"Eric Nylund - Paladin Blake and The Secret City" - читать интересную книгу автора (Nylund Eric)

that deal. He didn't gamble with odds like that...especially when the bet was his life.

He made another pass over Durango Field. He spied the glint of reflected moonlight off the
wings of the two remaining Corsairs-now aloft and behind him. Paladin had survived two-on-
one dogfights before...but not flying against Matthew.

He pushed the throttle to full, started to bank right, hoping the pirates would follow. Paladin
quickly reversed and pulled hard to the left.

Corsairs were notorious for their high engine torque-which made starboard turns easier, but
port turns more difficult. Paladin had, hopefully, bought himself a little maneuvering room.

He glanced back. One of the pirates had fallen for the feint; the enemy pilot broke right and
was trying to recover and find Paladin. The other Corsair was still on his tail. That had to be
Matt.

Matt-who learned to fly in the Great War-would never be eloquent with words, or successful
with the ladies, but he was a brilliant pilot. He'd shot down five Germans in Europe-all of
them aces-and never had the favor returned. Paladin knew he was outclassed.

"Give it up, brother," Matt said. "Land and I'll let you walk out of here-that's the best offer
you'll get from me."

That was a lie. No one crossed Matthew Blake and lived to tell about it.

Paladin dove, weaving back and forth, skimming over the tree line.

Matt was right on his tall.

A burst of .50-caliber fire peppered his Devastator's wing. Paladin pulled up.

The Corsair followed-less than a hundred feet behind him and closing.
He was toying with Paladin. Matthew couldn't miss at this range. One machine gun burst or
rocket would shred his plane to confetti.

Rocket? Paladin thought, struck with sudden inspiration. He risked a glance at his port wing.
It was still there: the tail of Tennyson's aft-facing rocket.

Matthew couldn't miss at this range...but neither could Paladin. He squeezed the trigger,
twice fast.

The number one rocket launched forward as expected. The second rocket's control flashed
brightly, forcing Paladin to look away. A few seconds later, Paladin saw the blue-white
starburst of the rocket's detonation.

Bits of metal pinged off his canopy as Paladin pulled into a step climb. His Devastator
shuddered; the tip of his port wing was gone, still smoldering where the rocket had ripped
away the hardpoint.

He inverted and looked for his brother. Matthew's plane was far below...trailing smoke and