It must have been miles from her, but Vinson shouted with triumph and waved his hands at her.
She was down on the ground full minutes before he landed. He stood there, waiting, knowing that they would come to get him. Above his head, the sky was dotting white with the parachutes of the men from the sky fleets. The planes, their quarry escaped, turned stolidly and headed dead North belching their crews as they flew.
Vinson saw the racing jeep, and he waved a strip of his chute to attract attention.
7
Secretary of War Hegeman was treated to a sight he never expected to see. Admiral Sarne, dark, hawkfaced commander of enemy forces and acknowledged as a bitter adversary in any battle, came into Hegeman's office with General Lloyd's arm over his shoulder. The general was limping. Hegeman stood up uncertainly but General Lloyd spoke first.
"Broken ankle, I think. Get the surgeon general and whatever he needs and bring 'em here."
"But—"
"Mr. Hegeman," said Sarne, his dark eyebrows coming down in a slight frown, "this is a time for work. No man can afford to convalesce quietly—yet."
Hegeman bristled slightly. He was not used to being ordered about, and especially by an admiral of a foreign power.