“We passed over the Komani column,” the Watchman said before Clanthas could say anything. “They’re about two hours away—perhaps a little less.”
“And your troops?” the mayor asked.
“They’re moving up in land cruisers,” Brigadier Aikens said, stepping between Vorgens and the mayor. “Won’t be here until noon, at the earliest. You must defend the city as best as possible until then.”
The mayor exchanged worried glances with the others.
“The brigadier has drawn up a plan of action,” Vorgens said.
“Do you have a map of the city?” Aikens asked Clanthas.
The merchant smiled. “Better than that … I have the city itself.”
Clanthas led them around the veranda to the side that faced away from the harbor. The entire group clustered round Aikens as he looked out over the rooftops of Katan.
“I see what you mean,” the brigadier said, “An excellent viewNow then, that large square building down there, across the river .. .” He pointed. “That’s the arsenal, isn’t it?”
Clanthas nodded.
Aikens turned and leaned slightly over the railing. “And down on this side … those are the warehouses?”
“Yes, along the waterfront of the Lesser City.”
Aikens grunted with satisfaction. “All rightNow, the • arsenal and the warehouses will be the two principal objectives of the Komani.”
“The arsenal will be practically useless to them,” Clanthas said, “since we have distributed almost all the weapons and ammunition to our people.”
“Good! I was counting on that. We’ll let the Komani spend some time and effort taking the arsenal, but we won’t defend that end of the city very strongly. Evacuate your people and leave only a thin screen of men; fight a rear guard action.”