Whiskey Lima Golf, page 24
Taking a deep breath, Connor replies a little uneasy, “Okay, I guess it’s just like the other day.”
“You got it my man. Now phone the others and ask them to confirm Darryl is there and if he isn’t, to get here ASAP. Got it?”
“Got it,” Connor answers, picking up his phone.
Surveying the scene with his binoculars, Devon adds, “And look who’s stepping out of the passenger’s door of the truck.”
Tom takes a quick look outside and sees the Iranian agent walk to the front of the truck waving to the straddle carrier driver. He smiles and taps a number on his phone, “Trekka… Good… yes, confirmed, all go!”
“How do you want to play this, brother?” Devon asks.
Picking up his clipboard and putting his white hard hat on, Tom grins, “I believe I can see some Health and Safety non-compliance out there, can’t you bro?”
Scooping his helmet up on to his head in one fluid movement, Devon laughs, “A major hazard if I ever saw one, brother.”
***
Dani bursts into the cafeteria, swinging the door open quickly, nearly hitting a surprised stevedore about to exit.
“So sorry, have you seen Darryl?” Dani apologises.
“Watch it miss. Darryl who?” The bearded man asks.
“Darryl Bigham, ah… what about Hamish?”
“Oh, Hamish is out the side, having a gasper,” he points to the side door.
“Thanks,” Dani races for the side door, scanning the room’s occupants.
She steps outside, back into the bright sun and interrupts the social smokers’ conversation, “Excuse me, Hamish, have you seen Darryl?”
“No, he’s not due for a break for another hour,” Hamish answers.
“Damn, I know I saw him leave his crane thingee about fifteen minutes ago,” Dani states.
One of the smokers laughs, “Did you hear that boys, crane thingee!”
“Darryl drives the green straddle carrier miss, unless…” Hamish thinks.
“He’s pinched someone else’s,” Dani finishes, then urgently asserts, “We’ve got to get over to the shed!”
Hamish throws his cigarette on the ground and crushes it beneath his old abused work boots. “This way then Miss.” He leads her out the side gate towards his cart.
***
“I’m sorry Kendrick, but you can’t move your teams portside just yet, or you will compromise one of our ongoing operations,” Virginia explains.
“Now wait just a goddamn minute! You promised full cooperation Ma’am,” Kendrick explodes his face beet red.
“On the proviso that you won’t compromise…” Virginia patiently attempts to clarify, before being rudely cut off.
“I don’t care what peewee little operation you may be running. There’s an American vessel sitting at the port with sensitive cargo waiting for my team to escort it, and it’s critical that I make sure it gets delivered safely and on time!”
“Oh, so you’re a glorified courier driver now, are you Kendrick?” Virginia baits.
His face flushes an even deeper shade of red. “I’ll have you know Ma’am, that particular package is an ultra-secret state of the art CIA spy satellite that is to be launched by your Space Agency! And I intend to make sure it gets there safely!”
“And just why wasn’t our Government informed of this? You do realise that launching a spy satellite is illegal in New Zealand.” Virginia asks coolly.
“It’s on a strict need-to-know basis and my boss obviously didn’t think you needed to know,” Kendrick replies in a low tone.
“Under our Five Eyes agreement, this should have been disclosed to me so I could have informed our Prime Minister. He needs to know this!” Virginia objects.
“Well, consider yourself informed,” Kendrick says through gritted teeth.
Glancing at her watch, Virginia asks, “Are we ever going to be able to work together like equals Kendrick? Or is your tactless bulldozer style just something I’m going to have to put up with?”
Taken aback at being called out, Kendrick smirks, “May I remind you that your country is a very junior member in our Intelligence partnership and we have long memories of you breaking up our ANZUS military alliance.”
“Check your facts Kendrick, it was you Americans that abandoned the ANZUS agreement and shut us out,” Virginia presses.
“We have the largest naval fleet in the world, and you Kiwis started chucking your weight around and had the audacity to question our nuclear status!” Kendrick snaps.
“Unlike your government, WE never quit our responsibilities in the South Pacific. And guess who’s filled the vacuum since you left eh? Ensnaring our neighbours with debt entrapment, and guess who’s been bailing them out eh?” Virginia asks rhetorically.
“We… we were fighting the war on Terrorism,” Kendrick flounders.
“And our Special Forces have been fighting right alongside you, as you well know. And look how that’s going for you…,” Virginia counters, then sighing with resignation, “How soon before your men are ready?”
“They are lined up outside already. So as soon as I’m finished here,” Kendrick replies soberly.
“You’ll need an escort into the Port as it’s a restricted area. I’ll just make a couple of calls and will join you shortly,” Virginia determines.
“Thank you Ma’am,” Kendrick smiles like the cat who has got the cream.
***
Walking confidently across the asphalt surface toward the straddle carrier, Devon waves his hands above his head to attract the driver’s attention. Tom joins in by exaggeratedly pointing to his clipboard.
The driver appears not to see them. He moves his vehicle towards the stacks of containers being loaded onto the Greek ship and lowering the almond coloured container before reversing out into the port area.
The driver moves towards the blue container truck. Tom notes that the driver is about to unload the red container. “Change of plan Dev. Head for the truck!”
Devon turns and walks briskly towards the truck. He keeps clear of the yellow monster as it drives past them. He waves his arms at the crane driver. It is Darryl driving.
Pointedly ignoring them, Darryl lines up to collect the red container as the Iranians unload their truck.
Tom races towards the truck. He stretches his gait with the crutch to try and keep up with Devon. “Go ahead Dev, we’ve got to stop that truck from leaving!”
Catching a glimpse of a flashing orange light out of the corner of his eye. Tom sees Hamish and Dani speeding between two rows of containers towards them. Dani is pointing and yelling, “Stop the truck!”
Hamish nods steering toward the vehicles, while Dani points with one hand. She grips the safety bar in front of her with the other hand.
The Iranian truck driver panics. He fumbles with the remote, and the container stops halfway. It swings wildly as the driver hesitates. Should he carry on, or put the container back on the truck? His companion gesticulates and fires a rapid stream of Dari at him.
Devon reaches the truck first, yelling, “Hold it, Health and Safety!”
Hamish and Dani arrive next. They pull the cart up in front of the truck. “Do you need any help?” Dani asks.
The Iranian agent, reaches inside his jacket. He pulls a pistol out and points it at Devon, “You! Move away!”
Devon raises his hands. “All right, all right! Guns are against the Health and Safety…”
“Shut up!” the Iranian agent yells.
The truck driver finishes unloading the container and signals to Darryl. Slowly the Straddle carrier moves over the red container.
“You!” The Iranian agent demands of Hamish, “Move your cart away.”
“Do it please Hamish.” Devon instructs. “Don’t make any sudden moves.”
Darryl is now over his target. He lowers the lifting assembly onto the red container.
Obscured by the crane, Tom watches the machine. He makes his way to the side and edges along the outside of the wheels. Towards the centre, there is a set of steps and a cover panel.
Hamish drives forward out of the truck’s way. “Stay real calm guys,” Devon says. “This guy is a bit upset.”
“You! Shut up I said!” The Iranian shouts, then he speaks in Dari to the truck driver.
Darryl engages the telescopic spreader to lock the container into the lifting assembly.
Unseen, Tom pulls the cover panel open. Inside, is a mass of hydraulic hosing. ‘Here goes nothing,’ he thinks. He pulls on the hoses ineffectually. No damage done. He leans back and jams his crutch in amongst the hoses. Leveraging against the side of the case, he pushes hard. Some of the hoses prise loose, and Tom sprays the front of his Hi-Viz with hot hydraulic fluid.
The Iranian agent moves to the passenger’s door. With his gun still pointed at Devon, he climbs into the truck. The driver starts the engine and waits for the Straddle carrier.
Darryl lifts the red container. He drives forward and turns towards the Greek ship, leaving a trail of hydraulic fluid behind him.
The blue truck is making a turn, when three white SUV’s appear. Two pull up in front of the truck, the other pulls in behind it. Men in black, wearing body armour and wielding assault rifles, leap from the running boards of the vehicles. They surround the truck. George emerges from the passenger’s door with a loud hailer, “Drop your weapons and give yourselves up.” Then he repeats the message in Dari.
The Iranian agent puts the pistol on the windscreen’s dash. He raises his hands. “Don’t shoot, we have diplomatic immunity!”
Frankie and Koro pull up next to an oil-stained Tom. “You alright? Need a lift boy?” Koro asks.
“I’m okay, that oil was hot, but we need to get Darryl.” Tom climbs into the rear seat of the cart with his mangled crutch.
The straddle carrier is getting closer to the Greek ship’s containers. Suddenly, the left-hand wheels seize. The crane lurches over to the left. It is threatening to tip over. Darryl tries in vain to move it before abandoning the cab. He starts to scramble down the access ladder.
Frankie speeds towards the stranded beast. He pulls up alongside Darryl as he leaps from the crane. Darryl runs towards a stack of containers. “Going somewhere Darryl?” Koro asks.
Tom leans forward and jams his crutch between Darryl’s legs causing him to trip and keel over headfirst onto the asphalt.
“Maybe not.”
***
The police cars’ red and blue flashing lights reflect off the shaded mirror windows of the black Chevy SUV’s. There are five of them and one large empty container truck. Burly dark-suited men with crew-cut hair and dark sunglasses search around the containers stacked next to the American container ship.
A short port official in a Hi-Viz jacket is remonstrating, “I don’t care who the hell you are, you and your men must wear safety hard hats and Hi-Viz jackets, if they are in the Port area!”
“I don’t give a goddamn rat’s arse about your health and safety mister. Just where the hell is my container?!” Kendrick spits in the port official’s face.
Calmly pulling on her Hi-Viz vest and nodding thanks to her aide, Virginia strolls over. She interrupts the confrontation, flashing her warrant card. “Excuse me sir, I will ask our American friends to comply with your request. However, can you explain where the container in question actually is?”
Hearing her soothing authoritative voice, the port official calms down. “Well Miss, as I was about to say. We had one of our men disappear with another man’s Straddle carrier and I’ve tracked him to here. But… well… both him and one of the American containers are gone.”
“Gone! GONE!” Kendrick fumes. “Just what in the Sam Hill kind of operation are you running here? Containers don’t just disappear!”
Two police officers walk over to the growing group. Virginia intervenes, “Now can we all discuss this like mature adults? Or do I have to insist you leave the Port Kendrick and leave the grown-ups to tidy up your mess?”
“I didn’t lose a valuable container…” Kendrick protests.
A yellow cart pulls up beside the arguing group. Its orange flashing light adds to the colourful lights dancing over the assembled vehicle’s windscreens.
“Need some help?” George asks, as he steps out of the cart.
“And just what the hell are you doing here?” Kendrick demands.
“Kendrick, settle!” Virginia commands, then turning to George, “How did your operation go Captain Gillies?”
“Successfully Ma’am,” George replies, unconsciously bringing himself to attention, “I’ll have to head off shortly to debrief the team.”
“I might have known you’d have something to do with this Gillies,” Kendrick spits.
“I’m warning you, Kendrick. Now call your men back,” Virginia cautions. She turns back to George, “Captain, can you shed any light on Kendrick’s missing container?”
“We caught it before it was loaded onto a foreign vessel,” George explains.
“A foreign ship?” Kendrick pales, picturing the end of his career, “Where is it now?”
A large yellow straddle carrier rumbles into view from behind a stack of containers, an almond UPS branded container hugged tightly in its clutches. “Here it is. I know where I’d like to stick it… but would you like it loaded on to your truck Kendrick?” George asks.
***
Leaning back against the wall, one arm resting on top of the filing cabinet, Tom is finding a renewed strength in his leg. He evaluates his odd-ball team as they laugh and joke amongst themselves.
Devon sidles up, “I’d have loved to have seen the look on Kendrick’s face when George and Hamish showed up with his container. What a picture!”
“I know right!” Tom laughs, “How red do you think his face went?”
“Oh, as bright as…” Devon’s reply is cut off by the front door buzzer.
Dani glances at the big screen, then races to get the door, breathlessly she trips over her words, “Unc… erm, George, come in, come in.”
“Thanks Dani.” George walks through into the office with his trademark attaché case. “Kia ora tatou! Hey, well done everyone! Top effort!”
“Hey George!” Devon calls out cheekily, “How was Kendrick?”
“A right picture! I swear he’s going to have a heart attack one of these days if he doesn’t stop getting so uptight.” He takes a couple of bottles of sparkling wine from his briefcase and hands them to Devon. “Get these on ice Sergeant and we’ll enjoy them after the debrief.”
Devon looks at the labels approvingly. “The good stuff, eh? We must have done well.”
“Your expenses account is going to take a hit tonight, George,” Koro warns.
George laughs, “Hamish has already hinted that a few drams are in order Rangiwahia.”
Connor puts his hand up like a school boy, nervously asking, “Ah, Mister Gillies, now we have caught the Iranian spy… Well… does that mean our jobs are over?”
Anticipation grips the room in silence as everyone looks closely at George.
“The Director General has instructed me to pass on her thanks and to enquire whether you are all up for another assignment? We want to know why the Americans are passing information to the French. Who’s interested?”
Tom looks around the room, “No pressure guys, but if you’re up for it, I’m keen.”
“I’m in!” Connor bursts out.
“Me too! Dani adds, enthusiastically clapping her hands together under her chin.
“Well… it does keep me from moping about the house,” Frankie hesitantly replies.
“Of course, I’m where you assign me sir, but I’d like to stay on,” Devon answers.
George nods, “I’ll speak to Robin,” Looking around to a quiet Koro, “Rangiwahia?”
“Hmm, I suppose someone needs to keep an eye on these kids,” Koro grunts gruffly, “Now what’s this debrief thing all about?”
The End
To be continued…
Characters
Tom (Tāmati) Yelich SAS Sniper (Medically Retired)
Koro (Rangiwahia) Yelich Tom’s Grandfather
Devon Matipo SAS Sergeant, SIS Operative
Danielle Franklin George’s Niece
Connor O’Neill IT/Hacker
Frankie (Francesco) Vettori Detective Inspector (Retired)
Sheila Ellison Rongoā Nurse
Taylor Leblanc Gym Instructor
George Gillies SAS Captain, SIS Case Officer
Virginia SIS Director General
Robin SIS Case Officer
General Frank Adams US Commander Special Forces
Theodore Kendrick CIA
Eitan Freidman Mossad
Henri Chevalier DGSE
Cyril Dunkell Kiwirail Official
Bert Kiwirail employee
Paul Harrop Kiwirail Manager
Theo Scott IT Contractor
Ray Donald IT Contractor
Martin (Marty) Schofield IT Manager, Weta Digital
Hamish MacRanald Stevedore
Darryl Bigham Stevedore
Dorothy Talbot Scone Maker Extraordinaire
Megan Donovan Veterans Affairs Case Officer
Ceit V.A. receptionist
Dave Security BS Ministry
Sally Reception BS Ministry
Dr Peter Cleeland GP
Dr Sandra Williams Clinical Psychologist
Stefanos Greek Embassy Official
Erasmos Greek Ship Captain
Trang Taxi Driver
Military Terms
Clicks Kilometres
CO Commanding Officer
