Inside The M.O.D: Nick Pope On Episode 7

In Episode 5 Chris Bell asked me for some further help with his quest to be abducted by aliens and I suggested two people: ufologist Michael Soper and abductee James Basil.  In the previous episode Chris met Michael and they prepared to go on a skywatch.  This is one of the last shot's we'll have so there was a lot riding on this.  Michael took Chris to the Wittenham Clumps in Oxfordshire.  High ground - check.  Known UFO hotspot - check.  It's overcast but Michael says it doesn't matter and I tend to agree, because if aliens have cracked the secret of interstellar travel, they're unlikely to be thwarted by a bit of patchy cloud.  If they want to get their grubby little protuberances on Chris, they will.

Michael set up his equipment - including the broadband low frequency electromagnetic detector we saw last episode - and briefed Chris on what colour of lights in the sky might be significant and what lights are likely to be just aircraft.  It put me in mind of a breathless telephone call I received one day at the MoD from somebody reporting a UFO that they'd seen the previous night: a bright white light with a flashing red and green light on either side.  When I asked where this sighting had taken place I was told "near Heathrow airport".

So this was it.  One of the final chances for Chris to fulfil his mission.  They waited.  And waited.  And waited.  For the first time in this series I detected a little irritation on Chris's part.  Understandable, I suppose, given that he was standing on top of a hill at 4.30am on what looked like a rather chilly night.  Michael was full of boyish enthusiasm and I'm not sure that really helped.  At one point he was playing with his laser pointer but turned to Chris and explained "It's not really helping, but it's just interesting to see what the range is".  Chris decided to put the metal detector to use and pass some time by doing a little treasure hunting, but even this drew a blank.

So, another failure.  I hope Chris doesn't think these people are all cranks or timewasters.  And what must he be thinking of me?  I'm the man from the Ministry and I've been advising him on all this - who to meet, where to go, what to try - and still nothing.  One hope remains.  Serial abductee James Basil.  Last episode, last chance - no pressure, mate!