Red Hawk Rising

off to that section. It was in a large bay of the factory used for such assembly. The radar was in three units, including the aerial. Each unit had a number of modules. A generator and power supply formed a fourth unit. This was for use when no mains supply was available and allowed the system to be self-sufficient and operate virtually anywhere. Andy busily made notes, talking with both RAF and civilians about the construction and maintenance. Going through his notes he noted that a couple of cards had a common function and were used in more than one module. Sam Wilson was busy fitting a module and Andy tried to engage him in conversation but received a surly response. He sensed an atmosphere in the workshop that was almost confronting and decided to stick with conversing with the RAF personnel to avoid trouble. By lunchtime, the klystron unit had been successfully calibrated and waited fitment into the radar. There would be final tests of the completed radar before it was separated into its units for transporting to West Danby. Lunchtime came and went and Sam Wilson was given the task of installing the klystron module into the main frame. Corporal Lance Williams stood close by and watched Wilson’s every action. Likewise, Corporal Andy Hill was an interested observer although not as closely as Williams. Andy watched Sam Wilson’s nervous movements, as though the man was waiting for an opportunity to do something, and decided to keep an eye on him. Unexpectedly Andy’s name was called by Corporal Brennan and he turned away to see what it was about. The call also distracted Corporal Williams who stood up and turned to face the entrance of the radar unit. “You’re wanted up at the office, Andy!” Andy waved in reply. Sam Wilson saw his opportunity and slipped metal shavings into a multi-pinned cable socket and screwed the cable into it. When the power was switched on it should blow the system. The RAF electrician would get the blame for not checking it properly. Andy went down to Flying Officer Goodhew’s office and knocked. When he heard “Come!” he went in and saluted. Standing in the office was the MI5 man, Hamilton. Flying Officer Goodhew said, “I understand that you have both met. Mr Hamilton would like a few words with you.” Turning to Hamilton, he said, “Use my office. I want to go and see how things are progressing.” He went out, closing the door behind him.

“Good to see you again, Corporal Hill. What have you come across this time?”

Andy grinned and then, more seriously, said, “I’ve just been watching a civilian employee acting quite nervously. They called him ‘Sam’. Spare parts have also been going missing from the lab and the employees here seem unconcerned. I think we need to do some checking as there seems to be some laxity in security.”

Hamilton nodded. “Check on that man’s name and also on the missing parts, with the times and dates they were found to be missing, and then let me know. Any other incidents?”

Andy knew what he meant. “Quite the opposite so far, sir, it’s been good but there’s still time.”

Hamilton smiled and said, “You know the score. Just watch your back. I’ll be here for much of this week. How long do you expect to be here?”

“Just another couple of days and then I head south,” replied Andy.

Hamilton responded, “If there is something to your suspicions then I may want you to stay longer until it’s cleared up. I’ll arrange that with Flying Officer Goodhew. Oh! Just so that you know, I’ve been made aware of the instructions you’ve received, apart from your official RAF responsibilities. It seems we may have a loose partnership for a while.” Andy nodded but said nothing. “Okay, Corporal, let me have that information as soon as you can get it together. Thank you.” Andy left the office, determined to check on whether Hamilton had been informed officially. It wasn’t normal practice to share such information with other security agencies unless a partnership had been agreed beforehand. He headed back to the radar assembly bay and saw that work appeared to be completed. Corporal Williams was there checking that all the units were in place and serviceable. Andy joined him, asking questions and making notes as Williams worked. When he had got the information he wanted, he went back to the lab. and found ‘Sarge’ at his desk. Asking if he could interrupt, he sat down in a chair ‘Sarge’ pointed to and asked about anticipated life of units from a planned maintenance perspective. ‘Sarge’ said that there were some unknowns, partly because they were trying out a new invention called a transistor. He said that it replaced the valve and was very small in size compared to valves but it was still unproven as far as the RAF was concerned. The airfield trials would let them know the benefits or otherwise. Since they were alone, Andy asked him about the missing spare parts. Sarge got up and pulled a file out of his cabinet. “I’ve made file memos of all these incidents plus others so we can soon get a picture of what has been happening.” He opened the file and flipped the pages, reading out the date and time of each occurrence and the part in question. Sarge had made a list for the whole project and not just the laboratory. Andy wrote them all down in a duplicate notebook and wondered aloud which employees had been working in each area at the time of each incident. Sarge pointed out that RAF personnel had been double-checking on parts supplied out of the store so there was no mistake on what had gone to each work area. They also kept a record of when parts were replaced and why, so that a maintenance picture could be built up. He would vouch for all the RAF team