Stefan nodded again, then wrapped a length of chain around the pipe. He whistled sharply. A head appeared in the hatch far above. The rope was lowered for them to fasten to the chain. A minute later the pipe lifted off the floor and up to the deck.
"Thanks," Pentam said to Stefan. "You go back up on deck. I'm going see if I can't lend a hand in the engine room." He rolled up his sleeves and went to the other room.
"Anything I can do to help?"
Within minutes he was black with oil and grease and thinking about nothing but forcing a recalcitrant fitting into place.
***
Cal inspected the finished cannon. The double walled barrel added a lot of weight, but Pentam was right. The release valve had been fitted so she could attach a long bar to it for leverage. She wouldn't have time to wrest
