“To the Crown!” Heath joined in.
“Cheers,” Hunter said, “I guess.”
All three men knocked back the gin in one motion, then sat down.
“Yes, major, we were very interested in getting in touch with you when we heard you’d landed at Casablanca,” Sir Neil said. “You’re a brave man cavorting about North Africa with a billion-dollar price tag on your head.”
“I’m going after the man you’ve come to know as Lucifer,” Hunter told him, quickly retelling the story of the Circle War and Viktor/Lucifer’s hand in it. “He succeeded in disrupting our rebuilding efforts back in America, and he did it with a lot of Soviet help. I’m tracking him down to make sure he doesn’t get away with it.”
“Well, I’m sure my officers have told you that Mister Lucifer is rather … preoccupied now,” Sir Neil said.
“So I’ve heard,” Hunter replied. “But I can’t let that stop me.”
“And it shouldn’t!” Sir Neil said enthusiastically. He gave a conspiratorial look to Heath. “In fact, major, I think our goals are similar. We too want to stop Lucifer before he re-ignites this never-ending war again.”
Hunter wished the Englishman would get to the point.
“We would like to offer you a proposition, major,” Sir Neil said, refilling their glasses. “A ‘consulting’ job, you might say.”
Hunter held up his hand and said politely: “As I told Captain Heath, I’m not looking for a job. I am on a mission — technically speaking, for the Pacific American Air Corps — to apprehend Lucifer. I know the dangers involved. It’s almost like trying to kidnap Hitler, I suppose. But this is what I’m here for. I feel I have to work alone on it.”
Sir Neil thought a moment, then said, “Once again, major, I must say that I admire your courage. Lucifer has committed a huge crime against America in starting that Circle War, and obviously you Yanks want to make him pay. To that I say, ‘Here! Here!’
“But you must be realistic, major. We are on the brink of a major war here too. One that will affect America as much as it affects us here in the Med. In fact, it will likely affect the entire world as much as the Big One did.
“You see, when we say that World War Three never really ended, it’s not just a matter of historical note. We never signed any armistice agreement with The New Order, and in our opinion, neither did you Yanks. You were betrayed, pure and simple. And that stopped the major fighting. But the war — its causes, its aims, its effects — did not end when your traitor Vice-President signed away your country. It provided a lull, major. A satisfying lull for the Reds, as they were so beaten — and still are — they could barely lift a finger to pull a trigger.
“But look at what they did do. Weakened as they were, they still gambled and brought the battle to you back in America. Sure, they were using Lucifer in order to disrupt your rebuilding efforts. But don’t you see? Mr. Lucifer was also using them. He’s a war profiteer of the highest, ugliest order.
“It is not the first time in history, major, that a war has started and had its direction, its motives, its eventual winners and losers change midstream. We British are maybe more sensitive to it than you Americans, because our history is longer and, I’m almost ashamed to say, more militant. Centuries ago, we fought wars that went on for years — decades — even more than a hundred years. These wars were a constant shifting of alliances, with many prolonged lulls in actual battles too, I might add.
“Things are no different here, major. Yes, World War Three started when the Soviets gassed Western Europe. Yes, huge battles were fought around the world, battles that NATO and the democracies won. And, yes, your Vice-President was a traitor and he signed America off. But that did not end the war, Hunter. In fact, you could look at your Circle War as just one more campaign of World War Three.”
Hunter knew Heath had been right when he said his commanding officer could be very persuasive. The Wingman had never thought of The Circle War as being anything more than just that — a war for the American continent, just like the Battle for Football City. But putting it in the larger context of a continuation of World War III made some sense. It also served to light yet another fire deep down inside Hunter. Simply put: if World War III was not yet over, then the United States didn’t really lose.
Not yet, anyway.
“You see, major,” Heath said. “Those countries and states left in Western Europe are just now beginning to recognize the evil and destructiveness this Lucifer represents. No one had even heard about him until a few months ago. But obviously he’s been planning this war all along, even while he was devastating your country.
“Only now are the Western Europeans in the process of raising armies. But it’s not like the old days, when governments could issue a draft or call-up. Much of Europe now is similar to the feudal societies that prevailed hundreds of years ago. Not the strictly lord-over-peasant rubbish. But in most cases, the people work for the person who owns the land they live on or the factory they work in. Remember, while a good part of Western Europe’s population was killed in the Soviets’ gas attack, many of the buildings and factories were left standing. Indeed, that was the Russians’ aim! Kill the people but preserve the industry, the very spoils of war.
“Now some of those factories are back up and working. And the workers owe allegiance to the factory owner or whoever. It is these rather wealthy people who are raising their armies to try and stop Lucifer. They are known by the rather grandiose name of The Modern Knights.
“But you see, Hunter, we were already in place here. When the specter of Lucifer rose, The Modern Knights contacted us and asked for one thing: time. Time for them to raise, equip, train, and — most important — move their armies. We immediately saw their point and, knowing full well the critical situation, we agreed. Now they have agreed to fund our operation — with certain qualifications, that is.”
Sir Neil poured out three more drinks. Gradually, Hunter was becoming fascinated by this contemporary history lesson. Still, he had no desire to be caught up in anything which would steer him away from his very personal goaclass="underline" the pursuit of Viktor.
Sir Neil lifted his glass in another toast, but this was confined to a quick and unelaborate “Cheers” before the man drained the shot. Hunter and Heath did likewise.
“We have a plan, Major Hunter,” Sir Neil continued. “One that could thwart a large part of Lucifer’s war-making sickness. One that could strike a preemptive blow and delay this new phase of the war long enough for The Modern Knights to move their armies. But it is a bold plan. One that needs all the help we can muster. This is why, when we heard you were in the area, we wanted to contact you, major.”
Hunter once again began to speak up. “I find this all very interesting, but—”
Sir Neil raised his hand. “Please, major, let me at least tell you of our plan. I think you’ll see that our cause and your goal are one in the same.”
He paused for a moment, then continued. “Our idea is to strike quicker than Lucifer. Seize and hold a very important strategic point just a few days before The Modern Knights and their armies arrive.”
“Where is this strategic point?” Hunter asked.
Sir Neil looked at Heath, then back at Hunter. He was heartened that the American was showing some interest. “You realize, major, that this is all very, very hush-hush.”
Hunter nodded. “Of course.”
“And that if we bring you into our confidence you will become one of only about twenty individuals who know our intentions.”
“Yes, I understand,” Hunter said. His curiosity — or was it the gin? — was getting the best of him.