The Starwolves Read Online Free

her
ship, strapped in and helmeted; he hoped that her eagerness would be reflected
in her flying. She was the slowest, shakiest pilot of the lot; he had moved her
to the far right of the pack formation in the hope that she would not run
into anyone if she rode on the outside.
    The twins Ferryn and Tregloran comprised the middle part of the pack's right
wing; Velmeran kept them together, since they seemed to work best that way.
They were his best pilots, perhaps because they had more ambition than the
rest. But Tregloran was also his greatest embarrassment; in the last month
he had once landed gear-up, although with no damage to his tough little
ship, and he had been the one who had ripped open the hold of that first
freighter. His problem was that he was entirely too eager. Ferryn's problem was
that she spent too much time watching out for her brother, and not enough
watching her own business.
    Of the rest Velmeran had few worries. Merkollyn and the other two girls,
tall Gyllan and tiny Steena, would make good, reliable pilots. Delvon would
also be a good pilot once he lost his fear that he would lose control in a
tight turn.
    Velmeran found Tregloran and Ferryn between their ships, either conspiring
or consoling each other. They looked up guiltily when they saw him watching
them, and all but shook inside their shells when he started in their direction.
Velmeran put on his charm, hoping that he radiated mature affection and
concern as befitted their teacher and pack leader. It was a difficult task,
considering that he was only five years older than they.
    "Treg, you run in first and go after her star drive," he said.
"Ferryn, I want you be ready to go in second. You can have four turns
each."
    "Us, Captain?" Tregloran asked. "Is this punishment for last
time?"
    "This is what you are here to learn," Velmeran insisted.
"Take your time and set up your shots carefully – I am sure you can
do it. Consider it practice, for you are under no stress to bring this ship
down. Although the one who does take her gets first choice of anything on
board... within reason."
    "Fair enough!" Tregloran exclaimed, as if that was all the
encouragement he needed to fly like a hundred-year veteran. Velmeran sent the
younger pilots to their ships and then hurried to his own. But at the last
moment he discovered the seeds of another plan, a way to solve his remaining
problem, and paused at Keth's fighter.
    The older pilot was already in his cockpit, arguing With his attending
crewmember about the condition of some system on board his ship. He saw
Velmeran and waved the frustrated crewmember away.
    "I was just thinking that you and I should hold back," Velmeran
called up to him. "I am giving this one to the twins for practice.
Valthyrra says that this is a big, slow ship, so they should have no problem.
They need the confidence as much as the practice."
    "Oh, right!" Keth agreed enthusiastically; the bait had been
taken. He was pleased and flattered to be in on this little conspiracy, never
realizing that Velmeran only looked upon it as a chance to keep him out of the
way.
    Velmeran hurried on to his own ship, aware that he was taking too long, and
feeling guilty for his deception when he realized that this would be Keth's
last time out. Most pilots were wise enough to retire in grace and honor before
they were asked. Keth was too proud, even if it was a false pride. He climbed
the boarding platform of his fighter, lifting himself with all four arms by the
overhead supports and lowering himself into the cockpit. He immediately
powered up the on-board systems and got a clear check. The conversion generator
purred gently, cycling its tremendous power back into itself.
    "Do you know what Keth was complaining about?" he asked Benthoran
as the bay crew arrived to secure his straps.
    "No, but I can imagine," the older crewmember said, frowning.
"His fighter is as worn out as he is. Maintenance said that only a new
ship would cure that, but Valthyrra put his