CHAPTER 12

“Serenity to Bobs, slot for the S-loop,” Wash ordered.

“Bob 1, acknowledged Serenity,” Jared answered

Wash started pulling ahead for the slot formation, expecting Walker to echo the acknowledgement as well. Nothing came. He switched vid to a rear view … Walker was a bit wobbly, but fine.

“Bob 2?” Wash tried. Nothing. “Bob 2, this is Serenity, please respond.”

“Down!” River cried, then grabbed the yoke and sent Serenity into a nose dive.

“River!”

Wash panicked at the break of formation and checked the position of the other Bobs. Walker has zoomed into the front position and was now chasing them.

“Bob squad, Immelman and regroup at 7000 feet,” Wash ordered.

“Serenity what the tian xiao de!” Jared cried.

“Jared have you heard anything from Walker?” Wash asked. Walker was hot on Serenity’s tail, swaying like a Reaver ship.

“Negative, Serenity, but it sure looks like he’s kissing your pi gu.”

“Serenity to Control Tower, Bob 2 is not responding.”

Wash waited again. No response.

Walker suddenly pulled up and leveled out at 7000 feet and Wash decided to pull above him, top to top, so he could look down into that cockpit and see what was going on. Walker was dead set on the path in front of him. Could his ship have malfunctioned? Wash hailed again.

“Serenity, this is Bob 1,” Jared said. “If it’s okay with you, I’m going to set down and wait this one out.”

“Acknowledged, Bob 1. I think we should give Walker his space.”

Wash looked up again, his bones chilling as Walker met his eyes with a steely glare. River and Wash pulled the yoke together sending Serenity into a roll just as Walker pulled up into an intercept.

“Bob 2, this is Serenity. Please confirm that you are trying to kill me.”

“Jantis has requested to see your ship crash and burn,” Walker’s scratchy voice growled through the comm.

Wash laughed nervously. “I know that trick, Bob 2. I don’t need the assist.”

Wash dodged as Walker tried to ram them again.

“Kamakazi,” River said. Wash was not amused. He dove do