“But we were talking about the Russian fleet, not the British,” Pietr said.
“I wasn’t finished, Captain. Just hours ago the entire Russian Pacific Fleet was defeated off Vancouver Island. The Republic of California lost one ship, a destroyer. Twenty minutes ago, the Russian Empire asked for peace terms.”
The room went dead still again. Grisha stared dumbly at the others who stared just as dumbly back.
Wing started sobbing. “Oh, I wish Slayer-of-Men could be here now.”
Grisha opened his arms and she bent into his embrace. He kissed her on the side of her head, and whispered in her ear, “He is, where else would he be?”
“If you’ll excuse me, General Grigoriy Pietrovich Grigorievich,” Benny said with a smile and a salute, “I think my job just got a lot more complicated.”
He left the room at a brisk walk.
“Captain Chernikoff,” Captain Lauesen said. “My country will give you all the aid you need, I guarantee it, just wanted you to know. General, Colonel, I think I need to be somewhere else just now.” He tossed them a salute and hurried through the door.
“So what does this mean, Grisha?” Pietr asked.
“I don’t know, cousin, but it has to be better than what we had before. Doesn’t it?”