Chapter 3 - See Part 1 for Disclaimers.
Mason Freeman moved easily amongst the assembled dignitaries. A nod of greeting here, a welcoming smile there... and a few embarrassed glances, quickly finding someone or something else to focus on. At last he reached a tight group of people clustered together near the podium. Secretary McGrath, several high-ranking military types and...
Freeman's gaze flickered for a moment. A new player, one whom he had not anticipated. In the next instant Freeman consciously schooled his face into an expression of welcoming bonhomie and held out his hand.
"Mr Secretary, I must thank you for the honour of your invitation. I only wish this gathering was being held under better circumstances."
McGrath accepted the handshake although he broke it quickly. "Mr Freeman. Welcome to Commerce House."
"Thank you." Freeman waited for the introductions, knowing that McGrath would have to oblige, whatever his personal feelings. The UEO Secretary did not disappoint.
"Gentlemen, this is Mason Freeman, leader of the 'Rainbow Front'. Admiral McClintock of the North Sea Confederation, General Reeve of the UEO, and Ambassador Slain of the Choi Dai."
"Gentlemen, Your excellency." Freeman nodded. //Choi Dai. This complicates things.// "Admiral, please allow me to extend my own deepest sympathies to your confederation. A terrible loss. Terrible."
"Much obliged to you, Mr Freeman. I shall pass your message on." The language was diplomatic, but the gaze was flinty as the Admiral continued, "Rest assured, the perpetrators of these heinous acts will be found and brought to justice."
"I'm sure they will. And, one hopes, quickly." Freeman turned to McGrath. "Has there been any progress in the case, Mr Secretary?"
"Indeed there has. I was speaking with Captain Oliver Hudson before the banquet. Some very rapid progress has been made in treating the virus." He turned to McClintock. "Although London-Town is more densely populated than Aberstad, it is possible that the casualty number can be contained."
McClintock grimaced for a moment before his face smoothed out. "The UEO's efforts are greatly appreciated, sir. If you will excuse me." The Admiral nodded to the others and walked away, his back held rigidly straight.
"I understand Admiral McClintock lost his family in the London-Town attack, sir." General Reeve muttered quietly to McGrath.
McGrath sighed. "I didn't know."
"A personal tragedy that brings the pain into sharp relief." It was the soft voice of Ambassador Slain. His eyes followed McClintock's retreating back. "Raw numbers only invoke horror at their size. It is so easy to forget that each number is an individual. A person with their own history, desires, fears, talents and vices. Snuffed out at the whim of another." He turned back to the solemn group. "I do not envy your job, Mr Secretary. To balance the needs of the victims against the very human desire for revenge." He shook his head sadly, "No, I do not envy you."
"The UEO is not vengeful, Mr Ambassador. We abide by our rules of law."
"Your organisation, perhaps. But individuals?" Slain looked around the room, meeting the stares; some curious, some suspicious, some openly hostile.
"People distrust what they do not know. Come, Ambassador, let me introduce you to some new friends." The group walked off with a nod to Freeman.
Freeman plucked a glass of champagne from the tray of a passing waiter. He sipped it slowly, his benign expression concealing furious calculation in his mind.
***
Hudson found Garibaldi in a corner of the medical lab. The tall professor was hunched uncomfortably over a microscope. Hudson was sure he had made no sound as he approached the man, but Garibaldi still noted his presence.
"Captain," Garibaldi made a note on a pad of paper beside him. "What news?"
Hudson shrugged. "The serum you provided is working against the early stages of the virus. But then, you knew it would." Hudson tried to keep the accusing tone from his voice, almost succeeding.
Garibaldi finally looked up. "We weren't stupid, man. Not all of us anyway. Some of us realised the potential of Tronia14 and took steps to... contain the effects."
"Not very successfully." Hudson could not stop his contemptuous tone this time.
Garibaldi sighed. "No. But then it was removed from us." He set down his pen and turned to face Hudson. " 'Green Belt' was discontinued. Took us months to purge the files. We were all being reassigned, but I couldn't help noticing that the ones who argued for continuing the research were the same ones who shut up the quickest once Section7 got involved."
"Are you saying Section7 took over the project?"
"You bet I am." Garibaldi shook his head. "And that's the one thing that does not make sense. Section7 took it all. But they'd never use it. Their involvement was purely preventative. They did not want anyone else getting their hands on it."
"The break-in?"
"Well, that's the problem, isn't it? I thought that was Section7 tying up anything they'd missed. Until I ended up with a pack of them on my doorstep, convinced that I was responsible."
"Can you blame them? You left before the break-in. You were in a good position to give the perps any information they needed. You were an obvious suspect."
Garibaldi grinned without any humour. "You would have made an excellent '7' agent, Captain." He turned back to the microscope.
Hudson bristled. "No need for insults."
Garibaldi looked back at Hudson, and this time a genuine smile lit his features. He nodded slowly. "Okay. Section7 closed us down, hoping to keep our research to themselves, right?"
Hudson merely nodded.
The professor continued, "But, they already had the data. Someone else took it. And they manufactured the break-in to throw the scent."
"Who would do such a thing?" Hudson was utterly perplexed.
Garibaldi shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine, Captain. But I'll tell you this: Whoever it was, they are playing for keeps."
***
Chapter 4
Colonel Reinhardt returned the salutes automatically.
Captain Hudson introduced his officers, most of whom Reinhardt recognised, before whisking him off for a briefing.
Lucas watched the colonel leave the docking bay with a curious sense of unreality.
The Reinhardt he remembered was a close, compact man. Devoid of emotion, only capable of following orders; even when those orders seemed ridiculous. Arrest a dolphin indeed! But even then, Reinhardt's single-mindedness had shone through. And now?
Lucas trailed the broken figure with his eyes. This man walked with a limp. He had a long scar running down his cheek. His shoulders were stooped.
Lucas's feelings of unreality intensified. Working in the relatively closed environment of Seaquest it was all too easy to forget that over ten years had passed. Even the people they knew from before; McGrath, Kreig, they had aged remarkably well, and Lucas himself tended to forget the passage of time, except when he was trying to buy alcohol with a twenty-eight year old's ID He could hardly blame the bartender for turning him down - although it was probably a mistake to order James Bond's favourite tipple, that was just asking for trouble.
But here was living proof that the years had not been kind to everyone.
This man had personified many of Lucas's nightmares since he'd returned. He shook his head; Reinhardt was no more terrible than any other, and a great deal less terrifying than some he had encountered. At least now they were on the same side. Maybe.
***
Hudson always felt jittery in the presence of Section 7. Putting his feelings aside, he poured two glasses of water.
"Colonel." Hudson gestured for his guest to sit down.
Colonel Reinhardt dropped gracelessly into a chair. He gazed up at Hudson defiantly. "I'm not yet used to my ... deficiencies. Please excuse..."
"Don't give me that." Hudson closed the door to the conference room.
"Captain?"
"Forget it. You're no more 'deficient' than I am. Don't try to play on my sympathies. Believe me, I have no sympathies when it comes to you."
Reinhardt almost grinned. "I told them you would not feel sorry for me."
"Told who?"
"Who do you think, Captain? The UEO." The colonel lounged back in his chair.
Hudson masked his anger. "No, not good enough. The UEO did not send you here. I asked for you." He poured two glasses of water, set one deliberately in front of Reinhardt. "You are going to tell me everything about how Tronia 14 works and how it got out."
Reinhardt took a sip of the water. "You can't believe that I will."
Hudson smiled grimly. "Absolutely correct." He pressed the comm. "Lieutenant Henderson, report our current position."
Henderson's voice crackled over the comm, "Currently two nautical miles off the coast of Aberstad, sir."
"Thank you, Henderson." Without lowering his gaze from Reinhardt's face Hudson pressed the comm again. "Commander Ford, have a launch prepped. Colonel Reinhardt is leaving."
"Yes, sir." Ford's tone was tinny from the speakers.
Reinhardt's face blanched despite his effort to hold on to his poker face.
"Would you really leave me here, Captain? As you said, you..." he smiled, "invited me here."
There was no answering smile from Hudson. His expression was as bleak as the Sahara Desert before the irrigation projects.
"Yes, Colonel. I will leave you here. I will leave you with the fruits of your labours. I will leave you with the sights and sounds of people dying. You've probably managed to avoid the more untidy aspects of your work, but now you can't." He rose and opened the conference room door. "I won't say it's been a pleasure, Colonel..." The implication was obvious.
Reinhardt slowly smiled.
"They even warned me!" he muttered. For the first time Hudson's mask slipped. "Warned?"
"You are a dangerous man, Captain Hudson." Reinhardt reached into his jacket and drew out a sheaf of papers. "Here it is. Everything you want to know."
"The cure?"
Reinhardt coolly waved his hand. "Who cares about a cure?" He tossed the sheets of paper on the table top. "This!" Reinhardt gestured to the papers, his eyes burning with a zealous fire. "This is what you want, Oliver. This is the power. Our power. Our power to make this world, our world, a better place." The colonel sat back, smugly.
Hudson slowly reached for the papers and gathered them up. He scanned them quickly, phrases seeming to jump out at him; all the more horrible for their blandness:
"projected casualty rate - 80%"
"subjects experience extreme nausea..."
"prolonged exposure results in complete system breakdown..."
"subjects experience a variety of symptoms including, but not limited to; dizziness, fever..."
And there it was. The one thing Hudson would never have guessed at.
"It is the considered opinion of this review panel, that the benefits of the compound 'Tronia 14' far outweigh the perceived side effects of the drug. We believe that great strides have been taken in the fight against poverty and hardship. Tronia 14 is the new hope for the developing world. We applaud those who have been instrumental in its conception and furthermore we order that its continued development should be directed by those people who have ensured its safety."
"Who was on that review panel?" Hudson bitterly remarked. "Your mother?"
"No, my aunt."
"Sainted?"
"Under review." Reinhardt grinned.
"You killed them all." Hudson raised a clenched fist. "You killed them all." he repeated hopelessly.
"No, Captain. We did not. We knew what this compound could do and we took steps to contain it."
"You failed." Hudson turned away.
"We did not fail." Reinhardt emphasised. "We did what we set out to do. We have at our fingertips the means to turn vast tracts of unusable land into solid, dependable, arable resources."
Hudson whirled around. "People are dying!" it was almost a scream.
Reinhardt shrugged. "Whoever is behind these attacks is either using an earlier unstable version of the compound, or they have mutated the compound to cause this damage. Either way, there is very little to be done for the current victims. You should be concentrating your efforts on finding the perpetrators."
Hudson sank into his chair in a hopeless fury, gazing at this man in horror. Reinhardt was a human being. He had a beating heart, his lungs breathed the same air, he drank the same water. But how could he be human? How could he dismiss so callously such suffering. At that moment Hudson was not sure who he hated more, the terrorists who had caused the attacks, or the man before him who did not care, as long as he had followed his orders.
***
Tim O'Neil passed a hand over tired eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "This is hopeless."
Lucas did not look up from his screen. "It's not hopeless. We can't allow it to be."
Ever since Hudson had 're-assigned' Lucas the ensign had been determined to find the terrorists. If he could not bring down Section7 he could at least find the people who had stolen their work. He had persuaded Tim to help him. Lucas was a genius with the hundreds of computer languages but he did not have Tim's skills with human ones.
For the last three days they had trawled through thousands of reports. From news items to police reports, from bank records to private intelligence reports. Neither of them had mentioned how many privacy laws they had broken.
After three days they had a list of suspects, organisations which had the cold cash to finance the attacks, but they were no nearer finding the evidence which would prove it.
"There's no pattern." Tim sighed in frustration. "I mean, why Aberstad? It's not a military target. It's not a strategic one. It's not even the heart of the South Sea Confederation's industry. It's a tourist town. London-Town I can almost understand, it's a political target, but Aberstad? If we don't know what these terrorists want how can we predict where the next attack will come?"
Lucas had gone very still at his computer. Slowly he raised his eyes to Tim. O'Neil could see the shock in them.
"No. It couldn't be him. I'm just being paranoid." Wolenczak shook his head but his eyes strayed back to his screen.
"What is it?"
"Tim," Lucas spoke so quietly that O'Neil had to strain to hear him. "Can you pull up the records for the 'Rainbow Front'?"
"Freeman's outfit? Even he wouldn't dare do something like this, would he?"
"Let's find out shall we?"
***
Reinhardt stood up to leave. "I have been ordered to give you everything we have on 'Tronia 14'." he said. "Over my protests, I might add. What you have there," he gestured to the files, "is everything that we have. We have no cure because our compound is perfect in every detail. Good day to you, Captain." He turned to go.
"Wait a minute." Hudson demanded. "Is that it? What about the terrorists. Surely you must have some idea of who they are?"
"I do not have that information." said Reinhardt.
"But someone at Section7 does. Your people investigated the robbery at the plant. I refuse to believe that Section7 are so incompetent that they found no clues."
Reinhardt's expression flickered for the barest second at the insult, but he repeated mechanically, "I do not have that information. You will have to put your request for information to the proper authorities through the appropriate channels."
"You're not going to do anything are you? You're going to go on your merry way and damn the rest of us."
"Be reasonable, Captain." There was almost a sneer on the Colonel's face. "What can we do? We are a military organisation. We need a specified target. Terrorists work in the shadows. One could be living next door to you and you'd never know. How do we fight that, bomb every apartment building? No, Captain, it doesn't work like that. I'm sure Section7 is working on the identity of the terrorists, but I am not privy to that investigation."
Hudson suddenly felt very tired and faintly nauseous. "Get off my boat."
Reinhardt said nothing. He turned and left the room. Neither officer attempted a salute.
Hudson allowed himself a brief vehement hope that Reinhardt's transport would develop a 'complete system failure' and take the man to the bottom of the ocean. Then he straightened, gathered the files and headed for med-bay. Doctor Perry and Professor Garibaldi would need the information.
***
Chapter 5.
Ambassador Slain sat in his office sipping from a goblet of wine and reading a highly confidential memo. He had received the memo that very morning. It was a reply from his government in response to his own risk assessment of the UEO. And he was worried, very worried. The orders were very explicit. They were not, exactly, the problem. No, the problem was why those orders had been given.
Slain tapped his teeth with the glass. He had a feeling that he was about to do something which he would probably regret.
The Ambassador put down his wine. How to warn them without violating his orders? And then a name came to him. Someone he had not thought of in years. Slain slowly nodded to himself. It might work. He pressed the intercom on his desk.
"Yes, sir?"
"I have the beginnings of a headache, Suri. I am going to get some fresh air."
"I can fetch you some aspirin, sir."
"No thank you. I believe in natural remedies. What time does the Farmer's delegation arrive?"
"Two o'clock, sir."
"I shall be back before then. Make sure the delegates are made comfortable when they get here."
"Yes, sir."
Slain quickly put on his jacket and left his office by his private lift. It was all very well contemplating treason in his office. Actually doing it with official equipment would be very, very stupid.
***
The quarters that Wolenczak shared with Piccolo were rarely this crowded. Tim and Lucas stood by the lockers ready to start the meeting. Commander Kimura and Lieutenant Henderson sat on the lower bunk, while Tony himself sat cross-legged on the upper. There was an impatient knock on the door and Commander Ford entered. He seemed surprised at the number of people there.
"Okay, Ensign. What's so important?"
"Sir, Tim and I have been doing some digging..."
"You've found a cure?" Ford interrupted, hope filling his face.
"No, I'm afraid not. But we do think we know who is planning the attacks."
"Next to a cure, that's important. What have you got?"
Lucas handed around summary sheets while Tim explained what they had discovered.
"We started with UEO Intelligence." Tim ignored Commander Ford's wince, but Ford's expression was resigned and Tim continued. "The strange thing was, they were completely clueless. The only thing they had managed to confirm was that it was not their usual suspects. That suggests that the group we're looking for is very new."
Lucas took up the briefing.
"So we started looking for any interest groups, or any groups really, that had been formed in the last couple of years which had large financial backing. One stood out."
Ford looked up incredulously from the paper he was reading. "The 'Rainbow Front'? Mason Freeman?"
"We believe so, sir."
"Why?"
Tim and Lucas exchanged glances. "We're not entirely sure, sir. He may be just a front for someone else. He's always worked for other people." Tim's eyes strayed to Kimura and quickly looked away, but she caught the glance.
"I doubt the Choi Dai would attempt anything so elaborate, they do not have the imagination." she said in a wry tone. "However, it seems to me that this Mason Freeman may be branching out. You said he has always worked for other people. And what did it get him? A life sentence in a brutal prison. This might be his chance at power."
"You can't be serious!" exclaimed Tony. "Are you saying he did this to get elected?"
"There is a precedent. What better way to gain control than be given it, freely, by the people. Once in power he can then make sure that he stays there. Is not that how the Nazi Party came to power?"
History was not Lucas's strong point but he could see Lonnie nodding her head in agreement.
"Kimura's right." said Lonnie. "Look at what Freeman has been doing since the attacks. All the sympathy straight after, but now he's demanding answers, badgering the UEO. He's been on the newsnets more often than McGrath."
"And the popularity of the 'Rainbow Front' is soaring." said Tim. "I wouldn't be surprised if he calls for a vote of no confidence in the UEO leadership. And he'd win."
A depressed silence descended.
"You do realise that if you're right about this and he wins, Mason Freeman would be our boss." said Tony.
"That's the least of our worries, Tony." Ford commented. "What do we do now? Can the UEO arrest him?"
"I doubt it." said Tim. "We have a motive, but it is pretty far-fetched. We can prove they have the means, but we can't prove that they actually bought or financed the compound. All we have is circumstantial evidence and with Freeman's popularity at the moment, no jury in the world would convict him."
"But he must have an antidote or a vaccine." Lucas broke in.
"Why do you say that?"
"Freeman was in Aberstad the day before the attack. Some meeting with the council. I think he set it off himself."
"He'd have to be very dumb to do it himself."
"Or very sure of himself."
Ford sighed. "All right. It is a possibility. I'll inform the captain." He turned to go but then turned back. "Well done, you two." Ford left the cabin.
***
Hudson sat in med-bay watching Perry and Garibaldi work. Their initial excitement at the information had worn off and the faces had turned glum again. But Hudson was remembering something that Lucas had said at their first briefing.
Garibaldi flung the files down in disgust. "Yon Reinhardt was not kidding when he said this compound was perfect. Only tested in the laboratory though."
"What would happen," said Hudson slowly, "if we released this compound into the atmosphere?"
Perry and Garibaldi stared at him in astonishment. "Are you stark, raving mad, man?" exclaimed Garibaldi. "You want to risk another epidemic?"
"Lucas said that the original compound would attack everything until its species was dominant." Hudson sounded defensive. "Well, wouldn't this compound do the same? The difference being that since Section7 have perfected it, it wouldn't attack the existing environment, only the anomalous one, the 'Tronia14'."
Garibaldi opened his mouth to blast forth his reply. Then he blinked, frowned and closed his jaw with a snap.
Hudson could see both scientists thinking furiously.
"Theoretically..." Perry sounded reluctant. "It could work."
"Well, why don't you test it out?" Hudson saw Commander Ford hovering in the doorway. "Let me know how it goes." He eased himself out of the chair and approached Ford. "Yes, Commander?"
"We think we know who planned the attacks, sir." Ford handed over the summary sheet.
Hudson's face darkened as he read. "Get me Secretary McGrath, Commander."
"The call's going through right now, Captain."
"Good. We'll take it in the conference room." Hudson led the way.
***
Commander Kimura stalked to her quarters her clothes dripping with foul smelling oil. One of the leads had ruptured during the overhaul of the weapons system and she had caught the brunt of it.
As she entered her quarters she noticed a message light blinking on her computer, but she decided to ignore it until she was clean. A few minutes later, dressed in a fresh uniform, she opened the message. She sat very still while she digested the brief note. Then, moving deliberately, she erased the message. The information it contained was now superfluous. They had already discovered the perpetrators.
Kimura stood and gazed down at the computer. Somebody from her former life had chosen to contact her. Kimura wondered what that would mean in the future. She left her cabin to return to the weapons systems.
***
Secretary McGrath looked tired and haggard on the view screen. "What news, Oliver."
Hudson told him. He could almost see McGrath's thoughts flicker across his face; disbelief, anger and finally acceptance.
"We have to be very careful, Oliver. Very discreet. If this gets out before we have concrete proof, I might as well invite Freeman to take my place personally."
"I understand, Mr Secretary." said Hudson. "You will let us know if you are successful."
"Of course."
"Good. There is another matter, sir." Hudson spoke hesitantly. McGrath waved for him to continue and Hudson explained his plan for removing the threat of 'Tronia14' permanently. McGrath's reaction was almost identical to Professor Garibaldi's. However, once he had calmed down, he did allow that if the tests were successful he would consider the option. The decision was no more than Hudson was expecting.
Now all they had to do was wait.
***
It seemed a very long twenty four hours. But, once they were ready, time seemed to slow down even further.
Seaquest floated just below the surface, specially constructed antennae breaking the water.
On the bridge everyone was quiet, only the beeping of the ship's systems to break the tension. Everything was ready. Everything had been checked, re-checked and checked again. Now they were waiting for their orders.
Captain Hudson strode onto the bridge, followed closely by Commander Ford.
"We have a 'Go'." The captain's voice was quiet but it carried to every corner of the bridge. "Commander, if you please."
Ford nodded to the captain and took his position.
"Torpedo tube 4, Mr Piccolo."
Tony checked the board in front of him.
"Ready, sir."
Ford glanced back at Hudson. "Good to go, sir."
Hudson's gaze was fixed on the viewscreen in front of him. "Fire."
Ford turned to Piccolo. "Fire!"
Piccolo pushed the button.
They all heard it. Some for the first time. Usually the sound of a torpedo launching was masked by the sounds of battle. Not this time. The lone torpedo streaked from the Seaquest and followed its programmed path to the surface.
Piccolo's voice sounded out. "Detonation in, five, four, three, two, one. Mark."
Seaquest rocked, very gently.
Hudson looked up to system control. "Mr Wolenczak?"
Lucas scanned the screens in front of him. Behind him, Perry and Garibaldi were craning forward for a clearer view. "Nothing yet, Captain."
Hudson nodded and returned to the main viewer.
"There!" Garibaldi's voice.
"Just wait. That could be a glitch."
"No glitch. Look!"
Lucas switched the main viewer to show his screen. The bargraphs showing the concentration of the compound in the atmosphere were slowly decreasing. A broad smile split Lucas's face.
"I think it's working, Captain."
Still no one spoke. They watched as the readings fell, millimetre by millimetre. At last Hudson turned. "I think you are right, Ensign."
A huge cheer went up from the Seaquest crew. All of a sudden there was no more tension. Crew members embraced, slapped backs, shook hands.
Hudson waited for the scientists to reach him. "Good job." he said simply.
"Awa' wi' ye!" Garibaldi roared. He grabbed Hudson around the waist and hoisted him up. "You were right, you big numpty!" He set Hudson down again.
When he had his breath back, Hudson swiftly looked over at Ford. Either his Executive Officer had a sudden, severe attack of constipation, or he was trying very hard not to laugh. Hudson gave him the benefit of the doubt. "Set a course for London-Town." Hudson grinned. "We have a clean-up operation to attend to."
***
Their current position was the Atlantic Ocean. They were heading home to San Francisco.
Everything was going well. The release of the 'new and improved' compound had removed the threat of this particular biological weapon for good. Several small operators, connected to the 'Rainbow Front' in the most tenuous of ways, had been raided and in one back street laboratory the UEO had found the cure for the mutated strain.
Captain Oliver Hudson licked a finger and carefully turned the page of his book. A sharp knock at the door startled him.
"Come."
Lonnie Henderson peered around the door. "Lieutenant O'Neil requests that you turn to Channel 47, sir."
Hudson nodded and Henderson departed. The captain flicked the remote.
***
Ambassador Slain intercepted the servant.
"I'll take that."
The servant was too mesmerised at being addressed by the Ambassador to protest. Wordlessly he handed over the breakfast tray, bowed to the Ambassador and scuttled back down the corridor.
Slain nodded at the retreating back. He rested the tray on a handy table and, keeping his movements nonchalant, tipped a fine powder into the glass of orange juice. Then he picked up the tray and headed for the guest quarters.
***
Hudson sat up in shock. "I don't believe it!"
On the viewscreen the mangled remains of a hovercraft accident mocked him. The commentary was funereal. "Information is sketchy, but it does appear as if the only casualty of this accident is Mason Freeman. Mason Freeman is, of course, the charismatic leader of the 'Rainbow Front'. A political party which has made great progress in recent weeks. Some had even tipped Mr Freeman as the next secretary of the UEO. His untimely demise will shock many people..."
Hudson clicked off the viewer. "Shock indeed..." he mused.
***
Mason Freeman stirred at the quiet knocking on his door. "Who is it?" he called groggily.
A figure walked into his vision.
"Mr Freeman. I trust you slept well?"
"Slain?" Freeman was confused.
"Exactly so, Mr Freeman." The Ambassador set the tray down on the bedside cabinet and settled himself in a chair. He steepled his fingers together. "You are in a very precarious predicament, Mr Freeman."
"What are you talking about?" Freeman looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings, trying to curb his sudden panic. "Where am I?"
Slain was superlatively unfussed. "You are in the Choi Dai Embassy, Mr Freeman. Currently, you are believed to be dead. I would imagine that any investigations into your party and its involvement in the terrorist atrocities perpetrated against the cities of Aberstad and London-Town are being discontinued." Slain quirked a smile. "The authorities have found many of your former associates. But without the guiding hand..." he gestured to Freeman as his voice trailed off.
Freeman straightened. "I don't know what you are talking about."
Slain remained sanguine. "Of course you don't." He turned on the viewer in the corner of the room.
Freeman watched in mounting horror as he saw the reports. He had thought the media malleable? It was nothing compared to the comprehensive destruction of the reputation he had built displayed in front of him.
"What do you want?" Freeman asked bitterly.
"Your imagination." returned Slain. "My government is willing to pay handsomely for your insights."
Freeman grunted.
Slain gathered himself from his seat. "I'll leave you to consider my offer, Mr Freeman." Slain reached the door. "I hope you will be comfortable. Good day to you, Mr Freeman." he closed the door behind him.
Freeman heard the lock click. He jumped out of the bed and headed towards the curtains. He swept them back, only to reveal a wall. He grinned and continued around the room, looking for all the means of entry. By the time he had finished his circuit it was clear the door was the only way in or out.
Mason Freeman regarded the room. It wasn't so bad. Every other prison he'd been in had been much worse. This one had soft sheets, viewer access, room service... he picked up the glass of orange juice.
So, the Choi Dai wanted him as a consultant. He could live with that. Freeman raised the glass to his lips.
THE END
***
A/N - This is going to be long, so apologies and bear with me.
First of all, thanks for all the reviews. I haven't forgotten you. I'm having major snafu's with my email. They get through all right, but I can't send out. 'Server re-set' and all that crap. It's very annoying. So this is the only way to reply to you all.
Special Thanks to Nikki and Dominatrix for their encouragement, and for the name of the party. I have read one of Tom Clancy's books (either 'Executive Decision' or 'Executive Orders'. I always get the film with Kurt Russell mixed up with the book with 'Jack Ryan'. Just the title, not the content, they are very different.) but I find Clancy even more wordy than me. Still I felt I had to incorporate Rainbow6 into the story somehow and the name of the political party seemed as good as any.
Secondly, I may be being presumptuous, but thanks for any reviews of this chapter. I take my responsibilities as a writer very seriously. I ALWAYS reply to feedback. The fact that I am currently unable to is particularly galling. So if you don't get a personal reply, please don't be offended. I have set up another email account which I hope will be more reliable. If you have enjoyed this story (or not as the case may be) please tell me at; loreleimuse@hotmail.com
And finally, I'll let all of you speculate on whether Freeman's OJ is a passport to a good night's rest or oblivion!
Thanks for reading.
Regards
Kath.
Mason Freeman moved easily amongst the assembled dignitaries. A nod of greeting here, a welcoming smile there... and a few embarrassed glances, quickly finding someone or something else to focus on. At last he reached a tight group of people clustered together near the podium. Secretary McGrath, several high-ranking military types and...
Freeman's gaze flickered for a moment. A new player, one whom he had not anticipated. In the next instant Freeman consciously schooled his face into an expression of welcoming bonhomie and held out his hand.
"Mr Secretary, I must thank you for the honour of your invitation. I only wish this gathering was being held under better circumstances."
McGrath accepted the handshake although he broke it quickly. "Mr Freeman. Welcome to Commerce House."
"Thank you." Freeman waited for the introductions, knowing that McGrath would have to oblige, whatever his personal feelings. The UEO Secretary did not disappoint.
"Gentlemen, this is Mason Freeman, leader of the 'Rainbow Front'. Admiral McClintock of the North Sea Confederation, General Reeve of the UEO, and Ambassador Slain of the Choi Dai."
"Gentlemen, Your excellency." Freeman nodded. //Choi Dai. This complicates things.// "Admiral, please allow me to extend my own deepest sympathies to your confederation. A terrible loss. Terrible."
"Much obliged to you, Mr Freeman. I shall pass your message on." The language was diplomatic, but the gaze was flinty as the Admiral continued, "Rest assured, the perpetrators of these heinous acts will be found and brought to justice."
"I'm sure they will. And, one hopes, quickly." Freeman turned to McGrath. "Has there been any progress in the case, Mr Secretary?"
"Indeed there has. I was speaking with Captain Oliver Hudson before the banquet. Some very rapid progress has been made in treating the virus." He turned to McClintock. "Although London-Town is more densely populated than Aberstad, it is possible that the casualty number can be contained."
McClintock grimaced for a moment before his face smoothed out. "The UEO's efforts are greatly appreciated, sir. If you will excuse me." The Admiral nodded to the others and walked away, his back held rigidly straight.
"I understand Admiral McClintock lost his family in the London-Town attack, sir." General Reeve muttered quietly to McGrath.
McGrath sighed. "I didn't know."
"A personal tragedy that brings the pain into sharp relief." It was the soft voice of Ambassador Slain. His eyes followed McClintock's retreating back. "Raw numbers only invoke horror at their size. It is so easy to forget that each number is an individual. A person with their own history, desires, fears, talents and vices. Snuffed out at the whim of another." He turned back to the solemn group. "I do not envy your job, Mr Secretary. To balance the needs of the victims against the very human desire for revenge." He shook his head sadly, "No, I do not envy you."
"The UEO is not vengeful, Mr Ambassador. We abide by our rules of law."
"Your organisation, perhaps. But individuals?" Slain looked around the room, meeting the stares; some curious, some suspicious, some openly hostile.
"People distrust what they do not know. Come, Ambassador, let me introduce you to some new friends." The group walked off with a nod to Freeman.
Freeman plucked a glass of champagne from the tray of a passing waiter. He sipped it slowly, his benign expression concealing furious calculation in his mind.
***
Hudson found Garibaldi in a corner of the medical lab. The tall professor was hunched uncomfortably over a microscope. Hudson was sure he had made no sound as he approached the man, but Garibaldi still noted his presence.
"Captain," Garibaldi made a note on a pad of paper beside him. "What news?"
Hudson shrugged. "The serum you provided is working against the early stages of the virus. But then, you knew it would." Hudson tried to keep the accusing tone from his voice, almost succeeding.
Garibaldi finally looked up. "We weren't stupid, man. Not all of us anyway. Some of us realised the potential of Tronia14 and took steps to... contain the effects."
"Not very successfully." Hudson could not stop his contemptuous tone this time.
Garibaldi sighed. "No. But then it was removed from us." He set down his pen and turned to face Hudson. " 'Green Belt' was discontinued. Took us months to purge the files. We were all being reassigned, but I couldn't help noticing that the ones who argued for continuing the research were the same ones who shut up the quickest once Section7 got involved."
"Are you saying Section7 took over the project?"
"You bet I am." Garibaldi shook his head. "And that's the one thing that does not make sense. Section7 took it all. But they'd never use it. Their involvement was purely preventative. They did not want anyone else getting their hands on it."
"The break-in?"
"Well, that's the problem, isn't it? I thought that was Section7 tying up anything they'd missed. Until I ended up with a pack of them on my doorstep, convinced that I was responsible."
"Can you blame them? You left before the break-in. You were in a good position to give the perps any information they needed. You were an obvious suspect."
Garibaldi grinned without any humour. "You would have made an excellent '7' agent, Captain." He turned back to the microscope.
Hudson bristled. "No need for insults."
Garibaldi looked back at Hudson, and this time a genuine smile lit his features. He nodded slowly. "Okay. Section7 closed us down, hoping to keep our research to themselves, right?"
Hudson merely nodded.
The professor continued, "But, they already had the data. Someone else took it. And they manufactured the break-in to throw the scent."
"Who would do such a thing?" Hudson was utterly perplexed.
Garibaldi shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine, Captain. But I'll tell you this: Whoever it was, they are playing for keeps."
***
Chapter 4
Colonel Reinhardt returned the salutes automatically.
Captain Hudson introduced his officers, most of whom Reinhardt recognised, before whisking him off for a briefing.
Lucas watched the colonel leave the docking bay with a curious sense of unreality.
The Reinhardt he remembered was a close, compact man. Devoid of emotion, only capable of following orders; even when those orders seemed ridiculous. Arrest a dolphin indeed! But even then, Reinhardt's single-mindedness had shone through. And now?
Lucas trailed the broken figure with his eyes. This man walked with a limp. He had a long scar running down his cheek. His shoulders were stooped.
Lucas's feelings of unreality intensified. Working in the relatively closed environment of Seaquest it was all too easy to forget that over ten years had passed. Even the people they knew from before; McGrath, Kreig, they had aged remarkably well, and Lucas himself tended to forget the passage of time, except when he was trying to buy alcohol with a twenty-eight year old's ID He could hardly blame the bartender for turning him down - although it was probably a mistake to order James Bond's favourite tipple, that was just asking for trouble.
But here was living proof that the years had not been kind to everyone.
This man had personified many of Lucas's nightmares since he'd returned. He shook his head; Reinhardt was no more terrible than any other, and a great deal less terrifying than some he had encountered. At least now they were on the same side. Maybe.
***
Hudson always felt jittery in the presence of Section 7. Putting his feelings aside, he poured two glasses of water.
"Colonel." Hudson gestured for his guest to sit down.
Colonel Reinhardt dropped gracelessly into a chair. He gazed up at Hudson defiantly. "I'm not yet used to my ... deficiencies. Please excuse..."
"Don't give me that." Hudson closed the door to the conference room.
"Captain?"
"Forget it. You're no more 'deficient' than I am. Don't try to play on my sympathies. Believe me, I have no sympathies when it comes to you."
Reinhardt almost grinned. "I told them you would not feel sorry for me."
"Told who?"
"Who do you think, Captain? The UEO." The colonel lounged back in his chair.
Hudson masked his anger. "No, not good enough. The UEO did not send you here. I asked for you." He poured two glasses of water, set one deliberately in front of Reinhardt. "You are going to tell me everything about how Tronia 14 works and how it got out."
Reinhardt took a sip of the water. "You can't believe that I will."
Hudson smiled grimly. "Absolutely correct." He pressed the comm. "Lieutenant Henderson, report our current position."
Henderson's voice crackled over the comm, "Currently two nautical miles off the coast of Aberstad, sir."
"Thank you, Henderson." Without lowering his gaze from Reinhardt's face Hudson pressed the comm again. "Commander Ford, have a launch prepped. Colonel Reinhardt is leaving."
"Yes, sir." Ford's tone was tinny from the speakers.
Reinhardt's face blanched despite his effort to hold on to his poker face.
"Would you really leave me here, Captain? As you said, you..." he smiled, "invited me here."
There was no answering smile from Hudson. His expression was as bleak as the Sahara Desert before the irrigation projects.
"Yes, Colonel. I will leave you here. I will leave you with the fruits of your labours. I will leave you with the sights and sounds of people dying. You've probably managed to avoid the more untidy aspects of your work, but now you can't." He rose and opened the conference room door. "I won't say it's been a pleasure, Colonel..." The implication was obvious.
Reinhardt slowly smiled.
"They even warned me!" he muttered. For the first time Hudson's mask slipped. "Warned?"
"You are a dangerous man, Captain Hudson." Reinhardt reached into his jacket and drew out a sheaf of papers. "Here it is. Everything you want to know."
"The cure?"
Reinhardt coolly waved his hand. "Who cares about a cure?" He tossed the sheets of paper on the table top. "This!" Reinhardt gestured to the papers, his eyes burning with a zealous fire. "This is what you want, Oliver. This is the power. Our power. Our power to make this world, our world, a better place." The colonel sat back, smugly.
Hudson slowly reached for the papers and gathered them up. He scanned them quickly, phrases seeming to jump out at him; all the more horrible for their blandness:
"projected casualty rate - 80%"
"subjects experience extreme nausea..."
"prolonged exposure results in complete system breakdown..."
"subjects experience a variety of symptoms including, but not limited to; dizziness, fever..."
And there it was. The one thing Hudson would never have guessed at.
"It is the considered opinion of this review panel, that the benefits of the compound 'Tronia 14' far outweigh the perceived side effects of the drug. We believe that great strides have been taken in the fight against poverty and hardship. Tronia 14 is the new hope for the developing world. We applaud those who have been instrumental in its conception and furthermore we order that its continued development should be directed by those people who have ensured its safety."
"Who was on that review panel?" Hudson bitterly remarked. "Your mother?"
"No, my aunt."
"Sainted?"
"Under review." Reinhardt grinned.
"You killed them all." Hudson raised a clenched fist. "You killed them all." he repeated hopelessly.
"No, Captain. We did not. We knew what this compound could do and we took steps to contain it."
"You failed." Hudson turned away.
"We did not fail." Reinhardt emphasised. "We did what we set out to do. We have at our fingertips the means to turn vast tracts of unusable land into solid, dependable, arable resources."
Hudson whirled around. "People are dying!" it was almost a scream.
Reinhardt shrugged. "Whoever is behind these attacks is either using an earlier unstable version of the compound, or they have mutated the compound to cause this damage. Either way, there is very little to be done for the current victims. You should be concentrating your efforts on finding the perpetrators."
Hudson sank into his chair in a hopeless fury, gazing at this man in horror. Reinhardt was a human being. He had a beating heart, his lungs breathed the same air, he drank the same water. But how could he be human? How could he dismiss so callously such suffering. At that moment Hudson was not sure who he hated more, the terrorists who had caused the attacks, or the man before him who did not care, as long as he had followed his orders.
***
Tim O'Neil passed a hand over tired eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "This is hopeless."
Lucas did not look up from his screen. "It's not hopeless. We can't allow it to be."
Ever since Hudson had 're-assigned' Lucas the ensign had been determined to find the terrorists. If he could not bring down Section7 he could at least find the people who had stolen their work. He had persuaded Tim to help him. Lucas was a genius with the hundreds of computer languages but he did not have Tim's skills with human ones.
For the last three days they had trawled through thousands of reports. From news items to police reports, from bank records to private intelligence reports. Neither of them had mentioned how many privacy laws they had broken.
After three days they had a list of suspects, organisations which had the cold cash to finance the attacks, but they were no nearer finding the evidence which would prove it.
"There's no pattern." Tim sighed in frustration. "I mean, why Aberstad? It's not a military target. It's not a strategic one. It's not even the heart of the South Sea Confederation's industry. It's a tourist town. London-Town I can almost understand, it's a political target, but Aberstad? If we don't know what these terrorists want how can we predict where the next attack will come?"
Lucas had gone very still at his computer. Slowly he raised his eyes to Tim. O'Neil could see the shock in them.
"No. It couldn't be him. I'm just being paranoid." Wolenczak shook his head but his eyes strayed back to his screen.
"What is it?"
"Tim," Lucas spoke so quietly that O'Neil had to strain to hear him. "Can you pull up the records for the 'Rainbow Front'?"
"Freeman's outfit? Even he wouldn't dare do something like this, would he?"
"Let's find out shall we?"
***
Reinhardt stood up to leave. "I have been ordered to give you everything we have on 'Tronia 14'." he said. "Over my protests, I might add. What you have there," he gestured to the files, "is everything that we have. We have no cure because our compound is perfect in every detail. Good day to you, Captain." He turned to go.
"Wait a minute." Hudson demanded. "Is that it? What about the terrorists. Surely you must have some idea of who they are?"
"I do not have that information." said Reinhardt.
"But someone at Section7 does. Your people investigated the robbery at the plant. I refuse to believe that Section7 are so incompetent that they found no clues."
Reinhardt's expression flickered for the barest second at the insult, but he repeated mechanically, "I do not have that information. You will have to put your request for information to the proper authorities through the appropriate channels."
"You're not going to do anything are you? You're going to go on your merry way and damn the rest of us."
"Be reasonable, Captain." There was almost a sneer on the Colonel's face. "What can we do? We are a military organisation. We need a specified target. Terrorists work in the shadows. One could be living next door to you and you'd never know. How do we fight that, bomb every apartment building? No, Captain, it doesn't work like that. I'm sure Section7 is working on the identity of the terrorists, but I am not privy to that investigation."
Hudson suddenly felt very tired and faintly nauseous. "Get off my boat."
Reinhardt said nothing. He turned and left the room. Neither officer attempted a salute.
Hudson allowed himself a brief vehement hope that Reinhardt's transport would develop a 'complete system failure' and take the man to the bottom of the ocean. Then he straightened, gathered the files and headed for med-bay. Doctor Perry and Professor Garibaldi would need the information.
***
Chapter 5.
Ambassador Slain sat in his office sipping from a goblet of wine and reading a highly confidential memo. He had received the memo that very morning. It was a reply from his government in response to his own risk assessment of the UEO. And he was worried, very worried. The orders were very explicit. They were not, exactly, the problem. No, the problem was why those orders had been given.
Slain tapped his teeth with the glass. He had a feeling that he was about to do something which he would probably regret.
The Ambassador put down his wine. How to warn them without violating his orders? And then a name came to him. Someone he had not thought of in years. Slain slowly nodded to himself. It might work. He pressed the intercom on his desk.
"Yes, sir?"
"I have the beginnings of a headache, Suri. I am going to get some fresh air."
"I can fetch you some aspirin, sir."
"No thank you. I believe in natural remedies. What time does the Farmer's delegation arrive?"
"Two o'clock, sir."
"I shall be back before then. Make sure the delegates are made comfortable when they get here."
"Yes, sir."
Slain quickly put on his jacket and left his office by his private lift. It was all very well contemplating treason in his office. Actually doing it with official equipment would be very, very stupid.
***
The quarters that Wolenczak shared with Piccolo were rarely this crowded. Tim and Lucas stood by the lockers ready to start the meeting. Commander Kimura and Lieutenant Henderson sat on the lower bunk, while Tony himself sat cross-legged on the upper. There was an impatient knock on the door and Commander Ford entered. He seemed surprised at the number of people there.
"Okay, Ensign. What's so important?"
"Sir, Tim and I have been doing some digging..."
"You've found a cure?" Ford interrupted, hope filling his face.
"No, I'm afraid not. But we do think we know who is planning the attacks."
"Next to a cure, that's important. What have you got?"
Lucas handed around summary sheets while Tim explained what they had discovered.
"We started with UEO Intelligence." Tim ignored Commander Ford's wince, but Ford's expression was resigned and Tim continued. "The strange thing was, they were completely clueless. The only thing they had managed to confirm was that it was not their usual suspects. That suggests that the group we're looking for is very new."
Lucas took up the briefing.
"So we started looking for any interest groups, or any groups really, that had been formed in the last couple of years which had large financial backing. One stood out."
Ford looked up incredulously from the paper he was reading. "The 'Rainbow Front'? Mason Freeman?"
"We believe so, sir."
"Why?"
Tim and Lucas exchanged glances. "We're not entirely sure, sir. He may be just a front for someone else. He's always worked for other people." Tim's eyes strayed to Kimura and quickly looked away, but she caught the glance.
"I doubt the Choi Dai would attempt anything so elaborate, they do not have the imagination." she said in a wry tone. "However, it seems to me that this Mason Freeman may be branching out. You said he has always worked for other people. And what did it get him? A life sentence in a brutal prison. This might be his chance at power."
"You can't be serious!" exclaimed Tony. "Are you saying he did this to get elected?"
"There is a precedent. What better way to gain control than be given it, freely, by the people. Once in power he can then make sure that he stays there. Is not that how the Nazi Party came to power?"
History was not Lucas's strong point but he could see Lonnie nodding her head in agreement.
"Kimura's right." said Lonnie. "Look at what Freeman has been doing since the attacks. All the sympathy straight after, but now he's demanding answers, badgering the UEO. He's been on the newsnets more often than McGrath."
"And the popularity of the 'Rainbow Front' is soaring." said Tim. "I wouldn't be surprised if he calls for a vote of no confidence in the UEO leadership. And he'd win."
A depressed silence descended.
"You do realise that if you're right about this and he wins, Mason Freeman would be our boss." said Tony.
"That's the least of our worries, Tony." Ford commented. "What do we do now? Can the UEO arrest him?"
"I doubt it." said Tim. "We have a motive, but it is pretty far-fetched. We can prove they have the means, but we can't prove that they actually bought or financed the compound. All we have is circumstantial evidence and with Freeman's popularity at the moment, no jury in the world would convict him."
"But he must have an antidote or a vaccine." Lucas broke in.
"Why do you say that?"
"Freeman was in Aberstad the day before the attack. Some meeting with the council. I think he set it off himself."
"He'd have to be very dumb to do it himself."
"Or very sure of himself."
Ford sighed. "All right. It is a possibility. I'll inform the captain." He turned to go but then turned back. "Well done, you two." Ford left the cabin.
***
Hudson sat in med-bay watching Perry and Garibaldi work. Their initial excitement at the information had worn off and the faces had turned glum again. But Hudson was remembering something that Lucas had said at their first briefing.
Garibaldi flung the files down in disgust. "Yon Reinhardt was not kidding when he said this compound was perfect. Only tested in the laboratory though."
"What would happen," said Hudson slowly, "if we released this compound into the atmosphere?"
Perry and Garibaldi stared at him in astonishment. "Are you stark, raving mad, man?" exclaimed Garibaldi. "You want to risk another epidemic?"
"Lucas said that the original compound would attack everything until its species was dominant." Hudson sounded defensive. "Well, wouldn't this compound do the same? The difference being that since Section7 have perfected it, it wouldn't attack the existing environment, only the anomalous one, the 'Tronia14'."
Garibaldi opened his mouth to blast forth his reply. Then he blinked, frowned and closed his jaw with a snap.
Hudson could see both scientists thinking furiously.
"Theoretically..." Perry sounded reluctant. "It could work."
"Well, why don't you test it out?" Hudson saw Commander Ford hovering in the doorway. "Let me know how it goes." He eased himself out of the chair and approached Ford. "Yes, Commander?"
"We think we know who planned the attacks, sir." Ford handed over the summary sheet.
Hudson's face darkened as he read. "Get me Secretary McGrath, Commander."
"The call's going through right now, Captain."
"Good. We'll take it in the conference room." Hudson led the way.
***
Commander Kimura stalked to her quarters her clothes dripping with foul smelling oil. One of the leads had ruptured during the overhaul of the weapons system and she had caught the brunt of it.
As she entered her quarters she noticed a message light blinking on her computer, but she decided to ignore it until she was clean. A few minutes later, dressed in a fresh uniform, she opened the message. She sat very still while she digested the brief note. Then, moving deliberately, she erased the message. The information it contained was now superfluous. They had already discovered the perpetrators.
Kimura stood and gazed down at the computer. Somebody from her former life had chosen to contact her. Kimura wondered what that would mean in the future. She left her cabin to return to the weapons systems.
***
Secretary McGrath looked tired and haggard on the view screen. "What news, Oliver."
Hudson told him. He could almost see McGrath's thoughts flicker across his face; disbelief, anger and finally acceptance.
"We have to be very careful, Oliver. Very discreet. If this gets out before we have concrete proof, I might as well invite Freeman to take my place personally."
"I understand, Mr Secretary." said Hudson. "You will let us know if you are successful."
"Of course."
"Good. There is another matter, sir." Hudson spoke hesitantly. McGrath waved for him to continue and Hudson explained his plan for removing the threat of 'Tronia14' permanently. McGrath's reaction was almost identical to Professor Garibaldi's. However, once he had calmed down, he did allow that if the tests were successful he would consider the option. The decision was no more than Hudson was expecting.
Now all they had to do was wait.
***
It seemed a very long twenty four hours. But, once they were ready, time seemed to slow down even further.
Seaquest floated just below the surface, specially constructed antennae breaking the water.
On the bridge everyone was quiet, only the beeping of the ship's systems to break the tension. Everything was ready. Everything had been checked, re-checked and checked again. Now they were waiting for their orders.
Captain Hudson strode onto the bridge, followed closely by Commander Ford.
"We have a 'Go'." The captain's voice was quiet but it carried to every corner of the bridge. "Commander, if you please."
Ford nodded to the captain and took his position.
"Torpedo tube 4, Mr Piccolo."
Tony checked the board in front of him.
"Ready, sir."
Ford glanced back at Hudson. "Good to go, sir."
Hudson's gaze was fixed on the viewscreen in front of him. "Fire."
Ford turned to Piccolo. "Fire!"
Piccolo pushed the button.
They all heard it. Some for the first time. Usually the sound of a torpedo launching was masked by the sounds of battle. Not this time. The lone torpedo streaked from the Seaquest and followed its programmed path to the surface.
Piccolo's voice sounded out. "Detonation in, five, four, three, two, one. Mark."
Seaquest rocked, very gently.
Hudson looked up to system control. "Mr Wolenczak?"
Lucas scanned the screens in front of him. Behind him, Perry and Garibaldi were craning forward for a clearer view. "Nothing yet, Captain."
Hudson nodded and returned to the main viewer.
"There!" Garibaldi's voice.
"Just wait. That could be a glitch."
"No glitch. Look!"
Lucas switched the main viewer to show his screen. The bargraphs showing the concentration of the compound in the atmosphere were slowly decreasing. A broad smile split Lucas's face.
"I think it's working, Captain."
Still no one spoke. They watched as the readings fell, millimetre by millimetre. At last Hudson turned. "I think you are right, Ensign."
A huge cheer went up from the Seaquest crew. All of a sudden there was no more tension. Crew members embraced, slapped backs, shook hands.
Hudson waited for the scientists to reach him. "Good job." he said simply.
"Awa' wi' ye!" Garibaldi roared. He grabbed Hudson around the waist and hoisted him up. "You were right, you big numpty!" He set Hudson down again.
When he had his breath back, Hudson swiftly looked over at Ford. Either his Executive Officer had a sudden, severe attack of constipation, or he was trying very hard not to laugh. Hudson gave him the benefit of the doubt. "Set a course for London-Town." Hudson grinned. "We have a clean-up operation to attend to."
***
Their current position was the Atlantic Ocean. They were heading home to San Francisco.
Everything was going well. The release of the 'new and improved' compound had removed the threat of this particular biological weapon for good. Several small operators, connected to the 'Rainbow Front' in the most tenuous of ways, had been raided and in one back street laboratory the UEO had found the cure for the mutated strain.
Captain Oliver Hudson licked a finger and carefully turned the page of his book. A sharp knock at the door startled him.
"Come."
Lonnie Henderson peered around the door. "Lieutenant O'Neil requests that you turn to Channel 47, sir."
Hudson nodded and Henderson departed. The captain flicked the remote.
***
Ambassador Slain intercepted the servant.
"I'll take that."
The servant was too mesmerised at being addressed by the Ambassador to protest. Wordlessly he handed over the breakfast tray, bowed to the Ambassador and scuttled back down the corridor.
Slain nodded at the retreating back. He rested the tray on a handy table and, keeping his movements nonchalant, tipped a fine powder into the glass of orange juice. Then he picked up the tray and headed for the guest quarters.
***
Hudson sat up in shock. "I don't believe it!"
On the viewscreen the mangled remains of a hovercraft accident mocked him. The commentary was funereal. "Information is sketchy, but it does appear as if the only casualty of this accident is Mason Freeman. Mason Freeman is, of course, the charismatic leader of the 'Rainbow Front'. A political party which has made great progress in recent weeks. Some had even tipped Mr Freeman as the next secretary of the UEO. His untimely demise will shock many people..."
Hudson clicked off the viewer. "Shock indeed..." he mused.
***
Mason Freeman stirred at the quiet knocking on his door. "Who is it?" he called groggily.
A figure walked into his vision.
"Mr Freeman. I trust you slept well?"
"Slain?" Freeman was confused.
"Exactly so, Mr Freeman." The Ambassador set the tray down on the bedside cabinet and settled himself in a chair. He steepled his fingers together. "You are in a very precarious predicament, Mr Freeman."
"What are you talking about?" Freeman looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings, trying to curb his sudden panic. "Where am I?"
Slain was superlatively unfussed. "You are in the Choi Dai Embassy, Mr Freeman. Currently, you are believed to be dead. I would imagine that any investigations into your party and its involvement in the terrorist atrocities perpetrated against the cities of Aberstad and London-Town are being discontinued." Slain quirked a smile. "The authorities have found many of your former associates. But without the guiding hand..." he gestured to Freeman as his voice trailed off.
Freeman straightened. "I don't know what you are talking about."
Slain remained sanguine. "Of course you don't." He turned on the viewer in the corner of the room.
Freeman watched in mounting horror as he saw the reports. He had thought the media malleable? It was nothing compared to the comprehensive destruction of the reputation he had built displayed in front of him.
"What do you want?" Freeman asked bitterly.
"Your imagination." returned Slain. "My government is willing to pay handsomely for your insights."
Freeman grunted.
Slain gathered himself from his seat. "I'll leave you to consider my offer, Mr Freeman." Slain reached the door. "I hope you will be comfortable. Good day to you, Mr Freeman." he closed the door behind him.
Freeman heard the lock click. He jumped out of the bed and headed towards the curtains. He swept them back, only to reveal a wall. He grinned and continued around the room, looking for all the means of entry. By the time he had finished his circuit it was clear the door was the only way in or out.
Mason Freeman regarded the room. It wasn't so bad. Every other prison he'd been in had been much worse. This one had soft sheets, viewer access, room service... he picked up the glass of orange juice.
So, the Choi Dai wanted him as a consultant. He could live with that. Freeman raised the glass to his lips.
THE END
***
A/N - This is going to be long, so apologies and bear with me.
First of all, thanks for all the reviews. I haven't forgotten you. I'm having major snafu's with my email. They get through all right, but I can't send out. 'Server re-set' and all that crap. It's very annoying. So this is the only way to reply to you all.
Special Thanks to Nikki and Dominatrix for their encouragement, and for the name of the party. I have read one of Tom Clancy's books (either 'Executive Decision' or 'Executive Orders'. I always get the film with Kurt Russell mixed up with the book with 'Jack Ryan'. Just the title, not the content, they are very different.) but I find Clancy even more wordy than me. Still I felt I had to incorporate Rainbow6 into the story somehow and the name of the political party seemed as good as any.
Secondly, I may be being presumptuous, but thanks for any reviews of this chapter. I take my responsibilities as a writer very seriously. I ALWAYS reply to feedback. The fact that I am currently unable to is particularly galling. So if you don't get a personal reply, please don't be offended. I have set up another email account which I hope will be more reliable. If you have enjoyed this story (or not as the case may be) please tell me at; loreleimuse@hotmail.com
And finally, I'll let all of you speculate on whether Freeman's OJ is a passport to a good night's rest or oblivion!
Thanks for reading.
Regards
Kath.