Skyjackers - Episode 3: The Winds of Justice (Skyjackers: Season One) Read Online Free

the Justice ’s
pre-planned route, but at this rate the journey would be half over before he
arrived. “I apologize sincerely, Admiral. I can’t tell you how sorry I am.”
    “No, you can’t. It would require more time than is available
to you.”
    “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
    “You had best be, Captain. I should like to meet with you
aboard the Endeavor when you arrive. Goodbye.”
    When Jonathan handed the receiver to Vin Harlow, the
radioman’s look was dour. “What do you reckon that’s about, Cap’n?”
    “I reckon he’s going to sack me, Harlow. Scratch that—I know
he is. What am I going to do? He must be at the end of his rope with me.”
    “Don’t take it so hard, Cap’n. The Admiral is no easy man to
please. Why, he once gave a man the lash for eating on the job.”
    “That doesn’t sounds like an outrageous punishment to me.”
    “He was a chef.”
    “Oh. Well, whatever the Admiral’s policies, I must adhere to
them from now on. I’m afraid I’m at perilous risk of receiving a demotion.”
    “Mr. Manchester will like that.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Never mind, sir. Forget I said a thing.”
    “I can’t be demoted, Harlow. I need this command.”
    “Best do as the Admiral says from now on then, Cap’n.”
    “Right.”
    ***
    Aboard the Stratustarian , Junior was having
second thoughts about the task his father had assigned him. And third, and
fourth thoughts as well. He steeled himself with a deep breath before entering
the ship’s radio room.
    Duncan Trice looked up from his work. “Why, hello there,
Captain. This is a pleasant surprise.”
    “I’m afraid it isn’t, Mr. Trice.”
    “What can I do for you, sir?”
    “You can start by telling me what all this nonsense I’m
hearing is about.”
    Trice gulped. “Nonsense, sir?”
    “About you betraying us to Greenbeard.”
    “Betraying, sir?”
    “Are you deaf, man? Yes, betraying. I’m told you’ve been
relaying our coordinates to the enemy.”
    Trice feared Gertrude’s wrath a great deal more than
Junior’s, so he kept his mouth shut about the surprise birthday party for
Benedict. “Why, I don’t know what you mean, sir.”
    “Have you, or have you not leaked information about the fleet
to one or more individuals outside the Caine organization?”
    “Forgive me for saying so, but… you’re looking awfully sharp
in that jacket today, Captain.”
    Junior smiled. “Oh. Thank you. Wait a minute. No
distractions, Trice. Now… what were we talking about?”
    “Your exceptional sense of style, I believe.”
    “Right. Wait. No. It was about the radio.”
    “No, Captain. It was your outfit.”
    “Stop it. We were talking about your betrayal. By which I
must admit I’m rather shocked. Anyway, it’s time I gave you your punishment. Do
kindly stick out your tongue and lay it on the table.”
    “Sir?”
    “You heard me, Trice. This is happening. You’d best accept it
like a man.”
    “You’re going to cut out my tongue?”
    “It’ll be good for you. Your teeth won’t rot so quickly.”
    “Did Commodore Caine tell you that?”
    “Why does everybody think I hear everything from Father?”
    “You know what would be a more fitting punishment, sir?”
asked Trice.
    “What’s that?”
    “Tickle torture. I am extremely ticklish. I burst into
senseless laughter at the slightest provocation. Furthermore, I’d learn my
lesson without any permanent damage having been done.”
    Junior considered this. He had to admit, it did sound like
the best of both worlds. What he didn’t know was that Duncan Trice wasn’t the
least bit ticklish anywhere on his body. He was very good at pretending,
though. “Very well, Mr. Trice,” Junior said, plucking the feather from his
tricorn. “Take off your boots and tunic. Let the punishment commence.”
    ***
    Vivian and the Dawnhammer were on their way to
the attack point where Benedict had been planning to intercept the Justice .
She hadn’t had time to fly all the