Weapons of choice

"I'm afraid there are a number of holes in that argument, Ms. Duffy," he answered in a pleasant, level tone. "But most importantly, you seem to have mistaken me for the secretary of state. No doubt she would be happy to answer your question, but I'm afraid my job isn't to argue, analyze, or set our government's foreign policy; I simply do my best to see that it's carried out. Any first-year political science student would understand the distinction."

He allowed himself a slightly wolfish grin at that. To the reporter's credit, she didn't even blush.

"And are you equipped to carry out that policy, Admiral? This Multinational Force is a bit of a kludge, isn't it?"

He actually laughed. Once again she had given voice to his private thoughts, using the very words he would have used-if he had felt like putting a bullet into his career. He turned the moment of bleak amusement back on her.

"Ms. Duffy, I have the better part of a carrier battle group here, a Marine Expeditionary Unit, and some of the very best assets our friends and allies could pour into the breach at short notice. The Rising Jihad talk a mighty good game, but until now they've been terrorizing office workers and unarmed, illiterate peasants. I wish them the best of luck should they try it with us."

"But you're also facing renegade units of the Indonesian armed forces, are you not, and intervention by Beijing if the mass murder of the ethnic Chinese population continues?"

"Once again you're asking me to comment outside my area of responsibility. I can only remind you that the Chinese government fully supported the creation of this force and voted for it in the Security Council. And as for the TNI, yes, a number of units have gone over to the insurgency, but the majority of the Indonesian armed forces are standing with the legitimate, elected government. As a matter of fact, we have two Indonesian navy ships sailing with us. They will accompany the Multinational Force at every stage of this operation."

Duffy smiled as if at some private joke, further irritating Kolhammer. He suspected she was well aware of the Sutanto and the Nuku, and already knew that they were little better than state-sponsored pirates. But mercifully she chose not embarrass him over it.

"The majority of the Indonesian armed forces have simply melted away, though, haven't they?" she asked.

"Well, if that proves to be the case, they won't bear worrying about, will they, Ms. Duffy?" Kolhammer said as he pointedly looked at his watch.

"Just one last question, sir?"

"You don't have to call me sir, Ms. Duffy."

"Marvelous. Thank you, sir. Now about the civilian vessel you have with you…"

"The Nagoya."

"Yes. Can you tell me anything about its role in this operation?"

"It has none," he answered truthfully. "It's a research vessel that got caught up in the crisis. The Leyte Gulf, one of our Nemesis cruisers, was acting as security during the sea trials of some equipment aboard her-and before you ask, no, I can't discuss those in detail. I can tell you that it has something to do with ocean bed resource mapping. But they do have some very expensive toys on board, and the Nagoya had to transit waters infested by pirates to reach the proving grounds off Perth; hence the escort. Now that the Leyte Gulf has been assigned to this task force, we'll need to find somebody to chaperone the Nagoya. Then she'll be making her way back home. I understand New Zealand is sending a frigate for that very purpose."

Duffy sucked at her pencil again, affecting a look of deep thought. "Really? That's not what I hear."

"Well, why don't you ask the project's venture partners for an interview? I believe they're headquartered in New York. Not too far from your paper, in fact. I'm sure their shareholders would love the coverage-if you could convince your editor to run a piece on seabed mapping. I'll ask Lieutenant Thieu to zap you their contact details."

Kolhammer watched her interest curl up and die.

"No, that's all right, but thanks anyway," she said.

His smile was lit with genuine warmth for the first time. "Then we're done here. Now if you'll excuse me, Ms. Duffy, I really do have a full schedule."

The reporter thanked him and walked with him to the cabin door, where Lieutenant Thieu was waiting to escort her back to the Media Center. Like many civilians, she was quietly entranced by the military's Old World manners. At the Media Center Kolhammer bid her good-bye and carried on up to the flag bridge, where the Clinton's executive officer, Commander Mike Judge, was waiting for him.

"How'd it go, sir?" asked the softly spoken Texan, after the formalities of the admiral's arrival were completed.

"I shall never ignore a suggestion from Lieutenant Thieu again," he said, grinning ruefully. "Thank God that's over with. Now, is Captain Chandler joining us?"