Part 11 (1/2)
lake.”
Jack Senegar drew a breath, his face doubling down on this dangerous news. ”The attack, when it comes, will be asymmetrical-likely targets include the national power grid and command and control computer systems.” ”We got ourselves back up generators Senegar and electronic countermeasures too. Or perhaps the Central Intelligence Agency thinks that the modern Navy still sails around in seven-sheet
schooners?”
”I wouldn't be here if that was the case Bill.
Fact is, our position in the world economy is vulnerable right now. If our enemies subvert our infrastructure, and disrupt the way our great country does business, they will use the vacuum of confusion to sweep in; supersede our political and financial position and relegate our influence as a world power.”
”There won't be any relegating the United States of America, not on my watch-let's be clear about that,” growled the Admiral. ”But I am guessing you got people working on this already, am I right Laddie?”
”As you know, our role is strictly limited by congressional oversight and the laws of the United
States...”
”Screw the congress, Senegar. If I had my way I would horsewhip those bellyaching traitors the length of Pennsylvania Avenue and back again, as a prelude to showing them my true displeasure.” Jack Senegar allowed himself the faintest of smiles. The Admiral was a dangerous man, even more dangerous given his idiosyncratic political views. Senegar had no doubt that the Admiral would make good his threats to punish the pampered politicians and lawmakers, if he were given half a chance. But the Admiral was a man of discipline-a great patriot too. His rise to the very pinnacle of The United States Navy had been no accident. Great nation states always seek to divert their strongest and most dangerous lunatics to positions of high office. Looking at the Admiral now, as he sat in his battered leather club chair, Senegar could easily imagine the old coot holding court in the Whitehouse one day. No doubt some would say that Admiral Kane was too old. That he had pa.s.sed the point in life that he could lead the greatest country on earth. But, Jack Senegar knew that wasn't true. Admiral William Arthur Kane or ”the Wacker” as he was known in the ranks, was a ruthless, beady-eyed leader, with boundless energy. Never had there been a greater friend or more dangerous enemy to any man and should this stalwart of the seas ever set his sights on Was.h.i.+ngton, he would inevitably take it by storm, just as his great military and political hero Dwight D. Eisenhower had before him. Jack pursed his lips, thinking for a long time, before saying at last, ”I have the girl working on this. You know that don't you?”
”Of course. I can read you like a three frame funny Laddie. How is she?”
”I am worried about her.”
”You should be Jack. She has killed a lot of people. That kind of burden takes its toll. No matter how hard the exterior, the psychological fall out is c.u.mulative.”
Jack Senegar nodded quietly, the old b.a.s.t.a.r.d talking about his own daughter now, like she was just another a.s.set, a military chattel with a service curve and planned trajectory of obsolescence. ”She wanted out. I couldn't let that happen.”
”Nonsense Laddie. That little girl of mine loves killing people. If she wasn't doing it for her country, she would probably take it up as a hobby,” said the Admiral cheerfully.
”That's my worry.”
”You worry too much Jack. The time for concern is the day she comes gunning for you.”
”Maybe she'll come for you?”
The Admiral laughed, but it was a laugh without humor. Jack noticed the old man's eyes run lovingly over the Colt 1911 that lay ready on the desk, ”Anyone ever comes gunning for me Jack, they will wish they hadn't.”
Jack Senegar nodded, ”That's what I figured. So I can rely on your support?'”
”Non sibi sed patriae Jack. If I say yes, does that mean we can crack open that bottle of Speyside Single Malt?”
”You got gla.s.ses in that fat desk of yours?”
”I think you know the answer to that one too, don't you Laddie?
24.
The Pacific Holding the heavy caliber automatic with an urgency that showed he knew how to use it, Heung hovered in the gantry doorway. ”I will be taking over the s.h.i.+p now Captain, you will obey my orders without question, if you do so you will after a short period of inconvenience be allowed to go about your business.”
Captain Pedro alvares, gave Heung an icy look. ”I don't know what you are planning to achieve by this kind of foolishness, but the Federal government takes a very dim view indeed of piracy and kidnapping.”
There was a loud, explosive pop and a metallic clatter, Heung took a quick glance sideways out the window, seeing that the crew of the Wonsungi had fired a grappling hook across the narrow divide between the two s.h.i.+ps and were making ready to board. Heung quickly refocused on the task in hand. ”There will be people coming aboard, when they arrive you will avert your eyes. You will say and do nothing. If you obey my commands, you will not be harmed, of that you have my word.”
”No matter what they are paying you for this Heung it won't be enough for you to run and hide. Our people will track you to the ends of the earth and when they find you, the inside of a jail cell will be your only pay off.”
”Payment? You think I am doing this for money? You have no idea what you are dealing with here do you alvares?”
”d.a.m.n straight. I know treachery when I look it in the eyes Heung. You have been a part of this crew eighteen months at least. We took you in as part of our team, treated you as one of our own and now you turn on us like some kind of mad-dog radical-who the h.e.l.l are you man?” alvares was the last man on his feet now, everyone else including and Kellerman had fallen to their knees, as directed, with their hands on their heads.
Meanwhile, the thin-faced men from the Wonsungi were clambering aboard like monkeys. What was it that Buchanan had said about monkeys? alvares felt a sudden surge of adrenaline amp through him.
Buchanan had vanished. The big-lug had melted away like an ocean spirit, leaving just the faint aroma of Cuban cigars lingering in the air. The pirates were swarming aboard now, all armed with AK-47s and bandoliers of ammunition, along with heavy vests that looked like they contained explosives. Soon they would be in control, and they would be free to kill at their leisure. They would hold the s.h.i.+p for ransom, or perhaps some even darker purpose.
The moment had to be now. If he didn't make his move, the s.h.i.+p would be overwhelmed.
alvares knew that his instincts had been right. His sea senses had warned him of impending calamity, but he had refused to listen. There was no question, the fates were out of alignment and now, only a miracle could intervene to save them.
alvares cursed silently. Only yesterday he had thought himself too old for this game of the sea, and now today, those feelings were confirmed. All those years before the mast, kicking a.s.s with the Navy and the merchant marine, chasing around the world a dozen times or more, following every warzone and calamity before they tore into the news and now, after all these years, his career was going to end like this-disgrace-his command overrun by malnourished radicals, looking to hold the US Government to hostage. This could not be allowed to happen. He could not let it happen. The Nautilus belonged to him, and only him. It was his solemn duty to ensure the integrity of his