Humano-Soar

By R. Michael Payton

Randy loves everything about flying. While flying out to Oregon to visit his uncle, his plane has an emergency and the damaged aircraft crash lands near a dinosaur research center.

He is injured and brought with others to the center for first aid and to await transportation to a hospital. There, Randy is exposed to a unique biological substance from a stored fossil.

As Randy recovers in the hospital, doctors discover strange and unexplainable changes in him. The changes don't appear harmful but are birdlike, including what appear to be wings!

When he returns home, Randy faces many challenges: from physical transformations, to dealing with school and the public. With support from his family and friends, Randy learns how to overcome his obstacles.

As he grows, Randy also develops a strong sense of responsibility toward others. He soon meets someone special who fills him with confidence as he faces the realities of his new life. Randy turns a tragic accident with life altering changes into a force for good in Humano-Soar!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9798889435037

Book preview

cover.jpg

Humano-Soar

R. Michael Payton

ISBN 979-8-88943-502-0 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88943-504-4 (hardcover)

ISBN 979-8-88943-503-7 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Richard M. Payton

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

To my nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces, grandchildren, and young friends — soar on!

1

Dino-Bird

2

Flight Quest

3

The Party

4

Dinosaur Dig

5

The Great Excavation

6

Airborne at Last

7

Emergency!

8

Recovery or What?

9

A New Species

10

The Big News

11

Going Home

12

Randy's New Life

13

Learning to Fly

14

New Challenges and Abilities

15

The Mission

About the Author

About the Illustrator

To my nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces, grandchildren, and young friends — soar on!

1

Dino-Bird

Almost 150 million years ago in the late Jurassic period in what is now Wyoming, the climate was warm with clear, dry air. There were barren mountains and high plateaus, tree-covered hills, and grassy areas with rocky ravines in between. The valleys had lush green forests that got denser and greener closer to the rivers. The bluish-brown waters and dark-green shores made them look like giant green snakes from a distance. Dinosaurs dotted the landscape, from huge plant-eating herbivores — always looking out for predators — to large meat-eating carnivores strolling about with a deceiving I don't care attitude but actively stalking prey. This world was a beautiful but dangerous place. Like modern-day Africa, someone or something was always on the menu.

A young male Archaeopteryx, in search of food, moved slowly through the lush green vegetation on a winding riverbank. A little larger than a modern crow, he was the first species to make the evolutionary jump from dinosaur to bird — a dino-bird! They first evolved elongated arms with extra skin connected to their sides, making primitive bat-like wings, probably for gliding. Then the species grew feathers and started to master flight — but for only short periods and with some effort. However, this particular Archaeopteryx was different — he flew much better and could even soar! He had evolved far beyond his parents. He was bigger, stronger, and had longer wings than even his siblings. His genetic superiority made him an evolutionary leap for his species — a kind of subspecies. Since hatching, this Archaeopteryx had grown and changed at an incredible rate, which also gave him a huge appetite. A voracious predator, he still retained the sharp teeth and claws of earthbound dinosaurs. His prey was insects, fish, small dinosaurs, and mammals. He had excellent vision and hearing — which not only made him a great hunter but also kept him alive!

The Archaeopteryx preferred the cover of riverbank vegetation because it provided protection from predators as well as a perfect cover for stalking and ambushing prey. His dull-brown gray-and-black feathers made good camouflage. Regardless of his abilities, there was always the threat of being trampled by one of the huge Brontosauruses strolling along the river, ever focused on the next juicy tree or patch of vegetation.

The Archaeopteryx also had to be wary of being eaten by other dinosaurs like the feared Allosaurus or plucked from the air by larger flying dinosaurs like Pterodactyls or Pterosaurs. Unlike Archaeopteryx, these dinosaurs had no feathers — only skin membrane wings like modern bats. The river had predators as well — like the giant crocodiles — which could pick prey off the shore like grapes from a vine. Despite these dangers, our young dino-bird continued on his quest — always watchful for prey and predators alike.

Hunting this day was difficult. The nearby volcano was spewing out lots of smoke and ash, and there were frequent tremors and quakes. The usually bright sun was obscured in a bluish-gray haze. All animals were nervous and distracted. The Archaeopteryx was finding it hard to focus on finding food. But the volcano was not the Archaeopteryx's only concern: He hadn't eaten in a few days, and he was weak.

Not far away, another predator was on a hunt — a female Ornitholestes. This small, two-legged dinosaur had a long tail and was a cousin to the feared Velociraptor. She had a slender body that allowed her to prowl through vegetation unnoticed and strike with deadly efficiency. Ornitholestes frequently hunted in groups but not this day. The volcano's actions disrupted most animal routines — including hunting. Nevertheless, her five eggs had just hatched, and the young dinosaurs needed food now.

As the mother Ornitholestes moved through the dense vegetation, she frequently raised her head to look and listen for prey — or predators. The volcano's noise and tremors didn't make things any easier. As she continued her search, something caught her attention — the flapping of wings. She instantly froze and then looked over to see the Archaeopteryx coming in for a landing along the shoreline. An Archaeopteryx was large prey for an Ornitholestes, but it would make a fine meal for her family. She stealthily pursued it through the dense brush. As the vegetation thinned, she spied the Archaeopteryx on the bank and moved in to intercept.

The Archaeopteryx had also spotted a meal — a large rodent on the edge of a watery clay pit. It had caught something and was busily pulling the victim apart and eating it. With its back toward him, he may just get it! The Archaeopteryx moved cautiously into position and prepared to strike at the unsuspecting mammal.

The Archaeopteryx heard a twig break in the underbrush. He stopped, looked, and listened intently, but the poor light and distant rumblings made it hard to locate the source. Now spooked, should he fly away or continue? His empty stomach gave him the answer — attack! With a burst of speed, he started his takeoff run, spread his wings, jumped into the air, and took flight.

As he glided toward his target, the rodent continued eating, unaware his life was about to end. As the distance closed, the Archaeopteryx extended his legs, opened his claws, and prepared to strike. Just then, the Ornitholestes burst out of the brush toward the Archaeopteryx! It leaped at the dino-bird — jaws open, but her aim was off, and the dino-bird deflected off her snout! The Archaeopteryx tumbled through the air and landed in a pit of wet clay. Startled, the small mammal dropped its meal and bolted into the underbrush and safety. The Ornitholestes slipped on the edge of the pit and slid toward the deeper center, but her claws dug in, and she pulled herself out. The Archaeopteryx wasn't so lucky; it struggled in the deep wet clay and only sank deeper. The dense clay coated its body. The Ornitholestes walked along the edge but dared not reenter the pit.

Suddenly, there was a huge explosion, and the volcano sent burning rocks and ash flying in all directions. The volcanic shock wave knocked over the Ornitholestes and leveled all surrounding vegetation. A tree fell across the clay pit while a great wall of burning ash and poison gas started rolling down the volcano's slope. The Ornitholestes ran away from the advancing cloud of death.

The Archaeopteryx struggled in the clay and managed to hook a claw onto the downed tree. He pulled his covered body up and dragged himself to the edge of the pit as the deadly ash and gas cloud quickly approached. Exhausted and encased in thick clay, he paused briefly as the burning cloud of poison hit, killing him instantly and tossing him back into the pit. The intense heat baked his clay covering into an airtight coffin. Hot ash then covered the whole area in a thick gray blanket. In one single event, the Archaeopteryx's most evolved breed was now entombed forever — and extinct!

2

Flight Quest

Randy Archer was twelve years old and lived on the outskirts of Dayton, Ohio. His father, Matthew, was an engineer, and his mother, Chelsea, was a part-time school teacher. He had an older sister, Caitlin, who was sixteen and in high school.

A steady wind blew on this sunny spring afternoon. Randy was searching his room for his new kite to fly at the local park. His friends, Jacob and Molly, planned to meet him there at one o'clock. Randy loved kite flying, and for that matter — anything to do with flying. Even when he was very little, he always wanted a helium balloon at the harvest fair. As he got older, he flew kites, gliders, and those rubber band-powered balsa wood planes. Randy preferred playing flight simulation video games when not outside. At almost thirteen, his fascination with flight was only increasing. Dayton was the perfect place for a boy like Randy to grow up — since it was the home of the Wright Brothers who made the first airplane.

Randy couldn't find his string. Mom, have you seen my kite string! called Randy.

No, I haven't. Did you look in your sock drawer? replied his mother.

Why would it be there! he yelled.

I ask myself that all the time when I find weird things in that drawer, she responded.

Randy went over to the bureau, opened the sock drawer, stuck his hand through the pile of socks, and sure enough found the spool on the bottom. How does she always know these things? he thought to himself. I found it, Mom. Thanks! called Randy. I'm heading to the park to fly kites with Molly and Jacob.

Be home by five for dinner, she replied.

Okay, will do.

Randy collected the kite and string, jumped on his bike, and sped off for the park. He was already fifteen minutes late. When he got there, Molly and Jacob already had their kites ready to fly.

You're always late! said Jacob.

Sorry, I couldn't find my kite string, replied Randy.

Randy, did you bring your new kite? asked Molly.

Yes, it's a beauty, and I've been practicing. I can fly it really well.

Once Randy's kite was assembled, they positioned their kites downwind on the field and ran out about fifty feet of string. Randy's kite was on the left, Molly's was in the middle, and Jacob's was on the right. With a quick tug and a short run, all three kites went airborne at almost the same time. The steady breeze quickly lifted the kites skyward. However, their kites were too close together and could have easily collided or crossed and gotten tangled. Jacob saw the danger first and moved to the right. Molly didn't seem to notice and seemed more intent on gaining altitude. Her kite slowly drifted toward Randy's. Randy also saw the danger and ran to the left toward the edge of the field and the big oak trees. When his kite started to dive toward the trees, he stopped it just in time, got control and altitude, and maneuvered his kite just in front of and above the trees.

It was a perfect day for kite flying, and they were all having fun. Randy tried some aerial acrobatics, and his kite responded very quickly. As their kites danced in the air, the wind speed began to pick up. Molly was the first to get in trouble. Following a sudden gust of wind, her kite turned over and dove straight toward the ground.

Let out some string! exclaimed Jacob.

Molly responded and the kite promptly reacted, turning toward the sky and climbing. Soon, she had control again. Jacob was in a good place on the field, and his kite flew steadily high above them all. However, after a short time and without notice, the wind changed direction and put Randy's kite in jeopardy. His kite was diving sideways toward a large oak tree! Intently, he worked the string carefully to keep his new kite out of the high branches. They would never be able to retrieve it from a tree that tall. As he successfully maneuvered the kite away from the branches, he noticed a large mass at the top of the tree; it was a nest, and there was a bird in it. Not just any bird, but a large red-tailed hawk!

Just then, the hawk launched from the nest, climbed up above the tree, and dove toward Randy's kite — all the time calling out in a high-pitched screech.

"Look, guys, there's a hawk, and it thinks my kite is another