第61节

ider and

the Mark-2 Skyhawk.

But Jodi didn't know about those yet. The Skyrider was used

exclusively by AMEXICO, whose existence was a closely guarded secret,

and she'd been lost overboard, presumed killed before the Mark-2 had

been issued to Big Red One - the Red River wagon-train, flagship of the

Amtrak Federation overground forces.

There was one other obvious difference - the tricycle undercart had

been replaced by a central wooden skid.

Two small runners had been fitted at an angle on either side to prevent

the glider from angling over and snagging its wingtips on landing. But

it didn't eliminate the problem. A rookie pilot could still rip those

beautifully crafted wings apart every time he made an iffy landing.

'No undercarriage,' said Jodi, as Simons returned.

'No. The dinks don't have any rubber to make the tyres with. And

without electricity there's no chance of making aluminium, or any other

of the lightweight alloys. We have to make do with iron, steel, copper

and brass. For take-offs we use a launching trolley. It's kinda

primitive - like lots of things around here - but it works."

'Provided you land back at the same field."

'You got a point there,' conceded Simons. 'If you've got any bright

ideas, don't be shy about speaking up.

Brickman runs a tight ship, but he's always open to suggestions. And

as wingmen, you guys know a lot more about this stuff than we do."

'Yeah . . ."

'What's the connection?"

'With Brickman? Oh... we shipped out together on the same

wagon-train.

The Lady from Louisiana. I was his section leader. We ran into all

kinds of trouble -that's when I went over the side. From what he told

me when we met up, he was shot down the next day. But he's a

survivor.

Smart too. Doesn't miss a trick."

'You can say that again."

Jodi watched the glider now under test drift gracefully across the

evening sky. 'I'm surprised he hasn't taught any of you to fly."

Simons laughed. 'Are you kidding? You wouldn't catch me going up in

one of those things. Took me long enough to get used to standing out

here on the ground all by myself without getting the shakes."

The glider, now way over on the right, swept southwards across the road

running past the compound, then circled back towards the field. As he

drew near the road, Brickman dropped the starboard wing and applied top

rudder, making the same steep approach they had watched first time

round. It seemed like he was going to slide right into the workshops,

but when he was down to about fifty feet, he levelled out and kicked

the nose straight, swishing over their heads to land a short distance

away.

Kelso walked down the alleyway in time to see the touchdown.

Positioning himself between them with folded arms, he rocked gently

back and forth on his heels and pointedly ignored their presence.

Simons glanced up at him, then aimed a questioning look behind his back

at Jodi. She raised her eyebrows and shoulders in reply.

The glider slid to a halt about a hundred and fifty yards away, then

tilted gently over on to its starboard runner as the Tracker ground

crew ran a trolley out on to the field.

A figure dressed in an all-white outfit climbed out of the cockpit and

stood, hands on hips, as the sleek craft was lifted gently on to its

carrying frame, then walked behind the six-man crew as they wheeled it

back towards the workshops.

'Is that it for today?" enquired Kelso. 'Or is this where we start

hanging out lanterns?" His voice carried no hint of rancour.

'No. We don't start night flying till next week."

The joke was lost on Kelso. 'Good. How about introducing us?"

'I thought you already knew each other."

'We do. But since he isn't expecting us it might be better if you

break the ice. Don't want him to get the wrong idea."

Simons looked at Jodi. 'Is he always this difficult?"

'Only when his feet hurt."

The ground party pushing the glider drew closer.