Ch. 15Marty had never experienced a more unusual, exciting ride than the one he shared with ACM Thompson in the disfigured jump-jet. In the open section of the cockpit, the raw power of the engines thundered on his eardrums. He struggled for breath, stretching to see what was happening below as they made the short journey across the wave tops to the old sea fort.
The ingenious buoyancy tanks that Mainwaring had seen fit to add, in order to aid his heist, had backfired on him slightly. They had allowed just enough time for the ACM to get on board and fire up the engines. The fact that Singh had sat the Harrier down in water less than a fathom above a sandbank enabled a takeoff. The incredible way that Thompson snatched the jet from the clutches of the sea was a testament to his skill; and
