State of Siege

The General was preparing to leave for the foreign press conference at the Presidential Palace, and I had to wait in the outer office. While I was there, a station monitor speaker in the corner began to emit a frying sound and then the xylophone signal came on. Alwi had got the transmitter working again.

When the General appeared at the door of his office, I saw why I had been kept waiting. He had changed into a clean uniform and was wearing a tie. Roda and Suparto followed him out.

I stood up and the General came over to me. He nodded graciously; his thoughts were already in the Presidential Palace.

“Major Suparto has told me of your hard work,” he said. He glanced at the monitor speaker. “We can hear for ourselves that it has been successful, eh, Colonel?”

“As we expected, the tuan was too modest about his qualifications.” Roda grinned.

I ignored him. “I am glad to have been of service, General.”

“Sunda has need of good engineers,” he replied; “especially those of proved loyalty. It is my intention to set up intensive technical training schemes for the youth of our country. For a man like you, Mr. Fraser, there might be exceptional opportunities for advancement here.”

“You are very kind.”

“Those who serve us well will be well rewarded. Do not forget that, Mr. Fraser.”

“I have every reason to remember it, General.”

“Ah yes. We made a bargain. It shall be kept.”

Roda grinned again. “Deal gently therefore with the infidel,’ ” he quoted facetiously; “ ‘and grant them a gentle rest.’ ”

Sanusi frowned at the blasphemy but continued to look at me. “By this time tomorrow, Mr. Fraser, I shall have moved my headquarters and the security considerations which have compelled us to detain you here will no longer apply. You and the woman will then be free to leave. You agree, Major?”

“Of course, Boeng.” Suparto’s face was completely impassive.

“Meanwhile, the Major will see that your detention is not made too disagreeable.”

“Thank you, General.”

“We keep our promises, you see.”

With a proud lift of his chin, he strode on out of the office. Roda, with a nod to me, followed.

Suparto looked at me. “You see? It was as well that you reported yourself.”

“Was it? I can see why you find them easy to despise.”

He shrugged. “At least you will get a comfortable night’s sleep.”

He led the way out of the office. We went back along the corridor, through the swing doors and up to the apartment.

The man by the telephone was asleep. The bow-legged officer kicked him to his feet as Suparto entered.

Suparto looked round, then went over to the radio and switched it on. The announcer had begun to read a communique issued by National Freedom Party headquarters claiming that calm and order had been restored in all provinces. Suparto switched it off again.

“This morning,” he said, “an enemy bomb damaged the radio power supply. At the request of Boeng Sanusi, the tuan here repaired the damage and restored the power. Our Boeng has congratulated the tuan on his loyalty and skill, and given strict orders that both he and the woman with him should be treated with the greatest politeness and respect. They will remain in this apartment, but a guard on the terrace will no longer be necessary. Is it understood?”

There was a murmur of agreement. Suparto walked over to the drink table, picked up a bottle of whisky, and went out on to the terrace.

I followed.

Outside the living-room window he stopped and called the guard over. When the man came he dismissed him.

“You will not be so foolish as to try to leave the apartment, I hope, Mr. Fraser?”

“All I want to do is to rest.”

He put the bottle of whisky into my hand. “We have no use for this,” he said; “perhaps it will help you to sleep.”

He turned on his heel and went inside again.

I walked along the terrace.

Rosalie had heard our voices and was standing by the window waiting for me. As I approached, she switched on the light.

My appearance must have been a shock to her; it was a shock even to me when I saw myself in the mirror; but she did not say anything. She was waiting for me to make the first move.

I put the bottle down and kissed her. She held on to me for a moment, then she smiled.

“I heard what the Major said. Was it true?”

“More or less. Anyway, we have a reward. We are to be treated with consideration. You see, the sentry has already gone.”

“Does it mean they will let us go?”

“Well…” I hesitated. “Not yet. I’ll tell you about it in a minute. I must clean myself up first.”

She was watching me closely, and I knew that I was not going to be able to pretend to her for very long. I turned away as if to take my shirt off and saw that there were bowls of food and fruit on the table.

“You haven’t eaten,” I said. “I asked them to send it up for you.”

“Do you think I would eat when I did not know what had happened to you?”

“The rice will be cold,” I said stupidly.