Einstein Must Die! (Fate of Nations Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Armistice.
    Thankfully, things were now set right, and he’d have the chance to finish what he started. Loyalty was all, especially to the Crown. Those who wavered deserved what they got.  
    He’d had to pull strings with the king for this assignment. A battalion was typically commanded by a lieutenant colonel, but after the major explained his reasons for wanting the job, the king understood and made an exception.
    Nearby, Captain Douglas checked his navigation. “Helmsman, make your course two-two-seven.”
    The young midshipman responded instantly. “Making course two-two-seven, aye.” He leaned on the massive ship’s wheel, and it shifted position slightly.
    “Another day, perhaps two,” said the captain. “We’ll come in at night, and the moon will be a waning crescent. Good for landing.”
    Major Thomas nodded. “My men are damned unhappy belowdecks. They’ll be pleased to have mud under them again.”
    The captain laughed. “I’m sure. The lower decks are awash in vomit.”
    “They are soldiers, Captain. Not sailors.”
    “Very true!” he said, chuckling again.
    “Ship sighted!” yelled a lookout. He held an arm out, rigid, pointing at the horizon.
    Major Thomas looked off the left side of the ship, but saw nothing.
    The captain had a spyglass to his face, scanning for the new arrival.
    “Yes… I see you,” he said. “And you have a friend too.”
    He snapped the glass down. “American frigate and a smaller boat. Privateer maybe, or a packet ship hauling mail.”
    “Will you engage?” asked the major.
    The captain scrubbed at his face, rolling the variables through his mind. He leaned over the railing and watched the white tips of the waves’ crests. The wind was blowing from the direction of the enemy ships.
    “Wind isn’t favorable. They have the weather gage.”
    “How many guns on an American frigate?”
    “Forty-four, but they’re a tough hull. Admiralty frowns on engagement at less than two-to-one advantage.” He mulled it over, rubbing his chin.
    “Your decision, Captain,” said Major Thomas. “I command only the army belowdecks, the ship is yours.”
    Captain Douglas craned his neck up to inspect his current set of sail.
    “Of course,” continued the major. “I’d hate for word of your timidness to spread.”
    The captain’s head snapped back, but the major’s grin told him he only meant to jest. He scanned the darkening sky. Heavy, steel-gray clouds hung low and imposing.  
    The major followed his gaze, not liking the look of the weather.  
    But the captain smiled. “I have an idea,” he said, buttoning up his foul weather coat. “Beat to quarters!” he called out in a booming command voice.  
    A junior officer sprinted to the ship’s bell. “Beat to quarter’s, aye!” He rang the bell hard, five times, quickly. He paused, then repeated the alarm.
    The crew sprang to their battle roles, clearing the decks of extraneous gear and equipment, securing it below. Down on the gun decks, crews primed the cannons with powder and loaded round shot into the hulking guns.
    The captain nodded, pleased with his crew’s efficiency. “Port guns, prepare to run out! Helm, make your course one-nine-oh!”
    He turned to the major beside him. “We’ll take them on, Major. And give your boys something to forget their seasickness.”
    ***
    Aboard the USS Lexington , Captain Franklin Jones studied the British ship through his glass.
    “Ship of the line. Big bastard. Lot of guns.” He handed the glass to Lieutenant Wilson, who eagerly took a look.
    “Yes, sir,” the junior man agreed, straining to make out details. “But she’s got no copper.”
    No copper sheathing on the hull meant less protection from barnacles and weeds, which grew on a ship’s timbers and produced drag in the water.
    “A fair bet she’s out of Portsmouth,” said the captain.
    “Which means a month of growth, at least.”
    The captain nodded. “Good for a knot or so. Good man,” he said,