“We’ve got to get some order here,” Jeffrey muttered.
The anarchist political officer looked at him sharply. “True order emerges spontaneously from the people, not from an authoritarian hierarchy which crushes their spirit!” De Villers began heatedly.
“The only thing emerging spontaneously from this bunch is shit and noise,” Jeffrey said, leaving the man staring at him open-mouthed.
Not used to being cut off in midspeech.
“Brigadier Gerard,” Jeffrey went on, to the Unionaise Loyalist officer in the car. “If you would come with me for a moment?”
Gerard stepped out of the car. The anarchist made to follow, but stopped at a look from Jeffrey. They walked a few paces into the crowd, more than enough for the ambient sound to make their voices inaudible.
“Brigadier Gerard,” Jeffrey began.
“That’s Citizen Comrade Brigadier Gerard,” the officer said deadpan. He was a short man, broad-shouldered and muscular, with a horseman’s walk—light cavalry, originally, Jeffrey remembered. About thirty-five or a little more, a few gray hairs in his neatly trimmed mustache, a wary look in his brown eyes.
“Horseshit. Look, Gerard, you should have this job. You’re the senior Loyalist officer here.”
“But they do not trust me,” Gerard said.
“No, they don’t. Better than half the professional officers went over to the rebels, I was available, and they do trust me . . . a little. So I’m stuck with it. The question is, are you going to help me do what we were sent to do, or not? I’m going to do my job, whether you help or not. But if you don’t, it goes from being nearly impossible to completely impossible. If I get killed, I’d like it to be in aid of something.”
Gerard stared at him impassively for a moment, then inclined his head slightly. “Bon,” he said, holding out his hand. “Because appearances to the contrary, mon ami”—he indicated the milling mob around them—”this is the better side.”
Jeffrey returned the handshake and took a map out of the case hanging from his webbing belt. “All right, here’s what I want done,” he said. “First, I’m going to leave you the Assault Guards—”
“You’re putting me in command here?” Gerard said, surprised.
“You’re now my chief of staff, and yes, you’ll command this position, for what it’s worth. The Assault Guards are organized, at least, and they’re used to keeping civilians in line. Use them to clear the roads. Offload the artillery and send the train back north for more of everything. Meanwhile, use your . . . well, troops, I suppose . . . to dig in here.”
He waved to either side. The narrow valley wound through a region of tumbled low hills, mostly covered in olive orchards. On either side reached sheer fault mountains, with near-vertical sides covered in scrub at the lower altitudes, cork-oak, and then pine forest higher up.
“Don’t neglect the high ground. The Errife are half mountain goat themselves, and Libert knows how to use them.”
“And what will you do, Citiz—General Farr?”
“I’m going to take . . . what’s his name?” He jerked a thumb towards the car.
“Antoine De Villers.”
“Citizen Comrade De Villers and his anarchist militia down the valley and buy you the time you need to dig in.”
Gerard stared, then slowly drew himself up and saluted. “I can use all the time you can find,” he said sincerely.
Jeffrey smiled bleakly. “That’s usually the case,” he said. “Oh, and while you’re at it—start preparing fallback positions up the valley as well.”
Gerard nodded. De Villers finally vaulted out of the car and strode over to them, hitching at the rifle on his shoulder, his eyes darting from one soldier to the other.
“What are you gentlemen discussing?” he said. “Gentleman” was not a compliment in the government-held zone, not anymore. In some places it was a sentence of death.
“How to stop Libert,” Jeffrey said. “The main force will entrench here. Your militia brigade, Citizen Comrade De Villers, will move forward to”—he looked at the map—”Vincennes.”
De Villers’ eyes narrowed. “You’ll send us ahead as the sacrificial lambs?”
“No, I’ll lead you ahead,” Jeffrey said, meeting his gaze steadily. “The Committee of Public Safety has given me the command, and I lead from the front. Any questions?”