"That's been most of the conversation. We'll take livestock. Like the myriads out of Egypt, we'll go with our flocks," Valentine said.
"What happens at the Arkansas? The river's watched and patrolled. I'd have trouble getting across with a platoon."
"Just get us there, Lieutenant," Valentine said.
"Sergeant, sir."
"You're going to be in charge of two platoons of Wolves. That's a lieutenant's command," Meadows said.
Firmer looked nonplussed. "Any chance of turning down this promotion?"
"We get back to Southern Command, and I'll fill out the rank reduction paperwork myself," Valentine promised. "Let's give Finner some time alone with the maps."
"Don't need 'em, sir," the new lieutenant said.
"You'll at least need to know where we're starting. First waypoint is the old campsite where we dumped that load of lumber."
* * * *
"Captain Styachowski, a word," Valentine said as they left the tent.
"Yes, Captain?"
"You still have friends on the old intelligence staff?"
"Staff? Friends? I had one nearsighted military analyst. She's coming with us; she doesn't like this moonshine brewery any more than I."
"I need everything you have on enemy organization on the Arkansas River."
"That's a lot of data. The river's their backbone running up the Ozarks."
"You've got to find us a way across."
"Short of stealing some flatboats or swimming the whole column, I don't see how we do it. Only bridges up are in Little Rock, and that's their new headquarters."
"Think about it for me."
Styachowski's eyes narrowed, but she spoke with a cheerful bounce to her voice. "I can't count on the waters parting, can I?"
"Sorry."
"Ah, well. When a Saint came marching into camp, I had hope-"
Valentine laughed. "What's the crossbar for?
"Hunter staff. I'm a Bear. Never made it on a combat team, though. Always some excuse."
"What did they invoke you for, then?"
"Didn't. I was sort of born into it. Only action I've seen was Hazlett, and that was in a mortar team."
"I was up that way. Didn't see the fighting, just the cleanup," Valentine said.
"Lucky. But it was a picnic compared to the last few months."
"One more thing. You had a rough time, at the trial and after. Are you okay?"
Her eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"