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"If you say so, Lady Captain"

Rue glared "We are trying to stop a major international kerfuffle here This isn’t for larks I want the two leaders netted before the floating reinforceet here Which reminds me – Quesnel, Percy, we need to make aether and outstrip that floatillah if possible Both of you prep your stations Percy, I want due notice You keep an eye to the inco puffs and let me knoith a countdown before we lose ourto outrun them"

Percy and Quesnel didn’t bother to answer They both ran off to do as ordered – Quesnel for belowdecks and Percy for the navigator’s station on the poop deck

Prim and Rue took up position on thedown over the railing to watch the action below froles

"Percy, take us in and down," yelled Rue

"A little to starboard," added Pri?"

"Nearly there, Lady Captain"

Below, Rue saw the Kingair Pack air was at the front, Professor Lyall, the sandy fox-like one, close to his Alpha The rest of the pack followed in formation

The sound of the battle beloas ale and yelled down to her kinsfolk "Yoo-hoo, niece of air looked up, yellow eyes flashed once

"I’air nodded and, with great elegance, she sat, right there at the edge of the jungle As one, all the pack sat with her – refusing to participate in the fight

Fortunately, the brigadier had not yet seen them So far the olves could only be accused of desertion, but if he saw them and ordered them to participate, they could be accused of wilful disobedience or even mutiny Pack attachments could act with a certain amount of autonomy, but not that much

Just then a shout caadier right off the back of his surprised horse

Rue saw hi to cut his way free with a hopelessly tangled sabre His hat had fallen off and he looked ed her orders "Pull hiet out otherwise

"Yes, Lady Captain"

"Spoo, how are you doing with your Vanara trap?"

"He’s a fast one, Lady Captain A little help wouldn’t go amiss"