فصل 5

5

Auxiliary Fuel

After the Joule had sailed more than sixty nautical miles from Hades, the COB said to Welch, “If I’m putting her on autopilot, I need to know where we’re going. Besides ‘south.’ ” Jack and Zeus were sitting on either side of Welch, and they both turned to him.

“Panama,” Welch said.

The COB looked up from the controls. “We don’t have enough fuel to make it to Panama.” “You’re lying,” Welch said. “This craft can carry enough diesel to cross the Pacific.” “It can if it’s full. But we haven’t been refueled since we crossed over from Peru with the rest of the fleet. We were one day from refueling.” “Show me.”

“The fuel gauge is here,” the COB said, tapping a small screen. Welch looked at the monitor. It had a blinking warning light that read: AUXILIARY FUEL.

“What about auxiliary reserve?” Welch said.

“We’re on auxiliary reserve. That’s why the light is blinking.” “How far will our fuel get us?” “About eight hundred nautical miles.” “Can we make Fiji?”

“Yes. Fiji is about six hundred nautical miles.” “What about New Zealand. Or Australia?” “New Zealand is two thousand nautical miles, and Australia is about eight hundred nautical miles farther. We can make Fiji and refuel there.” “There are still Elgen on Fiji. What other options do we have?” “Samoa.”

“How far is that?”

“Almost the same distance as Fiji, but it won’t be any safer. There are almost as many Elgen, and we’d be more noticeable. I suggest we make Fiji, refuel, and then sail immediately to Australia, where we’ll have more opportunities to hide, which is to both of our benefit.” Welch thought for a moment, then said to Zeus, “Get Taylor.” “I think she went back to sleep.” “Wake her. It will only take a few minutes.” Zeus ran out of the room. A few minutes later he returned with Taylor behind him, her eyes puffy.

“I’m sorry I had to wake you,” Welch said. “But I need your help.” “It’s okay. How can I help?”

“I need you to tell me if the captain here is telling the truth or not.” Welch looked at him. “We have a game here. I ask you a question. If you give me the wrong answer, you get shocked.” “That would make a good TV show,” Zeus said. “Truth or . . . Electrocution.” One of the Elgen sailors nodded in agreement.

“What do you mean?” the COB asked.

“This young lady can read your mind. So, unless you want Zeus to shock the truth out of you, I suggest you tell the truth the first time.” The COB looked at her warily. “I was telling the truth.” “We’ll see,” Welch said. “Taylor?” She stepped up to the COB, put her hands on his temples, and then turned to Welch. “I’m ready.” Welch looked the COB in the eyes. “Do we have enough fuel to make Fiji?” “Yes, sir.”

“Do we have enough fuel to make New Zealand?” “No, sir.”

Taylor nodded. “It’s true.”

“Set autocourse to Fiji,” Welch said.

The COB turned to his navigator. “Set course for Fiji.” “Cruising depth?”

“Maintain.”

A moment later the man said, “Course is set.” The COB turned back. “Our course is set.” “Are the Elgen able to track us?” “Yes,” the COB said.

“He’s telling the truth,” Taylor said.

“Is there any way to turn off tracking?” “No.”

“He’s not telling the whole truth,” Taylor said.

“Zeus.”

“Wait,” the COB said, holding up his hands as if surrendering. Zeus had already shocked him twice in the taking of the boat, and the COB wasn’t eager to get shocked again. “I wasn’t trying to deceive you. What I meant was, you cannot turn it off from the control. You would have to manually destroy the GPS broadcaster. But it’s built into the circuitry. It would be nearly impossible to get to.” Welch turned to Taylor.

“He’s telling the truth,” she said.

“Nearly impossible is still possible,” Welch said.

“It wasn’t meant to be deactivated, so there’s no way to get to it.” “Could it be deactivated by an EMP?” “If you wanted to put our entire computerized control system out of order.” He looked at Welch intensely. “Trust me, you don’t.” Just then there was a crisp burst of static from the radio.

“What was that?” Welch asked.

The COB shook his head. “I don’t know. Some kind of interference.” “A broadcast?”

“I hope not. The only broadcast we’d receive would be from EHQ. They’re the only ones who know these frequencies.” After a moment Welch said to Taylor, “All right. Thank you. Go get some rest.” Taylor walked out of the room.

Welch stood. “I’m going to my quarters. Zeus, take these men to bunk room two and lock them inside. Have Ian keep an eye on them.” “Yes, sir.” Zeus turned to the men. “Let’s go.” “Gladly,” the COB said.

After they were gone, Welch said, “Jack, I’m going to my cabin to sleep. You have the Conn.” “Got it.”

“No Elgen are allowed in the Conn.” “Yes, sir,” Jack said. “How long will you be out?” “Just until I wake up. Or unless there’s a problem. Wake me if there’s anything irregular.” “Yes, sir,” Jack said.

Welch started out of the Conn, then turned back. “I suggest you don’t touch anything.” “I wasn’t planning on it.”

“Good. I’d hate to end up back at Hades by mistake.” He turned and walked out of the room.