Juggernaut

'I don't know. I wish I did,' he said.

'What does Radio Nyala have to say?'

'Nothing unusual. Much music.' Kemp and I glanced at one another. 'There was a little about us, news of the new power plant at Bir Oassa. And other talk as well…'

He was getting closer to the real thing. His voice had become very careful. I said nothing but waited, out-silencing him. He went on at last, 'There was other news from Bir Oassa. The new airfield was opened today, with a ceremony.'

I gaped at him. 'But it isn't meant to be ready for a couple of months at least. Who opened it?'

The Air Chief Marshall.'

My first irrelevant thought was that I'd guessed his title right after all. Then I said, 'Semangala. Right?'

'Yes, sir.'

Kemp said, 'Isn't he the chap who was in France when we left Port Luard? The only military bigwig who couldn't attend?'

'Yes,' I said grimly. 'And what's more, he's meant to be in Switzerland right now. He left two days ago with his family. I saw him at the airport when I left for Lasulu. He got all the usual military sendoff, except that he was in civvies. Are you sure, Sadiq?'

'Yes, sir.' His eyes were sad now. 'He made a speech.'

'Who exactly is Semangala?' asked Hammond. 'Is he that important?'

'He's the Air Force boss and right now he's the most important man in Nyala. Wouldn't you say so, Sadiq?'

I was pushing him and he hated it. 'I don't know what you mean, sir.'

'Oh yes, you do. You're not stupid, Sadiq, and remember, neither am I. I know the score as well as you or anyone else in your army. Listen, you two; I'm going to have to make this short and sharp. This country is on the verge of civil breakdown and military takeover, and if you didn't guess that it's only because you're- new here and you've had your hands full with that giant of yours. The Army is split; half supports the Government and half wants a military junta to take over. It's complex but don't worry about the reasons for now. Both sides need the Air Force to give them a victory, and up to now Semangala has been playing one side against the other. Am I right so far, Sadiq?'

'I am not a politician,' he said.

I smiled. 'Just a simple soldier, eh? That's an old chestnut, my friend. Now, Semangala has been in France, probably buying planes or missiles. He comes back and decides he needs a holiday: a funny time to choose but he's his own boss. He flies out openly with his wife and kids, but he's back the next day. He probably had a plane on standby in Zurich. My guess is that he's made up his mind and has parked his family out of the way. Now he's bulldozed through the opening of the Bir Oassa airfield, which means that it's squarely in his hands instead of being run by the civil aviation authority. The only question that needs answering is, which side did he come down on?'

Hammond and Kemp were listening carefully. Hammond said, 'I'll be damned. Usually I just read about this stuff in the press.'

Kemp asked, 'Just how much does it matter to us which side he's on? Either way they'll still want the power plant.'

'Don't be naive. Of course they do, but that doesn't mean we can go on trundling through the country with a shield of invincibility around us. This is going to be a shooting war.'

Sadiq nodded. 'Very bad for you. I do not know how to protect you.'

He meant that he didn't know which side to protect us from.

I said, 'If there's a war, whoever wins will want us. But they have to win first. Meantime we're going to be up to our necks in it, and accidents happen all the time. If the Air Force is against the Government they might decide to take us out, simply to help topple the economy. And what the hell could we do about it?'

'But you're talking about civil war!' Kemp said.

'What else? Captain Sadiq, which side will you be on?'

He looked aghast. 'I do not know. I told you I know nothing of these affairs. I must obey my orders from Major General Kigonde.'

'And if you get no orders? Confucius he say that man who walks down middle of road gets run over. You'll have to make up your own mind sometime. Now that Colonel Hussein -who's side is he on, do you think?'

'He is Kigonde's man.'

'Where's he heading for, and why?'

Sadiq showed a flash of irritation. 'He didn't tell me. Colonels don't make a habit of telling captains their orders.'

Kemp asked, 'What did he tell you concerning us?'

To stay with you. To protect you. To watch out for sabotage.'

'And you'll do that – even if your own army buddies start shooting at you?'

He didn't answer and I couldn't blame him. For the moment my mind had ground to a halt, and I felt that without a great deal more data to work on I couldn't begin to make any decisions regarding our mission. Then to my surprise and my considerable relief the matter was taken firmly out of my hands. Basil Kemp had become inattentive during the last few exchanges, and was drawing patterns in the dust with his toe. I was starting to think that he was in the grip of the same uncertainty as held me, when he suddenly straightened up and spoke with decision.