Stranded (A Samantha Starr Thriller, Book 4)

by S. L. Menear

  The entire eastern seaboard of the United States, all of Florida, many island nations, and key coastal cities in Europe, England, Ireland, and portions of eastern South America and Western Africa would be destroyed, and millions of lives would be lost.

  China, safely on the other side of the world, would be unaffected. How could the tsunamis help Way of the Dragon take control of their homeland? It made no sense.

  A man rushed into my cabin and stabbed me in the arm with a hypodermic needle.

  Everything went black.

  When I awoke, which could’ve been hours later, Dragon Master stood beside my bunk.

  “Sorry for drugs. Not want you contact mother telepathically.”

  “Your plan won’t work.” I tried to sit up, but my body was tied down with straps.

  “Ah, but it will.” He sat in a chair beside my bunk. “Great change requires great sacrifice.”

  “The destruction caused by the Atlantean weapon could trigger a power grab by China, Russia, and Middle-Eastern nations undamaged by the tsunamis. And North Korea will seize the opportunity to nuke what’s left of the US, resulting in World War Three. Your plan could make Communist China stronger than ever. Or you’ll cause a nuclear winter that will destroy the world. Either way, you’ll never be the next emperor of China if I fire that weapon.”

  “Washington and London will be destroyed by tsunamis, leaving US and UK in chaos with no functioning governments. We have loyal followers in North Korea who are in positions to implement Phase Two.”

  “Phase Two?”

  “Crazy leader of DPRK will seize opportunity to fire nukes at US. But we have set his missiles to hit Beijing instead. Communist leaders will be killed and government destroyed. Millions of Way of Dragon members in Chinese military will step forward and seize control for their emperor. Rest of world will be too busy with own problems to care.”

  “What about the millions of innocent people who will die? There has to be a better way.” I felt sick thinking about the worldwide carnage.

  “World population crisis, food and water shortages, all solved by tsunamis.”

  “You can’t expect me to help you murder my family, friends, and countrymen.”

  “Your mother safe in Scotland, fighter pilot brother safe on ship in Mediterranean, other brother and boyfriend safe looking for you in middle of South America. I will allow you to send text message to Chief Pilot Jeff Rowlin, advising him to move all his people and airplanes to an airport in Midwest.”

  “What about everyone else?” My gut twisted into a knot.

  “Sorry. No time. All we need is your touch, which we can force. Soon, you will reign over risen Atlantis, and the world will benefit from Atlantean technology.”

  “How will you get me inside the pyramid?” I asked, stalling for time.

  “Way of Dragon has control of nearby Chinese nuclear-powered submarine. They have American-made Hardsuits like one you used to help recover gold vaults. Divers will escort you into pyramid. After you fire weapon, you will ride pyramid to surface and rule your island nation.”

  “And I suppose you’ll take the long way home in the submarine?”

  “All will be ready by the time I arrive at port in China. If you cooperate, I will receive you as honored guest.” He stood and bowed.

  I played along. “Alright, when will I be transferred to the submarine?”

  He glanced at his watch. “Soon. Will you behave?”

  I nodded. “No point in resisting. May I send the text message to Jeff now? He’ll need time to organize moving the airline’s assets.”

  He pulled out a cell phone. “Our ship has WI-FI. You dictate text and I type. Say only what I authorized.”

  “Emergency message from Sam. Move Rosa, Romeo, and all LIA assets and people to Midwest immediately. Time is short. Hurry!” I watched him type. “Was that acceptable?”

  He nodded, showed me the text, and hit SEND. “Once you get settled in Atlantis, come and visit me.” He bowed and left.

  I concentrated hard to send a telepathic message to Mom. “Sam is near Atlantis on Chinese freighter CMS Sun Dragon. Will soon transfer to Chinese submarine and be forced by Way of the Dragon to fire weapon in pyramid.” Before I could send more, another needle was plunged into my arm.

  My world went black again.

  The Mesa

  Ross pulled the lever and stood with his weapon ready as the stone door swung inward. He cocked his head. “It’s quiet out there. May as well set the charges.” He glanced at Banger. “Hold the door open.”

  Derek, Mike, and Oz helped Ross rig the explosives to blast an opening in the rocks that were blocking their escape. When they finished, they ducked inside the stairwell and closed the stone door as Ross pressed the detonator. The door sealed shut at the same instant the charges exploded.

  “Best wait a few minutes for the dust to settle and see if we attracted the attention of any survivors out there.” Ross leaned against the door.

  “Do you think there’ll be men waiting to shoot us?” Barbi asked.

  Mike gently squeezed her shoulders. “If they try, they won’t live long. You’re safe with us.”

  She stroked his handsome face. “Thank you.”

  Lisa nudged Derek. “Everyone here knows I’m with MI6. Give me a weapon.”

  Derek glanced at Ross and raised his brows.

  “Give her a pistol and extra mags.” Ross checked his watch. “I’ll open the door in two minutes. Banger and Lisa will stay and protect the civilians until we give the all-clear.”

  “Got any mags that’ll fit this Glock?” Lance held up Tiesha’s handgun.

  Mike reached into a cargo pocket and handed Lance two full magazines.

  “Thanks.” Lance ejected the empty mag, inserted a full one, and racked the slide.

  Ross grasped the door lever. “Ready?”

  The group nodded, and he opened the door.

  Sunlight and smoke filtered in. The boulders had been blown clear.

  The team moved stealthily up the debris-littered steps to the surface and peered out from behind the rock pile.

  Nothing moved except the vultures circling above.

  They pulled out binoculars and surveyed the scene. The ground was littered with bodies and wrecked helicopters.

  “Check the bodies. See if any are alive. I’d like a chance to interrogate one of the Chinese operatives.” Ross slipped onto the mesa and checked the nearest body.

  Dead.

  He found Sam’s smashed watch nearby. He held it up. “We can forget about tracking Sam’s watch.”

  After several minutes of picking through the carnage, Oz called out, “I’ve got a live one over here.”

  Ross jogged over to him. Oz held the man up in a sitting position and gave him water.

  “Who are you, and why did your men take the woman and Dragon Master?” Ross asked.

  The man had lost a lot of blood. In a weak voice, he said, “You too late. Way of Dragon cannot be stopped. Mission will succeed.” He gasped his final breath and collapsed, dead.

  Ross took pictures of him and then said to his men, “I want pictures of every combatant—faces, tattoos, anything that might help reveal their identities.”

  The men photographed the widespread battlefield and all the fallen soldiers. They checked for IDs and insignias. None of the bodies carried IDs or personal items, but the Chinese men all had the same dragon tattoos, and Sweetwater’s mercenaries had Predator International logos on their clothes and company tattoos on their shoulders.

  Ross pulled out his SATCOM and called Mission Command. “I need transport for five operators and five civilians. Time is critical.”

  “Understood, Captain Sinclair. You have an emergency call from Loren Starr. Shall I put her through?”

  “Aye, do it now.” Ross waited a moment. Soon, Loren’s voice filled his satellite phone.

  “Ross, Sam sent me a telepathic message, but I couldn’t answer her. Everything suddenly went blank.”r />
  “They probably drugged her like they did in the Himalayas. What was the message?”

  “She’s near Atlantis on a Chinese freighter, CMS Sun Dragon. She said a group called Way of the Dragon plans to force her to fire the Atlantean weapon in the pyramid. They’ll transfer her to a Chinese submarine soon to complete the task. Is Mike with you?”

  “Aye, he’s here, and he’s fine. You stay with Duncan in Scotland and tell him to increase security until this crisis is over. Thanks for the call, Loren.”

  “Ross, please, save my daughter!”

  “You know I will. We have to go now.” He ended the call and turned to Mike. “That was your mother.” He told him what she’d said. “You’d best call your SECNAV and relay the message.” He handed Mike the SATCOM.

  Once the necessary calls were made, the men returned to the stairwell and led the group to the landing zone where a Chinook would pick them up and ferry them to an airport.

  Lance grabbed Mike’s arm. “Any news about Sam?”

  “Yeah, and it’s not good.” He filled him in.

  “I thought we prevented the whole tsunami disaster a couple months ago,” Lance said. “Any chance she can fire that weapon?”

  “She can, but she won’t. I know my sister. She’ll die rather than kill millions.”

  Ross broke in. “Not if I can help it.”

  Mike shook his head. “We need to get to Atlantis fast.”

  The others had been listening.

  “What’s going to happen now?” Tiesha asked Banger.

  “You’re going to give me your number so I can call you and take you to a nice dinner after this crisis has been dealt with.” He pulled out a pen and wrote her number on the inside of his sleeve.

  She grinned. ‘The natives thought you were my king. Those people have excellent judgment.”

  “They certainly do. They chose you for their queen.” He pulled her close and planted a kiss on the nape of her neck. “Better hide that crown before the chopper picks us up.”

  Tiesha slipped the crown into the jaguar sack she’d tied to her belt.

  “Where the hell is my king?” Barbi asked.

  Mike said, “My sister is Queen of Atlantis, so I guess that makes me royalty. Will I do?”

  “I’ll gladly take a handsome prince like you.” Barbi hugged him.

  “Banger,” Tiesha whispered in his ear, “am I allowed to know your real name?”

  “Ben Johnson. I grew up in Alabama and played football for the Crimson Tide before I joined the Navy. I’ve been with the SEALs six years.” He paused and looked into Tiesha’s eyes. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” He pressed his lips against her ear, sending shivers down her spine.

  Tiesha slid her hands up his chest of molded steel. “You know, you look a lot like The Rock, only better. Any relation to Dwayne Johnson?”

  “No, but thanks for the compliment.” He grinned.

  “Time to kiss my king.” She tilted her head up.

  Banger leaned down and kissed her with the passion of a man who’d found the woman of his dreams.

  The thundering blades of a Chinook interrupted their embrace.

  Tiesha put her mouth close to his ear. “How’d you get the name Banger?”

  “Uh, I don’t remember why the guys on my team call me that. We use nicknames to protect our identity. Time to go.” He took her hand and led her to the helicopter.

  Everyone climbed aboard. The big chopper lifted off and headed northeast.

  As soon as they landed, a military C-17 fired up its engines. The group transferred to the big jet and were airborne in minutes.

  A crewman approached Banger with a message from Max. Banger read, “Return to Leviathan ASAP. We’re en route to Atlantis. Sam sent text to my dad to move all the airplanes because weapon in pyramid will be fired soon. Must avert disaster. Invite Spec Ops team to join us.” Banger passed the message to Mike, who read it and passed it to Ross.

  Tiesha snuggled into Banger’s arms in the sidewall troop seats, and they fell asleep. Barbi did the same with Mike, Lisa with Derek, and Carlene with Lance.

  Oz nudged Ross. “I guess we’re the odd men out.”

  “They can have them,” Ross said. “Sam is my woman. I hope to God I can save her.”

  “She’s also Mike’s sister. You can count on us to help.” Oz leaned his head back.

  Ross closed his eyes. I’d like to get Sam back and annihilate Atlantis. Put an end to this.

  Twenty-Five

  CMS Sun Dragon

  I woke feeling weak and groggy. My restraints had been removed, but four guards stood beside my bunk in the tiny cabin. It seemed like a lot of time had passed, but that could’ve just been the effect of the drugs.

  “You come now,” one of the guards said.

  They pulled me up and walked me into a passageway. I feigned weakness and collapsed, and they lifted me and dragged me forward.

  Dragon Master waited at the end of the passage.

  “Ready, Queen?” he asked.

  “No. I haven’t had anything to eat or drink since I left Florida on the flight to Rio, and I’m shaky and dehydrated. The drugs have weakened me. I’ll need my full inner strength to fire the weapon. Give me a good meal and plenty of water before I leave.”

  He studied me a moment. “As you wish, Queen.” He led me into a stateroom.

  My guards plunked me down at a table across from Dragon Master. He barked orders in Chinese.

  It wasn’t long before a large bottle of water and a glass were set before me. I drank as much water as I could manage, not knowing when I’d get more.

  A waiter carried in a tray and served me a steaming plate of chicken and rice. I was given a plastic fork. Dragon Master wasn’t taking any chances.

  I dragged the meal out as long as possible. When I’d swallowed the last bite, he said, “Time to go.”

  “Fine, but first I need a toilet.” I patted my mouth with a napkin and smiled.

  “Quickly.” He stood and led me to the nearest head.

  I used the facilities and took my time washing my hands and face. The door opened.

  “Ready?” Dragon Master seemed impatient.

  I gave him my best fake smile. “Yes, thank you. I’m eager to complete the mission. Has enough time passed for my employer to move their jets to the Midwest?”

  “Several hours have passed. If they heeded your warning, they should be fine.” He led me up the steps to the outer deck.

  I was surprised to step out into darkness. I’d lost track of time, and it seemed to be late at night now. Starlight revealed a submarine on the surface a few yards away on the port side. A wicker chair hung from what looked like a zip line connected to the submarine. Rolling waves broke against the freighter’s hull and splashed the submarine’s deck.

  “You go first.” He motioned for my guards to help me into the chair.

  I was hoping for a chance to fall into the water and maybe get my kraken buddy to whisk me away if it was nearby. Dragon Master must’ve read my mind. His men lashed me to the chair and bound my hands. So much for trust.

  The chair slid down to the submarine’s deck, where more guards waited to catch me. As they pulled me from the chair, I heard rotor blades thumping in the distance, but the helicopters were too far away to see them in the dark. Was my rescue imminent?

  The sailors heard the choppers too. They sent the chair back for Dragon Master. He landed on the deck just as thundering blades echoed off the ocean. I couldn’t see what kind of helicopters they were from such a distance. Before they got close enough to identify, the crew dragged me below.

  In moments, the submarine submerged and dived into the depths.

  Damn.

  Earlier on the USS LEVIATHAN

  Captain Max Rowlin waited by the lighted helipad as the Seahawk landed. Five men leaped out as the helicopter shut down.

  As soon as the noise abated, Ross saluted. “Captain Ross Sinclair of Her Majesty’s
Special Air Service reporting for duty, and this is Lieutenant Derek Dunbar.”

  Max grinned and held out his hand. “Good to finally meet you, Ross.”

  “Aye, it’s good to put a face with the voice after that tense situation in March.” Ross nodded to Derek. “He was with me on the Himalayan mission.”

  Max smiled and shook Derek’s hand. “You must be a very brave man.”

  “You have no idea.” Derek grinned. “The missions involving his girlfriend are always high risk, bordering on bizarre.”

  “If we had more time, I’d tell you about what happened the last time she was here.” He waved the SEALs forward. “Welcome home, Banger. Good to see you again, Mike.”

  Mike and Oz saluted. “This is Oz. He’s from my team,” Mike said.

  “Welcome,” Max said. “Now let’s get to it. Commander Bern will brief you in the conference room. You’ll be joining his SEALs for the rescue mission.”

  The men followed Max through the ship and into a large conference room. Max made the introductions.

  “Glad to have you join us,” Bern said. “We now have thirty Special Operators on board. The platoon from Virginia and two of my SEALs will remain here to defend Leviathan. Ross, Derek, Mike, and Oz will join the strike team. We’ll send five Spec Ops and two crew on each Seahawk for the assault on the Chinese freighter.”

  “What are the rules of engagement?” Mike asked.

  “No rules. Your sister is an extremely high-value asset. Do whatever it takes to get her back,” Bern said. “Texas is standing by to assist us while the UK’s nuclear sub, Audacious, guards the pyramid.”

  “May I make a suggestion?” Ross asked.

  Bern nodded.

  “Derek and I just completed a mission with Mike, Oz, and Banger,” Ross said. “I suggest keeping us together on the same helicopter team.”