“is not even a tenth of the ones I had on the ships.”
Pablo smiled, that was the eternal topic of the Texan who liked big things.
“Then you may be interested in what I’m about to tell you.”
Grease looked at him curiously. The conversation was taking an unexpected turn.
“Let’s just say I’m part of a novel project and we need someone to take care of the engines.”
Pablo let the information sink in. After a few seconds, Grease continued looking at him in the same manner, educated curiosity, but nothing more. Pablo smiled remembering that Grease was a regular poker player.
He decided to continue, “It’s a boat, about a hundred meters long and I want to modify it so it will reach thirty knots. Right now it has two sixteen-valve MTU engines that go up to twenty-two but at Navantia they’re trying to figure out how to get the extra eight.”
“This could cost you an arm and a leg and will suck more than a puta que no folla.”
Pablo couldn’t help laughing. It was funny to hear vulgar expressions in Spanish coming from the mouth of a foreigner.
“My boss is pretty generous when it comes to expenses.”
“Interesting,” Grease said. “I have a couple of ideas.”
“Well, now that I got your attention, I’ll tell you the whole story.”
Grease sat up in his chair, any attempt at masking his emotions completely forgotten.
“We’re going to the Horn of Africa with a Somali government permit to hunt pirates.”
“You’re kidding.”
“I’m not. I’m being completely serious. These pirates must have pissed off someone enough to make them subsidize a genuine privateer to chase after them. Unfortunately for them, this guy is one of the few who can afford it.”
“Is this an official proposal?” Grease asked.
“I’m asking you to be the chief engineer of the ship. If you accept, tomorrow you’ll have to go to Navantia and fight with the engineers to give me what I want. This proposal is as serious as it gets. All I need is my boss’ approval but I don’t think he’ll have a problem.”
And that’s what’s known as “going all in”. Thank God he had the cards to back it up.
“I’m your guy!” cried Grease. “Now tell me a little more about this crazy plan.”
Pablo leaned back in his chair and asked for another round. Now that he had accomplished his goal he could really enjoy his beer.
#
That same evening at home, Pablo picked up the phone.
“Hello?”
“Pablo, it’s Nacho. I talked to Gabi and he said he wants to talk to you. Write his number down.”
After thinking about it and asking Javi for advice, Pablo had decided it was best that Nacho approach him first. Gabi had gone through a difficult time and the conversation could touch sensitive issues and maybe even become unpleasant.
That’s why he had asked Nacho to call Gabi and explain the situation. He had agreed and it seemed to have gone well.
“At first he was a little stunned,” Nacho said. “Then, when he recovered, the first thing he asked was about you. He said for me to forget you’re my brother and tell him what I know about you as a seaman. I must be a great liar because he wants to talk to you.” Nacho quipped.
“Ha, ha. Thanks a lot, Nacho.”
“It’s nothing, little guy. See you later.”
“Later.”
Pablo looked at the piece of paper. He knew the success of the project could depend heavily on the man whose phone belonged to that number. Pablo saw only two options if Gabi Huesca joined the enterprise. Either he became the commanding officer or his right-hand man. He was not going to find anyone so qualified.
He had considered that the loss of his previous command may have affected Gabi psychologically but Nacho wouldn’t have recommended him if that was the case.
Not wanting to mull it over too much he dialed the number his brother had given him. After two rings, a voice with no accent answered. Even though Pablo had seen in his own family how moving around can cause a person to lose his regional accent, it still surprised him.
“Hello?”
“Good morning. My name is Pablo Marzán, may I speak with Gabriel Huesca please?”
“Speaking. Good morning Pablo, and please call me Gabi.”
“Okay Gabi,” Pablo said. “Well, my brother told me you wanted to talk to me.”
“Yes. The truth is that everything he told me all sounds a bit weird and I wanted to hear it from the source. It’s a little hard to believe that an opportunity like this one has come my way, especially after what just happened.”
Well, he talks about his incident with no problems. Typically that means he’s overcome it, thought Pablo.
“Yeah, I’m sure it sounded like he was making it up. How about I explain everything to you from the beginning and see if it makes sense to you then?”
“Okay.”
Pablo told him everything he knew about the project. Not only what Reyes had told him but also what he had seen from the beginning. He told Gabi about Mr. Gotthelf and Alps Tankers, Navantia and the BAM with its modifications, and the little he knew about what they would do in Somalia. He even told him about Grease.
“It still sounds incredible,” Gabi said. “But I must say I agree with the whole approach. I would just add a holding and monitoring plan for possible captured pirates, as well as establishing clear procedures after they are left in the hands of justice or wherever, and above all, one or two translators.
Gabi hadn’t asked about exactly what role was being offered to him. What had Nacho said to him? Was Gabi assuming that he was going to command? Or that it would be Pablo? Maybe he didn’t care? Or maybe he hadn’t wondered?
Pablo decided he had to stop racking his brain and be practical. One way or another, Gabi would be his closest partner, either as head or subordinate, and they needed a relationship based on sincerity. But before he could react, Gabi asked, “And what exactly is the role you’re offering?”
“I’ll be honest with you. My boss has not yet decided who will command the ship. I was his first choice but the roles are not yet determined. All I’m doing for now is trying to find the rest of the officers. Going by what my brother told me, with your experience you’d make a magnificent executive officer and operations officer if you’re not the captain.”
“Thank Nacho for me for the compliment. That’s something, coming from him.”
Pablo decided to not beat around the bush. They were past the point of no return.
“So, can I count on you?”
After a pause, Gabi said, “The truth is that everything sounds great, but a decision like this cannot be taken lightly. I’ll have to ask my wife and think about what my family will do. Also, you’ve not said anything about a salary.”
“As far as money is concerned, don’t worry. Our ship owner doesn’t mind spending whatever it takes and in addition to your salary there will probably be some bonuses added for aborted attacks and captured pirates.”
“All right, in that case, give me twenty-four hours to think about it and I’ll call you at this number.”
“Perfect. Talk to you tomorrow then.”
“So long.”
Chapter Four