Edge of Valor by John J. Gobbell Page A

up?”
    â€œWell, yes, I suppose so.”
    â€œGood. Don’t move, and don’t touch anything.”
    â€œYes, yes, okay.”
    Radcliff went back to monitoring his gauges.
    â€œAll set back there?” asked Ingram. He took a step aft.
    â€œThey’re waiting for you,” said Neidemeier.
    The plane bounced for a moment. Neidemeier groaned. He asked, “So now can you tell me about the Torvatron?”
    â€œThe what?” said Ingram.
    â€œAt Ie Shima you said this aircraft was equipped with the latest safety device, a Torvatron.”
    Ingram slapped his forehead.
    Neidemeier asked, “Please, Commander, can it help us through this?”
    â€œWell, I’m not sure about all the settings. I’m not a pilot, you see.” What the hell do I do now? Ingram caught Hammer’s eye.
    Hammer picked it up. “Ohhhh, the, ah, Torv . . .”
    â€œTorvatron,” snapped Ingram.
    â€œYeah, the Torvatron.”
    Neidemeier turned to Hammer. “So we do have one?”
    Hammer looked back to Ingram, his face deadpan. “I think so.”
    â€œWhat do you mean you think so? Do we have one or not?”
    â€œWell, yes,” said Hammer, dropping his gaze back to Neidemeier.
    â€œWhat’s it do?”
    Hammer fiddled with switches. “Kind of hard to say, Major. It’s complex, and I’m not sure if we carry the latest mod.”
    â€œWait a minute, Commander Ingram told me this aircraft was fitted with one of the newest safety devices: a Torvatron. And now you, the flight engineer, aren’t sure if we carry the latest modification?”
    â€œWell, I’m not sure if I can say any more,” said Hammer.
    Ingram tried to exit, but the plane lurched in a downdraft and he stumbled against Berne. “Sorry.”
    Berne looked up with a grin.
    â€œWell, do we have one or not?” demanded Neidemeier.
    â€œWell, I . . .”
    Radcliff spun in his seat. “Indeed we do, Major Neidemeier.”
    â€œFine. Can you tell me what it does?”
    Radcliff eyed Ingram. “Well, basically, the Torvatron is still classified top secret. That’s why Sergeant Hammer can’t respond. But I can tell you a little.”
    â€œGo on. I’m cleared for top secret.”
    Radcliff lowered his voice. “Okay, here’s the dope. A Torvatron is a spheroid hydrofrezassbitz that’s connected to the quavertine radiometer that governs all sigmoidographic information.”
    Peoples clapped a hand over his face. Berne fiddled with a sextant. Hammer suddenly became involved in a fuel transfer.
    â€œSigmoidographic? Like in a doctor’s office?”
    Radcliff looked from side to side, “Shhhh. Yeah, doctors’ offices, same idea; used for people with a shitty outlook.”
    â€œHuh?”
    â€œRight, the idea is the same, except a Torvatron is used for shitty weather. Like now, it’s bumpy. So what happens is we crank in a 17-degree offset to the tircumdittleflatter and then we—”
    The plane hit another air pocket and dropped. Ingram grabbed the edge of Hammer’s chair and held on.
    â€œWhat was that?” wailed Neidemeier.
    â€œPower supply interruption to the Torvatron,” said Radcliff. “We’ll be okay now.” To Hammer: “Sergeant!”
    â€œSir!”
    â€œBetter go aft and make sure everyone’s buckled in. Weather looks snotty up ahead.”
    â€œYes, sir.” Hammer unbuckled and walked out.
    Neidemeier asked, “What do we do if we don’t get the power back?”
    Radcliff faced forward and tightened his seat belt straps. “Later, Major. I have work to do.”
    Ingram exited quickly.
    Aside from the jiggling the main cabin was quiet. Except one could feel the tension as the plane bounced and bucked. Nevertheless, people tried to doze or read magazines. In the rear, two Japanese naval officers and a Japanese general were gathered around General