But it wasn’t his house. Inside there were broken deck beams, buckling supports and seawater was pouring in through gaping shot holes. Small fires had also broken out and more sickening smoke wafted in the air amid the moans and screams of dying men. Those who weren’t injured seemed to run about aimlessly in panic, abandoning their duties of firing the guns or shoring up damage. He didn’t know why, but he started to stumble his way aft toward the stern. Partway there he came upon the dismembered body of Captain Wilson which had by all appearances been torn apart by enemy shot. He was a bloody mess and had been cleanly decapitated. The severed head made a grim sight as it lay next to what was left of the body to which it was once attached. But suddenly the eyes opened and the head spoke to him as it lay on its side“Didn’t I send you to Philadelphia?” it asked, harshly.He was sorry - so very very sorry he hadn’t made it there. He had failed his captain. He was so ashamed he wished he

As he stepped across the threshold, Allison immediately felt the warmth he had been anticipating. He removed his hat and momentarily closed his eyes as the more comfortable ambient air began to relieve the chill the rain had given him for the last few hours. He heard Caldwell step through and shut the door behind them. Before his eyes had reopened he heard a female voice calling out from somewhere further inside and moving closer as it spoke.“Oh... good evenin’ gentlemen. Welcome, both of ye, to the King’s Arms.”Allison opened his eyes and saw a reasonably well-dressed woman of middle age standing in front of him. Her graying hair was tied tightly back into a bun and a thin smile was on her lips. Despite the gentle politeness of her greeting, he could detect a hint of nervous apprehension in her manner. After glancing quickly behind her, she turned back to the two uniformed naval officers in front of her.“I assume both of ye young men are here to see His Honor the Admiral.”“Inde

“The governor himself, as I recall,” Allison said, beginning to remember that man’s proud nature and barely-concealed air of self-importance. “Governor Basteros was invited to dinner onboard Vigilance as thanks for the rescue and return of the crew of an English cutter that was wrecked along the coast during a terribly bad storm. It was seen as a reciprocal gesture of good will between nations which had until only very recently been at war.”Haig gave a short chuckle then asked, “And how precisely did you view the situation, Lieutenant?”“It was only fitting and proper, my lord,” Allison answered dutifully. “It was an honorable show of gratitude and respect amongst gentlemen, the virtue and decency of which could never be diminished by previous enmity.”Haig just then stopped as he was raising the port glass to his lips and gave Allison a sidelong look of disapproval. It may have been slight and transient, but Allison understood its meaning straightaway. I didn’t ask you for the c

“Well, young man,” he said, changing the subject, “there are of course more instances which serve to illustrate your innate talents, but I think these two suffice to exemplify the foresight and powers of deduction that have made you a perfect choice for this command. They’re certainly abilities we wish every officer could apply so well, but absolutely vital for a mission like yours.”I will be damned, there it is again! What mission?! Allison nearly gave voice to the question, but it was almost like the Admiral was reading his mind.“And before you ask the obvious, my good man,” Haig said pointing at where Allison had placed the envelope he gave him earlier, “read the letter I gave you.” He stood and Allison obligingly did likewise. “Your belongings have been sent to your quarters and I believe Mrs. Hall has everything ready for you. The hour is frightfully late, now go get some sleep, you’ll be needing it in the days ahead.”Haig offered his hand and Allison took it firmly. “Cong

It was time to open his orders. Allison took the small key from his coat pocket and inserted it into the lock on the wide, deep bottom drawer of his desk. He turned it until he heard an audible click and felt the lock release. After he opened the drawer he remembered just how much trouble it had been to fit the bulging sack and its contents into the space available and it was something of a struggle to dislodge. He heard the tearing of paper as the burden was finally extracted from its place of safe-keeping and Allison realized that some of the wrapping had been ripped away as it was pulled free. It didn’t matter. The moment had finally come to reveal not only the sack’s physical contents, but hopefully a great deal more about the mission with which Allison and his new command would be tasked. He fervently hoped that wonder, speculation, and doubt would find at least some degree of satisfaction and assuagement.He knew the smaller of the two packets was to be opened first, but even