The Hour of Camelot

by Alan Fenton

  ‘I agree,’ said Arthur. ‘Operation Mainline will involve Eclipse, Kraken, Nimbles, Scuttles, most of our actives and robots . . . and, of course, Excalibur.’

  ‘Then I am in favour of it,’ said Lancelot. The Commander- in-Chief’s backing virtually assured Arthur of the support of the hawks at the Round Table. The doves, however, were not so easily convinced – amongst them, on this occasion, George Bedivere, normally hawkish, and one of Arthur’s most loyal supporters. ‘If we attack the drug barons on the scale you propose, many innocent people will die.’

  ‘We shall do everything in our power,’ Arthur assured him, ‘to avoid killing innocent people. I admit, though, that in an operation of this scale, accidents can happen.’

  ‘I am the last person to preach,’ said George, ‘but clearly there is an issue of morality here.’

  ‘There is also the risk,’ said Leo Grant, ‘that so many people in so many different countries will be adversely affected that the world could turn against us.’

  ‘There are risks, I agree,’ acknowledged Arthur, ‘but think, George, think Leo, think how many innocents will die if we do nothing. According to the World Health Organisation’s latest statistics there are now at least two hundred million registered drug addicts in the world. The actual number is undoubtedly a multiple of that figure. Some estimates put it as high as one or two billion, and increasing even as I speak. Where will it end? When every man, woman and child in the world is an addict!’ Taking his time, Arthur looked slowly up and down the table. ‘The human cost in terms of physical and mental suffering is incalculable. All efforts to deal with this enormous problem have so far failed. The drug trade is by far the biggest business in the world. There is so much money in it that across the globe thousands of politicians and businessmen, accountants and lawyers, drug enforcement officers and police are on the drug barons’ payroll. What’s more, Command Control and many security services have indisputable evidence that the drug barons finance worldwide terrorism. In summary, ladies and gentlemen, I am convinced that we have a moral duty to eliminate the drug trade, and if we succeed, that it may well be our greatest gift to mankind.’

  There was no doubt that Arthur’s powerful words had impressed the Round Table. ‘Are you not afraid,’ said Gawain, ‘that any drug producers who survive will simply use their wealth to start up production again?’

  ‘That could certainly happen,’ said Arthur, ‘if we allowed them to keep the rewards of their crimes. But we shall not. Command Control, Neural Network and Techforce Ten are already working to trace their bank accounts, wherever in the world they may be. That work did not start today, it has been going on for years. You will remember that three years ago we set up DTSG – the Drug Trade Surveillance Group – to infiltrate drug networks and steal their access codes. Their work is done. So not only are we confident we can destroy the drug barons, we believe we can also relieve them of most of their money.’

  Galahad’s colour alternated swiftly between deep red and pasty white. Clearly he had something to say, but was too shy to put up his hand. ‘Speak up, Galahad,’ said Arthur, ‘you are among friends.’

  ‘It is against God’s law to kill,’ said Galahad as Lancelot scowled at his son. Some in the Great Hall laughed openly at Galahad’s naivety.

  ‘I respect your beliefs, Galahad,’ said Arthur, ‘but in this case, I believe the end justifies the means.’

  Galahad refused to back down. ‘The use of force can never be justified, even against drug barons. Wicked men must be given the chance to walk the paths of righteousness. We must show them mercy, even as we ask God to be merciful to us.’

  ‘We will show mercy wherever possible,’ said Arthur. ‘Those we take prisoner will be tried in a court of law, and given the chance to defend themselves.’

  ‘God is the Judge of all things,’ said Galahad. ‘He has taught us that only through peace and goodwill can the kingdom of heaven be established on earth.’

  ‘If that is what you believe,’ demanded Gawain, ‘what are you doing in Camelot?’

  Many members nodded their agreement. Thumbing through his bible, Galahad seemed to be searching for the right text to support his argument, but then, sensing that the Round Table was against him, he snapped it shut, jumped up, and hurried out of the Great Hall. The hum of conversation quickly died as Lancelot raised his hand. His was a vital question, one asked before every operation.

  ‘In what mode do we use Excalibur?’

  ‘Elimat,’ replied Arthur without hesitation. Coming from him, it was a surprising choice. Elimat mode was rarely resorted to, and its use had to be sanctioned by a majority of the Round Table. Not everyone agreed with him – Mordred for one. Diffidently, he raised his hand.

  ‘Sir,’ he said, ‘will you forgive me if I speak my mind?’ ‘That is your right,’ said Arthur, ‘as a member of the Round Table. And as my son,’ he added, smiling.

  ‘Nevertheless,’ said Mordred, ‘it embarrasses me to express any opinion which differs from yours, knowing as I do how much I owe you.’ Raising his voice and his arms to include every member of the Round Table, he added, ‘how much we all owe you.’

  Arthur inclined his head in acknowledgment.

  Mordred went on to develop his theme. ‘Since I arrived in Camelot, hardly a day has passed, sir, when I did not have cause to praise your infallible instinct for making the right decision.’ Resting his hands on the table he leaned towards his father. ‘Until today,’ he said.

  Not a member stirred. The silence had an edge to it. ‘Forgive me, father,’ continued Mordred, ‘but it seems to me that you are allowing your very understandable anger to affect your judgement.’

  The Round Table held its collective breath.

  ‘You say we have a moral duty to eliminate the drug trade,’ said Mordred. ‘But with the greatest respect to you, sir, I suggest that Operation Mainline is not about morality at all.’ The expression in his dark eyes was intense, challenging Arthur.

  ‘What is it about, then?’ said Arthur.

  Mordred looked up and down the table, reassuring himself that he had the full attention of every member. ‘It is about the need to avenge yourself on Merlin’s killers.’

  Whispered comments and astonished looks greeted these words. It was, moreover, clear from Arthur’s face that Mordred’s words had struck home.

  It was the first time he had challenged his father at the Round Table, something he had longed to do from the day he arrived in Camelot. Exultant, he was also overawed at his own daring. His heart pounded, the palms of his hands were damp. ‘Even if I am wrong,’ he continued, ‘and Operation Mainline is truly about morality, is it really the business of Camelot to make moral judgements? I don’t think so. In my humble opinion, our business is to fight terrorists, not drug barons.’ With that he sat down, his outward appearance calm, his mind in turmoil.

  When members had recovered from their initial shock at Mordred’s dramatic intervention, the debate, lively before, became even more spirited. As so often, it was a battle between doves and hawks. But when everyone had had their say, the Round Table voted overwhelmingly to approve Operation Mainline, and also, though by a smaller margin, the use of Elimat.

  An hour later, Leo Grant visited Arthur in his observatory. ‘I have never disagreed with you on any significant issue.’

  ‘But you do now.’ ‘Yes.’

  ‘Why didn’t you say so at the Round Table?’

  Leo’s eyes softened. ‘You are my son-in-law and my dearest friend. I have never openly opposed you, and I never shall.’

  ‘Thank you for your loyalty.’

  ‘This Mainline business is not well thought out,’ said Leo. ‘It will be costly in terms of lives, and it won’t succeed. As long as people are stupid enough or weak enough to take drugs, there will be drug producers and drug dealers.’

  ‘So there’s nothing to be done? Is that what you are saying?’ ‘I’m saying this is not a job for Camelot. You and I have considered taking
action against the drug barons at least a dozen times over the years, and we have always rejected the idea. What has changed?’

  ‘Nothing,’ said Arthur, ‘except that the time has come to deal with them.’

  ‘No, Arthur, be honest with yourself. What has changed is that Dionysus murdered Merlin. I hate to say so, but Mordred is right. As our leader, you have never allowed your heart to rule your head. You are doing so now. Operation Mainline is more about revenge than eliminating the drug trade.’

  In his heart of hearts Arthur knew there was truth in what Leo was saying. Even so he was determined to go ahead. ‘Nothing is impossible,’ he said, ‘if you really believe it can be done. Merlin taught me that.’

  ‘Before you do anything,’ said Leo, ‘I urge you to consult world leaders. If you could convince the drug barons that the world is united against them, you might persuade them to do a deal.’

  ‘What kind of deal?’

  ‘I don’t know – limit production, increase prices. Something that would at least reduce the flow of drugs.’

  Arthur was unshakeable. ‘It’s too late, Leo. I’ve been there before. A united world? A fantasy, I’m afraid. The world is not united, and never will be. Its leaders are too weak or too self- serving or too corrupt to do what they should be doing; bringing peace and prosperity to the people they claim to represent.’

  At the door Leo paused. ‘So far you have charted a brilliant course, Arthur. You have never known failure. But now . . . ?’ The panel acknowledged Leo’s identity, the door clicked open. ‘I fear for you. I fear for all of us.’

  Fifty Five

  Mainline

  Neural network screened the files of information stored in data banks over the last few years before passing it to Techforce Ten and Command Control. In Galaxy, Agravaine sat with Arthur, Tich and Mordred, studying closely the data assembling on the big central monitor. As they watched, orbiting satellites, low-flying miniature unmanned air vehicles and surveillance land robots carrying micro-devices and sensors, pinpointed the world’s main illegal drug producing facilities, crop-growing areas, distribution centres, refining factories, supply routes and warehouses. Scrolling down the wall screens were the names of every major drug baron and dealer in the world, their current, or last known location, the whereabouts and strength of their militias, and the exact position of their aircraft, helicopters, and ships. By late afternoon sufficient data had been accumulated and analysed, checked and cross- checked, to warrant the launching of Camelot’s air, sea and land forces.

  Arthur’s words were relayed to all commanders: ‘Operation Mainline is under way. Good hunting and good luck to all of you.’ It was to be the biggest party ever launched by Camelot. Eclipse, with Lancelot at the controls, rose from the launch pad, and from its underwater pen the dark, whale-like shape of Kraken, captained by Gawain, slipped silently into the grey Atlantic ocean.

  The targets selected by Techforce were in twenty-seven countries on several continents – Afghanistan, the Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Burma, China, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea Bissau, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mauritania, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Venezuela and Vietnam. The first indication that something extraordinary was happening was when, across the globe, major television networks were shut down and phone communications cut, the main purpose being to create confusion amongst major drug producers and dealers, but also to discourage any intervention by government agencies, friendly or otherwise.

  Soon after sunrise, East Coast time, it was reported that in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans, in the Caribbean, the English Channel and the Mediterranean Sea, a number of cargo ships, sailing boats and motor launches were either blown apart or had simply disappeared. Not only ships at sea, but hundreds of cars, trucks and private, commercial and military aircraft, vanished into thin air. All had been positively identified by Techforce Ten as belonging to, or collaborating with, drug producers, and sensors had established that all were carrying a substantial quantity of drugs. Some were destroyed by Nimbles piloted by robo-pilots, some by Scuttles dropped by Eclipse or Sea Scuttles launched by Kraken, others by missiles fired by land-based destroyer robots.

  Later that same morning, attacks were reported in all twenty- nine countries on nearly two hundred farms and private houses known to belong to major drug producers, on militias controlled by them, and on factories and warehouses. Some installations were destroyed by missiles descending mysteriously from the sky, most inexplicably vanished, neither they nor the people inside them ever to be seen again. In at least five countries Camelot’s actives raided and destroyed military airfields and army camps, in the process killing a number of high-ranking officers known to be in the pay of drug barons.

  Aware that many countries might panic and attribute these extraordinary events to a terrorist attack, Arthur appeared on TV networks around the world to explain what was happening, urging people to remain calm and patient for the next few days. At the same time he made it clear that no interference would be tolerated; anyone who tried to oppose Camelot’s armed forces, or assist the drug barons or their allies, would be treated as the enemy.

  In key production areas, Scuttles unloaded troops of Camelot’s actives armed with portables in Elimat mode and also conventional weapons: bombs, grenades, hand-held missile launchers and automatic weapons. Bunkers, command posts, farms, warehouses and small factories that had escaped the attention of Eclipse and Kraken were destroyed. Anyone who resisted was Elimatted. Once they had completed their task, they swiftly withdrew to be evacuated by Scuttles.

  Across the world the story was the same; drug producers, dealers and mafia bosses, all those whose businesses and activities were linked to drug money, were relentlessly hunted down and targeted. Those few fortunate enough to surrender were spirited away. Most were killed.

  At 2 p.m. Camelot time on the second day, an enraged US President appeared on Galaxy’s largest wall screen, patched in by Techforce Ten via the gravitational link. ‘What in the name of fuck is going on!’ he demanded, the veins on his forehead bulging, his colour dangerously high.

  Arthur had no intention of allowing the President to bully him. ‘Operation Mainline is going on,’ he responded coolly. The President’s voice made an instant octave’s leap to a manic shriek. ‘Call it off, or by Christ, I swear I’ll – I’ll . . . ’ His voice tailed off, as he lost confidence in what he had in mind to say. A relatively brief association with Arthur had taught him one thing; Camelot’s leader was not impressed by threats. ‘What the hell do you think you’re doing?’ he ended lamely.

  ‘Dealing a mortal blow to the illegal drug trade,’ said Arthur. ‘And in the process destroying half the goddam world!’ ‘We are taking out drug barons, mafia drug bosses, militias, crops, drug producing and distribution centres, and, wherever possible, their means of transport,’ said Arthur coolly. ‘Nothing else, as far as I know.’

  ‘Then you don’t know much,’ snapped the President, his mouth pursing waspishly. ‘Your storm troopers are destroying thousands of crops, most of them grown by innocent farmers.’ ‘Farmers who grow plants for drug addicts. Farmers who destroy lives for money. How innocent is that?’

  The President took a deep breath. ‘Listen to me, Arthur. You will never destroy the illegal drug trade by force of arms. I know what you’re trying to do, but you’re going about it the wrong way. Take a tip from the USA. If we interfere in other countries’ affairs, at least we try to do it diplomatically.’

  ‘Like in Iraq and Afghanistan, you mean?’

  It was a low blow. The US President bit his lip. ‘I’ll overlook that comment, Arthur. You and I both know the world has changed in the last three decades. And the United States of America has changed with it.’

  ‘You certainly have,’ said Arthur, ‘you’ve gone soft on terrorists and drug barons.’

  There was no one the President admired more than Arthur, nor anyone who infur
iated him more. He slapped his right fist into the palm of his left hand, wishing it were Arthur’s face. ‘Listen to me, you stubborn bastard, force won’t work.’

  ‘What will, then?’

  ‘Negotiation and more negotiation, talking to governments, doing trade deals with them, lending them money, encouraging them to clamp down on farmers and drug producers. We call it creative engagement.’

  ‘Creative engagement.’ Arthur smiled. ‘One of those placebo phrases coined by diplomats. It sounds good, but what it really amounts to is turning a blind eye. The illegal drug trade is doubling every year, and that means more dealers, more drugs, more addicts, more deaths, more children’s lives ruined.’

  ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day,’ said the President. ‘God knows, we can only keep trying. And believe me, we’re getting there.

  Let us get on with it. Call off your dogs, Arthur.’

  ‘I will – when Operation Mainline has achieved its objectives.’ Though the President would have liked to slice Arthur up into small, bloody pieces, he knew that his only hope was to stay calm and convince him by rational argument. ‘Do you truly believe that rampaging round the world killing people will change anything?’

  Arthur gave an honest answer. ‘I don’t know. But there’s one thing I do know – making shabby deals with drug barons and terrorists is not the solution. Camelot is fighting for the future of the world. Drugs are the greatest scourge mankind has ever faced. They destroy more lives than wars do. We have to act before it’s too late.’

  The President sighed the sigh of a defeated man. ‘I’m getting reports from the FBI that some of our top Mafia bosses have disappeared,’ he said.

  Arthur looked innocent. ‘Really?’

  ‘Yes, really.’ The President chose his words carefully. ‘Here’s what I’m saying, Arthur. We Americans like to take care of our own problems. We’ll stay away from Mainline. You stay away from the United States. Agreed?’