Dragon and Liberator

Sure enough, as the last bolt came loose the panel swung down just low enough to hide everything above his chin. Draycos? he called silently. Can you see anything?

The K'da moved across his skin, sliding down to where he could look through the neck of Jack's shirt. They're landing near the hangar, he reported. The shuttle's stern is turned toward the door.

With its weapons turned outward, ready to shoot at possible trouble. Frost's men weren't taking any chances. Are they all staying at that end of the building?

No—two of them are heading this way.

Jack winced, moving his elbows briskly and visibly as he pretended to work on the plane's engine. If the mercenaries were suspicious enough to come over here and check him out . . .

Wait, Draycos said, and Jack could sense the relief in his voice. They're turning to go around the side of the building. They're just checking the hangar's exterior.

Jack breathed a quiet sigh of relief. At least he and Draycos weren't going to have to fight.

But that brought up a whole different problem. If the mercenaries were suspicious enough to check out even the solid parts of the hangar's exterior, they weren't likely to leave either of the two doors unguarded. Have they finished their sweep yet?

Almost, Draycos answered. They're moving around the corner—one last look on this side . . . there. They're gone.

Did they seem interested in me?

One of them looked in this direction, but there was no indication he was suspicious, Draycos answered. All is clear. We can get moving.

Moving to where? Jack countered. They're bound to be watching the doors at both ends.

Across the distance came a soft, low rumble. "Uncle Virge?" Jack asked. "Is that what I think it is?"

"It's multiple engine prep," Uncle Virge confirmed. "Looks like they're in something of a hurry."

"The manager's going to be furious if they don't fill out his paperwork," Jack said, trying hard to come up with something. So much for his original idea of hitching a ride. That left only Alison's plan of wrecking the ships and keeping Neverlin from getting them. If Jack got the Essenay moving right away—and if they were extraordinarily lucky—they might be able to take out all twelve ships before the mercenaries got their own weapons on line.

At which point, there would be only one other chance for him and Draycos to find Neverlin's attack force. They would have to get to Driftline before Frost finished stealing those Malison Ring ships, and figure out how to hitch a ride from there.

And if they failed there as well, Alison and Taneem would be on their own. Completely and utterly on their own.

Go to the side wall directly across from us, Draycos instructed, an edge of determination in his tone. Perhaps he was thinking about Alison and Taneem, too. They won't be watching for an intrusion there.

Of course they won't, Jack said, suddenly understanding what Draycos had in mind. Ducking under the engine pod panel, confirming for himself that the mercenaries were out of sight, he headed toward the hangar at a brisk jog.

He reached the wall and pressed his back against it. How's it look? he asked.

Very possible, Draycos said. Move to your left about ten feet. There's a wide tool cabinet near the wall which I can enter behind.

I hope you're keeping the odds in mind, Jack warned as he moved along the wall and settled into his new position. There are at least fourteen of them, and only one of you.

Don't worry, Draycos assured him. I'm not planning to fight even one of them, let alone all fourteen.

Jack frowned. Then what's the plan?

To arrange transport, of course, Draycos said. Return to the airplane you were pretending to fix, and have Uncle Virge locate and monitor their transmission frequencies. I'll join you soon.

Jack felt a surge, and Draycos was gone.