Chapter 1

Captain Matthew Reddy, High Chief of the American Clan, and Commander in Chief (by acclamation) of all Allied Forces united under the Banner of the Trees, stared through the porthole at battered Achilles, anchored alongside.  They’d nearly lost the Imperial steam frigate to damage sustained in the battle against the "Company" ships.  She’d suffered even more sorely in a vicious little storm that brewed up shortly after, before they made this unexpected landfall that afforded some protection, while she, and the rest of the little fleet made emergency repairs.  Now, the two "prizes" Achilles and Walker had taken intact, the HNBC (Honorable New Britain Company) flagship Ulysses, and the pressed Imperial frigate Icarus, were already practically ready for sea.  Ulysses had fled the action and only been lightly damaged, and Icarus had been wrested from her Company commanders by loyal sailors and hadn’t participated in the fight.  Achilles was mauled by HNBC Caesar, but ultimately sent her to the bottom.  Even Walker, with her comparatively long-range guns, had taken a beating, and throughout the court sessions, her old iron hull had reverberated with the sound of clanging blows from inside and out, as punctured plates were replaced (they could do that now, at least) or heated, bent back in place, and re-riveted.

Walker wasn’t new anymore, by any possible definition, but after her resurrection and rebuilding, she’d at least looked almost new for a while in her new, darker shade of gray that the Bosun finally approved of.  Her appearance had certainly been a far cry from the shattered, half-sunken wreck she’d been after the Battle of Baalkpan.  Herculean work had been accomplished to return her to duty, and ultimately, to ready her for this particular mission.  It was really a miracle she’d ever floated again, much less steamed so far, fought yet another battle, and arrived safely at this place.  Sometimes, when he gazed about at her, Matt had difficulty believing she had. 

Neither Matt nor the Bosun had participated in her refloating and refit, they’d both been off aboard Donaghey, leading the Singapore Campaign.  They hadn’t witnessed the un-ending hours of wrenching labor, ingenuity, and tireless dedication that resulted in her gradual, but almost complete restoration.  They’d returned home from the war in the west prepared to embark on literally anything available to chase the Company criminal Walter Billingsly, who’d abducted Princess Rebecca, Sandra Tucker, Sister Audrey, Dennis Silva and Abel Cook.  Taking the princess was bad enough.  She and her "lizard" friend Lawrence – who’d also been taken – were heroes of the Alliance and the Lemurians had taken them to their hearts.  Taking Sandra was even worse however, if that was possible.  Not only was she a much beloved heroine who’d saved literally thousands of lives with her own hands and her medical and organizational skill, she was the woman Matthew Reddy loved.  They were not married or even officially "engaged," but that made no difference to the Lemurian "‘Cats."  To them, she was their Supreme Commander’s "mate."  Nothing, not even the all- important war could, or should, interfere with his pursuit of her captors. 

There was genuine concern for the other hostages too.  Sister Audrey had few detractors, despite her heretical teachings.  Quite a few had even converted to her church.  She was considered by all to be an honest, pious female, if just a bit odd.  Abel Cook wasn’t well-known, but he was "one of theirs."  Dennis Silva was a genuine hero, and though unqualifiedly deranged, he’d almost come to symbolize the human Americans in some indefinable way as far as the Lemurians were concerned.  He was big, noisy and irreverent, but in an almost child-like, inoffensive manner.  He was brave to the point of recklessness, but tender with younglings.  He’d sacrificed much for a people and cause he barely knew, simply because it was right – and he was capable of unparalleled violence toward anything that posed a threat to his new friends.  His ongoing affair with the human nurse, Pam Cross, as well as the equally rambunctious Lemurian Risa-Sab-At, was also a source of much gossip and amusement among the Allied ‘Cats, even though – and perhaps because – the affair seemed to cause such consternation among his "own" people. 

For whatever reason, the Lemurians wanted all "their people" back, and therefore, somehow, they and a smattering of Matt’s own destroyermen who’d been left in charge of salvaging his ship, not only did so, but had her ready for him when he needed her most.  Matt rubbed his eyes.  It had been a miracle, sure enough.  But he’d almost begun to expect miracles where the Lemurians and his destroyermen – all his people – were concerned.