The Dive Bomber by L. Ron Hubbard

Author:L. Ron Hubbard
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fiction, adventure
Publisher: Galaxy Press, L.L.C.
Published: 2012-11-30T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

She Stays Together—

So What?

BULLARD had done his work so well that when the day came to ask the Department of Commerce for an Experimental X license, the inspector balked. And Lawson, at his side, chorused his doubt.

“I can’t let Martin kill himself,” explained the inspector.

“It’s suicide,” Commander Lawson said to Bullard. “I’ve seen the plane crash twice and I came down here the moment I heard about it to forbid the issuance of a license if I could.”

“Now, gentlemen,” said the suave Bullard, glancing at Lucky, “you know how the boy has been yapping. He thinks his ship will stand the dive this time and, as part of his pay, I let him equip one for military purposes. Now we all know it will crash, but we can’t refuse Lucky Martin his chance, can we?”

“I won’t attend any test,” vowed Lawson. “I won’t watch him pull another one apart. It’s too hard on the nerves. We have already declared that it is only good for sporting purposes and we can’t change our minds now.”

“Please, gentlemen,” said Bullard. “You can’t do this to Martin.”

“Commander,” said Lucky, “if this one stays in one piece, won’t that indicate that these export ships could all be converted into dive bombers at their destination?”

It was a bold stroke, and though Bullard, could have struck Lucky dead where he stood from rage, Bullard had to smile.

“Two crashes were enough,” said Lawson. “You’re a stubborn fool, Martin.”

“I have no real grounds on which to base a refusal to issue this Experimental,” said the inspector doubtfully.

“Of course you haven’t,” said Bullard. “We must give the boy his chance.”

“I refuse to attend such nonsense,” said Lawson. With a scowl he marched out of the plant, got into his car and drove away.

With Lawson out of the road, Bullard made fast work of the inspector, and the X was granted on Bullard’s affidavit that the plane had been improved.

And then, because he did not think the plane would be ready to test that day, the inspector also departed, taking Lucky’s last hope with him.

Neither Dixie nor Flynn were in sight. But Smith was there, battening a .50-caliber machine gun to his ring mount.

The test was evidently not to be conducted over the O’Neal plant and the plane was flown by Smith to a field some distance away.

Bullard took Lucky with him in his car, guards close at hand, and after a long drive, they came to a wide field in the country. Smith was already waiting for them.

Lucky wondered just how this would be done, just when he would get his. On this test dive, or on the following cross-country trip?

Shaky and jittery Smith might appear, but for all that, there was nothing wrong with his nerves. Coolly he buckled his seat pack and crawled in. The gun occasioned no comment because the plane had to be tested under a full military load.

Lucky looked at the empty bomb racks. “She hasn’t got all her weight with her.”

Bullard’s confidence in Smith’s ability was amazing.

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