“I don’t really know what more I can add,” Jenks said, sipping hot tea from a cup. Spread out on the green-topped table between them was a chart showing the four main, or “Home,” islands of the Imperial heart. Matt had seen it before, but in the past Jenks had always covered the coordinates to salve his conscience, since it was treason to reveal the location of the islands. For a long time now it was understood that Matt knew precisely where they were, and under the circumstances, such fictions no longer existed between them. Jenks would doubtless be called a traitor by the Company when his story was told, but he considered the Company-and the Dominion-a far graver threat to the Empire than the Grand Alliance was.
Courtney leaned forward for a closer look at the map. Most of those present also knew where the Imperial capital was, by deductive reasoning, but this was their first “look” at it. Matt had been right when he told them it wasn’t the “Hawaii” they remembered. The island shapes were tantalizingly familiar, but bigger, and in some cases joined. Lower global water levels-which Courtney had long suspected-and random volcanism probably explained that.
“We’ve been gone an awfully long time,” Jenks continued, “and I know little more than you what conditions may prevail within the Empire. We might even receive an unfriendly welcome. As I said before, that would be almost certain if I were not with you, but if the GovernorEmperor has been deposed, God forbid, I doubt my welcome will be warmer than yours.”
“You, O’Casey, and the princess have all hinted you’re a ‘big wheel’ in the Empire,” Matt observed. “I suppose your sympathies are well known.”
“Indeed. I’m known as a staunch Loyalist, as are most Imperial officers.”
Mat grunted. “Hmm. Well, speculation is almost pointless,” he said. “If you don’t have any pals left in government at all, we’ll have to wing it anyway. Let’s assume the situation remains essentially the same as when you left, probably a little tenser, of course, judging by what Governor Radcliff had to say. His was the most recent news. How do we proceed in that ‘best-case’ scenario?”
“We must assume Billingsley will have beaten us there,” Bradford interjected, brooding. “We should know that quickly enough, shouldn’t we?”
“I’m certain of it,” Jenks replied. “That we would know,” he amended. “There is frequent, rapid commerce between the Imperial Home Islands, and almost no clandestine anchorage. Ajax ’s arrival would be recognized, reported, and known across the islands within days. If her crew is paid off, rumors of the princess would spread immediately. They might keep the crew sequestered, pleading sickness, but that would be widely known as well. If she’s there, we’ll know. Beyond that, much depends on what Billingsley and his superiors hope to gain, and what their timetable might be. If the princess has become their ultimate weapon against the throne, I think they would act quite quickly. Remember, they had no more certainty that she’d survived than I did, so I have no doubt they’ve continued their long-term scheme of subversion in our absence. With the princess in hand, I believe they would be overwhelmingly tempted to act precipitously, to ‘wing it,’ as you said, themselves. The Company and their creatures in the courts are known to take the long view of things, but they are also impetuous and grasping. In the past, the best check we’ve had against them in government has been their tendency to overreach and bleed support when the people see their true agenda.”
“So, if they have indeed won the race, we may find opportunity in the midst of a chaotic upheaval,” Courtney mused aloud.
“Possibly, but it could be messy.”
“Best case?” Matt asked again.
“Well, obviously, the best thing that could happen is that we get there before Billingsley, tell our story, and wait for him to arrive.” Jenks looked serious. “Tempting as it would be, I must caution against trying to stop him at this stage. Better to let him think he’s won. If we sight Ajax, we should steer clear. If he fears he will be foiled, his only recourse might be to ‘eliminate’ any evidence against him.”
“Agreed,” Matt said reluctantly. He paused. “What do you consider the worst-case scenario?” he asked at last.
Jenks shifted on his chair. “Well, certainly, objectively, the worst possible thing that might happen is that Billingsley never shows up at all. Not only would that imply that his ship is lost with all aboard-with the attendant grief for all concerned-but it would substantially undermine our testimony. At least until Achilles, Icarus, and Ulysses arrive. Unfortunately, at that point we will of necessity be ashore and we, as well as the Empire, might not live to see it happen.” He looked at Matt. “One of the reasons the Company has survived so long to contend with an entity as powerful as the Imperial throne is that it can be… remarkably resourceful and ruthless. Our arrival will threaten its position because some will believe us. That alone might precipitate action on their part. One way or another, whether Billingsley has beaten us or not, when Walker steams into Imperial waters, the… ah, how do you say? Yes. The ‘shit will hit the fan.’ ”
“Pardon me,” Chack interrupted. “Viewing this map from a military perspective, I see a number of anchorages, particularly on this New Scot-laand. I see no ‘Pearl Harbor,’ however. Assuming the names are different, where was it? Where would it be?”
“It ain’t there,” Spanky said, rubbing his chin through his white-shot brown beard. His expression was as empty as a ’Cat’s. He pointed. “Here’s where it would be, on the south coast of this ‘New Ireland’ place, near this ‘Waterford’ burg. Looks like a lake on a plain.” There was a moment of silence while the others in the room absorbed that. “There’s that old company flag, without the blue too,” he said.
“Yes,” Jenks agreed, sensitive to the men’s emotions. “New Ireland practically belongs to the Company, for all intents and purposes. There is only one good anchorage, but it’s rather exceptional. It’s the best-protected harbor on the windward side of any of the islands.”
“Best-protected from what?” Chack asked.
“From storms-and attack. Edinburgh is good, on New Scotland, but it’s too broad to easily defend against an attacker. New Dublin is well sheltered and fortified, and as you can see, any landing and approach from another part of the island itself would pose a serious problem. Let us fervently hope things do not come to that.”
Matt took a breath. “Well, Jenks, we’re here for the Company-and our people. Where do we go? Where will the Governor-Emperor be?”
“New Britain or New Scotland. New Britain is the largest island with the largest… unindentured population. It is where most people of substance live, and despite their representative duties, most members of both courts live there as well. There are vast plantations and timber holdings. The Imperial capital is at New London on the west coast fronting New Britain Bay alongside Portsmouth. Those are the two largest cities, and they’ve become practically one.” Jenks thought for a moment. “In normal times, that’s where we would find him, but I think Government House on New Scotland at Scapa Flow is where we should steer.”
“Because?”
“It’s the headquarters of Home Fleet. The Admiralty is there, and nowhere will he find a higher concentration of loyal subjects, indentured or not. Even the ‘obligated’ are Tories because their debt is to the throne and the Navy, not the Company, for the most part. They’re considered ‘Naval auxiliaries’ and many work in the yard.” He shrugged. “Some of our brave sailors are literal gutter-sweepings from the other islands, sent to the Navy instead of to gaol. A few of our officers are men with well-placed relations. Most of our best sailors, however, are Scots who spring from obligated mothers living in Scapa Flow or New Glasgow. Most midshipmen come from long-established families, but like your own navy, there are ‘mustangs.’ ” He glanced at Spanky, who reveled in his status. “A fair percentage of them had ‘Navy mothers.’ ”