The survivor (23 page)

Now the runway was streaming under them. Then the wheels touched with a Httle scream of rubber. Adam reversed pitch of the props and cut the throttles.

As the engine stopped and the plane stopped rolling, it seemed to Jason and the Rebel strangely quiet and suddenly hot inside the plane.

Outside, a jeep, loaded with oiBBcers, came tearing down the runway. And off to the left Jason saw machine guns concealed in the low undergrowth.

"Don't take a deep breath, Reb," Jason whispered. *There're marines behind those guns."

They heard the jeep roar up and stop outside. Then a voice yelled, "Open up and come out with your hands up."

Jason leaned out the window. "We got a wounded officer in here, sir. Wounded bad."

"All right, we're coming in. Remember, no tricks. You're covered."

"TricksI" the Rebel said to nobody, going aft to open the door.

The oflBcers, armed with carbines and looking as though they were about to use them, came cautiously into the plane. But when they saw the Rebel, they relaxed a little.

The Rebel followed them respectfully as they marched forward through the plane to the cockpit. *Who's the pilot?" an officer asked.

Jason pointed at Adam, who had slumped back into the seat. His head was hanging down on his chest now. Jason had not noticed that, and he gendy raised Adam's head and let it rest on the back of the seat.

For a moment it did not seem important, but then, slowly, Jason put out his hand again and touched Adam on the throat.

So cold, so cold and still. "He's dead," Jason said.

"Who is he?" the officer asked.

Jason looked up at him. Jason's throat was so tight it hurt, and suddenly his head ached behind his eyes.

Jason said to the officer, "A marine."