“Mister Mitchell, I presume?” said a short, broad-shouldered Hispanic-American Marine colonel, wearing full battle gear.
“Yes sir,” said Mitchell, offering the man his left hand in greeting.
“Looks like we arrived a little late,” said the colonel, as he looked around at the smoldering remains of the camp, and the several dozen bodies strewn about. “Some fight. My headquarters told me to pass on that General O’Reilly sends his regards. My name is Colonel Robert Santiago. Are the bombs secured?” asked Santiago.
Mitchell was relieved that General O’Reilly had been able to get someone to listen to him about the bombs. “Sir, unfortunately, we only managed to defuse one,” replied Mitchell.
“It’s down the tunnel and to the left,” said Jackson. “You’ll find a cranky little Russian tied to it,” he added.
“The other bomb?” asked Santiago.
“It was armed before we could stop it,” Mitchell said.
“I have a top-notch bomb disposal team with me; they have experience from Afghanistan. They can disarm it.”
Mitchell shook his head. “Sir, I’m sorry, but it won’t be that easy. It’s not a complex IED. It’s a nuclear bomb with an encrypted arming device on it that’s set to be remotely detonated,” explained Mitchell, pausing to choose his next words carefully. “Colonel, no disrespect to your men, but they will most likely trigger it before disarming it.”
Santiago looked up at the immense volcano. “All of this is sheer madness. I still don’t understand what the hell is going on.”
“Sir, I’ll gladly tell you what I know,” said Mitchell, “but to save millions of lives, I’m going to need your help.”
A puzzled look grew on Santiago’s face. “Son, this is a military operation now. Fill me in and my people will deal with it.”
“Sir, please, this isn’t the time for us to get into a pissing contest. The longer we delay, the more likely it is that Romanov will detonate the bomb. I’ve been on board Romanov’s ship; have any of your men?”
looked over at Mitchell; the look in his eyes told him that he could trust the other man. “I haven’t a friggin’ clue who this Romanov character is, but you’ve got my attention. Okay, mister, I’m listening,” said the colonel.
Mitchell quickly outlined his plan.
Santiago stood there, after Mitchell finished, with a look of disbelief on his face. He knew time was running out. Santiago nodded and instantly called for his radio operator.
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