The Finger of God: a Thalassia novel
Page 26
“As you wish, Hedric.” There was a small sparkle, and the two fairies were standing on the table.
“Gentlemen.” Hedric addressed the two stunned men. “I would like to present Captain Zanna and Scout Glykera of the Royal Tinanian Amazons. Ladies, these two men are two of our most trusted advisors, and are helping me plan the defense of Pangea. If you would, please give your report to them, in your own words.”
Zanna looked at the two men with a certain amount of distrust before she began speaking. After telling the group about the monsters’ numbers and their different sizes, she concluded with; “their tentacles can tear a man in two, or knock a flier like us from the air. If they catch you they will eat you. Period. They can navigate on land or in the water.”
Zanna took a long drink of water from a bowl Hedric had conveniently placed on the table, and continued. “The second wave contains bigger monsters, and will arrive in a week to ten days. Four to five thousand strong, the smallest of these is the size of the largest in the first wave.”
Hedric’s voice was flat. “Thank you, Captain Zanna.” He turned back to Logan MacKennit. “Against these two waves we have our local guard forces, about two or three hundred men, and two steam gunboats with a total of eight cannons, two harpoon guns and a hundred or so hand thrown harpoons. The hand harpoons are marginally useful against the smaller creatures.” He gave the two men a long look. “What can I do?”
Logan gave a bitter chuckle. “And I thought I had a problem. Tam, do you have any ideas?”
“Evacuate. Save as many as you can. Your fight is hopeless.” The older soldier’s eyes were hard.
“Evacuation is not an option, Mister Kirby.” Medin’s mellow voice broke in. “Firstly, there isn’t time to organize and evacuate 35,000 people. Secondly, if Hedric evacuates, and does not stop the creatures, the entire continent of Pangea will be uninhabitable in three to five years.” Tam shrugged. “Now, add this into your consideration. In ten years the creatures will reach Aethalia and the Eastern Alliance, sinking all shipping and destroying all land dwellings that are not heavily defended. Twenty years later they will reach Reachrainn, the island you and Mister MacKennit are from, and Cloch Dábhiolla. By then nothing you or the Zzzkntti or anyone else can do will stop them. We have to stop them, for you and for the other races on this planet.
“Other races?” Logan exclaimed, frowning.
“You didn’t think that the human race had sole claim to this enormous planet, did you?”
“Ah…” Logan began to turn red.
“Damn.” Tam muttered angrily.
“So, what do we do?” Hedric persisted. Silence greeted him.
“I regret to say that if you cannot defeat the creatures, I will have to take steps, Hedric.”
“Steps?” He found that his hands were shaking. “What do you mean, steps?”
“I will have to destroy Pangea, totally and utterly. Not a microbe will survive.”
“How?” Hedric asked in a small voice.
“Your ancestors on ancient Earth had a device called a neutron bomb. Based upon the old atom bomb, it would kill all life with a terrific blast of radiation. The actual blast damage of that weapon would be minimal, however, the weapon I have available to me although like the neutron bomb, would obliterate half the continent. I think I could use it safely without cracking the planet.”
They sat for a long time, not speaking. “Is there a bomb or something that is powerful, and not radioactive? Something we could construct in just a few days?” Logan chuckled at the absurdity of Hedric’s question.
Medin was silent for several long moments. “There is something.” He murmured softly. “You have factories that produce gunpowder for cannons, correct?”
“You know that we do.” Hedric replied, frowning.
Medin continued. “You also have factories that produce a very volatile form of naphtha, am I correct?”
“Where are you going with this, Medin?”
“Please, Hedric, bear with me. Talking in very simplistic terms, if you were to take a large container, fill half of it with explosive and the other half with naphtha, you would create something called a fuel/air bomb, and it is only slightly less powerful than a nuclear detonation, and without the radiation.”
Hedric’s brain was suddenly moving very quickly. “If I were to take something like a steamship, and fill its holds with explosives and naphtha, how big an explosion would it make, and would it be large enough to wipe out a wave of monsters?”
Medin was quiet for a long time. “It would be more than sufficient, Hedric, although the blast would also destroy New Boston, and everyone in it.”
Hedric was on his feet. “Let me see a map of the New Boston area, especially to the east.” The air flickered, and a three dimensional map of the New Boston area hung over the conference table by six inches. “There!” The young man’s finger sank into a ridge of spiky mountains that sat east of Boston Harbor. “The Taconic Mountains. There’s a small river that begins on the south side of the mountains, and winds around to the east of them. If we could get a small steamboat…”
“I assume you’re talking about the Dolphin, aren’t you?”
“Yes, Medin, I am. If I could fill the boat with the explosive and naphtha, and sail it to the east side of the mountain, I could destroy the entire wave before it ever gets close to us. The mountains would deflect the blast up and away from New Boston.”
“That’s a very good idea, but you have only one boat and two waves of monsters to fight. You don’t have enough time to load the boat and meet the first wave, anyway.”
Hedric shut his eyes. “Then we do it the old fashioned way. We destroy the first wave ourselves, while we load the Dolphin. When the first wave has been destroyed, we sail the Dolphin around the mountain, and I detonate the bomb and destroy the second wave.” There was silence around the table.
“I’m sorry, Alexandra. I’ve changed my mind.” Dolores was glaring at Hedric. “You can’t marry Hedric. He obviously has mental problems. I thought I heard him say that he was going to destroy the second wave himself.”
Alexandra laughed, but she sounded tired. “Of course Hedric isn’t going to destroy the second wave alone, Mother.” Dolores was frowning now. “He is going to handle the engines, while I navigate.”
The conference room was clear, and Hedric sat at the empty table, legs draped over the arm of his chair, sipping a glass of wine. His head was pounding.
“I assume that there is something else you wish to discuss?”
Hedric rubbed his eyes. “There are two things. If I should be killed in the first wave or die attempting to stop the second, evacuate all the people you can to Medin and Elysium. I just don’t have the time to do it now. If we should, by some miracle, succeed in destroying both waves of creatures, then what? Won’t the monsters come back after a few years, maybe even stronger?”
“Yes, Hedric, they would.” The mellow voice said quietly.
“So we need to destroy the crashed starship Valley Forge, and the entire infected valley right down to the bedrock. Destroy it utterly.”
“My weapon would accomplish that.”
“Medin, your weapon would destroy Pangea. I’m trying to save it. Come up with another solution.”
The voice was silent for several moments. “There is always a kinetic energy weapon.”
“Speak English, Medin.”
“We find a big rock in space, a mile long or so, and throw it at the planet. The energy released when it hits will be several orders of magnitude greater than a neutron bomb, but still not as great as my weapon. The Blight will be most thoroughly destroyed.”
“And you can throw this rock?”
“No, Hedric, I cannot. Selene and Rhiannon cannot. You and Miss Alexandra, however, working as the foursome, can.”
Hedric slumped. “I think I want to throw up.”
Blue and Burn sat and stared at him expressionlessly.
Blue touched a paw to Hedric’s wrist.
Hedric sighed.
Hedric thought.
Blue nodded.
Hedric felt like it was a parting.
With not a little effort and cursing, they positioned the steamship Golden Fleece in the mouth of Boston Harbor, long heavy cables holding it in place over underwater pilings. Six cannons and both harpoon guns had been situated on the port side, facing the open river to stop the waterborne creatures, and two on the starboard side covered the harbor proper. The cargo and all personal belongings had been cleared out, with only the gunpowder, balls, harpoons and enough good food to last a week. After that, it wouldn’t matter much. Doctor Welter had managed, somehow, to acquire a large supply of bandages and medicines.
On the other side of the harbor, the steamship Dolphin had been towed into a sheltered dock, and work was continuing at a frantic pace to prepare the bomb-ship for her last spectacular days. Medin had provided detailed instructions of how everything must be constructed.
Hedric stood on the empty forecastle deck of the Golden Fleece, beside the harpoon gun, while the rest of the crew was having dinner. Across the dark water New Boston blazed with light, and small boats were frantically rushing guardsmen back and forth to fortified positions on the edge of the harbor. It had been an insanely busy two days, and they had only one more day, maybe less, until the first of the mutated creatures arrived. Roland Paul, the new first mate, and Joshua Tilbet had, at Captain Isenhart’s request, taken over control of the Golden Fleece, preparing it for battle. Dolores was acting as liaison between the Fleece and Boston guardsmen. Colonel Harrison, thanks to his involuntary swim, would probably come around to Hedric’s way of thinking, eventually, Captain Isenhart commented dryly. But Hedric knew he didn’t have the time.
A hand touched his arm. “You’ve got to eat.” He could hear the concern in Lexi’s voice.
“Not hungry, and anyway, the fried fish Cookie’s serving would probably make me throw up.”
“Medin.” The young woman said to the glowing orb that was the moon. “Would you please have a bowl of hot vegetable soup and a ham sandwich ready in the observatory?”
“Is Hedric not eating again?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“Do you sit around discussing my failings with everybody?” Hedric asked, with some asperity.
“Only with your friends. Now would be a good time, Medin.”
After the incident on the deck with the fairies, Hedric and Alexandra had acquired a new status with the crew, and it made both young people uncomfortable. “You’ll get used to it.” Medin had explained patiently. “The common people tend to deify things they don’t understand, and your continual vanishing into mid-air isn’t really understandable to the common man. You did this to yourself. The fairies are something else entirely.” Medin had chuckled at that. “Consorting with fairies puts you firmly in the category of myth and legend.”
The air flickered, and Lexi could feel Hedric relax, and take a deep breath. “Hey! That smells good.” He exclaimed, moving toward two steaming bowls and two sandwiches that sat on the low table in front of the couch.
“Two meals, Medin?” Lexi remarked as she sat.
“Have you eaten, Miss Lexi?”
“Uhhh…”
“I didn’t think so. EAT!”
“Bully!”
The young dark haired woman picked up a spoon with a wide grin. Hedric was already chewing a huge bite of his sandwich, a look of pure bliss on his face. “You act like Mother.”
“I’m not your mother.” The disembodied voice replied dryly, as two mugs of chilled ale appeared on the table. “But I understand the concept.”
Hedric leaned back on the couch and tossed the napkin onto the table. “That was wonderful, Medin, but I really think I should…”
“You haven’t slept in forty-eight hours, Hedric.” The voice interrupted. “You need sleep. Tomorrow is apt to be a busy day.”
“But…” Hedric’s eyes rolled back in his head, until only the whites showed, and he fell soundlessly over on the couch.
“Medin, did you do that?” Lexi sounded only slightly worried.
“Yes, Miss Lexi. Goodnight, miss.”
“Now, wait a min…” Alexandra crumbled next to Hedric.
“I’ll wake you both at first light.” Medin murmured softly, as he pulled a warm blanket over the sleeping forms.
The almost risen sun was turning the still harbor into a sheet of polished steel. Unmoving, the air felt like wet cotton and held a vague fishy odor. Standing next to him, Alexandra frowned. “What is that, flying low over the water and heading our way?”
Hedric squinted his eyes. “Can’t tell, but it’s having a hard time staying in the air, whatever it is.”
Lexi’s hand grabbed his shoulder, her grip almost painful. “It’s Blue, the D’Tril. I’m sure of it.” The two watched the creature bob, sometimes getting low enough to skim the dark water, leaving fine silver ripples. “By the gods, it must be exhausted. I’ll get some water.”
“Make that ale. Blue isn’t dirty, just thirsty.” Hedric corrected. Lexi gave him a grin, and disappeared.
The small shape wove its way closer, and soon Hedric could hear the uneven beat of her wings. Blue bobbed one last time, as Lexi reappeared from the galley, and just cleared the railing to collapse panting on the deck. Without a word Hedric handed her the full mug of beer.
Eyes wide, Blue grabbed the mug and lifted it to her mouth, setting it down when the pint was half empty; her golden eyes were glazed. “Ah, bless you both. I think I love you.” Her eyes cleared and she looked around the boat. “Where the bloody hell are your men? The creatures are only ten minutes behind me!” Alexandra beat Hedric to the large ship’s bell, and began to ring it furiously.
“Blue.” Hedric knelt in front of the small flying creature. “Can you get to Colonel Harrison’s estate?”
The small flying being gave him a grouchy look. “Yeah, why?”
“Tell him the same thing you told me, and then stay there. You’ll be safer on land than out here in the harbor.”
Blue drained the last of the beer, and sighed. “No shit. This wave of monsters is coming around the north side of the mountains, for the most part. All the smaller beasts and about half the big red things. The other half of the big red things and all the squids are coming by the river, and you have them all for yourself.”
“Shit!” The young man exclaimed with feeling.
“Exactly. Now, I’d better get out of here while I still can still spring the friggin surprise on them. That stiff assed colonel is going to drop his teeth.” She stepped up onto the railing.
“Take care, Blue.” Hedric said gently.
“You too, my friend.” The small creature sprang into the air, and began her staggering way toward shore.
Chapter 17
Hedric and Lexi could see fires, and the screams of battle on shore grew louder, echoing across the empty harbor.
“Red monster on the
port quarter, two or three cables distant.” A lookout standing on top of the wheelhouse shouted. Next to him he had two or three harpoons propped and handy. Hedric could smell the sour stench of fear on the air, and wondered how much was coming from him.
“We’ll take him with the six pounder.” One of the gun captains called.
“Monster is two cables and closing!” The lookout sounded shrill.
“Ready!” The gun captain bellowed. The monster surged up, filling the air with a screeching bellow. “Fire!” One of the large center six pound guns roared, deafening those around it, and shrouding the deck in a thick cloud of smoke. From his position in the bow Hedric saw the heavy ball strike the beast in the head, spewing brains and gore out over the harbor. The red creature flopped backward and sank, twitching.
“A kill!” The gun captain shouted, and the rest of the sailors began to cheer. Hedric smiled. He knew it was dumb luck, but still it was a good beginning. Nine hundred and ninety nine to go.
“Two more monsters at three cables. No, make that three monsters. The last one is a squid.”
Again the gunners managed to stop the monsters at a cable from the boat, a careful shot from the harpoon gun taking the squid in the middle of its dinner-plate sized eye. After that, the creature seemed to lose interest in the battle.
In the next wave a nine pound ball bounced off the chitenous armor of a red beast, and the creature managed to tear a ten foot section from the port rail, and injure one sailor before three other cannons tore it to bloody quivering chunks.
Lexi touched his arm, and Hedric shook his head to try and clear the ringing in his ears. “Does it seem to you that these monsters are being unusually cooperative?”
Hedric frowned. “Yeah. I noticed that. They attack three or four at a time, and always give us a few minutes between attacks to catch our breath. I’m not looking the gift horse in the mouth, love.” Hedric leaned on his gore covered boarding ax. The sailors found that boarding axes worked very well in repelling tentacles, as well as boarders. “If someone wants to do us a favor, I’ll take all the help I can get.” He looked out over the water. “Here comes the next bunch.” The bow harpoon gun barked, and one of the approaching monsters staggered and screamed. “We should be hitting the halfway point pretty soon. Maybe things will slow down after that.”