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"Anything?"
There was a pause as the technician checked the data board in front of him.
"There sir. Coming in from the West…."
The technician pointed out the large object glowing on his radar screen.
"Thank you Saunders" Milltown said studying the image.
He stroked his greying beard and looked out of the window of the control centre. It's coming all right, he thought.
But what was it?
"OK. Is everything in place?" An almost unnoticeable trickle of sweat ran down his temple.
"The Operation is ready to go Mr Milltown"
Jesus, this is it. The balloon really is gonna go up. Milltown knew his reputation was on the line with this. This
was his idea. There was no going back now. He looked out of the window again. He couldn't see anything against
the clear Arizona night, but he knew he was minutes away from the culmination of his life's work.
"Thank you Saunders. Please let everyone know we are now proceeding to phase 3."
"Aye sir"
Milltown took one more look out to the west, over the mountains. Storm clouds were forming in the distance, their
rising columns tinged with the red of the setting sun. Nice night for it, thought Milltown and took a deep breath.
He then turned and walked out of the door into history. He hoped.
"ATTENTION PLEASE. WE ARE NOW MOVING TO PHASE 3. REPEAT. WE ARE NOW ENTERING PHASE 3."
The announcement over the tannoy echoed across the vast plain that stretched all around Milltown. He stood on the
steps of the control hut and surveyed the scene around him.
Immediately in front of him was a circular platform with radar dishes and monitoring equipment all designed to
monitor the sky. Bodies moved about their various duties, checking this, double checking that, all consummate professionals,
their one aim to make sure everything went off without a hitch.
Milltown silently thanked each and everyone for their dedication.
His eyes looked beyond the frantic activity.
Beyond that was the plain.
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