Гарри Гаррисон - The QE2 Is Missing

Aurelia put her finger under the entry.

“Anti-personnel concussion grenade. Weight five hundred and eighty-six grams. A three-point-five second fuse. Blast area of maximum concentration is six meters…. “

As she spoke, Chvosta took a black, ridged-metal grenade from the crate at his feet. When he raised it in his hand, the aides stirred, some of them resting their hands on their revolvers. But the arms salesman was interested in profit, not assassination. After holding the grenade up for identification, he placed it on the tabletop for examination by the two military dictators. They found it highly fascinating and leaned forward together to look at it more closely; like two theological students bending over a Bible.

Aurelia Hortiguela’s voice droned on; range of fire, caliber of ammunition, land-mine destruction area, force of impact, auxiliary bayonet fittings; as item after lethal item was placed on the table.

Armalite rifles, CN gas grenades, Russian machine guns, American sub-machine guns, belts of ammunition, anti-personnel mines. One after another they were laid gently onto the cool marble surface, until the table became a blue-black and olive drab display of death and destruction.

Stroessner and the Admiral nodded approvingly at the more interestingly lethal items and behind them the aides buzzed with low-voiced conversation as they went through their matching lists. When the last sample had been brought out, Chvosta wiped the oil and dust from his hands and threw the soiled kerchief into the nearest crate.

“Questions?” he asked.

After a moment’s hesitation one of the aides spoke up.

“The ammunition substitution for the sub-machine guns. It is of different manufacture…. “

Chvosta cut him off with a sharp chop of his hand. “It is of the correct caliber and superior to that originally ordered. We discovered that the original had been in store for over two years and could not give guaranteed nonstoppage as specified. You may test-fire the ammunition yourself, there is enough here for that. Since the substitution was made after the order was placed we are absorbing the twenty percent greater price of the new bullets. Next question.”

“The armored troop carriers and light tanks,” Stroessner said. “They are satisfactory?”

“Perfectly so. Low mileage, completely reconditioned, with crated spares for at least a year’s use. Which brings us to the next step in the negotiations. We have fulfilled our part of the agreement to date. With a great deal of financial sacrifice on Global Traders’ part….”

“You have millions of dollars,” Admiral Marquez broke in angrily. “Three and a half million at least in the last reckoning. That is a great deal of money.”

Chvosta did not wait for Aurelia’s translation before he answered; his knowledge of Spanish was undoubtedly greater than he cared to admit. “That is not a great deal of money in the international arms trade, Admiral. In fact it is a very small and inconsiderable amount of money. Global Traders has paid out far more than that to obtain the merchandise that your countries need. Had you not been the heads of government of two sovereign powers we would never have extended ourselves as far as we have. The time has now come to finalize all of our arrangements.”

His voice was cold, his tone almost insulting. Admiral Marquez’s neck grew red and he shook himself so that the empty arm of his jacket flapped back and forth. Stroessner slammed both his clenched fists down on the table.

“Your impudence must cease at once, Chvosta. When you heard that our countries were seeking arms for mutual defense it was you who approached us with the arrangement.”

If Chvosta was angry or fearful he did not show it. His voice remained calm and cold.

“This is not the time for insults,” he said. “In the arms business we are forced to be realists. Neither Uruguay nor Paraguay has anything to fear from attack from outside their borders. You both have what might be called “internal problems.” Groups within your countries that are working to overthrow your governments…. “

“With communist aid from without!” the Admiral said warmly.

“Perhaps true, but unimportant. I will be candid and what I say is all a matter of public record. The UNO, Amnesty International and other groups have condemned certain of your practices….”

“Communist propaganda!”

Chvosta stared coldly and quietly at the Admiral until he had grumbled into silence, then went on.

“This international disapproval has dried up the normal sources of arms supply for your countries. It was because of this situation that I approached you with our offer. We suggested that your countries combine for your mutual aid. You each have something unique to offer. Paraguay has the funds needed for the purchase. But it is a land-locked country. Because of international flight controls their needed weapons cannot be supplied by air. Uruguay has the deepwater port of Montevideo that could receive the seaborne shipment. Trans-shipment by air will then be possible between your two countries. This was my proposal — the one that your countries accepted. Token funds were exchanged. We are now prepared to make delivery. Are you now prepared to pay the balance of approximately two hundred and fifty million dollars?”

“Where is the shipment?” Stroessner asked.

“At sea as agreed. Do you have the diamonds?”

“They will be available shortly. Where is your expert?”

“Arriving by commercial airliner sometime today from Holland. Therefore we have fulfilled our part of the bargain. The weapons are now at sea in a freighter, somewhere in the Pacific off the South American coast as you directed. The requested samples are here…. “

“They haven’t been tested yet,” the Admiral broke in. Chvosta curled his thick lips in disgust and waved this comment aside as being completely irrelevant.

“… the samples are here and our diamond man is arriving. What arrangements have you made for payment and delivery?”

“These are delicate matters to handle,” Stroessner said, steepling his fingers and nodding sagely.

“I beg to differ, Mr. President. These matters are not delicate — but they are dangerous. Some people do not like to pay, others do not like to deliver. Both of these dangers must be avoided. To put it at its simplest, President, Admiral, we trust you just as much as you trust us. Now what arrangements have been made?”

“Admiral, will you join me for some wine?” Stroessner said pushing back his chair and standing. Aides rushed to pull the Admiral’s chair out for him and the two dictators, followed by their entourage, left without saying another word to the arms dealer.

“The insulting bastards!” Aurelia said, throwing her notebook onto the table among the weapons of destruction. Chvosta was smiling coldly at the retreating backs of the military.

“I cannot be insulted,” he said. “Only paid. And they need this shipment. You take things too personally.”

Only one man remained behind: Major de Laiglesia.

“I have been involved in all of the negotiations needed to make the exchange,” he said. “Let me explain — but not here. I have been three days without sleep arranging your visit and the shipping of the crates. Let us find a place to sit down and have some drinks and I will tell you what has been done.”

“Have some food there, too,” Chvosta said. “But I will need to know at once. This is a very costly business and if it is protracted any longer the price will have to go up.”

“Please, Mr. Chvosta, don’t be concerned. I have all the details with me. And you might even enjoy part of it.”

“What do you mean?” he asked suspiciously.

“I mean you are going to enjoy a luxury cruise on the QE2. Now, if you will come this way.”