The Final Spark

  Evil to Come

  The compound’s mess hall was designed to seat a thousand Elgen soldiers and was easily large enough to accommodate the small Tuvaluan force. The room was dull and gray, but the emotion was bright and festive. The Tuvaluan cooks were happy to be with their own people again, and they joyfully cooked the traditional foods they were not usually allowed to make: cassava, boiled tapioca, curry, and stew with fish and beef. They made special Tuvaluan bread and cakes and dipped into the Elgen’s best butter, wine, and cream. They also cooked large, meaty steaks imported from New Zealand that had been reserved for the Elgen officers. They made enough food to provide the soldiers with as much as they could eat and some to take away.

  Enele walked among his soldiers, observing them and shouting, “Eat up. The next feast you have will be on free Tuvaluan soil.”

  After the small army had eaten, Enele told the cooks to eat their fill and then to prepare as much bread and food as they could for the coming days of battle. All the cooks volunteered to follow Enele into battle. They took about seventy-five soldiers and ransacked the Elgen’s food supplies, filling the trucks with the Elgen’s food and bottled water.

  After Enele had eaten, he gathered his leaders together. The men were in high spirits—a few of them high on spirits.

  “We are an unstoppable force,” Nazil said, lifting a glass of wine. “We have put down the Elgen.”

  “We put down thirty drunk accountants,” Enele said grimly, angry to see his men so quickly off guard. “Drink no more.”

  Nazil set his glass down. “Sorry, sir.”

  “When do we sail to Funafuti?” Adam asked.

  Enele paused a moment, then said, “We’re not sailing to Funafuti.”

  The men looked at him in disbelief.

  “You’re joking with us, Enele,” Raphe said.

  “I don’t joke about serious matters. We’re not sailing to Funafuti. We’re sailing to Nui.”

  The men looked back and forth at one another. “Nui?” Zeel said, not hiding his disapproval. “Why would we sail to Nui? That is the opposite direction. It’s time we attacked. We have soldiers. We have found more weapons and ammunition than we hoped for. Our people need us. It is time.”

  “I will tell you when it is time,” Enele said. “Yes, our people need us. Our country needs us. But this is not our way. We are sailing to Nui.”

  The men glanced furtively at one another with concern.

  “Excuse me, sir,” Adam said. “But what is not our way?”

  Enele took a deep breath. “I have just learned that the great Elder Malakai is still alive and residing on the island of Nui. We will not go to battle until we have counseled with him.”

  “Enele,” Zeel said. “I beg you to please reconsider. This change of course could delay us three or four days. Any delay gives the Elgen more time to build up strength. Just a few minutes ago the cooks told us that new Elgen soldiers are arriving on Funafuti every day. They are growing in strength. Soon our window of advantage will be gone.”

  Enele looked disturbed. “I know the risk,” he said. “This was originally not my plan. But my heart has guided me correctly so far. I feel that this is something we must do.”

  “But, Enele,” Nazil said. “We—”

  Enele abruptly stood. “This is not a matter open to discussion. We will set sail at four a.m. Have your soldiers ready.” He turned and walked out of the room, leaving the men sitting in stunned silence.

  “Adam,” Zeel said. “Go after him. He listens to you. You must talk sense to him.”

  “I’ll do what I can,” Adam said. He got up and ran out the door after him.

  When he reached Enele’s side, Enele said, “You wish to discuss the matter more?”

  “You said this is not a matter open to discussion,” Adam said.

  “But you would if I allowed,” Enele said. “Or perhaps the group sent you to reason with me. Why else would you run to catch up with me?”

  “Yes, they asked me to speak to you. But that is not why I ran after you. I ran to you because it is not wise that the leader of our nation walk alone, in the dark, on enemy ground.”

  Enele stopped and looked at him. “Thank you. But this is not enemy ground. This is our home.”

  “It was our home,” Adam said.

  “Exactly. And it will be again.” Enele’s voice softened. “I do value your advice. What would you like to say about my change in plans?”

  Adam looked down uncomfortably, then back up into Enele’s eyes. “I have such respect for you. Always. So please, if what I say is foolishness, just tell me and I will own it.”

  “Speak,” Enele said.

  “I would like to say that I would never disagree with you in front of the others, but it seems to me that Zeel was right. Every day brings added danger. Every day the Elgen grow stronger. The gods have blessed us with great weapons and people willing to fight. So between us, as friends, as my leader, are you sure this change of course is right?”

  Enele was silent for a moment, then said, “No. In this crazy new world, I am sure about few things. But I am sure about the wisdom of our elders.” Enele looked Adam in the eyes. “I have always considered you wise for your age. But still, you are young in years, so there is much you don’t know about this world, even in our small corner of it.

  “Many years ago, at the inauguration ceremony of my grandfather, there was, as is our custom, a great celebration. For six days we ate our traditional foods and laughed and danced. There was much wine and yaqona. After nearly a week everyone was . . .”

  “Happy?” Adam said.

  A slight smile bent Enele’s lips. “. . . wasted.”

  Adam laughed.

  “Not me, of course. I was only eight years old. But during those days I noticed that the Elder Malakai was not celebrating with everyone else. He alone was solemn and grim. I don’t know why it bothered me so, but it did. I took him a glass of wine to drink, but he said, ‘I will not partake.’ I said, ‘You do not drink to my grandfather?’ He replied, ‘I do not celebrate.’ His words angered me. ‘Then you do not accept my grandfather as our new leader?’ ‘That is not why I do not celebrate,’ he said. ‘Your grandfather is a great man. And I mourn for him.’ ‘Mourn?’ I said. ‘Why would you mourn?’ He looked at me and said, ‘There is evil to come in this world. Evil without a name. Evil that will, in time, reach even our small islands. It is that I mourn. For what begins with a crown will end with a cage.’ ”

  Adam’s jaw dropped. “He really said that?”

  “It’s not something I would ever forget. After that, for the longest time I didn’t like Elder Malakai. But my grandfather respected him, so my grandfather often invited him to our home for the annual festivities. I, having wise parentage, showed the elder due respect, but I avoided talking to him or being with him.

  “Many years later, on the night of the Tuvalu Independence Day, Elder Malakai said, ‘Enele, come to me. We must talk.’ I obeyed uncomfortably. He looked at me for what seemed a long time. Then he said, ‘You do not like me.’

  “I started to make some excuse about why I never talked to him, when he raised his hand. ‘Do not add deceit to your troubled heart. You do not like me because many years ago I shared with you unhappy news. Listen carefully to me now. It does not matter to me whether you like me or not. I like you, and that is enough. So I wish to give you this wisdom. If you love only those who give you happy news, you will never love those worthy of your trust. For those who love you will speak truth, and truth is not always happy, but it is always a blessing.’ He then smiled and patted me on the back. ‘You are a good boy, Enele. A strong boy. You will bless your people someday. In your hands you hold the future of our nation.’ ” Enele took a deep breath, then looked into Adam’s eyes. “So, my friend, what do you think I should do?”

  “I think we should sail to Nui as soon as possible.”

  Enele smiled and put his arm around the young man. “I thought you might agree. No
w let’s get some sleep. Tomorrow comes far too soon.”

  PART FIVE

  11

  Hatch Arrives

  The life pod that Hatch and twelve crewmen had taken when escaping from the sinking Faraday was no speedboat. On smooth seas she could only reach speeds of twelve knots. But with stormy seas and a fair headwind that blew them off course, they were slowed considerably and it took nearly twenty-six hours for the boat and its occupants to reach the island of Nike.

  When they reached the island, everyone on board the pod was ill and the floor was wet and sticky with seawater and vomit. Hatch was apoplectic. All but Hatch and three of his guards had been blinded by the flash, and the helplessness and moaning of his men only added to his rage.

  As the pod approached Nike, the men working the dock were surprised to see them. They had expected large boats returning, not a single escape pod. They pulled the vessel in tight, securing it to the dock’s cleats. They were even more surprised when they discovered that Admiral-General Hatch was one of the pod’s occupants.

  Hatch practically burst from the pod, closely followed by the three guards who still had their eyesight. “Get me out of this puke,” he growled. He had ample reasons to be furious. In addition to losing his ship and armies and having to endure the long, uncomfortable journey to Nike, he was also afraid. He was afraid because he was vulnerable. If the Tuvaluan natives decided to reclaim their islands right then, he could be overrun before help arrived.

  “Get us to the plant,” he shouted to the first dockworker he saw. “Now.”

  “What about the others on board?” the dockworker asked.

  Hatch ignored the question.

  “You’re going to have to come back for them,” one of the guards answered. “They’re blind.”

  The men looked back and forth at one another. “Where should we take them?”

  “Take them to the plant,” Hatch said. “We’ll find something to do with them.”

  “Rat food,” one of the dock men mumbled.

  Within minutes an olive-green Hummer pulled up to the dock. Hatch and his three guards climbed in, then sped off to the Starxource plant. The gates opened as they approached, and the Hummer didn’t stop until it had pulled past a raised metal door of the plant, which shut immediately behind them. Hatch climbed out of the car. As he walked inside the plant, he was greeted by EGG Amon and EGG Grant.

  “Welcome back, sir. It’s good to see you.”

  “Come with me,” Hatch said.

  As he followed Hatch down the corridor, Amon said, “We lost all radio contact. What is the status of the siege?”

  Hatch turned and scowled. “The status is that our forces were decimated.”

  The EGG looked at him blankly. “How did that come about?”

  “Somehow Vey went supernova and exploded himself like a nuclear bomb. He wiped out everything.” Then he said in a softer tone, as if to himself, “At least Vey is gone.”

  “How many men did we lose?”

  “Everyone. As far as I know, we’re the only survivors. Which means we’re vulnerable. We need to rally our guards to the plant. Immediately. I want our forces brought in immediately from Fiji, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Taiwan. Leave only enough men to guard the plants. I want the Lung Li here. Contact the Philippine Navy. I want the Joule refueled and out to sea immediately.”

  The EGG swallowed. “I have news regarding the Joule, sir.”

  Hatch’s eyes narrowed, as if daring the EGG to give more bad news. “What?”

  “The Joule has been hijacked. We picked up the crew two hours ago.”

  Hatch erupted. “Hijacked?! By whom?”

  “The traitor Welch and the Glows.”

  Hatch’s face turned so red, the EGG feared his general might suffer an aneurism.

  “How many guards do we have on this island?”

  “Twenty-eight, sir. That includes the Joule’s crew and those in the center guarding the cages.”

  “We’ll deal with the Joule’s crew later. How many nonmilitary personnel do we have on the island?”

  “Including scientists?”

  “Every last man and woman.”

  “Thirty-six, sir.”

  “That leaves us sixty-four plus the five of us. Secure the compound. Electrify all fences to lethal levels. I don’t care whether they’ve ever touched a gun or not, I want everyone armed and loaded in case the natives revolt. There will be complete radio silence. There is to be no mention on air of what has happened; we can’t afford to let this information slip out. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “The natives probably don’t know we’re exposed. Let’s keep it that way.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Where are Bryan and Kylee?”

  “In their quarters, sir.”

  “Send them to me.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Hatch turned to leave.

  “Where are you going now, sir?”

  “To get back my boat.”

  PART SIX

  12

  Self-Destruct

  There were three quick bursts of static on the Joule’s radio, followed by a sustained voiceless transmission.

  “Is that normal?” Jack asked Zeus. It had been seven hours since Welch had gone to bed, and Jack and Zeus were still sitting at the Joule’s controls. Everyone else except Kiki had come up to the Conn as well.

  “How would I know?” Zeus said. He turned to Ostin.

  “No idea,” Ostin said. “Proprietary.”

  “Whatever that means,” Jack said. “I don’t want to wake Welch.”

  “We could call the radio guy,” Zeus said.

  “Welch said no Elgen allowed in the Conn.”

  “So, we keep him outside the door. He steps inside, I’ll drop him.”

  Jack thought a moment. “All right. You and Ian go get him.”

  “Okay,” Zeus said.

  About two minutes later they returned with the radioman. He looked like they had woken him, which they had.

  “You sent for me, sir?”

  Jack looked at him. “There were just three loud blasts from the radio. Is that normal?”

  “No, sir,” the radioman said. “That would mean someone was trying to contact us. But that’s impossible.”

  “Why is that impossible?”

  “No one knows the frequencies except EHQ.”

  “EHQ?” Jack said.

  “Elgen Headquarters.”

  There was another burst of static. Then an amber light started flashing on the control board.

  “What’s that?” Jack asked.

  The man looked afraid. “That’s a problem.”

  “Why?”

  “We’re being hailed by Elgen command.”

  Jack pushed a button on the panel next to him. “Welch, it’s Jack. We’ve got a problem.”

  “I’ll be right there,” Welch said.

  A minute later Welch walked into the room. Jack stood, and Welch took the captain’s seat. “What’s going on?”

  “The Elgen HQ is trying to contact us,” the radioman said.

  “Get the COB.”

  “He’s on his way,” Jack said.

  “I’m here,” the COB said, walking into the Conn. “What’s going on?”

  “EHQ transmission,” the radioman said. “Emergency frequency.”

  The COB turned to Welch. “Someone at Elgen Headquarters wants to talk to us.”

  “All right,” Welch said. “Let’s find out who. Open communications.”

  Hatch’s voice suddenly burst over the Joule’s radio. “This is Admiral-General Hatch. To those who have hijacked the Joule, you cannot escape. We are tracking your movements. You have ten minutes to turn my boat around, or I will detonate the self-destruct.” His voice changed to somewhat less official. “What were you thinking, Welch? You fool.”

  “Good try, Jimmy,” Welch said, knowing how much Hatch hated it when people didn’t call him by one of his self-a
ppointed titles. “First, may I tell you how genuinely disappointing it is to learn that you’re still alive. Second, I don’t take orders from you anymore. And third, I don’t believe you have a self-destruct mechanism. What sane man would put a self-destruct mechanism on a boat? Especially one that’s carrying all your money. Not that the word ‘sane’ has ever applied to you.”

  “There is a self-destruct,” the COB frantically mouthed to Welch. Welch glanced at him but didn’t say a word.

  “A brilliant man,” Hatch said. “Especially on one carrying all my money. There are pirates in this world, and I, having foresight, as well as sanity, have prepared for fools like you. The Joule is carrying more than two billion dollars in jewels, currency, and bullion. I can sink it and salvage the treasure later. It’s just like changing accounts.”

  “Then why didn’t you just sink it already?”

  “I have crew on board.”

  “What? You suddenly grew a heart? It’s a medical miracle,” Welch said. “Come on, James. I know you better than that. Hostages mean nothing to you.”

  “Yes, you do know me. But there are people on board who have information I desire about the resistance. That and the fact that the Joule took three years and three hundred million dollars to build. She’s a treasure herself. All things considered, I would rather not destroy it.”

  “You’re going to have to,” Welch said. “If you can. Because we’re not turning back.”

  The captain again mouthed emphatically, “There is a self-destruct.”

  Again Welch ignored him. “Go ahead, Jimmy. Show me your self-destruct.”

  “You have no idea how tempted I am,” Hatch said. “But enough of your insolence. I presume you have Ian on board. Tell him to look above the sonar panel, about six feet into the component. There he will find a GSX explosive device with an electronic detonator. It’s not hard to find, as it is marked as such. There is enough slurry to blow an eight-foot hole in the wall of the boat and puncture both ballast tanks.”

  Welch turned to Ian, who was looking at him. “Can you see it?”

  “Just a minute . . .” Ian walked over to the panel and began examining it. After a moment he looked back at Welch and nodded.