Vandenberg returned and gestured towards Steve.

'Now do you believe me?"

Two overlapping voices chorused:'Holy s.h.i.t I - Sonora-b.i.t.c.h!" Steve found himself looking into the grinning faces of Mci Avery and Sonny Ayers, two other '89 graduates of the Flight Academy. But Melanie and Sonny had been his cla.s.smates in the top-rated Eagle Squadron. They were also dressed in blue with gold wings above the left-hand tunic pocket and lieutenant's sleeve stripes. Steve shoved out his hand but didn't get up. The two of them were so excited they almost pulled his arm off.

'What the h.e.l.l are you doing here?" they both asked.

'He won't say." Pete Vandenberg tapped the side of his nose.

'Special a.s.signment."

'That's right,' said Steve. 'So why don't you guys tell me what you're up to?"

Before they could reply, two Meat-Loafs walked along the centre aisle and stopped as their eyes lighted upon Steve. 'You got no name, soldier?" asked one of the sergeants.

'Step out into the aisle,' said his colleague.

Steve reached into his pocket and held out the wallet containing his ID card, but made no move to get up.

The second sergeant took the wallet, lifted the flap, showed the card to the other Meat-Loaf, then handed the wallet back to Steve and gave a short salute. 'Sorry about that, Captain."

'That's okay, Sergeant."

'A captain? With no rank stripes?" Vandenberg eyed Steve then exchanged glances with Avery and Ayers.

'Tell me about Wichita,' said Steve.

'We're going out to join Leatherneck,' said Mci Avery.

Steve tried to sound casual. 'The Fighting Leathernecks?

The wagon-train? You're kidding."

'Why?" asked Sonny. 'Are you shipping out on it too?"

Steve grinned. 'Wish I was. Unfortunately I've got some other business to attend to. But I'd love the chance to come on board for an hour or two. When are you due to leave?"

'Day after tomorrow,' said Pete. 'We're replacing a guy who bought a farm and a couple more who got injured."

He held out his hand. 'Okay, Steve, show us the ID."

Steve locked eyes with him for a moment then laid the wallet on Vandenberg's palm. Vandenberg opened it and studied the silver ID then angled it towards Avery and Ayers before handing it back.

'Does that mean what I think it means...?"

Steve nodded.

'Family...?" breathed Avery.

Steve nodded again.

'Smokin' lumps.h.i.t!" muttered Ayers.

It was Vandenberg's turn to nod. 'Always had you down as someone who knew where they were headed."

If only they knew! Steve responded with a modest smile. 'Just the luck of the draw, Pete."

Mci Avery tapped Vandenberg on the arm. 'Did you tell him who we're meeting up with at Wichita?"

'No,' said Vandenberg. 'Let that be another surprise .... ' With a dozen different escape scenarios milling around inside his head, Steve mentally gathered himself up for a final effort as the shuttle eased to a halt at the brand new subway station. Part of it was still festooned with construction trestles. Vandenberg secured a wheelie for which Steve was quietly thankful - and they all piled in and drove up the ramp to the domed central plaza. The main concourse had been paved and planted, but they were still pouring concrete over on the west side.

As the wheelie droned along the vehicle track that ran around the concourse towards the cl.u.s.ter of elevators, Steve saw someone with sandy hair and a blue uniform rise from one of the tables outside a coffee and soft drink unit.

It was Captain Bob Carroll, the Chief Flying Instructor from the Flight Academy at Lindbergh Field, New Mexico. The man who had watched over the progress of Steve and his fellow graduates for three years. It seemed too good to be true.

Carroll, now sporting commander's rank stripes, returned their salutes and greeted Steve warmly. 'Good to see you, Brickman."

'It's Captain Brickman, sir,' said Vandenberg.

Carroll looked Steve over. 'In that case I won't ask what happened to your wings - or why you're working for Mines and Mills."

'I'm not, sir. I'm still on active duty." He pa.s.sed Carroll his ID wallet.

Carroll eyed the contents with raised eyebrows then pa.s.sed it back.

'Congratulations - and good luck. Always knew they couldn't keep a good man down."

Steve pocketed the ID. 'Same goes for you, sir. Still at the Flight Academy?"

'Yes, but I'm on a three-month detachment. Always good to get a taste of the real thing. I'm shadowing the Wagon-Master and the Flight Operations Officer on Leatherneck."

It was getting better by the minute. Steve went for it. 'Can I ask you a big favour, sir? I don't have to meet my contacts until tomorrow morning. Is there any chance of being able to come aboard tonight?

Apart from a brief spell on Red River last year, I haven't seen the inside of many wagon-trains lately. Been too busy driving SkyRiders to strange places."

Carroll didn't know about AMEXICO or its private air force but he got the message. 'Sure." He grinned. 'If we can't find you a bunk, we'll ask Mel here to move over.

Let's go."

After pa.s.sing through Ramp Security, Carroll led them out through a bulkhead door into the warm night air.

A full moon hung in a cloudless sky, obscuring all but the brightest stars. Two Bobcats stood on their shadows, headlights gleaming. The wagon-train lay about a quarter of a mile away, drawn into a straight line. Its flight deck was extended and lit, and circling high above were two winking red points of light attached to dark, winged silhouettes - Skyhawks. It was all coming together ....

Steve paused, slipped the remaining half-dose of painkiller into his mouth, took a deep breath and strode forward, willing himself not to limp. You can do it, Brickman. Bear it. Walk tall. You are a Plainfolk warrior.

Carroll led them up the ramp into the belly of the forward command car and took Steve to see the wagon-master while the other three reported to the Trail Boss and went aft to settle in. 'Shack' Torrenson, the Leathernecks' commander, cast his eye over Steve's ID, listened to Carroll's pitch, arranged for Steve to be logged in as a visitor and issued with a pa.s.s, then shook his hand and expressed the hope he would enjoy his short stay.

Carroll pulled a wheelie off the line for the run back to the flight car. 'I imagine you'll want to go topside."