Missions of Security by Bjorn Hasseler

Author:Bjorn Hasseler [Hasseler, Bjorn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6: Babies

Ditmar and Hjalmar were in the office when the team arrived in Grantville. The Bibelgesellschaft thanked NESS and hurried off to tell Doctor Green and Father Kircher that the trip had been a success. Team Three took the horses to the livery stables. Ditmar came along while Hjalmar kept the office open.

Once they were brushing down the horses, Neustatter asked, "What news cannot wait, Ditmar?"

"The doctor told Ursula she is carrying twins. She wants Ursula to give birth at the hospital. Ursula has her own ideas about that, but Stefan put his foot down."

Astrid gave Ditmar a glance with a raised eyebrow before returning her attention to her horse.

"It was . . . exciting," Ditmar admitted. "Especially when Anna jumped in and asked Wolfram if he was going to make her have their baby at the hospital, too."

"What did he say?" Neustatter was genuinely curious enough to look up from brushing his horse.

"He said ja, if at all practical, first babies should be born at Leahy or the hospital in Jena because the first is a higher risk. If the first goes well, a midwife can handle the next as long as someone is available to summon an ambulance at need. Anna agreed that made a certain amount of sense."

"We listen to Karl when he tells us if a piece of metal can take the stress or not." Neustatter resumed brushing his horse as he spoke. "We should listen to the medic when he gives medical advice."

"Ja, that is more or less why Ursula and Anna eventually agreed," Ditmar told them.

"Speaking of you, Karl," Neustatter continued, "I think we will leave you here while we take that shipment to Frankfurt."

"Neustatter . . ." Karl began.

Neustatter set his cleaning gear on a shelf and turned to Karl. "I need someone with a cool head to help Miss Schäubin keep NESS open. Stefan and Wolfram are not going to get enough sleep with newborns in the apartment. I know that much."

"You will be on the road to Frankfurt without a medic or a blacksmith," Karl pointed out.

Neustatter shrugged. "It cannot be helped this time. But consider the new men. Is there one you could teach to be enough of a smith for what we often need on a mission?"

Karl thought about it. "Build is not everything for a smith, but—no offense, Phillip—I have a lot more weight to put behind a hammer than you do."

Phillip laughed. "None taken. It is true enough. Und Jakob is about my size."

"Ja. Richart, though . . . I will ask if he is interested." Karl looked over at Neustatter. "If he is not, build will not matter."

"True enough." Neustatter smiled. "Phillip, I have a different mentor in mind for you."

Wednesday, August 23, 1634

The eight original NESS agents had reported to Camp Saale for Adler Pfeffer a couple days ago, and Jakob Bracht had gotten his Reserve duty changed to align with them. A couple days later, when Astrid was in the office by herself, a knock sounded at the door.

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