Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #18 September 2015 | Page 92

Trouble at the Docks
Chapter Sixteen
By Jim King

during the late night attack.

There were no further alarms for the rest of the
night. The platoons not on watch stood down to get
such rest as they could manage, though only the most
seasoned of veterans were able to sleep much. Those
who had not seen the figures walking toward them
take hit after hit during the attack had heard every
detail repeated many times afterwards.

With a clatter of hooves and iron shod wheels
on the hard packed sand and stones that made up the
road, the artillery and lancers set off to the south.

In particular, the men who had gone out with
the General and seen that last corpse, still clawing its
way across the sand trying to reach them. That story
was growing by the minute.
Still, the sergeants made sure the gossip was
kept to a whisper, and several times the silence of the
night was shattered by a leather-throated voice bellowing for soldiers to shut their mouths and get back to
sleep.
Men sought such rest as they could manage.
Rumours that they were to be attacking at first light
swept through them as soon as the officers meeting
had broken up, and the shouted orders to prepare the
guns and Land Frigate for dawn were heard.
#
With the first light of dawn in the eastern sky,
the camp sprung into action. Steam engines fired up
and were bought to full pressure. Men were checked
to ensure they had everything for the attack. The
quartermaster and his men stood by a pair of wagons
piled high with munitions crates, handing out rounds
to those soldiers who had not yet replaced bullets fired

The courier reported to the General’s tent for
the day’s messages as soon as it was light enough for
him to safely ride. He tucked the letters and reports
in his satchel and walked his horse to the edge of the
camp. Just as he reached the road, he was called and
turned to see the doctor walking quickly toward him.
The doctor reached him and spoke quietly then handed
the courier a leather bound package, perhaps the size
of a small book.
The courier took off at the gallop.
With the horses out of the way, the platoons
began to form up. Two platoons forming up behind
the road either side of Greyhound. The four Ironsides
behind the Land Frigate. The siege mortar and half the
company men behind them. The reserve platoon, the
quartermaster’s wagons, and the medical wagon waited in the camp. They would move out some distance
behind the main force.
Lieutenant Digby had half the levy ready,
and they marched out to the north; they were going
to block the foot paths that led through the hills to
the rebel town. The other half would be left with the
remainder of the company men to secure the camp.
#

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