Bab 55: The Decisive Attack

In the town of Toulon.

"Admiral! Admiral!"

One of the officers banged repeatedly on the Admiral quarters. Admiral Samuel Hood fluttered his eyes open, his sleep disrupted by the urgent commotion outside. As the banging grew louder, he jolted upright, his mind racing to grasp the situation at hand. Throwing on his uniform with haste, Admiral Hood swiftly made his way to the door.

With a deep breath, he swung the door open to reveal a disheveled officer, his face filled with anxiety and urgency. The young man stood before the admiral, his chest heaving as he struggled to regain his composure.

"Report, Lieutenant," Admiral Hood demanded.

The officer gulped, gathering himself to relay the distressing information. "Admiral, the French have taken Fort l'Eguillette and Balaguier on the hill of Cairo," he exclaimed, his words punctuated by a sense of disbelief.