He squeezed into the cage, set and activated the reactor. Observing the power levels rise on the gauges, his fingers stroked the flitter's keys and levers. He tapped his coordinates into the nav-comp as the plant warmed.
The guard moved closer.
"Know how to set her? Maybe I can help, sir."
He stuck his head into the crowded space and watched the computer screen flip through the coordinates that Zolan inserted. The screen stabilized and reflected a series of vectors. The guard studied them. Zolan ignored him.
Zolan adjusted the torso belts and rechecked the reactor and weight-and-balance indicators. He heaved a heavy sigh.
"Well, time to hit the road," he said. "Stand back, man, I'm taking her up."
The guard stepped back and saluted. Zolan moved the power lever and directional controls. The framework and cage quivered and the flitter lifted up and away.
Looking down, Zolan saw the guard bending backward, watching his direction of flight.
"Hope he got them all down right," he thought as he entered new data into the computer.