal repair techniques. The no-fly zone over this area has turned this place into an uncivilized wasteland.

That doesn’t sound right, thought Will. He vaguely remembered seeing a bunch of pilots somewhere around here.

I assure you it is a common practice to jump a car, Herman informed Mr. Swan. I’ve done it to my car if it makes you feel any better.

This isn’t a no-fly zone, Will interjected. I saw a bunch of pilots in a restaurant when I was a kid in Crow Lake, over by Red Plain.

I am a pilot, I know what I am talking about, Mr. Swan said rudely and indignantly. I find it insulting that you would challenge my expert knowledge of flight zones.

I’ve never heard of Crow Lake. Herman Said agreeing with Mr. Swan. And I’ve lived in this area most of my life.

Will was now angry. Why had they asked him for help if they were just going to complain and criticize what he told them? He remembered the men in the pilot’s uniforms from all of those years ago, but he was not quite sure where there was an airport. It didn’t make sense that this was a no-fly zone; he sometimes saw big planes fly over when he was hunting on his dad’s land. How dare this stuck-up idiot question him, about his job and his life.

You can fix your car by jumping it, or you can call someone else you idiot. Will said with barely suppressed rage. Will took off his gloves, walked toward the clubhouse, and added waste your time and money to get someone else to tell you the same thing.

Will walked into the club house and strolled over to the bar.

Hey Cindy, could you get me a diet coke? Will asked the bartender.

Will and Cindy had gone to school together, but had never been friends when they were children. Cindy was popular and Will was not. But when they had grown up, and their friends had moved to the cities, they had begun to see a lot of each other. Will liked Cindy, but he was not sure how she felt about him.

Cindy got Will a coke, but she did not charge him. Will took this as a good sign.

Nothing broken today? Cindy asked Will.

Nothing on the course is broken. Will informed Cindy. But some idiot left his headlights on, and needed a jump. But this idiot won’t let us do anything with his car.

There weren’t too many people in the club house at the time, and Cindy enjoyed having someone to talk to, even if Will was very boring.

This guy was saying that there is a no-fly zone over this area, which is weird. Will continued telling Cindy.

Why is that weird? I’ve never looked it up, but I’ve never seen any planes fly over the course. Cindy told Will. These mechanic types are weird, thought Cindy.

Will thought about it and realized she was right. He had never seen a plane over the course either.

Have you ever heard of the town of Crow Lake? Will asked thoughtfully.

No Cindy said after a moments pause.

Will was now angry with himself as well as the stuck-up pilot outside. He thought back to the memory of the restaurant so many years ago. He thought that he must be remembering the night wrong. He remembered all of the pilots, but he also remembered a woman in a bikini and a boy with three arms. His memory of the place called Crow Lake was 14 years old, and he was just a little kid when it happened. Maybe he was remembering the night wrong?

Will? Are you ok? Cindy asked.

Will realized he had phased out while thinking about the night at Max’s 14 years ago.

Yea I’m fine, Will replied. He realized he must look crazy. Asking about no-fly zones and cities she has never heard of. He must seem insane to her. He needed to make some kind of excuse to get out of this awkward conversation. Why did he end up looking like an idiot every time he talked to Cindy?

I have to go work on some stuff. Will told Cindy.

I thought you said that nothing was broken? Cindy asked Will.

Umm, I just need to clean some stuff and then tweak some other stuff … Will said nervously while he got up. He walked to the door, and turned around for a second before he left, but Cindy had already moved on to another customer.

Crap, Will thought, why do you always have to be so awkward?

CHAPTER 3

Will lived in a Pleasant Hills.

Pleasant Hills was a small town in Rural Minnesota. The town was known for one very nice golf course and a lot of rednecks. The town had acers of pine trees and rolling hills. It was the town where Mr. Heyman had raised his two sons, Will and John.

Will drove across the streets of Pleasant Hills, still thinking about a night 14 years ago.

Will drove a Ford F150 that he had bought after high school. The truck had two previous owners, but still worked fine. The body was