Torpedo Run (1981) (39 page)

Lincke’s boat had been more badly damaged than he had realized. As Mackay’s MTB tore past with all her weapons firing, her forward guns, which had been pointing so confidently seconds before, lifted slowly towards the sky and stayed there.

After what seemed like an eternity, someone hoisted a scrap of white bunting over Lincke’s bridge, and a few figures emerged from below, their hands held high above their heads while they waited beside their dead and wounded.

Devane stared at Dundas for several seconds. ‘Stop engines. Report on damage.’

He removed his cap and stood on the gratings to watch the other MTB moving alongside the surrendered E-boat. Mackay’s Chief had been a good one, just as Ackland had said. Another minute, seconds even, and. . . . Devane looked along his battered command, at the survivors who were picking their way over the torn planking and broken guns. But no better than any of mine. No better.

He glanced at Metcalf, shaking now with shock and the surprise at being alive. At Pellegrine, worn out and leaning on the wheel, a splinter still bloodily implanted in his forehead. He saw Chalmers, black from head to toe, leaning against the side of the bridge, his burnt hands resting at his sides. He had beaten the fire and, with it, his fear.

Beresford climbed up beside him. ‘Red cut it a bit fine.’ He tried to light a cigarette then grimaced. ‘Sorry. This place stinks of petrol!’

Devane watched Dundas’ features as he returned.

Dundas said, ‘The Chief can get the pumps working, sir, but he can’t manage more than ten knots.’

Devane turned as the other MTB thrashed astern from the motionless E-boat. Mackay had placed demolition charges, and the German survivors would have to manage on their rubber rafts until help arrived.

Dundas asked, ‘Didn’t you want to go over and see Lincke, sir?’

‘He’s dead.’ Devane watched the MTB turning bows on towards him. ‘It’s better not to see your enemies, Roddy. They often look too much like us.’

A light blinked across the water and Devane said, ‘Answer him, Bunts.’ It came crowding in, catching him unawares as it always did at times like these. ‘I forgot.’

Dundas triggered off the Aldis and then said, ‘From
Kestrel. What orders?
’

They looked at each other, and did not even turn when the demolition charges in Lincke’s E-boat exploded deep in the hull.

‘Tell Red Mackay,
thank you very much for your timely
help
.’ He looked up at the sky, almost dark now and ready to hide the brutality of battle. ‘Orders? We’re going home. Just tell him that.’

Petty Officer Pellegrine stood back stiffly and fingered the splinter gingerly. ‘’Ere, young Metcalf. Take the wheel. Keep station on
Kestrel
. I’m goin’ to sit down.’ He gave a slow grin. ‘You did well, son.’

Devane gripped the screen and felt
Merlin
shivering to life again.
So did you
.

The clouds touched the horizon, and soon the two little ships were lost in darkness. Going home.