I wondered how much of the food chain they’d managed to introduce. Did Nova have rats, or mice? Cockroaches? I never did find out, but I did notice a few flocks of birds overhead. We also saw grain scattered in oversize bird feeders, among the fields.
Alexi relaxed further as the day wore on, grateful both for my company and the respite from his nightmare aboard ship.
“It’s beautiful, sir. If only the air were easier to breathe.”
“They’re working on it.” Huge skimmers sucked air into the desulphurization works, which removed sulphur oxides from the air. The plants had been operating for decades, and Detour’s sulphur level was measurably reduced.
After several false starts, not knowing how to begin, I blurted, “I’m sorry for what you’re going through.”
He stiffened. “I’m under orders not to discuss it, sir. I’m told it’s bad for morale.”
“They’re countermanded.”
“Aye aye, sir. I hate his guts! I want to kill him!”
I glanced at him, shocked. He meant it. “Don’t, Alexi.”
“He’s a monster! You don’t know the half of it, and I won’t tell you.”
“Can you hang on?”
His smile was bleak. “I’m like Derek, sir. I can take anything.”
“I’m hoping he’ll reform. If not, then we’ll see.” It wouldn’t be fair to Philip to tell his subordinate about my deadline.
“I’ll call him to challenge, when we get home.”
I sucked in my breath. Alexi truly intended to kill Philip Tyre. “Why not challenge him in the wardroom, then?”
He shot me a look of reproach. “I believe in law and
order like you do, sir. It’s the first middy’s place to run the wardroom. I owe the ship loyalty, I owe the same to you.
Even to him.”
My fists bunched. Philip had three times sent this youngster to the barrel. “Still, tradition allows wardroom challenges.”
“I’ve always thought that’s for younger joeys. A way for them to let off steam if they can’t take it. I believe in the Navy and its rules. The regs can’t permit this to go on. If I thought that, I’d have to quit the Service. Either he’ll step over the line and be brought up on charges, or there’ll be some other solution. I’m not going to fight the system.”
I said quietly, “Alexi, you’re the finest officer I’ve ever known.” He was startled. “You’ve been my friend since I first came aboard. You have such decency. I’ve never known you to be mean-spirited or spiteful.”
He shook his head. “Just watch if I ever get a chance with him!”
“Still. I respect you enormously. I love you as a friend and comrade.” He turned away, but not before I saw his eyes glisten. I rested my hand on his shoulder. “Let’s have something to eat before we go back.” After a moment he nodded. We found a restaurant. After the meal Alexi insisted on paying for us both.
Two hours later we were back aboard. Alexi resumed his babysitting duties, while I went to the bridge.
I shared a watch with Vax when the ship’s caller buzzed.
“Captain, you’d better--Midshipman Tyre reporting. We have a, um, situation here, and--”
I snarled, “Report by the book, middy. Two demerits!”
If the boy thought he could niggle over every petty infraction by his charges, then himself get away with-”Aye aye, sir! Midshipman Philip Tyre reporting, from the Level 2 lounge. Ricky Fuentes is--that is, Jared Treadwell has a knife; he’s taken Cadet Fuentes hostage and says unless he gets his children back he’ll--”
I was halfway to the hatch. “Vax, page Mr. Vishinsky to the lounge! Three seamen with stunners. Flank!” I dashed out.I don’t remember using the ladder but I must have plunged down at least three steps at a time. I fetched up panting against the Level 2 corridor bulkhead, outside the lounge.
Philip Tyre poked out his head, saw me, slipped into the corridor, saluting. “They’re inside, sir. The far end. I tried talking to him but he--”
I brushed the middy aside, strode in. Behind me, the hatch slid shut.
Ricky’s right arm dangled as if useless. Jared Treadwell, Rafe’s father, had an elbow wrapped around the boy’s throat, holding him nearly off the floor. Ricky’s head was pressed tight into Treadwell’s chest. The cadet’s good hand pawed at the throat hold, seeking air.
The knife was poised a millimeter from Ricky’s eye.
Treadwell’s voice was a snarl. “Want to bet I c’n take an eye before you stun me?” His swarthy face glistened with a sheen of sweat.
“Easy, Mr. Treadwell. Just put--”
“You think this is how I wanted it, Seafort?”
“No, of course not--”
“Give me my son! And Paula!” The knife flickered.
Ricky’s breath hissed in terror.
From the corridor, pounding feet.
“Mr. Treadwell, Ricky Fuentes has nothing to do with--”
“We tried petitions. We tried going through the courts. No matter what, you had to have your way!” A wrench of his elbow; Ricky squealed. “Call Rafe in here, or so help me, I’ll blind him.”
The hatch burst open. I whirled. “Out, until I call!”
“But--” The master-at-arms.
“Out!”
Vishinsky backed through the hatch. I spun back to Jared Treadwell. “Listen, sir, I know you’re upset--”
“No more talk! I’ll do the first eye to show you I mean it!”
I roared, “By Lord God, you’ll let me finish a sentence!”
It was so ludicrous he was stunned. So was I, but I knew for Ricky’s sake I had to keep the initiative. I flung off my
jacket. “You don’t need the cadet. You have me.”
“Get away!” The knife flicked; Ricky moaned.
“I’m your hostage.” I moved closer.
“Don’t, sir!” Philip Tyre, behind me. I hadn’t seen him enter.
“This was my doing,” I said. Fitting that I pay the consequences.
“Sir, you mustn’t!”
“Another word, Mr. Tyre--just one--and you’re dismissed from the Service.” My tone was ice. “Now, Mr.
Treadwell... “
“Here goes the eye.”
“Do it and I’ll kill you. With my bare hands.” Something in my inflection gave him pause. I took another step.
His manner*became almost conversational. “Irene went groundside this morning. Three lawyers she called, all she could reach. The first told her nothing could be done; you’d already ordered the judge not to hear the case. The others wouldn’t even talk.”
Another step. “You’ll let the boy go. I’ll take his place.”
Now I was quite near.
“You leave us nothing, see. No law, no court, no appeal.”
Suddenly his voice was a shout of torment. “Who appointed you Lord God?”
I swallowed. Who, indeed? Mrs. Donhauser had warned me, months back, of the hazard I’d blundered into. Protecting children was a basic human urge. And I’d set it against me.
“Mr. Treadwell.” My tone was more gentle. “First, let the boy go. I’ll take his place. Then we’ll call Rafe and Paula.
If they want to leave with you, I’ll allow it. Else, they stay.”
“What good’s that, after you’ve brainwashed them?”
“Would you keep them by force?”
“No. Yes. I don’t know what--Lord, help me!” A rasping breath, akin to a sob.
I gave the terrified cadet what I hoped was a reassuring smile. “Ricky, in a moment Mr. Treadwell will set you free.
Mr. Tyre, when I sit down in that chair, take Cadet Fuentes out to the corridor and explain to Mr. Vishinsky. Then bring Cadets Paula and Rafe Treadwell to the lounge.”
“Sir, if he takes you host--”
“AYE AYE, SIR! SAY IT AT ONCE!”“Aye aye, sir!”
I sat, kicked my chair to within Jared Treadwell’s reach.
For a moment we were frozen in anguished tableau.
With, a cry of hurt, Ricky tumbled free to the deck.
Treadwell wrenched back my hair, caught my chin, yanked upward. His knife dug at my throat. It took all my strength not to move. Please, Lord. Keep the children safe from harm.