At approximately 337 EST this morning, something the size of an Airbus Atlas passed through the Great Lakes Waterway.

It must have come in from the Atlantic, navigated its way through the natural channels and man-made

locks that make up the St. Lawrence Seaway. I was working up top when I first heard about it.

It was Billings, the poor bugger. At first I thought he was messing with me, getting me back for the prank I pulled a month or so ago. But when he finally clicked off the radio and stumped up and over to where I was sitting

so he could talk to me face to face, I realized he wasn't messing with me at all. He looked scared, terrified even. This wasn't normal for Bill.

So, I said, leaning back in my chair and grinning,

You saw a thing?

He nodded, his face earnest.

And what exactly is this? nodded, his face earnest.

And what exactly is this thing?

It was big, he said, waving his arms around wildly.

Too big, like the size of a damn plane.

A plane?

The cargo plane, one of those ones that the military uses.

That makes no sense, I said. It wouldn't fit. That's what she said,

Billing said, physically, letting out one sharp bark of nervous laughter.

It rang flat around the room we were in. I sighed and said,

all right, let's go check. Really? then said he sounded semi hopeful but still scared

really he said he sounded hopeful but still scared really come on he watched as I stood up and stretched, then followed me over to the room where we kept the radar

and CCTV monitors.

So, I said, where do you see it?

Just as it appeared in the lock, about five minutes ago.

...