[One of the refugees rescued from a fishing trawler - actually a Royal Navy officer - approaches Fletcher]
Hello, Fletch.
Hello, Harry.
El Alamein. Very subtle. Figured it would ring a bell.
"My grandpapa fought back the Jerries in Egypt." You wouldn't shut up about it. We started to believe you personally stood in front of Rommel's tank.
What do you want, Harry?
I have a message from the River House.
Could've telephoned.
Couldn't take the risk our cousins would decrypt it.
Yeah. Sure. Okay. So?
The special relationship with the Americans is no more. The labs in the US are not prepared to work with the progenitor seed. The UK is going it alone.
How? Our labs are worse than theirs.
We found a scientist. Home office says he has a lock on the science.
Let me guess. This scientist... His name wouldn't happen to be Vellek?
He reached out, made us an offer. We deliver the progenitor palm seeds, and England receives the first batch of plague-resistant crops. Our people will be fed. No waiting around like we did for the cure. Where are the seeds?
In the medical bay, under lock and...
Under lock and key.
Well, obviously I won't be able to get anywhere near them, filthy refugee that I am. [chuckles] You're gonna have to do it.
Me?
And find me a discreet way off this ship.
What do you mean, off the ship? You're just gonna swim away? We're due in Naples. There's a plane.
That's not happening, James. I leave with the seeds before the ship gets to Naples.
And what? I stay behind to face a firing squad?
No one will know your part. You'll remain on board to throw them off the scent. Can't have the Americans starting a war with England over this.
This is ridiculous.
Fletch...
I've been working with the Americans for months.
Listen to me, it's quite simple. Their people have fought and died for these seeds. And where were they during the Immune Wars, hmm? While they were spreading the cure with kisses and love, we were massacred. We're dying at home, Fletch. I'm sorry about your new friends, but this is a good deal. It's a dog-eat-dog world now. Have you eaten dog yet, Fletch? I have. It's no fun.
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