"Southern Illinois's no threat," Moytana said. "What forces they have are busy guarding against Grog raids out of the hills between the Ohio and the Mississippi, and the rest keep an eye on St. Louis. We could do worse. If the Ordnance decides to send that armored column that redhead wildcat claims is assembling and training there into Evansville, we wouldn't be able to stop them any more than the local leek cutters."
"Evansville has a hospital, workshops, manufacturers, horse farms, refineries for both ethanol and coal oil, factories even, never mind the agriculture-we need all that," Valentine said. "I'm not inclined to give it up."
"All those hospitals and factories and whatnot won't be much good if they blow up the power plant," Gamecock said. "You don't just pick up megawatt generators, you know."
"All the more reason to get them back," Valentine said.
"How do we do that against dug-in Reapers?" Moytana said.
"With enough covering fire, we can blow them out," Gamecock said, looking at the map.
"No, my guess is, despite wherever the hostages are, most of the Reapers will settle in near the generators or electronics-something we can't replace easily," Moytana said. Moytana's gray hair had turned a little whiter in the year Valentine had known him. "According to your vol, they're holding all the hostages in the workers' cafeteria."
"Logical." Gamecock put in. "Easy to feed them. Big enough for everyone to stay in one room, under observation. Warm and cozy."
"Packed in like that, a Reaper or two could kill them all in under a minute," Valentine said, remembering a "sporting event" he'd once attending in Memphis where a single Reaper executed ten men before a basketball shot-clock expired. Without the use of its arms.
"One problem. All those windows. We could put six Bears in that room in less than a second through those windows."
"Wolves can keep the gargoyles and harpies off of our backs. Bears take care of the Reapers. Power plant is back in our hands."
"If we can trust the map," Moytana said. "Someone needs to make a close reconnaissance before we plan anything. For all we know this is an elaborate trap-get all the Bears inside the place and blow it to hell. I think they want us to hit it," he continued. "They've probably got the whole place rigged. A ton of dead technicians, lights out in Evansville and Owensboro, and the resistance takes the fall."
"They're not that clever," Ediyak said.
"It doesn't hurt to act as though they are," Valentine said. "I'll ask Smoke about getting over there and taking a look tonight. She'll need transport."
"Better get her over here," Lambert said. "Where is she?"
"My quarters," Valentine said.
Lambert picked up the phone atop the table and gave instructions.
Most of those at the table found something interesting in the woodwork.
"My Wolves will drive her," Moytana said. "Light-duty truck, something inconspicuous."
"Any way we can get a twist on them?" Gamecock asked.
"Put the Whirlpool plant to work making generators," Brother Mark said.
"Something more immediate."
"There might be an easier way than assault," Valentine said.
"Head back to the Mississippi with the rest of the brigade?" Ediyak asked.
"No. Who's running those Reapers? We need to find the Kurian. Take the mastermind out of the equation and the whole thing will fall apart."
"He could be anywhere," Gamecock said. "We know there's no tower around, so it's probably hiding. When a Kurian wants to stay hidden, they're next to impossible to find."
"I don't think so," Valentine said. "He has to be near enough to the plant so he can control his Reapers day or night. Their range is limited to a dozen or so miles by day, maybe less. Kentucky is thickly wooded and hilly. He needs a high perch for good transmission."
"And one well guarded. Let's not forget what chickenshits they are, suh," Gamecock said.
Duvalier knocked and entered the room. She was wrapped up in one of Valentine's field coats. The table greeted her and she plopped down in a corner.
"Where on the river on the Ohio side is there a garrison?" Valentine asked the table.