By nightfall, two of the south depot’s ports had been decimated; most of their artillery was blasted apart or out of ammunition, and more than half of their people were either dead on land or on sea. Just as Brandon feared, the navy sent two warships and both made a concerted effort to intimidate the south depot. For Larry Stahl’s part, he did not let the navy and the marines get onto land, keeping them beyond the breakwater. But he knew the south depot needed help soon.
Larry Stahl stayed in a relatively safe place not easily accessible or reached by the warships’ long-range missile. From here he supervised the defense while Brandon and the military-trained staff manned the artillery and defense closer to the beach.
“Brandon? What news?” he asked over the radio.
Brandon’s voice was al
