Page 110 of Clive Cussler Ghost Soldier

More subtle laughter rippled around the room.

“The test isn’t over yet!”

“Of course it is,” the other Nigerian said. “It’s only a matter of timebefore the other flags are captured. Twenty million dollars is a great incentive to finish their mission.”

“Unless, of course, you decide to murder them,” the Italian said. He was the head of a dark web assassination outfit.

“I am an honorable man. I would never violate the terms of an agreement.”

“Then face it,” the Nigerian said. “They won. You lost.”

“I admire the tactical logic of your opponents,” the Chinese general said. “Defeating your network rather than your fighting systems was a stroke of genius. How do you suppose it was done?” He flashed a thin smile.

Rage flooded the Vendor’s nervous system. The humiliation was nearly unbearable. Worse, if word of this disaster got out into the arms community, his reputation would suffer.

He was about to issue an order to have them all arrested and killed, and their bodies dumped in the shark-infested waters around the island. But his cold reason overrode his animal instinct for vengeance. Their disappearances would cause more problems than they would solve.

“I want to know how your network was breached,” the blond Serbian said. “That is the technology we need to acquire.”

“Why assume it was breached?” the Vendor asked. “It was most likely a hardware or software failure that triggered the return-to-base function.”

“I suspect you have a security problem,” the North Korean said in her thickly accented English.

“Which means we are all now at risk,” the Italian said.

“There is no reason for us to remain here,” the Chinese colonel said. “We demand immediate transportation back to Mindanao.”

Heads nodded all around. The group was clearly nervous.

“Keiko, notify the pilots to prepare for immediate departure.”

“It will be done.”

The Vendor smiled, raising opened hands. “You see? There is a transport helicopter on twenty-four-hour emergency standby. It will arrive on this building’s helipad within twenty minutes.”

“Very good,” the Chinese colonel said, relieved.

“I would ask all of you to remember the nondisclosure agreement you signed before you came here.”

“Don’t worry,” the Serbian said. “Your secret is safer with us than it is with you, apparently.”

“I will be in contact with each of you as soon as I have solved the issues and a new test can be conducted—”

“Don’t bother,” the Chinese general said. “The obvious imperfection in the technology is quite sufficient for my taste.”

The Vendor forced himself to ignore the insult. He pointed to the head of his personal bodyguard unit, an armed Japanese officer in crisp jungle camouflage standing in the corner. He drew the lieutenant over with a sharp draw of his index finger. The officer dashed over.

“Sir?”

The Vendor lowered his voice. “Escort my guests to the helipad. Put four snipers on the roof and a squad of armed guards outside the building. Contact me as soon as they are airborne.”

“Yes, sir.” The Japanese lieutenant turned to the guests. “If you will all please follow me.” He pointed in the direction of the elevators. The Chinese delegation led the way, followed by the others.

The North Korean scientist slipped over to the Vendor. “Please be sure to contact me when the next test occurs.” She patted him on the arm. “I’m sure you’ll find the problem.” She offered a forced smile before turning and catching up with the others.

The Vendor watched the large elevator doors shut and waited for the hum of hydraulics that signaled their lift up to the roof helipad before he allowed himself a bone-rattling, primal scream.

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