“Okay we can show the flag by making a trip to Perth then Darwin then if it gets too tame, the South Pole,” Senior suggested.
“Any further and you need to go orbital, or it would take a month of Sundays. Did you pack some sandwiches?” Mike laughed.
“Might have a couple in the tucker box, overseas you have the complication of visas etcetera,” Senior said, “I suppose we first plan then lodge the flight route and get clearance.”
“In space, there is no-one to ask until you enter a populated system. Your ship makes a big door knock with the hyper pulse, if anyone is at home they soon are checking you,” Mike said, “While I think that you are ready now the Terra should be back in another couple of weeks. Since I haven’t had a chance to explore Earth let alone Australia, so I‘m up for it.”
With that in mind, a trip was arranged to touch all the interesting parts, and because they were using RAAF ID, it also had to be cleared with them. So ringing Amberley Airbase, Mike talked to one of his contacts and permission was gained on the proviso that a couple of pilots and mechanics joined the crew. That way would turn it into a training exercise for the flyboys; it had the side benefit of using the RAAF facilities and planning departments.
“I have a couple of mates in Canberra who fill that job description; they have experience with this model, I will give them a buzz and see if they are available,” Mike suggested and rang through to Bill Talbert at Fairburn.
"Bill, I am here in Queensland with a new toy registered as A78-010, a Humph's shuttle. Can you organise a trip circumnavigating Australia?" Mike asked after exchanging greetings.
“Yes, I received a heads up because I am supposed to be involved,” Bill replied, “I have been waiting for this call, can you pick me up on the way, Kev is available to complete the team if that is suitable?”
“Ticks all the boxes, can be there within a couple of hours,” Mike said, “Have to keep it at donkey pace, so we don't ruffle any hair.”
“See you then I will have an itinerary on paper by the time you arrive,” Bill advised as he rang off.
Mike hung up and said to Steve, “That’s settled we can top up the tanks before heading off.”
Steve lifted off then settled into Humph's grotto next to the fuel stash; together they spent half an hour loading a tonne of Heavy water, by the time they were finished Steve commented, “Now I know why it is called Heavy water, perhaps we can rig a pump and hose next time?”
“Now that’s a good idea,” Mike said, “Never mind we needed the exercise, so let’s away.”
Having got their breath back, Little Red lifted off and headed south towards Canberra to pick up Bill and Kev. Cruising at 600 knots, this took a little over an hour including slowing for the approach to Fairburn. Following the control towers instructions, they were soon parked on a helipad waiting for the two new crewmen to join them. As they would be away for a few days, two men soon were delivered with their kit to the bottom of the ramp, together with a team of mechanics.
“Steve meet Bill and Kev; we have had a little tour together, so they are conversant with the controls and handling capabilities,” Mike introduced them.
“I have heard about you, Steve,” Bill said, “You run that Firebrand factory, I believe you intend to build some spacecraft for my mob,” Shaking hands as he did so.
“Only good things I hope,” Steve replied, “I have spread some new toys lately to your compatriots, the aim is to make this a safer world.”
“Proper cat amongst the pigeons,” Kev agreed, “The brass hats are still working out what to do with half of it, now both Mike and you are stirring the pot. These techs are here to install IFF gear to make the ship all legit; it won't take them long as Humph has fitted the racks and antennae to suit.”
“Nice paint job, it would be a shame if our toys go camouflage,” Bill commented pretending to shade his eyes.
“This will be the livery for my fleet, I don't doubt that you guys will paint them in camouflage," Steve said, "I have a bucket list of projects that I want to do.”
“Well if you climb aboard, and we will follow the course that you have laid out for us,” Mike suggested, "The racks are behind that panel," Guiding the techs towards the rear bulkhead and opening a hatch.
Once everyone had settled, and the techs had completed their task departed. The tower gave clearance, and they lifted off to stop at Tullamarine to show the flag this being only a short hop. Barely warmed up before sliding in for a vertical landing and parked at the rostered parking area. Soon they were surrounded by people eagerly checking it out.
After waiting an hour, the crew settled down again and lifted off to head for Edinburgh near Adelaide. They went through the same process before crossing the Nullarbor to land at Pierce Air Force Base near Perth. Mike suggested, “Let’s stay the night and have a sightseeing run. Otherwise, it could get boring."
“I will arrange a staff car, and then we can do a tour; the word will get around that we are in town.” Bill offered.
“Sounds like a plan, go for it,” Mike said.
So the team set off and hit all the high spots as well as several schools to have a quick chat about space travel; by the time that the day was over, there were dozens of hopefuls ready to join anything that meant getting into space.
“What do you reckon, a recruitment drive on the side?” Bill observed, “Just how many ships do you intend to make for us?”
“I am making the power, drive, shields and armament modules. Once all the factory lines are up and running I expect that my company can supply the market,” Steve said, “One stumbling block is training the workforce to take the repetitive jobs from me. Another point is the navigation computers which are sourced at the other end of the Galaxy until someone designs them here.
"We will just have to have a bit of patience besides we have a lot of new conventional aircraft that we need to work the shine off,” Kev suggested, “When Humph arrived, all of it is now obsolescent.”
“I suppose I can subcontract out to CAC for assembly in the future and spread the work around,” Steve said. “They are set up to do just that, and once overseas show an interest, it will boom.”
“Shame to lose the new toys so soon,” Bill grimaced.
“Some gear can be retrofitted giving VTOL capabilities together with advanced weapons and power to existing airframes, I will consult with Humph, and he may have a few ideas on that, he is always looking for new projects.”
“We will put that on the wish list,” Bill said, “Tonight we sleep on it and then head up the coast to Broome.”
Following the itinerary, it wasn’t long before they had completed the circuit and were ready to explore a bit further afield, “How about Hobart then onto the South Pole?” Steve suggested, “While I have been to Tassie, we can’t upset them by leaving them out of the tour, then go suborbital to cut the time down to the pole.”
“Steve has new spacesuits which will double as winter woollies,” Mike added, “Going sub-orbital it will reduce it from 5 hours down to one.”
“Sounds good I have done the flight in a Hercules. Watched eight and a half hours of empty ocean, which wasn’t my most exciting time,” Bill advised, “How’s the juice holding out? Most aircraft would need a couple of top ups by now.”
“Still on the three-quarter point of the tank gauge, might need a drop by the time we are back in Queensland,” Mike calculated.
“Sounds economical what fuel do you use; it hasn't come up in conversation though now that I think it is ‘heavy water’?” Bill said.
“That’s