The Dive Bomber by L. Ron Hubbard Read Free Book Online Page B

correct. On the other side of the world, Bullard would shift the engines for more powerful plants, would carve out the bellies and fit in bomb racks, and there he would have the most potent light bomber ever manufactured.
    Lucky could not blame blind Lawson. Even if Lucky managed to get word to the government, they would call him a liar and laugh at him. Under no charge whatever could Bullard be brought to account.
    What was wrong with exporting a private plane which had been tested and found to be worthless as a fighting ship? What was wrong with manufacturing them?
    A man with less nice ethics than Lucky Martin would have gladly gone ahead with the deal. But Lucky knew his government was wrong, knew that the ship was a potential menace as a bomber.
    â€œNo. I can’t do it,” said Lucky.
    â€œThen I am prepared to make matters difficult for you, Martin,” said Bullard.” I supposed you would be stubborn about this. I am okay with the government, with everybody, and I’m going to be okay with you. You think quite a lot of this young lady—”
    â€œLucky,” cried Dixie, “you won’t—”
    â€œIf he doesn’t,” said Bullard, licking his lips, “I wouldn’t give ten cents Mex for your looks and life, young lady. Smith, call the boys!”
    Presently three men swaggered into sight and up the steps. One of them, addressed as Two-Finger, wore a checkered cap pulled low over his coarse face. The other two, common as the refuse in the gutter, stood insolently eyeing Dixie O’Neal.
    â€œSee this girl?” said Bullard.
    â€œGood looking,” commented the man.
    â€œYou are to guard her closely. She is not to speak to any persons unknown to you. She is not to go near a phone. She is to stay either here or at the plant. But understand this. You are not to harm her as long as Lucky Martin behaves. Is that clear?”
    â€œYou’re clear as corn liquor, gov’ner,” said Two-Finger.
    â€œAnd you two,” said Bullard to the unsavory pair, “are to stay with Martin wherever he goes, hear everything he says, and report instantly to Two-Finger if Martin fails to work, or if he oversteps his liberty. In that event, you know what to do with him. Understand?”
    They nodded.
    â€œAnd now,” said Bullard to Lucky, “shall we go inside and arrange our plans for the production of a hundred private sport planes ?”
    â€œBullard,” said Lucky, “I’ll promise nothing. It seems to me that a certain giant bomber crashed twice recently and you couldn’t work the deal there. You’ve used pull and dollars to get by here, but I’m telling you that if there’s anything I can do to trip you up—”
    â€œThe planes will be all right. I told you we’d build one dive bomber. I also told Lawson that I was letting you do it, and he shook his head and said you were crazy, that the crate was no good. But that one dive bomber will be selected from all the planes. And you’ll test it, Unlucky Martin.”

CHAPTER SEVEN
    Lucky,
the Laughingstock—
    W EARY weeks later, Dixie, under unsuitable escort, made one of her infrequent visits to the plant. While Two-Finger puffed a cigar under a No-Smoking sign, and while the other two guards lounged nearby eyeing Lucky, a limited conversation was possible.
    â€œBenedict Arnold did something like this one,” grimaced Lucky.
    â€œDon’t look at it that way,” said Dixie. “You’ve been forced by circumstances—”
    â€œSo was Mr. Arnold, but that didn’t make less a traitor out of him.”
    â€œBut nothing bad will come of this. A hundred sport planes wouldn’t wreck anything.”
    â€œA hundred dive bombers could sink a navy,” said Lucky.
    â€œBut if the government says your ships are no good—”
    â€œYou and I and this Bullard know they’re all right. And worst of all, I know it. Just