Preserving Freedom: A Novel

chapter 5

The meeting lasted for hours, stretching into the night. Every detail, every sliver of minutia was discussed, rolled over, digested, and discussed again. Not a stone was left unturned, and no idea was left behind. The longer Mr. Thomas articulated in the specifications of how the Triumphant was going to sink, the larger the knot in my stomach grew. 

Whenever I thought the meeting was coming to a close, a new subject was introduced and a longer conversation than the last would dominate the table. Mr. Thomas, Miss Alice, and Dianne seemed to have this kind of unfettered ardor whenever they spoke. It was like watching three philosophers debating the issues of self and the meaning of existence. Considering the lives of whoever was going to be on the Triumphant, they might have well have been doing just that. 

The lives of the rich, the politicians, the military figures, as well as the crew and servants would all be lost in a spectacular, grandiose display of resistance. All in the name of Freedom's Cause. At least, that was how George had framed it. He was the one doing most of the talking, but I noticed he didn't add much to the discussion pertaining to the specifics of the mission.

"Sinking the ship would echo the notion of how serious Freedom's Cause is, not just to the city of New York, not just America, but the entire world! Everyone in existence would have on their lips the name of Freedom's Cause. It will become a dinner table topic for months, possibly years to come, I know it!"

The more George talked, he seemed to become less charismatic and more annoying. But everyone in the table seemed to be energized by his chatter, and no one seemed to disagree with anyone. Every idea was a good idea. A great idea, in fact. Blow up the engine hold with explosives. Intentionally take over the brig and captain's crew and send the entire vessel headlong into an iceberg. Puncture the hulls of every lifeboat with minuscule holes so that fleeing survivors would meet a watery grave once out in the ocean. The ideas kept coming like chocolate sweets on a conveyor belt in a factory.

"So, what do you think, Mr. Emerson?" I looked up and saw Mr. Thomas's piercing gaze directed at me. I opened my mouth. Shut it. Opened it again, and then looked down at the blueprints. The table was more occupied now, with silverware, plates, bowls, and cups covering nearly every square inch of the oaken finish. George had an empty tankard in front of him, and Dianne swished hard liquor in a shot glass, sniffing it. She downed it in one gulp, slapped it down on the table, and looked at me.

"You seem to be real quiet over there, Jake." Her voice was hoarse as she spoke, her eyes sparkling in the dim light. "Excuse me, Mr. Emerson."

I frowned, replying, "Sorry, I was just thinking about-"

"About what?" Dianne leaned in, a loop of her brown hair falling down between her eyes. She blew at it, and it swung lazily back and forth.

"I was just thinking about how exactly we're going to get on the ship in the first place," I spoke slowly and carefully, looking into the middle distance above the table. "If this ship is going to be carrying the elites of society, I suppose there will be a lot of security included as well."

I looked over at Mr. Thomas. He looked over at Miss Alice and George, and then looked back at me. His intense gaze increased by a degree.

He said. "We had already discussed that before drinks went around. Weren't you listening?"

I could feel all eyes on me. The knot in my stomach enlarged to the size of a small walnut. My throat became parched. I thirsted for some of what Dianne had been drinking, but there was nothing left in the bottle. All the liquor had been consumed hours before.

I said. "I'm sorry, but could you refresh my memory?"

Mr. Thomas grunted in distaste, but he complied, saying, "Well, for those of us who were listening would know-" Mr. Thomas gave me a harsh glare from underneath his mask. "-that the way we intend to infiltrate the ship is to assume the disguises of Night Watchmen. There is a Night Watchmen station just southeast of here. By that method, we will simultaneously acquire explosives needed to sink the Triumphant. Taking out two birds with one stone, you see."