“He’s up ahead some distance.” The Commander listened again. “Coming this way. That’s my judgment.”
“He’s a good two hundred and fifty miles from our task force, sir,” Jack suggested.
“Too close. Start your motor.”
Jack obeyed. “And now, sir?”
“Pick up speed. We’re going after that big Jap plane.”
“But, sir! You are a key figure! A hundred planes, hundreds of men operate at your direction! There’s time enough to get back and send out a patrol!”
“We’re taking no chances!” the Commander snapped. “No single man is too important. If I were unwilling to risk going with you in a flight of this nature, I should not be worthy of commanding a bomber, let alone all the planes of a carrier.”
“How’s this gun I have here?” he asked in a casual tone.
“It’s first-class, sir. The same type of gun we use in our own planes, and in top condition.”
“And your gun?” asked the Commander.