GA34R Hunt (short story)

GA34R Hunt was a Dateline 2066 short story printed in TV Century 21 that contained elements from the Doctor Who universe.

Summary
America's top revolutionary ultrasonic fighter, the GA34R, mysteriously crashes on her maiden voyage and is lost somewhere on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Immediately, Salvage Corps workers rush to the rescue but are unable to locate the wreckage. After seven days, experts reveal that the craft had been embedded in thick coral reefs and so sonar scanners searching for it failed to give correct bearings. With GA34R located, salvage efforts are resumed with the hope of raising the plane to a waiting hover-transporter and taking it to Sydney for a complete overhaul.

Elsewhere, the World Army-Air Force headquarters in Boscombe, England, announce that the tactical craft Wombat is to be withdrawn from service for the time being. Spokesman Wing Commander Cunningham Briggs explains in a press conference that the decision was taken due to metal fatigue and further states that whether it is suitable for future use will depend on tests carried out over the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, World President Nikita Bandranaik is holidaying in the Swiss mountains near Zurich but eventually suffers injuries when he is buried by an avalanche as he is skiing. Reports reach the Fleet Street offices from World Agency News that he is quickly admitted to Zurich General Hospital to be treated. In the meantime, Vice President of Earth Shaw Jansen undertakes all World Government duties, including a state visit to Astra.

On Pluto, a mystery illness strikes the planet with over one million people dying as a result while four million are hospitalised. In search of answers as to what exactly the illness is, doctors and scientists soon arrive in the capital city of Azohova. Also, the Pluto Government urges all Plutovians to come forward and be vaccinated against further outbreak.

Characters

 * Nikita Bandranaik
 * Shaw Jansen
 * Cunningham Briggs

Story notes

 * This story is the first to feature a mention of the Vice President position within the World Government.

Continuity

 * The GA34R was indeed successfully recovered and taken to Sydney Harbour. The U.E.I. later ran the craft on the same course as its maiden flight to find out what exactly went wrong. (COMIC: Legacy of Yesteryear)
 * The Wombat made headlines in March when it was hijacked over the Pacific Ocean and its cargo, the British Crown Jewels, stolen. (COMIC: The Rogue Planet)
 * Nikita Bandranaik has been World President since 2045. (PROSE: This is 2065)
 * Rumours are circulating that Bandranaik will retire in 2066. (PROSE: Solar Streak A.O.K.)
 * Shaw Jansen's visit to Astra was detailed in a later report. (PROSE: Roman Citadel Mystery Solved)