The Captain put down the radio receiver in his private control room. This was extraordinary, the patrolman had just made contact. It was an unexpected and most welcome turn of events. Even though he still had no information about their location, the Lance Corporal’s words were reassuring.
The Captain felt excitement building up in him. He would not usually allow such emotions to disturb his judgement, as emotions and duty did not work together, but this time he could not restrain himself. Brilliant as his previous plan seemed at first, it was all unnecessary now. The patrolman would take care of everything, and he would only need to play along.
He was quite glad that not a single report had been filed yet. There was a certain degree of risk that he might not have taken into consideration when he thought up his original plan. But now the situation seemed to have just sorted itself out. The units would not need to be kept busy beyond schedule, which could have attracted questions or inquiries, would anyone care to look inside the files after closing the operations. Everything would go back to its normal way; the special units would take care of it all. Everything is to be washed white, the original plans to commence once again. And he would not allow emotions or pride to take control of him, not again.
Nobody will get hurt, and it’s better that way. Not that smuggling was a capital offence, but it could cost them their ranks. Even with the supply in high demand, officially the trade was non-existent and Brussels wanted to make sure it remained that way, at least on paper. They would need scapegoats at any point something went amiss, and he was sure the first finger to be pointed would be towards himself and the Colonel, as soon as he made the slightest mistake. Well, it would not be them, not now.
Only he would need to stay clear of the old fashioned radio channels. He was not aware of the unit the deserting patrolman had used for reporting in, and its mere existence was a liability in itself. It meant that there could be any number of old, forgotten radios, so their communications could be easily intercepted. But this was only a minor glitch.
The Captain rarely admitted having made a mistake, even to himself, but he was as close to it now as he would ever get in his life. Thinking about almost providing evidence against himself, made him uneasy. It was an uncomfortable feeling, something that reminded him of childhood guilt, and it was clouding his judgement right now just like his pride had before. He needed to focus, calmly, and sharply.
He pulled himself together. There is a new situation, a new task to focus on. Everything worked in his favour, and nobody needed to know any details. Of course he would tell the Colonel, but he would understand; he saw the situation as clearly as the Captain himself, he would know the necessity and that under the circumstances there was no other way. He tidied his uniform, hardened his features and left his control room.
***
The Colonel was standing beside his desk, drumming on the heavy table top with his fingers. His mind wanted to wander, go far away, yet some uneasiness kept pulling it back to his office. He might have given just too much liberty to the Captain. The Colonel never doubted his ability, but still thought his aide to be too young to handle so much responsibility. A senior officer ought to watch over the actions of his subordinates, especially in highly sensitive situations, like that was building up right now. When the Captain had announced that he would be in his office after a few minutes, he had decided to withdraw some of his previous orders.
But at least the youngster had learned not to come without warning. His desk communicator lighted up.
“The Captain, Sir,” said his secretary’s voice.
“Send him in.”
There was a determined knocking on the door.
“Yes, do come in!” he said somewhat impatiently. The Captain might just be overdoing it this time.
“We have made contact, Sir,” said the Captain, after a more than usually official greeting. “In fact, he has made contact.”
“Who, the trafficker?”
“No, the missing patrolman.”
“That is interesting.”
“Yes, Sir, even more so, because we can recall the regular units—”
The Captain seemed to have stopped abruptly and for a faint moment he appeared hesitant. The Colonel looked more intently, but on second inspection he was not able to discern any trace of hesitation. Yet he could have sworn it was there just a moment before.
“What’s with the regular units then?” he said, when the Captain did not continue.
The Colonel felt an unbelieving shock taking over his composure. “Just what exactly have you done?” he asked in a calm tone that still betrayed his rising anger.
“I made them report to me. In writing. That was to keep them from raising quest—”
“Is there no end to your idiocy?” the Colonel’s voice now roared across the room. “I trusted you to be of sound judgement! This was the worst mistake to make at the worst time! You have proven yourself totally unworthy of your position! We cannot allow any trace, especially not written, to lead back to us! There is a bloody inquiry going on right now, for God’s sake! Do you understand?”
The Captain was silent.
“Do, you, understand?” roared the Colonel.
“Yes, Sir!” said the Captain.
The Colonel thought that the Captain’s lips turned somehow whiter. He seemed to be biting them in the inside, but his face remained emotionless. The Colonel took a deep breath and calmed himself somewhat. Looking at the young man’s unmoving face, he felt he ought to show at least as much dignity.
“What is the intel then?”
“The communications ended abruptly. The former patrolman has used an old field radio that is attached to the walls in the tunnels. It was not one that our units would usually use, they have confirmed that much, but we have a good general idea of their coordinates.”
There was a brief pause. The Colonel decided not to give any sign of approval, even though he was quite satisfied with what he was being told.
“He has also confirmed that he is making them lead him to the secret HQ of the humanitarian movement. He sounded to be eager to return to service,” concluded the Captain.
“Good. It is not as bad as it all seemed at first. Now, make sure it remains this way. I have decided to take personal care of this. You will report to me any moves you make before you even decide to make them. Is that perfectly clear?”
The Captain pressed his lips even tighter.
“Yes. Sir.”
“Fine. You may leave now.”
“Orders, Sir?”
“Yes, continue surveillance. Keep a tight eye on them. If that patrolman gets where he promised to get, we’ll have all our problems solved with a single stroke. Oh yes, and don’t forget to cancel your previous order about written reports. We really don’t need any further complications now, do we?”