"L. E. Modesitt - Corean Chronicles 5 - Cadmians Choice" - читать интересную книгу автора (Modesitt L E)

The outer anteroom was empty, and the door to the col┬-onel's study was ajar.
"Majer Mykel, come on in. Close the door behind you."
Colonel Herolt did not rise when Mykel stepped into the study, but merely
gestured for him to take a seat. "How are you this morning? How are you coming
with getting Third Battalion back into shape?"
"We're working at it, sir."
"I've noticed." Herolt paused. "I'd like to give you more time, but we don't
have it." His eyes fixed on Mykel. "We've received two sets of orders from
Myrmi┬-don headquarters."
"Yes, sir." Mykel smiled politely, waiting. From the earlier conversation with
the colonel when Mykel had been given command of the Third Battalion, Mykel
knew that whatever mission was assigned to Third Battalion would be difficult.
"Fourth Battalion will be going to Iron Stem to main┬-tain order there after
all the difficulties. I had thought about sending you and Third Battalion, but
the other re┬-quirement seems particularly suited to your capabilities, Majer.
Second Battalion is returning from the grasslands, and reports permanent
casualties over thirty percent. Fifth Battalion is still operating out of
Northport, and Sixth Battalion is finishing up the relocation of the Squawts
from norm of the Vedra. That doesn't leave meт"or youт"much choice."
Mykel nodded, waiting. A year earlier, he would have asked for details
immediately and inquired about the high casualties taken by Second Battalion.
One thing he had learned was that such inquiries would not be answered, and
would only irritate the colonel.
"Majer Hersiod and I will be briefed by the Marshal of Myrmidons tomorrow
about Iron Stem. It's a more delicate ... situation."
"Yes, sir." Mykel understood. He didn't like what Herolt was suggestingт"that
Mykel was lacking in finesse and just about everything besides battlefield and
anti-insurgent tacticsт"but there was little enough he could or should say.
Herolt smiled again. "There are armed groups in the south similar to the
Reillies, and they have been causing trouble in the hills west of Hyalt."
Hyalt? That was about as far as one could get from anywhere, even more
isolated in some ways than Dramur, Mykel reflected.
"The leader and the worst of the troublemakers were handled by a Myrmidon
squad several weeks ago, but the others have gone to ground and scattered
throughout the region. This is similar to what you encountered in Dra┬-mur,
but on a smaller scale. You should be able to handle it, while completing your
retraining and rebuilding Third Battalion."
"Do we have any information on the troublemakers, sir?"
"Very little. The High Alector of Justice believes that
stronger local control is necessary in the area, and part of your deployment
will require that you facilitate the rebuild┬-ing of a local Cadmian garrison
there. There was only a small local garrison there. It was scarcely more than
a pa-troller outpost, and the rebel elements wiped them out.
"Third Battalion will take a transport ship to Southgate first. There you will
oversee the remainder of the training of two companies going to Hyalt. They're
locally re┬-cruited Cadmians. The officers and squad leaders will come from
the contingent in Southgate, but you will be in charge, Majer. You will
continue training them on the ride to Hyalt. You're expected to arrive there
around the first week of summer. While you are pacifying the rebels, you will
supervise the rebuilding of the garrison in a larger and more permanent locale