When Britain intercepted a French ship and its precious cargo-an unhatched dragon's egg-Capt. Will Laurence of HMS Reliant unexpectedly became master and commander of the noble dragon he named Temeraire. As new recruits in Britain's Aerial Corps, man and dragon soon proved their mettle in daring combat against Bonaparte's invading forces. Now China has discovered that its rare gift, intended for Napoleon, has fallen into British hands-and an angry Chinese delegation vows to reclaim the remarkabl