Their Lordships Request: A Harry Heron Adventure (144 page)

             
"
I
expected
something,
but
not
this
soon.
"
The
Captain
accepted
the
package
and
indicated
the
decanter.
"
Join
me
while
I
see
what
this
is
all
about.
Is
the
Sergeant
still
waiting?
"

             
"
No,
his
orders
were
to
return
as
soon
as
he
had
handed
it
over
to
the
OoD.
Curiously,
there
was
no
signature
required
for
its
delivery,
but
there
was
a
slip
with
it
instructing
that
you
were
to
have
it
immediately.
"
Richard
Grenville
poured
a
careful
measure
of
his
Captain
'
s
whiskey
and
took
a
seat.

             
The
Captain
scanned
the
information
now
scrolling
across
his
tablet
and
nodded,
saying
absently,
"
From
the
content,
I
'
m
not
surprised.
I
'
ll
need
time
to
consider
some
of
this.
"
He
put
the
tablet
down
carefully
and
picked
up
his
glass.
"
In
the
meantime,
Richard,
here
'
s
to
our
new
ship.
I
have
a
feeling
she
will
set
a
standard
others
will
envy.
"

             
"
I
'
ll
drink
to
that.
"
Commander
Grenville
raised
his
glass,
saying,
"
There
were
times
I
didn
'
t
think
we
'
d
pull
her
together,
but
with
Val,
Nick,
Ben,
Mary
and
of
course
Fritz
driving
their
teams
and
the
dockyard
people
when
necessary
–
we
'
ve
done
it.
"

             
The
Captain
smiled,
"
Yes,
we
'
ve
done
it.
And
just
in
time
too,
if
I
make
my
guess
correctly.
I
expect
we
'
ll
be
assigned
as
a
flagship
any
day
now
as
we
are
to
be
part
of
a
force
being
sent
out
to
that
colony
world
where
there
is
a
bit
of
trouble
stirring.
All
a
bit
hush-hush
at
present
though.
I
expect
I
'
ll
be
told
more
in
the
next
few
days.
"

             
"
We
'
ll
be
ready,
wherever
it
is,
"
the
Commander
replied.
He
drained
his
glass.
"
Well,
if
you
'
ll
excuse
me,
sir,
I
'
m
for
my
bunk.
"

             
"
Certainly,
Richard.
"
The
Captain
stood.
"
I
am
going
to
get
my
head
down
as
well.
I
will
be
going
to
the
Admiral
first
thing.
I
may
know
who
we
will
be
shipping
once
I
'
ve
seen
him.
"
He
downed
his
drink.
"
Good
night.
"

***

             
The
morning
would
see
the
start
of
preparations
for
taking
on
the
stores,
equipment
and
replenishments
necessary
for
deployment.
He
stretched
out
on
his
bed
and
wondered
what
they
would
find
in
this
place
called
Pangaea.

***

             
The
lightning
strike
seemed
to
confirm
a
major
change
in
the
personalities
in
the
Gunroom.
Harry,
hitherto
the
junior,
always
the
target
of
Barclay
and
his
cronies,
had
become
an
adult,
though
still
in
years
a
youth.
His
bearing,
attitudes
and
abilities
had
grown
by
leaps
and
bounds
and,
while
he
had
grown
in
stature
and
personality,
it
seemed
almost
the
reverse
had
been
happening
to
his
adversary.

             
"
I
note
that
Mister
Barclay
seems
to
be
amending
his
attitude
toward
Mister
Heron,
"
the
Captain
remarked
to
the
first
lieutenant.
"
He
seems
wary
of
provoking
him.
Has
some
exchange
passed
between
them
I
should
be
aware
of?
One
that
undermines
the
authority
of
the
senior
midshipmen?
"

             
"
Nothing
I
am
aware
of,
sir,
"
replied
the
first.
"
Mister
Beasley
has
remarked
on
it
as
well.
Heron
has
gained
in
confidence
and
despite
everything
Barclay
has
attempted
on
him,
has
shown
himself
well
–
better
in
fact
–
able
to
control
both
his
temper
and
to
overcome
the
provocation.
Perhaps
that
is
what
is
holding
Barclay
in
check.
"

             
"
I
dare
say,
though
Barclay
seems
to
be
less
assertive
in
all
his
duties.
Still
aggressive
toward
his
people,
but
less
sure
of
himself
perhaps?
"
The
Captain
mused
thoughtfully.
"
I
have
a
report
from
Mister
Rae
that
he
has
had
to
reprimand
Barclay
several
times
for
failure
to
ensure
that
work
is
done
correctly.
Perhaps
a
word
from
you
might
encourage
him
to
greater
diligence?
"