Part 4 (1/2)

AS TOM AND BUD stared anxiously, the mechanical birds darted in and out of the clouds, cutting in front of the Sky Queen.

”Three of them are making a pa.s.s over the rudder,” Bud warned. ”What say we run before they ruin the s.h.i.+p?”

”Not yet,” said Tom.

The young flier constantly checked the instrument gauges. If they suddenly fluctuated, he would know the mysterious force behind the crows had penetrated the protective coating of Tomasite. Minutes pa.s.sed with the crows circling and weaving across their flight path, but Tom retained complete control of the Flying Lab. Turning to Bud, he said: ”I didn't think their beamer-or whatever that force is-could get through.”

”Good night!” Bud cried. ”There's another flock! How many can we hold off?”

39.

40 .

”I'm beginning to think that if one crow can't hurt us, neither can a hundred,”

Tom said confidently.

As the weird parade moved through the threatening skies, the boys watched the strange scene, almost hypnotized.

”What's our next move, Tom?” Bud asked finally. ”Do we dare send out the drone?”

”I don't believe so, Bud,” Tom replied thoughtfully. ”We don't know how strong the crows' force may be, nor how far their operating field extends. Once the drone is outside the hangar, it won't be protected by the Queen's Tomasite s.h.i.+elding.”

”Hm-m, you've got a point there,” Bud said, a vision of the drone falling to its doom crossing his mind. ”Drones are valuable equipment.”

Tom's mind was working rapidly. In a moment he had the answer. ”Bud, there should be a distorter aboard,” he said. ”If I install it in the drone I'm sure it can resist any beam the crows throw out.”

”Swell idea, genius boy. Want me to take over here?”

”No, I'll need your help installing it. Set the Queen on the lifters and leave her.”

As Tom dashed from the cabin, Bud switched off the forward speed jets, clicked on the lifters so the s.h.i.+p would remain stationary in the air, then followed his friend down the stairs to the storage-inventory closet.

Tom thumbed through a rotary wall file and A RARE CAPTURE 41.

quickly located a card with information that a distorter, his own invention, would be found tied down to storage rack number ten. This device was capable of scrambling electrical signals and remote-control beams.

He and Bud carried the instrument to the sliding door that separated the hangar from the rest of the first level. Tom opened it and they clamped the distorter in the sleek drone, connecting the cable to the drone's generator.

Tom started the dynamo and its high, singing screech filled the hangar. Bud felt better already. ”Maybe we can nab the whole jet flock.” He grinned.

The distorter installed, Bud activated controls releasing the drone's las.h.i.+ng and wheel blocks.

”Prepare to disgorge!” he yelled. ”Start her up, skipper!”

Tom pressed the drone's remote-control starter and the hangar doors swung open automatically. A crow shot past the opening, veering to miss the jet stream.

”Set, Bud?” Tom yelled.

”Set! Let's give these mechanized corn feeders a taste of their own medicine!”

Tom threw a switch and for a brief moment the drone's thrust blasted hot gases back through the hangar. Then, with a roar, it leaped forward and careened through s.p.a.ce after the marauding crows.

Bud and Tom raced back to the pilot's compart- 42 .

ment. ”Look at that drone go!” Bud cried, tracking it from the navigation dome's seat.

The powerful little plane whipped in and out of the flock, but the crows seemed to sense its approach and dodged out of the way. Although they managed to avoid the drone for several minutes, whatever was operating them suddenly seemed unable to control the separate maneuvers of the whole flock at once.

”We've caught one!” Bud yelled jubilantly as the drone sucked the bird alongside it. ”And another!”

A moment later the rest of the flock flew off at great speed.

”We've got 'em on the run now, Tom!” Bud cried exuberantly. ”Let's follow as soon as the drone's berthed.”

He dashed back to the hangar while Tom got ready to give the Sky Queen the gun.

Tom directed the drone to a reverse blast landing, while Bud manipulated the arresting gear controls from the hangar. When the drone and its two trophies were safely berthed, Bud phoned Tom, who gave the Flying Lab a powerful forward thrust, and the Sky Queen soon overtook the crows. The copilot joined his friend.

”I'll follow them for a while,” Tom said, slowing his huge s.h.i.+p to match the crows' speed. ”Watch for signs of a possible control station.”

Bud peered down through binoculars. He spotted familiar landmarks-local farmhouses and factory A RARE CAPTURE 43.

buildings well known to both boys-but nothing that would suggest a control- station housing.

”These birds will have to lead us somewhere,” Tom said.

As if in answer, the entire flock suddenly nosedived. Tom dropped the Sky Queen.

”They're headed for that big open section of Riverton Lake!” Bud yelled.

”They'll probably turn in a second,” Tom replied, then gasped incredulously.

In a series of resounding splashes the crows smacked into the water and disappeared.

”Well, how do you like that!” Bud exclaimed in disgust.

Tom switched on the jet lifters and the Lab hovered over the lake.

”Maybe the crows have a water base,” Bud suggested.