When Jake was well clear of the Princess’ Saloon his whispered “Hssst!” brought Jack out of his resting place. Jake bent down to look the dog in his good eye.
“Jack, we need to find Sarah. Any ideas?”
Jack whined and started to wander around the open area. Josh looked at Corky. “He’s talking to the dog?”
“Yeah. Jack’s pretty smart.”
“Surely he doesn’t think the dog can find …”
Corky’s muttered “shush” came over his shoulder as he and Jake followed Jack down a dark street.
Josh shook his head and followed.
Jack wandered through the darkest part of Tagataya, past the seediest bars and flop houses. It’s clear the waterfront was his goal. Finally, after walking along almost two miles of waterfront warehouses and docks, he stopped in the shadows of a building across the street from a nearly abandoned dock. At the far end is a huge sailing ship with tall thick masts and an incredible amount of rigging. Jake stopped beside him and looked about.
“Is she here, Jack?”
Soft whine.
“On the boat, Jack?”
Another soft whine.
Josh and Corky caught up “Have you found her?”
“I think Jack thinks she’s on that ship.”
“What do we do now?”
“I’m going to go over there and see …”
Jack barked once and took off.
Before Jake can respond, Jack was across the street and running out on the dock. Half way down, a dark skinned native in black pants and tunic jumped out at Jack brandishing a long curved sword. Jack ran between his legs and continued out the dock, where a second native stepped out as well.
Josh stared in amazement. Corky tugged his arm. “See, I told you Jack was pretty smart.”
Jake studied the situation. “Why do you suppose native guards are watching a Swedish sailing ship? If it were a native boat I could understand, but that’s not a native boat.”
“Didn’t the Princess say something about a northern European trading vessel being in port?”
“Yeah, but that thing’s too big to go amongst most of the islands. It’s no trader.”
Corky looks thoughtfully at the boat. “Jake, do you suppose that’s the – the”
“Sub tender?” Jake finished. “Josh?”
“Washington would never have suspected a sailing vessel as a tender. It’s sure got the cargo capacity.”
“Yeah, and the masts and spars are heavy enough to serve as cargo booms if they had the right block and tackle.”
“Jake, what’s Jack doing?”
They all turned to see Jack dashing back and forth between the two natives. They put up their swords and advanced, hoping to trap Jack between them. Just as it looked like they would catch him, he feinted left, dashed right, and slipped past the guards and started to limp toward the street end of the dock. The guards follow. Jack leads them, unsuspecting right past the waiting trio. Josh dispatched one with a complex karate blow. Jake, taking a simpler approach, clubbed the other with the barrel of his pistol.
“Good job, Jack.”
“What now, Jake?”
“Jack, is Sarah on the boat?” Two soft woofs. “OK. Corky, you and Josh sneak aboard and see if that thing’s got engines. If so, disable them. Maybe you can find a radio. Disable it. Do whatever you can to put her out of action. I’ll take Jack and try to find Sarah.”
Josh peered into the shadows on deck. “What about whoever is on board?”
“Avoid them if you can. I’m thinking we should slip aboard over the bow rather than the gang plank.” With that, Jake led the group through the dock shadows to the ship.
It’s a four-masted schooner, broader of beam than most with no cabin amid ships. It looks to be one long hold with smaller holds on each end. Crew quarters appear to be up front, and the bridge and officers’ quarters located at the extreme rear.
Jake tucked Jack into his jacket and crawled up the anchor chain
to the bowsprit and the head. He carefully helped Josh and Corky over the low
rail onto the deck. Crawling to the first hatch he uses his hat as a muffler
while knocking loose a wedge used to batten the hatch down. Not wanting to leave
any sign of his entry, he slides the wedge into his back pocket. Looking under
the cover he saw all kinds of equipment. All of it with German labels. He looks
at Jack, and hears one woof. Corky and Josh have quietly stolen to the second,
large hatch and similarly opened it. All they see is the reflection of water
down below.
Corky’s voice carried softly across the space. “Jake, the ship’s
hollow.”
Josh stared down. “No wonder we couldn’t find it. The sub doesn’t surface beside the ship. It surfaces under it. All the supplies are loaded from the well. And if the ship needs to move quickly, the sub can be the primary propulsion.”
Jake moved over to hear the explanation. “Can they do that?”
Josh nodded in affirmation. “I don’t know how they do it, but there’s no doubt that they are. It’s some kind of piggy back system.”
Jake pulled back and looked quietly around. “Yeah, well, let’s keep moving.”
Opening the rear hatch, Jake sees crates of food and Japanese arms and munitions. He looked at Jack. Two woofs.
“Jack, are you sure,” he whispered.
Two soft woofs in reply, and Jake dropped over the side, carefully taking Jack with him.
Jake looked around, picked up a small Japanese pistol and some magazines for it. He found a small cloth sack on the floor. He loaded it with small Japanese grenades. Jack walked over to a small storage locker door. It was secured with a makeshift hasp and a nail. He nosed it and whined. Jake broke the hasp, and opened the locker to find all kinds of ropes and cans of paint. Curled up on one of the rope coils, was Sarah. Dirty and disheveled, she’s a vision to Jake. He gently covered her mouth and tried to wake her. She started awake and began swinging both fists. Jake kept ducking until she realized who it was and wrapped both arms tightly around his neck. She kissed him like they hadn’t kissed since he rescued her on the volcanic island.
Unashamedly, he kissed her back until he felt her catch her breath. “Jake, we’re right under the radio room. I heard them. The sub is going out to sink the Hancock in the morning.”
“Right. Let’s get out of here.” He handed her the small Japanese pistol.
Sarah led Jake to a small stair at the side of the hold that climbed up to the main deck. They met Josh and Corky emerging from the radio room. “Quick, we’ve got to radio the Hancock to look out for the sub.”
Josh looked at the broken pieces of bakelite in his hand. “Not on that radio. It’s out of action for good.”
Jake looked around. “We’ll radio from the Goose. Let’s go.”
Just at that moment, a sleepy sailor, returning from the head sees the group. “Halten Sie!”
Jake herds his group toward the gangplank. Sailors appear from various places on the bow and stern where they had been trying to sleep in the cooler air. Several stood in the way to cut the intruders off from freedom. Jake pulled the wedge from his hip pocket and bashed one sailor over the head. Sarah, feeling she has no choice, took aim at another sailor about to hit Corky and shoots. Her near miss has Corky looking at her, eyes wide open and unusually sober.
Sarah looks at him wide-eyed.
“Sorry, Corky, it just went off.”
Josh and Jake waded into the mass striking in every direction. Jack growls once, and runs for the dock.
On the shore, a solitary patrolman heard the noise. Seeing all the combatants, he wisely decided this is no place for an honest policeman. As he considered himself an endangered species, he prudently walked hastily the other way.
As Corky, Sarah and Josh fought their way to the gang plank, Jake pulled a grenade and lobbed it toward the rear hold as a makeshift diversion. It bounced once and dropped in. The resulting explosion almost blew them off the ship. The sailors dropped their combat and rushed to deal with the new danger to their ship.
As Jake, Corky, and Josh departed the smoking ship with Sarah in tow, they head for the Goose. Part way there, Jake stops. He hands the bundle he has been carrying to Sarah. “Sarah, I want you to head for the Goose. We need to go get something. Jack, you go with her.” Jack barked once.
Josh protests. “Jake, we need to go now.” Jack barked twice.
“We’ll be off shortly.” Josh can’t tell if Jake is explaining to Sarah or the dog. “I just thought of something I need to go get. I need these guys to go with me to help carry the stuff.”
Sarah looked puzzled. “Maybe I should go along?” Jack seemed to understand and barked once.
“Not now, Sarah. Please, just trust me. Thanks, Jack. Go to the Goose. Sarah, see if you can raise the Hancock. They’ll need all the warning they can get before that sub gets there.” Jack barked twice and disappeared into the dark.
“OK, Jake.” And she followed the dog.
Josh looked hesitant. “Should I go with her?”
“No, you come with me.”
Jake led the two men back to Princess Koji’s night club. They walked in casually, Jake having draped his arms over their shoulders, almost as if they are supporting each other. Koji sees them with a slight start. She collected herself and moved gracefully toward them, once again giving Jake the impression of a deadly Cobra in a low cut blue silk gown.
“Jake, what a surprise. Did you find the ship you were looking for?”
“No, Princess. It must have already set sail.”
Koji looked over at Todo. “Then you didn’t find your skinny little singer, although I think I’m generous when I use that term.”
Jake shook his head very carefully, as if afraid it might explode. “I’m sure she is somewhere in the city but frankly, looking for her has been thirsty work. Right now, I would like one of your famous draft beers. I’m buying for Corky and our new friend here as well. Join us if you like.”
Corky and Josh both protest at the same time.
“Jake, you don’t let me drink when …”
“Jake, I don’t drink when I’m on …”
“Be still! Both of you. I don’t buy that often, and this is a special occasion.” Jake made an attempt to look slightly pie-eyed.
Princess Koji looked at Jake, puzzled, and raised one hand. Instantly a hostess in the full costume of a Japanese geisha appeared. “Jake, this is a side of you I’ve never seen. Three cold beers for the gentlemen. Use the iced mugs.”
With a silent bow, the hostess backed away and hurried off. Jake swayed back and forth on his feet acting nonchalant. He smiled in relief as the hostess returned with a tray holding three frosty mugs filled with a dark brown liquid. Jake took the first, motioned the others to take theirs. He smiled and saluted Koji and raised the mug to his lips. As if by accident he looked at his watch.
“Goodness, I didn’t realize it was that late. Guys, we’ll need to drink these on the run. Princess, flying is thirsty work and we’ve got a cargo to unload in the morning. Could we have three more of the same for the road?”
Princess Koji looked tolerantly amused. “Jake, you haven’t finished these.”
“Ah-h-h-h, we’ll take them with us. But they won’t last the evening. When I drink, I’m serious about it. Please, three more, just like these?” Jake held his mug up hopefully.
Koji, both mystified and curious, waved her hand, and the hostess hurried away. Jake stalled counting out the money until the hostess returned with another tray. As soon as they collected the mugs, the three men dashed out the door carrying mugs in each hand. As soon as they are out of sight, Jake stopped and dumped out both beers.
“Jake, what are you doing?” Corky wailed.
“Dump ‘em, Corky. I didn’t need the beer, just the mugs.”
Josh, looking at the dark puddles at his feet, couldn’t take any more. “I don’t get it.”
Jake motioned to them to dump their mugs. “We’ve got to stop that sub.”
“How?” Josh and Corky asked together.
Josh continued. “Are you going to throw these beer mugs at them?”
“Exactly.” With that, Jake headed off into the dark.
Josh looked at Corky, shrugged, dumped both mugs, and followed Jake toward the Goose.
Corky hastily grabbed one gulp from each mug before dumping the rest on the cobblestones. He looked about to cry.
Once aboard the Goose, and in the air, Sarah finally told everyone how she located the ship and was grabbed when trying to look it over. Corky, once that was out of the way, wanted to know why Jake dumped out six perfectly good mugs of beer.
Instead of answering, he looked to Sarah, “Sarah, hand me that bag I gave you.”
She picked it up from below her feet. “What’s in there?
“Just some grenades I stole from the ship back there.”
Josh looked puzzled. “What are you going to do with them? Grenades aren’t made to be thrown from an airplane. They go off too soon.”
Jake shook his head. “I’m going to show you a trick. Corky, hand me a mug.”
Jake locked the mug firmly between his knees. He grinned at the gasps when he pulled the pin on one of the grenades. Still grinning, but very focused, Jake slid the live grenade into a mug. It just fit and kept the handle in place.
Josh whistled. “I’ve never seen that trick before.”
“We did it in Spain all the time. When you couldn’t get bombs, you could always find grenades. We did a lot of close support bombing this way. It had the advantage that the Francoists couldn’t throw them back up at us.”
Jake handed the mug to Corky. “Put that somewhere where it won’t tip over, willya.”
Very quickly the six makeshift bombs were assembled and stowed in a small box that Sarah held on her lap. Jake returned to concentrating on flying, and the others tried to grab what sleep they could.
The sun was well above the horizon when Jake and a very weary crew neared the location of the Hancock; Jake took the Goose up to just below the clouds. Everyone grabbed a window trying to spot the sub.
Corky shouted “Jake, I don’t see anything.”
“Keep looking, Corky. That sub’s got to be here somewhere.”
Just then Jack barked twice.
Jake’s head snapped around to see Jack standing on one of the wicker seats on the co-pilot side of the passenger cabin. “Do you see it, Jack?”
Two more barks and Jake tossed the Goose up on its starboard wingtip in a steep bank. Jack yelped in indignation.
“There it is” Sarah shouted excitedly as she tried
to hang on to the “primed” mugs. Far below was a v-shaped wake in
the water, pointing at the Hancock.
Jake looked across her to see his objective thousands of feet below. The sub
was still a good ten miles out from the Hancock. Jake’s grin turned predatory
and Sarah, watching from the side, saw for the first time, Jake the Killer.
She didn’t know this man, and wondered how many people in the last ten
years had had their lives ended by this face – this hunter. She felt a
chill in spite of the heat of the cockpit and the moment. Unaware of her inspection,
Jake snapped out of the turn heading directly away from the sub’s low
stern.
Josh looked at Jake. Although used to being in charge, Josh knew that this moment was Jake’s. He just hoped Jake knew what he was doing. “OK, what’s the plan?”
Jake lifted his left hand off the yoke to sweep it over his right arm from elbow to fingertips. “I want to basically come at the sub from behind and run the full length of her.”
Josh looked skeptical. “What if they submerge?”
Jake shook his head. “They won’t. German subs like to attack on the surface whenever possible. Part of the wolf pack tactics they practiced on Spanish shipping. They’ll rely on the guns mounted on the railings to keep us away. They aren’t really gonna believe a civilian seaplane can do much damage.”
Sarah looked worried. “Do you think we can?”
“We’ve got to.” With that, Jake turned the wheel to the left, pushed forward on the yoke and kicked in full right rudder. Controls crossed, the Goose dropped, nose and port wingtip first, out of the sky like its wings had been yanked off. Sarah shrieked as she watched the altimeter wind downward at better than 2000 ft per minute. It looked to her like Jake planned to crash into the water.
Jake calmly opened his window and motioned for one of the mugs with his free hand.
“When I pull her out of the slip, Josh, see if you can drop one of the mugs on the sub from the back hatch. We’ll both aim for the right side. Maybe we can make it veer away from the Hancock.”
Seconds later Jake eased back on the yoke, centered the wheel, and straightened the ailerons to bring the Goose smoothly out of the slip perfectly centered behind the sub with about a mile to run to it.
Jake approached with engines screaming at full throttle, just 50 feet above the deck. “Fire ONE!” he shouted as he dropped the mug toward the sub.
As soon as he heard Josh’s “Two’s away” he pulled into a climb, circling back to the rear.
Both mugs broke as they bounced off the pressure hull of the sub and their grenades exploded in the water. The approach had been so fast, and so unexpected, the Germans never had a chance to realize exactly what was happening.
“Did we get it, Jake?” Sarah’s face looked hopeful.
“I don’t think we hurt it. But, we may have shaken
them up some.” Jake’s voice was disappointed. The sub continued
its straight course toward the destroyer.
Josh worked his way forward. “I can’t believe that stunt really
worked. What now? We’ve distracted them if nothing else.”
“We make another pass from the stern. I’ve got to keep them from getting a shooting solution on the Hancock. If they have to change course because of us, they have to refigure. They’ll be waiting for us, but I think I can bring her in tight enough off the deck to mess up their shooting. Aim for the conning tower this time.”
“Right.”
Sarah had picked up a pair of binoculars laying on the floor of the cockpit. She was watching the Hancock.
“Jake, there’s a lot of sailors on the rail of the Hancock. I think they see the sub. They are pointing this way. I think the Hancock’s turning away from the sub.”
Jake grinned. “Good, at least we’ve warned them. If they turn stern to the sub, they will be a lot harder to hit. It buys us a little more time.”
Jake’s second run was essentially the same as the first – only lower and faster. The Germans turned both rail mounted machine guns toward the Goose. Tracers streaked their way as Jake bobbed up and down to disturb their aim. Several times, Jake was low enough to the water that the spray from the big props rose up to obscure all but the nose of the Goose. Jake prayed that it would foul up their sight picture. At the last moment he and Josh dropped their improvised bombs at the conning tower. Both bounced and exploded next to the hull.
Jake pulled up so sharply that the stall indicator screamed in protest. It cut out and began again as Jake sharply swung the seaplane around.
Corky looked pale under his usual tan and grease complexion. “Jake, they’ll be ready for you this time.”
“I know. We’ll try something different this time.” Again, Jake pantomimed his plan with his left hand rising it high in the air and dropping it straight toward his right arm. “I’m going to come right out of the sun, on top of them. Josh, come up here where we can both have the best shot out these windows.”
Josh complied. Sarah gave up her seat with a reluctant touch of Jake’s shoulder. Her whispered “Luck” seemed intended for him alone. He nodded, but couldn’t quite find the levity to smile. He only had bombs enough for one pass and knew it. Then the sub would be free to maneuver however it wanted to open fire on the Hancock.
“Sarah, Corky, this could get rough. I wish I could drop you guys off, but I don’t have time.”
Sarah tried a smile and an indifferent shrug. “Hey, we’re all in this together.”
Corky tightened his grip on the back of Jake’s seat. “Yeah, right. One for all and one for … for … aw, get’m Jake.”
Jake dove out of the sun, the Goose wound up like a fighter. He pointed the nose directly at the conning tower hatch. Briefly Sarah and Corky looked at eachother. Was Jake really crazy enough to fly his beloved Goose down the conning tower hatch to save the lives of the hundreds of crewmen of the Hancock?
Jake’s eyes never left the black dot of the conning tower hatch. “Josh, choose your best shot.”Jake thought of all the Detroit Duke pitches he ever threw. Even in championship games, a pitch never counted for so much. He focused on the sub commander standing on the conning tower. “Batter up!” The open hatch was home plate. The roar of the straining engines took on the persona of the home crowd. He imagined the windup and pitched a sidearm swing at the hatch. Time slowed to a crawl for Corky and Sarah as they watched two black dots drop from the Goose as Jake pulled her out of the dive. Both bombs struck the conning tower fair, shattering the mugs, and one grenade bounced twice before dropping down the hatch. The double explosions were followed by a third as the hull of the sub ruptured from the inside.
“Strike!” … “Bullseye!” The two exclamations came together as the Goose swooped around to see smoke billow out of the sub as it began to list to starboard. No one stood on the deck or the exploded tin can that had once been a submarine conning tower. Sarah squealed in delight and grabbed Jake around the neck in a fierce hug. He doesn’t complain. Josh is left with shaking Corky’s hand and patting Jack.
They’re still laughing like maniacs as Jake set the Goose
down next to the Hancock and taxied to a landing platform used for the ship’s
launch. Crew members lined the railing, cheering and tossing caps as Corky opened
the bow hatch and heaved a line to a waiting sailor. The cheering grew impossibly
louder as Josh, Corky and Jake step from the forward hatch onto the platform.
The cheers turned to wolf whistles as a disheveled Sarah stood up in the hatch
and she gloried in the adulation. Josh and Jake help Sarah and Corky start up
the ladder. Josh starts up as Jake turns to make certain the Goose’s bow
hatch is secure. As Jake lifted his left foot to mount the boarding ladder from
the bobbing platform, his wobbly knees betrayed him. He slipped and fell to
the wet surface.
Josh immediately dropped back down to help him up.
“You OK?”
Jake held to the boarding ladder for a moment, head down. “Yeah, sure. Just a bit washed out from the excitement. We’ve been up all night with nothing to eat. I’ll be fine with some food and a little rest.” Nevertheless, when they are safely on deck, Josh urged Jake to see the surgeon. Jake protested, but Josh insisted, and the Captain weighed in with him.
As soon as the heroes were aboard, the Hancock sent boats to recover survivors from the sub. They were a despondent, disheveled group. The ship’s surgeon finished looking at Jake before going down to the now crowded brig to check on the prisoners’ welfare.
Later, after hot food, showers, and a bit of rest, the victors are involved in a rousing celebration. Josh radioed Louie to let him know that everyone is OK and that Jake will not be in any trouble for missing the Clipper’s departure. He can catch the next flight. Late that afternoon, Jake gathered Corky, Sarah, and Jack to head back to Boragora. He wanted to reach the lagoon before dark. The grateful Hancock crew topped off the Goose’s tanks before they finally let him taxi away and lift off into the sunset.
Josh waved until they are out of sight, frowned thoughtfully, and headed off to the infirmary.
The next morning, Jake and Sarah’s veranda breakfast table was crowded as Corky, Louie, Gushie and Reverend Tenboom eagerly pressed them for details of the adventure. Only Reverend Tenboom seemed less than delighted about the success of their exploits.
Louie placed his coffee cup on the table. “So, Sarah, you were kidnapped by German sailors masquerading as Swedes? Mon Dieu, while I admire their good taste, I cannot countenance such behavior. I will send a protest to the regional governor.”
Sarah put down her fork to reply. “Thanks, Louie. I can’t say I was thrilled by the experience.”
Reverend Tenboom leans over the table one hand jerking up and down as if chopping his words out. “Vat I don’t understand iss how you knew the sailing ship was involved mit der submarine.”
Sarah leaned back and shook her head. “I didn’t. At least, not at first. I was locked up below their radio room. I heard them transmitting but couldn’t understand a blessed word, except I kept hearing them mention the Hancock. When Jake was looking for me, he found German supplies for the sub and Japanese weapons and food. He’s the one who put two and two together.”
“Idt was careless of dem to let you overhear der conversation.”
“I don’t think they thought it mattered. I think they were pretty sure I wouldn’t live to tell anyone about it.” Sarah shuddered.
“So, Jake, you haff saved our Sarah’s life.”
“And it’s a good thing, mes amis. Where would I have found another singer?”
Jake just shrugged modestly and is saved a reply as two sailors,
one of them Ensign Riley, walk up to the group. Both salute Jake. Startled,
he returned it.
“Captain Cutter, sir! The surgeon requests that you come to the ship this
morning. He wants to make sure you are OK.”
Jake smiled, his hands open in an expansive gesture. “That’s not necessary. I’m fine. Like I said, a little rest and some food, and I feel great.”
“Please, sir.” Riley looked and sounded uncomfortable. “Although he phrased it as a request, I think he meant it. I promise sir, we’ll have you back by lunch.”
Sarah placed her hand on his arm. “Jake, go ahead.”
Louie nodded. “Yes, mon ami. I will have something special prepared when you return.”
Jake gave in gracefully. “Gentlemen, lead the way.”
In the Hancock’s infirmary, the surgeon carefully examined Jakes eyes, felt his neck, and checked his reflexes. “That right knee seems a little slow.”
“Oh, it’s fine.” Jake protested, more from habit than any desire to change the verdict. “I just need to get more exercise.”
The doctor tapped the knee, much harder this time. “I’m not so sure,” shaking his head at Jake’s wince. “I’d like to keep you on limited flight duty for a while longer. I certainly don’t think you should be flying a fighter.”
“What? Sir, I can’t do that if I’m going back to China.”
The doctor put the reflex hammer away. “I’m afraid that is exactly what I mean. I don’t want you flying combat until you are one hundred percent. Why, I’d be sending you to your death.”
“That’s crazy. My leg didn’t bother me at all yesterday.”
The doctor probed the knee with his fingers. He was none too gentle. “You weren’t in a fighter. A flying boat is a far cry from a P-40. And if that fall wasn’t your leg bothering you, I’m not the finest flight surgeon in these islands.”
“Sir, no disrespect, but you’re the only flight surgeon in these islands.”
“Exactly.” A cool smile. “There is no chance for a second opinion. I can’t afford to be wrong. I’d be risking your life and the lives of anyone flying with you. You’re on limited flight duty until I clear you for combat. Now get out of here. I’ve got reports to write, thanks to you.”
Jake, completely mystified, buttoned his shirt as he walked out
of the infirmary. He bumped into Josh in the companionway. “Sorry, I wasn’t
looking.”
Josh stepped to block Jake’s path to the outside. “What did he say?”
Jake tried to look downcast. “That he doesn’t trust my leg. That I’m on limited flight duty until further notice.”
“Really? That’s convenient. It fits perfectly with your new orders”
“Huh?” Dumbfounded replaced downcast.
Josh handed Jake a fat envelope. “You are to remain in the Marivellas as unofficial liaison with the local French government. We’ll have some things for you to do, now and then, but you are pretty much to act on your own initiative.”
A stunned Jake asked, “What idiot cut those screwy orders?”
Josh grinned. “I did.”
Jake looked at the papers. They are signed by Major Joshua Winters, US Army. “Well, I’ll be damned.”
“Not right now. Officially, you are not recovered enough to return to active duty. That’s what you tell anyone who asks.”
Jake looked up, his eyes wary. “Officially? Is there an Unofficially?”
“Unofficially, you are to assist Miss Stickney-White in any way you can. You will be on full Captain’s pay for the duration. It will be paid to an account stateside so you don’t have to worry about explaining the extra income. Sorry, I couldn’t get you flight bonuses, but the cover story kind of blew that.”
Jake is very confused. “I don’t get it.”
“That’s a very special lady. You watch her back. That’s an order.”
“I’d do it anyhow.”
“I know. But now, it’s unofficially official. Just keep on like you’ve been doing. I’ll check in occasionally.” Josh held out his hand.
Jake took it with a big smile. “Do that, pal. You can fly
with me anytime, anywhere.”
Back at the Monkey Bar in time for lunch, Jake recounted how the doctor pronounced him unable to fly combat for the time being, but that he was to report back in six months for re-examination. Just then, Gushie wheeled up with something in his lap. “Jake, this came for you off the clipper yesterday afternoon. I just got the mail sorted.”
Jake picked up the envelope. “Looks official.”
Sarah looked across the table, her eyes alight. “Well, open it.”
Jake opened the envelope and scanned it for a few moments. He didn’t say a word he just handed it to Louie.
Louie read it and smiled “Jake this is quite serious. You
have been called up for active duty as a combat pilot. Does anyone know where
we can find a qualified flight surgeon?” Early afternoon laughter brightened
the air.
Return to the Monkey
Bar