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“Hey, Pablo. What are you doing here? Is there something wrong with your little car?” he said looking at his VW Golf.
Like most Texans, he was a lover of big cars and, even after all his years in Europe, he continued to make fun of compact cars.
“Huh? No, my car is fine.”
Grease looked puzzled as he shook Pablo’s hand.
“So what brings you here?”
Pablo looked at the bar across the road.
“I’ll buy you a beer.”
“Can’t say no to that,” Grease said.
The two crossed the street under the scorching sun and on entering the bar Pablo went to a secluded table where they could have some privacy. The waiter approached them.
“What can I get for you, gentlemen?” The waiter asked with a strong Andalusian accent.
“Two beers please,” Pablo said, and turning to Grease he asked, “How’s business?”
“It’s going well man, I’m making a profit on the expansion from last year, more and more people come. In fact, I already have six employees.”
“You’ve become quite the businessman!”
“Actually I never dreamed I would do so well,” Grease said. “If I had known it was going to be this good I would have left the Navy long before.”
Pablo began to fear that his plan was ruined.
“Are you telling me you don’t miss sailing?”
Grease looked at him carefully. After a few seconds, it seemed he decided that Pablo would fit within that small circle of comrades to whom he could make a personal confession, although perhaps it was more professional than personal. But that’s the magic of being a seaman, the bonds with your mates, even if you didn’t know them that well.
“I’m not going to lie to you, I’m very happy here, but I do miss sailing, going to distant ports, working in a hierarchical organization and some action every now and again. In addition, the largest engine that’s ever come through that door,” as he nodded toward his workshop, “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
Three days later, Pablo, Grease, and Gabi Huesca sat at a table presided by Jaime Reyes. They had set up their headquarters in offices provided by the shipbuilders inside Navantia itself.
Reyes had wanted to get everyone together in order to clear up doubts and decide what the next steps would be, as well as to meet the new additions to the team.
Grease had already spent a couple of days with the engineers trying to find a viable solution for increasing the speed of the ship to what they wanted. Gabi had just joined them the day before from Madrid and was the newest addition to the team.
Pablo had only seen him in person twice before and he remembered him somewhat differently. Maybe it was the uniform that made him look taller and wider, something chinos and a shirt can’t do. The thin, sharp face was the same, although with dark circles under his brown eyes and with less hair and grayer.
“Well gentlemen,” Reyes began, “I propose that each one of you updates the rest of us on any new items you may have.”
After a series of nods around the table he continued, “For my part, I’ve had success finding the doctor and the accountant. Both are relatively young and with some knowledge of the sea, and both are motivated. I don’t think I need to say much more since we’ll be meeting them both in a few days. As far as a helicopter and a pilot, I’m at a loss. However, I’ve been tracking down someone who I think will be perfect to head our boarding team. On the other hand, I’ve heard from Switzerland that the legal issues in Somalia are practically closed. And the sales contract with Navantia is signed and authorized by the Spanish government. That’s it on my end. Pablo, what do you have?”
Pablo sat up and replied, “My two great achievements are present and will speak for themselves. All I need now is a navigation officer, perhaps someone else to keep watch on the bridge. Otherwise, I think it’s time to start worrying about assembling the rest of the crew, especially now that we have our future heads of departments.”
Reyes nodded.
“Mr. Johnson?”
“It seems the engineers have a pretty good idea for granting our request.” Grease said. “All that’s left to do is see if it’s feasible. When I have more information I will let you know. As for sailors for the engines, I can get a few. There are two kids in my workshop that could help with propulsion and electricity. Both have Navy experience.”
“Excellent. Mr. Huesca?” Reyes addressed Gabi.
“I’m still catching up,” he said. “For now my only contribution is what I told Pablo when he explained the project to me. We need to be clear on what we’re going to do in the event that we capture pirates both on board and in the process of bringing them to justice. In the Castilla, we had a problem over this issue.”
“Good point,” Reyes said writing in his notepad. “I’m leaving matters having to do with the ship to you guys. As for the legal aspect, I will consult with Mr. Egger.”
Pablo and Gabi both gave a nod of acknowledgment.
“Good. I’m glad everything’s coming along,” Reyes continued. “Now the idea is to clarify as soon as possible the issue of the engines,” he said looking at Grease. “And to continue putting the crew together,” this time looking at Pablo and Gabi. “For my part, I will continue working on getting a helicopter and pilots and keep pressuring Navantia to get the boat ready as soon as possible.”
“At this point, I think it’s necessary to let you know that Pablo will be the commanding officer,” Reyes said without preamble.
His listeners were taken off guard and didn’t know quite how to react.
“Maybe it’s a premature decision,” Reyes said unruffled. “But I think it’s necessary to establish leadership from the beginning. And my use of the military term is not accidental. Given the characteristics of our company, I think we should consider our captain a commanding officer. Pablo is undoubtedly the most knowledgeable of the project right now and although he is the youngest one here, he has demonstrated with his planning skills that he is the right man for the job. Gabi,” he said, looking at him, “following the recommendations Pablo has given me, you will be the executive officer and operations officer.
Gabi nodded and turned to Pablo. Then he got up, stood at attention and said, "Aye aye, sir,“ as he held out his hand.
From that moment, Pablo knew he had the best executive officer he could ever want and that the little competition for being head of project, if there ever was any, was long forgotten. Gabi had been put under his command and, like any good seaman, he had respect for hierarchy in his blood.
#
Forty days later, Pablo was nodding approval from the bridge wing of Albatros. On the bridge, a sailor announced over the PA system that they were docked so the deck personnel could retire from their posts. Pablo exhaled a breath that he seemed to have been holding for hours and finally pulled his hands from his pockets. That was the only way he could keep from touching his earlobe like we always did when he was nervous.
Albatros had just completed its first sea trial successfully. It had been a simple leaving of the port to test the latest modifications. The Portuguese had made several such trials but for Pablo and his newly formed crew, this had been the first time. And the first time is always special.
Pablo kept watching from his spot on the bridge wing (in the BAM the wing is covered, inside the bridge) how the deck personnel cleared up lines and other instruments used for mooring the ship while mentally reviewing the last few days.
The Navantia engineers and Grease had made a superhuman effort and had managed to modify the ship’s engines in record time. Grease had warned him that they probably wouldn’t be able to reach the desired thirty knots, that it would be something more like twenty-four or twenty-five. Pablo knew that the request they had made was quite ambitious and never expected it to be resolved so quickly. In addition, Grease had told him that the improvement implied an increase of fuel consumption close to 200% over twenty-three knots. However, Pablo knew that expense was not an issue. All he had to worry about was making sure they had enough fuel in case they needed to navigate at those speeds. In other words, it was its range that could be affected.
They took advantage of the sea trial to test the new engines and they had responded perfectly. Grease had admitted a few days before that the modifications had gone so well because Navantia had already studied them back in the day and most of the calculations had already been made. All they had to do was implement them.
Since virtually everything else had been tested before and they couldn’t afford the time it would take to repeat the entire battery of tests, they would have to rely on the ones previously made by the Portuguese Navy.
The only other innovation they tried out was the two new RHIBs. Navy BAM have free space on the quarterdeck (back) to carry configurable containers. They can have living quarters, humanitarian aid, and even unmanned vehicles. Since they weren’t planning on bringing any of those things along, they had taken advantage of the extra space to place two other boats which, in addition to the original two, would enable Pablo to take the entire crew in them if he wanted.
There was still some unused space in the quarterdeck that Pablo thought would work for storing an extra fuel tank. That would restore the range lost with the increased speed.
They had also taken some time to get used to the ship, becoming familiar with her seafaring ability, which was impressive, and to train the crew they had managed to gather so far.
As executive officer, Gabi was in charge of distributing the crew, putting together what in the Navy is known as a ship’s watch and station bill, setting the position of each person for every post on the ship.
By now, they had forty of the fifty-five men they wanted, a number similar to the one used by the Navy, leaving room for the boarding team and the helicopter crew with their maintenance people included.
Most of the recruits had previous Navy experience. Some were no longer seamen because of early retirement, others because they had been fired. Pablo had made sure that the reasons for the expulsions had been overcome, like the new boatswain and his former addiction to pot; or they had not been important as in the case of the gunner, whose captain didn’t like him. As a result, he had pushed him to the limit to force him to make a mistake.
The rest of the crew came from the merchant navy and fisheries and formed the core of people for deck, bridge, and engine departments.
Pablo and Gabi had decided to follow a procedure similar to the one Reyes had used with them. First, they had sought people to fill the positions of warrant officers and then had delegated them to find their own people, with supervision, of course. Grease had brought two of his mechanics for engineering. Damage Control4 was covered by retired Chief Petty Officer Manuel. That took care of Engines. For the bridge, besides the boatswain José, they had signed Alfonso who after fifteen years fishing in Newfoundland had been unemployed.
They had also found a commis chef, who had convinced them that he could be the cook after preparing them a meal; and an unemployed accounting assistant looking for adventure. These two would work under the accountant Reyes had promised them.
Apart from the gunner, also they had an electronics specialist, a radioman, and another former non commissioned officer for the CIC.
These eleven gentlemen had been entrusted with the mission of finding three subordinates each. Within a few weeks, they had a crew of forty men and women, all selected by their superiors and all approved by the commander and executive officer.
Pablo knew that his people were all motivated, each one in his own way, and you couldn’t ask for more. Upon joining, the mission of the ship had been made clear to them and also that things would run as they did on military ships. Discipline would be much stricter than what they were used to. Pablo had informed each one about this personally and no one had seemed surprised. Everyone had accepted the non-verbal contract. What no one had expected was that immediately after, they were asked to sign a contract outlining in detail the set of rules on board, from dealings with crew members to the behavior expected of them and including corresponding disciplinary action. In this regard, Pablo and Gabi had opted for financial penalties because that’s where it would hurt people the most. The contract also established the commander as an omnipotent judge.
Pablo sighed. Each time he stopped to think, his mind led him to how lucky he was, rather, they were. And occasionally, he pondered the enormous responsibility that was coming. He had never had so many people under his command, neither such a big ship nor such an important mission.
At such times, Pablo would look at Gabi and could not help wondering if Gabi would have been better than him for the position. During the previous days, Gabi had already demonstrated what a valuable asset he would be, always treating Pablo with the utmost respect and subordination.
And that would always bring Pablo back to thinking about how lucky he was.
He came back from his thoughts remembering a saying he had heard years earlier that said, “luck only accompanies those who do not count on it in their plans.” He went to the center of the bridge and called Gabi over. Together, they crossed the small CIC (just aft of the bridge). They went two decks down and headed aft to stand under the poop deck.
At the same time, Reyes was coming up the gangway accompanied by a small entourage that was inspecting the boat curiously. Reyes had said he was busy and could not go to the trials. What Pablo didn’t know was that Reyes had decided not to go so as not to take away the limelight from Pablo on his first day in front of his new crew.
After shaking Pablo and Gabi’s hands, Reyes introduced his companions to them.
“This is Ana Molinos and Esther Rodriguez; accountant and doctor, respectively.”
The seamen managed to hide their surprise. The two had expected both to be men.
Reyes looked amused.
“Now, for my surprise gift,” he said turning to the rest of his companions. “This gentleman,” pointing to a man in his forties who was over six feet tall, “is Paco Díez. Paco was a SWAT member in the police but left to start his own training academy for security personnel. After much insistence, I managed to get him to leave his pseudo-retirement and become head of our boarding team. His companions are a couple of former teammates. He has also brought with him outstanding students, former rivals in shooting contests and some former soldiers. Unless you have any problems or suggestions, they will make up the boarding team.”
Dumbfounded, all they could do was nod their heads in awe.
“Did you think you were the only ones working, huh?” Reyes smiled. “And that’s not all. Paco’s Academy gave me an idea, so I decided to take some flying lessons.”
Gabi couldn’t help it, “Flying lessons?”
“Yes. And that’s how I met Joseba Gaztañaga,” Reyes said pointing to the oldest of his companions, a man of about fifty. “But I'm not going to lie to you. I already knew who Joseba was. However, when I learned that after being a Coast Guard pilot and winning several stunt contests he had set up a small company that makes trips between Ceuta and mainland Spain besides recreational flying, I just had to meet him. And incidentally, I suggested he became our pilot. Thank God he said yes. So far everything was going according to my plans, but then he tells me he is bringing a chopper, another pilot, support, and maintenance staff!” exclaimed Reyes as he gestured with his arms to indicate the rest of the people who had come aboard with him.
Reyes waited a few seconds and continued.
“The first one to come out of his state of shock,” he smiled, “may be asking about the chopper. It’s an Agusta Bell 412, marinized of course, and will be here tomorrow morning. Joseba knows the technical data better than I, but I think you will see that it more than meets our needs. What do you think Pablo?”
“Well, Mr. Reyes,” Pablo managed to answer, “perhaps recalling that it was you who gave me this job in the first place, I should have guessed something like this. Today has demonstrated that you are my fairy godmother. And now, if it’s all right with you, we will introduce the new members of the crew,” with that he turned to Gabi. “Everyone to the hangar.”
Gabi nodded and walked away. A few minutes later, Pablo introduced the newcomers to the rest of the crew. When everyone had left, some to settle down and the others to finish up some of their work before leaving, it was only Gabi and Pablo.
Pablo said, “Gabi, would you like to join me for dinner to celebrate today?”
Pablo didn’t know what it was, but he was having trouble enjoying being in charge. Although he had been a captain in the Merchant Navy, he had never had such an important project or one in which so much depended on him. In Albatros most of the defining parts of the project hinged on his decisions. He needed to clear his mind.