human
You two are taking off at ten o'clock tonight, he said.
gpt
You're not going across with the ferry bombers or troop transports, however. I've got two Lockheed P-Thirty-Eights that are waiting to be delivered in England. You'll each take one of them. For the crossing extra gas tanks have been fitted. As you both probably know, we've been ferrying pursuits across, as well as bombers, for several weeks now. They fly without guns, or ammo, and have extra tanks fitted. You drop the extra tanks into the sea when you've used up their fuel. Naturally, you switch them in first so's to be carrying less weight on the last half of your trip.
human
You saw those two Commando transports that just sat down? he asked. Then, without waiting for an answer,
gpt
Well, those troops are being carried across in the ferry bomber flight that'll take off before you do. Your P-Thirty-Eights make faster time, of course, so the take-off times will be set so that you'll catch up with the flight of ferry bombers a hundred miles or so this side of Ireland. Obviously, it will be part of your job to escort them along the final lap to Land's End, England.
human
No, it's not going to be like that in your case, he said bluntly.
gpt
Your P-Thirty-Eights will be armed to the hilt. I hope you won't have to use your guns, though!
human
You have reason to believe that we might, sir?
gpt
No, I haven't, he said after a long pause.
human
Anything can happen in this cockeyed war, however. As I said, those Commando troops you just now saw climb from those transports are going across to the other side by air. It will be the first time that ferry bombers have taken troops across in any numbers. Tonight's trip may prove to be the beginning of transporting troops to Europe by air. To date, and contrary to general belief, not one single plane that's been ferried from here to the other side has been lost due to enemy air action. However, as in all things, there has to be a beginning sometime.
gpt
The taking of those Commando troops out there to England has been kept as much of a secret as is humanly possible to keep a secret, he said at length.
human
Right now, not one of them knows that he's going across by bomber tonight. That doesn't mean a thing, though. The Nazis may be women and children killers, but they are no fools. They're every bit as smart as we are, and don't let anybody kid you they aren't. For that reason there is _no_ reason to believe that they haven't found out about this little thing we're trying tonight. Fact is, I'm assuming that they have found out. That's why you two are acting as escort for the ferry ships. In short, in case some Occupied France-based Nazi planes come out to smash up our aerial convoy. If any do, then it will be up to you to see they don't get to first base. You understand?
gpt
Get to first base, sir? he echoed.
human
Where's that base located?
gpt
An American baseball expression, Farmer, Colonel Stickney explained.
human
I mean, it's up to you two to see that any Nazi raiding planes don't even get a chance to get close enough for action. Get it, now?
gpt
Oh, quite, and sorry, sir,
human
Think nothing of it, Farmer, the other said kindly.
gpt
Yank slang is a language all its own. Takes time to learn it. And when you have, the next generation below you is talking an even different jargon. But that's the American kid for you. Well, if you've got it all straight, and there are no questions, I guess that's all I have to say. Are there any questions? You'll be given flight charts and flight signals to use en route later, of course.
human
All clear to me, sir,
gpt
Quite, sir, Freddy Farmer murmured.
human
Can't say I hope you get your wish, though, sir.
gpt
Huh? What's that?
human
I mean, that we won't have to use our guns, Freddy replied with a smile.
gpt
A bit of Nazi action at the end of the trip would suit me fine. Successful action from our point of view, of course.
human
Check, and how!
gpt
Knowing of the air records of you two, he grunted,
human
I'm not surprised to hear that from you. Just the same, I hope you _don't_ have to use your guns, either of you. It'll be a mighty big responsibility you'll be flying with tonight, Captains. Don't either of you forget that for a single instant!
gpt
Quite, sir,
human
Also, check,
gpt
That's all, then, he said.
human
Captain Jones, the Field Flight Officer, will show you the two planes you're to fly. Better look him up and test hop the two ships to make sure they're in condition for the ocean hop. And in case I don't see either of you again, good luck, both here, and on the other side. I'll be keeping my eye on the communiqués.
gpt
Well, we're going to England, Dave said when they were alone and walking along the edge of the field.
human
We know that much for sure, anyway.
gpt
Right you are! Freddy cried happily, and did a little jig to express his feelings further.
human
Home to dear old England. I can hardly wait....
gpt
For a pot of that dish water you call tea! Dave interrupted with a laugh.
human
Well, there's the Atlantic out there, pal. You can start swimming right now, if you want.
gpt
I don't, Freddy snapped.
human
The blinking Navy can have the water. I'll take the air. But I wasn't fooling in there, Dave. I really do hope we meet up with a couple of Nazi beggars in Messerschmitts.
gpt
And they call the Germans blood-thirsty! Dave jeered good-naturedly.
human
What a guy! One minute he's singing songs of his dear old homeland, and the next he's saying how he hopes to knock off a brace of Germans on the way. You want everything, don't you?
gpt
Very much so! the English-born ace cracked at him.
human
Particularly if it's Nazi pilots and observers. I want all I can get of those dirty blighters.
gpt
Well, I guess I'm with you there, pal, Dave chuckled.
human
The fewer Germans I can leave living in this world, the better I'll like it. Well, let's go hunt up this Captain Jones and get a look at those two winged babies we've got dates with tonight.