Гарри Гаррисон - The QE2 Is Missing

And now he was working another economic and military miracle. The destinies of his comrades were at stake, not to mention the fate and future of two sovereign countries and all of their millions of inhabitants. It had taken over a year to make all of the arrangements, a year of hard work that he had enjoyed immensely. And now it was to be finalized, the crowning achievement of his career.

They waited for him to begin, waiting silently, knowing that he was the one in charge. He stretched the moment out, luxuriated in it. First sipping again from his glass of champagne, then taking a long Havana cigar from the silver case in his pocket. The clipper was on his key chain and he carefully cut off the end. The Major hurried forward to light it. What was his name? De Laiglesia, that was right. The only servant present. A creature who could be controlled absolutely.

There were four more men present at the meeting. His associates Eitmann and Hartig. Good, trustworthy, unimaginative men who could be counted on to obey orders without question. They had assisted him for years and would continue to do so into the indefinite future.

And then the two tinpot dictators. What miserable creatures he had to work with! Stroessner, the brewer’s offspring, sweating and drinking neat gin like the peasant he was. But he was also absolute ruler of Paraguay. But poor material still. But what was it that Jew President Rosenfeld had once said about one of these South American dictators, when he had been told that the man was a son of a bitch? Yes, but he’s our son of a bitch. Too true. Probably President Rosenfeld had heard someone else say it first.

Next to Stroessner another son of a bitch that he owned. Sadistic, ulcerous, one-armed Admiral Marquez, leader of the military junta that ruled Uruguay with an iron fist. Not much to look at — but he knew how to take orders.

It was time to issue some orders, yes, it was. Wielgus blew out a large cloud of aromatic smoke and spoke suddenly and loudly. ‘This meeting will begin.” The others braced themselves, almost sitting to attention when he spoke. As well they might.

“This is a momentous day, gentlemen, a momentous day indeed. A day that will not only initiate the continued military security of both Uruguay and Paraguay for the foreseeable future, but will guarantee the personal security and happiness of my comrades in the Brunderbund. I want to make it absolutely clear to both national leaders where the finances are coming from for this major operation.

“You know me as an international financier with interests around the world — and so I am. But it is not my money alone that I handle, far from it. The large amount of funds that I invest and control was entrusted to me by my comrades in Germany. Betrayed by Jews at home and abroad, stabbed in the back by the treacherous communists, the Third Reich was brought low. Never humbled, never defeated, hopefully to rise again some day, it nevertheless suffered a severe setback. Despite this, there were people who clearly read the handwriting on the wall, who knew that the only hope for the future of Germany was to save something from the debacle. I am happy to say that I was instrumental in preserving the large part of that national wealth for the future. It was difficult, but I did it, for that was my task. I won’t bore you with details, but it suffices to say that the task was an immense one, an impossible one had I not been aided by my two good friends here. We had valuable paintings to dispose of discreetly, jewelry and gold, rare books, everything. It was a labor, but in the end it was done. Some of it was invested to provide day to day funds for the movement. Again I refrain from going into details. But a good part of this money was used to purchase diamonds. A commodity that only appreciates in value as the years go by. This foresight has proven its value by what I have with me now here, by my side.”

Every eye in the room was on the case with the diamonds. Wielgus drew deeply on his cigar before he spoke again.

“This case contains diamonds, millions and millions of dollars worth of diamonds. Enough to purchase the entire shipload of military equipment that will give your two countries security for the next decade. It is yours. An interest-free loan to be repaid over the next ten years. You both know the conditions attached to this loan but I would like to spell them out aloud to you, to then entertain any remarks or reservations that you may have. When this is done we will sign the agreement that I have drawn up and the negotiations with the arms dealers will be finalized.

“The terms are these. One tenth of the total amount due will be repaid by your governments each year. It will be repaid in your national currency at the then current rate of exchange, guarani in Paraguay, pesos in Uruguay. You realize that this face alone is of immense value to your economies since not only is the loan interest free but you are paying back a hard currency loan with your own softer currency.” He nodded benevolently as he said this, a bestower of gifts, then drank some champagne. The national leaders were appropriately grateful and murmured their thanks.

“Now, that is what your countries will receive. For our part, it will give a number of our comrades a greater degree of security. It has been agreed that anyone we recommend will be instantly given citizenship and a passport, in whatever name he wishes, in either of your countries. All of the living expenses and whatever funds these new citizens will need will be paid to them from your national treasury to repay the military loan. A simple and mutually satisfactory procedure. These citizens will also benefit their new homelands by being of immense aid in government administration. They are men of great experience. Uruguay, where a number of our associates are already involved in government, knows full well their value. Also, being involved in administration, these good Germans will take the burdens off your hands of administering the repayment of the loan. They will handle all of the details. To supervise the repayments I am putting my top people at your disposal. Colonel Manfred Hartig here will be liaising with you, Admiral, in Uruguay. As you have agreed, he will become Assistant Minister of Finance and will be in charge of repayments. Herr Karl-Heinz Eitman will have the equivalent position in Paraguay. That is it, simply stated. Now are there any questions?”

Admiral Marquez was unhappy with the terms, but could think of no way of improving them. “Your people, in our government offices. There will be difficulties. The language, for instance…. “

“That is not a problem, Admiral.” Wielgus dismissed the objection with a wave of his hand. “The men chosen for this liaison will all have lived in Central or South America for the past thirty years. I assure you that their Spanish is excellent.”

“Then if not the language, tenure of position. There will be complaints from the civil service if there are dismissals.”

“You are being tiresome, Admiral. These new operations will be created in parallel with your normal departments and paid for out of separate funds. This has all been mentioned in the agreement we drew up.”

“Bring me a drink. Wine.” Admiral Marquez ordered de Laiglesia. He knew all of these things already. What was sticking in his craw was turning over more of the administration of his country to these Nazis. It kept him in power — but it was hard to take. He drank deeply as though trying to wash a bad taste from his mouth.

None of this bothered General Stroessner. Of German origin himself, he welcomed blood brothers. They would assure that his rule continued in the future as it had in the past. Half of the total annual budget of Paraguay already went to the military who controlled every aspect of government. His prisons were full, the rebels dead or outside the country, trade unions abolished, the press controlled absolutely. He had no threats — as long as the military was well armed and well paid. This present arrangement would take care of that. His euphoric mood was interrupted by a sudden lurch of the ship, a shuddering motion that passed through him leaving a marked queasy sensation in its wake.