Crusade

fly in a machine of some sort wasn’t as big a stretch to them as it probably would have been among Bronze Age humans. Anyway, it was just another example of how sophisticated Lemurians could sometimes be. He didn’t know why it surprised him anymore.

«That brings up another matter,» he said, addressing Jim Ellis. «I want Mahan to make for Baalkpan as soon as possible. We don’t have a dry dock, of course, but there are facilities there. Whatever we decide to do next, Mahan’s in no shape to fight. If we can get her to Baalkpan, at least we can start to change that.» He paused and grimaced. «Before she leaves, though, I want one of her propellers if we can manage it.»

Jim whistled. «That’s a tall order, Skipper. How are we going to get at them? Hell, we can’t even go in the water.»

Matt was relieved that Jim didn’t show more resentment at the prospect of crippling his ship further. He hated to ask it of him, but he didn’t see any choice. If Walker couldn’t run on two engines, it would seriously hamper any plans they made for further offensive operations.

«I don’t know, Jim, but we’ll think of something. I’ll get with you after the meeting and we can hash it out. We’ll work out a schedule to get Mahan as seaworthy as possible too. Now» — he looked back at Rolak' what’s going on in the city? I see guards on the walls, but no one’s answering the door.»

«Civil war,» growled Rolak through Adar. «Warriors came out during the night, warriors loyal to me. They told of fighting throughout the city and. horrible deeds.» He cast down his eyes. «It seems that by trying to save my city’s honor, I may have caused its destruction. None have come out since morning, though, and I don’t know what’s happening now. My best guess is that the king’s loyalists have retaken control of the main gate.»

«What happened?» Matt asked gently.

Lord Rolak sighed. «As you know, when Fet-Alcas refused to allow us to strike the enemy rear, as we agreed, my forces and those of Queen Maraan swept north through the city and came out through the north gate. We had to fight to get out even there. Apparently, word spread of the specifics of the disagreement and many were appalled not only by the king’s treachery but also by the fact that they had been deprived of participating in such a great battle. I know it may be hard for some of you to understand, but to watch such a fight from behind stout walls and do nothing, regardless of the honor at stake, would be difficult for Aryaalans to bear. Fet-Alcas has never been a popular king. He assumed the throne upon the death of his brother, who was popular and widely respected. Even, I think, in B’mbaado.»

Safir Maraan nodded. «Tac-Alcas was a worthy opponent,» she agreed without reluctance. «We warred with him often and he was difficult, difficult, but my father respected his courage, as well as his honor. As did I. Tac- Alcas would never have betrayed us as his brother didt>

«We must talk to them, nevertheless. Whoever’s in charge,» Matt observed.

«Indeed. Many of my warriors who would wish to join you still have families within those walls. None of them are bound by my friendship with you, although most will consider themselves so. I will storm the city myself, if necessary, to get their families out.»

«Hopefully that won’t be necessary,» Sandra said in a fervent tone.

Heads nodded in unison and Matt cleared his throat. «Well. That’s pretty much how things sit, I believe. The way I see it, we have, almost in spite of ourselves, won a major victory here. It was costlier than it should have been and we’re not in as good a shape as we’d hoped to be at this point. But that doesn’t change the ultimate strategy of our campaign. We’ve got to keep up the pressure and move against Singapore as quickly as possible. The intelligence we gained from the captured charts suggests the enemy has only an outpost there so far. While we can presume that the force we destroyed here probably at least stopped off at Singapore, there’s no indication in the charts that they dropped off any sizable force. That being said, I expect that’s probably where the ships that escaped the battle in the bay retreated to, but they left their troops behind. With the addition of Queen Maraan’s troops, and those of Lord Rolak, we should have sufficient forces to evict them — if we act before they reinforce.» He looked at the gathered faces and wished again that he had some inkling of their thoughts. «Therefore, our priorities are these: first, bring the B’mbaadan and Aryaalan troops up to speed as quickly as possible.» Matt let his gaze rest on Queen Maraan and Lord Rolak in turn. «That’s going to take considerable cooperation from both of you. Your people are proud warriors and they may resist training in the new tactics, particularly since their instructors will be ‘mere’ sea folk.»

«They won’t resist,» Queen Maraan assured him. «Not after yesterday.»

Matt hoped she was right and he tried to hide his skepticism. He knew how difficult it had been for Europe to accept the lessons of modern war that Americans learned during their own Civil War. «Second, I want every felucca in the fleet either transporting supplies from Baalkpan or scouting the coastlines for any further incursions by the enemy. If they’ve established other outposts — at Tjilatjap, for example — we must know about it immediately. We’ll also reconnoiter toward Singapore. Rick Tolson and Kas-Ra-Ar will assemble a small squadron of the fastest craft around Revenge for that purpose.» He looked at Rick. «Don’t push too hard. They have to expect us to check them out, but I don’t want them to expect an attack.»

«Understood, Captain.»

«I also want the wounded out.» He looked speculatively at his battle line commanders. «We should move them aboard a Home. Decide among yourselves which one it’ll be.» Matt had no doubt they would choose Fristar. Even now it was clear that the High Chiefs of the other Homes were avoiding Anai-Sa. His Home had lagged throughout the Battle of the Bay and had shown no initiative with her fire the following day. Adar told him that he doubted she’d fired a dozen times — as if Anai-Sa was hoarding his ammunition. «Whoever it is,» Matt continued, «must deliver the wounded and return here as quickly as possible with «I also ast, after the battle in the bay, but everything moved so quickly and besides» — he shrugged and gestured at the destroyer, which had completed her turn and was slowly approaching the dock' I was just so glad to see you and that old ’can, the last thing I wanted to do was argue.» He frowned. «But that was before yesterday.» He glanced at Sandra for support and then looked to see if anyone else was in earshot. There was a general commotion and bustle all around, but the only ones close enough to hear were Gray, Rolak, and Chack.'Currently, however, the Bosun and Matt’s new. whatever he was. were deep in discussion, with Chack translating for them. He sighed.

«Skipper, I really don’t think you should let yourself get caught up in any more desperate land battles, and I’d take it as a personal favor if you’d refrain.»

Both of Matt’s eyebrows rose then, but he managed a chuckle. «I had to be there, Jim. Nakja-Mur and all the High Chiefs put me in overall command. It would have looked pretty lousy if I wasn’t willing to face the same danger as those I was supposed to be leading. Hell, Keje was there.»

«Keje was there because you were there, and he almost got killed too,» Sandra pointed out.

«Well, you’re the one who so forcefully assured me I’m not indispensable,» Matt reminded her with a gentle smile.

«I lied,» she retorted. She wasn’t smiling. Matt’s grin faded and he looked at her intently for a moment. Jim seemed to be considering his words. When he spoke, at first it appeared he was changing the subject.

«When’s the last time the men got paid?» he asked. Matt blinked at the apparent non sequitur.

«Before we left the Philippines,» he answered guardedly.

«What do you suppose would have happened, before the War, if they’d gone that long without pay?»

Matt made a «what next» gesture, wondering when Jim would get to the point. But instead of Jim, Sandra spoke up. «What he’s trying to say is you are indispensable! After everything that’s happened; the War, the Squall, making an alliance with the Lemurians, and now this battle, Walker and her crew have continued to carry on and follow orders and do what you asked of them regardless of the fact that, besides her, and now Mahan thankfully, the United States Navy doesn’t exist anymore. Not to them. Even the country they fought for is gone. The only thing that’s kept everything together up to now is you. The possibility that the crew might not continue to follow orders never became an issue because you didn’t let it. You just continued ruthlessly on, as you always had, and made it clear you expected everyone else to do the same. The United States is gone, but Walker’s their center, their core, their cause to cling to, and you’re the one who made that happen.» She rubbed her tired eyes. «Do you have any idea how fragile that is?»

«She’s right, Skipper,» Jim said solemnly. «If anything happened to you, it would probably all fall apart. I’m