Part 72 (1/2)

Surface water, percolating down through the sub-strata, raised underground levels to a point where the pumping facilities of the divisional bases at Le May/Jackson, Truman/Lafayette and Lincoln/Little Rock were strained to the limit.

And as is always the case, the build-up in pressure found the weak points in the outer concrete skin. Cracks became open fissures then gaping holes allowing water to gush through, flooding entire galleries before cascading down through vent and lift shafts, escalator and service tunnels to the levels below. At one point, the TransAm subway system was menaced, but sMft action brought the situation under control- although not without loss of life.

Flooding of underground facilities was an ever-present danger in the Federation and a great deal of thought and effort had gone into methods of containing inflows. In the same way that everyone knew the emergency drill in the event of a fire, every Tracker on an underground base had an a.s.signed role with a Flood Control Team.

To help cope with a dangerous inflow, all levels were fitted with watertight doors and vertical shut-offs which could be closed rapidly to isolate a flooded section - and most of the fatalities occurred amongst those unlucky enough to be in the wrong place when they lowered the boom.

In an earlier age, closure had been a manual operation, but this had not proved 100 per cent effective because of what an AmExec report had called 'the emotionally-induced delay factor'. Those ordered to close the doors were found to be holding them open to allow their buddies to escape - in some cases for far too long, leading to more widespread disruption.

COLUMBUS, whose primary task was to ensure that the Federation functioned efficiently, did not have the same problem. Its logical a.n.a.lysis of the situation and the resulting decision to implement closure of a particular door was not affected by the hammering fists and desperate entreaties of those trapped by the rising tide.

'Welcome back.” The President-General invited Steve to take the armchair by the fireplace he had occupied on his first, memorable visit to the Oval Office. 'Must have been quite a trip.”

'It was, sir. But I learned a great deal - including the fact that I wasn't cut out to be a sailor.”

'You and a few thousand others. That's one of the reasons why we don't have a navy.” Jefferson sat back in his rocker and stretched out a hand towards the gas flames that leapt through the cast iron logs and mica ash. Karlstrom wheeled another chair in to complete the triangle.

Steve waited, not knowing how it was going to play.

The P-G had welcomed him'with the usual ten thousand volt hand-shake, but this time the voice had lacked warmth and he had not been greeted by his given name.

Karlstrom caught Jefferson's signal to start the proceedings.

'Okay, Brickman, we've talked at some length to Major Fujiwara, now we'd like to hear your side of the story.” He saw Steve's reaction.

'Relax. We're not exactly overjoyed at what's happened but you're not about to be strung up by the thumbs.”

'Thank you, sir.”

'And to save time, we accept Fujiwara's a.s.sessment as to who master-minded this coup. The Yama-s.h.i.+ta family - who used Lord Min-Orota to set up Lady Mis.h.i.+ko.

A shrewd move. Fuji's probably told you why she was happy to oblige.”

'Yes, sir, the Hase-Gawa connection. Small world Karlstrom nodded.

'You and Commander Franklynne just happened to arrive at the wrong time, but we were also taken totally by surprise. Lady Mis.h.i.+ko obviously had outside help - though how the Yama-s.h.i.+ta managed to breach the island's security cordon is a complete mystery. Anyway, the people helping her must have been the ones who jumped you and Fram What we can't figure out is why they didn't take you as well.”

Steve knew this question was bound to come up, and throughout the voyage home he had been searching for a plausible answer. 'If I knew what hit me, sir, I might be able to answer that. The j.a.p who was guarding us figured there were six soldiers closing in on the house.

We went out to take them on and. the next thing I knew -' 'Fujiwara was untying you, and Commander Frank-lynne was gone.” Karlstrom pinched his nose thoughtfully.

'Okay ... here's another question - how d'you think the Yama-s.h.i.+ta managed to get the goods on Ieyasu? Who uncovered our deal to supply his organisation with radios and surveillance devices? One of his own people?”

'I doubt it, sir. You can check with Skull-, uhh, I mean Major Fujiwara, but in my opinion, if any of Ieyasu's people were caught in the act, they'd face death by torture rather than talk.”

'Yes, well, to save them the trouble we also supply cyanide capsules.

A press-pack of five is included with every item we supply.”

Steve nodded. These guys had thought of everything. He answered Karlstrom's question. 'Sir, there is someone who could've tipped off the Yama-s.h.i.+ta.” He paused before letting the name drop. 'Cadillac M'Call.”