Mike Dixon

knowledge of guns and military tactics and had started to
ask questions about the big reptile. Noelene said they were
in the animal‟s territory at a time when it was accustomed to
go out for a bite to eat. Janet asked what they should do to
avoid being eaten. Noelene said they should quit chattering,
complete their mission as quickly as possible and get out of
the creature‟s habitat.
Their aim was to sneak up to the aircraft, loosen the anchor
cables and let the wind do the rest. Their problem was
the big man. He was heavily armed and probably had nightvision
scopes. Fortunately, the sky was almost continuously
lit by lightning. Janet poked her head up, stole a quick look
at the shed and ducked back down. She could hardly believe
her bad luck. The man was standing at the window, gun at
the ready, staring straight at her. She slid into the mud be-
side Noelene.
„Why does this always have to happen to me?‟
„What do you mean?‟
„I was humiliated by a couple of guys in Canberra and that
was scary enough. You only get a certain number of chances.
It‟s like throwing dice. If you keep at it your number comes
up – and that‟s the end of you.‟
„We‟re going about this the wrong way,‟ Noelene said.
„What do you suggest?‟
„It‟s too dangerous to go out there and loosen the cables.
Gimme the rifle. I‟ve serviced those planes. I know where
they‟re vulnerable.‟
„If you stick your head up he‟ll blast you away.‟
„Only if he sees me.‟
„You‟ll be dead if he does.‟
„He won‟t!‟ Noelene grabbed the rifle.
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