Mercenary Part 9

'He's offered you autonomy?'

'It's a most important part of the agenda.'

'Guarantees?'

'We're not at that stage of the negotiations yet.'

'Dear G.o.d, Hector. You want a completely different form of government from him. You think he's even going to consider that possibility?'

'Once we get our foot in the door I'll kick it wide open. Small steps, Louisa. But peaceful ones. Can we talk about something else for a moment?'

She knew what he meant. 'There's nothing more important than this.'

'There is something of equal equal importance, though - to me, at least. I want to talk about us.' importance, though - to me, at least. I want to talk about us.'

'There is no us, Hector.'

'Tell me one thing. Be honest with me. What if I am right? If I win? What about us then?'

'To win, Hector, you would have to try. And the cost of trying would be far too much for Sebastian to pay.'

'I'm in love with you, not with Sebastian.'

'When you talk about Sebastian's future you talk about mine.'

'But that's like asking me to choose between my politics and you.'

'You just said your politics and your feelings for me were equal. You have to have a good memory to be a politician. They have to lie all the time.'

'Is that what you're suggesting? You and Sebastian instead of politics?'

'No, Hector. I'm asking you not to split the rebellion. Have you even tried discussing this with Sebastian?'

'You heard him last night. He will not hear any of it.'

'Because you pushed him into a corner before you made your intentions clear. I believe that was your plan all along.'

'Rubbish. I don't need Sebastian to deal with Neravista - and yes, Sebastian would have made it more difficult, even impossible, as he is trying to do. But I did not try and shove him aside. Not the way you describe it.'

'I applaud you, Hector. And I apologise for being wrong about you. You've taken to politics very easily. You lie with such conviction. Goodbye.' Louisa turned her back on him to leave.

He made it to the door a fraction ahead of her and placed his arm across it, barring her way. Hector would not have been so bold with a woman like Louisa before that day. He had started his adult life as a goat herder in the eastern provinces and he remained aware of his humble beginnings, especially in her presence. He was the youngest of five brothers, of whom three had left their parental home when Hector was still an adolescent to start their own families while two had already died in infancy. The village he'd grown up in had had no doctor, the nearest one being a walk of two days or more away. Usually, if someone fell ill, they pulled through or they died.

Hector's opportunity for an education presented itself with the arrival in his village of an American non-governmental medical aid agency. One of the volunteers was a student from New Mexico who spoke Spanish and English. When Hector showed an interest in his books the student took it upon himself to teach the boy the basics of literacy. Hector's appet.i.te for learning was unquenchable and the student was soon teaching Hector how to read during just about every spare waking hour either of them had. Six months later, by the end of the student's contract, Hector could read and write just about as well as any boy his age. The day the student left Hector asked if he could accompany him as far as the capital where he intended to get a job and continue studying. And that was precisely what he did. He rushed home to say farewell to his mother and asked her to tell his father out in the fields that he was leaving home. He tied all his earthly possessions into a bundle no bigger than a football and jumped aboard the NGO bus.

The student let Hector stay in their offices for a couple of days until Hector got himself a job as a waiter in a hotel restaurant. Within six months he had risen to a position in lower management. In that time he also witnessed the injustice of the Neravista government and, thanks to some of the better-educated staff at the hotel, he developed a more than mild interest in local politics. After suffering a severe beating at a peaceful demonstration for better conditions in a local hospital, his patience for pa.s.sive campaigning withered. He gravitated towards those who wanted a militant approach. Yet none of the leaders of any of the political parties inspired him until one day he went to a meeting outside the city.

Several hundred people from all walks of life attended, something Hector had not expected since news of the meeting had circulated clandestinely. He was surprised to see how many of them appeared to be well-educated members of the middle cla.s.s. But what really impressed him was the main speaker, Sebastian. When he talked everyone listened intently. He was so incredibly subtle. If Neravista himself had been there he would have heard the call for armed rebellion loud and clear but an inspection of the transcript would not have revealed a single direct reference to weapons or force.

The other sight that for Hector almost overshadowed the impression left by Sebastian was that of his daughter. Louisa stayed very much in the background, quite literally. Few people probably noticed her standing in a far corner. For the would-be revolutionary she stood out like a beacon. To Hector she was a vision sent from the G.o.ds.

Several months later there came another opportunity for Hector to visit Sebastian's estate to hear him talk. On the journey Hector and his companions boldly discussed open revolt but by the time they arrived he could think of just one thing. From his place at the back of the meeting he searched in vain for Louisa. As Sebastian's turn to address the gathering came, the young rebel's expectations rose. When the proceedings came to an end and she had still not showed herself he asked a member of the household staff where Sebastian's daughter was that day. She was away at school, he was told.

Hector was very disappointed, but on his way out of the house he happened to see a framed photograph of Louisa. The face that he had been longing to see for months was even more beautiful than he remembered. The picture sat on a dresser along with a hat and scarf that he recognised as those she had worn that first time he'd seen her. He glanced around to check that he was alone and without a second's hesitation he wrapped the frame in the scarf, stuck it inside his coat and walked out.

Hector waited a long time before he saw Louisa in the flesh again. By the time the call to arms came and Sebastian had set up his first guerrilla encampment in the mountains she had already been sent away to America.

Hector's enthusiasm brought him to Sebastian's attention early on in the forming of the various rebel companies and he was given command of a special reconnaissance unit. The other companies soon came to rely on him for vital operational information and his reputation was born. He matured quickly into a fine, positive commander known for leading his men from the front. By the end of his second year he had been promoted to brigade commander in the ever-expanding rebel army that was by then receiving funding and supplies from America as well as secretly from private investors and governments in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and other Latino countries. At the start of the third year of the campaign Sebastian formed the inner council and Hector was elected a member.

His experiences in those years altered Hector. He grew hardened in almost every way. And he was aware of it. Some called him callous, others were even less kind. But it was not until he once again saw Louisa that he realised there were parts of a man's heart that could never change.

When Sebastian introduced his daughter to Hector he had to remind himself that she did not know him. He tried to act accordingly and, in particular, to prevent his desire for her from becoming obvious. When she shook his hand she looked into his eyes and said she remembered him from her father's first address all those years ago before she had left for America. Hector was stunned. He had hardly taken his eyes off her that day and she had not so much as glanced in his direction. For her to remember him after all that time could mean only one thing.

His brigade was several hours' ride from Sebastian's encampment and it was weeks before he could find an excuse to make another visit. In that time he daydreamed about how their love would blossom. Yet when he did finally manage to visit Sebastian he found that Louisa was never alone. The only physical contact he ever had with her was when saying h.e.l.lo and goodbye, when he held her hand for longer than might have been considered polite.

But despite the lack of intimacy Hector believed there was a place in her heart for him. Whenever their gazes met, at dinner for instance, he could see a tenderness that he felt was more than just comrades.h.i.+p or respect for his rank. Bizarrely, and he could scarcely even admit it to himself, his desire for her was part of what pushed him obsessively towards the peace talks. He could never factor it into his calculations but there were many things that would change if the fighting ceased: one of the most important to him would be a more stable environment in which he could court her.

But as Hector held his arm across the door in front of Louisa that day the look she gave him filled him with dread for their relations.h.i.+p. 'Don't go, not like this,' he begged.

'I don't have a choice, Hector,' she said softly. 'I'm Sebastian's daughter. There's still a choice for you, though.'

Hector had hoped deep down that she did not agree completely with her father and was merely being supportive out of family loyalty. He was shocked at how badly he had misjudged her. He lowered his arm and she left.

Hector listened to Louisa climb onto her horse and ride away. He felt a sudden chill.

The rhythmic sound of footsteps heading towards the hut brought him out of his reverie. Hector walked to the other end of the hut to await his next visitor.

Ventura stood in the doorway, wearing an all-knowing smirk. He was a short man, compact compared with Hector, sophisticated, well groomed and wearing a full-length tailored raincoat that tastefully matched the expensive riding suit beneath. His black moustache was a thin line in a 1930s style and he had an air of confidence and self-importance that came from his members.h.i.+p of the upper cla.s.s. He was accompanied by several thuggish armed men, also in civilian clothes, who remained outside as he stepped into the hut and closed the door behind him.

'I can't say I'm inspired with confidence by that meeting,' Ventura said, looking with distaste around the simple dwelling.

'When Sebastian realises he is isolated he will rea.s.sess the situation,' Hector said flatly.

'I wonder if you know Sebastian as well as you think you do. You appear to have misjudged his daughter somewhat.'

Hector felt his anger rise but choked it back even though he could not hide it completely from his expression. 'I have control of the council. That is the important thing.'

Ventura seemed pleased with his ability to rile Hector easily. 'I'm not so sure. As long as Sebastian commands his brigade he remains a threat. He has a gift for bringing men round to his way of thinking.'

'You talk as if you and I are on the same side. We are not, Ventura. Just remember that.'

'Your ambitions confuse me, Hector. Surely we're converging forces.'

'Perhaps. But we all have to change - make compromises - if we are to achieve an understanding. That includes your boss Neravista. I don't want peace at any price. Just remember that.'

'Of course. And Neravista understands that too. But we can't wait on your rea.s.surances for ever. The lull in our military activities is purely to give you the time to take control. We are prepared to renew our offensive - and vigorously - if you fail. And what about these new weapons that Sebastian has just received? They do not help matters. Some of my colleagues think you are merely playing for time in order to consolidate and rearm.'

'The arrival of the weapons at Sebastian's camp is your fault as much as anyone's. The Americans know our position but you were too slow in making them aware of yours.'

'They know it now. But they have the luxury of being in a position to play all sides until they have what they want. We believe we can satisfy their demands.'

'If Sebastian can be made to change his mind the weapons will no longer be a factor.'

'We talk in circles, Hector. It all comes down to one man. The question is, can you handle him? If you can't we will have to find someone who can.'

The brigade leader flashed him a look. 'Don't toy with me, Ventura. And don't try to go behind me. I am the one you deal with now. And I decide how to deal with Sebastian, and killing him is not an option. Defy me on that and you can suffer the consequences.'

'We're not the only ones who want Sebastian out of the way. The rebel movement has never been as fragmented as it is now, thanks to you. The divisions are firmly along the lines of Sebastian and the rest of you. Many who used to support Sebastian would now like to see him gone . . . Don't tell me you haven't considered killing him yourself. Wasn't it you who said that peace for all is more important than any individual? You have commanded men in the field. You understand the need for sacrifice. Perhaps you have doubts of your own that you're not telling us.'

'I don't have doubts,' Hector growled.

'I have one. have one. You You, Hector . . . I'm beginning to doubt that you're the man to bring this rebellion to an end.'

Hector moved close to Ventura, looming over him.

Ventura was not fazed by Hector's size. 'Don't be under any illusions about our position,' he said. 'You came to us looking for a solution to end this rebellion. We listened and sympathised. But there is a limit to our patience and our belief in you. If you cannot deliver the conditions required for these negotiations to take place we will recommence hostilities and punish you. You know what needs to be done. I know you have the courage to do it. I'm not sure if you have the will, or the intellect.'

Hector gritted his teeth, his anger boiling over, but Ventura did not stay long enough to face his glare.

Stratton headed up the track from the log cabins, pa.s.sing the stables on his way to the training area. He felt a little stiff in places after his fall from the horse and he had a few painful bruises on his arms. He put it all behind him by working out his schedule in his mind. He estimated that he could be on the road by around late afternoon, which would give him a couple of hours of daylight to get some distance from the camp. With luck he would make the border on the morning of the second day. He could pretty much imagine the rest of the trip, in particular the last stretch: the train journey from Waterloo Station to Poole and then a pint in the Blue Boar with some of the lads, if any of them were in town. He was looking forward to sleeping in his own bed in his own house, and to making dinner in his own kitchen and watching a good movie and enjoying a gla.s.s of good wine. It seemed like a million miles from where he was at that moment but in three or four days he would be there. Just the thought of it made him feel better.

A group of men were waiting for him as he headed down from the top of the rise near the corral. They sat around enjoying the sun and chatting lightheartedly.

When the men saw Stratton approach they got to their feet. The young teacher, David, was one of them; the others Stratton recognised from the supply pick-up - particularly the two who had nicked the rockets for the ambush.

Stratton nodded to David and greeted the others.They seemed unsure how to treat the mercenary, as he was known around the camp: the man who was not one of them and who held no rank. But it was obvious to all of them that Stratton was an experienced soldier, and no ordinary one at that if the parachute drop was anything to go by, a feat beyond any of them. There was also the way he conducted himself generally, the ease with which he adapted and how he carried himself and his weapons. They didn't know much about him but enough to believe anything he had to say about soldiering.

'What's your name?' he asked the one who had fired the rocket the previous day.

'Miguel,' the man replied somewhat sheepishly.

'How're your burns?' Stratton asked.

'Okay,' Miguel said, ruefully indicating the bulge of the bandaging under his trousers to the amus.e.m.e.nt of the others.

Stratton looked at the other man who had tried to fire a rocket.

'Umberto,' the man said, with a grin.

'Would you like to learn how to fire a rocket correctly?'

'Is there something else I can learn?' he asked. 'I don't like those things.'

The men laughed again.

The next man in line was powerfully built with a more sombre demeanour than the others. 'Carlos,' he said.

Stratton nodded and looked at the next.

'Eduardo,' he said.

Stratton nodded again and walked a few paces to where he could face them all. 'The plan is to show you how to use the rockets and the claymore mines effectively,' he began. 'Then you're going to become the teachers to everyone else. Do you think you can manage that?'

They all nodded.

'They're not complicated. The big issue, apart from being able to use them effectively against an enemy, is to make sure we don't hurt ourselves or our buddies. So listen to everything I have to say, ask all the questions you want and, above all, make sure you understand everything about the weapons concerned. When I'm gone there'll be no one else to ask. Okay?'

They nodded enthusiastically.

'Good. Let's go see the toys.'

'Er, excuse me,' Miguel said. 'What do we call you?'

'He's called the mercenary,' Eduardo said to Miguel as if he should have known that.

'Stratton will do,' Stratton said.

'Stratton?'

'That's right,' he said, heading down a track. Eduardo hurried ahead and led the way into the small wood Victor had shown Stratton earlier. On reaching the pallets the men stood back to let him select the boxes.

'Let's start with that one there,' Stratton said, pointing to a box on the top of a pile. David and Carlos lifted it to the ground. Stratton unclipped its latches and swung the lid open to reveal a moulded plastic cover which he removed. Inside lay neat rows of hand-held rocket launchers. He lifted one out and, with a snap, deftly pulled it open into the armed position.

'Wow,' Umberto exclaimed, taking a step back.

'Don't worry,' Stratton said, taking a long, slender dart-like object from inside the lid of the box. 'This is a trainer. It has a non-explosive head. It's what you had at the ambush - not like Miguel,' he said.

The others laughed, much to Umberto's dismay.

'Let's take a look in those two there,' he said.

Miguel and Eduardo hauled down the boxes and placed them in line with the first.

'Open that one,' Stratton asked as he closed the launch tube and replaced it in the box alongside the others.

Miguel opened the box to reveal rows of claymore mines in their canvas sacks. He reached to touch one.

'Stop,' Stratton said sharply. 'First rule of this lesson. Touch absolutely nothing unless I say so. Is that understood?'

The men recognised the seriousness of his words and acknowledged them.

'Especially this,' Stratton said, lifting out a black plastic box the size of a milk carton. It had a thick red tape around it with warning signs emblazoned on all sides. 'These are the detonators that fire the claymores. They're highly sensitive. You get these wrong and you won't need to worry about getting anything else wrong ever again. You got that?'

They nodded.