Distant Thunders_ Destroyermen Part 26

"Stop him, you fools!" Billingsly screamed at the swordsmen. "That is a repeating repeating pistol of some sort!" The crewmen hesitated. A few more scampered up the stairs; one was an officer. "Kill that man this instant!" Billingsly shrieked. pistol of some sort!" The crewmen hesitated. A few more scampered up the stairs; one was an officer. "Kill that man this instant!" Billingsly shrieked.

Silva fished another magazine out of a pouch on his belt, inserted it, and racked the slide. "Too late," he said, and shot the officer. A large red hole appeared on the white jacket, exactly in the center of his chest, and he toppled backward onto the gun deck. Methodically, he then shot the three closest men and they sprawled on the deck around Billingsly. The other crew, who'd arrived with the officer, fled into the waist. Silva pointed the Colt at the Company warden and grinned hugely, his single eye gleaming. Smoke was beginning to coil up out of the ship and there was a growing panic.

"Well, Mr. Mr. Billingsly! Just you an' me!" He gestured with the pistol. "'S a wonder you didn't fiddle around with this thing, learn how it works. A fella like you coulda used it-at a time like this!" He laughed. Billingsly! Just you an' me!" He gestured with the pistol. "'S a wonder you didn't fiddle around with this thing, learn how it works. A fella like you coulda used it-at a time like this!" He laughed.

"Just do it!" Billingsly shouted. "Do you mean to mock me to death? Shoot! I swear swear I will kill you and all your pathetic friends! I'll I will kill you and all your pathetic friends! I'll hang hang that precious princess of yours, d.a.m.n you!" that precious princess of yours, d.a.m.n you!"

Silva's grin vanished and something akin to . . . regret crossed his face. "I already have have killed you, you stupid, measly son of a goat! And at least you killed you, you stupid, measly son of a goat! And at least you deserve deserve killin'. You know, I was kinda groggy at the time, but seems I remember ol' Spanky yellin' somethin' about you not knowin' who you was monkeyin' with." He shrugged. "Now you do." killin'. You know, I was kinda groggy at the time, but seems I remember ol' Spanky yellin' somethin' about you not knowin' who you was monkeyin' with." He shrugged. "Now you do."

With that, Silva slid down the rope to the waiting boat below. "Cast off!" he said. "Out oars! Get us the h.e.l.l outta here!"

"They'll fire on us!" Bra.s.sey shouted.

"No, they won't. Row."

Rajendra gave Silva a strange look. "Do as he says. All together!"

"I want this ship turned in pursuit of that boat this instant!" Billingsly shouted.

"There's no steam!" returned Ajax Ajax's first lieutenant. "Someone has wrecked the emergency valve! We'll have to let the boiler go completely cold before we can fix it!"

"Then make sail! I want that boat! Where's Truelove? Has anyone seen him?"

"No, sir. We have almost extinguished the fire in the orlop pa.s.sageway. It is very strange. The fire was deliberately set, but also set in such a way as to make it difficult for us to reach the magazine! With all those flames that close . . . it makes me shudder to think!"

Billingsly's eyes went wide. "Has anyone inspected the magazine yet?"

"No, sir. It is locked, would you believe it? Locked!"

"Quickly! Who has a key?"

The executive officer was taken aback, both by the line of questioning and by Billingsly's intensity. "Why, Captain Rajendra, that traitor, would have one."

"Who else?"

"Only the master gunner."

Billingsly covered his face with his hand. "Get axes! Every man who will fit in that pa.s.sageway this instant, with axes! You must chop a way into the magazine! There isn't an instant to lose!"

The officer raced off and Billingsly turned to face in the direction the boat had pulled away. It was invisible in the darkness, but he knew they would be watching. Probably that fool Rajendra had no idea, but Silva would be watching . . . and waiting. As he'd said, Billingsly was a man with few regrets, but one nagging little minor regret-letting the hostages live as long as he had-suddenly lunged to the very top of his list.

Truelove managed to open one eye but the other was swollen shut. For several moments he couldn't figure out where he was, why he was there, or why he was so uncomfortable. Slowly it all returned to him. Unsportsmanlike! Unsportsmanlike! He would have chuckled if he didn't hurt so badly and if something painfully large and well secured wasn't stuffed in his mouth. He'd been in the business long enough to appreciate the work of a professional, even at his own expense. Sometimes, given the nature of that brilliant fool Billingsly and the treacherous cause they served, Truelove couldn't help but appreciate a fellow professional, He would have chuckled if he didn't hurt so badly and if something painfully large and well secured wasn't stuffed in his mouth. He'd been in the business long enough to appreciate the work of a professional, even at his own expense. Sometimes, given the nature of that brilliant fool Billingsly and the treacherous cause they served, Truelove couldn't help but appreciate a fellow professional, especially especially when it came at his expense. He'd been at it too long and he'd grown jaded. He when it came at his expense. He'd been at it too long and he'd grown jaded. He did did like the money, but his heart just wasn't much in it anymore. Another thought would have made him laugh. He'd told his adversary his swordsmanship was work while Truelove's own was play. It suddenly occurred to him that, though that may be true, Silva's . . . "professionalism" was still play, while his own had become work. Such irony. like the money, but his heart just wasn't much in it anymore. Another thought would have made him laugh. He'd told his adversary his swordsmanship was work while Truelove's own was play. It suddenly occurred to him that, though that may be true, Silva's . . . "professionalism" was still play, while his own had become work. Such irony.

He could barely move his head, but with his one good eye, he gazed around the compartment. Two dead men. A lot of blood. Wait! He was back in the magazine itself! There were no muskets, just barrels of powder secured all around. If I'm in the magazine, where is that flickering light coming from? If I'm in the magazine, where is that flickering light coming from? He looked up, but couldn't quite see. After much wriggling, he managed to force his head back just far enough. He looked up, but couldn't quite see. After much wriggling, he managed to force his head back just far enough.

Oh, bravo! he said to himself as the charred rope parted and the burning rum bottle dropped. he said to himself as the charred rope parted and the burning rum bottle dropped.

The current ran swiftly here and the men and women in the launch had rowed for their lives. All knew Ajax Ajax might turn at any moment and chase them down, but a couple of those on the boat suspected there might be further reason for gaining distance while they could. might turn at any moment and chase them down, but a couple of those on the boat suspected there might be further reason for gaining distance while they could. Ajax Ajax's own momentum and the prevailing wind kept her pointed east, while the current carried the launch and its occupants west-northwest. Therefore, they'd gained almost two miles' distance from the ship when the night suddenly lit with a blinding flash that drew all their stares.

The entire aft half of Ajax Ajax erupted amid a yellow-red ball of fire, scattering masts, beams, yards, timbers, shards of burning rope and drifting canvas far across the sea. There was little steam left in her boiler, but a great steamy plume shot skyward when seawater touched the hot iron. Another similar blast demolished the forward part of the ship when the other magazine went. The bowsprit was launched entirely out of view like an enormous javelin. erupted amid a yellow-red ball of fire, scattering masts, beams, yards, timbers, shards of burning rope and drifting canvas far across the sea. There was little steam left in her boiler, but a great steamy plume shot skyward when seawater touched the hot iron. Another similar blast demolished the forward part of the ship when the other magazine went. The bowsprit was launched entirely out of view like an enormous javelin. Ajax Ajax's death took only seconds, but to those in the distant boat, it seemed to last much longer. The rolling, staccato, thunderous punch of the blast finally reached them with a physical jolt, and for what felt like whole minutes, flaming debris, blocks, an entire gun and carriage, bodies-or parts of bodies-rained down to splash amid the already vanishing flames.

"My ship," murmured Rajendra.

"My G.o.d, Silva, what have you done?" Sandra whispered.

Dennis stood up in the boat and glared around at the dozen or so survivors. "Why is it ever' time somethin' like this happens, it's 'Lawsy me, what's ol' Silva done now'? I'm sick an' tired of it, hear! Might give a fella the benefit o' the doubt now an' again!"

"Did you . . . do something . . . that might have destroyed that ship?" Rebecca asked quietly.

Dennis looked harshly at her for a moment, then glanced at his feet. "Well . . . what if I did? What were we gonna do? Row Row off from 'em? That wadn't ever gonna work, not after Rajendra and his bunch decided they wanted to come with us! Sneakin' off ourselves was one thing. They wouldn'ta noticed us gone till they came to feed us the next day, and we woulda had a lot of ocean to hide in." He glared at the men from off from 'em? That wadn't ever gonna work, not after Rajendra and his bunch decided they wanted to come with us! Sneakin' off ourselves was one thing. They wouldn'ta noticed us gone till they came to feed us the next day, and we woulda had a lot of ocean to hide in." He glared at the men from Ajax Ajax again. "A ship's captain, engineer, carpenter-an' who knows what else-disappear in the middle of a distraction like was necessary to get so many off, somebody's gonna take notice! Somebody again. "A ship's captain, engineer, carpenter-an' who knows what else-disappear in the middle of a distraction like was necessary to get so many off, somebody's gonna take notice! Somebody did did!"

Rajendra stood too, slightly jostling the boat. "You . . . murdering filth! You murder murder my ship and all her crew and then have the nerve to say you did it because of my ship and all her crew and then have the nerve to say you did it because of us us? Because we came with you? How would you have escaped without our help-without the help of some of the men you killed this night who had to stay behind?"

"It wadn't your your ship no more, genius!" Silva bellowed. He was fed up. "You were in the same fix we were. Don't you ship no more, genius!" Silva bellowed. He was fed up. "You were in the same fix we were. Don't you dare dare stand there an' act all sancti-fidious at stand there an' act all sancti-fidious at me me when you wouldn't even rear up on your hind legs an' when you wouldn't even rear up on your hind legs an' try try to take your ship back! When to take your ship back! When you you blew Cap'n Lelaa's ship outa the water with all blew Cap'n Lelaa's ship outa the water with all her her people on it! You coulda saved your ship then, if you'd pulled your pistol an' shot Billingsly square betwixt the eyes! That prob'ly woulda been the end of it right there, because whatever else you are, or your crew was, you were the people on it! You coulda saved your ship then, if you'd pulled your pistol an' shot Billingsly square betwixt the eyes! That prob'ly woulda been the end of it right there, because whatever else you are, or your crew was, you were the G.o.dd.a.m.n captain G.o.dd.a.m.n captain ! Instead, you said, 'Yes, sir! You're the boss!' an' killed two hundred of ! Instead, you said, 'Yes, sir! You're the boss!' an' killed two hundred of our our folks! Then you slunk around whinin' how it wadn't your fault!" folks! Then you slunk around whinin' how it wadn't your fault!"

Silva looked at Sandra, knowing she, at least, would believe his next words. "I had me a little plan to get us off the ship. Mighta worked. We mighta got off without killin' hardly anybody"-he shrugged-"or I mighta still blown up your ship. That was always plan B. When I heard your plan, I figgered it 'ud be easier-an' safer-for us us an' the an' the princess princess. But only if I dusted off plan B an' made it part o' plan A! Well, the plans worked, yours an' mine, an' here we are. I'm sorry if I killed some good fellas, but I ain't that that d.a.m.n sorry." He pointed at the pistol on Rajendra's belt. "You can try to shoot me now, an' maybe that'll prove you ain't as yellow as I think you are, but I'll kill you an' you'll just be dead instead o' helpin' out now, when your princess needs you. Or you can prove you weren't never yellow at all-just confused an' a little scared, in a fix you hadn't come upon before. I've heard that happens to folks. You can prove that by bein' a good captain for what's left of your crew, an' by helpin' Larry an' Captain Lelaa-if she'll have you-navigate our way to the boosum o' Larry's lovin' home." d.a.m.n sorry." He pointed at the pistol on Rajendra's belt. "You can try to shoot me now, an' maybe that'll prove you ain't as yellow as I think you are, but I'll kill you an' you'll just be dead instead o' helpin' out now, when your princess needs you. Or you can prove you weren't never yellow at all-just confused an' a little scared, in a fix you hadn't come upon before. I've heard that happens to folks. You can prove that by bein' a good captain for what's left of your crew, an' by helpin' Larry an' Captain Lelaa-if she'll have you-navigate our way to the boosum o' Larry's lovin' home."

Slowly, Rajendra sat. Some of what Silva had said must have struck a chord, because he lowered his eyes and then stared at the few distant flickering fires that marked the grave of his ship and crew. His expression was desolate. "Who is to be in charge, then?" he finally asked, controlling his voice.

"Lieutenant-rather, Minister-Tucker," Princess Rebecca said in a tone that brooked no argument. "Now that we're all on the same side, she is the highest-ranking official present, myself excluded. If you prefer, you may consider her as my proxy, but you will will obey her." obey her."

"What about him him?" asked the engineer, referring to Silva.

"As has been most . . . eloquently . . . presented, if Mr. Silva is to be arrested, I must have Captain Rajendra arrested as well. What purpose would that serve? Mr. Silva will retain his position as my chief armsman and personal protector-provided he at least consults me before destroying any more of His Majesty's property."

Dennis looked at the girl. He'd more than half expected her to despise him for what he'd done, and the relief he felt was indescribable.

"Well," he said, a bit huskily, "I'll sure try."

Sandra took a deep breath. "All right, let's get on with it. Captain Lelaa, you have the helm. Lawrence, a.s.sist her with the compa.s.s, if you please. Captain Rajendra? I a.s.sume this vessel has a sail?"

CHAPTER 24.

"Report from the crow's nest, Captain," Reynolds said. "Sail on the horizon, bearing zero one zero."

"Very well. Helm, make your course zero one zero, if you please," Matt ordered. He raised his binoculars.

"Making my course see-ro one see-ro, ay!" replied Staas-Fin at the wheel.

"Uh, Skipper?" Reynolds continued. "Wouldn't this be a good time to put my plane in the water and let me fly over there and have a look?"

Matt restrained the grin that tried to form. Reynolds took his new calling as a naval aviator very seriously, and by all accounts he was a good pilot. He and his small flight and maintenance crew cared for the Nancy meticulously. They'd even worked out a number of the problems a.s.sociated with stowing, rigging out and recovering the plane, and protecting it from the elements. They still hadn't had a chance to actually fly the thing yet, and partially that was due to the time it required to launch and recover the aircraft. Mostly, Matt admitted to himself, he personally didn't want to risk the valuable, fragile resource the plane represented, or the young, excitable, but steady ensign he'd grown so fond of. So far, in addition to his Special Air Detail duties, Reynolds had been stuck in his old job as bridge talker, for the most part. He was starting to feel a little put-upon and it showed.

"Not just yet, Ensign. The sea's got a little chop to it. Besides, I expect that'll be Achilles Achilles, based on our position. If we spot anything on the horizon we're slightly less sure of, you can risk your crazy neck in that goofy contraption then."

"Aye-aye, Captain," Fred replied, a little wistfully.

The sail was indeed Achilles Achilles, and they easily overhauled her at twenty knots by early afternoon. Both ships flew their recognition numbers as they approached, even though each captain would have known the other's ship anywhere. It was a procedure they'd agreed on in advance among themselves-just in case. Walker Walker slowed to match slowed to match Achilles' Achilles' nine knots. It was a respectable pace, considering the wind and the drag of the freewheeling paddles. Jenks was undoubtedly conserving fuel, and running the engine wouldn't have given him a dramatic speed increase in any event. Matt recognized his counterpart standing on the elevated conning platform amidships, between the paddle boxes. Stepping onto the port bridge wing, he raised his speaking trumpet. nine knots. It was a respectable pace, considering the wind and the drag of the freewheeling paddles. Jenks was undoubtedly conserving fuel, and running the engine wouldn't have given him a dramatic speed increase in any event. Matt recognized his counterpart standing on the elevated conning platform amidships, between the paddle boxes. Stepping onto the port bridge wing, he raised his speaking trumpet.

"It's good to see you, Achilles Achilles!" he shouted, his voice crossing the distance between the ships with a tinny aspect.

"You cut a fine figure, Captain Reddy," Jenks replied. "Your beautiful ship is quite the rage aboard here! To have you so effortlessly come streaking alongside within an hour of sighting you has been a marvelous sight to behold, while we here labor along and toil for every knot! I must protest your choice of such a drab color for such an elegant lady, however! Gray, for heaven's sake! And I do fear I perceive a streak or two of rust! Clearly you've had a difficult pa.s.sage!"

Matt laughed. He couldn't help it. For the first time, perhaps, he caught himself liking liking Jenks. Jenks.

"Rust, he says!" the Bosun bawled on the fo'c'sle. "Did you hear that, you shif'less pack o' malingerers? If there's a speck speck of rust anywhere on this ship, I want it chipped and painted if you have to hang over the side by your useless of rust anywhere on this ship, I want it chipped and painted if you have to hang over the side by your useless tails tails!"

Lord, thought Matt yet again, in spite of in spite of everything everything, some things never change. Thank G.o.d Thank G.o.d. Of course, in his own way the Bosun was a genius. The man was a hero to the crew-to the entire Alliance-and even "Super Bosun" was an inadequate t.i.tle. He had the moral authority of a thundering, wrathful G.o.d, and his increasing harangues were probably carefully calculated to keep the Lemurian crew from dwelling on the now obvious fact that they'd steamed beyond where any of their kind had ever traveled. Possibly only two things kept the more nervous 'Cats diligently at their duty: the persistent and familiar sense of normal gravity that proved they weren't about to fall fall off the world, and the absolute certainty the Bosun would contrive to off the world, and the absolute certainty the Bosun would contrive to throw throw them off if he ever caught them cringing in their racks. them off if he ever caught them cringing in their racks.

"Maybe we should steam in company for the day and through the night," Matt shouted across. "Then spread out tomorrow. In the meantime, I'd be honored if you and your officers would join us for dinner. Juan"-he smirked slightly-"and Lanier have been preparing something special in antic.i.p.ation of your visit."

"Delighted, Captain Reddy. It would be my my honor." honor."

Dinner was served in the wardroom with as much pomp as Juan could manage. He hovered near the guests with a carafe of monkey joe in one hand, towel draped over his arm. His wardroom breakfasts had become legendary, but he rarely got a chance to entertain. For this dinner, he was at his most formal best, and though mess dress hadn't been exactly prescribed, everyone managed as best they could. Matt's own dress uniform was one of his few prewar outfits Juan had managed to maintain. He'd even sent it ash.o.r.e with other important items before Walker Walker's last fight.

Earl Lanier entered with as much dignity as possible, carrying a tray of appetizers. He'd somehow stuffed his swollen frame into his own dingy mess dress and wore a long, greasy ap.r.o.n tied around his chest and under his arms that hung nearly to his shins. Laying the tray on the green linoleum table, he removed the lid with a steamy flourish. Nestled neatly around a sauce tureen were dozens of smoky pink cylindrical shapes, decorated with a possibly more edible leafy garnish. Matt's face fell, as did the faces of all the human destroyermen. In his ongoing effort to use the d.a.m.n things up, Lanier had prepared an appetizer of Vienna sausages, or "sc.u.m weenies," as some called them. Juan almost crashed into Lanier, forcing him into the pa.s.sageway beyond the curtain, where he proceeded to berate him in highly agitated Tagalog.

"Ah, cooks and their sensibilities!" Jenks said, spearing an oozing sausage with a fork. After dipping the object in the sauce, he popped it in his mouth. "Um . . . most interesting," he accomplished at last, forcing himself to swallow.

"Yes, well . . ." was all Matt could manage. The "appetizer" remained little sampled except by Chack and some of the other 'Cats, who actually seemed to like the things. Sooner than expected, Juan returned with the main course: a mountainous, glazed "pleezy-sore" roast. He quickly removed the offending tray. The excellent roast was much more enthusiastically received and consumed with great relish. Juan also brought in some other dishes: steamed vegetables of some sort that tasted a lot like squash, and some very ordinary-looking sauteed mushrooms. There were tankards of fresh polta juice and pitchers of the very last iced tea known to exist on the planet. The ice came from the big refrigerator-freezer on deck behind the blower, and Spanky and Lanier themselves had teamed up to repair it. Ice, and the cold water that came from the little built-in drinking fountain, was always welcome, and of course the truck-size machine allowed them to carry perishables.

The dinner was a huge success, and to Juan's satisfaction, everything was much appreciated and commented on. He might kill Lanier later, but for a time, he was in his favorite element.After the last remove, Jenks spoke up. "A most flavorful dinner." He patted his stomach. "Perhaps too flavorful!" He turned to Juan. "You and Mr. Lanier have my heartiest compliments! Even the iced tea! How refreshing! We usually take tea hot, you know. Even if we had a means of making ice at sea, I don't suppose it has ever occurred to anyone to ice tea before!" He paused, and everyone looked at him with keen interest. Of course course the Empire would know tea! Planting and growing some of the "founder's" cargo would probably have been one of their first imperatives! the Empire would know tea! Planting and growing some of the "founder's" cargo would probably have been one of their first imperatives!

Jenks continued. "I am given to understand that you do not imbibe strong drink aboard your Navy's ships, Captain Reddy. Perhaps that is not a bad policy. In case you might consider an exception, I did bring a very mild, dry port to commemorate our rendezvous. There is just enough for a single short gla.s.s for all present, and I intended it as a means for proposing a toast."

Matt nodded. "In that case, Commodore, I'll allow an exception. It's not unheard-of in situations like this when 'foreigners' are aboard. Juan, would you be good enough to fetch gla.s.ses?"

A few minutes later, gla.s.ses had been positioned and filled by Juan's expert hand. Jenks raised his gla.s.s. "It is customary at this time for our most junior officer to offer the first toast to the governor-emperor. I do not expect you to partic.i.p.ate, under the circ.u.mstances, but I do beg you to give His Majesty the benefit of the doubt in this matter. It is his own daughter who has been taken, after all."

"Very well," Matt agreed. "The benefit of the doubt . . . for now." One of Jenks's midshipmen stood, and all those present, everyone, stood with him.

"Gentlemen," he said, "His Majesty!"

All, including Matt, took a sip. The port was interesting, fruity, Matt decided, and as mild as Jenks had promised. He held out his own gla.s.s. "The Grand Alliance, and the United States Navy!" All drank again, but Matt noticed there was the slightest hesitation among a few of the Imperial officers. Inwardly, he sighed.

Jenks held forth his gla.s.s. "Hear, hear!" he said forcefully. "And a most formidable Navy it is. We have joined together to embark on a venture essential to both our nations." He paused. "May it ever be thus: that we will forever cooperate as friends, and never meet as enemies!" On that, Jenks emptied his gla.s.s, and with no hesitation at all, everyone else in the wardroom followed suit.

"Captain!" Reynolds exclaimed excitedly. "Lookout reports surface contact bearing one two five degrees! It's a sail, Skipper! More than one. He says it looks like three or four!"

"Course?" Matt snapped. Sails! Here? Sails! Here? Other than Billingsly, who else would be in these waters? According to Jenks, they were still a considerable distance from the closest Imperial outpost. Possibly Other than Billingsly, who else would be in these waters? According to Jenks, they were still a considerable distance from the closest Imperial outpost. Possibly four four ships! Could others have ships! Could others have joined joined Billingsly? Billingsly?

Reynolds relayed the course request and stood, waiting anxiously for several minutes before the lookout in the crow's nest replied, "Almost reciprocal, Skipper. Lookout estimates contact course is two eight zero! Four ships for sure, sir, under sail!"

"Well," said Courtney Bradford, "of course we all presume those are Imperial ships? If not, personally I'd be willing to lay a wager to it."

"What makes you so sure?" Gray asked. " 'Specially after all that stuff you were goin' on about the other day."

Bradford looked oddly at Gray. "Why, I will gladly wager my . . . my hat hat that they are indeed Imperials, coming in response to the ship and message Jenks dispatched when he first arrived in Baalkpan! Considering the time it would have taken that ship to travel to the Imperial homeland, spread the word, outfit another expedition . . . that expedition would be about, well, that they are indeed Imperials, coming in response to the ship and message Jenks dispatched when he first arrived in Baalkpan! Considering the time it would have taken that ship to travel to the Imperial homeland, spread the word, outfit another expedition . . . that expedition would be about, well, here here by now!" by now!"

Gray looked at the bizarre sombrerolike hat hanging from Bradford's hand (he wasn't allowed to wear it on the bridge) and shook his head. "I wouldn't want that nasty thing as a gift. 'Sides, when you put it that way, you're probably right."

Matt was already convinced. He'd forgotten all about the ship Jenks was allowed to send away, with news of the princess's survival and rescue. He rubbed his chin, looking at Reynolds. Oh, well, he'd promised. Besides, there were other good reasons. "How do you like the sea, Ensign?" he asked.

Reynolds studied the swells. "Looks fine, Skipper. You'll need to heave to and set us down in the lee. The hard part, actually, will be moving away so we'll have the wind again-without sucking us into the screws."

Matt sighed. Another danger he hadn't really thought of. "Very well. Sound General Quarters and call your division. Have Mr. Palmer signal Achilles Achilles that we'll reduce speed and await your report." that we'll reduce speed and await your report."

"Aye-aye, sir!"

After all stations reported manned and ready, Reynolds announced shipwide: "Now hear this, now hear this! The Special Air Detail will a.s.semble and make all preparations for flight operations!" Those members of the Special Air Detail not stationed at the plane as part of the Plane Dump Detail during GQ sprang from their various battle stations and hurried to their new posts. Matt had decided that the ship would always be at general quarters whenever the plane was launched or recovered so everyone would be at their highest state of readiness in the event of an accident. It was then easier to call the larger air detail from their normal battle stations, which, with the exception of the designated observer, were all close by. Observers came from Lieutenant Palmer's comm division.

"Mr. Reynolds, you are relieved," Matt said, gesturing for Carl Bashear to take Fred's headset. Kutas was at the helm, so Fred couldn't hope for better ship handling.

"Aye-aye, sir! Thank you, sir!" Reynolds said, and slid down the stairs behind the pilothouse. Hurrying past the galley under the amidships deckhouse, he heard the diminutive Juan Marcos and the monstrous Earl Lanier still arguing about the night before. He chuckled. He didn't care-he was going to fly! His division, almost entirely 'Cats, had already cleared the tarps from the plane and were arranging the tackle to the aft extended davit when he arrived. This Nancy was his own personal plane, the one in which he'd finished his training. It was one of the new, improved models, infinitely better than Ben's prototype. It looked incredibly frail, but Fred knew appearances were deceiving. He'd botched a landing or two, and it had held together under stresses he'd have thought would tear it apart. He had confidence in the plane and himself. Shoot, he had almost thirty hours in the thing! He climbed up to the c.o.c.kpit and, as always, looked at the large blue roundel with the big white star and smaller red dot with a mix of pride and a sense of incongruity. The roundel contrasted well with the lighter blue of the wings and fuselage/hull, and all the colors looked right, but the contraption they covered was, while in his eyes a thing of beauty, still strange enough to cause a disconnect between its shape and the familiar colors. He shrugged and climbed in. "Who's my OC?" he shouted, referring to his observer/copilot.

One of Ben's improvements, besides turning the engine around, had been installing auxiliary controls for the observer. It only made sense. Observers didn't have to be pilots-yet-but they had to be familiar with the controls and able to demonstrate at least rudimentary flying skills. Of course, their main job was to observe and transmit those observations via one of the small, portable CW transmitters (originally meant for airplanes) that all the new transmitters in the Alliance were patterned after. There was no battery-Alliance-made batteries were still too heavy-but the "Ronson" wind powered generator and a voltage regulator the size of a shoe box gave them all the juice they needed with little weight. An aerial extended from a faired upright behind the observer's seat to the tail.

Fred looked aft and saw Kari-Faask scrambling into her position. She was a niece of the great B'mbaadan general Haakar-Faask, who'd died so bravely in a holding action against the Grik. Kari wasn't quite as bold and fearless as her uncle, but Fred knew she had plenty of guts. She never made any bones about the fact that she was afraid to fly, for example, but she went up anyway and performed her duties without complaint. Also, despite her still somewhat stilted English, she had a good fist on the transmitter key.

"You okay with this, Kari?" Fred called back to her.

"I good. You be good and no crash us!" she hollered back.