The Warrior Sheep Go West Read Online Free Page A

didn’t even glance at Gran’s tickets as she ushered them up the steps.
    â€œAre we the only passengers?” asked Tod, staring at the single row of seats.
    â€œYes,” smiled the hostess. “This is a very exclusive airline. My name’s Jo and you’re traveling first class with us today. Now, if you’ll fasten your seat belts, we’re ready for takeoff.”
    On the other side of the partition, the warriors didn’t have seat belts but they did have plenty of straw and a big trough of fodder.
    â€œHow kind of Tod and Ida to see us off,” said Sal.
    â€œYeah,” agreed Oxo. “But how did they know we’re going West to butt Red Tongue’s butt?” He lowered his head and got stuck into a mouthful of greens from the trough. “Have I missed something?”
    Wills had been worrying about the same thing. “Maybe they saw a message on the laptop,” he said. “A note from Desert Air.”
    â€œNo way,” said Jaycey, pleased to have thought of something Wills hadn’t. “Oxo killed the laptop, remember?”
    â€œMaybe Tod mended it,” persisted Wills.
    He couldn’t think how else Tod and Ida could have found out.
    Just then, the plane, which had been moving slowly, accelerated down the runway.
    â€œOhmygrass…” wailed Jaycey, forgetting her little moment of triumph.
    Engines roared and lights flashed past the windows as the plane raced along. Then its wheels left the ground and it climbed sharply, sending the sheep rolling in the straw.
    â€œWicked!” shouted Links.
    â€œBye bye, Tod and Ida,” shouted Wills.
    â€œKeep growing the cabbages,” called Oxo.
    â€œBye bye, rain,” squealed Jaycey.
    Sal was all of a flutter.
    â€œFly us to the West!” she cried. “Where the hottest winds blow!”
    A few inches away in the passenger seats, Tod and Ida were just as excited. When the plane had finished climbing, Jo gave them a delicious supper and showed a funny film. Then, a little later, they stretched out on the seats and she covered them with soft, warm blankets.
    â€œI’m too excited to sleep,” whispered Tod as Jo dimmed the cabin lights.
    â€œMe too,” whispered Gran.
    A few minutes later they were both snoring gently. They were still sleeping when the plane touched down to refuel…and when it took off again.
    ***
    Hours later, Jo gently shook her passengers awake.
    â€œPlease fasten your seat belts, ready for landing,” she said. “It’s five o’clock in the morning local time and the temperature outside is seventy-seven degrees.”
    The warriors had also slept soundly, lulled by the engine noise and their full stomachs, but they were awake now. They got to their feet, refreshed and eager.
    â€œI can see lights,” said Wills, peeping through the window. “We’re coming in to land.”
    The wheels bumped down and the plane raced along the runway before jerking to a halt.
    â€œWe’re in America!” breathed Wills.
    â€œRed Tongue, your day of reckoning has arrived,” called Sal.
    â€œWe’re the Warrior Sheep. Remember the name!” chorused the others.
    ***
    Watching from the edge of the parking lot, Holly Boomberg gripped her husband’s hand in excitement. He tried to ignore the pain.
    â€œYou did bring the sensors, honey?” he asked.
    Holly patted her jacket pocket. “Of course,” she said. “All ready, darling.”

5
    The Chosen Ones
    It’s another tiny airport,” said Tod, as he and Gran walked away from the plane toward a chain-link fence at the edge of the field.
    â€œStill, at least we won’t have to wait for our luggage,” said Gran.
    The pilot was striding in front of them, carrying their bags. Tod and Gran paused and glanced back. Jo was shooing their sheep into a shed in the opposite corner of the field. She’d told them that animals always had to go