End to Illusion

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Christopher Adams stood silent on Connaught’s bridge. As Navigator he had few duties in action; being disgraced, his advice was not wanted. He watched as the light cruiser, Salford, made her run on the old battleship. He could not see the name on the Austrian ship’s stern but recognised her as one of the Habsburg class.

The Commander was watching the performance of the light cruiser through his glasses, professionally interested as well as making his report on a member of the squadron. He gave a running commentary, somewhat unnecessarily, the captain being on the bridge at his side with his own glasses.

“Four torpedoes running, sir. Launched at about five cables. Two and three running wild, sir, veering off track. Coming onto our bearing… off line now, curving back… turning again. Gyroscope must be malfunctioning, sir. One and four are running true, sir. Battleship is sounding alarm, sir. Steam siren, sir – audible in the town, one must imagine. Garrison alerted.”

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