Sleeping Giants (Themis Files #1)(67)

—Since, as you emphasized, I am no longer a part of this project, it would appear that the responsibility now rests solely on your shoulders.

—I only did what the board…what the board sanctioned. We had to show the world what it can do if it’s going to be effective as a deterrent. Don’t wo…worry about me. I know what I’m doing.

—You unfortunately do not. That much is obvious. If you had even the most basic understanding of the situation, you would not have taken her out before you knew more of what she can do, and you certainly would not have been reckless enough to bring her back here.

—Where was I supposed to take it?

—Perhaps the base in Russia. Anywhere but here.

—The…the base in Russia isn’t finished yet.

—That is something you might have considered before you took her out for a stroll. That is definitely something you should have thought of before you took her back into United States territory, on a boat. It took over a week to get back here. There is not a government on the planet that does not know exactly where the robot is.

There are three countries that are part of this consortium, one of which you were already in. Yet, you chose to bring the robot back into the one country that has a legitimate claim on it. One thing is certain, you will never get it out of Puerto Rico again. I would also expect the board to react, shall we say, unfavorably to this decision, as you have effectively turned over their investment to the US.

I spoke to the Office of the President several times since the event. They were ready to declare a blockade when they realized where you were going. The only reason US Marines have not already stormed this place is because they have not yet figured out why you would do something so stupid.

They have, however, deployed half the Atlantic Fleet around the island. The seaward boundaries of Puerto Rico extend nine nautical miles from the shore. Believe me when I say that no one, especially Russia, will ever cross that line. Neither will you.

—What about the other nations in the consortium?

—The Emirates do not have boats that could come this far. If they did, they would not use them. You can also assume that South Korea will not enter US coastal waters uninvited.

—So what are we supposed to do?

—You can either trust Russian diplomats to work out a compromise, or you can let me handle it. Either way, I hope you brought a few good books. You will be inside this compound for a while.

—I can’t make that kind of decision without running it by…

—The board. Yes. You do that. By now, Russia and Korea will have realized what you have done, but your private partners will be glad someone is there to explain to them why they are out of business.

—You’re loving this. Aren’t you?

—I take no pleasure in your misfortune, Ms. Papantoniou.

—Sure you do. You cou…could have warned me.

—Would you have listened if I had? I have explained to you, several times, that you could only use this weapon when absolutely necessary, and only for defensive purposes. In fact, I specifically told you to ensure that your actions could never be misconstrued as offensive. That did not stop you from marching right into the Korean demilitarized zone before anyone threw so much as a rock at South Korea.

—There was an immediate threat.

—North Korean troops gathering…inside North Korea. That is unheard of.

—They were massing very close to the border.

—North Korea is the size of Ohio. It would be geographically challenging for them to gather very far from the border.

—Say what you will. You could have warned me on the way back. As you were happy to point out, we weren’t exactly traveling at super…sonic speed. You had more than a week to tell me to turn around.

—Indeed. I chose not to.

—Like I said. I don’t know you very well. I know you don’t like me, but I have a hard time thinking you’d purposely s…s…sabotage this entire project just for the pleasure of watching me fail.

I assume this was all part of some great master plan. So how does it work? You swoop in, save the day, and you get to run this project yourself?

—Rest assured, Ms. Papantoniou, I have no desire to take your place. Nor do I wish to see this project fail. I do have a vested interest in the people I recruited, and their well-being is very important to me. I would like you to make peace with Ms. Resnik.

—I can’t help it if she won’t cooperate.

—She still lives in the compound, comes to work every day. She spent more than a week on a cargo ship to go to Korea on a mission that should never have happened. She has, as I understand it, set limits on the type of procedures she will allow you to perform on her body. That seems within her rights even under these special circumstances.

—You didn’t always have a problem messing with another person’s…body against their will.

—I could say the same about you.

—I don’t know what you’re talking about.

—…Perhaps. Were you referring to Mr. Couture’s legs?

—I was.

—The doctor performed the surgery against his will. Mr. Couture had no reservations about the operation.

—Did he even know what you were gonna do to him?

—He knew the alternative was to lose his legs. However painful the experience may have been for him, I believe he would choose to undergo the procedure again.