Echo Six: Black Ops 6 - Battle for Beirut (32 page)

The handset went dead, and he handed it over. Then he wandered out to the flight deck and found Rovere. The Italian looked concerned.

"Boss, I'm worried about Buchmann. I've never seen anyone so filled with hate for everything Islamic. I believe he plans to go out and slaughter as many of these extremists as he can find. It'll be a long time before he forgives them for what they did."

"Where we're headed, Domenico, that kind of rage will be useful."

"A bad one?"

"Al Shabaab. They don't come much worse."

Rovere grimaced. "After that business in Kenya, they made a lot of people unhappy."

"They're evil, Dom. We all need a rest, but it can't wait. It's one of those times when we have to get back up to strength and then do what they pay us to do. I know it'll be hard. We've taken quite a hit this time. Buchmann worse than most."

"Poor bastard."

"We all have to get over it and move on. Sometimes the best thing is to get straight back on the horse."

"Pick up your sword, go out and slay evil? St George and the dragon?"

"Right. This particular dragon carries an AK47 and takes great pleasure in the mass murder of innocents."

"An evil soul producing holy witness, is like a villain with a smiling cheek, a goodly apple rotten at the heart."

"Amen to that."

Jesse came out of the island, the superstructure accommodating the bridge and much of the combat command and control systems for the giant carrier. He nodded a greeting to the two men and addressed Talley.

"I've spent plenty of time with her, Boss, and she's talking, a few words. I'm sure there's nothing that can't be patched up and healed. Given time."

"We don't have time, Jesse."

The Indian was impassive. "I know."

"What do you know?"

He shook his head. "Our Islamic friends. Al Shabaab. They'll be waiting for us to hit them after Kenya. It won't be an easy one."

Talley grimaced. "I wish I knew how you did that, Jesse. I guess it's an Indian thing us palefaces will never understand."

"You're right, Boss, but one thing does help."

"What's that?"

"When you're walking past the radio room and you listen in through a half open door. Kinda sneaky, but that's an Indian thing as well."

He chuckled. "That was pretty spooky. I was worried there for a few moments. I suggest we go find Buchmann, try and cheer him up. If you have any Indian tricks to help him out, he could sure do with them."

"I'll think of something."

"A few drinks would ease the hurt, but sadly we're on board a United States Navy warship." Rovere murmured, "Stay, give me drink. Hamlet, this pearl is thine, here's to thy health! Give him the cup."

They left him with the last word.

The following day, Talley went to see her. Jesse was still in attendance. She stared at him, and after a few minutes, something flickered in her eyes. But she was silent.

He felt like something had kicked him in the stomach. Nava was like a stranger, and yet, he felt he knew her more than he'd ever known her. Knew what she'd gone through.

"She'll be fine," Jesse murmured, seeing the worry and hurt in his eyes. "A few days, just give her more time. I can help her."

The Nimitz docked two days later in Naples, Southern Italy. When the mighty screws were stilled, and they were tied up at the wharf, he went to see her. The sick bay stank of herbs of some kind. Almost as if the orderlies had been smoking pot, which they hadn't. Jesse nodded a greeting.

"I need some fresh air, Boss. I'll take ten minutes out on deck. "

He left, and Talley stared down at her. Her eyes were closed at first, but then she opened them. She studied him for a few moments, and he felt the agony of concern knife through him.

Will she ever recover, even recognize me?

Her lips moved. She was trying to speak. He bent down closer and heard a single word.

"Abe."