Hooded Man by Paul Kane

Author:Paul Kane
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction
Publisher: Rebellion Publishing Ltd

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

ROBERT HAD TALKED to Dale, who in turn had talked to the men, laying the groundwork.

Then, as Jack had suggested, Robert spoke to them all. He’d requested that as many Rangers as could be spared gather in the castle grounds first thing that morning. A transcript would be circulated for those who couldn’t be there, and Jack was even recording it on the battery-powered tape player. Those present who could remember when he’d given the speech the night before the battle for this place felt a certain amount of nostalgia. Tate knew their leader had been reluctant to say anything on that occasion too but, as now, he recognised that it was time to motivate.

Time to lay everything on the line.

He stood in front of the crowd of fighters, and it was obvious that looking over the swell of heads made him uncomfortable. They could see it was having another effect on him, too. The way his chest was puffing up, his eyes glassy; it could only be pride he was feeling when he looked at his loyal brigade. It made some of them, those who’d been complaining about how much work they were doing, feel more than a little ashamed.

Robert was casting his eyes down the rows, looking for someone. All those closest to him were there: Jack, Mark, Tate. All except Mary.

He began anyway, his voice cracking as he said his first few words: “Th-thank you all for listening to me today, I do appreciate it. In fact, and I don’t say this as often as I should, I appreciate everything you do, and have done, not only for this... well, I suppose this peacekeeping force... but also for the people of this area and beyond. Many of you probably know already that I didn’t want this command, and don’t even really see myself as your chief – or whatever you want to call it. Everyone’s equal here, everyone’s got something unique to offer. Some of us may be more inexperienced than others.” Robert made a point of looking at Mark when he said this. “Some of us want to make an impression.” Now he found Dale out in the audience. “But that’s fine. As someone once said to me: we’re a family. And I like to sort out any problems within that family.

“Now, I know that you’re tired, that some of you are doing the jobs of three or four people. A consequence of this new world we’ve found ourselves in, sadly, is that it takes time to build something. To find the people we need or for them to find us. And, believe it or not, we are building something truly special here. Something that’s already being talked about throughout the country, and maybe even further afield. We’re keeping ordinary folk safe from the likes of the Morningstars, from thugs and murderers and rapists. I don’t know about you, but I’m quite proud of that.”

There was a rumble of agreement from the crowd.

“The problem with

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