Journey to the Heart of Luna - Andy Frankham-Allen [53]
Chapter Eight
Into the Russian Camp
1.
THE QUEEN agreed, although she would not be leaving the village herself. K’ovib was to head the Selenite army (a term Bedford used rather loosely), which consisted of ten of the ugly blighters and K’ovib. Bedford was glad for the help, not least because they knew a quicker way to the Russian camp than Miss Annabelle.
Along the way, K’ovib instructed a few of his fellows to start digging. This, at first, puzzled Bedford, until they revealed a previously dug hole which contained a crate of light Russian rifles and ammunition. Unfortunately the ammunition was not compatible with the carbines he and his men held, and so eight of the Selenites took up arms. There was something incredibly ludicrous about seeing ants with rifles, but who was Bedford to argue. A ramshackle army was better than none, although only marginally.
“You look perturbed, Lieutenant.”
They continued down a tunnel and Bedford looked over at Miss Annabelle who had drawn forward to come alongside his left. Bedford was taking up point, his Lancaster drawn and ready, with K’ovib, who did not favour the “weapon sticks” walking to his left. They were followed by four armed Selenites, Miller and the two unarmed ants, and then the remaining four armed Selenites walking before Platt who took up the rear. “Not exactly, Miss Annabelle. I am merely running my mind over a few things.”
“Putting together your plan?”
Bedford smiled at this. “It is hard to plan strategy without knowing the layout of the land, and unfortunately Q’thelocutus…”
“Q’theletockus,” Miss Annabelle interjected.
Bedford looked down at her. She had a sly streak in her. Formidable she may have been, very able with a weapon no doubt, but she was still quite young; only nineteen she had told him. In some ways she appeared to be much older, but once in a while her true age showed through. “Yes, her,” Bedford continued, adopting the same sly tone as Miss Annabelle, “she was not able to provide any intel regarding the Russian camp. Very few of her people have ventured too close.”
“Understandable, my dear George. If they had, it is highly unlikely they would have returned. Tereshkov can never have too many slaves.”
“Hmm, a man of affluence in his native Russia, no doubt.”
“No doubt.”
He looked at her once again, not for one moment convinced by her innocent expression. “So, you see my problem, Miss Annabelle. I am, as the most amazing musicians would undoubtedly say, playing it by ear.”
“Well, if it helps, I feel sure that once the enslaved Selenites see our little band here they will soon revolt.”
“That is as may be, and although I will be glad for the extra help, of course, I am rather hoping Captain Folkard comes through.” Miss Annabelle now looked confused, and Bedford smiled again. “You said the Russian camp is near to the bottom of the gorge, and that is certainly where the Sovereign would have…departed.” He paused, to compose his thoughts. He still did not understand why Folkard would leave the away team to certain death. Certainly he would have known Bedford would find a solution, if one was available, but nevertheless…“Even if the gorge proves too narrow for the Sovereign, Captain Folkard will have discovered a way to the camp. His mission will be to rescue your uncle, and you can be assured that he will beat us to the pinch.” At least, Bedford hoped that was true.
“So you anticipate that our own little army is merely to play the role of cavalry?”
“At the very least. Although I am hoping for something a little more. Distracted as they will be by Folkard’s redoubtable army, they will never see us coming.”
2.
FOLKARD’S REDOUBTABLE army was indeed about to enter the Russian camp, and maybe even provide the distraction Bedford was counting on, but first there was the little problem of steering the Mole Drill with which to contend.
Professor Stone was playing the role of fireman, shovelling coal from the bunker into the coal chamber, while K’chuk, with this four fore-legs was operating the instruments and levers than controlled the