Settling Accounts_ Drive To The East Part 56

"Anybody would think we were in the Army or something," Pound said.

"Wonder why that is." Lieutenant Griffiths grew intense. "Here come their big shots."

Pound peered through the gunsight. A few days earlier, he would have loved to put a couple of rounds of HE-or, better yet, shrapnel-on that group of eight or ten Confederate officers. All the men had three stars on the collar tabs of their greatcoats. All but two or three had those stars enclosed in wreaths, which meant they were generals, not colonels. They all looked to be in their late thirties or early forties, younger than most U.S. officers of similar grade.

And they all looked as if they'd just watched a bulldozer run over their kitten. "They really didn't think this could happen to them," Pound said. "They've been whipping us for a year and a half. They figured it would go on forever."

"Too d.a.m.n bad," Griffiths said.

One of the U.S. soldiers guarding the high-ranking Confederate officers carried an automatic Tredegar rifle, another a captured C.S. submachine gun. Pound wondered whether the colonels and generals in b.u.t.ternut appreciated the compliment. He was inclined to doubt it.

"They get off easy," Griffiths said. "They stay in a camp away from the fighting for the rest of the war, and the U.S. government pays their salary. The rest of us still have to go on out here."

Some of the C.S. officers looked as if they would rather be dead. If they were smart, though, they wouldn't say anything about that to the men in green-gray who herded them along. The U.S. soldiers might oblige them.

"If we get a refit, where do you suppose we'll go next?" Pound asked.

Lieutenant Griffiths ducked down into the turret to favor him with a wry grin. "I said that before, Sergeant. I thought you'd have a better idea than I did."

"Not me, not now." Pound shook his head. "General Morrell would tell me what was up sometimes. Far as everybody else is concerned, I'm just a d.a.m.n noncom." He spoke without heat.

"Can't imagine why that would be," Griffiths said, and Pound chuckled. The young lieutenant went on, "Well, all I can tell you is, we'll go wherever they need us most once we get our refit-if we get our refit."

"Sounds about right." Pound pictured a map. He pictured what was likely to happen over the next few weeks. "Virginia or Ohio," he said. "Whichever heats up fastest, I guess."

"I wouldn't bet against either one of them," Lieutenant Griffiths said. "I hope it's Ohio, to tell you the truth."

"Me, too-we have a better chance of hurting them bad there, I think," Pound said. "But wherever it is, by G.o.d, we'll get the job done."

About the Author.

HARRY T TURTLEDOVE is a Hugo Awardwinning and critically acclaimed writer of science fiction, fantasy, and alternate history. His novels include is a Hugo Awardwinning and critically acclaimed writer of science fiction, fantasy, and alternate history. His novels include The Guns of the South; How Few Remain The Guns of the South; How Few Remain (winner of the Sidewise Award for Best Novel); the Great War epics (winner of the Sidewise Award for Best Novel); the Great War epics American Front, Walk in h.e.l.l, American Front, Walk in h.e.l.l, and and Breakthroughs; Breakthroughs; the World War series: the World War series: In the Balance, Tilting the Balance, Upsetting the Balance, In the Balance, Tilting the Balance, Upsetting the Balance, and and Striking the Balance; Striking the Balance; the Colonization books: the Colonization books: Second Contact, Down to Earth, Second Contact, Down to Earth, and and Aftershocks; Aftershocks; the American Empire novels the American Empire novels Blood & Iron, The Center Cannot Hold, Blood & Iron, The Center Cannot Hold, and and Victorious Opposition; Settling Accounts: Return Engagement; Homeward Bound; Ruled Britannia Victorious Opposition; Settling Accounts: Return Engagement; Homeward Bound; Ruled Britannia (also a Sidewise winner), and many others. He is married to fellow novelist Laura Frankos. They have three daughters: Alison, Rachel, and Rebecca. (also a Sidewise winner), and many others. He is married to fellow novelist Laura Frankos. They have three daughters: Alison, Rachel, and Rebecca.

BOOKS BY HARRY TURTLEDOVE.

The Guns of the South

THE WORLDWAR SAGA.

Worldwar: In the Balance

Worldwar: Tilting the Balance

Worldwar: Upsetting the Balance

Worldwar: Striking the Balance

COLONIZATION.

Colonization: Second Contact

Colonization: Down to Earth

Colonization: Aftershocks

THE VIDESSOS CYCLE.

The Misplaced Legion

An Emperor for the Legion

The Legion of Videssos

Swords of the Legion

THE TALE OF KRISPOS.

Krispos Rising

Krispos of Videssos

Krispos the Emperor

THE TIME OF TROUBLES SERIES.

The Stolen Throne

Hammer and Anvil

The Thousand Cities

Videssos Besieged

Noninterference

Kaleidoscope

A World of Difference

Earthgrip

Departures

How Few Remain

THE GREAT WAR.

The Great War: American Front

The Great War: Walk in h.e.l.l

The Great War: Breakthroughs

American Empire: Blood and Iron

American Empire: The Center Cannot Hold