Back on the bomber’s flight deck, they did not have long to mourn the loss of their friend as the beeping of their radar began afresh. Jack glanced down at his screens once more, but Martin already had a fix on the new source.

“I have another set of bogies inbound from the east,” he said, “coming in hot, Mach 1.3. Jesus, those things are supersonic.” He whistled in spite of himself, but Jack was less nonchalant.

“They can’t be missiles that far out.” Jack said, studying the screen himself. It tore at him not to spend a moment on what he had just seen happen to Lord Mantil below them, but his training told Jack to focus on what he could affect, and he did so.

“I have them at three hundred miles out, but closing fast.” said Martin, “At that rate they’ll be on us in no time.” he went on, turning to face the major, “But they can’t see us, right? They can’t get missile lock. They’re just coming to investigate … right?”

Jack paused a moment then said, “Well, it’s true that they can’t get a bead on us too far out, but once they close enough, they’re going to be able to go to guns, and that is bad. To be coming in that fast, they must be either F-22s or one of the European Typhoons, Rafales, or Gripens.”

“So, they’re on our side then?” said Martin, hopefully.

“Well, not quite: the moment we stole a B-2 Bomber, there ceased to be anyone that was on ‘our side’ … except Mr. Mantil,” he said, soberly, “but either way, I can tell you that there are also no F-22s currently deployed in Afghanistan. Which means it must be either the French or the British.”

Jack looked pensive, then changed tacks, “Martin, do you have the sniffing salts to hand?” Martin looked over at his friend and then back at the two pilots unconscious behind them. Then he nodded and rifled around in his flight bag to find the small canister.

“You want me to wake them up?” said Martin, retrieving the salts.

Jack nodded, “We have only a few minutes before those planes are in visual range, and once they see us I don’t know what is going to happen. Under the circumstances, I think those two deserve to be awake for this. In case it goes badly.”