“I understand this, Harry, but I believe I have a solution. Let’s give General Belewa the concessions he asks for, but incorporate a requirement for a U.N.-monitored plebiscite among the former citizens of Sierra Leone on the question of returning to an independent status or remaining as part of the Union. We can give Belewa a broad time frame — say, two years — to stabilize things before mandating the vote. I think the majority of people down there will support the current status quo with the Union. The plebiscite would both legitimize the Belewa government and reintroduce the democratic principle into the region.”
“I think you may have something there.” Van Lynden tilted his chair back and began to tamp tobacco into his battered rosewood pipe. “The only question is how far we can trust Belewa. This gentleman has proven to be one very tough and resourceful customer. I can’t help but wonder if he might be trying to put some kind of move on us. This is an awfully abrupt turnaround for the man.”
“I agree,” the distant U.N. representative replied over the circuit. “But Belewa knows he must move fast if he’s going to stave off an internal collapse of the Union. Also, for what it’s worth, my instincts are telling me the man is sincere. I truly believe he is abandoning his aggressive course of action.”
“What triggered it, Vavra? Sure, the man’s back was against the wall, and the loss of that tanker must have hit him pretty hard, but something else must have happened.”
Bey pondered for a moment. “I don’t know, Harry. I truly don’t know. We understand there has been a major disruption in the relationship between Algeria and the Union. All of the Algerian technicians and advisers have been withdrawn, and the Algerian ambassador has either been recalled or has disappeared. We aren’t sure which. We also know that there has been a shake-up in the upper echelons of the Union government. The civilian minister of internal affairs now appears to be Belewa’s new second in command. Beyond that, we simply don’t know.
“Essentially,” she continued, “I think that General Belewa is a good man who may now be on the road to becoming a better one. The kind of leader that very sad portion of the world may need.” Bey smiled slightly.” I’d like to think that maybe I had some influence on General Belewa’s decision to turn down that road. But no doubt that’s only an old woman’s vanity.”
Van Lynden took a moment to draw the flame of his lighter down into the bowl of his pipe, savoring the first rum-flavored puff. “Who can say? In this great game we play, you can never be sure what card will take the trick in the end. I’ll be speaking with the President later this afternoon. I believe you can expect the support of the United States in this matter.”
“Thank you, Mr. Secretary. That is good to hear.”
“And thank you, Madame Representative. Damn nice piece of statesmanship.”
Vavra Bey lowered her eyes modestly and nodded her acknowledgment. The video screen reverted to the State Department net logo a moment later.
The Secretary of State tilted his chair back. Closing his eyes, he drew on his pipe again. It felt good to win one every once in a while. The only problem was that they just kept coming at you.
Van Lynden enjoyed half a dozen more puffs. Then he straightened at his desk once more, knocking the pipe embers out into his ashtray. Returning his attention to the Indonesian Country File he’d been studying when Representative Bey had called, he flipped back the security cover and reread the title:
PIRACY IN THE 21ST CENTURY:
AN ANCIENT THREAT REBORN
My Dearest Arkady:
I’m very pleased to hear things are progressing at Jacksonville. I always knew you were a fighter jock at heart, and I’m glad that heart has found a home. I hope you’ll be glad for me as well, because I think I’ve found a new home too.
Remember that last day out on the Seeadler? (Lord, that seems so long ago now.) We talked about what I was looking for and where I was going. I was a little confused at the time, and I understand why now. I had ideals mixed up with things.
When I became a naval officer, my focus was on getting myself a ship. Well, eventually I got one, and that was all well and good. But the day loomed when I was going to have to give her back, and I sulked like a kid whose bicycle was being taken away.
However, before I could do anything stupid, I was called away to the Heart of Darkness to fight in an odd little war that nobody else wanted. And while roosting out here on this barge for the past six months, I learned an important truth about myself. It hasn’t been the ship that I’ve craved all this time, it’s been the making of a difference.
I like the feel of doing something that matters. I like the thought that by my own small efforts I might be helping steer history onto a better, safer course. ls this vanity or ego? I don’t know, but I am stuck with it. It’s what I want out of my time in the universe.
I’m a lifer, Arkady. Be it on a bridge or behind a desk, I’m staying and doing the job until I’m old and gray and they throw me out the door.
And where does that leave us, love? As you said, we’ll see how it goes. We have our duties to do today and many sweet yesterdays to remember. Tomorrows haven’t been promised to us yet, but we will avail ourselves of them if they come along.
Amanda paused and reread the letter, then nodded to herself. She was comfortable with the words. Double-tapping the “Send Mail” box on the computer screen, she launched it on its way. Palming a bit of moisture from the corner of her eye, she flipped the laptop shut.
A decisive knock sounded on the module door.
“Enter.”
Stone Quillain stepped up into the office, utility clad and packing a backload of equipment. “We’re getting ready to transfer across to the LSD, Skipper,” the Marine said, unslinging his seabag and MOLLE harness, “and I figured I’d come by to say so long.”
“I’m very glad you did, Stone. I have a couple of things I want to talk to you about before you go.”
“Sure thing,” he replied, crashing down into the visitor’s chair.” Shoot.”
“Firstly, I wondered if you could discreetly keep an eye on Commander Lane for me on the crossing to Little Creek. I’ll be flying back, and Steamer’s taking the loss of Lieutenant Banks pretty heavily.”
Quillain nodded. “Already planning on it, Skipper. The Commander’s kind of taking the hit on Miss Banks a little harder than average, if you get my meaning.”
Amanda nodded. “I surmised as much. The traditional bond of comradeship between warriors can become a very strong thing. When the two warriors involved also happen to be man and woman, well, a pretty potent combination can occur.”
Quillain shook his head. “That ain’t supposed to happen, Skipper. It says so right there in the regs manual.”
Amanda smiled an ironic and reminiscent smile. “A lot of things happen in this navy that aren’t supposed to. And regulation books don’t fight and win wars. People do, with all of their inherent weaknesses and strengths. The system is going to have to live with that fact, at least until we’re all replaced by computers and RPVs.”
Quillain rolled his eyes. “Amen to that. Now, ma’am, you were sayin’ there was something else you needed to talk to me about?”
“That’s right. There is. How would you like to come out to Hawaii with me for a while?”
Quillain tilted his head down and lifted an eyebrow. “This isn’t some kind of proposition, is it?”