GC 1Q1904

[Borys]

 5 January 1904: South of the Darien Canal

The laborers were tense; single-file they marched through the rain forest, shackled at the wrists and ankles. Guards led them along the narrow path, trailed them, and flanked them, rifles at the rady.

It was well-known that large-scale manual work on the canal had wound down, and Guillermo Renaldo, like many of his fellows, was justifiably concerned about what was coming. He found it difficult to believe that the government was going to free them after what they'd been subjected to. More likely, he thought, they were being marched off to be shot, their utility to the state ended.

Perhaps five minutes later, he reached the end of the trail - where a train sat, boxcar doors open, surrounded by more guards. He didn't have enough energy to really be surprised by the sight, but instead noted that the government had obviously found some other use for he and the others.

"Alright, listen up!", one of the guards shouted. "First forty in the third car. One at a time. Run for it and you'll be shot like that fool over there". He pointed in the direction of the locomotive, where a red-splotched form lay sprawled by the rails.

The man at the front of the file shuffled to the third boxcar, tried to step up on to a crate in front of the door, and failed. He had to jump up to reach the crate, tried the same to enter the boxcar, and instead fell inside awkwardly. The other men followed him, some having more luck than him, others struggling as well.

As he approached the front of the file, Guillermo recognized the guard nearest him, a decent sort who hadn't been particularly brutal with the laborers. "Any word on where we're going?"

The guard glared at him, but replied, "Down to the Orinoco. There's dirt to be moved."

19 January 1904: Cartagena

"I'm please to say that we are now in possession of the technical data necessary to manufacture weaponized chlorine gas ", Benicio Delgado informed the Gran Colombian cabinet.

Rey Alizandro raised his eyebrows. "I don't recall giving orders to obtain it", he commented.

"Your father issued the original orders", Delgado responded. "You didn't rescind those instructions, so I continued the work after your assumption of office."

"Very well. Perhaps we'd better discuss what other orders you're following up."

"At your convenience, Senor President", Delgado replied. "I will have the data delivered to Olivera and Sons, with your permission", he added, referring to one of the nation's larger munition manufacturers.

"Certainly. Did you obtain information on how to defend against such attacks?"

"No", the spymaster conceded. "That will have to be researched here."

"We can put together a cartel to work on that", Industry Minister de Soto stated.

"Please do", Rey directed. "What's happening with the canal?"

"We are, as instructed, re-directing surplus laborers to the new project at Pimichin. We're estimating it will take approximately a year and a half to build, since it's only ten miles long and the ground is not that high."

"Is that the best use of resources?", demanded Ricardo Alizandro. "The war could be over by then."

"It might still be in full swing, too", de Soto parried. "Bear in mind we're talking about the completion date for the canal. We can have the interim portage system in place by the end of March."

"And what does that give us?"

De Soto answered, "An oval-shaped trolley line with cranes at either end to move large canoes or small barges in and out of the rivers. Each trolley will carry one freight canoe or other small riverine craft, and will be pulled by a team of pack animals or laborers as required. With an estimated two mile per hour speed, each trolley can realistically do two round trips per day on a twenty-four hours schedule.

"Why not send a small locomotive down there to do the work?", Agriculture Minister Escalante asked.

"There's some concern that the ground is too soft to support the weight, but the deciding point is the supporting infrastructure. We can supply fodder or gruel for whatever's pulling the trolleys, but we don't want to have to send a shop down there. It's too much work, and too difficult to replace."

"Okay, that's good - what about Darien? Work's moving along, but what about security?", Rey Alizandro inquired.

"Good", de Soto reported. "We've had no significant issues in weeks. It probably helps that the Navy has a cruiser anchored just off the outer locks, but the French haven't tried anything. I'd guess that this trouble they're having with piracy happens to be disrupting whatever they're planning."

A hint of a smile crept onto Benicio Delgado's face, but he suppressed it as soon as he became consciously aware of it. He did speak up and comment, "It's thought that Agrival Mars is behind the recent attacks. He has a very adversarial relationship with the French."

"Has he been hitting anybody else?", Rey Alizandro asked.

"Given who was aboard the Annabella Ribiero, it appears to have been his doing", Delgado said, knowing full well what had actually happened. "We also have a fishing trawler out of Caracas that is five days overdue, but it's an unlikely target for piracy."

"Keep on it", Rey instructed him.

"Of course, Senor President."

29 January: Cartagena

"As requested, we have worked up several scenarios for the consideration of the President", General Falcon said to Ricardo Alizandro in the latter's office. He placed a folder on the defence minister's fine teak desk. "Plan Boa Constrictor is the base case and remains essentially an army-only operation. Plan Viper and Plan Anaconda are joint operations. They supplement, rather than replace, Plan Boa."

"Do we have the assets necessary for these add-ons?", Ricardo asked.

"We do, although we are still working on tasking assets", replied Admiral Ruiz. "Anaconda in particular has some specific operational requirements we are considering carefully. Viper is less of an issue given the limited duration of that operation."

"Civilian ships?"

"We've identified what we need and are quietly directing their owners to keep them fairly close at hand", Ruiz confirmed.

"What about the troops?"

"As Plans Viper and Anaconda envision operations in urban areas, I'm assigning an infantry corps with some supporting cavalry elements", Falcon said. "Plan Boa retains priority for our Cordilleran and Jungle troops."

"Admiral, is the fleet ready for this?"

"Minister, all vessels are seaworthy, and that includes the former Spanish vessels."

Ricardo shook his head. "Not what I meant. I'm asking about the officers and men. They might be taking on the French in addition to whatever the Anahuac have at hand."

Ruiz nodded slightly. "The men are ready. We've been waiting a quarter-century to make up for our showing against the Commonwealth. We've been studying the recent Asian wars and what's available on the Rohirrim/Anahuac war, and we think we're prepared."

"Good. And you, General?"

"The men are keen, Minister", Falcon answered. "There are enough veterans of skirmishes with local tribes to give our jungle divisions some backbone, and the recent fighting arond Manaus and the other towns has been useful in blooding the infantry units defending them. Reports on those encounters have been circulated for information purposes."

"What are you own thoughts on Anaconda and Viper, gentlemen?"

The officers traded looks, then Falcon spoke. "Personally, I favor going all-out, Minister. Boa is more likely to succeed if Anaconda and Viper have been carried out. However, the Armada has the difficult part in those plans."

Ruiz said, "I prefer to initiate Boa and gauge French reaction before going ahead with either Viper or Anaconada. The possibility of facing a strong French naval force affects how we carry out those plans."

"It figures you would disagree on that point", Ricardo sighed. "Thank you both, I'll let you know what happens."

   
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swamphen    
  Posted: Dec 4 2006, 08:49 PM


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"Snakes?! Why'd it have to be snakes?"
   
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The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Dec 7 2006, 10:01 PM


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4 February: Johi, Southern Guyana

Padre Batista arrived back in the village of Johi just after noon, once again being greeted by Alejandro, the village foreman.

"I heard about what happened to the foreigner", he told Batista. "I am truly sorry my men were unable to prevent it."

"There is nothing to apologize for, Alejandro", Batista replied. "I failed to anticipate that the enemy would have a source within the government telegram system, which must have been the case. No doubt the government is now working to identify that person."

"What has been the reaction?"

"The new president is preparing to take action. The government is moving at its own pace", said the missionary.

"There's a new president?"

"I am the first with that news? Yes, President Enrico was assassinated, apparently by an Anahuac agent, in his own office. His son is now in office."

Alejandro pondered that for a moment. "Forgive me, Padre, but I will not mourn Enrico Alizandro for long. Still, an Anahuac? Surely this has aroused strong feelings."

"It is not well known at this time", Batista replied. "Tell me - was my call answered?"

"There are over four hundred visitors from other tribes camped around the village", Alejandro confirmed.

"I had hoped for more than that", Batista commented.

"Be content: most are representing tribes and clans. Together, I would hazard to guess that they speak for several thousand men."

Batista nodded. "That will be a good start", he noted.

14 February: Cartagena

"So what's the big news?", demanded Defence Minister Ricardo Alizandro.

The other ministers and the president turned their eyes toward Benicio Delgado, who smiled benignly. "The international picture is clearing up", he began. "Recall mention of a botched espionage operation in Paris last week. It was not, in fact, a total failure. The DKB was running it, and they have indicated they believe Palpete is under Anahuac influence."

"I think we'd assumed as much", Minister de Soto remarked flatly.

"We had. The important thing is that other nations are now starting to believe it. The Brandenburgers and Austrians both believe it."

"Yes, but that appears to be the extent of our support", de Soto pointed out.

Delgado shook his head slightly. "The Rohirrim are coming around to it; they are just being extraordinarily cautious. Unfortunately, the Union del Sur America is being stubbornly neutral on the matter, and I can not get any solid data from the CSA."

"Meanwhile, the French are prodding the UKA, Russia, and the Essayliens into line", de Soto surmised.

"Indeed, possibly also Orange. We must continue efforts to convince these powers to consider matters carefully rather than simply trusting the French line."

"That will be difficult", Foreign Minister Torres stated. "We don't have much clout internationally, certainly not with those nations. They seem willing to blindly follow France."

"So we must discredit France", Rey Alizandro remarked.

"Easier suggested than accomplished", Delgado replied. "France can retaliate with accurate smears of their own if we go the route your father did with Juan in Spain. Remember this: France may be bloated, corrupt, and a virtual dictatorship, but it is also the largest power on the planet. The other northern powers would rather turn a blind eye to French sins than face French wrath."

"What do you suggest, then?", Rey asked, sounding somewhat exasperated.

"It has occurred to me that we should seek to assassinate Palpete in such a way that it resembles an Anahuac atrocity", Delgado noted. The room exploded into a babble of loud voices. "Failing that", Delgdo continued in a louder voice that bought silence, "I am working to amass evidence that the French have been complicit in El Dorado. If we can collect enough hard information, perhaps we can neutralize world opinion."

"I pray we can do so", Ricardo Alizandro said, "Because it's going to be a real bitch of a time if we don't."

19 February: Manaus

"Are you certain?", demanded General Geologo. The commanding officer of III Jungle Corps glared at the young priest before him, as if to demand that he retract his statements.

"I have it from numerous scouts and Padre Batista is in agreement", the priest said.

"Just a year ago, the fresh estimate was that the Anahuac economy was no larger than [OOC: 1 HBP, 2 MBP]", Santa Ana noted caustically. "Yet now that figure has doubled?"

"They have been busy, and utilizing slaves at an appalling rate. Far in excess of our own sins in the north", the priest noted.

"Let's not go there", the general growled. "How in the Hell can something that large be established without anybody being any wiser? It's in the middle of goddam nowhere: no infrastructure, nothing. Do you have any idea how much difficulty our own logistical situation is imposing? There are two corps of troops in this army doing nothing but hacking trails and hauling supplies. Same up with the other army."

"I understand your frustration General - but that is how it is. God did not intend for this life to easy", the priest observed.

"Clearly not", Geologo snarled. "But it would be nice if He tossed me a bone from time to time."

"God has his plan", the priest started to explain.

"Yes, yes", the General said, waving absently. "Always with the divine plan. I think He's just pissed off at me."

"Tirades such as this aren't going to help your cause."

Geologo shrugged. "Then He should smite me and get it over with, or stop putting obstacles in my way as I try to send the heathens back to Lucifer."

26 February: The Wires...

SECRET SECRET SECRET
UNAUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTION OF THIS MSG SUBJ TO CAPITAL PUNISHMENT PER 43.3.A

TO: GEN BANDERAS
FRM: GEN FALCON

PLAN BOA CONSTRICTOR AUTHORIZED FOR DATE CHARLIE AS NOTED IN FILE. SPEC. ARTILLERY NOT EXPECTED AVAILABLE PRE JUNE.



SECRET SECRET SECRET
UNAUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTION OF THIS MSG SUBJ TO CAPITAL PUNISHMENT PER 43.3.A

TO: CDR CANAL NORTH, CDR CANAL SOUTH
FRM: DEFMIN

CANAL ZONE NOW CLOSED TO ALL FOREIGN TRAFFIC. ALL FOREIGN TRAFFIC TO BE BOARDED AND REMOVED FROM GC WATERS. IF TRAFFIC RESISTS, WEAPONS ARE FREE.



SECRET SECRET SECRET
UNAUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTION OF THIS MSG SUBJ TO CAPITAL PUNISHMENT PER 43.3.A

TO: GEN FALCON, ADM RUIZ
FRM: DEFMIN

JOINT OPS COORDINATION GROUP TO BE ESTABLISHED IMMEDIATELY CARTAGENA. EXPECT AUSTRIAN TEAM ON SITE WITHIN WEEK. DKB TEAM REPORTED EN ROUTE.



SECRET SECRET SECRET
UNAUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTION OF THIS MSG SUBJ. TO CAPITAL PUNISHMENT PER 43.3.A

TO: RADM HAYEK
FRM: ADM RUIZ

EXECUTE PLAN ANACONDA.


   
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swamphen    
Posted: Dec 7 2006, 10:54 PM


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QUOTE (The Rock Doctor @ Dec 7 2006, 10:01 PM)
TO: GEN FALCON, ADM RUIZ
FRM: DEFMIN

JOINT OPS COORDINATION GROUP TO BE ESTABLISHED IMMEDIATELY CARTAGENA. EXPECT AUSTRIAN TEAM ON SITE WITHIN WEEK. DKB TEAM REPORTED EN ROUTE.

One General Erich Ludendorff, rendered otherwise surplus to DKB requirements with the 'trade' of Südaustralien, will serve as the Brandenburg liason. cool.gif
   
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Desertfox II    
Posted: Dec 7 2006, 11:21 PM


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Another NPC ally could be the USoNS. They might hate the Austrians, distrust the Germans, and be friendly to the OR, but French involvement was suspected in the breakup and greed (islands to the south) is always there. Its something you can use in your news. (tought the Swiss are incapable of anything more than raiding)
   
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Borys    
Posted: Dec 8 2006, 02:13 AM


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QUOTE (Desertfox II @ Dec 8 2006, 06:21 AM)
Another NPC ally could be the USoNS. They might hate the Austrians, distrust the Germans

Ahoj!
Woe is me!
And why do they hate the poow, leedle habsboowgews?
Bowys
   

[Borys]

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Maddox    
Posted: Dec 8 2006, 02:16 AM


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Let's take a guess.

The bombardment of Taipei?

The rather Pro Chinese stand (according to the New Swiss) during the peace fleet talks.

The interference in a potential large and desicive seabattle?
   
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Borys    
Posted: Dec 8 2006, 02:34 AM


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Ahoj!
Oh, that was the previous reign, and I didn't follow the foreign news so closely then smile.gif

Borys
   
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The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Dec 8 2006, 10:32 PM


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5 March 1904: Catramani, Roraima State

The first sign of trouble was an eruption of tropical birds from the grove south of the village.

Padre Batista stopped the drill, he and many of the sixty-odd cruzadores silently watching the flocks flap away nosily. Their squawking protests was replaced by deep male voices, chanting a short litany over and over again, drawing gradually closer.

"Arm yourselves. The Eye draws near", Batista ordered. Most of the other men scrambled to do so, but a few seemed fixed by the chanting. "Move, or the Eye may take you!", Batista barked, breaking their reverie.

Just five men marched into the clearing: four Anahuac warriors and a Dark Master, surrounding one of their priests. The warriors abruptly ceased their chanting, leaving the Dark Master to survey the area in deathly silence. Perhaps a minute elapsed, though it felt like an hour. Each cruzador felt the Dark Master's gaze fall on them. Some turned away. Some stared back defiantly.

His eyes finally locked with Batista. In a casually arrogant, yet impossibly strong speaking voice, he demanded, "WHO LEADS THIS RABBLE?"

"Who asks?", Batista called back.

The Dark Master glared at him, but held his tongue for several seconds as if to demonstrate that he wasn't about to answer such an impudent question. Finally, he declared, "TSAR'ON HAS LOOKED UPON THIS LAND, AND THUS BECOMES ITS MASTER." The warriors barked a brief chant. "YOU SHALL SERVE TSAR'ON" The chant was repeated. 'DISOBEDIENCE SHALL BE GREETED WITH PROLONGED AGONY" Again the warriors uttered their response. The Dark Master produced a gold talisman - an eye - and placed it upon his staff, which he jabbed into the red earth. "THE EYE SHALL WITNESS YOUR VOW OF FEALITY. KNEEL BEFORE ZAHD."

Batista had watched the Dark Master go through his spiel without interrupting, but as the first of the cruzadores sagged to the ground, he marched to the youth. Laying his hand on the distraught man's shoulder, he said softly, "Stand, my son. The Lord knows that you are afraid, and he is here at our side. Trust in him. Stand."

The man looked up to Batista and stood.

"YOU HAVE CONDEMNED HIM", the Dark Master scolded. "HIS DEATH SHALL NOT BE SWIFT. LEAVE NOW, HEATHEN PRIEST, AND TSAR'ON MAY SPARE YOUR USELESS LIFE."

"Only a deluded idolator would suggest I leave my people and my land", Batista replied. "If you want me to leave, you will have to carry my body out."

"VERY WELL", the Dark Master replied. He removed the talisman from his staff and affixed an obsidian spearhead atop it. "ALL SHALL DIE. YOU, PRIEST, SHALL BE FIRST."

"Perhaps", Batista replied, drawing his machete from a sling within his robes, "If the Lord wills it to be so. Let us find out."

The two marched towards each other; the Dark Master jabbed his spear forward and Batista's machete turned the staff aside. They traded blows and parries at a pace that rapidly escalated until the weapons were merely blurs to the spectators. Neither spoke, their only utterances the grunts of effort and aggression. The obsidian spear slashed Batista's right thigh; within seconds, his machete sliced open a forearm in return. The Dark Master shifted his grip so that he grasped his weapon with one hand at the middle. Batista didn't notice the other hand on the damaged arm as it slipped into a pouch - then flashed forward, throwing a cloud of fine white sand at Batista's face.

He couldn't help but let out a mutter at the sudden pain and blurry sight confronting him. The Dark Master's response was a Jaguar-like growl that ripped the air around him. The Anahuac resumed fighting with two hands as Batista reverted to a defensive posture, blinking furiously. The Dark Master lunged forward, yelling triumphantly for a moment before his spearhead was stopped just inside Batista's robes and slid sideways.

Batista rolled to let the spear slip past him and swung; his machete flashed under the Dark Master's right arm and buried itself in his torso with a meaty thunk. The Anahuac screamed, dropped his spear, and collapsed to the ground. Sudden movement behind the dying Anahuac was met with a shouted, "DOWN!" from behind him. Batista dove for the ground, landing beside the Anahuac as arrows sliced overhead and into the charging quarter of warriors.

"I may die, but so shall you", the Dark Master wheezed. "Tsar'on shall prevail."

"Your false god will be cast down", Batista replied softly, "The Lord commands it." His eyes ceased to weep and he watched the last Anahuac warrior bleed out a few metres away. Getting back to his feet, he turned to face his flock, removing a scarred bible from within his robes.

"My children", he called out, "What has this experience shown us?"

"The Bible is Armor", an older warrior replied.

"Trust in God", another man answered.

"Beware of sinners bearing sand", a third replied, eliciting a ripple of nervous laughter.

"All good answers", Batista replied, a smile creeping on to his face. "What it should also teach you, however is this: Do not be fearful of their tricks and their deeds. Terrifying as they may be, they make errors, they bleed, and they die."

"Just like us", one of the elders replied.

"No, not like us - for our deaths will lead to a place at the foot of the throne of God; theirs", he said, pointing to the slain Dark Master, "leads to eternal damnation."

18 March 1904: Ciudad Jorge, Guyana State

The orders were in: Execute Plan Anaconda.

Jaime Valens had been frocked to the rank of commodore for this operation, as he'd be in charge of the convoy itself. A pair old protected cruisers and a quartet of torpedo-boats, all on the older side, formed the close escort. He'd chosen to fly his pennant aboard the cruiser Guyana for this operation, primarily because he thought her signalmen to be better than those on Bolivar.

Elsewhere in the harbour, the civilian ships were loading up. It was quite the motley crew, with sixteen ships, none of them particularly large. One of the skippers had commented on this during last night's briefing, to which he'd replied, "It minimizes the consequences of a single bad hit." On the other hand, the convoy would cover more ocean and be that much more difficult to sheppard along for the estimated eight day transit to their destination - which, naturally, remained quite secret. The civvies had only been provided with a small list of possible destinations and their chart books checked to ensure the appropriate maps were included.

The largest of the ships were a trio of colliers ranging from perhaps five to six thousand tonnes each, all fully loaded already. Four passenger liners, the small ones used for coastal service, were carrying the embarked personnel, foodstuffs, weapons, and medical equipment; every davit was occupied by a newish-looking boat of one kind or another. Three tramp freighters held ammunition of all kinds, more foodstuffs, spare parts for the convoy, and extra boats. Rounding out the civvies were a quartet of fishing trawlers and a pair of tugboats, carrying a few supplies, but also tasked with rescue and salvage duties if those became required. Every vessel would have a party of infantrymen aboard, in case there were Anahuac around with an inclination to try and come aboard.

The quartermaster supervising the loading process had already confirmed that loads were being mixed amongst each type of ship so as to minimize the impact of losing a vessel. "Don't put all your eggs in one basket - if it burns, you're out of eggs", the pudgy old officer had commented with a laugh.

He'd also told Valens they'd be ready for the 0500 sailing time tomorrow morning. He sure as hell hoped so. This operation had to be coordinated with the Austrians and DKB movements, not to mention the arrival of the Covering Force. If Rear-Admiral Hayek didn't find the convoy at sea, ready to follow his battleships to their destination, Valens expected he'd be sacked on the spot.



   
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swamphen    
Posted: Dec 8 2006, 10:38 PM


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QUOTE (The Rock Doctor @ Dec 8 2006, 10:32 PM)
"KNEEL BEFORE ZAHD."

user posted image

Great stuff!
   
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The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Dec 8 2006, 10:41 PM


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Glad you approve - and thanks for the general idea in the first place.
   
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Maddox    
Posted: Dec 9 2006, 12:13 AM


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Approved by Maddox

with some toughts about it.....
   
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The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Dec 9 2006, 08:50 PM


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To clarify the point Maddox was approving - "Magic":

My own out-of-character view is that there's no such thing as magic in this world. What appears to be "magic" is, in my view, a combination of parlour tricks, psychology, and specialized knowledge in things such as voice training - all of which simply looks like magic to those not familiar with its use, much as a horse or musket would have looked to the ancestors of the Anahuac.

That, I think, can safely account for everything the Dark Master in the preceding post did.
   
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Ithekro    
Posted: Dec 10 2006, 06:20 PM


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I concure on the magic issue. I've attempted to stay away from the metaphysical as much as I can expect when referencing the legendary past. Some terms from the past are still used in the present (elven long bows, dwarven battleships) but most are descriptive of type rather than magical or mythical in origin. Most issues of "magic" are religion concepts or items that can be done by a normal human that might look or sound impressive, and do to their skill is actually impressive, but no metaphysical magic is involved. Slight of hand or stage magic styles are possible since that is and can be done in out own world. Other styles such as wiccan, black magic, and various indian magics are a kind of gray area. They are things that seem to exist in our world that are not explained, but they aren't the more legendary magics of fantasy and lore. Mithril will be the interesting one to track down, as that is suppose to be a natural element rather than a magical one.
   
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Maddox    
Posted: Dec 10 2006, 06:27 PM


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After sending out a PM to the "magic writing" players we came to this conclusion.

The N-verse is like OTL. Magic is talked about, some people even believe in it. But up to now, there is absolutely no evidence that magic does excist.

All the stories we have seen up untill now with Magic can be put in the categories "fairy tales" ," parlor tricks" or "extensive education " or "advanced technology"

Let us keep magic in the grey realm. Written about, hoped or feared for. never materializing.

[Borys]

swamphen     
Posted: Dec 11 2006, 08:41 PM


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late March
Buenaventura, Colombia

"If what I just heard is true, you might not be the only person to best an Anahuac Dark Master in single combat anymore."

Hauptmann Sally Schilling of the Legion Kondor looked up from her drink as Rittmeister Danny Pritchard, also of the "Slammers", settled at the table. "Oh?"

"There's a rumour going around that some padre down the Amazon ran into one of the buggers, and took him out with a machete."

The Legion had the most experience fighting Anahuac of anyone outside of Rohan, and therefore it had been hired by Gran Colombia. There were occasional jokes about being the "Anahuac exterminator service".

"Well, even if it's true, there's one edge I still have over him."

"And that is?"

Schilling smiled. "I'm still the only person to get a Pour le Mérite for killing one."
   
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The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Dec 12 2006, 09:54 PM


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March 22: At Sea, East of the Mouth of the Amazon

Commodore Valens watched the clock on the bridge of the Guyana as the second hand passed the twelve and began ticking off the final minute of the hour.

The convoy had made it out to sea and hooked up with Rear-Admiral Hayek's Covering Force without incident. They'd only picked up a French tail the previous evening, and the vessel - apparently a sloop - had been content to tail along behind the Covering Force. The wireless shack had picked up occasional transmissions from the Frenchman, presumably reporting locations to something larger in the area.

"Stand by to send the advisory", he said aloud.

"Ready, Sir", the Signals Officer replied momentarily.

"Launch it." A red flare shot up from the flag platform, letting the convoy know that they were about to execute their planned course change.

This had been the easy part, really. Open waters, heavy cover, opportunities for deception of the enemy. He wasn't going to have any of that for much longer. He had no idea what was going to replace it.

"It's oh-five-hundred, Sir", a voice called to him.

"Thank you. Signals, signal to the convoy to alter course."

The green flare hissed upward into the pre-dawn gloom. Guyana's captain ordered, "Helm, come round to two-six-zero. Ring for twelve knots."

"Aye, sir." The flagship heeled to starboard, and began leading the Anaconda convoy towards the mouth of the Amazon River.

26 March: Manaus

General Geologo watched the anchor splash down from the cruiser into the muddy brown waters of the Amazon with relief. That was it, then. Ten large and six small civilian ships, four torpedo boats, and two cruisers - all safely arrived, all apparently intact. Neither the French nor Anahuac had opposed their run up the Brazilian stretch of the river.

The first ship, one of the freighters, was already tied and unloading. One of the passenger liners was lowering boats into the water as well, starting the process of disgorging its contents.

In a few days, he'd have everything ashore and dispersed to the many depots established within the defensive perimeter surrounding the town. Eight thousand tonnes of coal. Two thousand three hundred tonnes of ammunition. Three thousand four hundred tonnes of food and medical supplies. Fifty-eight small boats and barges. Spare parts for the ships and enough equipment to convert the four trawlers into gunboats. Naval personnel to establish a depot and provide replacement personnel to the ships. Oh, and another regiment of infantry.

It was strange to think that here, eight hundred miles inland, he had a naval squadron attached to his command, but he was damned glad he did. With hardly any roads and no railways in the region, control of the Amazon and its tributaries would be a large part of the coming campaign.

"Best make sure the perimeter's locked up tight", he muttered to himself, and he nabbed his peaked cap and began to make his way down to the harbourfront.