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"Chief of staff isn't easy, I know," Jolla continued. "You'll be running your legs off. I've been in the service about as long as you've been alive, Valentine. I've watched the men when you're around. They look at you and then they talk. You wouldn't believe some of the stories floating around about you. They bring ideas and complaints to you. There aren't many in Southern Command-at least good ones-who can boast of that. Then there's that business with your nose, that tingle. Even if it's just luck, well, luck counts for something in life. Thirty years service proved that to me too."
Valentine's throat tightened. "Very well, sir. Then, as chief of staff, I'd like to propose taking one good crack at these Moondaggers before we leave."
"No. I'm certain we're outnumbered. Even a win could doom us. I want to keep the brigade intact. Let's save their lives for future use."
"As chief of staff, I'd like permission to coordinate our departure with the Green Mountain command and the legworm riders."
"Granted. Hope you don't mind working from Nowak's cubby. Now, let's get back to the meeting."
Valentine tried to pay attention to the rest-the empty congratulations for himself and Bloom, the anxious silence from Brother Mark, who stared and stared and stared at folia as if he were studying some strange species of animal.
But all he could think about was how Jolla could be so certain that they were outnumbered.
* * * *
Valentine broke the news quickly to Rand. Rand suggested some kind of farewell dinner was in order; Valentine left the details to him.
"Don't think I'm not going to keep riding your backs," he told the NCOs who gathered as the news spread.
"Congratulations," Patel said.
"More like condolences," Glass said. "He's been giving command of the Titanic ten minutes after the iceberg."
"I don't want any of you to worry," Valentine said, hopping up into the bed of one of the company supply wagons. "Javelin's not about to surrender to the Kurians or anyone else.
We're going back under our own terms, and God help anyone who gets in our way."
They cheered that. Spin, they used to call it. The idea of fighting their way back appealed a lot more than being chased out of the Ap-palachians with their tails between their legs.
Valentine waved Patel over.
"If you want a little garnish around your star," Valentine said, "I can appoint a new command sergeant major for the brigade. You'd be at the top of my list. Less hiking and more riding."
Patel smiled but shook his head. "Douglas is doing a good job, filling in for poor Reygarth.
In any case, I am stuck shepherding a promising but raw lieutenant again."
"I'm sorry I got you into this, Nilay."
"You did not get me into anything. I had little to do at home but read the newspapers and remember. It is good to be out of the rocking chair and in country. This is my life; that was just waiting. You know, my knees have not felt so good in years."
"You're a hell of a wrestler, Patel, but you can't lie for crap. You always blink when you're lying."
"You could have told me this, sir, before I lost six months' pay in poker games back in LeHavre's company."
"Here's my last company command: You ride on the company legworm. That's an order.
Hear that, Rand?"
"Yes, Major," Rand said.
"Rand's my witness."
He slept for an hour, and then summoned Brother Mark. "I think we need to pay a call on the Kentucky Alliance. It would be safer for us if we left as a group, or at least traveled parallel paths so we could support each other in case the Kurians have a follow-up trick. Not much we can do for the Green Mountain Boys, but Southern Command and the Kentucky Alliance can stick together."
''Your caution does you credit, but are you sure we can't change the colonel's mind? He strikes me as a man suffering from a shock. In a day or two he may be amenable."
Valentine shook his head. "I have my orders to follow. We're turn-ing around and heading back. I've got to figure out how best to put that into effect."
