Vikings battle Zeppelins while forbidden desires spark! (Swords Versus Tanks Book 2) Read Free Page A

Revolution?
    They watched the flames, and Tom thought, I’ll remember this, always .
    "You know," said Hamilton, breaking the silence. "I sometimes wonder whether I have time to properly lead Integration, given I have the whole Post Office to manage…"
    "It’s not been a problem so far," blurted Tom, then blushed.
    Hamilton nodded. "Nice of you to say that. But, going forward, you heroic Integration Workers deserve a more hands-on leadership. More proactive. Soon it will be time to vote for an Integration Colonel." He handed the flask to Smith.
    Tom’s collar seemed to tighten. Not me.
    But Hamilton was still speaking: "…so Smith has advanced leadership skills…"
    Tom did his best not to laugh. Smith? Didn’t Hamilton understand what was needed to become an Integration Worker?
    "…but requires more domain knowledge," completed Hamilton.
    Being a former tank gunner, and all . Tom took a gulp from the flask, which had somehow ended up in his hands. He was probably being unfair. Hamilton couldn’t know everything. After all, Hamilton had once been a Post Office clerk before rising to the role of Postmaster General and expanding his remit to include the logistics and technology of the Army of the Egality.
    "Integration Workers," began Tom, and realised he was sounding a little slurred. "Integration Workers usually undergo a heavily supervised apprenticeship, with placements in the field."
    "Of course, of course." Hamilton nodded. He glanced from side to side, as if checking that nobody was listening. "But we both know that all that really matters is being a people person with good common sense."
    "You can’t just…" began Tom half rising from his bench.
    "Of course not," said Hamilton. He grinned. "I may be getting on a bit, but I still have my faculties!"
    Tom settled back onto the bench. "Sorry."
    "No, no." Hamilton held out his hands towards the fire and rubbed them together. "Obviously, Smith needs some credentials – my influence over the vote only goes so far!" He laughed as if he'd made a joke. "So, that’s why he’s going to help you integrate Citizen Edward Lowther, the former feudal despot. Mentoring Smith will be your chance to put something back."
    Smith put an arm around Tom’s shoulder. "We’ll be a great team."
    Tom looked from Hamilton to Smith and back. "I can see the synergies," he said.
    "You don’t have to do this," said Hamilton. His eyes bored into Tom. "But I’m asking you because you are…" he lowered his voice "…the most effective of all the Integration Workers… and we really need Smith’s leadership skills."
    Hamilton leaned back in his chair, expectant, but respecting Tom’s right to think things through.
    Tom sat in silence, ordering his thoughts while the fire spat embers.
    It wasn’t entirely unreasonable for the Integration Colonel not to have in-depth knowledge of the field, as long as he had organisational skills. At least Smith was keen to learn. Perhaps he just wasn’t fitted to be a soldier. How would the seasoned Marcel have judged Tom in similar circumstances?
    And, the feud between Smith and Jasmine? Political , when you came down to it. The Egality only worked if people didn’t let politics interfere with their jobs.
    So really, Tom had no choice. None at all, if he still wanted his professionalism as a refuge from his grief.
    "OK. I’ll do it."
    "Well," said Hamilton, rising. "I’ll leave you sturdy Workers to get on with it. No point in hanging around. I’ll expect your first report on my desk by midnight."
    Tom watched the great man leave. "Let’s find some coffee," he said. "We don’t want our alcoholic breath to knock out our client!"
    Smith swigged the moonshine. "Actually, I think I’ll stay here."
    "Really, there’s no need to be nervous."
    Smith laughed. "There fucking-well is. The little bastard said he’d kill me if he saw me again."
    Tom felt a chill in the pit of his stomach. "You’ve already spoken to him?"
    "Oh, yeah. Me and king-brat had