The three members of Flight Five waited.
O’Malley returned the commander’s look with an insolent grin. He edged close to the desk and leaned forward. Fuller ignored him. He spoke to Allison.
“You are to take up a Martin bomber on a special assignment, Major. I have a request from Colonel Munson to pick up a Chinese officer who has been abandoned by his caravan.” Fuller pulled a map from his desk and spread it out before him. “The Chinese general has two staff officers with him. They were attacked by Thai guerilla forces under command of Japanese spies. They escaped and are at a plantation just over the border.” He placed the point of his pencil on the map. “Here is the location of the plantation. You will spot the field to be used in landing by an American flag planted at the edge of the woods.”
Allison picked up the map. “Will we be interned if we are caught in Thailand?” He asked the question sharply.
“There will be no armed forces to stop you and no one will know you landed. You will be only a few minutes on the field,” Fuller answered.
“Yes, sir,” Allison said as he turned away from the desk.
“You are in command, Major Allison,” Fuller called after him.
“Yes, sir,” Allison answered.
The three fliers walked out into the sunshine. O’Malley was the first to speak.
“What’s the need for sendin’ three fighter pilots to herd a crate on a passenger trip?”