Also by Scott Westerfeld The first book in the trilogy ... - Webgarden

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its hydrogen ignited by machine-gun fire. He could still hear the snow beneath the wreck hissing as it
turned to steam, and the thin screams from inside the gondola.
“Everyone saw how he’d saved me,” Dylan said, reaching into his pocket. “They gave him a medal for
it.”
He pulled out a small decoration, a rounded silver cross that dangled from a sky blue ribbon. In the
darkness Alek could just make out the face of Charles Darwin engraved upon its center.
“It’s called the Air Gallantry Cross, the highest honor they can give a civilian for deeds in the air.”
“You must be proud,” Alek said.
“Back in that first year, when I couldn’t sleep, I used to stare at it at night. But I thought the nightmares
were over and done with, until what happened to Newkirk.” Dylan looked at him. “Maybe you
understand a wee bit, how it comes back? Because of your ma and da?”
Alek nodded, staring at the medal and wondering what to say. He still had dreams, of course, but his
own parents’ death had happened in far-off Sarajevo, not in front of his eyes. Even his nightmares
couldn’t compare with what Dylan had described.
But then he remembered the moment when the Tesla cannon had fired, his horror that theLeviathan
would be engulfed in flame.
“I think you’re very brave, serving on this ship.”
“Aye, or mad.” The boy’s eyes glistened in the glimmers of wormlight from beneath Alek’s jacket.
“Don’t you think it’s daft? Like I’m trying to burn to death, same as he did?”
“Don’t be absurd,” Alek said. “You’re honoring your father. Of course you’d want to be on this ship. If
I weren’t …” He paused. “I mean, if things were different, I’d want to stay here too.”
“You would?”
“Well, maybe it’s silly. But the last few days, it’s like something’s changing inside me. Everything I ever
knew is upside down. Sometimes it’s almost as if I’m … in love …”
Dylan’s body tightened beside Alek.
“I know it sounds silly,” Alek said quickly. “It’s quite obviously ridiculous.”
“But are you saying that … ? I mean, what if thingswere different than you thought? If I were … or have
you guessed already?” Dylan let out a groan. “Just what are yousaying ?”
Alek shook his head. “Perhaps I’m putting this stupidly. But it’s almost as though … I’m in love with
your ship.”
“You’re in love,” Dylan said slowly, “with theLeviathan ?”
“It feelsright here.” Alek shrugged. “As if this is where I’m meant to be.”
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