Fourth Vector Ch. 27

"Nah, Jack knows we'll always save some of the fighting for him," teased Greg as the marine heartily slapped Jack's back. "How are you, my brother?"

"Much better now that I can see the three of you and know you're well," said Jack with relief as he looked back into Vera's smiling face again.

He didn't get very long to have his sister to himself. Vera was soon beside herself as she saw Kat and Abigail, giving them several excited greetings as they soon started to chatter amongst themselves.

"It's like being at a family reunion," remarked Neil as he watched all of them.

"Yeah, it feels that way too," said Greg. "A Javan family reunion, right, Jack?"

Jack nodded his head slowly, thinking only to himself how their own little band was more than just Javan now. He kept those thoughts to himself though. "Indeed, a reunion a long time in the making."

"So, Jack, how's everything back at home? We heard that you licked those Occie bastards back in Aberdeen," said Dustin. "It sounded like a hell of a fight by all accounts."

"That it was," confirmed Jack. "You should have been there, Dustin. That was the kind of fighting that you live for."

Dustin looked genuinely upset at having missed the battle and so he proceeded to have Jack give his version of the events for the next five minutes.

"Let me get this straight. You set the island on fire and acted like bait for the whole damn Occie fleet?" asked Dustin incredulously.

"It was a damned near-run thing. There were a few moments when I thought we wouldn't get out alive," said Jack. "Of course, the task force lost a few members that day. Notably, theTiger and theHorton were lost."

Both Greg and Dustin's heads soon lowered. They knew members on both ships, and it was never easy to hear about the loss of a fellow comrade.

"The dead were buried at Belfort National Cemetery," said Jack. "A proper burial for all the heroes of that day."

"That's only fitting," agreed Greg. "How was everything else at home?"

Jack pursed his lips, wondering how much depth to go into for everything that happened in Java. "There's been a lot of developments." He then proceeded to give them a brief rendition of his falling out with Bancroft, his rising star after the battle, as well as the emperor's requests. He told them about Henrik and Kuntz, the entry of the Ruthenians into the war, and most importantly to Dustin, he told them the recent news about Tyrol.

"Apparently, a few pockets in the countryside are under revolt," said Jack. "News is hard to come by as you might have guessed. But from what I heard, it's requiring more soldiers to put down by the day."

Both Dustin and Greg shared a look before Dustin opened up. "Any names of people being given on the Tyrolean side? Any other information at all?"

Jack shook his head slowly. "I'm afraid not. Only the highest levels seem to be getting that kind of intel. Although, I have to admit that it doesn't sound good. Especially with the Ruthenians now involved in the war, Java is getting stretched rather thin."

"Speaking of that, why don't you tell me what's been going on here?" asked Jack. "The last time I left here, the army was on its way to Burwick. I understand you made it halfway to Zarah before you were pushed back but I'm still light on the details. Can you fill me in?"

"That we can do, Jack," said Greg before looking over at Neil. "Can we borrow your map over there, Neil?"

Neil looked at the map of Picardy on the wall and stepped closer to it. "Of course. It's probably a good thing that we let Jack know what kind of odds we're facing."

The two Javan marines led Jack to the map where Greg took over the narration of the campaign. "Shortly after you left, we took Burwick without too much of an issue. Of course, we were aided by the airplanes which helped with our reconnaissance, but we managed to trap about four Swabian regiments inside the city before we took it back."

Greg then moved his finger south. "Unfortunately, that seems to be where our problems started. The army was flushed with thoughts of victory as we pushed on Zarah, and the reports that we received mentioned that the Swabians only had a small force in the city. It seemed like victory was ours."

"So where did it all go wrong?" asked Jack.

"The Battle of the Tanks," replied Dustin.

Jack blinked. "Tanks you said? What the hell is a tank?"

Greg and Dustin shared another look. "Something new that the Swabians have come up with. They're an all-armored vehicle that until recently has been rather hard to stop. They operate not on wheels but on tracks, making them closer to an all-terrain machine. It's operated by a small crew of soldiers who man a main machine gun inside."

"And they actually work?" asked Jack. "How big are these things?"

"They've worked quite well up until now," said Dustin. "The problem is these bastards are decent-sized but not large enough that we could take them out with the airplanes. Their shock value was the worst part. When you have about a hundred of those things coming down on your position, it doesn't make the ordinary soldier want to stick around to see what happens."

"So that's what brought you all the way back to Daban then?" asked Jack.

"Unfortunately, it has," said Neil. "It was only by a string of luck that we were able to keep the army intact on the way back. It was nearly crushed outside the city right as winter descended on the country. It was only a stroke of good fortune and a timely intervention by your men that saved us."

Greg shared a knowing look with Neil. "We've also had to root out a few bad apples from the army as well."

Neil hung his head in shame. "This is my fault for failing to recognize the saboteur only after too much damage had been done. The former Colonel Tavish was behind a lot of the poor discipline in the army. He's since been removed from the army."

"And his damage has been mostly undone," added Greg. "Poor morale isn't such a factor in the army now as it was then."

"Glad to hear that," said Jack. "Morale can sink an army faster than the enemy can." Jack gestured to the capital city on the map in front of him. "So what is to be done about Daban? What is the plan here and how do we push them out of the city?"

"It's been a numbers game for much of the winter," said Neil while studying the map. "Neither side could budge the other. And while we've now found a way to disable the tanks in battle, I've received news that the Swabians are working on getting better armor around the engines to remove that particular exploit."

"Can we manufacture our own?" asked Jack. "Do we have any captured tanks that we can use as a blueprint?"

It was Aedan that grimaced on that question. "Unfortunately, we do but reverse engineering such a piece of machinery isn't easy. The one that we captured is fairly sophisticated, and it will still take some time until we get the results that we need."

"Yeah, they're nothing like the airplane that they've managed to capture," said Dustin sullenly. "That was something easy they were able to replicate."

Some of the color drained out of Jack's face. "The Swabians have an airplane?"

Dustin nodded. "Only one that we know of but they have it. They could only have picked it up during the retreat. Nothing was consciously left behind, but they must have been able to salvage one where we thought that wouldn't be an option."

"I imagine it was quite the shock to see another plane overhead," said Jack.

Dustin snorted. "You're telling me, Jack. The son of a bitch shot at me with his pistol in midair. Of course, I shot back at him but it's something new we have to watch out for up there."

"All pilots that go up are now armed with a pistol," said Neil. "There's even been some talk about having something mounted to the airplane, although nothing has been engineered quite yet to do that easily."

"And here I thoughtmy time away was eventful," said Jack with a small chuckle. "You all have had just as crazy a few months as I've had."

"Hopefully we can start to bring that to an end now," said Neil. "Spring is almost here. The snows have melted, and the days are getting long again. I have a feeling another contest is about to begin. And the only thing I can wish for the third Battle of Daban is that it doesn't present a need to have a fourth."

"I'll issue the orders immediately to get the men off the ships," said Jack. "As well as to keep an eye out for the Swabian fleet. I have more firepower with me this time despite the loss of those few ships. I now have a battleship under my command."

"Not to mention another stripe on your shoulder," said Greg with a grin. "It looks well-suited for you, Rear Admiral."

Jack grinned. "A lot has changed in the last six months."

He didn't expand on what he meant by that, knowing those words were for a future conversation. This wasn't the time to step into intrigues about Java and the future of his adopted country. Until the marines were placed around the city, there was an immediate need for security, and just like the last time he sailed into Daban, Jack was determined to end the Swabian threat to it.

This time it would be for good.

*****

On the other side of the room, the four women were locked away in a conversation of their own. Vera and Ciara were giving their own rendition of the happenings of the last six months while Kat and Abigail listened.

"As you can imagine, it's been quite a long winter," said Ciara sadly as she wrapped up the story. "Aedan is just beside himself with anxiety lately. But until we can regain full control of the city, I don't think he'll allow himself the luxury of relaxation."

"Greg has been much the same way," confirmed Vera. "He's been incredibly restless at night. It's hard not to notice the bed constantly shuffling. He swears there's nothing wrong but I know him better. It's been a tough time for everyone here."

"For us as well," replied Abigail as she looked at the floor. "I had to bury my sister after this last battle we had in Java. It hasn't been the easiest to deal with."

"Oh, Abigail, I'm so sorry," said Vera as she pressed in for a warm embrace.

Abigail clung to her for a moment before they parted. "It's taken me some time to make my peace with it. But I can't lie and say that it still doesn't sting."

"I know the feeling," said Vera with a sad look. "I was quite young when my adopted family died. If you ever need to talk about it, please come see me."

Abigail managed a smile. "Thank you, Vera."

"Of course," replied Vera. "How is Jack doing with all of this by the way? He looks well at least but he does seem to have aged a little since the last time I saw him. How was it being back in Java for him?"

Kat shook her head gently. "Not as great as he might've hoped." She then launched into an abridged version of the troubles that Jack had with Bancroft and the Javan emperor.

Vera almost recoiled away from them after it was done. "That sounds positively horrid! Wasn't that man someone he looked up to as a mentor? Jack made it sound like there was almost a paternal relationship between the two of them."

"Unfortunately, that has dissolved," said Abigail. "Which leaves all of us with a lot of questions. There were a few times where I thought we might not make it back over here. They wanted Jack to lead new operations back on our side of the world but he pressed on with his commitment to the West above all else."

Vera managed a smile. "I can't say that surprises me. That sounds exactly like the Jack that I know."

"It might have burned a bridge or two in the process," said Abigail. "And our stop in Sorella didn't do anything to repair the relationship."

"At least he's back now," said Vera who then smiled. "And we're all reunited once more. Things don't seem nearly as bad when you're with your friends."

"I can agree to that," said Kat as she looked fondly on Vera. "I've missed you terribly, you know."

Vera beamed with a smile. "As I did with you. You look just the way I left you, if not more stunning."

"And she's even got a little bun inside that oven," said Abigail with a grin.

Vera's mouth dropped open as she looked at Kat's stomach. "I swear to the gods, Kat, are you pregnant?"

Kat nodded quickly. "I am indeed. A little further than three months along but—"

She didn't get a chance to finish the sentence before Vera threw her arms around her and laughed so hard she almost cried. "That's such amazing news, Kat!"

"It was a little shocking to Jack as you can probably imagine," said Kat with a giggle as Vera hugged her tightly.

"And it's caused some jealousy on the part of others," teased Abigail before crossing her arms in front of her chest.

"This is so fantastic though," said Vera. "Kat, I'm so happy for you!"

"It's a great thing for all of us," said Kat as she gently nudged Vera. "Besides, you get to be an aunt now."

Vera blinked a few times before she found the right words to respond. "An aunt?"

Kat nodded. "Did you ever think such a thing could happen?"

"Before last year, no," said Vera honestly. "I thought that would be closed to me forever. But now that I've found another family—my real family—I guess it's possible now."

"And here I was hoping I might get to have the youngest baby title for a little while longer," said Ciara with a dramatic sigh before a large grin soon took its place. "I'm so excited for you, dear."

Kat grinned. "We know the timing isn't great with all that's going on, but I get the feeling that this was meant to be." She rested her hand lovingly against her stomach. "And I can't wait to meet him."

"Him?" questioned Vera. "How do you know it's a him?"

Kat smiled. "I just have a suspicion. I might end up feeling awful if it's really a girl but in my heart of hearts, I just know it's going to be a boy."

"If only Galicia could see you know," said Ciara. "They still don't know what a treasure they lost."

Kat's smile slowly faded. "Has there been any news from Galicia in the last few months? Anything out of the ordinary? We've been so starved for news while we've been away that I feel like I know nothing of what's going on."

Ciara and Vera shared a look. "There's definitely been some new developments. But before we explain any further, perhaps we should let you meet Will and Lindsay."

Kat blinked. "Will and Lindsay? Who are they?"

Vera's expression was unreadable. "We should probably take you to meet them. You're not going to want to miss this."

*****

After the impromptu war council, Jack, Kat, and Vera were able to slip away from the main group, leaving Aedan and Neil to get back to matters in the city. In the meantime, Greg and Dustin volunteered to make the trip back to theDestiny with Abigail, assisting with the landing of the arriving marines and getting them set up within the city so they could aid the defense.

That left the three of them to meet the other Galicians there in Daban, even if Kat wasn't too enthusiastic about their prospects.

"I'm not sure if I want to meet any members of the Galician nobility right now," said Kat stiffly as they walked along the halls of the palace. "The last time I was face-to-face with them, they condemned me to death."

"I get the impression that Will and Lindsay are a different kind of people," said Vera before turning her attention to Jack. "They also know the full extent of what we know about Jack."

"As in, his true heritage?" asked Kat.

Vera nodded. "They've been told but I think it would do wonders to let them see Jack for themselves. They're still a little skeptical but that's to be expected. After all, it's quite the shock for anyone to be told the Galician king is still alive."

"Why exactly are they here, Vera?" asked Jack as they moved closer to quarters of the Galicians. "What led them to Picardy?"

"If their story is to be believed, which I believe it is, they were looking for Kat," answered Vera. She then delivered three firm knocks on the door. "But I'll let them tell you themselves."

Jack heard the sounds of footsteps on the other side of the door before it swung open to reveal a very attractive blonde woman who seemed bewildered to see them. She was very tall, taller than Kat, but she had the similar golden mane that so marked the Galician people.

"Hello, Lindsay," said Vera cheerily. "Is Will in? I've brought two people here that you'll definitely want to meet."

Lindsay nodded almost too quickly. "He's here," she said, regarding Kat and Jack with equal amounts of awe and suspicion. "Come in please."

The three of them stepped inside the apartment and closed the door behind them. It was one of the more elaborate living quarters in the palace, having several rooms joined together as well as a common kitchen area, several bathrooms, and at least three different rooms dedicated solely to living space.

"Let me get Will," said Lindsay as she thumbed her finger behind her. "I'll be right back."

She walked quickly out of the room, leaving the three of them almost as bewildered as Lindsay first appeared.

"Not exactly a promising start," muttered Jack once he was sure she was out of earshot.

"I'll say," whispered Kat.

"Does she look familiar to you? You would know members of Galician nobility before anyone else," said Jack. "Any idea who she is?"

Kat shrugged her shoulders. "Most of the ones that I knew were a lot older than me. She appears to be the same age as me so if it was a minor family, there's a chance I won't know them at all. I should be able to recognize the last name though."

Right as she finished speaking, Lindsay returned with another man who definitely matched the Galician phenotype. He was a fit individual and he had a large chest, but more importantly, he had a steely type of grit in his blue eyes that could only hint at being part of something greater than himself. They even took on a sense of wonderment themselves at seeing Kat and Jack in front of him.

The man fell to his knees in front of Kat and bowed his head. "Your Highness, I'm in your service."

Kat shot a wary look at Jack before turning her attention back to the man. "I'm sorry, who are you?"

He moved back up to his feet, standing nearly as tall as Jack. "My name is William Calland, Your Highness, but I go by Will. My father is Lord William Calland, who goes by Bill, and he is the Lord of—"

"Lord of Hemswell," interrupted Kat while she crossed her arms. "So you're the son of old Bill Calland, are you? I remember you. The last time I saw you, you were probably about twenty years old."

Will nodded nervously. "Twenty-two actually," he corrected. "I was there when you assumed the regency."

Kat wasn't impressed. "But I'm going to guess you weren't there when your father cast the deciding vote to have me overthrown, imprisoned, and sentenced to death?"

The air in the room filled with tension. Jack raised his eyebrow as he regarded this Will Calland figure, and he wondered what to make of him. He still hadn't forgotten the assassin that Eric Rosdahl had sent back in Carinthia, and because of that, his hand rested over the top of his sidearm.

Will Calland spotted his movement. "Please, we don't mean you any harm. I came all this way to find you, Your Highness." He then looked at Vera. "Vera, will you tell them?"

"That part seems to be true," she confirmed. "I don't believe this is some kind of trick designed by Eric Rosdahl."

Will snorted. "As if he had the intelligence to come up with something like that."

Kat glared at him. "And still, you voted to put him in my stead. So I'm at a loss for what you're doing here. What do you want?"

Will flinched before he looked back at Lindsay. She was the next one to step forward and begin speaking. "Your Highness, my name is Lindsay Kolbeck, of the Kolbecks of Westwood."