Hunter Killer

Dan fled.

I admired the superb command MKG had over himself

It was he who had taken over the situation, now.

Coffee!' he ordered.

Tyler picked up a phone, never taking his eyes from MKG.

In a moment, it seemed, fresh coffee was on the table. Tyler kicked the door shut.

Now ?' said MKG, turning to Peace.

The CIA got wind of our plan, somehow. They put a man on to tag me.' I nodded confirmation of this cryptic account. ' So the DNI decided it was safer to change the plans. I picked John up at sea, left no trail.'

' I can't accept a statement like that,' said Tyler stubbornly. '

I don't know either of you from a wave in the ocean.'

God's truth!' exploded Peace. At this stage I can't go into a round-by-round explanation. You have my word for it. That's why I wanted to consult alone with MKG. He'll vouch for me.'

I only take orders from the United States Navy,' repeated Tyler, the cigar clamped in his teeth. I want proof and documentation before I aliow MKG to leave my ship.'

MKG glanced quickly at Peace, whose anger at Tyler had begun to flare. Revs,' he said, Little Bear is more than a mere missile project. It is the ultimate weapon which will put us-the United States and Britain-way out ahead of any other nation for a decade at least. It's so good that I am going for a space-ride in Little Bear. This mission is not a simple test-fire. I am blasting off to Santa Fe in Little Bear.'

The colour drained from Tyler's face. He rose, sat down heavily again, and started to spoon sugar into his coffee, staring into the strong liquid.

The ultimate weapon, Revs.'

Peace gave a slight shudder. Perhaps the scar of the DNI's briefing in the blood-and-oil days of war would never heal, for him.

Tyler did not seem to hear. He stirred his coffee unseeingly. This thing has bucked me,' he said at last, ' I won't say it hasn't.' He looked up at MKG. I gotta Mark One eyeball check I'm speaking to the Vice-President, a top scientist of our age. Or else I'd think some boot seaman was razzing me with a phoney news item in the ship's newspaper. He says, I'm blasting off into space. To Santa Fe. In Little Bear. Experimental missile. Untested-'

The tough skipper stood up mechanically and sat down, automatically dumping more sugar into his coffee. MKG went over to him and put a hand on his shoulder.

Tyler jerked up, brushing aside MKG'S hand and facing him. '

The Vice-President test-fire an experimental missile and go to Santa Fe! We know you got the spellout, MKG: Anacostia. Naval Research Lab. And a great guy. But no Vice-President of mine goes on a space-ride in an experimental missile

– not while Revs Tyler is around. The safety of the VicePresident of the United States is my responsibility and I won't duck it.' His hand went out to the intercom.

Revs!' The power in the controlled tones stopped Tyler. '

I ordered you not to touch that phone.'

Tyler's hand wavered uncertainly and then fell back. The four of us were so close round the tiny table that I could smell the detergent from their sea-khaki, blended with the aftermath of the pungent Pinnies. It did not seem incongruous that MKG, in direct line for the Presidency, should wear drab khaki-in all the long line of Presidents there had been men in the garb of lawyers, doctor, businessmen, farmer, soldier, clergyman, artisan, and at that moment MKG symbolized our age, the space age. His was the ascetic raiment of science, the technocrat risen to the highest political rank and now seeking to set a seal on the new hierarchy by a voyage into the far-flung spaces of the heavens.

There was a curious, luminous light in the Vice-President's eyes. Little Bear is not only a question of justifying a supreme missile,' he told Tyler. It is also a question of justifying the spirit of the age-my age, the age of science.'

I'm not with you,' muttered Tyler.

I am the supreme representative of the new American technocratic society,' replied MKG. In the age of science, science's top representative and the American people have chosen me as that. Science must be at the helm; therefore I have to make the flight to Santa Fe!'

In an experimental missile!' burst out Tyler.

MKG went on quickly, Von Braun, the father of American rocketry, had the same basic idea way back in the fifties, namely, a sea-based missile. Von Braun's was rough-andready-pontoons in the water, the missiles to be sown like mines round the enemy's shores. But the seed-idea was there and it ripened-' he swung on Peace= in the brain of that remarkable old man, the DNI. Little Bear is the ultimate weapon.'

There was a pause so intense that again I could hear the cheerful voices of the crew on the casing above as they rejoiced in the sunlight.

Tyler stood up, his eyes hard. ' I don't buy it,' he said curtly. Nor would the American people. The office of President-and you are part of it-is one of the three bastions on which the Constitution rests. See Revs Tyler shooting off part of his heritage into space!'

We are only as great as we are to our inward vision,' said MKG. Remember that, Revs.'

Tyler raked the coal of his cigar across the ashtray and then threw it into the trash basket under the desk. He lit " another as automatically. Peace sat like a coiled spring. From the casing came the shout of a swimmer and the thump of his body against Willowtrack's hull.

Tyler looked from Peace to myself. Two Limeys-why bring them into it? Two Limeys I don't even know!'

"The motor is British-SNAP,' MKG repeated, his voice tinged with asperity. I don't have to explain it all again.'

Tyler wheeled on Peace and me, his face livid. 'That's what burns me up-two Limeys!' he shouted. It's not your goddam' Vice-President! What do you care if he's burnt to hell in a test-missile!'

' Sit down, shut up!' retorted Peace. He turned to mkg. '

My dinghy's waiting. Let's get aboard Devastation. Don't forget to bring your code so that we can signal the White

House at sunset.'

Tyler grabbed Peace by the shoulder. Who are you to order me and MKG around, fellah?'

Peace shook himself free and MKG interjected, ' You know the set-up with Commander Peace, Revs'

' You say you know this guy, but who in hell is this?' He indicated me. You didn't know him, did you, until now?'

MKG was on his feet, too, an angry light in those strange eyes. I know Commander Peace and anyone he vouches for I trust!'

But I don't!' came back Tyler. ' See here, this whole thing stinks to me. And when this guy says, bring along the White House code, it stinks more!'

MKG looked dangerous. Revs, as Vice-President I order y o u – '

I'm signalling the President direct,' replied Tyler. I dunno the original plan you talk about. I dunno the changes. I dunno this sonofabitch freighter's course, even. I thought all along there was something crook about a French ship carrying an American classified weapon. I don't like the look 95 of that sub across the bay. I don't like taking orders from anyone but the Secretary for the Navy, leastways this guy.'

He picked up the empty coffee-pot, tried to pour from it, and with an oath tossed it away, consoling himself with yet another cigar and glaring at us.

The essence of this mission is secrecy,' said MKG. If you signal, you destroy it.'

Tyler paused and then reached across for an intercom before MKG could intercept him.

Bridge-Captain! Clear the casing! Clear the bridge!

Rig for diving!'

MKG wrenched Tyler round to face him. ' I ordered y ou--!'

The alarm-klaxon brayed its mournful note, a double blast, through the ship. The thudding of feet overhead and the slam of steel doors foliowed.

Tyler put down the phone. He was in full command. ' You said-sure. But who are these guys? I'm taking no chances. I' m a Navy captain and I know my duty, and that duty is to the person of the Vice-President and the office of President of the United States. Santa Fe! It needs no speliout what it would mean when the world heard what a sucker Revs Tyler had been!'