"We in the fire are glad to have you. What sort of mix do you have?"
"There's a few Wolves, incognito. They put on militia uniforms in case of capture. The rest are mostly guards. I have infantry, heavy weapons, signals, some engineers and mechanics. Backwash from the big bugout that didn't make it to the mountains."
"And you, sir?" Valentine asked Kessey.
"The usual mix. I've got a first-class gunsmith, you might find work for her. A couple of doctors and a nurse."
A runner interrupted their talk.
"We were hoping to link up with the prison party, sir," the private reported. "Captain Styachowski didn't know you'd be with them. She sent out a scouting party to observe the Kurian Tower, but they came back and said nothing had happened there. I'm to take you to her; she's down by the docks. She's made space for the prisoners on a barge."
"Good. Captain Beck, Lieutenant Colonel Kessey, if you could get them up again, please."
Valentine heard an explosion in the darkness. "What's that?"
"I think it's mortars from the Heights. They're dropping shells around the docks. It's blind fire, sir, they're not hitting anything but rubble."
"When the sun gets up that'll change. Zhao, get them moving. Best pace the prisoners can manage."
* * * *
Styachowski was in the wheelhouse of the barge, using the radio there. The barge was to be used to get the men across in case of catastrophe at the railroad bridge. She held the microphone in one hand, a cane in the other, her face lit by instrument telltales. She visibly sagged in relief when Valentine appeared in the doorway.
"The train's almost empty now," Valentine heard Post crackle from the radio. "Still no action here. You want me to send it back? Over."
"Yes, send it back. Over and out.
"Thought something had happened to you, sir," Styachowski said.
"Some confusion at the prison yard." Valentine was relieved to see her alive and well.
A soldier ran up the side stairs and entered the cabin.
"Should the people from the work camp be put on board?"
Styachowski looked at Valentine. "You're in charge of the warehouses and docks," he said.
"Yes." The private backed out of the cabin and made a noisy exit down the stairs.
"What's the situation, Styachowski?"
Another mortar shell landed amongst the Ruins.
"The supply train to go north was just waiting there. I figured we could use what was on it as well as the opposition. Here's the juicy part. There were four 155mm guns loaded on flatcars and ready to go, along with a bunch of other goodies. Post had his men ride the rooftops, it was quite a sight."
"Have you heard from Ahn-Kha?"
"They took the bridge, no problem; just a couple of corporal's guards at either end. After securing it he went overland to Omega. Called us on Solon's own transmitter. There was a little shooting. Someone was wounded up there, but he took the Residence intact."
"So where are the Quislings?"
"Sitting tight, waiting to be told what to do. I don't think it's sunk in to anyone what's happening yet, except maybe your Kurian in his tower. The prisoners we took here said they sent everyone with a gun there to guard him."
"How many prisoners?"
"A few dozen. Night watchmen type MPs making sure nobody pilfers, at least without giving them a cut. They're sitting under guard in the canteen here. We hauled Xray-Tango back, he was conscious for a few minutes and cursing you up and down. Seeing his headquarters on fire could have had something to do with that. I've collapsed into a little pocket here. I wasn't sure if I should burn the headquarters; I didn't want to give the mortar guys another reference mark."
Valentine wondered if he could have handled it half as well. "Nice work, Styachowski. I'm-we're lucky to have you with us. Really lucky."