"We usually bring people in through the Nellis gates and through our regular checkpoints, sir, just as if they were regular air force personnel, but we have those points under security renovation. Director Compton and the senator thought this would be easier"

"The senator?" Collins asked.

The two men said nothing.

"Please step back beyond the yellow line, your transport is arriving," the computer-generated voice said to them.

Mendenhall pulled lightly on the major's shirt as Collins looked down and saw he was an inch or two beyond a yellow stripe that had been painted about a foot from the edge of the platform. He stepped back. Suddenly, a swishing sound came from the darkened tunnel. The next thing Collins saw was a small tube, pointed at both ends and entirely enclosed in glass from waist level up, stop suddenly in front of them. There were no braking sounds at all, just the rush of air and a quick rise of his hair.

"Your transport has arrived," stated the computer.

"Damn, that was smooth," Collins said.

"It works on electromagnetism and pneumatics. Power, braking, everything," the sergeant volunteered, hoping he wouldn't be slammed again by the major's knowledge.

A door slid back and allowed the three passengers to enter. It looked like a smaller version of the monorail system Collins had seen at most major airports, the pointed nose being the only difference. As he took one of the plastic seats in the front of the transport, the door slid closed and the computer spoke again. "Welcome to the Nellis Transport System. There is no standing while the transport is in motion. The distance covered to the main platform will be eleven point four miles and time duration will be two minutes, thirty-three seconds."