The Alpha Protocol: Alpha Protocol Book 1 by Duncan Hamilton (read more books .txt) 📕

been no mention of what had happened to the Nautilus and the Peterson, although the Admiralty had observed the live data feed just as they had on the Bounty. Samson realised there was little to say. He hadn’t known any of the personnel well enough to warrant being offered condolences. They had been destroyed, and the fleet under Admiral Khaimov was on its way. Samson and Iyabo both knew that, and action would be decided upon when the fleet arrived. There was no need to belabour it.

‘You didn’t leak any information about what was going on during your previous visit?’

‘I…’ Samson took a deep breath. ‘It would appear Smith managed to get a tracking and transmitting device on board the Bounty while we were searching his space yacht.’

‘So he would have been able to listen in on what happened with the Peterson and Nautilus.’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘I presume there’ll be full details in your report?’

‘There will, sir.’

Iyabo let out a sigh. ‘Considering everything that’s happened, I don’t think you can be blamed for losing focus. Be completely up front in your report, and I’ll do my best to ensure you don’t suffer for it. Just don’t let it happen again. In any event, I don’t think him knowing changes my view on how we should proceed.

‘The possibilities his offer raises are too great to chance turning down or missing out on by trying to be too clever. I’ll recommend to the Admiralty that we grab Kingsley’s proposal with both hands. It’ll be my first order of business once I’m off this call, so I should have an answer for you in a couple of hours. Hang tight until then, but be ready to move as soon as I get back to you. If that ship exists, I want it secured by naval personnel ASAP. We won’t be waiting for Admiral Khaimov to get there. I trust you’re focused again, and up to the job?’

‘I am, sir.’

‘Good. Everyone here realises what strained circumstances you’re operating under out there. You’re doing sterling work, and that hasn’t gone unnoticed. Keep it up.’

‘Thank you, sir. One other thing, sir. Admiral Khaimov’s squadron?’

‘Still six days away,’ Iyabo said. ‘It takes a long time to recharge the agitators between jumps on a ship as large as the Warspite. Rest assured they’re making best possible speed to you. We were all horrified to hear the Peterson’s transmission and saddened that Captain Wright’s… hopes for a peaceful interaction were dashed. We’re under no illusions here that a peaceful solution is available, and we all know the pressure you’re under out there on your own. No one expects you to be a hero, Lieutenant Commander. Do your duty and keep your people safe. Stay as far away from that alien warship as you can. I’ll be back to you as soon as I have your orders.’

‘It sticks in my craw to say this,’ Commodore Iyabo said, ‘but I’m transmitting Arthur Kingsley’s pardon through to you now, on the terms he requested. I had the singular pleasure of hunting this son of a bitch for two years when I was captain of the Talwar. He’s responsible for the deaths of a dozen naval personnel, and countless others. Some of them people under my command. This is not a man to trust.’

‘I’d come to that conclusion also,’ Samson said. ‘But I agree that this opportunity is too good to pass up.’

‘If at any point it comes to it, shoot first and ask questions later. I will lose no sleep over breaking our word on this deal. All being well we stick to it, but if Kingsley—or Smith, or whatever he wants to call himself—so much as looks at you in a way you don’t like, you shoot him. Understood?’

‘Aye, sir.’

‘Good. Once you take possession of the alien vessel, you will hold it unless faced with overwhelming opposition. It’s up to you to make the call on that, but we want that ship. You will continue to do so until you are relieved by a Marine and combat engineer task force. Those are your orders. Proceed with all expedition, Lieutenant Commander.’

33

Holmwood was starting to take on a familiar feel by the time Samson returned with Smith’s pardon. He had left the depot as soon as he’d finished speaking with Commodore Iyabo; he’d rushed out of the space port, eager to get to Smith, and the ship he had discovered, as quickly as possible. He left Price outside, knowing now that Smith liked to conduct his business in private. Considering he was giving Smith what he wanted, Samson didn’t have any concerns about his personal safety.

Sirion Bates seemed genuinely delighted at Samson’s arrival, even if Samson viewed him as an unavoidable unpleasantness. As usual, Bates offered Samson every type of hospitality at his disposal, but all Samson wanted to do was get past this diversion with as little interaction as possible. Samson turned the offers down in a fashion bordering on what could still be considered polite, and decided to pass the address on to the Fleet Provost Division when they arrived, to make a thorough investigation of the brothel to ensure every employee was there of their own free will and were being well treated. Nonetheless, it injured Samson’s soul every time he passed through with neither the resources nor the time to do anything about it.

Bates took Samson’s refusal in greasy good humour, and Samson wanted to punch him in the face. He suspected Bates would be enjoying the rewards from assisting Smith for some months to come. If the aliens didn’t show up to pummel the city into the dust. Or the provost marshal. Samson wasn’t sure which he preferred.

Smith arrived not long after Samson with the casual air of a man who has no real callings on his time. The joys of being retired? Samson wondered. People made their plans according to Smith’s schedule, and it seemed he had no intention of making an exception for the Navy.