Star Matters II: Edge of Revelation by David John West

Author:David John West
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd
Published: 2019-09-29T00:00:00+00:00

TWELVE

Don Griffiths arrived at Heathrow airport mid-morning for his connecting flight through Dallas Fort Worth to San Antonio. Top Brass must be taking his witness statement on the Thetford UFO very seriously as his orders to fly to United States HQ came through within hours of sending his report to the local AATIP officer Earl Whitburn. His orders came from the AATIP Executive Director Dan Tucci who was flying down from Washington to chair the meeting in Texas personally. Don was pleased to see they had stumped up for a business class seat, it being long-haul at short notice and all. Good to see that some military budgets were holding up. Air Force guys perforce had to use military transports whenever possible so travelling civilian this occasion would be a civilised way to arrive in reasonable shape later that evening local time.

Security and passport control were streamlined enough at Heathrow compared to the USA. His boarding card allowed Fast Track and he looped past the economy lines and was alone as he cleared his overnight bag from the X-ray belt with competent efficiency. The plane was ready so he boarded straight away to find his private seating area on an internal aisle near the front. He removed his phone and book for the flight and stowed his bag in the overhead locker. The seat was very comfortable and catered well for his long frame. Flying was humdrum for Don but this special civilian treatment still felt good for the air force man. He settled in to read a newspaper as the other passengers arrived and one by one took up their seats until the business class cabin was mostly filled. They closed the doors and taxied away soon after the scheduled time; apparently the winds were lighter than usual so flight time savings would make up for the slight delay on take-off. Soon the aircraft was all locked down and thundering down the runway towards the west. The airplane rose steeply over the opposing traffic jams that was the M25 London orbital motorway and banked to the north before reaching Windsor Castle.

Don was feeling very settled when the seatbelt lights were switched off and the hostess brought him a Scotch and soda. There was a high partition to his right and he heard an urbane English accent ask for a gin and tonic from the hostess working the other aisle. He was settling down to his aperitif and snack when his neighbour craned his head around the partition making it very easy for them to speak without being overheard.

“Don Griffiths, US Air Force?” he enquired.

No time off for travel in peace and quiet then, thought Don, unsurprised. “Yes indeed. I guess it’s no coincidence about our travel arrangements then. You have me at a disadvantage, I think.”

“My apologies for catching you at a loss, I am David Harrier, sort of UK opposite number to Dan Tucci at AATIP and travelling to the same meeting as yourself. I asked for us to sit together so we could meet ahead of time.

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