Liffy One Alpha
Special Operations Division, Langley, assembles a resourceful group of specialists, including the brilliant bio-scientist Professor Deckleshine, and led by its homophobic boss, the team is tasked to mitigate the threat of a mysterious contagion spreading unabated across the country.
In Brazzaville, the Congolese people live under constant threat from neighbouring militant factions. So, in return for modern weaponry, a caucus of American scientists is sanctioned to conduct top-secret research in a remote region of rainforest south of the Cameroon border. In a covert operation, the Dublin-based freight airline Green Bird is contracted to deliver humanitarian supplies to Ouesso, Congo. However, the main cargo is of little consequence, and two CIA agents, Haily and Pepe, posing as Red Cross aid workers, join the crew of the DC8 freighter to ensure the concealed 'ShineOn' canisters reach the American scientists. Then, while overflying Nigeria, the agents forcefully take control of the aircraft when the crew attempt to divert after shutting down one of the four engines due to a fuel leak.
Becoming trapped by fuel starvation, all onboard the freighter miraculously survives a forced landing on a disused airstrip many miles from its original destination. However, the drama is far from over for the freighter's crew, now hunted by government troops while attempting to escape through the treacherous jungle. Compelled to abort the mission, Langley put forward a plausible coverup story to the press, emphasising that no attempt should be made to recover the bodies due to rebel hostilities near the crash site.
Enda, the flight engineer, becomes separated from the rest of his crew and befriends a local woman called Tshala, who helps to get him downriver to Brazzaville in her houseboat. During the hazardous river journey, an unexpected relationship develops between the couple. However, until it's safe for her to follow, he must evade his pursuers and flees Congo alone onboard a Belgian freight aircraft bound for Ostend. Although, not everyone welcomes his eventual repatriation to Dublin. The first assassination attempt is foiled by his godfather, a former IRA commander. American intelligence considers the beleaguered crew a national security threat; they must be eliminated. After being forced into hiding, Enda's freedom is tactfully negotiated by his godfather while his friends, Fergus, the captain, and Quinn, the first officer, continue to fight for their survival in Congo.
Customer Reviews
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
