书虫三级下《劫机！》：第九章
Chapter 9
第九章
Helen Sandberg stood up to welcome the American and British Ambassadors. The two men were very different. The American Ambassador was a short round man with a loud voice which Helen disliked very much. He often wore open-necked shirts, and he had a very hairy chest. She disliked that too. The British Ambassador — a tall thin Scotsman from Edinburgh — was always quiet, polite and well-dressed, but she did not always believe what he said. Once — a year ago — he had lied to her and she could never forget that.
海伦·桑德伯格起身欢迎英美两国大使。这是两个截然不同的人。美国大使身材矮胖，嗓门很大，这一点让海伦很不喜欢。他总爱穿开领的衬衫，而且他长着毛茸茸的胸毛，这一点她也不喜欢。英国大使——一个高高瘦瘦的苏格兰人，来自爱丁堡——总是非常安静，有礼貌，穿着考究，但是她不相信他说的话。有一次——在一年前——他曾经跟她撒过谎，那件事她永远也不会忘记。
But most of all, she disliked them because they were both military men and their countries were much bigger than hers. They wanted military bases for their soldiers in her country and she did not want them.
但最重要的是，她不喜欢他们是因为他们都是行伍出身，而且他们的国家又都比她的祖国大很多。他们想在她的祖国建立军事基地，但是她不同意。
So, gentlemen, what can I do for you?'
“好吧，先生们，我能为你们做些什么？”
The American spoke first. 'Well, ma'am, an American passenger is dead...'
美国大使首先开口讲话：“嗯，夫人，有一名美国乘客死了……”
Yes, I know. I am very sorry about that. I hope no more will die.'
“是的，我知道。我对此非常遗憾。我希望不会再有人死去。”
I hope so too, ma'am. There are twenty-eight US passengers on that plane and my Government wants to keep them alive.'
“我也希望如此，夫人。那架飞机上共有28名美国乘客，我国政府希望保证他们的生命安全。”
There are a hundred and seven passengers on that plane, Ambassador, and my Government wants them all alive,' Helen answered quietly. But the Ambassador did not listen.
“大使，那架飞机上共有107名乘客，我国政府希望保证他们所有人的生命安全。”海伦平静地回答。但是美国大使并没有理会她的话。
So the US Government is going to help you, ma'am. We have fifty US Marines at the US Embassy, and they can be here in one hour from now. Then they'll just take that goddam plane apart.'
“所以美国政府打算向您提供援助，夫人。现在我们的大使馆里有50名海军陆战队队员，一个小时之内他们就能赶到这里。他们能把那架混蛋飞机大卸八块。”
The Scotsman smiled. 'Excuse me, Ambassador, but perhaps one hour from now will be too late. One man is already dead. But, er... perhaps you don't know this, Prime Minister, but this week six SAS soldiers are visiting the British Embassy, and they're waiting outside in my car now. These men know a lot about hijacks; much more than the US Marines or, probably, your own soldiers, Prime Minister. They know exactly what to do. So...'
那个苏格兰人笑了。“请原谅，大使，可也许一个小时就太晚了。已经死了一个人了。不过，呃……也许您不知道，首相，这周，有六名英国特种航空队的士兵来访问英国使馆，他们现在就在外面我的车里等着。他们有丰富的对付劫机的经验；比美国海军陆战队队员或者，兴许比贵国战士的经验还要丰富，首相。他们非常清楚该怎么处理这种情况。所以……”
Now just a moment!' The American interrupted. 'The US Marines are...'
“等等！”美国大使插话道，“美国海军陆战队是……”
Gentlemen!' Helen's clear, hard voice stopped them. 'There's no time to argue. Firstly, I didn't know about the SAS soldiers in the British Embassy, and I am very surprised about it. Very surprised indeed, Ambassador. Secondly, I do not think it is a good idea to attack a plane with a hundred and seven passengers in it, and "take it apart" as you say. I want these people to live, not die. So I thank you for your ideas, but remember that this small country is ours, not yours. We will manage this problem in our own way, with our own people, thank you very much. Now you must excuse me, I am busy.'
“先生们！”海伦清晰果断的声音打断了他们的争论，“我们没有时间来争论了。首先，我不知道在英国大使馆里有英国特种航空队士兵，对此我感到非常吃惊。大使先生，确实是非常吃惊。其次，飞机上有107名乘客，我不认为强攻是个好主意，或者像你说的那样，‘将其大卸八块’。我要让这些人活着，而不是死去。所以我感谢你们的意见，但请记住，这个小国是我们的，而不是你们的。我们将以自己的人力，按照自己的方式来解决这个问题，十分感谢。现在，请原谅，我很忙。”
At the door, the Scotsman turned back. 'Prime Minister, I know you want to save lives,' he said. 'I understand that. But these hijackers must not go free. My Government does not want that. No Government in the world wants that.'
走到门口，那苏格兰人又转过身。“首相，我知道您想保护这些乘客的生命安全，”他说，“对此，我理解。但是，不能放走这些劫机犯。我国政府不希望放走他们，世界上任何一个政府都不希望这样。”
I know that, Ambassador,' Helen answered quietly. 'I know that very well.'
“我明白，大使，”海伦平静地回答，“我非常清楚这一点。'
As they went out, the phone rang. Michael picked it up. Helen sat down at the table and watched him. His face was very serious. He wrote on a piece of paper and then put the phone down. For a moment, he did not look at her.
就在他们出去的时候，电话响了。迈克尔抓起话筒，海伦坐在桌边注视着他。他的脸色非常严肃，在一张纸上记了些什么，然后放下了听筒。有那么一会儿，他没有看她。
What is it, Michael? Tell me.'
“怎么了，迈克尔？告诉我。”
It was a radio message from the plane, Prime Minister.'
“是飞机上发来的一个无线电信息，首相。”
Well? What did they say? Didn't they want to talk to me?'
“怎么了？他们说什么？他们不想和我对话吗？”
No, Prime Minister. Just the message. It says: "We love our brothers. We hope the Prime Minister loves her husband. He is on the plane, just behind the door."'
“是的，首相。只有一个口信，他们说：‘我们爱我们的弟兄。我们希望首相也爱她的丈夫。他在飞机上，就在门后。’”
For a long moment she stared at Michael, but she did not speak. A picture of the American passenger appeared in her head. She saw him jumping out of the door and the girl shooting him. Shooting him for ten, maybe fifteen long seconds.
好长一段时间，她愣愣地看着迈克尔，一言不发。发生在那个美国乘客身上的一幕在她的脑海中浮现出来。她目睹了他从门口跳出，那个姑娘对他开枪射击的情景，时间长达十秒钟，甚至有15秒钟。
I'm sorry, Prime Minister,' said Michael softly.
“我感到很遗憾，首相。”迈克尔轻轻地说。
What? Yes, so am I. I thought perhaps... perhaps the hijackers didn't know Carl was my husband. But now they do know.'
“什么？是的，我也很遗憾。我原以为也许……也许劫机犯不知道卡尔是我的丈夫。但现在他们知道了。”
She ran her hand through her hair and then looked at her watch. But her hand was shaking so much that she could not tell the time.
她用手拢了拢头发，随后看了看手表。可是她的手颤抖得太厉害了，根本看不清时间。
The phone rang again. Michael picked it up.
电话又响了。迈克尔接听。
Colonel Carter is outside, Prime Minister.' He watched her, waiting for an answer. 'I'll tell him to wait, shall I?'
“首相，卡特上校在外面。”他注视着她，等着她的回答，“我让他等等，好吗？”
She put her hands flat on the table and stood up. 'Yes. Yes, Michael. Tell him to wait two minutes, that's all.' She walked to the window and stared out at the plane. She pressed her forehead against the cool glass and for two minutes she did not move. Then she turned round and smiled at Michael.
她双手撑着桌子站了起来。“是的。是的，迈克尔。告诉他等两分钟，就这样。”她走到窗边，凝视着窗外的飞机。她把额头贴在冰凉的玻璃上，足足有两分钟，她一动没动。然后她转过身，微笑着看着迈克尔。
Let's just hope Colonel Carter's plan is a good one, shall we? Show him in.'
“但愿卡特上校已经想出了一个好计划，对吗？让他进来。”
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