Dragon Airways by Brian Rathbone Read Free Book Online Page A

father, though."
    "Then you and your father are to be commended," Telly said. "We've few advantages over the Zjhon; the reliability of our drive trains is among them. Thank you."
    Brick nodded, not knowing what else to say.
    "If they have aircraft in Sparrowport, then they must have increased fuel capacity, efficiency, or both," Telly said.
    "Either that or they found a place to refuel," the man who'd been holding the pitchfork on Brick said.
    "They're sure not landing in the jungle," Telly said. "And we'd know if they captured an airport."
    "Would we?"
    Silence hung for a while. If Forest's Edge were completely cut off from communication, it was possible Dragonport had already fallen to the Zjhon. It would explain their sudden ability to hit Sparrowport from the air.
    "Come," Telly said. "You look hungry."
    "And thirsty," Brick added.
    Telly laughed. "I bet you are."
    Among the wounded, Brick was a novelty, a diversion from their mundane existence. He laughed and told tales in between devouring the stew placed in front of him. It felt good to lighten the hearts of those who had sacrificed so much, though Brick couldn't help but feel guilty for any pleasure he took while Riette and Emmet were not safe. And knowing what he knew now, he questioned the safety of everyone he loved. Sparrowport was no longer separate from the war. It was a terrifying thought.
    "Most of the troops normally stationed here are out on maneuvers," Telly said. "I'm glad you didn't encounter them on your way here. I don't know if they will seek out these infiltrated areas since these soldiers are supposed to ship out to the front immediately upon completion of their training. We'll likely have to get word to the front in order to see troops deployed. I don't know. It's not my call. I'm just an old man with no dragon."
    "And Dragonport?" Brick asked.
    "Might have some aircraft left if they're still not under Zjhon control. I'm starting to have my doubts. I think they were counting on this installation providing them with defensive support, and now look at us."
    "How difficult is the journey to Dragonport?" Brick asked.
    Telly scoffed. "On foot? It's terrible. By plane it's not much better. We used to use pack mules twenty years ago, but the mules have all gone to the front, and the trails haven't been maintained for years. No telling what condition the bridges are in."
    Brick weighed his options, all of which were terrifying. To the east lay the swamp, to the west Zjhon outposts of unknown number stood between him and Sparrowport, to the north was a treacherous road to Dragonport, and to the south was nothing but forest and swamp.
    "Do you have any reason to believe Dragonport has fallen besides a lack of communication?"
    "No," Telly said. "And I pray that I'm wrong."
    For most of his life, Brick had rebelled against his father's controlling influence. Now he wished for even the briefest consultation with the man whose opinion he valued more than anyone else's. How could he trust his own judgment in such life-and-death decisions?
    Weariness overcame him when the excitement wore off and his belly was full. A bath and a clean bed were provided to him, and he hoped he wouldn't snore. His father always complained about his snoring. With larger issues consuming his thoughts, he drifted off, knowing he would have a difficult choice to make in the morning.
    In the distance, he might have heard someone snore.
     
    * * *
     
    "He's going to kill us all," Grunt said.
    "Not if we're smart about this," Agger said, already knowing the odds of Grunt's being smart about anything were slim.
    "Are you any good at landing these things?" Grunt asked.
    "Better than you are. Strap in tight."
    No matter how stupid he might seem at times, Grunt cinched his straps tight.
    Orange and white cliffs jutted from the ocean, capped with trees and a narrow strip of grassland. Farther north were the main Sparrowport airstrips, but landing a stolen plane there was asking for trouble.