' You are an American officer. I order you to put me aboard Devastation!'
There was no wavering or hesitation about Tyler. His voice was hard, his face strained with the weight of the decision he had taken. My duty is to protect the VicePresident with every means at my disposal-and that means I' d even set the birds flying to start a shooting war' He wrenched a key similar to Peace's from around his neck. If the Vice-President is going to Santa Fe, he is going in an allAmerican missile with American scientists under the eyes of the American people. If. That's as maybe, depending on a lot of things which ain't my concern. But it ain't gonna be this way.'
' You've talked a lot about your responsibility, now listen to mine,' said MKG. The condition on which I came on this mission was that during the outward leg of the voyage to St Brandon I would be in radio touch every day at sunset with the President at the White House. Anything could happen during such a long voyage. From St Brandon on wards things will be different. I'll be in friendly waters. close to the British base at Mahe. The arrangement from now on is that I'll signal regularly to the President through the DNI. It won't be the tight daily schedule because, if there is 96 anything I should know, the President will inform the DNI, and he can be in immediate touch with me. It's safer, too, at this distance from home, to use the British land-based communications facilities than a sub's radio.'
This is a United States sub and we're quite capable of looking after the Vice-President-' Tyler broke in angrily.
MKG ignored the interruption. ' If anything-anythingwere to arise during my absence from the United States which in the opinion of the President necessitated my abandoning the Santa Fe space shot, I would drop it here and now,' he said forcefully. He underlined each word, his, eyes going from Tyler to Peace in turn. "That is a basic condition of Little Bear. I know my duty to my office and to the American people as well if not better than you, Revs. So far nothing has cropped up to reverse the original plan, but if it did, I assure you I would call it off. The President and I both believe in this ultimate new weapon and I intend to prove its worth. We have had to resort to these unorthodox ways, but we feel them justifiable because of the supreme value of Little Bear to the free world.'
Tyler looked more rangy than ever. ' I'm taking this ship down,' he said doggedly. I'll use your sunset time to signal the President-direct.'
' You won't!' said MKG. Only two people know the code
– the White House and myself.'
Tyler shrugged. I'll send a signal en clair, then. I want this whole thing straight in my mind-from the President before I aliow you to go walking off with these two-two-'
He glared at us in unconcealed hostility.
As soon as this ship is ready-this is a crack Gold Crew and it takes less than three minutes-I intend to submerge to periscope depth. As a start, I'll signal Submarine Headquarters in New London.'
The loudspeaker blared metallically. All dear topside!
The ship is rigged for dive and compensated, Captain!'
Admiration chased the anger for a moment from Peace's face. By any standards, it was some going.
An intercom buzzed. Tyler answered in monosyllables, but his face darkened. Bring it through Dan-damn' quick!'
He turned on Peace, his face livid. So you're on the level, are you, Mister Goddam' Commander Peace l-while your sub tried to jam my radio!'
It was Peace's turn to look astonished. He swung on MKG.
Tyler picked up an intercom. Stand by to dive! Periscope depth! I'll come through and take the conn.
Dan came and retreated quickly at the sight of our faces.
Tyler read the signal, looked round at us, unspeaking, reread it. His mouth was like iron.
He addressed MKG. You say you know this guy.' Re jerked his head at Peace. Who is he?'
MKG looked pluzzled. Of course I know him, Revs. Commander Geoffrey Peace, Royal Navy.'
Tyler spun on Peace. That so?'
Peace nodded.
Then listen to this,' he replied grimly. It's a general signal from ComSubInd, submarine headquarters of the
Seventh Fleet in the Seychelles, incomplete because it was jammed towards the end. But enough' He quoted: " To all subs: Admiral Thornton, commanding u.s. Seventh
Fleet, has received the foliowing message from the British Prime Minister-on behalf of the Minister of Defence and myself, I wish to thank you and the officers and men of the Seventh United States Fleet, and especially units of the nuclear submarine force based on Mahe, for their generous gesture in according the last honours at the funeral of the distinguished British submarine ace, Commander Geoffrey Peace.."
8 BLOW AND GO
The two skippers stared at one another. Peace said nothing. His face was bleak, withdrawn. Tyler watched him as narrowly as a boxer coming out of his corner. He backed away to the intercom, facing Peace all the time, felt for the instrument, dialled. Hold it, Lou, I'm coming through' His vowels grew more pronounced with tension. ' Dan, keep the radio antenna up when we submerge, see. We'll be at sixty feet-I gotta lot of signalling to do. What-again!'
He moved forward towards Peace to the length of the intercom cord. His voice was menacing. So you're on the level, are you, the late Commander Geoffrey Peace! Every signal of mine is being jammed at this moment.'
Nonsense!' Peace retorted.
I was glad that Tyler had to use his hands to hold the intercom. Otherwise he might have been at Peace's throat. He listened again. Goddam it! Here in the bay?'
He rammed it down. His face was livid. He said slowly,
Peace-or whatever your name is-if that goddam' sub of yours doesn't stop jamming me, I'll-I'll-sink her!'
Revs,' MKG interposed, pull yourself together! I recog98 nize Commander Peace-I know him personally. Why would a
British sub jam you anyway?'
' British?' Tyler flared. Does a friendly sub jam another on a top-secret mission like this? You'll all stay here until I' ve sorted this one out.' He pushed past to the door.
Revs!' called MKG. The tough skipper paused. 'If you go on like this, you'll live to regret it.'
There was a moment's uncertainty about Tyler, then he said curtly, ' If this guy had been who he said he was, I might… No! I wasn't sure, even then. Now it's the other way. I'm signalling New London. Then I'm going after Semittante.' Will you take it upon yourself to act in direct opposition to the orders of the President? You have your orders. Obey them!'
The cabin did not seem big enough to hold three such towering personalities.
Revs shook his head, as if trying to clear it. ' My orders
•
MKG'S voice was resonant, hard. I order you to go ahead with the mission as planned!'
Tyler jerked round, so that his face was away from MKG. He picked up the intercom. Dan! Get that other sub. Signal her skipper is coming on a trial evolution with Willow- track. Yeah, that's what I said, trial evolution. Say he'll be away a day or two. And, if you can get past that jamming, say Commander Peace's orders are that the sub must remain here in the Bay of the Two Capitaines until-until further orders. Got that?'
Peace moved towards Tyler. The big American put down the intercom, his hands hanging ready at his sides.
T y l e r – '
' Keep back!' he replied. Keep away from me, Peace. You're a prisoner and you and Garland will stay so. You can't get away. Like on a plane, you can't step outside.'
Peace turned with a gesture of his hand towards MKG. Tyler spoke into another phone. Lou! Tell that other sub's dinghy to stand clear. Pull the plug. Sixty feet. Handsomely. Use the pumps.'
The speaker clicked on. Captain-Controclass="underline" ship rigged for dive and compensated.'