Red Hawk Rising

‘Sarge’, Lance and Dan were to catch up on lost sleep and the rest of them were given other tasks such as he was doing. Andy went and found their driver, Higgins. “Hi! I’ve got to return a Wolseley to the Station Hotel in Newcastle but I’ll need a lift back. If I can get authorisation would you be able to follow me down and bring me back?”
“Sure,” replied Higgins, “but can we leave it until after we’ve had dinner?”
“Certainly, and thanks,” replied Andy. “I’ll see if I can find the duty officer since Goodhew is having a sleep.” Andy headed for the orderly room to find out where he could locate the duty officer.
As he was asking the airman where he could find him, the admin sergeant hung up the ‘phone and asked, “Are you Corporal Hill from the JSTU?”
“Yes, I am,” replied Andy.
“I’ve got a message for you from your adjutant at RAF Low Fenton. You are to telephone him as soon as possible,” he was told.
“Right. Could I do that from here?” asked Andy. The sergeant pointed to a telephone on an unoccupied desk and Andy headed for it. He gave the switchboard operator the number and waited for the connection. Within two minutes, he heard WO (Warrant Officer) Miller’s voice. “Corporal Hill here, sir. You wanted me to telephone you.”
“Yes, Corporal Hill. The CO has said that you are to stay with the team at Wensley Electronics for the time being. Apparently, it is to do with this morning’s activities. He is talking to Flight Lieutenant Gaskin right now. Your section commander will talk to you later about changes to your schedule of visits.”
Andy replied, “Thank you, sir,” and hung up and turned to the airman about the duty officer.
“He’s over at the control tower at present. Try telephoning there,” said the airman, and gave Andy the extension number. Andy nodded his thanks and dialled. On talking to the duty officer, Andy explained the situation. He was told to go to the MT Section and get an authorisation filled out and he would sign it. Andy thanked him and headed out of the orderly room.
Back on the Ivor Noventsky, the crew were ready for departure. Captain Petrovsky looked grim. This was the first time that things had not gone smoothly for them. He wondered what had happened to Vasiliy. He hoped that he would be able to clear himself but Vasiliy could end up in a British prison. He gave the order to cast off and eased away from the wharf, heading toward the mouth of the Tyne. Ten minutes later the trawler cleared the piers and started rising and falling with the heavy swell. Petrovsky ordered an east-north-east course as though they were heading for the Baltic Sea. As the vessel turned on course, he caught sight of a grey vessel following them out. The Royal Navy was going to shadow him, it seemed.
About this time, Major Garasov had concluded that the operation had failed. All those that had taken part in the operation, including the Communist Party secretary in Newcastle, had gone silent. The driver he had sent to keep watch had also gone. He made arrangements for one of their people to drive over on the morrow to see what had happened. It would soon be dark and they would need daylight. He made a report to Moscow and then decided to call it a day.

CHAPTER 6
During the evening meal, Andy had to put up with some friendly banter about ‘swanning around the countryside instead of working’. Andy didn’t say much except to say that they delivered both units to Wensley Electronics safe and sound. After the meal he headed for the telephone box and called Alice with the news that he wouldn’t be leaving just yet. After three minutes, the operator asked Andy if he wanted to extend. He said, “Yes” and put more coins in so that they could talk on. Alice suggested that, if he were free, they meet on the morrow in the evening. Andy said that if he could borrow a bicycle, he could cycle over in less than half an hour. It was only eight miles to Corbridge from the base. They agreed to meet as early as possible after he got back to RAF Ouston from the factory. He would skip the evening meal and go over after getting changed. They talked until the three minutes were up and then said goodnight to each other and hung up. No-one else was waiting to use the telephone so Andy placed a reverse-charges call to Lutterworth and was quickly connected. He reported in briefly, without giving any detail that an operator would understand, and said that the exercise was very successful with all targets accomplished. He also reported his delayed departure from the north but Lutterworth already knew and said that a letter was on its way to him. He should get it tomorrow. Andy hung up the ‘phone and headed back to the barracks. That would be tomorrow after work before he got it. So be it. It was a little after 18.00 hours when Andy and Higgins drove out of the base after having their evening meal. At that time of day it was a fairly quick run into Newcastle and they were back at Ouston not long after 19.00 hours. The barrack room was empty so Andy headed out to the NAAFI and found Lance and Dan there. The time was now about 19.30 hours and Lance suggested that they drive over to Stamfordham for a beer. The other two readily agreed and they headed over to the car park to Lance’s car. Driving over, Andy told them that he had been told to stay on here until further notice so he was meeting Alice tomorrow evening. “What time?” asked Lance.
 “As soon as I can get there after