Distant Thunders_ Destroyermen Part 21

Spears thrust and jabbed over, under, and around the front-rank s.h.i.+elds, whose bearers pushed with all their might against the battering Grik. Inexorably, General Rolak's force swept through the chaos of the Grik rear, killing any who stood even momentarily. Those who fled from between the closing pincers were mostly ignored, but few seemed to realize this and even fewer had the wherewithal or initiative to take advantage of the fact. Within an hour of the first mortar blasts, the jaws of the pincers clamped shut and all that remained of the battle was a prolonged, remorseless butchery.

Captain Reddy must have noticed Jenks's expression. Perhaps his face was pale?

"Maybe you're wondering why I don't put a stop to it?" Matt's words came in a fierce monotone. "On some level, maybe I still wish I could. But those down there"-he gestured at the dwindling Grik-"won't quit fighting. h.e.l.l, half of them are still killing each other!" He shook his head. "I don't know how or why they act the way they do, and frankly, that's not my concern right now. Maybe we'll know someday. Maybe the prisoners we took at Aryaal will help with that. But right now, we'll use this clear weakness of theirs against them as often and mercilessly as we can. There may come a time when they get wise and it won't work anymore." He looked at Jenks again. "Or maybe you're wondering if if I could stop it?" I could stop it?"

Almost without thinking, Jenks jerked a nod.

Matt shrugged. "I don't know that either. You probably can't comprehend what's driven these people, my my people, down there, to become what they are from what they were. Mostly, they used to be almost instinctively unaggressive. There were exceptions, but all of them have suffered loss like you can't imagine. At least, I don't think you can. h.e.l.l, I couldn't have until I came to this world. Maybe the Rape of Nanking comes close . . ." He saw Jenks's uncomprehending blink. "Skip it. Anyway, like you saw at Aryaal, we aren't fighting a civilized enemy, and this isn't anything like a civilized war. The very wickedness of our enemy is what's allowed us to build this army, these people, down there, to become what they are from what they were. Mostly, they used to be almost instinctively unaggressive. There were exceptions, but all of them have suffered loss like you can't imagine. At least, I don't think you can. h.e.l.l, I couldn't have until I came to this world. Maybe the Rape of Nanking comes close . . ." He saw Jenks's uncomprehending blink. "Skip it. Anyway, like you saw at Aryaal, we aren't fighting a civilized enemy, and this isn't anything like a civilized war. The very wickedness of our enemy is what's allowed us to build this army, these soldiers soldiers I'm so proud of. I don't think anything else would have done it." I'm so proud of. I don't think anything else would have done it."

Captain Reddy sighed. "Could I stop them from hacking the life out of every last Grik down there? Maybe. I tried once, you know, and it didn't work. The Grik give no quarter and I stop them from hacking the life out of every last Grik down there? Maybe. I tried once, you know, and it didn't work. The Grik give no quarter and never never ask for it. I don't think they know how. Faced with an enemy like that, what do you think? Even if I could ask for it. I don't think they know how. Faced with an enemy like that, what do you think? Even if I could make make Alden's troops stop killing, the Grik won't. I don't know what made 'tame' Griks out of the ones Rasik had, but it didn't happen in the middle of a fight. Maybe they need time to think things through, and some of the ones who get away will come in later, all peaceable and contrite. For now . . . I have a rule. It used to be 'Never give an order you know won't be obeyed.' 'Know' has become 'believe,' but it still works pretty good. That's my little concession to the gray area of command, and given a choice, I'd much rather err on the side of my people than those monsters down there." Alden's troops stop killing, the Grik won't. I don't know what made 'tame' Griks out of the ones Rasik had, but it didn't happen in the middle of a fight. Maybe they need time to think things through, and some of the ones who get away will come in later, all peaceable and contrite. For now . . . I have a rule. It used to be 'Never give an order you know won't be obeyed.' 'Know' has become 'believe,' but it still works pretty good. That's my little concession to the gray area of command, and given a choice, I'd much rather err on the side of my people than those monsters down there."

He looked away from Jenks, back at the dwindling fight. There were cheers now. Cheers of survival, pride, and relief. Cheers for Captain Reddy too. "Besides, to answer the last question you never asked: no. Deep down, I don't want want them to stop. Not after Baalkpan. Not after all them to stop. Not after Baalkpan. Not after all I've I've lost." lost."

A meanie galloped up. Well, "galloped" wasn't exactly the right word, but it was blowing hard through flared nostrils and would likely have been panting if its jaws weren't cinched tightly shut. It stared malevolently around. "Cap-i-taan Reddy," cried the Manilo cavalryman from its back. "General Rolak's most fervent compliments and affection! He begs to inform you that when they made their charge, another, smaller Grik force was a.s.sembling on his flank. He had no choice but to ignore it when this show kicked off. Since it did not attack his rear as he advanced, he fears it may have wind of the blocking force to the west." The courier motioned toward where the clouds were growing positively malignant. As before, when Matt had seen a growing Strakka, black tendrils had begun to radiate from the dark, brooding core.

Matt looked at Jenks. "After seeing this, are you sure you don't want to urge Mr. Blair to consider General Maraan's suggestions a little more carefully?"

Jenks eyed the semidomesticated beast the rider sat upon. "Is there room up there for me?" he demanded.

"Of course."

Jenks turned to Matt. "Thank you indeed for a most . . . illuminating experience. I believe I would like to . . . strongly counsel Lieutenant Blair to do just that. By your leave, Captain Reddy?"

[image]

Battle for Singapore

CHAPTER 19.

The mood in Donaghey Donaghey's wardroom was mixed that night. The island of Singapore was theirs, essentially, and almost without exception, all the objectives outlined in the plan had been achieved. Casualties were light, considering the relative sizes of the forces involved, and that was reason enough for most of the commanders to feel proud of and comfortable with the victory.

Lieutenant Blair was anything but comfortable. Not only did he suffer from a painful wound across his ribs, but his losses had not been light at all. Jenks and the Manilo courier astride the meanie had arrived at the left-flank blocking force too late to counsel, cajole, or issue orders, and in contrast to the other leaders present, Blair stared at the bulkhead with a stricken, opium-slacked expression.

His Imperial Marines had stood bravely in the face of the Grik tide that swarmed across them. The two aimed volleys of musket fire they'd managed had forced the charging Grik into Safir Maraan's s.h.i.+eld wall, but meeting that immovable object, they'd swarmed back around it-and over the left flank "secured" by Blair's Marines. Caught in the process of reloading, and helpless in the face of an enemy the likes of which they'd never faced, the Imperial Marines either broke or were slaughtered where they stood. It was a horrifying thing to see, Safir later confessed to Matt, and she was as furious over the senseless waste of Blair's Marines as she was over the utterly avoidable losses her own flank had suffered before she could pull it back. In her practical, slightly blood-thirsty way, she'd insisted that Blair be hanged.

He wouldn't be, of course. Matt secretly suspected Jenks had far more control over Blair's tactics than he'd confessed, and the Marine Lieutenant had probably just been following orders: orders not to integrate his force with the Lemurians or take their their orders under any circ.u.mstances. Jenks's own horror over the aftermath and his hesitation to censure Blair confirmed as much. If Blair could recover from watching half his men shredded before his eyes, he might be a better officer for it. orders under any circ.u.mstances. Jenks's own horror over the aftermath and his hesitation to censure Blair confirmed as much. If Blair could recover from watching half his men shredded before his eyes, he might be a better officer for it.

Otherwise, all the major port facilities had been secured and the remaining Grik driven into the jungle. Chack's 2nd Marines had joined with Alden's 1st, and together the two regiments stormed the stockade where the j.a.panese prisoners were held. They were just in time, too. Apparently, some final order had been issued by the now dead (by suicide, as usual) Hij commander that none of the j.a.panese be taken alive. More than a dozen of the thirty-odd advisor/prisoners had already been killed before the Marines slaughtered their captor/allies. With Matt's permission, the Bosun had accompanied the effort in case his Thompson was needed, and to his reported incredulity, one of the j.a.panese prisoners actually killed himself himself when he realized that Americans were among their rescuers! The rest of the j.a.ps seemed appropriately grateful for their rescue, after witnessing their comrades die and recognizing their own ultimate fate. when he realized that Americans were among their rescuers! The rest of the j.a.ps seemed appropriately grateful for their rescue, after witnessing their comrades die and recognizing their own ultimate fate.

The wardroom heaved and the gimbaled lanterns cast eerie shadows. The leading edge of the Strakka was upon them at last, having waited until the battle was over before descending in all its savage fury. The army still ash.o.r.e had taken cover as best it could, mostly in the newly constructed Grik warehouses along the dock. Some pickets were still out, and the meanie-mounted Manilos were scouring the jungle for any large Grik concentrations they'd missed. Most reports had any semicohesive groups heading north. No one knew if there was any kind of causeway connecting this Singapore with the Malay Peninsula or not, but one way or another, the overriding imperative of the Grik survivors seemed to be escape. Even the enemy force that broke through on the left was reportedly moving north now, in disarray.

Matt was guardedly optimistic. They'd know more when the storm pa.s.sed and the weather cleared, but the 2nd Allied Expeditionary Force seemed to have won the first purely offensive battle of the war. They'd engaged in an ambitious multip.r.o.nged amphibious a.s.sault against territory the enemy knew better than they did, and utterly crushed that enemy on his own ground. It was a heady moment and an auspicious beginning to the complex strategic plan he, Adar, Keje, and Alden had initially conceived.

Matt was speaking to Rolak. Unlike Pete, who'd remained ash.o.r.e, the old warrior wasn't too proud to retreat to the comforts of a warm, dry bed. "Too proud" probably wasn't the best way to put it, Matt decided, seeing the signs of fatigue the day had left on his friend. "Too practical not to," was probably the better choice of words. Chack remained ash.o.r.e in his stead. The s.h.i.+p tossed on the suddenly malicious sea, jerking up short as her carefully laid anchors kept her in place. The wind screamed through the rigging and was even audible in the wardroom, over the pounding rain that lashed the skylight. It was a h.e.l.l h.e.l.l of a storm, Matt thought, but the Allied s.h.i.+ps and their rich haul of prizes rode relatively easily in the protected harbor. It was a slow-moving Strakka, and any s.h.i.+p caught on the open ocean would have been in for it. In spades. of a storm, Matt thought, but the Allied s.h.i.+ps and their rich haul of prizes rode relatively easily in the protected harbor. It was a slow-moving Strakka, and any s.h.i.+p caught on the open ocean would have been in for it. In spades.

"What now?" Jenks asked. He'd come out to Donaghey Donaghey with Matt before the storm struck with all its fury. He was essentially stranded aboard until the sea calmed enough for him to return to with Matt before the storm struck with all its fury. He was essentially stranded aboard until the sea calmed enough for him to return to Achilles Achilles.

"Now we wait," Matt replied. "Clancy's been transmitting our action report to Baalkpan, but in this weather, who knows if they'll get anything. He said he's picked up pieces of a reply, but can't make any sense out of it." Matt shrugged. "Not only are we trying to transmit a message through terrible atmospheric conditions, but we can't run the wind generator in weather like this, so he can't even boost the gain on the output. Cheesy, primitive batteries are all we have."

" 'Cheesy' to you, perhaps, but exciting technology to me, I a.s.sure you!"

Sean O'Casey suddenly burst into the compartment, waving a wet message form in his hand. His face was hard, enraged, and newly damp dried blood was running down his face like reconst.i.tuted tomato soup. Clancy trailed close behind. He looked a little apologetic, but overall his expression was much like O'Casey's.

"Ye must read this, Captain; read it now! Proof at last o' the heinous Empire that creature serves!" He was addressing Matt but his murderous glare was fixed on Jenks.

Matt was momentarily taken aback, but Jenks could only goggle at the one-armed apparition who'd appeared in their midst. Recognition spread across his face and it reddened with discovery and outrage.

"You!" Jenks shouted. "By all that's holy, how . . . ! That you should be here here!" He turned to Matt. "Captain Reddy, I demand demand an explanation! This man is a wanted criminal-never mind the missing arm; I would recognize him anywhere! He is a traitor, sir, and his appearance here not only confirms it, but for him to appear now, after all these months, is sufficient proof to me that you an explanation! This man is a wanted criminal-never mind the missing arm; I would recognize him anywhere! He is a traitor, sir, and his appearance here not only confirms it, but for him to appear now, after all these months, is sufficient proof to me that you knew knew he was wanted and yet kept the knowledge of his presence from me!" he was wanted and yet kept the knowledge of his presence from me!"

"Ye demand demand!" O'Casey almost choked. "Captain Reddy, I demand I demand that . . . monster be clapped in irons, his s.h.i.+p seized, an' he be hoisted kickin' to the end of a yard on the first sunny morn' we're granted! Of all the perfidious, lyin', spyin', goats o' the world! I hope ye choke all the day long afore ye gasp yer last!" that . . . monster be clapped in irons, his s.h.i.+p seized, an' he be hoisted kickin' to the end of a yard on the first sunny morn' we're granted! Of all the perfidious, lyin', spyin', goats o' the world! I hope ye choke all the day long afore ye gasp yer last!"

"As I said," continued Jenks, his tone ominous, "Mr. Bates is a wanted man. He is a traitor to his emperor and has risen in arms against him and his lawful subjects! I demand that you arrest him at once, or there will be consequences!"

"This is my my s.h.i.+p," Greg Garrett suddenly exploded, "and s.h.i.+p," Greg Garrett suddenly exploded, "and I I demand somebody tell me what the h.e.l.l's going on here!" demand somebody tell me what the h.e.l.l's going on here!"

"Yeah," Matt said angrily. "Let's all find out, shall we? What are you even doing here, O'Casey? You were supposed to be on Dowden Dowden!"

"He was ash.o.r.e for the fighting today, Captain," Rolak answered. "Chack brought him and said you had told him to 'let O'Casey entertain himself,' or some such. He came aboard here with me."

Matt groaned. "Commodore Jenks," he said, "I was and am aware Mr. O'Casey-or Bates, as you seem to know him-is a fugitive from your government, but he's also the man most responsible for the survival of Princess Rebecca. He lost his arm in the act of saving her, and it was he and some of our submariners who protected and cared for her long before you ever came to call. I'm personally convinced he's not a traitor to your emperor or his household, although other . . . elements within your government might not agree. Ask the princess yourself for her opinion of the man!"

"Aye, that's the problem, Captain Reddy, the blackguard cannae do any such thing!"

"What the h.e.l.l are you talking about?" Matt demanded. In answer, O'Casey held forth the message form.

"I been trying to clean it up, Skipper," Clancy supplied. "It just didn't make any sense! Finally, O'Casey here comes in the shack wanting to check on things back home. He used to do that now and then when he was here. . . . Anyway, we went over it again and again. There's no mistake!" Clancy glared at Jenks.

Matt took the page after a final glare around the wardroom, and looked at the words.

TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE SECOND ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE X FROM ADAR COTGA X GREETINGS AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR n.o.bLE VICTORY OVER THE EVIL FOE X THE GRAt.i.tUDE OF YOUR PEOPLE AND YOUR RACE KNOWS NO BOUNDS X AS CHAIRMAN OF THE GRAND ALLIANCE PLEASE ACCEPT MY MOST HUMBLE APPRECIATION FOR YOUR VALOR AND SACRIFICE X YOUR SLAIN AND WOUNDED ARE IN MY PRAYERS X END MESSAGE.

ADDENDUM:EYES ONLY M PREDDY CINCAF X DISTRIBUTE FOLLOWING AS YOU SEE FIT X AT APPROX 0230 THIS DAY CMDR BILLINGSLY AND IMPERIAL FRIGATE HIS COMMANDCOMMENCED OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS AGAINST BAALKPAN-THE UNITED STATES NAVY-THE GRAND ALLIANCE X SEVENTEEN ALLIED PERSONNEL KILLED IN DIRECT ACTION AND BY DELIBERATE DESTRUCTION OF BAALKPAN HARBOR READY FUEL RESERVE X APPARENT MOTIVE FOR a.s.sAULT IS ABDUCTION OF PRINCESS REBECCA X REGRET TO INFORM THIS OBJECTIVE ACHIEVED X ALSO PROFOUNDLY REGRET TO INFORM THAT OTHER HOSTAGES TAKEN INCLUDE MINISTER OF MEDICINE SANDRA TUCKER-SISTER AUDRY-ABEL COOK-DENNIS SILVA-TAGRANESI LAWRENCE X SILVA AND COOK BOTH WOUNDED CONDITION UNKNOWN X UNABLE TO MOUNT IMMEDIATE EFFECTUAL PURSUIT DUE TO DESTRUCTION FUEL RESERVE AND THREATS AGAINST HOSTAGES X COURSE ENEMY s.h.i.+P AJAX 050 CONSTANT CONFIRMED BY AIR X REQUEST DIRECT ORDER BEN MALLORY CEASE INCREASINGLY EXTENDED OBSERVATION FLIGHTS X CANNOT EXPRESS DEPTH OF SHAME X ADAR X END TRANSMISSION For a long moment, Matt could say nothing. The expression on his face must have told something of the nature of the tale, however, because the shouts and accusations in the wardroom ceased entirely and the only sounds came from the groaning hull, the confused sea, and the moaning storm outside. A rage as pure and hot and black as boiling pitch roiled up inside him as he reread the stilted words. They'd taken Sandra! That was all that registered at first. That maniac Billingsly had taken the one thing he truly cared about on this entire, mixed-up planet! No, that wasn't completely true. He cared about many things; he cared about their friends and the work they'd started here. He cared about the war and defeating the Grik so their friends and works might thrive. He cared about Rebecca, Sister Audry, Abel, and even Silva . . . but almost from the beginning, it had always been Sandra who gave him the strength and will to continue in the face of . . . anything. With her love, understanding, and healing way, she'd been the one who brought him back from the brink of despair when he lost his s.h.i.+p. She'd tended his battered, bleeding soul and restored it to something that could could care again despite the horrors and agonies it had seen and endured. He couldn't lose her! She had become his life! When all was said and done, ultimately, she was care again despite the horrors and agonies it had seen and endured. He couldn't lose her! She had become his life! When all was said and done, ultimately, she was why why he carried on. he carried on. As G.o.d is my witness As G.o.d is my witness , he swore fervently to himself, , he swore fervently to himself, I'll have you back, Sandra! And those who have done this, no matter who they are or where it takes me, are going to I'll have you back, Sandra! And those who have done this, no matter who they are or where it takes me, are going to pay pay!

He flung the sheet at Jenks, who picked it up and started to read. Matt waited a moment longer until he was sure he could control his voice. "Mr. Clancy," he said at last, "write this down." His tone was calm, but iron hard. Clancy fumbled through his notebook until he found a blank page and poised his pencil. "From Matt Reddy, et cetera, to Adar, et cetera. No shame. Even the best hunter can step on a viper." He paused to decide if the a.n.a.logy was appropriate. Oddly, there were no snakes on Borneo that they knew of. There were deadly poisonous lizards however, and he'd heard them translated and referred to as vipers before-once in reference to Jenks himself, come to think of it. He nodded and continued, thinking hard as he spoke. "I want tankers sent out today today from the new refinery at Tarakan Island. Use every available s.h.i.+p. We're going to start stockpiling fuel on Mindanao at Saan-Kakja's brother's place. Lots of it. We'll probably leapfrog it east of there as well. Meanwhile, if the Baalkpan tank batteries can't be repaired, we'll start a reserve at the refinery dock up the river, if we have to. I don't care if we have to fill Grik hulks with the stuff. We took enough s.h.i.+ps today to make up any supply issues that might arise." He paused and Jenks tried to speak. "Shut up," Matt said, and turned back to Clancy. from the new refinery at Tarakan Island. Use every available s.h.i.+p. We're going to start stockpiling fuel on Mindanao at Saan-Kakja's brother's place. Lots of it. We'll probably leapfrog it east of there as well. Meanwhile, if the Baalkpan tank batteries can't be repaired, we'll start a reserve at the refinery dock up the river, if we have to. I don't care if we have to fill Grik hulks with the stuff. We took enough s.h.i.+ps today to make up any supply issues that might arise." He paused and Jenks tried to speak. "Shut up," Matt said, and turned back to Clancy.

"No matter what, we still have to keep the pressure up out here. Baalkpan is to redouble its efforts to get all the steamers, troops, supplies-everything-to Singapore as fast as possible. Keje's got to step on it too. We need Big Sal Big Sal and her planes to scout if nothing else. Finally"-he paused again and took a deep breath-"if Spanky honestly doesn't think and her planes to scout if nothing else. Finally"-he paused again and took a deep breath-"if Spanky honestly doesn't think Walker Walker will be ready to steam ten thousand miles and fight a battle within thirty days, I want all work on her suspended. We don't have the time to waste resources on her." will be ready to steam ten thousand miles and fight a battle within thirty days, I want all work on her suspended. We don't have the time to waste resources on her."

Everyone in the compartment was flabbergasted. Most still had no idea what had occurred, but if Matt was willing to write Walker Walker off, it must have been something . . . astonis.h.i.+ng. Sensing Captain Reddy's sudden hostility toward the Imperial, Garrett s.n.a.t.c.hed the message form from him. off, it must have been something . . . astonis.h.i.+ng. Sensing Captain Reddy's sudden hostility toward the Imperial, Garrett s.n.a.t.c.hed the message form from him.

"General Rolak? I want Chack and a company of the Second Marines," Matt said.

Rolak glanced at the hull and, by implication, the storm outside.

"Now, lord?"

"Right now." He looked at Clancy. "As soon as we're finished here, anyway. Signal 'em to be ready, if you can." Glancing at Garrett, he saw the rage and astonishment begin to spread across his face. "I love the old Donaghey Donaghey, but she's helpless right now," he said, still talking to Clancy. "Signal Mr. Ellis on Dowden Dowden and have her come alongside as close as he dares. Somebody wake up the Bosun and a.s.semble the Captain's Guard. When and have her come alongside as close as he dares. Somebody wake up the Bosun and a.s.semble the Captain's Guard. When Dowden Dowden arrives, we're going across. We'll try to swoop in close to the dock and pick up Chack's Marines." arrives, we're going across. We'll try to swoop in close to the dock and pick up Chack's Marines."

"What are we going to do do about this, Skipper?" Garrett demanded. about this, Skipper?" Garrett demanded.

Matt's gaze finally fell on Jenks. "First, we're going to take that b.a.s.t.a.r.d's s.h.i.+p."

There was an uproar then, with everyone grabbing for the message form and shouting for explanations.

"Enough!" Matt bellowed, and when there was silence, he calmly summed up the situation.

Sensing his position was precarious at best, Jenks cleared his throat. "Captain Reddy, may I speak now?"

"Knock yourself out."

"Captain . . ." Jenks's hand encompa.s.sed all present. "Gentlemen, I a.s.sure you that none of you is more shocked and horrified by this outrage than I. I swear before G.o.d that Commander Billingsly has acted not only independently of, but utterly against my direct orders!" He faced Captain Reddy. "Think upon it, sir! We were upon that field together today! Think upon what we discussed! Think of the blood blood that was shed by my countrymen! I accept that it may have been shed foolishly, and that is for me to bear, but it is no less precious or sacred for all my pride! Upon that was shed by my countrymen! I accept that it may have been shed foolishly, and that is for me to bear, but it is no less precious or sacred for all my pride! Upon that blood that blood I swear I am sincere!" I swear I am sincere!"

O'Casey balled his single fist and took a step forward. "Sincere, are ye? How sincere were ye when ye crushed me effort tae destroy the likes o' Billingsly long ago?"

"You took up arms against the throne!" Jenks shouted. "What was I to do do? I fancy we were friends once, you and I. The governor-emperor himself called you friend! He tried-I tried to make you see reason, to seek accommodation, but tried to make you see reason, to seek accommodation, but no no! It has always been all or nothing with you! We could have pushed the Company back, reined it in, but you had to have it all all; you wanted it dead dead! Instead, by your your actions, your actions, your rebellion rebellion, you won sympathy for their cause! It was you you who gave them a majority in both courts and marginalized the governor-emperor to near impotence! It is you, ultimately, who has brought us to who gave them a majority in both courts and marginalized the governor-emperor to near impotence! It is you, ultimately, who has brought us to this this!"

O'Casey took another step, but instead of striking Jenks, he suddenly seemed to deflate. It was as if years of self-righteous anger and purpose just drained away and left nothing in its wake. Nothing but a man. He began to sob. "Oh, ye divil, ye prob'ly have the right o' it!" he managed through his tears. "G.o.d d.a.m.n me fer a fool! An' now the very beast I'd hoped ta slay has our sweet princess! G.o.d d.a.m.n d.a.m.n me!" me!"

Jenks's hand seemed to strain to comfort the big man, but didn't reach quite far enough. "No," he said softly. "G.o.d d.a.m.n me me. You were right all along, as it turns out. The Company is is a beast to sp.a.w.n men like Billingsly. I doubt now that we could have controlled it in the end, regardless. d.a.m.n a beast to sp.a.w.n men like Billingsly. I doubt now that we could have controlled it in the end, regardless. d.a.m.n me me for not joining your cause!" for not joining your cause!"

Stiffly, Jenks faced Captain Reddy. "You have my surrender, sir, and that of my s.h.i.+p." He fumbled at his side for his sword. "I will not fight you. As that note will attest, your people and mine would seem to be at war. My G.o.d My G.o.d, but this is a stupid, terrible world we live in! In any event, your people are clearly the aggrieved party and I will require none of those under my command to shed their blood in defense of the actions of a lunatic. Or a nation gone mad."

Matt shook his head, as if to clear it. Too much too fast! "Keep your sword, Commodore Jenks," he said at last. "It would seem I'm not at war with you you after all. But I'm kind of like O'Casey, or Bates, or whoever he is, in one respect: all or nothing. From now on, you're on our side all or nothing, and we're on yours the same way. We're still taking some of the Second Marines aboard after all. But I'm kind of like O'Casey, or Bates, or whoever he is, in one respect: all or nothing. From now on, you're on our side all or nothing, and we're on yours the same way. We're still taking some of the Second Marines aboard Achilles Achilles, though, you and I. If there's anyone you or anyone you trust even suspects suspects of being a Company spy, they'll be sent back here to of being a Company spy, they'll be sent back here to Donaghey Donaghey's brig."

Matt looked at Clancy. "Make those signals now, if you please." He turned to Rolak. "Commodore Ellis will a.s.sume overall command here until Keje arrives with the rest of the fleet. At that point, Keje will a.s.sume strategic command, but you and General Alden will still command the ground troops. Jim will be Keje's exec and chief of staff. Standing orders are and will remain to keep up the pressure on the Grik. Stay focused here, here, on the job that's on the job that's here here, and push the b.a.s.t.a.r.ds any way you can. Follow the plan, but stay flexible; the ability to do that has always been our biggest advantage."

"But . . . of course, lord. But where will you be?"

Matt jerked his chin at Jenks. "I'm going home. With him."

CHAPTER 20.

Rain battered Adar's Great Hall, where the grim meeting was under way. The air was dank and musty with the smell of wet fur and burning gri-kakka oil. A broad, hand-drawn map covered a large table in the gloom, and all the major leaders of the Alliance were gathered around it. All who weren't absent or taken from them, at least. Kathy McCoy stood in for Sandra and Karen Theimer Letts. Karen had taken the news of the abductions hard, and with her increasingly difficult pregnancy nearing its peak, Alan had convinced her to let him put her on light duty.

"But surely they're not coming now now," sputtered Geran-Eras, high chief of Humfra-Dar Humfra-Dar Home. Home. Humfra-Dar Humfra-Dar had been with the Alliance almost from the first, and Geran, the first female High Chief the Americans had known before they met Saan-Kakja, was particularly fond of Matt. Now young Ta.s.sana was a High Chief too, and she nodded agreement with Geran's concern. had been with the Alliance almost from the first, and Geran, the first female High Chief the Americans had known before they met Saan-Kakja, was particularly fond of Matt. Now young Ta.s.sana was a High Chief too, and she nodded agreement with Geran's concern.

"It is madness to ride the Strakka!"

Adar nodded miserably. "I fear Captain Reddy has gone quite mad-in that dangerous, special way we have all come to recognize-and it is my fault!"

"Bulls.h.i.+t," Spanky growled. "For the last time, Adar, it ain't your fault! And Captain Reddy hasn't gone mad, he's just mad as h.e.l.l. I am too-we all are." He paused, watching the nods. "I don't know what kind of seaman Jenks is, but the captain's not going to let him goof around and get them sunk, either. Achilles Achilles might take a beating, but she's running with the storm. My bet is they just get here faster." might take a beating, but she's running with the storm. My bet is they just get here faster."

"Your confidence is rea.s.suring," Adar said, "both in Captain Reddy and myself." He sighed. "But what of these other issues? What of Walker Walker?"

It was Spanky's turn to sigh. "We'll have her ready," he said simply. "As much as she means to you, she means even more to me. I'm not about to give up on the old girl now. Besides, the skipper's going to need her."

"What remains to be done?" Keje asked.

"About a million things," Spanky admitted, "but we're already working on most of them. If we just quit, the guys working on that stuff will waste a lot of time twiddling their thumbs before they can get up to speed on other projects anyway." He held up his hand, counting off on his fingers. "Just about everything on Walker Walker runs on one twenty DC. That's what we've standardized all our industry for. Even if we hadn't rebuilt her little generators, we could probably stick one of our homemade jobs in her. We're still soaking her AC generator, the one she needs for the gyro and a few other things, but we're almost done with it too." runs on one twenty DC. That's what we've standardized all our industry for. Even if we hadn't rebuilt her little generators, we could probably stick one of our homemade jobs in her. We're still soaking her AC generator, the one she needs for the gyro and a few other things, but we're almost done with it too."

They'd discovered yet another another use for the ubiquitous polta fruit and the seemingly endless applications to which it lent itself. In this instance, the fermented form of the juice that became the popular intoxicant seep would turn to a variety of vinegar if its ultimate journey toward becoming the curative polta paste was interrupted. They'd made diluted vinegar baths for the generators and other electrical equipment to deoxidize the nonferrous components. The solution was weak enough that it did that nicely without unduly attacking the ferrous parts. This rendered the a.s.semblies clean and corrosion-free for their ultimate disa.s.sembly and restoration. use for the ubiquitous polta fruit and the seemingly endless applications to which it lent itself. In this instance, the fermented form of the juice that became the popular intoxicant seep would turn to a variety of vinegar if its ultimate journey toward becoming the curative polta paste was interrupted. They'd made diluted vinegar baths for the generators and other electrical equipment to deoxidize the nonferrous components. The solution was weak enough that it did that nicely without unduly attacking the ferrous parts. This rendered the a.s.semblies clean and corrosion-free for their ultimate disa.s.sembly and restoration.

"Thank G.o.d at least the gyro itself was dry," Spanky added. He nodded at Rodriguez. "Ronson and his EMs have been running all over the s.h.i.+p, refurbis.h.i.+ng distribution panels, breakers, switches, and all that magical electrical s.h.i.+t. Act like a buncha spiders spinnin' wires everywhere instead of webs."

Rodriguez arched his eyebrows, which matched his Pancho Villa mustache quite well. "Come into my parlor," he said, in a pa.s.sable Bela Lugosi imitation.

Spanky rolled his eyes, but inwardly he was satisfied. Like all of them, Ronson Rodriguez had come a long way. "Hull and structural damage was repaired before we refloated her," he continued. "Her turbines ain't new, or anything like it, but they're in at least as good a shape as they were when she went down. We hadn't been able to do proper maintenance on 'em in forever, so we still had plenty of spare seals and bearings and such. For them, at least. Numbers three and four boilers are are practically new. Completely rebuilt and clean as a whistle inside and out." He shook his head. "Those Mice . . . Anyway, we're starting on number three. I wanted to put a new boiler where number one used to be, one that practically new. Completely rebuilt and clean as a whistle inside and out." He shook his head. "Those Mice . . . Anyway, we're starting on number three. I wanted to put a new boiler where number one used to be, one that could could burn something besides oil if it had to, but I guess she's still going to need that extra fuel capacity after all. We'll get started on a new, better bunker in there. Thanks to Letts's gaskets, her steam lines are tight as a drum. We're still having trouble with the steering engine, but we'll get it sorted out." burn something besides oil if it had to, but I guess she's still going to need that extra fuel capacity after all. We'll get started on a new, better bunker in there. Thanks to Letts's gaskets, her steam lines are tight as a drum. We're still having trouble with the steering engine, but we'll get it sorted out."

"That is all very well," Keje said. "She can float and she can steam, but what will she fight with, at need?" Spanky looked at Campeti to answer.

"Uh, well, there's good news and bad news. The numbers one, two, and three four-inch fifties are ready to go back aboard. Even made a new, thicker splinter s.h.i.+eld for number one outta j.a.p steel." He looked at Rodriguez. "Your guys'll have to wire 'em in to the gun director, which, thank G.o.d, never even got wet." Rodriguez nodded and Campeti went on. "The number four gun and the three incher on the fantail are practically junk. We can save the tubes and breeches, but that's about it. No way can they be ready in thirty days. Same with the torpedo tubes and mounts-not that we have anything to stick in 'em. Three and four were already gone. We can make the number one triple mount work now, if we swipe parts from number two, but without torpedoes, what's the point? I say we leave 'em off for now and fix 'em at our leisure. Who knows? Maybe someday we'll have some torps.

"I do have a little good news. All the old girl's machine guns survived. That gives us two thirties and two fifties to start with. Add the two fifties we fished up from the PBY and all the ammo the skipper's bringing that Ellis found, and we're actually better off there."

"What about putting some of the j.a.p guns from Amagi Amagi on her?" Spanky asked. on her?" Spanky asked.

"Yeah, I was coming to that," Campeti said. "We've got just about all Amagi Amagi's secondaries ash.o.r.e now, and most are in decent shape. There's a fair amount of ammo for 'em, too. Some was wet, but some was in ready lockers above the waterline." He shrugged. "Some cooked off in the fire. Anyway, the only ones I know we could tie into our fire control are the five and a halfs. They have about the same velocity as our own guns, according to what s.h.i.+nya told Bernie, but they're way too d.a.m.n heavy to stick on Walker Walker. The dual-purpose four-pointsevens are just a little heavier and only a little slower. They might work-at least in local control. They're the best bet, actually. They were mounted higher up and we've already recovered more ammo for them than Walker Walker ever carried. If Brister can get the aft deckhouse rebuilt in time, we could mount one of those suckers right where number four used to be." ever carried. If Brister can get the aft deckhouse rebuilt in time, we could mount one of those suckers right where number four used to be."

"You said they're slower, but with us feeding the four-inch fifties black powder, that's not so, is it?" Spanky asked.

"Not right now," Campeti defended, "but we have to standardize on what we have the most of. 'Sides, Mr. McFarlane, hope springs eternal. We still haven't got the new propellants sorted out, but we will someday. Then we can tie 'em all together."

"What about the antiaircraft stuff?"

Campeti looked thoughtful. "We might stick a few of those j.a.p twenty-five millimeters on the old girl, just for hoots. They're kinda clunky and don't seem good for much. They're not heavy, though, and we've got 'em. Lots of bullets, too."

"Do it," said Letts. "I want the skipper to have as much firepower as we can give him."

Ben Mallory had been murmuring something to Tikker during the exchange. He was utterly exhausted, having flown all day. Captain Reddy never did order him not to fly, but the Strakka had him grounded for now. By the time the storm was past, Ajax Ajax would surely be out of range. "I got an idea," he said suddenly. All eyes turned to him. "Yeah," he said, thinking fast, "I got a would surely be out of range. "I got an idea," he said suddenly. All eyes turned to him. "Yeah," he said, thinking fast, "I got a swell swell idea. When you get the s.h.i.+p all put back together, what's going in that empty s.p.a.ce where the torpedo tubes used to be? I know the searchlight tower's there, but what else?" idea. When you get the s.h.i.+p all put back together, what's going in that empty s.p.a.ce where the torpedo tubes used to be? I know the searchlight tower's there, but what else?"

"I don't know," Spanky confessed. "Maybe those popguns Campeti was talking about."

"Why not give her one of the Nancys!" Ben said triumphantly. "Skipper's always going on about recon," he said a little smugly. "Let's give him some!"

Spanky, Letts, Adar, and Keje all looked at one another.

"Would a davit lift one of those c.o.c.keyed contraptions of yours?" Letts asked.