Crusade Read Free

we want.” The farther east it went, the vaguer it became, but Java, Sumatra, and Singapore were depressingly detailed and accurate. There were also tree symbols that represented known cities of the People, and many of those had been smeared with a blot that looked like blood, symbolizing, they believed, that a battle had been fought there. Currently, there was no tree symbol at Baalkpan, but there were two others that didn’t have smears beside them. One was near Perth, Australia, and the other was at Surabaya, or “Aryaal,” as the locals there called it. The map also depicted a massive force growing near Ceylon and Singapore too, which was believed to be their most forward and tenuous outpost.
    “Captain, since only Perth and Surabaya appear on the enemy map, we can only assume the next blow will fall on one or both of those places. I’d bank on Surabaya myself. I’m no strategist, but it seems to me, judging by the dispositions on the map, the Grik are planning a major of’s Mate Chack was escorting one of the ‘prisoners’ we rescued from the Grik . . . larder.” Everyone, even Matt, flinched at the memory of that. The creatures had been emaciated and, for the most part, wildly insane. “One of the prisoners was known to him, and delivering him aboard Big Sal was a highly personal act and one that, had I known he was doing it, I certainly would have approved.” He looked at Chack. “The accused pleads guilty, but under extenuating circumstances that include not only family but foreign relations.” Matt had to smile at Gray’s imaginative defense, but his own memory of the event was not amusing. The prisoner Chack escorted was none other than Saak-Fas, the mate of Keje-Fris-Ar’s daughter, Selass. He’d disappeared in battle with the Grik many months before and was considered lost. In the meantime, Selass had developed a desperate love for Chack and had expected him to answer her proposal to mate, after the battle. The scene when he returned her mad, barely living mate to her, a mate she’d never really loved, was heartrending.
    “In view of the ‘extenuating circumstances,’ the first charge against Bosun’s Mate Chack-Sab-At is dismissed,” Matt declared. “Mr. Garrett? Have you anything to say on Gunner’s Mate Silva’s behalf?”
    Garrett looked at the big, grinning man and took an exasperated breath. “Guilty, sir. His only defense is that some other fellas did it too.”
    “Unacceptable. Mr. Dowden?”
    “Uh, the next charge is that both the accused became involved in, well, a brawl, sir, and not only were they at the center of the brawl but they started it by striking one another.”
    Matt sighed. “I won’t even ask who started it. I know I won’t get a straight answer. Besides, I have a pretty good idea. If I’m not very much mistaken, I expect Chack threw the first punch—”
    “He pulled my tail!” Chack interrupted, seething indignantly.
    “Did not! I was just holdin’ it. You did all the pullin’!”
    “Silence!” Matt bellowed. “Trust me, you both would really rather keep your mouths shut and handle this my way! Silva, your unnatural and hopefully pretend ‘relationship’ with Chack’s sister, Risa, was all very shocking and amusing . . . at first. It’s now not only an embarrassment to this ship but a constant goad to Chack’s self-control. I know Risa’s as much to blame as you are. You’re two peas in a pod, personality wise, if not . . .” He shuddered. “In any event, you’ll cease tormenting Chack with the lurid details of your fictitious ‘marriage’ to his sister and you’ll definitely refrain from any more . . . overt physical demonstrations when you are together. Is that understood?”
    “But, Skipper . . .”
    “IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?”
    “Aye, aye, sir!”
    “Very well. It’s pointless to dock your pay, but you’re both losing a stripe and you’re both restricted to the ship for ten days—after we make port. Silva, you’re losing