Wings

Book 3 of The Bromeliad.

Remember the few Nomes who set out to find a new place to live? They have come across somebody named Arnold, yep the guy from the old store. He's been given an award and is off for the presentation. It's in some place called Florida. They hide in his stuff and accompany him all the way.

Right from the first book the leader of the clan has had a black box that they've called The Thing. Nobody knows what it's for but it's an heirloom to be preserved for some reason. Once in Florida it starts flashing lights and humming. in the distance they can see a tall cylindrical tower with some flying machine attached to it. There is lots of activity and steam or smoke around the tower. The Thing wants to get closer.

As they approach the shuttle The Thing really starts to go off, as if its talking to the shuttle, or through the shuttle to something else. And as a black shadow descends over them they realise it's a communication device that has called a space ship down to itself.

And that's enough spoilers.