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“No doubt in the hope that they will lead you to your uncle?”

Annabelle met Bedford’s accusatory stare with one of steel. She would not be swayed in her decision. He was right, of course, there was little doubt that Captain Folkard and Nathanial were following her uncle’s trail. Tereshkov’s hold over Uncle Cyrus had to be severed.

Bedford let out a sigh. “Very well, Miss Somerset, but this is against my better judgement. Sending a woman into that battle is…”

“Are you suggesting I cannot handle myself, Lieutenant?” Annabelle asked, keeping her tone playful. In truth she knew he had only said such a thing to elicit a reaction from her, and so she would give him one, just not the reaction he had hoped for.

Bedford did not immediately reply, instead he attempted to keep his stare steady, and turned slightly before breaking into a smile, once he was sure that neither Miller nor Platt could see him.

“Able Seaman Platt,” he said, and waited for Platt to join them. “Would you accompany Miss Somerset in her foolhardy mission? Make sure no harm comes to her.”

Platt saluted. “Of course, sir.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant,” Annabelle said with a curt nod. “And perhaps a few Selenites?”

At this Bedford shook his head. “No, just you two alone will have a better chance of drawing near to that lift platform unseen. There’s plenty of Selenites in that skirmish over there, and you can be sure that any other Russians not immediately caught up in the battle will be on the lookout for Selenites. If you wish to succeed, then it would be best to limit the attention you may draw.”

Annabelle had already decided such a thing herself, and did not expect Bedford to agree otherwise, but she felt it was her duty to ask for more than she needed. A man like Bedford needed to know that a woman like Annabelle was not one to accept the first offer given her.

“Sound reasoning. Very well, then. Mister Platt, if you are ready?”

Able Seaman Platt checked his carbine, then nodded. “After you, Miss Somerset.”

Annabelle smiled; glad to see that Platt had already ascertained that she was not one to follow. Nodding to Bedford, she turned away, still smiling, and set off. She failed to notice Bedford smiling after her.

2.

“OKAY THEN, this is what we are going to do,” Bedford said, once Miss Annabelle and Able Seaman Platt were safely on their way. He turned to his small team, all of who were giant ants…and Mister Miller. Bedford sighed inwardly. If they succeeded in securing the compound it would be nothing short of a miracle.

He looked to Miller and K’ovib. “Since only Miller and I are trained in the usage of these weapons, we shall take point. The Russians in the compound, not to mention that commander centre beyond, will soon be alerted to the battle taking place on the other side of the reservoir, so I am relying on your Selenites to shoot without question, K’ovib. You can be sure that the Russians will not be taking any prisoners now.”

“Understand, friend Bedford,” K’ovib said, and he turned to the Selenites to explain.

Bedford wished he had an opportunity to train the Selenites, but he would just have to hope they had seen the rifles in use before. Otherwise they would be doomed. The Russian Imperial Army was a highly trained unit, its soldiers experts with firearms. He did not rate Miller up against a fully trained Russian soldier, let alone the giant ants.

As soon as K’ovib finished, the Selenites all cocked their weapons as if expertly trained. Bedford frowned and looked to K’ovib.

“I retainer of knowledge. I see and learn, and teach Selenites,” he explained.

Bedford was curious to learn more of this method of teaching, since he did not recall any such lessons during their short journey from the village to the current position on the edge of the reservoir cavern, but now was not the time. If this teaching worked, then that was good enough for him. For now.

“Very well. Let us proceed with caution; we want to retain the element of surprise for as long as we…”

Bedford’s words were cut off by