第17节

from the court room, he was met by a Staff-Commander from CINC-TRAIN

who welcomed him back into the ranks of the Trail-Blazer Division.

His first task would be to knock the new crew of The Lady into shape

and he was to begin immediately. Due to operational requirements,

there would, explained the Commander, be no chance of the four weeks

base leave to which he' was entitled.

In his usual blunt but respectful fashion, the big Trail Boss told him

it didn't matter. After eight weeks on the shit and bucket detail he

was just happy to be soldiering again.

The decision to release McDonnell had paid off. From Day One there had

been a noticeable rise in the spirits of the veteran crewmen and the

transferees and wet-feet the uninitiated replacements - soon discovered

that Big D's reputation as a fire-breathing disciplinarian was, if

anything, an understatement. A second stand-in team of execs from the

depot's permanent staff helped the crew go through their on-board

drills but as the weeks passed, even McDonnell became concerned about

the deafening silence surrounding the appointment of a new

wagon-master.

Finally, one day in early April, when the crew had assembled for the

usual morning parade alongside the wagon-train, McDonnell strode along

the ranks behind the duty officer with a noticeable gleam in his eye.

When the DO completed his formal inspection of the battalion and passed

control over to McDonnell, it was clear to old hands like Bad News

Logan that something was up.

Sornethin' good for a change. Of' Big D was practically burstin ' .

McDonnell braced himself. 'Wagon-trainn-nn EASY!" he boomed.

The battalion stood at ease with a thunderous stamp of boots, the palms

of their hands crossed in the small of their backs.

'Okay, hear this!" he said, in the same foghorn voice."

'I have been reliably informed that The Lady has a new commander and he

will shortly be arriving with his team of execs!" The announcement

provoked a subdued murmur.

'And as soon as they're settled in - and we've shown them the ropes ' A

ripple of laughter.

'- they'll be taking The Lady out for a shakedown supply run to

Abilene, San Angelo and Brady!" This news raised an audible groan.

Abilene, San Angelo and Brady were way-stations to the southwest of

Fort Worth in the Home State of Texas. Territories under the total

control of the Federation where there was no chance of a fire-fight.

'And then we're going' north - to hunt Mute!" The battalion responded

with an exultant shout, punching the air with their fists. 'HO!'

McDonnell caught sight of an approaching wheelie. It was a four-car

enclosed model: the type used by hire-wires.

He called The Lady's crew to attention. 'Wagon-trainn-nn READY!"

Close on a thousand pairs of boots came together with a synchronised

thud.

The Trail Boss made a smart about-turn, his brass-topped drill stick

braced stiffly under his left arm, and parallel to the ground.

The wheelie whined to a halt in front of him. The doors on both sides

opened and disgorged the team of executive officers who were to take

charge of The Lady from Louisiana. There was an audible gasp from the

veteran crewmen as they glimpsed the bushy white mustache of the

officer with the yellow commander's rank bars on his lower sleeve.

It was Hartmann, their old commander. Buffalo Bill - back in uniform

and back in charge, and eight of the twelve smiling faces around him

belonged to the executive officers who had served with him up to the

moment the Provos had come aboard to arrest them all.

Buck McDonnell's right hand snapped into line with the brim of his

stets