“Big J,” John started, taking the initiative, “this is Alex Scott — an old friend who just happened to be strolling along the quay when we were shepherding the last crewman on board this morning. I invited him on board.”
“Just happened to be strolling on the quay at what time was it, six in the morning?” Big J asked sarcastically.
Alex made a decision.
“I know it may seem a bit of a strange coincidence but it’s absolutely true.” He sighed. “Big J, I hope you’re as good as your name because by accident you have become involved in a major international incident.” Alex paused, making himself comfortable. “You see, John here assisted me once, in another very dangerous battle with an international crime organisation known as the Syndicate. I won’t go into too much detail — I’d be here all night — but they are probably the most dangerous group of organised criminals on Earth.” Alex looked directly at Big J. The big man was unmoved but listening intently. “Recently they sold the largest single private delivery of military ordnance and ammunition ever assembled; believe me the inventory is quite mind-blowing. The customer is a group of dissident Islamic fundamentalists located in the Southern Philippines. With these arms and equipment the whole Far East could become a raging battlefield again. It is believed that their terrorist groups are targeting a number of American flagship enterprises in the region.” Alex paused and took a sip of his own now-cold tea.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, Alex, was it?”
Alex nodded.
“But why are you telling me all this?” Big J’s own beverage had not been touched.
“Alex is a sort of United Nations James Bond. He needs our help to destroy the arms,” John blurted out.
Alex smiled. “I never quite thought of my role like that but I suppose that’s a simplified description.” He pushed the mug towards John. “Fresh tea?” he asked.
“Now listen guys. I don’t want to seem like a spoilsport, but we’re here to fulfil a dive training contract, OK?” Big J leaned towards the table. “We have developed a good working relationship with the locals, so we simply can’t afford to jeopardise the final and major part of the payment of our contract. I’m sorry but we have to be strictly commercial; there are families to think about and they have mortgages to pay. So with respect, I can’t see how we can help.” Big J was clearly becoming irritated and noisily gulped some of his coffee.
“I understand all of those things, “said Alex, fixing his gaze on Big J, “but already you know too much, and if you don’t believe me, ask John. The problem for you is that once the Syndicate smell that someone is even loosely connected, enough to be the tiniest threat to them or their project, I know that without exception they will take terminal action,” Alex emphasised. He looked back towards John, who was refilling Alex’s cup at the hot water maker. “Am I right?”
John looked towards Big J.
“I’m afraid he’s right. The last time I became involved with them, they slaughtered everything in sight that was considered to be a threat.”
“Just who the fuck do you say these people are?” Big J, accustomed to making his own presence felt, was incensed.
“If you let me finish the bit about why I need your help, I’ll tell you and then you can make up your own mind.”
John put the fresh mug of tea in front of Alex.
“The cargo is already stored in the warehouse across the basin from here. I understand that a ship could be here to collect it within the next twenty-four hours. I have to ensure that the cargo doesn’t reach the Philippines or anywhere else for that matter.” Alex sipped the tea without tasting its brackish flavour. “I want to sink the ship at sea — this I believe is the only way of ensuring complete destruction of the cargo.”
“And the crew?” Big J blurted out.
“I am certain that the ship will be fully manned by Syndicate operatives. In which case I can assure you that they are all professional killers,” Alex replied positively. “John here will fill you in with the gory details of their various skills later. Right now I need to know if there is some way that you will help me?”
“Look I’m sorry but I still don’t see how we can help. Surely this is a matter for the government, the local police, I don’t know — anybody but us?” Big J tried to reason.
“The problem with that understandable reasoning is that the local police are almost certainly riddled with Syndicate informers. The local military are not likely to be any better. Just to give you a stark example. I have a local associate; his brother works at the Hong Kong Harbour Authority offices. I asked him to check on the lease of those warehouses across the way. Within twenty-four hours we found him almost choked to death. His wife had been tortured and decapitated in front of him in some kind of macabre ritual execution,” Alex growled with controlled anger. “These are the kind of people we are up against.”
“They cut her head off?” Big J asked incredulously.
“Yes and nailed a message written in her own blood to it; they have a simple philosophy. ‘We only ask questions once’ they will tell you. Then they punish failure or hesitance with torture and murder and start with your own family. In this way they easily command the loyalty of their followers.” Alex stood up. “I’m going to leave you, John, to fill in the details of the Syndicate’s various techniques. I have to make some telephone calls and organise a few things before this day is too old. I need to find out exactly when the shipment is scheduled to leave. Then perhaps we can think of how we ‘spoil their day’!” Alex smiled and stepped from the galley.
The chef ducked out of his way. “Sorry mate,” he muttered in his rich Australian accent.
“Thanks,” was all Alex replied.
He stood on the side deck for a moment looking towards the warehouse and the fenced enclosure. There was no sign of the guards but he knew they were there.
Taking out his mobile as he walked briskly along the quayside, he selected Hans de Wolf’s mobile telephone number and pushed the instrument to his ear. The call was answered after the second ring.
“Hans, thank God I caught you. I’m going to need some special equipment — detonators etc. Can you manage that from there?” Alex listened briefly. “Good, that’s excellent. Now I must bring you up to speed on the current situation here, which to save me time you should relay to the Boss, then I’ll give you my detailed shopping list OK?”
Hans acknowledged.
Alex continued, “Well, thanks to Haki in Tokyo, we’ve hit the jackpot here………….”
5
Oscar Nippon sat on the terrace quietly trying to piece together the situation with Moby Dick. The immensely expensive boat and the attack by the two high-speed craft were hardly the right credentials to generate enough confidence to share their secret. Yet he was convinced that there was something genuine about Moby Dick.
“Good morning Oscar can you spare a minute?” Remi called from edge of their garden, interrupting his concentration.
“Of course, come on up. Fancy a cup of tea or coffee?” Oscar offered, rising from his chair.
“That would be nice. Tea for me.” Remi accepted, walking onto the terrace.
The sea quietly lapped the shore; half a dozen terns squawked with delight as they whirled before diving into a shoal of tiny fish.
“What a pleasant morning eh?” Remi commented and accepted Oscar’s offer to sit in one of the wicker chairs.
“It certainly is.” Oscar watched one of the terns lift out of the water with something wriggling in its beak. “I made a fresh pot about ten minutes ago — it should be OK” He looked back at Remi.
“I’m sure it’s just fine,” he agreed politely.