"We're a day late, I know. Bad weather," Valentine said.
"A day late for what?" the sergeant said. He looked more at Ahn-Kha than at either Valentine or the unarmed column far behind. Valentine was suddenly glad Ahn-Kha had insisted on accompanying him.
Valentine glared, and turned his chin so the three pips on his collar showed.
"Colonel," the sergeant added, saluting.
"For outfit and transport, Sergeant. Recruits up from Station 26, District Commander Frum's HQ."
The corporal checked a nearly blank clipboard. "You're Colonel Le Sain."
"From Louisiana," Valentine said, opening a satchel. He passed down a wad of paperwork in an expandable waterproof envelope. "Route Orders are near the top. You'll see supply, transport, OI for each recruit and the roster's in the back, not that you need to concern yourself with the rest. Don't think you have to check off every name that passes; my officers are responsible for everyone getting on the barge. I take the heat if anyone deserts."
The sergeant took another look at the ID card dangling from Valentine's breast pocket. "Didn't they have transport for you on the road, uhhh, Colonel Le Sain?"
"Too cheap. Besides, it toughens 'em up."
"I'll let the general know you've arrived."
"When you do, mention that weather held us up. Hell, I'd better come along in case they have questions."
"Yes, sir. Corp, let the colonel and his stoop pass." The sergeant disappeared into his guardhouse.
Valentine dismounted and stepped over the chain hung between two concrete dragon's teeth blocking the road. "Up from Louisiana, sir? I used to serve in Texas, myself. Can't wait to get back." The corporal's face showed curiosity, not suspicion.
"I'm here permanently."
The guardhouse consisted of the remains of some concrete-and-steel professional building. Men in loose dungarees were rebuilding exterior walls from the rubble, fitting together more or less intact cinder blocks around electrical conduit already laid. Others worked on a superstructure to the building, building something that looked like a miniature aircraft control tower. The workers all had bright orange zipper pockets sewn on the breasts of their overalls.
"Forced labor?" Valentine asked the corporal.
"You know it, sir. At first it was lots of force and not much labor, but they've settled down."
"Good."
Valentine smelled the wet cement and waited while the sergeant passed responsibility up to lieutenant, and lieutenant to a radio. The lieutenant, a thirtyish man missing an earlobe, hung up the field phone and approached Valentine.
The Cat tried not to look relieved when he saluted. "Howdy, sir," he said, revealing a mouth full of black-rimmed teeth. "I apologize for taking so long. I'm sorry, but there's some confusion. They know about the men, but
Brigadier Xray-Tango doesn't know you, sir." Valentine felt a cold sweat emerge on his back.
"I got my orders a month ago. Only thing to happen since then was a last-minute change; they had me set out from Fort Scott instead of Hot Springs. That got countermanded the next day; turned out they wanted me at Station 26 to command these recruits."
"Looks like when you got switched back, someone didn't follow up, sir."
"Order, Counter-Order, Disorder. Hot Springs had some confusion, too."
The lieutenant shrugged. He looked as if he was going to say something to Ahn-Kha, and thought better of it. "Brigadier Xray-Tango wants to see you and your orders before your men get billeted, sir. I suppose your Grog can go with you."
"Excuse me, son. "Xray-Tango?" That an acronym you use up here?"
"No, it's a name. He's CO for this whole New Columbia area. He's new, too."
"I see. Wish they'd tell me these things."
"If you'll follow me, sir."
Valentine smiled. "I look forward to meeting the brigadier."