Doc Savage: The Ice Genius (The Wild Adventures of Doc Savage Book 12) by Kenneth Robeson, Lester Dent, Will Murray Read Free Book Online Page A

For they flew over the polar ice cap—that being the most direct route to their destination.
    Two days into the flight, they had to put down to again refuel. They did so in Siberia, at a military landing field, far west of the fighting. They had radioed ahead to avoid being shot down.
    When asked as to their ultimate destination, Doc Savage politely said, “Mongolia.”
    The Russian authorities were not satisfied by that. So Doc had to reveal that his archaeologist friend, Johnny Littlejohn, had encountered difficulty with bandits and had radioed for assistance.
    “We are aware that your comrade is in Mongolia,” Doc was told. Evidently, the Soviet security apparatus had been keeping close tabs on the gangling archeologist, for the official added, “He has been calling himself Ichabod Sprain.”
    “Johnny knew that if he traveled under his real name, enemies of ours might seek him out,” explained Doc.
    “Da. So he informed us.”
    Since the bronze man’s story checked out, he was allowed to proceed.
    Relations between the United States and the Soviet Union, long cool, had warmed somewhat since the German invasion of Russia the previous summer. American aid was helping prop up the Soviet government. So Doc Savage was not looked upon with undue suspicion. In fact, in years past he had rendered an important service to the Soviet government, and this had not been forgotten.
    Still, the Red officials warned him, “We cannot guarantee your safety at any point in the journey that lies before you.”
    “Understood,” Doc Savage replied tightly. “Thank you.”
    They took off, driving south into the inhospitable Gobi region of Mongolia.
    During the trip, Monzingo Baldwin tried to make himself useful. He was not a bad cook, but some of them—especially Monk—examined his food carefully before eating.
    “Since when did you become a picky eater?” asked Long Tom querulously.
    “Not picky. Just making sure we’re not bein’ poisoned.”
    After that remark, they all investigated their food nervously. But the meal proved satisfactory, with no complaints, gastric or otherwise, afterward.
    Basking in the approval of his culinary skills, Monzingo Baldwin beamed, saying, “If this works out, maybe I can join the team permanently.”
    Ham Brooks almost spat out his water when he heard that.
    The others made polite noises, remaining noncommittal.
    Renny was the only one who made a remark of substance. “Once you see the kind of scrapes we charge into, you might experience a change of heart.”
    “I hope not,” Monzingo Baldwin said carefully. “I like to have fun and see new places. But I don’t think I would care to be shot at.”
    “In this crowd,” Long Tom told him, “being shot at is as regular as a rainy day.”
    Hearing that, the former Cadwiller Olden sat down in his seat and was very quiet for a very long time.
    Monk shifted alongside of Long Tom and undertoned, “Good thinkin’. I think you banked his fire.”
    The big flying boat thundered across the great steppes of eastern Russia and down into Inner Mongolia, which had managed to avoid being gobbled up by encroaching Japanese legions after several border skirmishes resolved by treaty.
    “I can’t remember the last time I was out here,” Monk muttered, peering out one window.
    “Nor I,” admitted Ham. “It has been quite some while.”
    “Reminds me of the most desolate parts of Wyoming,” muttered Long Tom. “I would hate to have to make a forced landing out here. Nothing but monotony for hundreds of miles in any direction.”
    Passing over the Russia-Mongolia border, having traversed the expanse of the Russian steppes, they began to relax. Mongolia was not at war with anyone, and they didn’t have much of an Air Force.
    Still, danger existed. They were flying an unmarked aircraft over a sovereign nation in a time of global war.
    In past years, Doc Savage had painted his planes a uniform bronze color as a way of identifying them to foreign