Brisbane struggled to keep his smile polite as the thought of not having to drink Trueno's private supply of rum made him want to cheer. The small glass of water he'd been sipping wasn't enough to put out the inferno in his throat, only the jug of water standing in the middle of the table could end the suffering.
"Certainly not, a low profile is usually the better. Hanger E-23 at 6 a.m, I'll see you then. Good night Trueno and thank you."
Trueno seemed to appreciate the rapid farewell as the two shook hands. With great effort Brisbane remained standing until the three Corsairs had melted into the sea of tables.
Then abandoning all pretense and posture Brisbane lunged for the jug, gulping it down like a man dying of thirst. Slowly the water diluted the rum, extinguishing the fire and quelling the storm. He sat, head in hand taking in steady breaths that stung his red-raw throat. Gradually Brisbane rose from his chair, his feet were lead weights which was good as his head had begun to float and cautiously made his way back to his cabin. Somehow he managed to set his alarm for 05:30, collapsing on the bed giggling as the cabin slowly rotated around him.
* * *
A steady deafening bang rattled Edward from his sleep, his brain refused to acknowledge his consciousness as the lingering effects of the rum had not yet abated.
Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang.
Was the ship under attack or was a herd of elephants tap dancing in steel shoes? His bleary eyes opened, gently shifting in and out of focus at the bedside clock. He realised those heavy bangs sounded exactly as the second hand stopped, how strange he thought. Watching the hand climb steadily towards the twelve a sudden impulse tried to wretch itself free of Brisbane mind, he hand wanted to stop something, but what?
The alarm went off like a hundred ancient cannon blasts. He felt it ring in his ears, his head, his eyes and his teeth. In fact his entire body was ringing threatening to shake itself apart. His hand slapped down, followed by a numb pain that barely registered.
He'd survived.
Several strong cups of coffee and twenty minutes later Brisbane had gathered his belongings, changed into a regular suit and was at the door of hanger E-23 five minutes early, awaiting the Trueno Benitez and his flight to Crete.
