Griffin got Kira’s attention and mouthed, I’m going to jump in. Kira nodded.
“Hello, Colonel,” began Griffin. “I’m the local computer expert. I just happened to be listening in on the entire conversation.”
Surprise registered on Jake’s face, but only for a moment. “Glad to hear it,” he said smoothly. “We don’t have any time to waste, and this saves me from having to repeat myself.” He paused. “What should I call you?”
“Matt’s as good a name as any,” replied Griffin.
“So will you help us?” asked Jake eagerly.
“Can I assume the Copernicus is mounting an international effort to study these bugs?”
“That’s right.”
“Then I’ll help you,” said Griffin. “But only if I can head up the international effort.”
Jake looked confused. “Why?” he asked. “The American effort will provide unlimited resources to you and your team. Given that finding nanites to study isn’t exactly difficult, each country is fielding their own teams. And they’re each putting their best people on their national efforts. The scientists being sent to Copernicus, although still brilliant, are the reserves. That’s just the way countries think. Selfishly.”
“Well it’s not the way I think. If I make a discovery, I don’t want it bottled up. I want it shared with the world.”
“I can promise you that anything you learn will be shared with the world. What reason could we possibly have not to?”
“Who knows?” replied Griffin. “Reason and government rarely go hand in hand. But let me be clear: this is non-negotiable. I have to be a part of Copernicus. And not just because I’ve never been on a luxury cruise ship before,” he added with a half smile. “I have to be certain my findings will be shared. And being on a U.N. ship will make me feel more comfortable that you’ll keep your promise.”
“I’ll keep it,” insisted Jake.
“Can you vouch for the people you work with?” asked Griffin.
“Right now, I’m the only one who even knows I’m contacting you. If you agree, only my boss and my second in command will know anything about it.”
“I stand by my demand. Copernicus or bust.”
A deep frown came over Jake’s face. “Impossible,” he said firmly. “I can make you head of the American effort. I don’t have the authority or power to make you head of the international effort.”
“Come on, Colonel. I’m sure America still has plenty enough influence to make this happen. Eight of the twenty-one Nobelists are American. So is Madison Russo, who discovered the alien probe. So are a disproportionate number of scientists on that ship.”
“True, but I still can’t just demand that you be put in charge. You’re a complete unknown.”
“I’ve seen the news reports,” said Griffin. “Everyone keeps bragging about how Copernicus is a perfect meritocracy. No politics, just great minds working together. Well, use your influence with the Nobelists and others to run a worldwide contest to determine who leads the team. Two competitors from each country, chosen by their governments. Each devises software challenges for the others: puzzles and traps and mazes. The one who solves the most in an hour becomes the leader.”
Jake paused for a long moment and then a smile slowly came over his face. “I’ll say this for you, Kira, your people are impressive, even without your treatment. It’s a good idea. I could get this to happen. Who could argue it isn’t the fair way to choose the best for something this important? And when Matt runs rings around them all, he’ll instantly earn the credibility he’ll need for them to follow him. Far more so than if I had the ability to make him head of the project by decree, which I don’t.”
“Then I’m in,” said Griffin.
“Thank you,” replied Jake, visibly relieved. “How fast can you get to Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs?”
Griffin glanced at Kira. Any geographic information he revealed would aid Jake later on, but there might not be a later on if they didn’t get a handle on the alien bugs. She nodded. “Wright-Patterson in Dayton would be closer,” he said.
“Fine. I’ll have a jet waiting to fly you to Saldanha, South Africa the second you arrive. I’ll try to have the software competition scheduled for soon after you land, so no time is wasted. And we’ll be fueled up and ready to land you on Copernicus the minute you finish.”
Kira frowned. “I want David Desh to be allowed on board as well. Same deal. He walks when this is over.”
Griffin brightened immediately, obviously delighted by the idea.
“Why?” said Jake.
“Because I believe this is as important as you do. And I’d feel better if he was there. To help Matt and to keep you honest.”
Jake considered for several long seconds. “Okay,” he said finally. “Can Desh make it to Wright-Patt with Matt?”
“I’m afraid not,” said Kira, checking her watch. Where was he? He should have checked in an hour ago. “Have a jet ready to go at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, and I’ll send him to the guard gate. Make sure he gets VIP treatment.”
Jake nodded.
“And call back in exactly thirty minutes. I’ll have a few more questions, and we can discuss logistics.”
“Fine. Anything else?”
“Yeah,” said Griffin. “Think about by how much you want me to win the competition.”
“Are you kidding?” said Jake. “Blow them all away. This is no time to be shy. Shock and Awe is what we’re going for.”
“Shock and Awe,” repeated Griffin with a wry smile. “Good. That happens to be my specialty.”
48
As the Codon raced out of sight, saltwater bit at David Desh’s wound, and the blood rushing from his body created a red bloom around him; a clarion call to any shark within miles of his location.
Struggling to keep his head above water, Desh had no way to staunch the flow. He concentrated on maintaining a dead man’s float, but wounded as he was, even this was difficult, and he feared it wouldn’t be long until he’d be sinking to the bottom like a brick. A swell hit him in the face and he inhaled water, coughing as he did so, sending a paroxysm of pain throughout his upper body.
Both helicopters rushed to his location, and in less than a minute a small raft had been pushed from one, self-inflating as rapidly as a car airbag as it fell. Several of the mercs dropped from one of the low flying craft into the ocean, pulling Desh to the raft. When he was successfully on board, they turned him on his back. One of the men in the other helo dropped a medical kit down, which was caught by one of the mercs, and they immediately went to work dressing and bandaging Desh’s wound.
Desh gritted his teeth and tried to ignore the pain. He forced himself to think. Why hadn’t Frey killed him? He could have easily put a bullet in Desh’s head. For some reason Frey wanted him wounded, but alive.
Of course, thought Desh. Frey wanted a diversion. A head start.
If the mercs killed Frey they’d get a massive bonus. But doing so and keeping Desh alive at the same time was even more rewarding. So both helos had stuck around to be certain he’d pull through. Which must have been exactly what Frey had wanted. The mercs would have no fear that Frey would get away while they were rescuing Desh. Where would he go? It was open ocean for miles and miles and there was no hiding a beauty like the Codon.