Nakja-Mur cleared his throat, and everyone looked at him. “Well,” he said, “that’s decided, and well-done. I do have a request, if you will permit me, Cap-i-taan Reddy.”
“Of course.”
“Before you depart, would you share with us again your not ‘backup’ plan?”
CHAPTER 10
Tsalka glared across the water as Kurokawa’s launch returned to his ship. “You know, General, I still detest that creature.”
General Esshk hissed agreement. “But he is useful. His iron ship is still slowed by damage, he says, but at least it floats evenly now.” He hissed amusement, remembering Kurokawa’s stormy indignation and fury toward their enemies after they blew another hole in his mighty ship almost four moons ago. “He is also highly motivated,” he added cryptically.
“Their iron ship is wondrously powerful,” Tsalka agreed. “I will never forget the concussion of its great guns, and the damage it inflicted on the huge ship of the prey. Magnificent!”
“Most impressive,” Esshk hedged. He gazed at the lumbering iron monstrosity. Black smoke belched from its middle as it burned the coal that somehow pushed it along. Despite its amazing power, he must not forget that the Tree Prey had friends who could damage it. It was ensconced deep within the protective embrace of the main body of the “Invincible Swarm” (as opposed to the previous, ill-fated Grand Swarm) to protect it from another surprise eottom.”
“They’ll see them, won’t they?” questioned Hale.
“Maybe,” Gray agreed. “But what are they gonna do about it? We’ll rig it so’s they can’t squeeze between ’em without hitting another. Top it off by putting out way more barrels than we have depth charges too. It’ll be just a matter of tying an anchor to ’em and heavin’ ’em over the side. That’s how we’ll leave a clear channel for Walker to come back through, without it lookin’ like there is one.”
Newman looked thoughtful. “Might work,” he said. “Now I know why we’re on such a long cable, though. I guess we’re the ones setting the charges?”
Gray nodded. “With this box of bombs, if one of ’em slips after we set it, the flashies won’t even find enough to make it worth their while.”
Pete Alden stood on Nakja-Mur’s balcony with the High Chief of Baalkpan, Letts, Shinya, Bradford, and Sandra Tucker. The kid was off with O’Casey. The balcony made an ideal observation post from which they could see the vast panorama of the city’s bristling defenses in the late-afternoon sun. The regiments had been moved into their positions, and Big Sal was now moored by the shipyard dock. She had a spring in her cable so she could fire her augmented battery into the flank of any force trying to land there, or anywhere along the waterfront. Her sails were stowed, and like all the defenses, she held plenty of water barrels ready to defend against firebombs. Because it was such an obvious place for them to direct the battle, they’d already made plans to abandon the Great Hall if Amagi came into the bay. Even with high-rise dwellings all around, the Great Hall and its Sacred Tree stood out quite prominently. It would be a prime target for the battle cruiser’s initial salvos. Nakja-Mur was horrified that the Sacred Tree might be damaged, but there was nothing they could do to prevent it. Secondary command posts had been established in strategic locations.
Karen Theimer had worked wonders setting up a central hospital and ambulance corps, and the surgeons and nurses who’d learned their trade with the Allied Expeditionary Force were now fully integrated into the system. Sandra was in overall command of the medical effort, from the central hospital. Karen was her exec, and the other nurses would supervise the two main field hospitals in north and south Baalkpan. Smaller aid stations were established near every defensive position, supervised by talented veterans such as Selass. Sandra hated that she wouldn’t be with Walker during the coming fight, but there was no question where she’d be most needed. Jamie Miller could care for any casualties the ship might have. Other than her personal feelings, she had no excuse to be aboard.
Without Mahan ’s generators to run the new transmitter, it had been stowed in a deep, safe bunker. Walker would remain in constant contact through light and flag signals, as well as the crystal receivers Riggs had constructed, which required almost no electricity. The experimental batteries they’d built had plenty of juice for them, so Matt could keep overall strategic command even while fighting his ship. Hopefully. Even if everything went exactly according to plan, however, Walker would be fighting for her life. Her exposure to the enemy was the part of the plan everythingmenell as her conviction that they had been a “couple of dopes” all along. She envied Karen her happiness and her ability to show open, natural affection for the one she loved.
She suddenly realized someone had spoken to her. “What was that?” she asked, shaking her head.
“Do you have any questions or requirements, Lieutenant Tucker?” Letts asked. Gone was the tongue-tied suitor of short months before. Alden would have command of the “land battle” they expected, but Letts was still acting as Captain Reddy’s chief of staff.
“Uh, just the disposition of the child, Becky, and Mr. O’Casey.”
“I thought you might keep the girl at the central hospital-what’s the dope on her, anyway?” Only Bradford and Nakja-Mur knew, and they didn’t answer. “Well, if you’ll do that, I’ll keep O’Casey with me. I’d like to see what he’s made of.”
Sandra nodded. “Other than that, then, everything’s under control,” she said.
“Good. Mr. Alden?”
Pete shrugged. “We’re about as ready as we can be without reinforcements. Mahan signaled a few minutes ago that they’re nearly finished laying the mines.” He shook his head. “It’s a miracle nobody got blown up doing that. Otherwise, the only thing I have to add is that Lieutenant Riggs is finally satisfied with the visibility of the semaphore tower in Fort Atkinson. His guys on the southwest wall couldn’t see it through those last few trees and they cut them down. Oh, yeah, I sent Lord Rolak and the First Aryaal to reinforce the two hundred Sularans, and Mr. Brister’s artillery-men in the fort. I also think Shinya should command the independent force we talked about.”
Letts nodded agreement. “That’s what the captain said too.”
Pete looked at Shinya. Ever since he returned, not only from the trip to Manila, but from Aryaal with the AEF, Pete’s friend had been very quiet. “I want to deploy the First Marines, the Tenth Baalkpan, and the warriors from Aracca to a forward position defending the south and west approaches against any enemy landing.” He held up his hand. “You’re not to pull a Custer’s Last Stand, or some Jap equivalent! I don’t want you getting tangled up in anything you can’t handle. I mainly want you out there to keep some small force from coming ashore and cutting us off from the fort.”
“The First Marines is under strength,” Shinya said absently. “They had losses at Tarakan and B’mbaado.”
“Yeah, well, maybe we can fill ’em out with rifle-trained guys from the Second. Will you do it?”
Very seriously, Shinya nodded, and Pete peered intently at him. “Say, you aren’t going to cut your guts out or anything if you have to pull back, are you?”
Tamatsu chuckled. In spite of his mood, he was surprised by the question. “Not unless you tell me to. We don’t have the luxury of engaging in such selfish gestures. Besides, that would only increase whatever dishonor I might earn by retreating. It would give aid and comfort to the enemy by contributing to their commissary.” Everyone laughed at that, including Shinya. But then a strange expression="1em"›
“So that’s it, then?” Letts asked skeptically. Alden looked speculative but didn’t reply. “Nothing at all?”
“Well, yes, actually,” said Courtney Bradford. He motioned to himself and Nakja-Mur. “What about us? What shall we do?”
Letts looked at him, surprised. “I just assumed you’d help in the hospital. The way you’re always dissecting stuff-you certainly know how to handle a knife.”