Peters grinned, looking at MKG. They've started a book on you at the acey-deucey table, sir. I've taken a bet myself. All I know-officially, that is-is that there is to be a secret test-fire of a new weapon'
How many believe that?' asked MKG.
They wouldn't be betting unless there were doubt-a lot of doubt-about it,' replied Peters evenly.
Bob,' said Peace incisively, the Vice-President here is not-never was-supervising such a test fire. He was to test it out himself-by taking a space-ride to the Santa Fe station.'
Not even the boys with the bets thought of that one,'
Peters said.
You know Devastation is in a trap here,' went on Peace. T o m o r r o w I ' m t a k i n g o n e o f t h e s u b ' s d i n g h i e s a n d t h e four of us are cutting through the reef to Raphael.'
Why?' asked Peters, still staggered by what he had just heard.
MKG explained the situation and the reasons for Tyler's pursuit. When he had finished, Peters said, Tyler's got my sympathy. Think of his agony of mind-whether to signal that his own Vice-President intends to fly into space and h o l d h i m s e l f u p t o r i d i c u l e i n f r o n t o f t h e N a v y a n d t o p b r a s s, o r w h e t h e r t o k e e p h i s m o u t h s h u t i n t h e h o p e o f locating the kidnappers before more harm is done. I wouldn't have signalled either. It's a decision I wouldn't like to have thrust upon me.'
Peace went on, Bob, you are to stay here with Devastation. Just keep quiet, no transmissions of any kind. String Tyler along for a couple of days in order to give us a start.'
S t a y, s i r? ' P e t e r s l o o k e d d i s a p p o i n t e d. H e t u r n e d t o MKG. We'd all like to help you, sir..
Into orbit?' supplied MKG. "Fraid not, Bob.'
' After Tyler has located me, I could double back and pick you up at sea,' suggested Peters eagerly. We could arrange a rendezvous west of St Brandon. I could get you to the launch point in Devastation..
No, Bob,' said Peace. I don't want to bring the whole United States Seventh Fleet on to your neck. No, we've got a plan.'
Peters looked appealingly again at MKG, but Peace remained adamant. I'll want one of the rubber dinghies ready by morning, complete with food, water, charts, compass, navigational instruments.'
Peters turned to go, then he stopped and said to MKG, ' Good luck, sir.' For a moment his habitual command reserve faltered. I and a lot of other people-your own people
– will want you to make it, sir.'
He saluted formally and went.
MKG stared after him. I wonder.
Peace shook his head. ' No. A nuclear sub is a big craft.
It'll be difficult to hunt the small ship we'll have and it won't be in a pocket-handkerchief inlet but in an ocean one thousand miles one way and six hundred the other. See if I can't hide a ship in that.'
Bellatrix is small and fast,' admitted MKG. I• wasn't talking of Bellatrix,' replied Peace. ' I mean Semittante! I'll intercept Bellatrix and then I shall go after Semittante in her. I intend to cut her out. I want Little Bear. Even if I have to shoot the whole crew-' he inclined his head towards the Remington-' I mean to have Little
Bear.'
' Cut her out!' MKG echoed.
I• t'll be easy-we've help aboard in the shape of Dr Boz
Blair and the team who are assisting at the launch.'
I wonder what they'll think when we swing alongside flying the Jolly Roger!' I exclaimed.
Peace did not respond. ' Listen,' he said sharply. ' After
Tyler has located Devastation-and find her he will-don't you think his first objective will be the one thing that matters since he hasn't got the person of MKG? Semittante-and Little Bear. Peters will play dumb, and he may find himself being court-martialled for his part in all this, don't forget. When Tyler therefore can't extract anything from Peters, he'll go right after Semittante!
' We have only nine days,' MKG reflected. 'How long will all this take, Commander?'
A day, maybe two, to reach Bellatrix, depending on what sort of boat we raise at Raphael. I'll steal one if necessary,' he went on roughly. Give me the same time again to find
Semittante. That should be easy enough. We know her course and-' his eyes warmed and he spoke to Adele-` this H.K. man John is a magician when it comes to navigation. Another couple of days after that to Love-Apple Crossing.'
That should leave us four-five days once we're there,' considered MKG.
I don't like schedules,' replied Peace. ' There are too many imponderables when you're dealing with the sea.'
The launch deadline is immovable,' began MKG, when there was a rap at the door. It was Williams, the radio operator. He held out some signals.
Code, sir, all three of 'em. One of 'em's ours, and they could be important, that's why I brought them myself. Can't make out the other two. But-' his dark eyes were on Adele
– ` maybe the lady can.'
Peace broke the formality. 'I'm damn' sure she can, liams. This is Willowtrack, then?'
Williams relaxed. It's that Yankee sub, true enough, sir. Close-loud and clear. The other's from our people in the Seychelles.'
Want any feminine assistance, Williams?' Peace asked, grinning.
Argh, man,' he replied. And here's Ted Williams thinking he's the finest operator in the Royal Navy and there comes a slip of a girl-any time you can spare her, sir, she's welcome. Now I'll be getting back and watching that Yankee bastard-begging your pardon, Mister Vice-President.'
He grinned and went.
Adele glanced at the three signals. The one from the
Seychelles is very short. Shall I do it first?'
Aye,' said Peace. MKG was very still. Adele sat down at
Peace's desk and worked on the letter groupings.
' It's one word only,' she said, handing it to Peace. '
Washington.
Ah,' exclaimed MKG, and the tension seemed to ebb out of him. Fine, fine!'
Peace raised his eyebrows.
That's the President's code word that everything is okay,' he said expansively. Lincoln means the mission is off, I must return at once.'
Why Lincoln?' I asked.
He smiled. I suppose I shouldn't be letting you into this secret code, but the President and I thought that by using the names of former Presidents, it would be very nearly unbreakable. Washington set everything to rights in the States, so the situation's fine. Lincoln was assassinated-things are bad. Simple as that.'
Peace had a curious look on his face.! Washington Lincoln: that all?'
That's all,' replied MKG. No in-betweens. Either the Little Bear mission is on, or it's off. I rely solely on the President's reading of the signs at home. What he says, goes.'
Peace said nothing but turned to Adele. ' I want to know what Willowtrack is saying.
Adele took the u.s. Navy code and worked on the groups of complicated letters. It took her much longer than the DNI's return call to the Vice-President. There was no sound in the tiny cabin except the creak of the casing against the coral.
Then Adele read out:
Willowtrack x op-immed x Chief of Naval Operations x inform White House x Marvin K. Green kidnapped from aboard USN Willowtrack x taken abroad submarine stated to be British Devastation x shadowed Devastation to posi- tion Long. 16° 30' S., Lat. 59° 42' E., in St Brandon group x lost contact with Devastation same position approx 1640 GMT x Devastation's last heading 220 degrees, taking her directly on to St Brandon outer barrier reef x heavy surf x no break-up noises x no further radar or sonar contact x am lying in above position surfaced x heavy broken water and reefs x will recommence visual search daylight x'
No break-up noises, no contacts!' exclaimed Peace jubilantly.
Tyler's starting his search at daylight,' mkG pointed out.