فصل 32

32

The Rebels

EGG Amon walked anxiously into Hatch’s office, carrying news he didn’t want to share. “Admiral-General, sir, I’ve two messages to deliver.” Hatch looked up from the financial report he was reviewing. “Give me the bad news first.” Amon took a deep breath, subconsciously preparing for Hatch’s explosion. “We’ve just received notice that the Edison has been sunk.” Hatch stared at the EGG in disbelief. “By whom?”’ “The rebels.”

“The rebels?” Hatch’s face began to turn red. “The rebels were on unarmed, slow-moving cattle ships. The Edison is a Kirov-class anti-ship, anti-submarine battle cruiser.” Hatch slammed down his fist. “You don’t sink a battle cruiser with a cattle boat!” “It was a suicide attack, sir. One of the rebel boats was filled with explosives and managed to get behind the Edison.” Hatch walked over to his bar and poured himself a Scotch, downing the drink in one gulp. Then he turned back to Amon and, speaking in a more composed voice, asked, “Where are the rebels now?” “They’ve taken refuge inside the depository.” Hatch poured himself another drink and drained it. “You’re telling me that they managed to take over one of the most secure buildings in the world?” “Apparently, sir.”

“Of course they did,” Hatch said. “And how, exactly, did that happen?” “We don’t know, sir. We believe human error.” “You think?!” Hatch groaned loudly. “Human error!” He threw the glass against the wall mirror, shattering both it and the mirror. “The whole human race is an error. Which is exactly why the sooner we’ve eliminated the human being from this planet, the better. What is the status of the rebel boats?” “The Edison managed to take out all the rebel boats except the Proton, the smallest of the agricultural boats. They also have a few lifeboats and rafts.” Hatch looked at the map of the islands he’d mounted on the wall. “Plutus is within range of our Apache helicopters. I want you to order an attack on whatever they’re floating on. We don’t have the men or time to wage war on them right now, but at least we can strand them on the island. We’ll make the island itself a prison, like Alcatraz in San Francisco. Once we’ve rebuilt the guard, we’ll take the rebels apart. On our timetable, not theirs.” “Yes, sir.”

“You said you had two messages.”

“Yes, sir. I’ve also received notice that Captain Shool of the Philippine Navy has reached Nukulaelae.” “Where?”

Amon realized his error and slightly bowed. “Excuse me, Admiral. I meant the island of Dionysus, the island formerly known as Nukulaelae.” “It’s about time. Is the Joule with them?”

“No, sir. The Joule was delayed with refueling. She’ll be arriving four hours later.” “And she’s safe?”

“Yes. She is being accompanied by one of the Filipino battle cruisers.” “Very well.”

“They made good time, sir. Less than fifty hours.” Hatch went back to his report without comment. Amon continued to stand at attention. After another minute Hatch asked, “What is it, EGG?” “Will you be greeting Captain Shool, sir?”

“No,” Hatch said. “It’s still too dangerous for me to leave the plant.” “Sir, someone must greet him. It’s protocol.” Hatch looked up from his papers. “I had no intention of leaving him unattended, EGG. You and a contingency of guards will greet the captain and bring him back to the plant along with their prisoners.” “Yes, sir. You mean Welch and the Glows.”

“That’s exactly who I mean.” Then a slow, angry smile spread over Hatch’s lips. “You have no idea how excited I am to see Welch again. And my Glows. My only problem is deciding what I am going to do with them. So many traitors, so many possibilities.” “Yes, sir.”

“On second thought, EGG, maybe I will greet the captain. I want to see Welch’s face when he comes off the ship. Radio me when they are docking.” “Yes, sir.”

“You can go, EGG.”

“Yes, sir,” Amon said. Then he spun around and quickly walked away.

Two hours later, Hatch, flanked by Amon and a half dozen guards, greeted the Filipino captain as he walked down the gangplank onto the Elgen dock.

“Captain Shool,” Hatch said, stepping forward. “Welcome to the Hatch Islands.” The captain saluted. “Admiral Hatch. It’s an honor.” “The pleasure is mine, Captain. You have our prisoners?” “Seventeen of them, Admiral. Including the one you call Welch.” Hatch smiled. “Congratulations, Captain, on a well-executed operation. Such competency will not go unrecognized. I will see to it that President Bautista is informed of your success.” “Thank you, sir.”

“Where are your prisoners now?”

“They’re still in the brig awaiting your orders.” “Very well. Have Welch brought to me immediately. In chains, of course.” “Of course, sir.”

Captain Shool turned to one of his guards and spoke quickly in his native tongue. The guard ran back up the gangplank into the boat.

“It seems that all went well with the capture of the mutineers.” “Yes. The machines you gave us were quite remarkable. They paralyzed all of the youths except one.” Hatch looked at him. “Which one?”

“There was a young Fijian woman who was the ship’s cook.” “How many teens did you capture?” Hatch asked.

“Twelve.”

“Twelve,” Hatch repeated. “I guess they didn’t all make it off of Hades, then.” At that moment two burly, heavily armed Filipino soldiers walked down the plank, escorting Welch between them. Hatch looked up at him with a grim smile. “There he is.” “The one you call Welch,” Shool said.

“Traitor Welch,” Hatch said.

The soldiers dragged their prisoner in front of Hatch.

“So the prodigal returns,” Hatch said.

“Not by choice,” Welch said.

“I expect not. What traitor wants to be held accountable for his cowardice?” “One man’s traitor is another man’s hero.”

“Don’t fool yourself, Welch. You’re no one’s hero.” He looked him over. “You’ve looked better. You didn’t really think you could escape, did you?” “I didn’t think we could decimate your army either, but we did, didn’t we?” Hatch sneered. “Michael Vey did. And, frankly, it was worth the loss just to be through with him.” Hatch turned to EGG Amon. “Take your former colleague and lock him up in Cell 25.” Welch looked at Hatch and said, “You’re not going to win.” Hatch smiled. “I already have, David.” He turned to Amon. “Take the traitor away.” “Yes, Admiral.”

“What would you like done with the others?” Shool asked.

“The Glows,” Hatch said. “Put them under full guard, and EGG Bowen will lead you to the prison. We’ll hold them until they stand trial.” “Yes, Admiral.”

Shool again issued an order to his men, then turned back to Hatch. “Should we deactivate the machines you gave us?” “The RESATs? No! Never turn off those machines!” The captain was taken back the intensity of Hatch’s reaction. “As you wish, Admiral.” “You don’t understand,” Hatch said. “If you turn off the RESATs, you’ll have a much bigger problem than you could ever imagine.” Shool looked unimpressed. “They’re just teens, Admiral.” “No, Captain. They’re not ‘just’ anything. You have no idea what you’re holding in your brig. Had you attempted to take those ‘teens’ without the machines I provided you, they would have taken you and your ships.” The captain looked at Hatch cynically. “You hold us in contempt, sir. My soldiers are decorated, well-trained fighting men of the highest caliber.” “I meant no disrespect, Captain. I’m sure your men are the elite of your navy. You just don’t know what you don’t know. These youths are not ordinary humans. They are a science experiment gone awry. In the last week those youths have killed more than four thousand of my men and wiped out the whole of my navy.” Shool looked at him with amazement. “I had no idea, Admiral. Why was I not informed of this danger?” “If you have to walk a tightrope without a net, it’s better not to know how high up you are, if you know what I mean. What about the Joule’s crew, COB Quinn and his men?” “They’re being held in the brig as well. Would you like me to release them?” “You’ll release them to ZC Denkers,” Hatch said. He signaled for the Zone Captain. “Denkers, Captain Shool will be releasing the COB and his men into your custody. Take them to the bowl and have the crew prepare them for dinner.” “Yes, sir,” Denkers said.

From Hatch’s order the captain assumed the Elgen COB and his men would be guests at the dinner, not be the meal.

Hatch turned back to the captain. “Please, come inside and avail yourself of my hospitality. We have an officers’ club that has no parallel in this part of the world—companionship and the finest European food and drink, including some of your local favorites—coconut wine, Tondenia premium rum, and San Miguel for your men—as well as a few imported specialties. Have you ever tasted Karuizawa, Captain?” The captain almost laughed. “The Japanese whiskey? No, sir. That’s a bit above my pay grade.” “At forty-thousand dollars a bottle, I would think so,” Hatch said. “Or the officers of the Philippine Navy would be the envy of the world. I have a lovely forty-eight-year-old bottle in my office that you and I will open tonight to celebrate your success. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to.” “Of course. Thank you, Admiral, for your kindness. I will look forward to seeing you tonight.” Hatch started to walk away, then suddenly stopped and turned back. “Captain, have you ever seen how a Starxource plant operates?” “No, sir. It is my understanding that the operation is top secret.” “Yes. But you, of course, have top secret clearance. Tonight you will get a rare view of what few have ever seen. Trust me, you’ll never forget it.” With that Hatch turned and walked away.