Brian Lumley [Necroscope 13] [E Branch 03] Avengers v1.0

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briefed by Gunnery Commander Argyle who I'm sure must have explained something
of what we saw on the Evening Star's bridge yet you still expect me to take these men
with me, and not one of them knowing a single damn' thing about what's happening
here?'
Captain Arthur McKenzie wasn't used to being spoken to like this, but on the
other hand he did recognise Trask's authority. Unfortunately, however, with the sun
already touching the horizon, there was no time left for polite explanations. And, 'No,' he
answered, 'I don't expect anything of you, Mr Trask. But the Admiralty, the Fleet Air
Arm, and even your own ministerial superior they do. And on this occasion I'm only
following orders. One of these soldiers is a qualified helicopter pilot. His duty is to bring
back the stranded chopper. The other five... have their orders.'
'What orders?' Trask was dumbfounded.
'First, to protect you,' said the straight-backed, bearded, broad-shouldered and
unblinking Captain, 'and second to immobilise and secure at least one living specimen
which is to say an infected person from that vessel and return him or her to Invincible
for onward conveyance to London and the proper authorities.'
'Authorities? Meaning the boffins at Porton Down?'
The Captain nodded. 'Who we would assume are the experts in such matters.'
Trask shook his head. 'I can't believe the Minister Responsible I mean my, er,
ministerial superior would hamper me in this way.'
'Hamper you?' Now McKenzie bridled. 'By giving you the protection of these
marines, these superb soldiers? Well, allow me to inform you, Mr Trask, that the only
reason you're going back to the Evening Star at all is that your "Minister Responsible"
pleaded your case with my superiors! And what's more, if you don't board this helicopter
now without wasting any more valuable time as your host and the Captain of this
warship I may take it upon my own shoulders to redefine the orders I've received. In
which case I'm empowered to let these men go without you!'
'Captain,' said Trask, a note of desperation creeping into his voice now, 'look, you
really don't understand. This infection we're talking about isn't anything like you've been
led to believe it is.'
McKenzie nodded. 'I know what you're going to say, Mr Trask. For indeed
Commander Argyle did brief me. And yes, I'm aware of what you saw on that bridge.
The Asiatic plague has mutated and does to men what rabies does to wild animals...
turns them into killers. But, you see, two of my marines are also carrying dart guns with
a powerful sedative that will knock a man down in seconds. And so that I'll be able to
follow their progress, the WO has an audio-visual transmitter in his headset: a camera
linked to Invincible's screens. So I'll be with you in a lot more than spirit. And believe
me, I won't allow you to interfere. You may advise by all means, but leave the work to
the marines. I think you can be fairly certain that they won't, er, "hamper" you.'
As he finished speaking the Captain turned away and whirled his hand over his
head. And on the helipad the rotors of a Mark VI Sea King twitched into life as the
marines boarded in single file.
Trask looked this way and that and licked his lips. 'And is that it? You're not going
to listen to ?' He was about to say 'reason.' But:
' That's it!' Captain McKenzie cut in. 'On my next signal she takes off with or
without you. There are extra NBC suits aboard. I'd advise you to put them on, even if
you don't get to set foot on the Evening Star.'
'What?' said Trask. 'What did you say? Even if we don't get to set foot on...?
Hell's teeth! We're the only people who know what's going on here, and you '
Jake Cutter took his elbow. Er, Mr Trask? Sir? The Captain is right. We're
'
fortunate that we have the opportunity to watch the operation from beginning to end. I'm
sure that will suffice for our, er, Minister Responsible? And now we really should get
aboard, right?' His grip on Trask's arm was like iron.
Trask looked at Jake, and as the down draught from the chopper built up he
turned to the telepath Liz Merrick. Half-shrugging, she leaned forward and whispered,
'You'd be making a mistake to think McKenzie's bluffing. For just a moment back there,
he was even thinking to throw you in the brig! A passing thought, yes, but if we're going
it has to be now.'
Trask stamped for the big chopper's ramp, but as the others got aboard he
turned and shouted, 'Captain McKenzie, these men, these marines... they're not my
responsibility.'
'Of course they're not!' the Captain shouted back.
And Trask nodded. 'Just you remember that,' he said, before climbing aboard.
_
_
A marine with a Warrant Officer Class 2's insignia on the wrist of his NBC suit told
Trask, 'Sir, it will take you maybe ten to fifteen minutes to get into one of these suits.
And we're only fifteen minutes to target.'
'Target?' said Trask, whose thoughts were elsewhere.
'Our destination,' the other shrugged. He had pulled aside his headgear and gas
mask in order to talk. Most of his men had done likewise for easy breathing en route to
the Star.
Trask was still feeling sour but the mood was quickly falling off him. For, after all,
it wasn't these people's fault that they were caught up in this. They were just following
orders however stupid those orders might appear to be. Also, from what Trask had [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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