SKYJACKY ‘When people use guns eo take what they want ove do you sop them? If you give them what they want, they ill ke happy ~and they wl use their guns gain, and gai Hf yo done them what they wan, hen they sill be angry and hey will is nor caso dese hat oda. In this story the person who has to decid isthe Prime Minter, the head of the government. But the Prime -inier sal an onlinary perso ast Hk the res oF sas person witha fly and cen. How can you think cathy f someone i pointing a gu a your family? What do you do? You take advice, don talk tothe ijckers, ou in ove what they want, yo keep everybody calm, you ty to mone shy: Bat terns don ike waiting, and soonee oF tee yo han to desde whar co do ~ Thier € Adventne Skyjackt Sever eer Base ole Edo Te He Aci Eons emir Bsa nd lon BaerSkyjack!CONTENTS ‘hapeert Chaper2 Chapers Chace Chapers hare Chaper Chaper Caper 10 (Chaper t apse 2 Chapeer18 apse Chaar AcrNis Roe Reading scroiis Whie Reading crv After Reading he air hostess smile. “Welsome aboard, sit. Woukd you lke a newspaper? “Yes, please” Carl tok the newspaper an lok at his ticket, "Pin seat SE: Where’ that? “te near he front ofthe plane, sit, On the lf there. By the wind” “Ysee. Thank you very much.’ Cae smiled back atthe ait hostess. She was young and prety. Jus ike my daughter, he though He pat his bag andr his seat and sat down, His find Hira sar beside him. They watched the ater passengers coming ono the plan, Hara looked a his watch “9.30 pan," he sid. Good. We¥e on ine (Cad agreed And in cree hours we'll be home,’ e said “Thars good. Welw been aay’ fora lang time. Yul be pleased to se your family, won't you, Harali* aca smiled. "Yes, ll, Have you sen thi, sie? He opens his bag and took out two smal planes. “These are for my sons. always bring something hack for them.” “How old are you sons? Cad asked. “Five and almost seven. The alder one has a birehsy “Hel be very exited tonight then? “es. hope he gts some sleep”Styjack elcome as’ Stojuckt The plane took off, Carl watched the lights of the slapoet grow smaller below them, Then the plane ew hove the sls and he ould see the moon and the tars inthe night sky. He lay ack ia his sear and closed his List iit om Baal oa ion Ca eed at his watch, Ie was midnight. He called the aie hoses. "Ese me, What time do we arrive? 1.30 pm, local time, si That's about half an hour foe om hank you.” Cal chang the sme his wach ‘Anything es, sie™ “No, 1 dott think s, Oh, wait a minate~ could I have 3 ‘up of coffe, please? "Yes ofcourse, si? He watched her bring the cof. She valk like my daughter to” he thought. And she is ry young, She looks nervous, not sure what to da” Hw long have you been a0 ar hostess? he asked She smiled. "Thrwe months, sie she sui ‘Do yo ike “Yes, lve it 1's very exciting,” She smiled nervous: il chat be all, i? “Yes thank you.Sty ‘Have a nice ight.” He drank te cffce and started eo read his newspapes When Harald woke upy Car showed him page in the “Look, There you as’ he std, He pointed toa picture ln the mide ofthe pcre stool Cal himself a short hin man wich grey aie, weating a sit. Behind him, on the left wns Harald ~ 2 tll, strong young man, hike 3 sporesman, Both men were amling ‘Tha’ you and ee, ‘outside the Embassy” sid Car. “We're inthe news agin, You can show if © sour sons. You're a famous man, Harald? Harald laughed. "You're the Famous man, i, ot me, Tot poi oe Skyjack he sud Vm just a police officer I's my jb to ake care of you. That's photo of you, not me “Perhaps. Bur your cldren thik chat you'e @ famous rman, Di sure Here, take it, and show st them “OK. Thanks” Harald smile, and put the newspaper in his coat pocket.“ think 1 have a cup of eof too He cle fr the aie hostess, but she did not come. Harald looked sorprisd “What's the mater? Cat ashe. to those two men (Caf looked up and saw the young ait hostess. She was siting in a seat a the fone of the plane with two youn, men. They looked worried and nenoas. Sudlenks one fof the young men picked up a bag and walked into th pilors cabin The other man ad the ai hoses follawed i, “That strange, said Cal, What are they doing “don’t know e's very steange, sid Harald I don ike car all? He bog to ge out of hi seat, but then stopped and ent down apa For one of 1Wo minutes nothing happened. None of the other passengers mored or spoke. They had ecm the youn, mes too, I bacame very git i the ple A ball rang, and fora moment they could hear two vices nguing The the plo spoke ‘Ladies and gentlemen, thi i the Captain speaking Please do not be afd. There i a change of plan. WeStack Styjuc The roses hada machine gen in er han ‘ Ihave to land at another airport before we. finish fur journey. There's wo danger We will Lnd in fitecn minus. Pease stay in your sats deep calm. Thank vou Then the air hostess came out of the cabin, She lok very different now because she had a machine guia er han, She stod a¢ the font ofthe plane and watched the passengers calls ieiticcpea tb be cx, pts fs eget er Te a gs, Herder wa ing tena mame oyna my ome oct Ten downs Srh len hy nto sconeStuck Stuck sd ook ait wile you make me 2 eup of coffee? Thoy sat in the kits and ake for nearly half an hour, Then Helen looked at her watch. ‘OK, Sarah, that’ -oxgh Fr now fs nearly mdnight, nd I mast hep a tomarroe Lm going to hed. Goodight.” Aone in her boroom, she undressed and got intothe big empty be. She was very ted, She closed her eyes and in thrce minutes she was asleep. The pose rang at 12.15 a.m, Helen groaned, an pskod i up. Hello. What? Who? . Do you know what time She ran her hand thro he hai and torn the ight on, “What, nw? I don’ leet. Ae you sure?” The vise on the telephone explained cart. Helen groaned again, and sat up hope it serious. Ii i, somebody going tobe big trouble. yes. AI might ‘Send the crn fen minutes chen And bring me some ace! Goodte. She pute phone down and got out of bed Outside the window she could hear a strong wind blowing Tiyenty antes later she was sting in che back of het big back car, drinking a cup of eofee and talking tothe Chet hei: Airport Police on ee ear telephone Ie was raining(lest ot fae window ae and rainy. twas a smal airport with only one or tov other planes. But there wee thre police cars near the aurpoet bung. 1 don’t understand’ he said quit in Harald eae. "Why ave we here?” Hacald looked worried. ‘Dont ak a back Ask ther” “No thinks” Carl looked at the hijackers. The young air hostess was stil tang athe font ofthe plane with her he whispered machine gm. One of the young men, also with a machine fu, was standing atthe back of the plane. The other Iiacer was in the Capea’ cabin. All the passenger st very quely in thee seats Abell rang and a mars woice spoke. “Ladies ad gentlemen, listen to me. his i the People’s Liberation Army. This plane is ours now, and you are fr prisoners, We do not meant to burt yon, but as You cam se, we have our guns and we how how to shoot So please, sit quietly in your seats and do what we say. We will be here for ome or to hours. The Government ofthis country bas two of our brothers in pisom near this airport. We are asking the Government to bring our ‘wo brothers 10 this lame. When our Brothers are fre, Skiack! you willbe fre, We think thie wil take one or two hours, Due wor very long. As you kos, the Prime Minister of. this country is only a woman. She will do what we say. So do mot worry ust sit very ail and wt litle whe, Goodsigh.” ‘Cal looked at Harald, Oh dear” he whisper, “think swt in trovble, my young frend Bg trowbl.” Harald agseed. “We certainly are. The Government won't set those two mie Fes, The tied to pu a bomb ‘plane last yeas, did’ they sr? Theyse in pison for ‘hiny years “Then Cael whispered. Noone cul set them fee So what about us?” “Whar about you, you mean,” whispered Harald. ‘'m not important. Look, sit, you'd better give me your passpot “chat Why? “Ssh Harald put his hand on dhe older mans arm and stopped talking. Cat looked up and saw the young. ai hostess staring at them. Her machine gun was pointing, at them too, He stopped talking and looked out of the swindon Aer a few minutes she stopped watching them. ‘Give sme the pusport, sie” Harald whispered, very quiet Very slowly and careflls Carl ook it out of his pocket ad gave ‘ero him, There ws sill some cee in Carls cup. Very caf, Harald pat the passport om his tay and pouredSkyjiack Skyjackt Had oe he pair int een, Ten te het! coe onto it. When the passport was very et, e core it slowly ino lite pieces. He was a strong young man and because the passport was wet, st id not make 4 sound Then, one by one, he put the pies of wet paper inta his mouth and ate chem, In om minutes, the passport had disappeared 1 don't understand,’ whispered Cal. “Why did you do shat? ‘You'll se) whispered Harald. “Bur when they ask weston, let me answer, st. OK? You sy nothing ‘OK.’ Ca Tooked away, out of the window A lange lace port baking cary just driving ap tothe Os he black car stopped outside the aiport builing and a police ffcer opened the dooe. Helen Sandberg UE and went quickly inside. Upstairs, inthe contol oom, the Chie of Airport Police, Inspector Hol, was wating with a soldier, Helen's stcretry, Michael, was there fo ‘Gond evening, Prime Minister? sad Inspector Holi this is Colonel Carter, of the Special Commando nel” Helen shook hands with the ‘Good evening, Ca sole au looked a him. He sas a thi, toudoking man, about forty years old, with brown face, His handStick Styne vas hand and strong.“ hope you know your job’ she thonghe "I may need you” she looked out of the window. There was large plane ‘on the tarmac about two hundred metres away. AI tights were on. I that the plane?” she asked “That it, Prime Ministex” “Right, ve me the fats. How many people ae on it Inspector Holm answered, “One hundsod and cight passengers, ive crew ‘What nationalities ave they?” “There ae twenty-nine American, feen Batis, 660 Brann, two Indians, ad one Chinese. The others are from this country. “Tse. Thete area lot of Americans and Bish, then,” ‘suid Helen quietly. “That means rouble” “Yes, Prime Minstes” answered Michael.‘ afeaid sie Ambassadors are on thei way ete no" “le smiled at him quickly. He was good secretays heusualy know what she was thinking, Both che Anicrican Ambassador and the Brith Ambassador were difficult peopl ‘She tured back to Inspector Holm, “Tell me about che Injackees. Wha do they want? "We don't know how many hijackers there are, Prime Miniter Bu hey have us, we know tha. They say they are frm the People’s Liberation Ary And they want cree things” Inspector Holm paused and Tooke down a her He was avery tall mun ade locked ery ieaportant in is tiem, Helen didn ike him nach, “Yes, wel. What hr things she ask quick “Fil, they say we must set fee thee two brothers from prison, You remember, Prime Minster ~ two mien tried co put a bomb on a plane Tast year. They are in prison nese ere.” *Tremember? Helen answered softy, “Theyre i prison foe thiry yeas, arent they?” "F think so. Something like tha’ ‘The man paused. “Secondly cey say we mst refuel the plane because they vant to fy to another county. Ted they say we must Put this in all our newspapers Isa hey ae fighting for freedom fr thee people. They are freedom hts. They wane berate their peopl He gave her a sheet of paper: Helen put it om the table She didnot read it ‘And what about che passengers? she ashe. “When wil dhe backers st the fee” “They say they wil set most of the passengers fee when their brothers are on the plane. Bue they want cen psssengers toy away with them. They will ct them Fee ‘when they atv ee “Theres one other thing, Prime Minister, spoke for the fist sim. His woe was very quiet, almost ene, They ay we must bring the pisones to the aisport, in two hous. IF not, they will ila passenger They said this one how aga.” ‘So we hiv one hou le? lone CarterShyuckt styjack? That right, Prime Miner Jase ome hour. The they wll kl he fist passenger “L sce’ Helen seked sloly to the window and stared ‘ut atthe plane. ws il aining anda strong wind was blowing. She euned round. "Thank you, gentlemen. I will Ihave talk them Bat rat Ine few minutes to think, Colonel Carter, Inspector, please go 10 the other rom. Tl the bijachers I will alk to them in Sve mines. Michal, stay her. Tht yes; madam Inspector Holm looked snappy but he went out, slowly, with the Colonel. Michal sa get; looking at es. He knew what she ws thinking Hie yo ot the passenger ist, Michael?” “Yes, Paime Minster. Here you ae She picked up the lis of names and lok i cael: ‘Oh any God! His name was near the begining, She Aropped thelist, sat down at the able, and ran her hands through he ai. For lng mite she sat nothing. Then she looked up. This going be very fics it, Michael" “Tm afaid so, Prime Mins. Vey dificult indeed” Helen stood up and walked 0 the window, thinking ‘han. Outside ithe rain, dhe American Amassalor's ae stopped by he door “at ome oa: Then hey kl he pang~ Cais shou the win and wad she cats are a the aeport building. There were lor fof cars now and a lor of lights in che building Inside the plane ie was hot and quit. Thre was aothing to Jo. He remembered other times when he had been in a plane at ght ith is wife anal daughter That had bee fn because they were excited and going on holiday. His daughter had always asked Is of questions in the pane [Now no one ssid anything at all. Cal sa, and though, and fel his face becoming wet with sweat "Your passports, peas! ‘wha? He tured suddenly. One of the hijackers, ‘young man ina black shirt, was just behind them, He had a bag in his hand and he was raking everyone's passports and putting them in “why “Be quiet! Harald whispered Remember? et me talk, sie "Your passports, please? The young man stood by thie "Here you are.” Harald gave the man his passport "Thank yu. And his?? "He has no passport. am a police officer and he is my prisoner: taking in to prson in my county” Shek? *T sce? The young man looker them bol ‘Scand up, yo!” CCl stood wp and the young man searched his poskers, but he found nothing. He told Cad co sit down, chen he ‘opened Hara’ passport and looked inside Police pit hesaid. ‘Now you are our prisoner” Then he hit Harald in the face, looked at Car, and laughed. "And perhaps we will set him free!" Harald sad nothing. The hijacker was about the same age a8 him, but not so big. The young hacker laughed again and moved on to the ext Seat "Thank you, Harald" Carl whispered when the man was at the front of the plane “Tha wis very brave But I ont let you die for me, you know? "Be quiet, sit Somethin’ happening! Harald whispered hack Carl looked up. Another hijacker was standing in the door of the Capeain’s cabin. He was talking to the “other two. He was a bigstong man, with a back bead He looked angry and waved his arms. Cad listened carefully. He could hear one oF to words, but not any thing! Nothing a all. stupid woman! she needs ime, she 98 All the hijackers were angry nove They looked at the passports and then started to walk down the aisle, Pointing their guns athe passenger. Harald sat very stl im his sem i supe.Styjuckt ‘Don’t look at them, Ca’ he whispered. Sit very sl and don lok at them? Suddenly the big hijacker pulled a passenger out of his seat. The passenger was a short fat man in a rey sit. He shouted angrily ina voice that sounded American, but the Iiacker bit hin and then pushed hi tothe front of the plane with his machine gn Tur rawands the door” he shouted, ‘Pt your hands on Higher? That un a the Americans hack, The air hostess pointed her The hacker in the black shire sto a the front of the Plane and pointed hs gun athe passenger. ‘Don't mor!” he shouted Stay n your seats and don’t look back!” Then the big headed hijacker went back iro the Capi’ sabi. The bel rang, The hijacker voice spoke “tasengir! Listen to me! You know we ave bere to set ‘our brothers fe. I ave spoke to the rime Minister of this conry | told her she must bring cur brothers hereby far o'clock, Tht ie plony of tie Decanse the prison ie only en kl ees from hee She say he needs mone time ‘bu we ko she ie ying We ave mo tne. The passenger at the front of th American sy ah lies in our country. A Americans rls ive in our country ave spies. If ‘ur bothers ane wot bere att olack, be wil die. f you lane i tnt help hin, ou wilde eons Car said ety. He woke at bis watch. The time was 1.50 am. He loked out of the window actos the StyjuckeSkyjuckt Styjickt ‘iny tarmac to the airport bailing In ane of those rooms twas the Prime Minister. What would she do? What could she do? ‘Come on, honey’ he said softy. ‘Stare einking Think fast, hone. Anal thik hard a7 the radi in the contol oom, len Sauber sat Michael, Inspector Holm behind her. They cou all see the plane, eo hundred ‘metres away, and they coulda ea the voice ofthe hijacker fom the adi, f was loud, exited “Our brothers have done nothing wrong. They are ‘innocent ‘They are fighters forthe freedom of our people! We need them sith s om this lame, nose Helen kept he vice low and calm. “Look, Lunderstand what you say. Bue those men are criminals they're in prison. 1 can’t bring them here, And remember, the Passengers on the plane are innoceat people to0, with families and children, Please set them free, We will not 1nd Colonel Carter sat hurt you. We... The voice on the rad incerruped her. Mrs Sandberg? 1 do wo ent 0 talk ay more is now 1.9 am. Do ose ave cur brothers her, atthe airport? No. [told you Then watch the front door ofthe plane. You ca se i well ope?” Yee" Helens voice was quiet now almost a whisper “Then watch, There i am American spy bebind i, And remember we have many American spies, amd many portant businesspeople cm tis plane. In half a hous 1 will ask you gain about my brothers Helen stared at atthe plane. Is front door was very soall afar away. Colonel Carter touched her arm, ‘ere are some binocular, Prime Minister, You will be able to see mo clearly with these” ‘She didnot want a Took, bt she halo, She had desided not f0 fixe the prisoner, s0 none she had 10 see what happened to the passengers, She picked up the binoculars tn! stared atthe front door of the plans: The door opened slowly: There were no steps ouside the door 30 i was abour four metres above the ground Standing in the door wis a shore Fat man his hands abowe his head, His face was white and he loked very frightened Thea he jumped But ashe jumped gil came to che door and shot hi. Some bullets it hit i the aie and more bulls hic him ase ly on the ground. One of is arms ‘moved a litle and blo ean out ofthe sie of his eal onto the wet tarmac. The gel continued shooting hi for ten, ‘maybe ffien seconds, Then somone pulled her back into ‘he plane andthe door close For a long time everyone was silent. Then Colonel Carer spoke “Inspector why dda't your men shoot? That fe was in the doorway for neal fifteen seconds! Why isn she dead?Stkyjackt fe... ae police officers, mot soldiers. But the Colonel inerrapted him ‘Prime Minster, et my men dal with this problem. They Fave led & man now an they'll il another ome in half an hou. We must atack thar plane! We arecommands we Keno how ro doit Helen was still watching the dead ody of the mano the tsmac, She thought a hand moved, fr a moment; but no, he must be dea by now There was pool of Hod om the tamac now, around his head. He could not possibly be ali, Far a moment she didnot hear the voices around her. Tn half an hour “Prime Minister "Yer" She eens towards them. “Yes. Colonel Carte, bring your men hee, immediatly. Mest mein ten minaes swith your plan, But eam yous must bea good one. 1 don’t want any mare dead pasenger "Yes, Prime Minister. At once.’ The Colonel turned to specor "es, madam? want those ee prisoners brought ere from the prison At once, You have twenty-five minutes, no more. Do you tunderstand? “Bue Prime Minister! You cae do that The Inspector andthe Colonel stared her snp. "can and I wil ‘hut hese met are dangerous criminals ~serorsts! Py Skyjack!Stack “They tried to pur a bomb on a plane! They are in prison ae “For they years, Colonel. know. Bat they ae oly 60 ren and hore ae over hunded innocent people on th plane. My jb so save thee is, ad need ine wo dot The Inspector stood up very tll and straight in his ine uioems. “Prime Minster I sromgly adie you not to do this You dou’ understand Helen ieseapeed ie, fe vise sel al ange understand very well indeed, Inspector. And T thank you for your advice. Bu think I must make the decisions, and ‘sou must obey my orders. You sow have anlyewenryfoue rminaes, Bring those prisoners here, please: "Yes, madam.’ The Inspector and the Colonel ef the rom, looking very unhappy "Peime Miner? "Ys, Michael?” She tuned, and saw that Michael was smiling quit "The American and Brith Ambassadors are here, Do you want o see them? ‘She groaned, and sat down suddenly. Do L want 10? OF course I don't! But I suppose I must tll to them becaise that man was an American. Sen them in, They can have five mites wth me, that all "Yes, Prime Minster” Michael picked up a telephone hon the gil came back into che cabin she was shaking. Her hands wore shaking and she was eying and smoke was coming out of her gas. One of the passengers, an American, stood up and shouted at het “You a murderer!” he shouted, “You're a dirty, murdering b. ‘She tured and pointed the gun at him and fred. ‘The rman sat down it his seat and the bullets want bone the seas all along the plane, and out through che roof After ren seconds the gil stoped fring an shoted “You shut up You shut up and sit dowe ae Hil you allt [am a soldier ofthe People's Liberation Army and kill you all of you! But she was exyng to, an the young ma in the black shee pur his arm around hee and held he. She leaned sins him, crying, and he whispered something in her eat Ie was then tha Hara moved. He got ont of his sea, Tet ema an very fast long thease towards the Frost of the plane. "The young man and the gil didnot see him ‘coming and he caght them both around thee ees and Knocked them onto the floor Harald fll on top of them and he tried to cake one ofthe guns, but the gi alle his hair an dhe young man Bld is atm. Then the beaded rman came ou ofthe Capean’ cabin and hit Maral hard aStock! Skyiack Fy ‘nthe ead with his gun. Harald fll onthe oor and ly stl The heared man pointed his gum ae the passengers and shouted ‘SIT STIL None ofthe passengers had moved except Ca, and he vas too sons He stood very stil nthe mde of te ise five metres way fom the bearded man’s gun, The ater tw ery ld indeed. Iiackers were still on the floor, and Cat saw the Capain ‘move inthe cabin behind he Bearded man. Bat the young, rman in the Mack shirt saw him too, and stood up and pointed his ju a dhe Captain. Both Cal and dhe Capeain were too lt am geting ol’ Cal ehowght “When I wis young, could move as fast as Harald, Bat not no Cad sat dawn in his set, very skavly. The bearded man watched him all the ime. He shed ars with his fot. “Search hin,’ be said wo che gi. “Then handeut hia 10 the door He wll be the next one. The gil pulled Harald to the door. She found some handeuffs in his pocker and handcuffed him to the door. Then she searched his other poskes. In one of his pockets she found «newspaper. She looked att and saw the photo of Harald and Cal She stood wp slowly and showed ito the bearded man. He looked atthe Photo, and then he looked ar Cart carefully and for along, time. Vey slowiy smiles appeared the Faces of the 10 Iiackers and they began to ahShyjuckt Sty The che ok a the photo, a ton Ca So Hire tee ed rset Ameen tnd Brith Ambassadors, "The two men were very ‘fret. The American Arabassador was a short round ‘man with a loud voice which Helen dishiked very much He often wore opened shires, and he ad a wer haity chest She disliked that too. The British Ambassador ~ tall thin Scorsman from Edinburgh ~ was always quit, poit nd wellrese, hut she did aot always belive what he said. Once ~a year ago he had lied 10 hee and she could rover ant that Bat most of al, she disk them because they were bod ritey men and heir connties wre mach bigger than hers. They wanted miltary bases for cei older in her -sountey an she di not want hem, ‘So, geulemen, whar can Ido for you?” The American spoke Fist. "Well, ms’am, an Amesican passenger is dead. "és, [know Lam very sorry about that. hope no more wil di “T hope $0 too, ma'am. There are twenty-eight US passengers tha plane and my Generar was to keep thet alive? "There are a hundd and seen passengers ot that plane, Ambassador, al my Goverment wants then all alive” Helen answered quietly. But the Ambassador did not inten ‘So the US Government is going t0 help you, ma'am. We have iy US Marines athe US Embassy and they can he ere i one hour from nowt. Then goddam plane apart. The Scorsian smile. “Exsuse me, Ambassador, but pethaps one hour from now will be to late. One man is aleady dead. Bur, er... pethaps you don't know this Prime Minister, but this weck six SAS soldiers are visting the Bish Embassy, and thoy'e waiting outside in my car om ‘These men know a lot about hiss; uch more than the US Marines of, probably your cw soldiers, Prime Minster, They know exactly what t0 do. $0. hel ust take eatStuck Slyck "Now ust a moment” The Amessaninterpted, The US Marines ae “Gentlemen!” Hicks clear, hand voice stopped them. “There's no time to ange. Firstly 1 did now about the SAS soldiers inthe Bish Embassy, and Tam very surprised shout Very surprise indeed, Ambassalo Secondly Lo oe chink if good ia to atack a plane with «hundred an seven passengers i and take ie apart” a8 you sy. want chee people to lve, not die So I thank you for your ideas, but remember tha this small county i ours, not sour. We will manage this problem incu own wa, with four own people, thank you very much, Now you must ‘excuse me, Lam bas.) ‘At the door, the Scotsman turned back. ‘Prime Minister, [know you want eo save ives, he sai “understand that. Br these hijackers must not jo fee. My Goverment docs ot want that, No Government in the world wants that? “T kaow that, Ambassador” Helen answered quietly ‘1 ow chat wey well? As they went out, the phone fang. Michael picked it up. Helen sat down at the table and watched him. His face was very serious. He wrote om a pise of paper and then pur the phone down. For a moment he didnot look ther “Whar it, Michael? Tell ma” ‘Te was radio. message from the plane, Prime Minister" a "Well? What dl they say? Did they wane to elk to "No, Prime Miniter. Just che message Ie says: "We foe ‘our brothers We hope the Prime Minister loves her husband, He ison the plane, just bebind the door * or Tong moment she stared at Michael, but she dl nor speak. A picture of the American passenger appearad im her hea She saw him jumping out of the door an the fel shooting him. Shooting hi fr tn, maybe tees lng second “Ti sors Prime Minster sid Michael softy ‘Whae? Yes, so am 1 thoughe perhaps... perhaps che Ivackers di’ know Car es my husband Bat now they doko” ‘She am her hand through her har and then looked at her watch. But her and was shaking so mach that she could ot el the sim The phone rang again. Michie picked top. “Colonel Cater is ouside, Prime Minster” He watched he ein foram answer. tel hi co wait, shall 1? ‘he put er hands fat on the table and stood up. “Ys Yes, Michael. Tel him to wat ewo minutes that'll” She welled to the window and seared out atthe plane. She pressed her forehead against the cool glass and for evo rinites she did not mens. Then she turned mand and sled at Michal “Lets just hope Colonel Carter’ plan sa good one shall vee? Sho him i.Stok te hope the rime Nate oe er aan <7 [i i et an Har to he ony te door They were handcufed together with Harald’ handouts ‘The et hijacker stood watching them with, et in. The beanded man was in the Captain's cabin, andthe young man i che black shire was watching the other passengers. Harald touched his head wich his hand. There was blo in hishaie “How do you fc, my young fiend?” “ehurts’ Harald answer, And {can't ce wel This man needs a doctor’ Cat said ro the gi analy. She laughed. “That is your wie’ problem, not min, cal asked she ssid. "lf our brothers com, he wil gta doctor. IF they don’t come, he wort nced one.’ She pointed her gun at Hara’ head and laughed again She wasn at ll nervous CCl fle angry. He was angry with the hijackers and he ws angry with himself becasse he had not moved st enough 1 help Harald. I was good to be angry: when he was angry he dl not fel 3 afr How od are you? he asked the gl She did nor answer 1 asked you a question!” he said. ‘How old are you? Eighteen, nineton? You're not very ald, relly are you? You're jase hlStkyjack? Stack! The gis face went rd. ‘an ewenty’ she sid angrily 1m not chil "iow lok ike a child Gar sad. “You've only two years ‘olde han my daughter, Why are you doing his? The git Taupe. She did lok this eyes. “Why? You would understand, 1 don think you understand what you're doing’ Cat sd. None of dhe people inthis plane has hue you. We are alinnocent. Tha man you killed ~ he wasnt asp; he ws just an American businessman, You've never sen any of us before, Why do you wane kill us? The gi looked woried and angry. Se pointed the gun sseaght at Cas hea.‘ done wa cll ou she sad want your goverment ~ your wife ~ to set oe brothers fice’ "és, | now said Car, caraely: He watched the gin and the gis face, but he was nor rally afeaid because he was sll angry. He argued withthe gil as chough he ‘was anguing with his daughter. “Bue remember what your brothers did. They tied to puta bomb on a plan. They wanted til iaocent people like ws. Why?* "You are not innocent sal the gil. ‘Noone is innocent! People ike you, and your wife, and that American ~ you have money and power and you take it from my people, from us! Do you know hove I ved wien Iwas a chil? Ten peopl i one rom, with no bath, no water, nothing? My parents had no jobs, mo passports, no” county, sothing. We lied in a town with ten thousand others. nt your ocramen 1 arth feShuck Styckt Bur en kilometres away there were rich people lke you, with big beautifal houses fine cars, fine clothes ~ and they wre all innocent people, ike you! I tell you no ‘She was shouting now and neatly crying ~ there were tears in her eyes. Carl and Harald watched the sun careflly. ‘Poor ie," Carl thought. "Poor litle rudeness” The bearded man came out of the Captain’ cabin an Prat his hand on the ie aem. “Stop it, ble Bower” he said, Done al ro them, That's not your ob” Then he bit Carl inthe Fae. “Keep your mouth shut” he sad. “Think hour your wife instead, Do you sce the ime? I think she has forgotten you!" (Cal groaned and beld his mouth with his hand. There was blood in his mouth and one of his eth was broken “Then he looked at his watch. Iwas 223, Sever nutes left, then the Ralf hour was ove. "soy; my fren, e whispered to Harald, "Yo tied fighting, and fied aking. Bue cde’ work. Fohink sis ‘may be out as journey. Bu Hist sit ah ed tC He Spoke clay he explain his iets cael ad heise towhat she sai He dl not ey 4 be dial becuse she was woman. Rest ofall they had made a plan together. A good plan, she thoughts could really work Perhaps ‘he looked at her watch: 225. ‘Right, Colonel, get your men ready: I send the st prisoner down to you wn they ative. Bur where ae they? Michacl, have they ried yt “No, Prime Mi hen where the hl are they? Can you gst Inspector Hola onthe ca eadio? “The trying, Prime Minister’ Michael spoke imo he telephone. Colonel Carter lee she room and Helen walked yp and down slowly, watching the clock. 224 225.226, “Thy ve got him, Prime Minister He says. he sys one ofthe ars his haan accident inthe ai, He thinks he can be herein ten ainaten” Michael Iooked up. Thee was no smile om his fae at all now. “Tem minutes! What’ he desing ~ a police ca, of a bicycle? Helen banged her fist on the table. “We've gor four inaes left, OK. Twat to alk to the hijackers. Gee them ton the radio.” ‘She sat down atthe able while Mishas call the plane Colonel Carter came in and stood behind he. A woe came et Not yt on the radi. “Well Mrs Sodber, Where are our brothers? “Theyte coming” said Helen. ‘They'l be here in tenStuck Sty hat to lt. Leave yom half am own, Your Dusbond wil de our maine. Helen pressed her hands fat on the table, so ard shat the ends of her fingers went white Please don't do that, she si “Lam sory, Ma Sandberg But if ey brothers ae nother four mines, your hushed wilde "Don't you want ce your brother she asked quick promise you, f you ill ny hashand, you'll movers then sain There was a passe while no one spoke. Then the ro nawered For minutes, Mrs Sandberg” Helen spoke clay sks, and loudly, She vice with all the anger she had in her bos ‘Liste, 08 murderer need just ten minutes fo get your brothers to this sirpore. Then [ wil en them tothe pln. But led hee if you Kill my husband, oF anyone else, then 1 promise you that your brothers will dc, othe tarmac in fron of that plane. Is that what you want? Or will you wait cen There was another, longer pause. Helen stared oat into the night. She did nt sce anything “Al ight To more minutes “Thank you, Now, there is one mone thing. The passengers “Whit about them” You must st them fee hefore I send your brothers to the plane”Slyke The wise on the radio Ines. “Because you are a woman, do yo think ll men are stupid, ike your husband? Send me our brothers then eel the plane and then Ell send you the passengers “No? answered Helen. She looked at Colonel Carter "This how we will dot will end you one of your brhers and then you mus end me the passengers. When we haw al the passengers then we wll rfl the lane and sen you your other ree” The vice laughed again. "Do you think you are buying heap ih fro child the marke? Se ws ome brother, then, and we will end you one hundred passengers. Reful the plone and send ns the othe rote and ie wil ed ou the ater pasengers Bu the plot and your husband mast ‘ome with us to another cour. We wile them fe lte’ Hele looks at Colonel Cater. There was the beginning ‘of a smile on er face. She could see that he agresd with, he. She waited for a moment longer, 0 worry the hacker. ‘leit ageed, oman? Or do 1 ll your bend woe” agre. [will send your frst brother to you in ten Or {Cit ie tn eth thi one. Th dor ‘of the Captain's cabin was open anid he could see the bene Ijacker sting inside. He had along nose and dark hai and his eyes looked green from the ight ofthe inatruments in the dak cabin, He held hit gun near bis ‘mouth and touched ic gently with hs is as he waite ‘Car had heard half ofthe conversation. Fight ofthe ten minutes had gone. Now that he could do nothing, he fl afraid, He could fel his hand inthe handcuffs shaking Hiarald ft it oo and beld Cat’ hand with is oo, “Don’t worry, Mr Sandberg” Harald whispered. "We'll et cont of here.” “Perhaps,” Cal answered. ‘And perhaps ot. But I done want these murderers to go free.” “Ssh Hazald whispered. Carl looked up and saw ee gi watching them. Then, sudden the bearded man shouted, “They coming! Look! Get read” The gil went into the Capa’ cabin, Harald and Cae stood up and looked ehrough a winkow They saw three sen pushing some steps across the tarmac. The men put the steps outside the plane door and chen went back again “Thon two more men came out of the building, They were wearing bight yellow coats because of the ain. One man walked towands the plans 6tyne shoyu oc the brand aero the igh ofthe “Come away from the door! Quick!" The gil unlocked the hands and pushed Harald and Carl back to thor sets Than she started o open the dooe ‘Wi! Tum the lights ut and stand back fom the dort stil the bearded man. They wil ee shoot win the light from the door The door opened and che man in the yllw coat came imo the plane. He was thin, with very shore hat The gil shut the do the lights came on, andthe man shut his eyes in the bright ight The gil and the Bearded man put thee ros around him, laughing. “Fre! You ae free now brother! And the other one, he safe? Come ino the cai, ler’ elk (Cal and Harald watched sadly. So now she will gve hem wha hey want, because of me, sid Cal quel. "We will be safe bur they will go fre 1 bomb another plane, because of me" He held his ead in is hands ‘Wat, Me Sandberg” said Harald. “Your wife isn't stupid, you knows, This game has not end yet. Sit stil and be ready Theother passengers sat quietly, wating to be re Os Hier ssice te ot a ind tering tthe plane, “Come cn dead "Why ith door shu? Where te the passengersStic Shyu "het Yow ae ow ter “The hijackers won't set them fice,’ sid Inspector Holm. “I told you, Prime Minister, this is a serious mistake?” “he ict, man,’ said Colonel Carer something the radia’ Beside im, 2 soldier was turning the controls of a small semy rad, Solenl the woicss of one ofthe hskers nd Think weve gor the prisoner came into the room. ‘So how my soldiers ave there inthe airport building, ny bose” 1 didn’ se any oldies only police ‘That’ srage! No soli tal 1 dd nor see any; brother: ‘ry strange. But these are not military people. They do snot have many solders Pebsps the woman will do what she say then” “What's happening, Calon?” Hele asked. “Those ate {he hijacker vices. How ca we hea them? The Colonel laughed. “Well, madam, you can see i's raining, can't you? We cide’ wane oxF poor prisoner to get wet, so we gave him a nice yellow raincoat, you sce. But ir was an expensive raincoat, because one of is buttons is a smal eadio transite. So now we c ceserything they say and we know where they are on the plane!” Helen smiled Good ides, Colonel. hope it helps? “Prime Minister,” Michael interrupted. "They'te coming” Helen looked through the windove The door of the eaeStojuck! plane was open and people were coming dow the steps fone after another. Some of them started to ran rowan the airport building, and a few Kck down on the wet "Whar are they doing? Hele asked pethaps? said Michas. “To shank God that they're ale? Police and doctors came out of the building 9 help the passengers. Helen stood and watched throgh the binoculars, She didnot see Cad ‘Ninety-nine, a hundred. That’ it, then’ said Colonel (Carter The plane door dosed. Now we move on tothe next step of our plan. Goodbye, Prime Minster Helen turned and saw thatthe Colonel was putting on white clothes ontop of his army uniform. He put several remade in the cost pocket, and a mishine gin int log, pocket inside the coat. le smiled athe. T must help my ren refuel the plan.” ‘May God go with you, Colonel, she si Gu eign the plane went out again. There were only leven of chem lt now: Cal Sanbeng and Harald foe ere aa five Americans. They sat together in the middle ofthe plane. The gil and the young man in the ‘lack shire watched them. ShyShyjckt Skyjckt Through the window, Carl saw the fuel canker dive towards the plane Ie stopped, and fie men in-white clothes got out. The pilot went to the Font of the plane to work the cons, and the men stared 0 refuel the plane Thea he saw another man ina yellow raincoat come out of the aeport biking. The bearded asker started to tlk very excitedly. “Is ic him? Yes, i ist Our leader! My brother and sister, we have done itt Now | muse welsome him 3 the door. You, brother, a hehe passengers” Cal Sandberg watched the man inthe yellow coat walle Is he pilot in the cabin, and sister, wat rneare. He could ony ee ane nana the back of the plane, refuelling it. He hough the others were under the plane somewhere, but he did not know wher. Harald pur his hand on Cats arm, Cal looked at hia, Hara did nor speak, but he was looking a the gi, very caf As the door opened, and che man with te yellow coat came in the il turned t look, Through the windows, Cae saw a man in 4 white coa run out from under the plane with something that looked ik a gronae in his hand. To other men in white ran ct behind im The mans arm went up and he chew the grenade through the open door. There was a very loud BANGI atthe front of the plane, and a fash of white light shat burned Carls eyes. Almost immediately there was an 0 ven louder BANG! BANG! and «wo more fashes of wit ihe Carl could not move. The noise was so loud and the light so bright hae he sae sill as a stone. He saw the ge Iijasker and the bearded man standing quite sill 10, with theie guns in their hands and cheir mouths open. ‘hea man in white ran eheough the door with a gun in his hand. He shot the girl and the bearded man before ‘hey could move. The hijacker in che Back sie came out ‘of the Captain's eabin behind the man in white, but 190 other men ia white came through the door and shot hin too. The two prisoners, in thet yellow raincoats, tried to get tothe door, bu the men in white knocked them to the oor and handeufed theie hands behind th backs Carl looked down. The gi was Ing onthe oor of the aisle beside him. He though he saw her hand move cowards her machine gun, but then one of the soles in -whie ‘an dows the aisle and shot her again through the head Another soldir pulled her away by her legs and her long Iai left blood along the Boor Gus His Sze ea sh bs oo and when she saw the white light, she thought the plane was bbuming. For about half minute there was nothing but sskye tye loud bangs and white flashes, and then there was nothing. There were no lights a all in the plane and no sounds ther She tuened to Michael. ‘Can't you get them on the radio? 1 eying, Prime Minister. Bat think is broken? ‘She walked to the door. ‘'m going out. Inspector Holm stod in fro of he. "You must ot Jo that, Prime Minister. We dou’ know what's append That's why I's going,’ she said. ging to Find cut on’ care what happens tome He was hig man bt he was asl of her She walked straight pase im and down the steps. la the departre lounge there was a crowd of passengers wating to get fon other planes, anu also lot af destos, police, and newspaper journalists. She walked sight past thea all sind aut ont the tarmac, was dark ana col, an he wind blew rain into er face, When she was about fifty metres ‘say from the bing she heard some people Behind her, but she didnot ston, The door ofthe plane opened and a man in white came ‘ont He had gun in hs han and he same backwards denn the steps. Afer him came two men in yellow eaincoats with their hands bein their ics, and then two other min white with guns Tio police officers came after her ‘Wait, Prime Minister? they said, ‘Please stop, it's dangerous”Styjukt 'Not non she sai. “eS not dangeows any’ mor.” She walked on though the rain widhour stopping, and the young police officers walked beside her They were afaid te touch her and they dil nor know what 10 do. Some journals ran after them “Two mien in blue came out of the plane ~ the pilot and cosilog. Then some men in stits, She was gute neae the plane now an there were quite & lo oF newspaper photographers around he, bur she did not stp walking Aig young man came out of the plane with & shart, thin, geey-haied one ~ Harald and Cat. Helen could see that Carls face was very white and there was blood on his south, but he could wal alright. Carl saw her coming, 2 small strong figure walking ‘through the rain, with crow of police and photographers around bee. “Harald, my fiend, he ai “think wee in thee agin. You're ing to have another phot to show sour Title son on bis birthday? Car and Helen Sandberg met at the bottom of the seeps the darkness and the etn And Ca as sights there was a phoro of icin every newspaper inthe world the next dy. GLOSSARY aboard on plane ora ship ‘Mise tcl scmecone what they should do tile place bower ine of eat (gona plane, in ches) shire ouems walk ambasador a person sent fori oun 0 speak for his auch () tot whut someone oe omething Tend puttese bt) toa the op hal ofthe Bay orem inocula yery tongs sed to things fr ay ‘abi araom ona plane or asp ‘est the fon pat ofthe body betwen the nek nd stomach Clone an mponane oer the ae commando section a group of soldiers pecally rain fe angol oom the bung in an airport whee peopl contol iret rao crew the pio and all se people who work on plane lit todo something that ees dong ‘ein wha jou have decile ‘parte longe room nan aipont where pater wait cembsiay the bulig where an ambsear es al works fire (2) tosbocea pan fie dose and wt fingers trne inwards Mash (n) a ude, very baie fora very short ine figheajourey ona plane fordhead the pr ofthe ae above dhe ees freolom ng res ale ro da wha ou wast odo ssGlossary Glossary 1 facleanber sage eile for crying petrol 1D eateman ple word fora man (BE godda (ady sling) a wor walt show you fe song shout somthing (es soda plane 1 overament the group of people who contra a country groan (0) tomakea deep sad sound (Gandalf (2) tolock someone's hand tgsther wth bandas melvin around the wes) (balla word sed with quesion-wonds (eg, Wher th ll.) to show anger or surpie ( iscker person who aes control a plane and mas the lot ye ree place 1 homework schoolwork which ou dat ore Eh boney 2 wordfor someone you Tne ery mich Gh bows “woman who ales cae of pasengrs nape imocent an nnscen person as Jone thing had or wos inapector an important plc ocr Instruments ina plane, insrumenes tlhe chow high he ans aw uh al hei Jerre to op somebody aking by speaking your journal person who writs for newspapers vision Ket paste kc) 0 go dawn or sa with yourknes 09 ‘he ground 1D iberion feelers [ise fr) pice of paper wih names writen omit 1 ocalcine the vme nthe place ou ae tlking about {Dagan mada: a polite way of peaking oa woman {Dmachinegan sguntha ren eof bles very ft 1D marines llr whos tained oft om ant wea 1 ear base place were srs ve an work (airy mene rom an rns soles pero aed {Dontime ether ate nor ea ahe ared or correct ime 1 operaeched ith hewputos ofa shire undone Gh pees (o) tommplor atomentspese (a) shor sop 1G pig fem animal inhi ory a word fr ver a person {pein 0) to show wich your hand or inger where somethings pool someligu oat, Wood, te) on the ground {pour to per igus water ta, coe) ito somes {Bh power peopelite rime miners presen et hae ower, ‘hey canter people what do Bray walk Got Bh prs fo) pa ha 1 prime miner hemos importae person in a necoment (fel “cong more ful to plans si (GSAS. spec Air Services ply trained es solders who arewied for dial kinds of ing, gains erie 1 scfree to make women fe, fom a ron, tom hack Gh algick a hiackinthe air 1 sweat sate that somes out ofthe shin when ou are hot ot ‘raid tateapure coders to wins halen avery vent way {tarmac shan material use for roads, airport ct. 1 tear (a) waterthat comes om your eyes when you ey ar (pas tere ore) to pull smahingo ces (error ser ile peopl who kl promi il ober peopleif they dn gt what hey wane { theow (puctemethren)tomale wmeting mone dno test {tough of x person strong ae, brave 1 ranwicer sa chat vere mesges (Gray pose wo or plas te) fr crying fod and rineABOUT THE AUTHOR Timm Vieny isan expeienrd seacher and writer, and has writen several atnes forthe Oxford Bookworms Library. Many of these ace inthe Trier 8c Adventure series, such as "The Chemical Secret (at Sage 3, on the Te Series eis, such a8 The Broa Story (also at Sage 3), which is about the es ofthe famous newest, Chariot, Emily and Anne Tim Vicar has two cide, and hops dogs cat, and horse. Hels and works in Yor, inthe north of England tin hs also published ro long noc The Blood apo the Rose and Ca nd Mowe a OXFORD BOOKWORMS LIBRARY lace» Crne@ Mystery “Fase Faas Hero "monies Pcs Tre Ate sd ply incase adie eal aed ings che nom pc hn A sage 1 teat seas ae mcd awl iy “The tonD nook WOH LAR ao of exe apo. Each -lomarg nachna es he oe an wer {Sve tes do te cris eBook Te “The Onn Bolom Cllcton wi fr name re ovis of whan of drt eb me ao tho bth Cane ‘Stet Tee nor siglo nape ny wan betel i cami tai ar flat fen the Ono Boor bry Cale a Oxf Eg Langa Teng Cates,THE OXFORD BOOKWORMS LIBRARY GRADING AND SAMPLE EXTRACTS STARTER + 250 HEADWORDS Her phones ringing bur whew isi Silly gots out of bed and looks in he Bag. No phone She los der the he. No phone. Then se looks behin the door. Thetis her phone. Sally picks up her phone and sere Sly Phe STAGE I+ 4oo HEADWORDS ine — conto with nd ats or= suoronon wih no ate when sao. | know him in Persia. He was a famous buiker and worked with hiv there. Fora ime I was bis fiend, but not for long. When he came 10 Pars, 1 came after him = wanted to watch him. He was 2 very clever, very dangerous man, Te Pho ofthe Opt STAGE 2+ 700 HEADWORDS preterit ta) om hao rit ncn ‘mpage sn pore ‘While ws wring these words in my diary, died what to do. I mast try 1 eacape [shall ry tet down the wall futside. The window is high above the ground, but Ihave to ty [shall take some ofthe gold with me if Lescape, perhaps ie willbe ell ee. Dede 7 SIAGE 3 + 1000 HEAWOKDS OF course, it was most important that no one should sce Colin, Mat, or Dick entering the secret ganden. So Colin tzve orders tothe gardeners sha they must all keep away from that par ofthe garden nFure, Thee Gand SIAGE 4+ 1400 HEAWORDS | was glad. Now Hie could not show his fase to the word again. If he dd, every honest man in London would be proud to report im tothe police. Drei md MrHtde STAGE § + 1800 HEADWORDS. ar cenit ptt se lal comin we sen ane cal canes” a pat nie If he had spoken Estella’: name would hav hit him. L was so angry wit him, aso depressed about my fate that ‘ould not eat th breakfast, Instead went straight othe old house: Gra Exeaons STAGE 6 + 2500 HEADWORDS ‘When steppe uprothe piano, lass confident. Iwasa i kenew that the pri side of me realy dd exit And when state to ply Twas so caught op i how lovely looked thae didn worry how woul sound, Theo ack CheBOOKWORMS + THRILLER & ADVI Justice TIM VICARY London: November. Terrorists blow up the Queen’s coach outside Parliament. The Queen escapes, but five people are killed, and forty others badly hurt ~ ordinary, innocent people, like Alan Cole, the Queen’s coachman, who loses his leg in the bombing. And for Alan and his daughter Jane there is more terror to come, in the search for the truth behind the bombing. Will the terrorists be caught and brought to justice? But what kind of justice? What can give Alan Cole his leg back, or give life back to people who have been blown to pieces by a bomb? BOOKWORMS “TRUE STORIES -STAGE 3 Rabbit-Proof Fence DORIS PILKINGTON GARIMARA Retold by Jennifer Bassett Fourteen-year-old Molly and her cousins Daisy and Gracie were mixed-race Aborigines. In 1931 they were taken away from their families and sent to a camp to be trained as good ‘white’ Australians. They were told to forget their mothers, their language, their home But Molly would not forget. She and her cousins escaped and walked back to Jigalong, 1600 kilometres away, following. the rabbit-proof fence north across Western Australia to their desert home Rabbit-Proof Fence isthe true story of that walk, told by Molly’s daughter, Doris lis also a prize-winning film. 72eects aes Cee een eee eee) erate ee) DeSean Minister knows very well - too well, There is someone on that plane who will soon be dead - if the eee And there isn't much time. One man lies dead on the runway. et eee ee ee ee ec) Peo eee eee or i 7 a eS renner nen) Perey Peter eee Ca etee ate Co OXFORD IXFORD ENGLISH bette dat SBN 978-0-19-479190-4 SOC errno 304