The Naturalist Society by Carrie Vaughn

Author:Carrie Vaughn [Vaughn, Carrie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: 47North
Published: 2024-11-02T00:00:00+00:00

EIGHTEEN

Aptenodytes forsteri

Lieutenant Beaumond, the Signal Corps officer, was sharp, and Anton was determined to win him over. He was able to engage the man in conversation by asking about his service, his various tours, how he liked the city, and what sort of expeditions he thought would occupy the government’s attention over the next few years. Detailed mapping of the western coastline was on the list. Some officials were still interested in finding better ways of sailing around Cape Horn, even though the completion of the transcontinental railroad a decade before made that journey almost obsolete. A canal through the Isthmus of Panama was under discussion, perhaps just for the grand feat of engineering it would represent. Anton steered him so that Beaumond himself brought up the polar south.

“It’s turning into a race,” the officer confided. “The French and Russians are making noise about expeditions, recruiting all the usual suspects. You’ve heard about this German push for what they’re calling an International Polar Year? No one wants to let anyone else get all the glory.”

“Indeed.” Torrance could play this. He had the experience; he already had the plan, the crew lined up, the scientists. He had only to get someone in charge to listen. Someone with deep pockets.

Beaumond’s conspiratorial tone continued. “I have to ask, some of us are expecting you to throw in with a British expedition. No one’s really sure where your national loyalty lies.”

That was rather by design. Anton would throw in with whoever could get him what he needed. “While I have a great deal of fondness for my father’s country, Britain’s record in polar exploration hasn’t been particularly impressive of late.”

Beaumond chuckled. “You’d take an Arcanist with you?”

“Brandon West. I think he’s the best Arcanist doing fieldwork. And he’s got polar experience.” Beaumond nodded thoughtfully, and Anton was sure he had the man hooked. Reel him in gently, gently. Bran was already heading over; Anton caught his gaze to hurry him along. He made introductions.

Shaking his hand heartily, Beaumond said, “I’m aware of your work, Mr. West. I heard about your trick with the compass. Impressive.”

“Thank you.”

Anton had also heard about the trick with the compass. Bran had demonstrated for him, talking to himself and making notes in that squirrely academic way he got when he was deep in his work. The effect itself had been eerie, the compass needle unaffected by the magnet alongside it. The practical use at the poles was obvious. “I assume you’ll be planning experiments along those lines at the poles.”

Say yes, Anton urged him. Say yes now. This was exactly the sort of wedge they needed.

“I’m planning a lot of experiments, sir,” Bran said.

“You need to come to Washington, talk to the people who actually make decisions. Tell the polar bear story. Torrance, did you really shoot a charging polar bear?”

“I did, with a Winchester repeater, in two shots,” Anton answered.

“That must have been something to see.” He drew out a card, with a name and address. “Send me a note.

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