The Lotus Eaters

Building 59, Fort Muddville, Balboa Transitway Area

Janier's face was ashen, in stark contrast to the blue and gold of his unofficial dress uniform. "What went wrong?" he asked, of nobody in particular.

"Two things," de Villepin said, his voice low with worry, "Muñoz and the woman. We might have succeeded if either of those had gone right, the woman kept incommunicado and the Castilian kidnapped and killed, with the other side being blamed for it. As is . . ."

"Can we extract the two companies of commandos at the Gatun River?" Janier asked.

De Villepin shook his head in negation. "When he wants to move fast, Muñoz plainly can. The commandos are trapped and the pickup zones we could have used for helicopter extraction under heavy mortar fire. And, after we tried to have him kidnapped, I doubt he'll be in a reasonable mood."

"Don't you have a contact there?" the general asked.

"The Castilian shot him."

"Merde! What about the Twentieth Mechanized?"

"They're clear for now," de Villepin said. "I can't for say how long that will be the case. The Balboans are swarming like ants. I think we should pull them back while we can."

"Any sign the Balboans are crossing into the Transitway Area?"

De Villepin shook his head again. "Not 'crossing,' no. But . . ."

"Go on."

"Their Tenth Artillery Legion, which, as near as we can tell has something approaching two hundred guns, heavy mortars, and rocket launchers, is taking up positions from which they can level this post."

"Why haven't they opened fire, do you think?" Janier asked.

De Villepin laughed. "Because their commander hasn't given them the word to. And is still alive, so far as they know. If he were dead, or gave the word . . ."