“Once I have the sub crews, Msr. Laurent, and once the summer is upon us, I fully intend to send flotillas, squadrons in fact, to various points around the globe. Including, but not limited to, Europe. Can I guarantee this? No. But when summer comes, I will gladly avail you of your own boats to go clear La Belle France. Feel free. You can even leave as soon as we clear Guantanamo. If you are stupid enough to do so.
“But when and where I send my ships, my men, my boats, is up to me, gentlemen. And as to your threat to strike, Msr. Laurent, this is not the land. This is the sea. And the law of the sea says that even organizing such a movement is mutiny which is punishable by death. I would not, of course, kill you or any of these fine gentlemen. Nor the captains and mates who performed various acts to show their solidarity. I would simply strand you somewhere until there is some town you can be dropped off upon. Or, possibly, if I am feeling generous, a stout ship and you can find your own star to sail her by. In the meantime, there are people to rescue and deeds to be done by the brave. Good evening, gentlemen.”
CHAPTER 28
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep….
“I need something more than shorts and a T-shirt,” O’Toole said, his arms crossed.
The morning wasn’t cold but it was cool and there was a stiff wind. Thomas was enjoying the wind too much to notice the cold. Unfortunately, it was from the direction of the liners which meant it was a bit whiff. But he’d smelled worse for months.
“It sounds like there is more,” Walker said.
He’d met the former businessman for breakfast. Breakfast wasn’t awful but it wasn’t haute cuisine. Reconstituted scrambled eggs and more fish. There was, however, really good freshly made bread.
“I looked at the market,” O’Toole said. “They wanted five bloody chits for a pair of jeans in my size. I’m told that if we pass the course we get a free dive into what’s available. I’m waiting for that. Penny saved and all that. Where’s that bloody zodiac?”
“I doubt they keep a tight schedule,” Walker said. “But I see one inbound.”
“Anyone for the Social?” the zodiac driver asked.
“We’re supposed to meet with the nautical class on the Money,” Walker said. “Any chance of running us over there?”
“Yeah, sure,” the kid said. “You don’t want to be late. The Coast Guard fellas are bloody bastards about being late. Hop in.”
The traffic was lighter this morning and the driver cranked the zodiac to full, making the crossing in less than a minute.
“Hop out so I can run back,” he said as he slowed by the transom dock. “Don’t bother to tie off. If you can’t make that little hop, just go back to cleaning compartments.”
“I can make the jump,” O’Toole said. He stepped lightly off the zodiac followed by Walker. “Thanks.”
“Cheers mate,” the driver said, splashing off.
“I suppose that’s our future,” O’Toole said. “Being a bloody taxi driver. And now I’m wet.”
“I suspect we’re going to be wet a lot,” Walker said. “We’ve got twenty minutes. Let’s go see if we can con some Russian chick out of a cup of coffee.”
As it turned out, the coffee bar was free. And the coffee was even good. So, apparently, was the tea.
“Gods I missed this,” O’Toole said, savoring the Earl Grey. “The fact that Twinings is no more is a severe blow to the world. I wasn’t going to bring it up with the others, but what do you think of the commodore’s little lecture last night?”
“I think I need to get into the salvage business,” Walker said. “Officially or unofficially.”
“I had the same thought,” O’Toole said. “Problem being, the bloody zombies.”
“The problem being, no guns,” Walker said. “I suppose I could use a machete… ”
“I was having a serious conversation, Yank,” O’Toole said.
“So was I,” Walker said. “You can kill someone with a machete. I’d prefer a gun, though.”
“So you have some experience in those matters?” O’Toole asked.
“Yes,” Thomas said. “But I wasn’t interested in being a master-at-arms.”
“A what?” O’Toole asked.
“Navy security force,” Thomas said. “I’d rather just spend some time on these yachts. Among other things, it will cover the dos and don’ts of salvage in the current climate. There are going to be don’ts.”
There were Marines starting to filter into the area and a Marine corporal walked to the coffee bar.
“Good morning, Corporal,” Walker said, more or less automatically. He even said it with a bit of command voice and reminded himself he was under cover.
“Good morning, sir,” the corporal said. To Walker’s surprise, he fixed a cup of green tea.
“Green tea?” Walker said.
“For the Lieutenant, sir,” the Corporal said as a very young looking blonde walked over. She was wearing pips on her collar.
“For you, ma’am,” the Corporal said, diffidently.
“You didn’t have to do that, Derek,” the girl said, dimpling. “But thank you.”
“Lieutenant,” Walker said. “May I ask if you are Probationary Third Lieutenant Faith Marie Smith?”
“Yes, I am,” the girl said, looking at him with suddenly dark eyes. The Corporal tensed a bit as well. “Why?”
“What is your issue with the 1911 if I may ask?” Walker said.
“You must have taken the fire-arms test,” the girl said, grinning just as suddenly. More dimples. “Seven rounds. Okay, seven plus one. H amp;K has twelve plus one. And I’ve been in too many scrums where twelve was better than seven. And you can shoot it underwater. If you get it out in time,” she added, darkening again.
“You can shoot a 1911 under water,” Walker said.
“Ever done it?” the girl asked. “My Da shot a hammerhead with an H amp;K. Okay, the polymer frame is an issue. I had one crack on me the other day and finding a new one’s going to be a bitch. But other than that, I’m a big fan. Like the response says, it’s a religion thing.”
“I take it that AK was the right answer,” Walker said. “Although, I prefer a custom. The manufactured versions are robust but clumsy. What is your problem with the M4, if I may?”
“Oh, good God, sir!” the Corporal said. “Please don’t get her started on Barbie guns!”
“Barbie guns?” Walker said. “As in, M4 SOP Mod, Barbie for Guys?”
“As in made of plastic by Mattel,” the girl said. “And they don’t kill zombies. They’re a bloody toy. AK puts them down with one to two rounds. Barbie guns it’s five to seven. And they zip right through the target. The United States started going downhill… ”
“When the military changed from a round designed to kill the enemies of our glorious Republic to one designed to piss them off… ” the corporal finished.
“Your quote?” Walker asked.
“My father’s,” the Lieutenant said. “But I agree.”
“Do you get many proposals of marriage, Miss?” Walker asked.
“Haven’t had one today,” the girl answered, grinning. “But Lieutenant Fontana pointed out that fourteen is legal in Arkansas. I told him of we cleared Arkansas by the time I was fourteen we’d talk.”
“ ‘By the time you’re fourteen’?” O’Toole said. “How old are you, Miss?”
“Thirteen,” the girl said. “Almost fourteen. So time’s a wastin’.”
“And a Marine Lieutenant?” O’Toole said. “Bloody hell. We must be stretched!”
“She’s earned it, sir,” Corporal Douglas said, loyally. “Shewolf was born a Marine, sir.”
“Thanks, Derk,” the girl said, punching him on the arm. “Love you, too.”