possibly the most extensive center of the Grafs operations. We have no intention of putting up with small-time local hoodlums bothering our people, disrupting our activities.'
Frank said unhappily, 'But that's the point, Colonel. I'm not one of your people. I told Nat I didn't think that I could come in with you.'
The other looked from Frank to Nat and then back again. 'Ah, I didn't know that. However, it is your own choice, of course. We have no intention of coercing you. Nat, would you see to refills for our glasses?'
'Too right,' Nat said, heading for the bar. The colonel said wryly, 'And Nat, dear boy, where in the world do you get those hats?'
The Aussie grinned back at him over his shoulder and touched the bush hat, which it seemed he never removed, even indoors. 'Me titfer?' he said. 'Had it shipped from Sydney. A bloke's got to keep up appearances, that's wot I say.' He returned to the others with an imperial quart of whiskey and poured for all.
The colonel snorted but turned back to Frank. 'I am rather surprised. It would seem, under the circumstances, that you would welcome employment.'
Frank said unhappily, 'It's not that I don't appreciate your kindness, Colonel. But I heard Nat out and I don't believe I'd make a good mercenary.'
The colonel shrugged and sipped lightly at his new drink. He said, 'The Graf's activities are not limited to mercenary matters, Frank. Let me give you some background. In the very old days, such as when Xenophon led his 10,000 Greek mercenaries to fight for Cyrus of Persia, such matters were handled on a large and efficient scale. But of recent centuries wars have largely been conducted by national governments with citizen armies, along with such related matters as weapons procurement and so forth. Mercenary activities have been hit and miss. Professional soldiers of fortune would apply singly or in small groups for employment. Seldom were more than a few hundred involved. Often, those that were found themselves, ah, holding the bag when the war was over and their side had lost. They could only whistle for their hard-earned pay. We are changing that. For one thing, modern weapons are not easily mastered by uneducated peasants. A Congo bushman does not fly a rocket fighter plane.'
Frank nodded at that.
'So today, in the occasional wars that develop, it is necessary for large numbers of professionals to be at hand in the underdeveloped countries. Would it surprise you to know that the Graf can handle a complete action without going outside his own organization? He can field a full disciplined division within a month, and arm them completely, including air cover. From espionage preceding the actual conflict, to getting money out for the officials of collapsing governments, washing it, depositing it in Nassau or Swiss banks, and then spiriting absconding officials to safety to enjoy their, ah, loot. Or, another service might be the—removal?—of other politicians. All of this is on contract, so arranged that the Grafs organization is always guaranteed its pay, bonuses, and insurance in case of death or disability. The Graf takes care of his own.' He grimaced in amusement and looked about the luxurious study. 'As you see, I do not live in poverty.'
Frank was frowning. 'It's hard to believe that this Graf can field a completely armed division. He has ten or twenty thousand men on his payroll?'
Nat chuckled and poured still more of the priceless Scotch.
The Indian smiled and shook his head. 'No, of course not. He supports a permanent staff spotted about the world, such as my operation here in Tangier. Senior executives such as myself, office workers, and so on. He also has on retainer, between actual contracts, a cadre of officers who can spring to duty within hours; all experienced veterans. He then has, on call, thousands of available infantrymen, pilots, tank men, logistics specialists, and so on, ready to enlist at any time for any duration. They are not on the permanent crew. They usually exist on GAS, or its equivalent in the advanced countries, between employments.'
Frank said, 'You've suggested that you took on other contracts besides wars and revolutions.'
Panikkar nodded. 'Yes, many. Last month we conducted a commando action which involved only twenty men. One of our best officers, a Major Shannon, and nineteen veteran non-coms.It seems that there was a half-mad dictator on one of the smaller Caribbean islands. His people overwhelmingly wished to join the United States but he, understandably, refused. He and his family were vampires upon that island's population. However, funds were raised, and the commando detachment was sent to take him out.'
'Then you actually do individual assassinations.' The Aussie chuckled again but stuck to his drink, rather than joining into the conversation.
The colonel shrugged. 'On occasion. We see little difference, morally speaking, between entering into a full- fledged war or killing an individual. But see here, you are an educated young man. You must have read of Genghis Khan, one of the great military men of all time. He rose from being a simple chieftain of a small nomadic tribe in Central Asia to conquer the largest empire the world had ever seen. He destroyed whole civilizations. He slaughtered millions of sedentary peoples so their lands could be devoted to his flocks. Only one thing stopped his hordes from engulfing Europe: he died. Now, tell me, my good Frank, what would the world have been saved had our Genghis Khan been assassinated when he was a young man?' Frank was nonplussed.
The Indian went on. 'It goes both ways. Suppose your Abraham Lincoln had been suitably
It took a hundred years for the South to fully recover from your Civil War.'
Frank said hesitantly, 'Your Graf provides bodyguards, I take it.'
'Naturally. He has the most efficient bodyguards in the world.'
'I hope so. Assassination is—well, hell, it isn't civilized!'
'But it can improve civilization.' Panikkar finished his second large whiskey. 'Take Mahem Dhu, who recently proclaimed himself the Mahdi in Central Africa.'
' 'Never heard of him.''
'The Mahdi is a figure of Moslem mythology,' Panikkar explained. 'Something like a messiah, he is to return as the world is about to end, unite all believers, and destroy those who are evil. It is a most primitive aspect of Islam. The last major leader who proclaimed himself the Mahdi was Mohammed Ahmed in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan in the 19th Century. He called for a holy war and in a few years his followers overwhelmed an area half the size of Europe, slaughtering hundreds of thousands. They beat the British army and killed General Gordon.'
'But this new one?' Frank said.
'Mahem Dhu. He's trying the same thing in Central and Northern Africa. He refuses to join the United Church, while many Islamic sects are joining. If he continues, millions of uneducated blacks and Arabs will die. If he should be, ah, removed, their lives will be spared and, with the help of United Church missionaries, their countries will be rapidly upgraded.'
'I see your point,' Frank admitted. He pulled at his drink unhappily. 'Still…'
Nat Fraser scoffed. 'Mate,' he said. 'You bloody well told me that the Yanks deported you for homicide. What's the buggering difference? You knock off some cove on your own, or you do it for the Graf for mucking good pay. And you don't have to take a contract if you don't like it. Strewth, I've turned down more than one.'
Frank looked back at the colonel. 'I don't see what use I'd be to you. I'm no soldier.'
Ram Panikkar shrugged it off. 'It's not important, Frank. Sleep on it. We might find you a position appropriate to your abilities, seeing that you're a most personable and a reasonably educated young man.' He looked at his wrist chronometer. 'But you must be tired after all your troubles today. And you must be hungry.' He looked at the Australian. 'Nat, I suggest that you see that Frank gets a good meal and then put him up for the night in one of the dormitories. I'd suggest the non-com quarters. Tomorrow morning he can return to his hotel.'
'Too right, Colonel,' Nat said, coming to his feet.
Frank stood too and began his thanks but the colonel waved' them aside, smiling, and returned to the papers on his desk without further words.
Next morning, driven to his hotel by Nat Fraser, Frank found not only his suitcases and the personal things that had been stolen from him by the muggers, but a pile of Swiss francs and Moroccan dirhams atop the rickety dresser. They totalled a full equivalent of a thousand pseudo-dollars, slightly more than he had been robbed of. After all, he had owed the cab driver five dirhams and had paid Luigi ten dirhams for room rent, and had bought a round of drinks at Paul's Bar. Even his camera was in one of the suitcases. The colonel had clout.
A vague thought came to him. How had Panikkar known he was staying at the Hotel Rome? He had told neither the Indian nor Nat Fraser.
Chapter Nine: Roy Cos
