respond, and Matt studied the coastline during the uproar that ensued. “These can’t be from the same force we tangled with,” he said loudly, regaining everyone’s attention. “It might arrive at any time, but allowing for the travel time of those trappers, it couldn’t have gotten there days ago. This must be a separate force sent to establish a beachhead, maybe a base of operations. They might put the rest of their troops ashore there for a flanking attack while their Navy tries to force the forts guarding the bay. Maybe that’s where they mean to base their damn lizard birds. We have to be sure about the range of those things; it might be crucial!”
“I say,” said Bradford, “there wouldn’t be any naturalists in the room at all?” A few hands tentatively rose. “Natural scientists” were fairly common in the Imperial Navy. “Splendid! Let’s put our heads together and see if we can answer Captain Reddy’s crucial question!” He looked at Matt. “Will these gentlemen miss anything important if they leave with me now?”
“Not unless they command troops or ships. Otherwise, what you come up with is of extreme importance.”
“Thank you, Captain.” He motioned at one of the officers who’d stood. “Please lead the way to a suitable chamber, preferably one where refreshments might be had!” Courtney Bradford followed half a dozen officers from the room.
“You believe the attack will come from two directions, sir?” Rempel asked Matt.
“At least two. They know we’ve seen them, their main force at least, but they’ll probably assume we don’t know about the landing at Monterey-that bay down there. I think those trappers have helped a lot because, based on their observations, we know the gist of their strategic plan. As I said, a direct attack on the forts and the bay, combined with an overland attack from the south. They’ll even have most of their troop transports with them here so we’ll think they plan to land infantry. Maybe they will, but my bet rides on that southern force, for the most part, coming up through the San Jose valley.” He blinked at the blank stares, then turned to look at the map. “Oh. Up through here, the Saint Joseph lowlandport/div›
“If what ye say is true, sir,” said a Marine captain, “an’ we deploy in time, I’ve no doubt we can drub twice our numbers there, even wi’ militia!’Tis really their only avenue o’ advance, an’ we already ha’ barricades there ta guard against maraudin’ beasties!”
“What kind of ‘beasties’?” Spanky asked darkly, speaking for the first time.
“Oh, we’ve some beauts, sir! Not so many as before, an’ the bigger predators pervide excitin’ artillery practice for the militia, so they’ve learned to keep scarce hereabouts, but we do nae massacre the big vegiticians- like monstrous great bloody coos, an’ tasty as well. The barricades simply keep ’em from stompin’ the city flat!”
“Okay,” Matt said, turning to Jenks. “I recommend you command the land force here. Maybe some of your recent experiences will inspire a few alterations to the local tactics.”
Jenks nodded, appreciative that Matt had spoken so delicately, but he was right. These people just didn’t know!
“Deploy as quickly as possible with all the troops and field artillery you can get your hands on,” Matt continued. “I’ll send the ‘Nancy’ up at first light to confirm our suspicions, but for now, proceed as if our suspicions are fact. Take your Marines from the ship, and I’ll also give you a few of my guys with modern, long-range weapons. A few Springfields knocking off some enemy brass at the right moment might come in handy.” He looked at Gray. “Take the Bosun. Walker ’s already got Carl Bashear, and Gray’ll just stomp around yelling at everybody-and you might need that!”
“But Skipper…” Gray began.
Matt shook his head. “It’s going to get weird out on the water, Boats,” Matt said, “but we’re used to weird, and I’ve got the whole crew of Walker to ‘protect’ me. Harvey’s never fought with any of these guys before, and he needs somebody he can trust to watch his back… and kick ass for him, if need be.”
“Aye, aye, sir.”
“The forts must remain fully armed,” Matt went on. He looked at Rempel. “And vigilant. We’ll also need to keep a reserve in the city. Otherwise, every ship and boat with so much as a swivel gun will prepare to defend the harbor mouth or join my ship in repelling the naval assault.”
A number of officers in the chamber, including Rempel, had been listening with growing alarm. “Perhaps I don’t understand,” Rempel said at last, “but who exactly commands here? And how do you plan to face an enemy the size you described with only your-evidently-lightly armed ship, a few Company vessels, a Navy ship or two, and a handful of gunboats?”
Jenks pointed at Matt. “As for overall command, he’s it,” he said, “and any man who does not follow his orders instantly and to the letter will be hanged. Am I perfectly clear?”
There were sullen nods.
“And do not underestimate his ship. It’s far more heavily armed than you think. Besides, we do expect reinforcements. A sizable portion of Home Fleet should be just over the horizon. We’ve had no communication with those elements-by means I’ll explain later-but they’re due anytime. Walker -Captain Reddy’s ship-should be able to make quite a dent in the Dom warships if the dragons can be kept at bay. Some plan for that is crucial, but all is not as gloomy as it seems.”
With the first light of the rising sun coloring the clouds overhead, Fred Reynolds and Kari-Faask lifted “their” PB-1B off the waters of Saint Francis Bay, to the incredulous amazement of those watching from the now fully alert forts and Naval Headquarters. Early risers in the city were equally astonished, but they didn’t have time to ponder what they’d seen before the church bells began to ring. Despite the early hour, there were no services on Tuesdays, and an emergency was confirmed when the alarm horns wound up, beginning near the Southmouth fort and spreading outward from there. The alarm horns were an obligatory call to arms, and fishermen preparing for the morning trawl, shopkeepers, yard workers, bankers, farmers, and even female indentures (conventions were less restrictive on this frontier) dropped what they were doing, fetched weapons, and moved purposefully toward their assembly points. Some heard the engine of the “Nancy” and saw the plane circle back toward the mouth of the bay and quickened their step. They didn’t know if the flying machine was hostile or not, but clearly something was up, and this alarm was no drill.
Walker shoved off from the dock, flying the Imperial ensign beside her own once again, as well as Imperial signal flags so no one would fire on her. Matt was taking Admiral Rempel to the main fleet shipyard across the bay. His ship was also towing barges full of Marines past the Company ships moored away from the docks. A barge was released near each vessel so the Marines could take it into custody. After that, the ships were to move to the Navy wharves for uparming and recrew-ing as necessary. Small swift sloops darted in all directions from the “Nav HQ” in search of the gunboats deployed around the bay, and one would go upriver to find the gunboat serving as the Governor’s “camp yacht.”
Jenks remained at HQ, commanding the Imperial land forces. In addition to the Bosun, Matt left him Sonarman Fairchild to operate the portable comm gear, and gunner’s mates “Stumpy” and “Pack Rat.” Both’Cats had ’03 Springfields and a full load out of twenty, five-round stripper clips full of smokeless. 30-06. Gray had his Thompson. All were members of the Captain’s Guard, but until further orders, they’d protect Jenks with their lives. Bradford also remained at HQ, ensconced with his new “naturalist” buddies, racking their brains to come up with some scientific or even anecdotal “dragon” repellant. So far, they hadn’t come up with much.
The last barge released to secure a large Company steamer that reminded Matt of Ulysses, Walker turned for the primary colonial shipyard. Even from a distance of several miles, Matt could tell it was larger than all the yards in New Scotland combined. It made sense. There was plenty of timber here, and endless other resources simply not available in the Isles. Several ships were out of the water, undergoing hull repairs. Others were alongside the docks with men and women working in the tops. A few seemed to be taking on cargo and supplies. Almost a dozen ships, in various stages of construction, stood naked or skeletal on ways from which they’d ultimately slide into the sea. Matt realized then with absolute moral certainty that no matter the cost, this place must not fall. He looked at Rempel, standing behind and to the left of Kutas at the wheel.
“Don’t fool with that, Admiral,” he said, “if you please.”
Rempel snatched his hand away from the engine room telegraph. “A most amazing vessel, Captain Reddy,” he said sincerely. He pointed at the telegraph. “If that device does not lie, your ship is only making a third of her potential speed-yet she’s already swifter tan any ship I’ve seen.”
“It doesn’t lie.”
Rempel nodded. He hadn’t thought so. “How came you to be in the service of the Empire?” he inquired. He
