p&c.icelimit-第47章

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im；　something　unreadable。　His　visit　to　the　Almirante　Ramirez　had　been　brazen。　It　had　taken　cojones。　And　yet　it　bothered　him。
　He　stared　out　into　the　fog　another　moment。　Then　he　turned　to　the　deck　officer。　〃Have　the　oficial　central　de　informaciones　de　bate　report　to　the　bridge；〃　he　said　softly　but　carefully。
　
　Rolvaag；
　Midnight
　
　WHEN　MCFARLANE　arrived　on　the　bridge；　he　found　a　troubled…looking　group　of　officers　huddled　over　the　mand　station。　A　claxon　had　gone　off　and　all　hands　had　been　called　to　quarters　over　the　ship's　PA。　Britton；　who　had　sent　him　an　urgent　summons；　seemed　not　to　notice　his　arrival。　Outside　the　bank　of　windows　lay　a　haze　of　fog。　The　powerful　lights　on　the　ship's　forecastle　were　faint　pinpricks　of　yellow。
　〃Has　he　got　a　lock　on　us？〃　Britton　asked。
　〃Affirmative；〃　answered　a　nearby　officer。　〃With　targeting　radar。〃
　She　drew　the　back　of　her　hand　across　her　forehead；　then　glanced　up　and　caught　sight　of　McFarlane。　〃Where　is　Mr。　Glinn？〃　she　asked。　〃Why　isn't　he　responding？〃
　〃I　don't　know。　He　disappeared　soon　after　returning　from　the　Chilean　ship。　I've　been　trying　to　reach　him　myself。〃
　Britton　turned　to　Howell。
　〃He　may　not　be　on　the　ship；〃　the　chief　mate　said。
　〃He's　on　the　ship。　I　want　two　search　parties；　one　forward　and　one　aft。　Have　them　work　their　way　midships。　Do　a　high…order　search。　Bring　him　to　the　bridge　immediately。〃
　〃That　won't　be　necessary。〃　Glinn；　noiseless　as　ever；　had　materialized　at　McFarlane's　side。　Behind　him　were　two　men　that　McFarlane　didn't　remember　having　seen　before。　Their　shirts　bore　the　small　circular　EES　insignia。
　〃Eli；〃　McFarlane　began；　〃Palmer　Lloyd　has　been　on　the　phone　again　…　〃
　〃Dr。　McFarlane；　silence　on　the　bridge；　if　you　please！〃　Britton　barked。　The　note　of　mand　in　her　voice　was　overwhelming。　McFarlane　fell　silent。
　Britton　turned　toward　Glinn。　〃Who　are　these　men；　and　why　are　they　on　my　bridge？〃
　〃They　are　EES　employees。〃
　Britton　paused　a　moment；　as　if　digesting　this。　〃Mr。　Glinn；　I　wish　to　remind　you　…　and　Dr。　McFarlane；　as　the　onboard　representative　of　Lloyd　Industries　…　that；　as　master　of　the　Rolvaag；　I　am　the　ultimate　authority　as　to　the　handling　and　disposition　of　this　vessel。〃
　Glinn　nodded。　Or；　at　least；　McFarlane　thought　he　did；　the　gesture　was　so　slight　as　to　be　imperceptible。
　〃I　now　intend　to　exercise　my　prerogative　under　such　authority。〃
　McFarlane　noticed　that　the　faces　of　Howell　and　the　other　bridge　officers　were　hard…set。　Clearly；　something　was　about　to　happen。　And　yet　Glinn　seemed　to　receive　this　stiff　announcement　without　concern。
　〃And　how　do　you　plan　to　exercise　this　prerogative？〃
　〃That　meteorite　is　not　ing　aboard　my　ship。〃
　There　was　silence　while　Glinn　looked　at　her　mildly。　〃Captain；　I　think　it　would　be　better　if　we　discussed　this　in　private。〃
　〃No；　sir。〃　She　turned　to　Howell。　〃Begin　preparations　to　vacate　the　island。　We　leave　in　ninety　minutes。〃
　〃One　moment；　if　you　please；　Mr。　Howell。〃　Glinn's　eyes　remained　on　the　captain。　〃May　I　ask　what　precipitated　this　decision？〃
　〃You　know　my　misgivings　about　that　rock。　You've　given　me　no　assurances；　beyond　guesswork；　that　the　thing　is　safe　to　bring　aboard。　And　just　five　minutes　ago；　that　destroyer　painted　us　with　fire…control　radar。　We're　a　sitting　duck。　Even　if　the　meteorite　is　safe；　the　conditions　aren't。　A　severe　storm　is　on　its　way。　You　don't　load　the　heaviest　object　ever　moved　by　man　when　you're　staring　down　the　business　end　of　a　four…inch　gun。〃
　〃He　will　not　fire。　At　least；　not　yet。　He　believes　we　have　his　man　Timmer　in　the　brig。　And　he　seems　remarkably　eager　to　get　him　back　safely。〃
　〃I　see。　And　what　will　he　do　when　he　finds　Timmer's　dead？〃
　Glinn　did　not　answer　this　question。　〃Running　away　without　a　proper　plan　is　a　guaranteed　way　to　fail。　And　Vallenar　won't　let　us　leave　until　Timmer　is　returned。〃
　〃All　I　can　say　is　that　I'd　rather　try　running　now　than　with　a　bellyful　of　meteorite　slowing　us　down。〃
　Glinn　continued　to　regard　her　with　a　mild；　almost　sad　expression。
　A　technician　cleared　his　throat。　〃I've　got　an　inbound　air　contact　bearing　zero　zero　nine　at　thirty…five　miles。〃
　〃Track　it　and　get　me　a　call　sign；〃　Britton　said；　without　shifting　position　or　dropping　her　gaze　from　Glinn。
　There　was　a　short；　tense　silence。
　〃Have　you　forgotten　the　contract　you　signed　with　EES？〃　Glinn　asked。
　〃I've　forgotten　nothing；　Mr。　Glinn。　But　there　is　a　higher　law　which　supersedes　all　contracts：　the　law　and　custom　of　the　sea。　The　captain　has　the　last　word　on　matters　pertaining　to　her　vessel。　And；　under　present　circumstances；　I　will　not　allow　that　meteorite　on　board。〃
　〃Captain　Britton；　if　you　will　not　speak　privately　with　me；　all　I　can　do　is　assure　you　there　is　no　need　to　worry。〃　Glinn　nodded　to　his　men。　One　of　them　stepped　forward；　sitting　down　at　an　unused　puter　console　of　black　steel。　The　words　SECURE　DATAMETRICS　were　stamped　into　its　side。　The　other　man　took　up　a　position　behind　him；　his　back　to　the　console；　facing　the　bridge　officers。　McFarlane　realized　this　console　was　a　smaller　cousin　of　the　mysterious　machine　Britton　had　pointed　out　to　him　in　the　cargo　control　room。
　Britton　watched　the　two　strangers　darkly。　〃Mr。　Howell；　remove　all　EES　personnel　from　the　bridge。〃
　〃That；〃　said　Glinn　sorrowfully；　〃will　not　be　possible。〃
　Something　in　his　tone　seemed　to　make　Britton　hesitate。　〃What　do　you　mean？〃
　〃The　Rolvaag　is　a　marvelous　ship；　the　latest　in　maritime　puterization。　As　a　precaution；　EES　has　used　that　puterization　against　a　contingency　such　as　this。　You　see；　our　systems　control　the　main　puter。　Normally；　this　control　is　transparent。　But　after　the　Rolvaag　was　brought　in　to　shore；　I　deactivated　the　bypass。　Now　we　alone　have　the　authorization　codes　to　control　the　main　engines。　You　cannot　transmit　any　engine　or　rudder　orders　until　the　correct　sequence　is　punched　in。〃
　Britton　looked　at　him；　silent　fury　on　her　face。
　Howell　picked　up　a　telephone　on　the　mand　console。　〃Security　to　the　bridge；　on　the　double。〃
　Britton　turned　to　the　watch　officer。　〃Initiate　engine　sequence。〃
　There　was　a　pause　as　the　officer　entered　a　series　of　mands。　〃No　response　from　the　engines；　ma'am。　I've　got　a　dead　board。〃
　〃Run　a　diagnostic；〃　she　said。
　〃Captain；〃　continued　Glinn；　〃I'm　afraid　you　will　be　required　to　observe　the　letter　of　your　contract　whether　you　like　it　or　not。〃
　She　wheeled　suddenly；　her　eyes　locked　on　his。　She　said　something　to　him　in　a　voice　too　low　for　McFarlane　to　hear。　Glinn　stepped　forward。　〃No；〃　he　almost　whispered。　〃You　promised　to　captain　this　ship　back　to　New　York。　I　merely　added　a　safeguard　to　prevent　a　violation　of　that　promise　…　by　you；　or　by　others。〃
　Britton　fell　silent；　her　tall　frame　quivering　slightly。
　〃If　we　leave　now；　rashly；　without　a　plan；　they　will　sink　us。〃　Glinn's　voice　remained　low；　persuasive；　urgent。　〃Our　very　survival　now　depends　on　your　following　my　lead。　I　know　what　I　am　doing。〃　
　Britton　continued　looking　at　him。　〃This　will　not　stand。〃
　〃Captain；　you　must　believe　me　when　I　tell　you　that；　if　we　are　to　survive；　we　have　only　one　course　of　action。　You　must　cooperate　with　me；　or　we　will　all　die。　It　is　as　simple　as　that。〃
　〃Captain；〃　the　watch　officer　began；　〃the　diagnostics　check　out。。。〃　His　voice　died　away　as　he　saw　Britton　had　not　heard　him。
　A　group　of　security　officers　appeared　on　the　bridge。
　〃You　heard　the　captain；〃　barked　Howell；　motioning　the　security　team　forward。　〃Clear　all　EES　personnel　from　the　bridge。〃　At　the　console；　Glinn's　operatives　stiffened　in　preparation。
　And　then　Britton　slowly　held　up　a　hand。
　〃Captain　…　〃　Howell　began。
　〃They　may　remain。　〃
　Howell　looked　at　her　incredulously；　but　Britton　did　not　turn。
　There　was　a　long；　agonized　silence。　Then　Glinn　nodded　to　his　team。
　The　seated　man　took　a　stubby　metal　key　from　around　his　neck　and　inserted　it　into　the　front　of　the　console。　Glinn　stepped　forward；　typed　a　short　series　of　mands；　then　turned　to　a　numeric　keypad　and　typed　again；　briefly。
　The　watch　officer　glanced　up。　〃Sir；　the　board's　gone　green。〃
　Britton　nodded。　〃I　hope　to　God　you　do　know　what　you're　doing。〃　She　did　not　look　at　Glinn　as　she　spoke。
　〃If　you　trust　anything；　Captain；　I　hope　you　will　trust　this。　I　have　made　a　professional　pact　…　and　a　personal　one　…　to　bring　the　meteorite　to　New　York。　I　have　thrown　tremendous　resources　into　solving　any　problem　we　might　encounter　…　including　this　one。　I　…　we　…　will　not　fail。〃
　If　this　had　any　impact　on　Britton；　McFarlane　could　not　see　it。　Her　eyes　remained　distant。
　Glinn　stepped　back。　〃Captain；　the　next　twelve　hours　will　be　the　most　trying　of　the　entire　mission。　Success　now　depends　on　a　certain　subordination　of　your　authority　as　captain。　For　that　I　apologize。　But　once　the　meteorite　is　safely　in　the　holding　tank；　the　ship　will　be　yours　again。　And　by　noon　tomorrow；　we'll　be　well　on　our　way　back　to　New　York。　With　a　prize　beyond　price。〃
　As　Glinn　looked　at　her；　McFarlane　saw　him　smile：　faint；　tenuous；　but　there　nonetheless。
　Banks　stepped　out　of　the　radio　room。　〃I've　got　an　ID　on　the　bird；　ma'am。　It's　a　Lloyd　Holdings　helicopter；　sending　an　encrypted　call　sign　over　the　bridge…to…bridge　frequency。〃
　The　smile　vanished　from　Glinn's　face。　He　darted　a　look　at　McFarlane。　Don't　look　at　me；　McFarlane　almost　said。　You　should　have　kept　him　in　the　loop。　
　The　officer　at　the　radar　console　adjusted　his　headphones。　〃Captain；　he's　requesting　permission　to　land。〃
　〃ETA？〃
　〃Thirty　minutes。〃
　Glinn　turned。　〃Captain；　if　you　don't　mind；　I　have　a　few　matters　to　attend　to。　Make　any　necessary　preparations　for　our　departure　you　see　fit。　I'll　return　shortly。〃
　He　began　walking　away；　leaving　the　two　EES　employees　at　the　console。　In　the　doorway；　he　paused。　〃Dr。　McFarlane；〃　he　said；　without　looking　around。　〃Mr。　Lloyd　will　be　expecting　a　wele。　Arrange　it；　if　you　please。〃
　
　Rolvaag；
　12：30　A。M。
　
　WITH　A　depressing　sense　of　deja　vu；　McFarlane　paced　the　maindeck；　waiting　for　the　helicopter　to　approach　the　tanker。　For　interminable　minutes；　there　was　nothing　more　than　a　low　thud　of　rotors　somewhere　out　in　the　murk。　McFarlane　watched　the　frenzied　activity　that　had　begun　the　moment　the　fog　concealed　their　ship　from　the　Almirante　Ramirez。　The　bluff　loomed　beside　them；　the　crags　of　rock　softened　by　the　fog。　Atop　stood　the　shack　that　enclosed　the　meteorite。　Before　him；　the　center　tank　lay　open。　A　pale　light　drifted　upward。　McFarlane　watched　while；　with　astonishing　speed；　swarms　of　workmen　began　assembling　a　tower　of　gleaming　struts。　It　rose　out　of　the　tank；　its　metal　latticework　glowing　softly　in　the　sodium　lights。　Now；　two　derricks　swung　additional　prefabricated　pieces　of　tower　into　place。　At　least　a　dozen　welders　were　at　work　on　the　tower；　and　continuous　streams　of　sparks　cascaded　downward　onto　the　hard　hats　and　shoulders　of　the　engineers　below。　Despite　its　size　and　bulk；　the　whole　structure　looked　oddly　delicate：　a　plex　spiderweb　of　three　dimensions。　For　the　life　of　him；　McFarlane　could　not　see　how　the　meteorite　was　going　to　get　into　the　tank　once　it　was　dragged　on　top　of　the　tower。
　The　thudding　sound　grew　suddenly　louder；　and　McFarlane　trotted　back　along　the　superstructure　to　the　fantail。　The　big　Chinook　was　emerging　out　of　the　fog；　its　rotors　sending　billows　of　fine　spray　up　from　the　deck。　A　man　with　coned　flashlights　in　his　hands