Night Watch

again.
    “Got yourself a little prisoner, have you?” he said, stepping forward to examine Nobby. “Reckon you’ve got a ringleader here, yeah. Told you anything, has he? I shouldn’t think so. You need special training to get the best out of lads like this, haha.”
    He slipped his hand into his pocket. When it came out, the knuckles were ringed with brass.
    “Now then, lad,” he said, as the soldiers watched in horror. “You know who I am, do you? I’m in the Particulars, me. And I can see two of you. One of them’s a lively lad who’s going to help the proper authorities with their business, and the other is a lippy little bugger who’s going to try to be clever. One of these lads has a future and all his teeth. Now the funny thing about me, it’s a little habit of mine, is that I never ask a question twice. So…you’re not a criminal, are you?”
    Nobby, his eyes huge and fixed on the brass knuckles, shook his head.
    “You just do what you have to, to survive, right?”
    Nobby nodded.
    “In fact, you were probably a decent lad before you fell in with the rebels, I expect. Sang hymns and all that.”
    Nobby nodded.
    “This man who calls himself Sergeant Keel is the ringleader of the rebels, yes?”
    There was a moment of hesitation, and then Nobby raised a hand.
    “Um…everyone does what he tells them, is that the same thing?” he said.
    “Yep. Is he charismatic?”
    Nobby kept staring at the brass knuckles.
    “Um, um, um, I don’t know. I haven’t heard him cough much,” he managed.
    “And what do they talk about beyond the barricade, my little lad?”
    “Um…well, Justice an’ Truth an’ Freedom and stuff,” said Nobby.
    “Aha. Rebel talk!” said Carcer, straightening up.
    “Is it?” said the major.
    “Take it from me, Major,” said Carcer. “When you get a bunch of people using words like that, they’re up to no good.” He looked down at Nobby. “Now, I wonder what I’ve got in my pocket for a good boy, eh? Oh, yes…someone’s ear. Still warm. Here you go, kid!”
    “Cor, thanks, mister!”
    “Now run a long way away or I’ll gut yer.”
    Nobby fled.
    Carcer glanced at the map spread on the desk. “Oh, you’re planning a little sortie. That’s nice. Don’t want to upset the rebels, do we? Why aren’t you bloody well attacking, Major?”
    “Well, they’re not—”
    “You’re losing your troops to ’em! They hold a quarter of the city! And you’re gonna sneak round the back. Across the bridge, I see, and up Elm Street. Quiet-like. Like you are frightened! ” Carcer’s hand smashed down onto the table, making the major jump.
    “I’m frightened of no man!” he lied.
    “You’re the City right now!” said Carcer, a little speck of white foam appearing at the corner of his mouth. “ They sneak. You don’t. You ride right up to them and damn them to hell, that’s what you do. They’re stealing the streets from you! You take ’em back! They’ve put ’emselves beyond the Law! You take the Law to ’em!”
    He stepped back, and the manic rage subsided as quickly as it had arrived.
    “That’s my advice,” he said, “Of course, you know your own business best. Me and what’s left of my poor lads, we’re going to go out and fight. I’m sure their lordships will appreciate anything you feel you can do.”
    He strode out, the Particulars falling in behind him.
    “Er…you all right, Clive?” said the captain. Only the whites of the major’s eyes were showing.
    “What a horrible man,” said the major quietly.
    “Er…yes, of course. On the other hand—”
    “Yes, yes, yes. I know. We have no choice. We have orders. That… weasel is right. If the damn thing is there in the morning, I’ve got no career and nor have you. Show of strength, frontal attack, take no prisoners…that’s what our orders are. Stupid, stupid orders.” He sighed.
    “I suppose we could disobey…” said the captain.
    “Are you mad? And then what would we be? Don’t be a fool, Tom. Muster the men, get the ox teams hitched up, let’s make a bit of a show for the sake of it. Let’s just get it over with!”

Vimes was shaken awake. He looked up into his own face, younger, less lined, more terrified.
    “Wha’?”
    “They’re bringing up siege weapons, Sarge! They’re coming down the street, Sarge!”
    “What? That’s stupid! The barricade is highest here! A couple of men could defend it!”
    Vimes leaped to his feet. It must be a feint. A stupid feint,