"Роберт Догерти. Зона 51 (engl) " - читать интересную книгу автора

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE RESERVATION T-142 HOURS,
45 MINUTES
T-143 HOURS The 737 had
no markings on it other than a broad red band
"I wonder what their electric bill is?" Simmons muttered, painted down
the outside. It was parked behind a Cyclone
staring out across the dry lake bed at the brilliantly lit com- fence with green
stripping run through the chain links to
plex nestled up against the base of the Groom Mountain discourage observers.
Turcotte carried his kit bag right on
Range. He put his binoculars to his eyes and took in the board after
Prague joked that they could carry any damn


26 ROBERT DOHERTY AREA 51
27


thing they wanted onto this flight--there was no baggage Well, actually
it's on Air Force land, but it's run by an
check. organization called
the National Reconnaissance Organi-
Instead of a stewardess a hard-faced man in a three- zation or NRO,
which is responsible for all overhead im-
piece suit was waiting inside the plane door, checking off agery."
personnel as they came in. "Who's this?" he demanded, Turcotte knew
that the NRO was an extensive operation,
looking at Turcotte. overseeing all
satellite and spy-plane operations with a
"Fresh meat," Prague replied. "I picked him up this eve- budget in the billions.
He'd been on several missions where
ning." he'd received support
from the NRO.
"Let me see your ID," the man demanded. "What exactly
do we do?" Turcotte asked, pressing his
Turcotte pulled out his military ID card and the man hands against the
seat back in front of him and pushing,
scanned the picture. "Wait here." He stepped back into relieving the tension
in his shoulders.
what had been the forward galley and flipped open a small "Security," Prague
answered. "Air Force handles the
portable phone. He spoke into it for a minute, then flipped outer perimeter
but we do the inside stuff, since we all
it shut. He came out. "Your orders check out. You're have the clearances.
Actually," he amended, "Delta Ops
cleared." consists of two
units. One is called Landscape and the
Although his face showed no change of expression, other Nightscape.
Landscape is responsible for on-the-
Turcotte slowly relaxed his right hand and rubbed the fin- ground security