Chapter 48
Sunrise Airfield
Gyulafehérvár
Isaac waited patiently for the infantry columns of the Joshua Corps’ Second and Third Regiments to pass, followed closely by cavalry, then more infantry, the Brethren’s massive armored wagons and steam locomotives, and then, finally, the medical wagons and baggage train. He smiled, waved, and saluted along with everyone else, civilians and soldiers alike. To him, it felt like a military parade, with line after line of soldiers marching along the edge of the airfield and onward toward the capital and their designated encampments. It was good to see the whole army, the whole of the Sunrise, back together again.
“Doctor Isaac Kohen!”
His stomach churned as Karl Oberheuser’s voice rang out over the belching steam of the locomotives. Isaac sighed. He’d been dreading this moment for months.
“I will speak with you now!”
The old, contrary doctor had at least the decency to take Isaac into a tent and chew him out in private. The number of foul words, hot air, and phlegm spewing from Oberheuser’s mouth was more than Isaac had experienced in a long time, even in his sickest patients. Isaac let the old man spew as he worked hard to contain his mirth.
“Now…is that clear?”
Isaac nodded, “Yes, sir. My apologies. I’ll never steal one of your nurses away again.”
Steal, of course, was a ridiculous term to apply to Devorah. She had been, as they say, chomping at the bit to leave Kassa under a mound of canvas. A more appropriate term would be “liberate.”
Doctor Oberheuser nodded, stepped back, and cleared his throat. “Good. And let that be a lesson to you. Now, you will give me a full assessment of the current medical situation, and you will then take me immediately to see Herr Tanner and General von Mercy.”
✧ ✧ ✧
Christian caught a glimpse of Isaac’s white medical coat, hanging stethoscope, and yarmulke across the military procession. He was about to wave and shout his friend’s name when old, cranky Oberheuser interrupted with a bellow of his own. Instead, he pulled back and stood quietly next to Lieutenant Enkefort while saluting as each company commander of First Cavalry Regiment passed by. Third Cavalry Regiment was somewhere near the rear, protecting the baggage train. Christian craned his neck to get a glimpse, hoping that he’d be able to pluck some of those men away to fill gaps in his own company. But the Brethren’s armored field train blocked his view.
How impressive they were. Christian and Second Cavalry Regiment had pulled out of Kassa as part of von Mercy’s vanguard before these up-time-inspired armored wagons had arrived. He’d never seen anything like them before. Sure, he was aware—at least moderately so—of the history of the Hussites and their well-fortified war wagons. But they had been mostly comprised of regular wooden wagons serving as mobile palisades. They were nothing like what was passing by him right now, pulled by steam locomotives, and in the shadow of their massive, armor-plated walls, he felt well-protected.
“I wish we had had some of those at Déj, eh?” Lieutenant Enkefort asked with a wink, elbowing his commander.
Christian nodded, but kept silent as the last armored locomotive and its two attached APCs passed. He looked again across the procession, but Isaac was gone.
The baggage train now rolled by. Christian tugged on Lieutenant Enkefort’s shoulder. “Come, let us get to camp and have a chat with the men.”
“Yes, sir.” Lieutenant Enkefort followed. “There’s a rumor that General von Mercy will give field command to Colonel Renz.”
“Yes, I’ve heard that.”
“Who do you think he’ll promote to regimental commander?”
Christian shrugged. “Callenberk, most likely.”
“Kinsky will beg for it.”
“Yes, but he’s not qualified.” Christian looked around to ensure the Wild Elite commander wasn’t nearby. “He’s a fine company commander. He’s a friend, and I respect his courage. But, given his disposition, he’d likely lead us all into ruin.”
Lieutenant Enkefort paused, then: “He could give you the command.”
Christian huffed and shook his head. “Thank you for your faith in my abilities, Lieutenant, but like Kinsky, I’m unqualified. And I wouldn’t accept if it were offered.”