Double Eagle(科幻战争)-第26部分

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pilots；　and　he　just　got　concerned　I　was　upsetting　his　book　keeping。”
Jagdea　walked　round　the　machines。　One　was　an　ex…Raptor　bird；　in　a　scratched　black　livery。
Another　was　from　a　unit　that　favoured　pale　tan　with　dazzle　patterns。　The　other　two　were　bare…metal
silver；　recently　delivered　replacements　that　had　yet　to　be　assigned。
“Anyway；　I’ve　got　the　depot　working　on　it；”　Blansher　said。　“I　don’t　want　them　wasted。　And　I’m
sure　we’re　not　the　only　wing　to　have　been　given　machines　we　can’t　use。　They’ll　get　shipped　out　in
the　next　few　days　to　units　that　can　use　them。”
“No；”　said　Jagdea　firmly。
“What？”　Blansher　asked。
She　looked　at　him。　“Mil；　the　Imperium　needs　to　get　everything　it’s　got　aloft　now；　not　in　the　next
few　days。　We’ve　got　planes　without　pilots。　Good　for　us！　I’ll　bet　the　evac　barges　brought　in　dozens　of
decent　pilots　without　machines。　Let’s　find　them！　Let’s　use　them　now！”
“Well；　I　guess…”
“It’s　called　pragmatism；”　she　said。　“Inform　the　clerks　that　these　planes　are　assigned　to　Umbra。
Cancel　the　transfer。”
“Are　you　sure？”
“Yes；　I’m　sure。”　She　turned　and　called　out。　“Mister　Hemmen？”
The　fitter　ran　across　to　her。　“Mamzel？”
“Make　these　planes　airworthy　and　dress　them　in　Umbra　paint　schemes。”
“Yes；　mamzel。　Directly。”
“Soon　as　I　can；”　she　said　to　Blansher；　“I　intend　to　have　Umbra　up　to　full　strength。　I’m　going　to
find　us　some　willing　volunteers。”
Lucerna　AB；　23。12
The　fan　assemblies　were　still　venting　thick　exhaust　fumes　out　of　the　hangar。　Jagdea　took　off　her
helmet　and　got　down　from　Zero…Two。
She　glanced　at　the　three　cannon…shell　holes　in　the　tail　plating。　“Patch　that；　please；”　she　said　to
her　head　fitter。　“Rearm　and　refuel。”
“Yes；　commander。”
She　walked　up　the　dispersal　tunnel　and　entered　the　ready　room；　throwing　her　helmet；　mask　and
gloves　onto　the　couch。　The　man　who　had　been　sitting　in　one　of　the　armchairs　for　some　time　stood　up
swiftly。
“At　ease；”　she　said。　“Thanks　for　coming。　You’ll　have　to　forgive　my　temper。　A　patrol　turned　into
a　full…on　brawl。　But　we　stung　two　for　no　losses；　thanks　be。”
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She　went　over　to　the　cradenza　and　poured　herself　a　stiff　amasec。　“I　told　my　crews　this　was　a　‘no
drinking’　night；　so　be　good　and　don’t　let　on。”
The　man　nodded。
“Commander；　I　was　wondering　why　you　sent　for　me？”　said　August　Kaminsky。
Jagdea　slid　open　a　filing　cabinet　drawer　and　pulled　out　a　bulging　file　and　some　data…slates。
“A　bit　of　driving；　Mr　Kaminsky。　That’s　what　you　told　me　you　were　good　for　these　days。　A　bit　of
driving　for　the　Munitorum。”
“Yes；　commander。”
“Well；　I’d　like　you　to　do　a　bit　of　driving　for　me。　There’s　an　I…XXI　Thunderbolt　downstairs；　and
I’d　like　to　have　your　name　stencilled　under　the　cockpit。”
Kaminsky　gazed　at　her。　His　eyes　shone　with　what　seemed　like　anger。　The　skin　of　his
unblemished　cheek　flushed　almost　as　pink　as　the　mass　of　bums　on　the　other　side。
“Is　that　a　joke；　commander？　If　it　is；　I　think　it’s　in　pretty　poor　taste。　I　can’t　fly　Thunderbolts。　I
can’t　fly；　period。”
“I　beg　to　differ。　I　was　in　that　Cyclone　with　you。　That　was　instinct；　Kaminsky。　Pure　instinct。　I’ve
never　seen　finer。”
“But；　commander…”
“I’m　offering　you　a　place　in　my　wing；　Mr　Kaminsky。　Or　should　I　say　“Major’？　I　called　up　your
log　records。　Sixteen　years；　wing　leader　grade；　a　career　tally　of　seventeen　confirmed　kills。　This　is
your　chance　to　get　back　in　the　game。　To　fly　and　fight　for　your　world。　Are　you　going　to　refuse　me？”
Kaminsky　raised　his　stiff；　plastek　hand。　“Commander；　I　was　rated　not　airworthy　because　of　this；
not　because　I　was　unwilling　to　fight。　The　Commonwealth　just　hasn’t　got　the　augmetic　resources　to
fix　up　pilots　like　me。　With　this　hand；　I　can’t　control　throttle；　stick　and　guns。　Shit；　you　know　that；
Jagdea。”
Jagdea　nodded。　“Yes；　that’s　a　problem。　The　Navy　could　resource　you　a　proper　augmetic　implant；
but　we　don’t　have　much　time。　Certainly　not　enough　time　for　you　to　undergo　implantation　surgery。
So　I　talked　to　my　fitters。　They’re　an　ingenious　lot；　fitters。　One　suggested　mounting　the　trigger
assembly　on　the　top　of　the　throttle　lever；　but　we　all　thought　that　might　get　in　the　way。　Then　Mr
Racklae　had　a　notion。　He’s　going　to　wire　up　the　weapons　systems　to　a　voice　activator。　It’ll　take　a
little　getting　used　to；　I　realise；　but　you’ve　got　some　serious　familiarisation　to　do　anyway。　Bottom
line；　Kaminsky；　your　guns　can　be　voice　controlled。　Your　impairment　need　not　bar　your　from　combat
service。”
Kaminsky　continued　to　stare　at　her。　“I—”　he　began。
“Think　it　over；　major。　If　you　decide　to　pass；　I　have　other　candidates　to　consider。　But　you　were
my　first　choice。”
There　was　a　knock　on　the　door。
“Yes？”
Marquall　looked　in。　“Commander？　Do　you　have　a　minute？”
“Be　right　there；”　she　said。　She　glanced　back　at　Kaminsky。　“Help　yourself　to　a　drink　if　you　like。
I’ll　be　back　in　a　while。”
She　left　Kaminsky　in　the　ready　room　and　went　outside。　Marquall　peered　back　through　the
doorway　with　a　frown。　“What’s　he　doing　here；　commander？”　he　whispered；　dubiously。
“He’s　having　a　long；　hard　think；　Marquall。　What　did　you　need？”
“A　guy’s　just　turned　up　in　the　hangar。　Says　he　knows　you。”
“Hello；　Jagdea；”　said　Viltry。
“The　Emperor　protects！　Viltry？”
She　hurried　to　him　and　shook　his　hand。　He　looked　like　hell。　Unshaven；　his　clothes　dirty　and　torn；
and　he’d　lost　a　lot　of　weight。
“Viltry；　it　was　posted　that　you　were　dead；”　she　said。
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“So　they　keep　telling　me。　The　Munitorum　refuses　to　believe　I　exist。”
“But　your　machine　did　go　down？”
“Yeah。”
“Your　crew？”
Viltry　shook　his　head。
“I’m　sorry。”
“By　the　time　I　got　back　to　Theda；　everyone　was　leaving。　I　jumped　on　a　barge；　wound　up　here。”
“Where’s　the　rest　of　Halo　Flight？”
Viltry　shrugged。　“Don’t　know。　I　was　talking　to　a　Navy　crewman　down　in　the　food　line；　and　he
said　he　thought　a　Phantine　outfit　was　stationed　here；　so　I　came　to　see　for　myself。　I　can’t　pretend　I’m
not　disappointed　you’re　not　Halo；　but　it’s　good　to　see　a　face　from　home。”
“What　are　you　going　to　do？”　asked　Jagdea。
“I　don’t　know；　exactly；”　he　confessed。　“Even　if　I　do　find　out　where　in　this　theatre　Halo’s　been
posted；　I　don’t　stand　much　chance　of　rejoining　them。　Until　the　Munitorum　acknowledges　my
existence；　I’m　not　eligible　for　transit　back　to　my　outfit。　I’m…　stuck。”
“Not　necessarily；”　said　Jagdea。　“Do　you　want　to　fly？”
“Well；　yes。　If　I　can。”
“You’re　fit。　You’ve　done　tours　on　Thunderbolts　too；　right？”
“Yes。　Bree；　what　do　you　have　in　mind？”
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DAY　268
Lucerna　AB；　07。30
A　clear　day　over　the　desert。　Fine；　bright；　light　conditions。　Slight　crosswind。　He　opened　the　throttle
and　the　big；　brutal　Imperial　plane　climbed　effortlessly。
Ironic；　Kaminsky　thought。　Conditions　had　been　just　like　this　that　day　he’d—
The　last　time　he’d　flown。
“Make　your　track　four…one…six；”　the　vox　said。
“Copy　that；　Lead；”　Kaminsky　replied。
“And　keep　an　eye　on　your　auspex。　The　dial　top　right　of　the　screen…plate　adjusts　gain　if　you　need
better　resolution　on　a　merged　return。”
“Got　that；　thank　you。”
Kaminsky　pushed　the　stick　over　gently；　depressing　the　rudder　bar。　Good　response。　The
Thunderbolt　was　everything　he’d　imagined　it　would　be。
“Contacts！　Ten　o’clock！”　the　vox　suddenly　chimed。
Kaminsky　glanced　round；　saw　the　flash　on　the　auspex。　Nothing　in　visual…　No；　there　it　was。　A
glint　of　sunlight　off　metal；　hard　and　high　up。
He　started　to　climb　again。　The　bat　came　down　sharply；　screwing　out　of　its　dive。　He　thought　he’d
paced　the　intercept　well；　but　the　hostile　had　gone　under　him。
“Break！　Break；　or　he’ll　have　you！”
“Trying！”　Kaminsky　responded。　He　made　a　violent　left…hand　roll。　It　was　right　on　his　tail　now。
How　the　hell　had　it　managed　that？
“Break！　Break！”
Tone　warning。　He　was　locked　hard。　“Holy　Throne！”　he　cursed；　and　tried　one　last　twist。　The　bat
began　to　fire。　Kaminsky’s　Thunderbolt　exploded。　The　stick　went　dead。　So　did　the　sky。　Blansher　slid
back　the　hood。　“Bad　luck；”　he　said。
“I　was　stupid；”　Kaminsky　said。　“It　was　a　basic　mistake。”
“You’re　still　getting　used　to　the　bird。　Thinking　too　much　about　the　controls　and　how　they
operate。　It’s　natural。　Once　the　mechanics　become　so　familiar　you　don’t　have　to　think　about　them；
your　mind　will　be　freed　up。”
Kaminsky　nodded。
“Besides；”　said　Blansher。　“I　know　you　don’t　have　much　experience　of　vector…thrust　aircraft。
Vectoring　gives　us　all　sorts　of　tricks　we　can　play　in　the　air。　The　bat　got　you　just　then　because　it
viffed　out　under　you。　And　if　you’d　done　the　same；　you’d　probably　have　evaded。”
“I　know；”　said　Kaminsky。　“But　it’s　difficult　not　to　think　in　terms　of　forward　motion。
Sidestepping；　stopping…　that　sort　of　thing　doesn’t　seem　natural。”
“It　needn’t　be　that　dramatic。　Just　a　little　touch　will　put　a　slight　non…ballistic　behaviour　into　your
performance。”
Blansher　glanced　at　his　chronometer。
“You’ve　been　in　the　simulator　rig　for　two　hours。　We　can　take　a　break　if　you　like。　Get　some
breakfast　into　you。”
“How　many　times　have　I　died　in　those　two　hours？”　Kaminsky　asked。
“Six；”　Blansher　grinned。
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“Let’s　try　it　again。”
Lucerna　AB；　07。43
“Commander？　Commander　Eads？”
Jagdea　ran　to　catch　up　with　the　man。　They　were　crossing　a　busy　gantry　walkway　deep　in　the
heart　of　the　base。　Tannoy　announcements　kept　booming　out；　and　personnel　jostled　and　hurried　past。
“Commander　Eads？”　Jagdea　said。
The　man　turned；　his　head　cocked。　“Who’s　calling　my　name？”
She’d　been　told　he　was　blind。　Look　for　the　blind　officer；　several　people　had　said。　“My　apologies；
sir。　I’m　Commander　Jagdea；　Phantine　XX。”
“Are　you　indeed？　And　why　were　you　after　me？”
“I　was　hoping　to　talk　to　you；　sir。　Get　some　advice。”
“About　what？”
“Pilots。　I’m　looking　for　pilots　to　replace　losses　in　my　flight。”
“Then　surely　you　should　be　talking　to　Navy　reserve；”　he　said。
“I　started　there。　Navy　reserve　has　no　one　airworthy。　The　handful　of　able　pilots　who　have　come　in
with　the　evac　have　already　been　assigned　to　Navy　flights。　So　I　asked　the　Munitorum　for　lists　of
airworthy　Commonwealth　pilots　here　on　Lucerna。”
Eads　chuckled。　“You　can’t　do　that。　Navy　doesn’t　take　pilots　from　the　PDF。”
“Because　the　Navy　believes　it　is　an　elite　service　and　chooses　to　draw　only　on　its　own。　I　know。
That’s　what　the　Munitorum　officer　told　me；”　Jagdea　said。　“The　thing　is；　the　Phantine　XX　isn’t　Navy。
It’s　Imperial　Guard。　An　aberration；　but　one　that　permits　me　the　scope　to　recruit　from　the　PDF　if　I
choose。”
Eads　shook　his　head；　amused。　“The　Navy　won’t　like　that。”
“The　Navy　can　lump　it。　The　precedent　is　already　well　established；　thanks　to　a　priest　who—Look
I　won’t　bore　you　with　the　story。　The　point　is；　I　have　the　list　of　Commonwealth　fliers。”　Jagdea　patted
a　fat　folder　under　her　arm。　“I　was　told　you　were　the　man　to　ask　about　recommendations。”
“Can　we　walk　and　talk？”　Eads　asked。　“I’m　due　on　shift　at　Operations　at　eight。”
“Of　course。”
They　moved　away　off　the　gantry　and　along　an　equally　busy　rock…cut　corridor。　Jagdea　noticed
how　even　the　most　hurried…looking　personnel　they　met　respectfully　stood　aside　to　let　Eads　pass。
“You　know　the　men。　You　had　command　at　Theda　North。”
“Before　the　Navy　arrived。　I’m　afraid　I　can’t　read　your　lists。　I　left　my　code…reader　behind　in　the
haste　to　evacuate。　I’m　lost　without　it。”
“I　could　read　out　the　list　to　you；　sir。”
“As　I　said；　my　shift　starts　at　eight。　Maybe　later；　commander。”
“With　respect；　sir；　time　is　very　short。　Is　there　no　one　you　can　think　of？”
The　main　hatch　into　Lucerna　Operations　lay　ahead　of　them。
“Well；　there　is　one。　Good　pilot。　I　know　he’s　here　because　he　came　in　with　me。　And　I　know　for　a
fact　he’s　done　simulation　time　orienting　on　your　machines。”
“That’s　a　good　start。”
“His　name’s　Scalter。　Frans　Scalter。　I　recommend　him　highly。　He　works　Operations　too；　but　he’s
not　on　this　shift。　Someone　can　track　him　down　for　you。”
“Thank　you；　sir。　Can　I　come　and　find　you　later？　Run　through　the　lists？”
“Of　course。”
They’d　reached　the　doorway。　Jagdea　could　hear　the　frantic　chatter　of　the　busy　Operations　floor
beyond　the　hatch。　Juniors　ran　in　and　out　with　data…slates　and　chart　reports。　A　young　man　was
standing　by　the　hatch。　He　seemed　to　be　waiting　for　Eads。　He　looked　somehow　familiar　to　Jagdea。
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“Good　morning；　Flight；”　he　said　to　Commander　Eads。
“Call　that　a　salute？”　Eads　replied。　“Ready　to　go；　Darrow？”
“Yes；　sir。”
“I’ll　expert　you　later　then；　commander；”　Eads　said　to　Jagdea；　then　allowed　his　junior　to　lead　him
away　into　the　hustle　of　the　Operations　deck。
Lucerna　AB；　08。30
They　stood　on　an　observation　platform　high　amongst　the　island　cliffs。　It　was　a　fine；　clear　morning；
though　the　wind　was　strong　and　tugged　at　their　hair。　A　hundred　metres　below　them；　the　sea　crashed
in　against　the　foot　of　the　pink　crags。
“Almost　romantic；”　said　Beqa。　“The　sea　and　the　islands。　My　family　took　me　on　holiday　to　the
Midwinters　when　I　was　young。　Me　and　Eido。　We　stayed　on　Salthaven。　There　are　beaches　there　Eido
loved　it。　That　was　before　the　war　really　took　hold；　obviously。　A　time　when　holidays　were　something
that　people　did。”
“One　day；　I’ll　take　you　on　a　holiday。　I　promise。”　She　smiled　at　Viltry。　“Don’t　make　promises
you　can’t　keep。”
“No；　really。　I　mean　it；　all　I’ve　got　to　do　is　defeat　the　enemy；　and　we　can　have　all　the　holidays　we
want。”　She　shook　her　head；　amused。　“So　you　say　they’ve　found　you　a　job？”　he　said。
“In　munitions　prep。　The　senior　who　assigned　me　seemed　impressed　by　my　skills。　All　those　long
night　shifts　at　the　manufactory　weren’t　a　waste。”
“That’s　good。”
“I　start　this　afternoon。”
“You　haven’t　said　anything　about　the　way　I　look；”　Viltry　said。
“I’m　trying　not　to　think　about　it。　It’s　difficult；　because　you’re　very　handsome　in　that　new
flightsuit；　all　shaved　and　groomed。　You’ve　found　your　squadron；　haven’t　you？”
“No；”　said　Viltry。　“But　I　found　a　Phantine　unit　here　that　needed　a　pilot。　Fighters；　would　you
believe？　That’ll　take　some　re…learning。　It’s　called　the　Phantine　XX。　Umbra　Flight。”　He　showed　her
the　insignia　pins　and　badges　on　his　new　flight　coat。
“Very　nice；”　she　said；　and　looked　away　at　the　sea。
“I　have　to　fly；　Beq。　It’s　what　I　do。　They　need　every　pilot　they　can　get　right　now。　I　would　be
failing　the　Throne　if　I　didn’t　do　this。”
“I　know。”
“And　maybe　when　the　war’s　done　here；　I　can　apply　to　leave　the　service　and　stay　here　with　you。”
Beqa　Mayer　smiled。　“The　war　is　never　done；　Oskar。　If　it　finishes　here；　a　fine　pilot　like　you　will
be　needed　somewhere　else。　They　won’t　let　you　leave。　You’re　a　resource。　They’ll　keep　you　flying
until　the　enemy　finally　claims　you。　Remember　what　I　said　about　promises　you　couldn’t　keep？”
“I’m　sorry；”　he　mumbled。
“It’s　all　right。　Really。　We’ve　had　some　time。　It’s　been　brief；　but　very　sweet。　I　thought　I’d　lost
you　once；　and　the　Emperor　allowed　you　to　come　back。　I　couldn’t　go　through　that　again。　You　fly。　I’ll
be　proud　of　you。　That’s　all　that　needs　to　be　said。”
The　wind　had　picked　up　again。　She　shivered。　“That　blasted　old　coat　of　yours；”　he　snapped。　He
bent　over　his　kit　bag　and　pulled　out　his　ragged　Halo　Flight　jacket。　“Take　this。　It’s　a　bit　battered　and
torn；　I’m　afraid；　but　it’s　got　a　fleece　lining。”
He　put　it　over　her　shoulders；　then　pulled　her　close。
“Thanks；”　she　said；　pressing　against　his　side。　She　rested　her　head　on　his　chest。
“You’re　right；”　he　said；　gazing　at　the　view。　“It　is　almost　romantic。”
There　was　a　boom　like　the　end　of　the　world；　and　eight　Thunderbolts　slammed　up　into　the　air
from　a　hangar　in　the　cliff　beneath　them。　The　throaty　roar　of　the　formation’s　afterburners　shook　their
diaphragms。
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As　the　planes　climbed　away；　they　both　laughed。
“Until　something　like　that　happens；”　Viltry　said。
She　kissed　his　cheek。　“To　hell　with　them。　We　can　make　our　own　romance。　You　go　and　fly；
Oskar。　I’ve　told　the　Emperor　to　protect　you。”
Over　the　Midwinters；　14。10
Umbra　Flight　was　barely　up　when　they　spotted　the　air　battle。　To　the　west；　the　pale　green　sky　was
bright　with　flashes　and　tinged　with　smoke。　And　it　wasn’t　the　only　battle。　Wings　from　Onstadt　were
coming　in　on　a　major　fight　to　the　east；　and　everything　Viper　Atoll　had　was　lofting　against　a
thousand…bomber　wave　heading　out　across　the　Sea　of　Ezra　towards　Limbus。
“Umbra；　rise　to　four　thousand；”　Jagdea　ordered。　She　had　four　machines　with　her：　Marquall；　Van
Tull；　Cordiale　and　Viltry。　Viltry’s　first　flight。　She　had　sensed　his　nerves　as　he’d　run　to　his　bird。
Umbra　Flight　had　already　been　up　twice　that　day。　A　full　flight　sortie　at　09。00　hours　that　had
lasted　two　hours　and　seen　them　turn　back　a　ninety…plane　bomber　formation　with　me　help　of　three
Lightning　wings　out　of　Tamuda　MAB。　Three　kills—Ranfre；　Del　Ruth　and　Jagdea。　Then　Del　Ruth；
Ranfre　and　Zemmic　had　gone　up　just　before　noon　with　Blansher　as　lead；　and　had　a　short　but
ferocious　duel　with　the　top　cover　of　a　Hell　Talon　formation。　Zemmic　and　Blansher　had　scored　kills；
but　they’d　been　grateful　to　see　the　56th　coming　in　to　help　break　the　wave　up。
All　four　were　now　on　refit　turnaround　and　Blansher　was　spending　time　coaching　Kaminsky。
Blansher　was　patient；　but　he　seemed　to　have　doubts　about　Kaminsky’s　talent。
“He’s　getting　the　basic　layout　of　the　Bolt；　but　he　refuses　to　relax；”　Blansher　had　told　her。
“Maybe　he’s　not　the　best　choice。”
“Stick　with　it；”　Jagdea　had　ordered。
They　could　see　the　hostiles　now。　Sixty　Tormentors　pounding　across　the　sea　towards　the
Northern　Affiliation；　laden　with　bombs。　The　51st　had　already　engaged。
“Any　sign　of　escort？”　Jagdea　voxed。
“Nothing　on　the　scope；”　replied　Cordiale。　“But　you’ve　got　to　assume。”
“Start　assuming；”　she　said。　There　was　also　no　sign　of　the　promised　support　for　them　from
Longstrand。　Jagdea　keyed　the　vox。　“Lucerna　Operations；　this　is　Umbra　Leader。　Confirm　other　units
aloft。”
A　buzzing　crackle。　“Operations；　Umbra　Lead。　Kodiak　Flight　and　Orbis　Flight　show　as　launched。
East　of　you；　seventy　kilometres；　closing　low。　Twenty；　repeat；　twenty　machines。”
“Thank　you；　Operations。　We　have　visual　on　the　enemy。　Closing　to　intercept。”
Jagdea　was　reassured　to　hear　that　the　Phantine　wing　commanded　by　her　friend　Wilhem　Hayyes
was　inbound。　She　switched　on　her　gunsight　and　toggled　her　lascannons　to　active。
“Guns　live；　Umbra。　Come　back。”
“Umbra　Eight；　copy。”　That　was　Marquall。
“Umbra　Three；　four…A。”　And　Van　Tull。
“Umbra　Eleven；　check　and　ready。”　Cordiale。
A　pause。
“Umbra　Four？　Come　back；”　Jagdea　voxed。　“Umbra　Four？　Do　you　copy？　Viltry？　Dammit；
Viltry！”
“Copy　you；　Lead。　This　is　Umbra　Four。　Sorry；　I　just　tried　to　switch　on　my　gunsight　and　appear　to
have　turned　on　the　de…mister　and　the　cockpit　light　instead。”
“Viltry？”
“Just　kidding；　Lead。　Guns　live。　On　your　command。”
Jagdea　smiled。　“Operations；　show　Umbra　as　attacking。　Umbra　Flight…　Attack；　attack；　attack！”
165
Viltry　was　nothing　like　as　confident　as　he　sounded。　As　he　nursed　the　throttle；　following　Jagdea’s
shallow　dive；　he　saw　the　lumbering　packs　of　Tormentors　filling　the　sky　ahead。　The　slow；　medium
bombers　were　already　firing　from　their　turret　mounts；　chattering　out　streaks　of　heavy　fire。
Viltry　had　flown　Bolts　before；　but　this　seemed　strange　after　so　many　tours　in　Marauders。　It
wasn’t　the　differences　in　cockpit　layout；　or　the　considerably　greater　agility。　It　was　the　fact