Read Online Ocean: War of Independence by Brian Herbert, Jan Herbert - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Brian Herbert, Jan Herbert
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I’m talking about. A newsman cannot discuss certain details of his sources. It is a matter of journalistic honor.”
“The Sea Warriors are a terrorist organization.”
“I don’t agree with that designation, sir. And I’m not alone. I’m sure you’ve seen the public opinion polls, how much support there is for the Sea Warriors.”
With a scowl, the President asked, “What is it you don’t want to tell me? What do you know about that tattooed Hawaiian, that Lawrence of the Ocean?”
Jimmy smiled, just a little. “Sir, I realize you brought me here to discuss my cousin, Kimo Pohaku, and I will be happy to do so—subject to my moral constraints. Of course, you realize he is not technically my cousin, because he was adopted by Tiny and Ealani Pohaku when he was very young.”
“Who were his birthmother and natural father?”
“I’m not sure if Kimo even knows that, or Ealani. You have already spoken with her of this, and she knows more about it than I do. But it is common knowledge that the boy-child was discovered in the sea by a fisherman, Tiny Pohaku, and brought home. When Kimo was a teenager, he began having the tattoos of sea creatures inked onto his body. Truly, Mr. President, he loves the ocean and all the things that live in it.”
“Such an interesting, strange background,” President Vanness said. He leaned forward. “I am informed that Kimo came to your home, accompanied by Alicia Ellsworth?”
The question surprised Jimmy, because he didn’t recall revealing that to anyone. Had he mentioned it to Fuji, or to Ealani? He wasn’t sure, but didn’t want to be caught in a lie. “That is true, Mr. President. They wanted me to publicize their message, describing the plight of the sea and the creatures that live in it.”
“And a worthy cause that is.”
“Yes it is, Mr. President.”
“But, you see, I have my own priorities. While I can see that more needs to be done to help the ocean—a great deal more, I will admit—we can’t have the Sea Warriors interfering with national security. And they have been doing exactly that, blockading both Pearl Harbor and San Francisco Bay and all the naval installations in them—interfering with military operations, as well as commercial shipping, and pleasure boats. That oil derrick incident is another direct attack on American security interests, adversely affecting our oil supply, which is a strategic resource with military implications. We cannot allow any of that, don’t you see?”
Jimmy pursed his lips, didn’t respond.
A female aide entered the room, whispered something in the President’s ear.
He scowled, then smiled stiffly. “It seems that you have a cell phone call, Mr. Waimea. The caller identifies himself as Kimo Pohaku.”
“Sorry, sir. I left my phone in the sitting hall, didn’t want to disturb our meeting with it.”
“But you left it on.”
“Yes, sir. Do you want me to take the call?”
The President nodded, and the aide handed the phone to Jimmy. It was an exceedingly embarrassing situation. “Yes?” Jimmy said.
“I’m using a calling card,” Kimo said, “so they’ll have trouble figuring out where I am. Only six hours remain on the latest deadline I gave. Is there anything new?”
“I’m sitting with the President at this very moment.”
There was a long silence on the line. Then: “ The President?”
“That’s right, President Fillmore Vanness. I’m with him in the Oval Office.”
“You’re kidding.”
“I wish I were.”
“They must have all kinds of ways of locating me, so I need to get off this line. Well? Do you have a response from him?”
“I’ll ask him. Can you call back in say, half an hour?”
“Make it two hours. I’m going to change cards, and locations.” Kimo hung up quickly.
Another aide entered, and handed a printed transcript to the President, which he read. “So, the Sea Warriors want my response?”
“Yes, Mr. President. I make no pretenses, sir, but I seem to
“The Sea Warriors are a terrorist organization.”
“I don’t agree with that designation, sir. And I’m not alone. I’m sure you’ve seen the public opinion polls, how much support there is for the Sea Warriors.”
With a scowl, the President asked, “What is it you don’t want to tell me? What do you know about that tattooed Hawaiian, that Lawrence of the Ocean?”
Jimmy smiled, just a little. “Sir, I realize you brought me here to discuss my cousin, Kimo Pohaku, and I will be happy to do so—subject to my moral constraints. Of course, you realize he is not technically my cousin, because he was adopted by Tiny and Ealani Pohaku when he was very young.”
“Who were his birthmother and natural father?”
“I’m not sure if Kimo even knows that, or Ealani. You have already spoken with her of this, and she knows more about it than I do. But it is common knowledge that the boy-child was discovered in the sea by a fisherman, Tiny Pohaku, and brought home. When Kimo was a teenager, he began having the tattoos of sea creatures inked onto his body. Truly, Mr. President, he loves the ocean and all the things that live in it.”
“Such an interesting, strange background,” President Vanness said. He leaned forward. “I am informed that Kimo came to your home, accompanied by Alicia Ellsworth?”
The question surprised Jimmy, because he didn’t recall revealing that to anyone. Had he mentioned it to Fuji, or to Ealani? He wasn’t sure, but didn’t want to be caught in a lie. “That is true, Mr. President. They wanted me to publicize their message, describing the plight of the sea and the creatures that live in it.”
“And a worthy cause that is.”
“Yes it is, Mr. President.”
“But, you see, I have my own priorities. While I can see that more needs to be done to help the ocean—a great deal more, I will admit—we can’t have the Sea Warriors interfering with national security. And they have been doing exactly that, blockading both Pearl Harbor and San Francisco Bay and all the naval installations in them—interfering with military operations, as well as commercial shipping, and pleasure boats. That oil derrick incident is another direct attack on American security interests, adversely affecting our oil supply, which is a strategic resource with military implications. We cannot allow any of that, don’t you see?”
Jimmy pursed his lips, didn’t respond.
A female aide entered the room, whispered something in the President’s ear.
He scowled, then smiled stiffly. “It seems that you have a cell phone call, Mr. Waimea. The caller identifies himself as Kimo Pohaku.”
“Sorry, sir. I left my phone in the sitting hall, didn’t want to disturb our meeting with it.”
“But you left it on.”
“Yes, sir. Do you want me to take the call?”
The President nodded, and the aide handed the phone to Jimmy. It was an exceedingly embarrassing situation. “Yes?” Jimmy said.
“I’m using a calling card,” Kimo said, “so they’ll have trouble figuring out where I am. Only six hours remain on the latest deadline I gave. Is there anything new?”
“I’m sitting with the President at this very moment.”
There was a long silence on the line. Then: “ The President?”
“That’s right, President Fillmore Vanness. I’m with him in the Oval Office.”
“You’re kidding.”
“I wish I were.”
“They must have all kinds of ways of locating me, so I need to get off this line. Well? Do you have a response from him?”
“I’ll ask him. Can you call back in say, half an hour?”
“Make it two hours. I’m going to change cards, and locations.” Kimo hung up quickly.
Another aide entered, and handed a printed transcript to the President, which he read. “So, the Sea Warriors want my response?”
“Yes, Mr. President. I make no pretenses, sir, but I seem to
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