The brilliant white plane dipped its nose as its four jet engines throttled up in power. The RAF Vulcan bomber was at 10,000 feet, the scorching Australian sun shimmering off the white metal. The V winged aircraft flashed in a perfect sky like a mile high lighthouse beacon. A clipped public school accent of the pilot crackled in his microphone flight mask.
"I'm beginning run. 4 minutes to target, everything fine over."
The bomb doors were open now; a single big blue cylinder awaiting release. A distant voice crackled back in his earphone. "Roger flight 14 dusting is a go, over."
The pilot gripped the flight stick tightly his instruments readings critical as his plane began to swoop down. The altimeter spiralled down 10, 8, 6, the height dropping by the thousands in mere seconds. He levelled the stick near supersonic speed the plane ridiculously low to the tree line.
"T-1 minute I can see target, release in 40... 35... 30..."
His breathing increased the big white bird like an aboriginal god; the engine roar covering a hundred humid, swamp filled, but deserted square miles. Only one feature stood out; his target.
Ahead the land rose up, a boil on a flat jungle world. The hill was like a crooked witch nose on her green face.
"15 seconds to target....10, 9, 8." He pulled back on the stick, the bomber rising showing its open under belly, the canister awaiting release.
"3, 2, 1,"
"That's away, tally ho, repeat tally ho."
The jet increased to full afterburner the whine turning to a screech as the plane engines spat fire as it climbed and made rapid escape from the target.
The canister fell, hurtling towards a creaking, buzzing canopy. 100 feet from the ground it exploded the whole hillside smothered in an enormous sickly yellow cloud.
The pilot didn't see the detonation; his sweating face locked straight ahead the vibration of the stick in his hand as the plane increased its distance from ground zero at desperate supersonic pace.
Above top secret, test site B northern Australia. Ministry of defence united kingdom.14 August 1969
T+1 day. Bomb detonation was inconclusive. At this time no evidence of primary objective achieved, however impact radius continues to increase. Estimate 1000 square miles and rising.
T+3 days. Professor Hilts and ground survey team 36 hours overdue, radio contact lost. Recommend Australian Government be informed of project "Triffid" in its entirety and immediate assistant requested on quarantine.
Summer 2009.
Sammy stood with her hands on her hips head to one side. She liked adventure and adrenaline rushes but maybe this was too much?
"I'm not sure; it looks kind of risky to me?" She said looking back at metal and fabric aircraft.
The man shook his head walking around his flying machine smiling and pulling at the struts theatrically.
"Its absolutely safe trust me, I've flown it thousands of times."
Her eyes wandered over towards the decrepit hangers.
"Doesn't exactly look like you run an airline here?" She said sceptically.
The young man laughed, "on the contrary, we have 6 of these babies in the sheds. It's just that the rainy seasons almost on us. I guess I'm in more need of the cash. Everyone else has hauled ass now the tourist buses have stopped."
He continued his pitch, "but don't worry' you won't get short changed. No ones queuing up so I can show you a real tour of the wilderness."
Sammy gave a sarcastic smile as if to say "gee thanks!" Twenty, pretty and blonde Sammy had being backpacking all summer. She lived in Adelaide and didn't see any point heading off around the globe. Not when she had so much to see back home. It had been a great summer of camping, swimming in the ocean and the occasional flirt with the many other happy go lucky tourists. On this day she'd stopped her jeep half way between distant towns in the northern territories at what the sign claimed was the "Ultimate thrill ride at tree top level!"
Now she was getting the hard sell from the eager but not unattractive backwoodsman pilot.
The pilot was definitely keen on the idea. Out here on his own no customers for days. Now this hot babe had pulled up. And man she was hot.
He admired her as she examined the micro light kite more closely. She was petite but with a curvaceous figure in fabric hot pants. Very firm big breast locked under a t-shirt. Those were definitely real beauties; looking melon size on her frame but in keeping with her woman like hips. She was cute too a pretty high cheekbone face with the over the shoulder flowing blonde mane.
He smiled at her again and she smiled back as his mind whispered," she's sure built for fun mate."
"Fine!" she said.
"Hu what? Oh....oh great no problem miss." His mind was distracted and his thoughts stopped wandering over her body. "I'll fire her up then?"
Sammy headed back to her jeep to lock it as he began pre-flight checks. Once she was sure it was secure she sauntered over to the machine. The man smiled and shook his head. "Were not in the city now miss, more chance of a croc trying to get in to your wheels than somebody else."
She had to agree. She'd been driving all day and not seen a sole on the sticky hot tree shrouded road.
"Its VIP treatment today," he laughed' the engine now roaring the man handing Sammy a crash helmet. "We're fuelled for a long trip."
To start with the micro light was a noisy nerve racking experience. Its vibrating frame ran up to the seat as Sammy sat in front of the pilot. His seat was slightly raised allowing him to look over her shoulders; his head darting from side to side as he just missed the tops of huge wide foliaged trees.
"Jesus!" Sammy thought her nerves jangling, hands gripping to white knuckles. She looked back a little worried. The man gave her the thumbs up as he increased power, the machine raising it nose and pulling higher. The view was spectacular and the micro light made lazy turns catching the breeze helping keep the machine aloft.
He tapped on Sammy's shoulder pointing to the west.
