"O.K.," Hall waved to the riggers, "everybody get outta here. Casey, plug them in."
Alec and Troy had entered the cab. The communications man leaned over and coupled the phone system into their helmets and then waved at Hall.
"You two hear?" Hall demanded.
"Loud and clear," Alec replied.
"All right," Hall ordered, "let's get with it. This is a general order. All vehicles and personnel not directly involved, pull back a full mile."
Men and equipment began moving away.
"O.K., Number One crane, lift 'em."
The crane operator on the near bank eased his gears into motion and the six-ton tractor lifted into the air with Alec and Troy aboard. When it was five feet above the ground, the crane on the opposite shore began hauling the draw line and the vehicle swung out over the water.
"Now listen closely," Hall ordered the pair in the swinging vehicle, "from this point, you are in control. Stop your slide over the hold by just yelling "Stop." Number one crane is your up and down operator and also will pull you towards this bank. If you need to go forward or backwards when you get inside the hole, just say which way and both crane carriers will move in the direction you want. Got it?"
"Affirmative," Alec replied.