The Kingmakers(92)

“Senator, I’m not trying to defy you, but it is my job to advise you. I would be doing you a disservice if I didn’t speak my mind.”

“When has it ever been your job to advise me? Your entire job consists of doing what I say. And I say there are no humans here!”

The major tightened his mouth in an angry slash. “I disagree, sir. I feel I must tell you that, in my opinion, we have caused the deaths of many thousands of human beings here in Wilmington.”

Clark breathed out harshly. “And if we did, what of it? This is a war, Major. You expect me to take this continent away from those monsters without killing a few people? Please, advise me about that.” Before Stoddard could respond, the senator swept the doll off the table. “Maybe you need to join up with the Equatorians and take orders from that girl. She intends to win a war without killing anybody. Perhaps you would enjoy a life of tea parties in Alexandria and endless chitchat. I’m not sure there’s a place for you in my army.”

“It isn’t your army, Senator. It is the American army, and I’m an American. My constitutional oath requires that I speak.”

“Don’t you dare cite the Constitution to me! My father helped rewrite the Constitution!”

Stoddard felt himself separating from his rank. He was losing any sense of concern for the future; he no longer saw himself as the adjutant to Senator Clark. He was just a soldier who had played a role in killing a little girl who died clutching a doll.

“Senator,” he announced in a clear voice, “I intend to write a memorandum to the War Committee detailing my observations here and expressing my opinion about the human population in the old United States. I will state in unequivocal language that I feel our current tactic of deploying poison gas to destroy the vampires’ food supply is tantamount to genocide, and beneath the morality of a civilized nation.”

Clark studied the glowing tip of his cigar with apparent disregard for Stoddard’s warning. “Are you really going to destroy your career over what you saw in one house? Major, I’m ordering you to take a few days in St. Augustine, or even Havana if you wish.” He laid an awkwardly kind hand on the major’s shoulder. “I can’t let you make a mistake like this. Take some time. Get your head right. Then we’ll fly to Equatoria to get everything back on track. I need you there, Major. Your connection with their commanding officer will be invaluable. And don’t worry, this conversation stays in this room.”

“It isn’t just one house, sir. We have to rethink our opinions about the north. We believe there are free humans in Charleston, but not here? It doesn’t make sense. I read Empress Adele’s reports of her time in the north—”

“Dammit!” Clark slammed his hand on the table. “Listen to me! This is a direct order. You will not write any memo to the War Committee. I’ve been getting notes from Panama City talking about politicians trying to outlaw the use of gas on the herds. There are even protests against the way I’m fighting the war. Against me! So I’m telling you that you will keep your damned mouth shut! You will take a week in Havana. And then we will discuss your future on my staff.”

“I resign from your staff, sir.”

Clark’s mouth opened in the first look of surprise that Stoddard had ever seen from him. The senator seemed torn by whether he was unsure he had heard the major’s words correctly, or if such words even existed. It was disconcerting to Stoddard to see the great man in a state of confusion. It even angered him that the senator could show such feeble emotions. Fortunately, the faltering of the bearded Achilles didn’t last long.

“I’ll break you,” the senator growled. “You’ll be lucky to muck stalls for the Seventh Cavalry in Tampico when I’m done with you.”

“I would welcome that, sir.”

“I should kill you here, you insufferable traitor. I knew those Equatorians had ruined you. Now you’re no better an officer than your friend, Colonel Anhalt.”

“High praise.”

“Get out.” Clark turned away from him. “If I ever see you again, I’ll kill you.”

Stoddard spun on his heel and strode away. He felt sad, not frightened or wary of the future. He was content with his choices; his steps were lightened and his wounds no longer burned so hot. No matter what happened, he had taken the right path.

The major stopped at the door and turned to face Clark’s back. He saluted, unseen, to the promise the man had shown and now, he feared, wasted.





“YOU’VE BROUGHT THIS on yourself,” General Anhalt said over the din of the rattling elevator cage.