The wheels sometimes turned slowly—but they did turn.
CHAPTER NINE
Bagram Air Base
Grimaldi made his way to the hut Phoenix Force had been assigned by the Air Force, basic barracks style, with few amenities apart from the double row of military-issue cots. As far as the Phoenix Force was concerned it was the best they had ever had the privilege to flop onto. Pausing at the door, Grimaldi had a guilty moment when he knew he was going to have to wake at least McCarter. With the news he was about to deliver he felt safe from harm.
The Briton opened his eyes and glared up at Grimaldi for a moment, then cleared his murderous thoughts when the Stony Man pilot told him what he had. He sat up and took the printed sheets Grimaldi held out.
McCarter read the data and examined the satellite camera images. “This for real?”
“I guess so. Hunt isn’t one to pass out lame-ass data.”
“Okay. So why is Kang holed up in some out-of-the-way place with Anna in tow? Why not head for home?”
“My guess? He’s waiting for us to respond. The man must know we have the best tracking money can buy. He’ll figure, one way or the other, that we’ll spot where they are and come looking for Anna. Didn’t we already show him we don’t leave our people behind? He’s got Anna for bait and wants to use her to get his damned hardware back.”
“You think so?”
“David, you trashed his facility and kicked ass with his security squads. The circuit board was his responsibility. Something the Chinese still want because it allows them a big jump in technology. Kang let it slip away. You guys made him look like an idiot. Now I’m just a dumb flyboy, but I can see where he’s coming from.”
“Kang won’t be a popular bloke at the moment. If he doesn’t get a result, he’ll end up sweeping the streets of Beijing. Or worse.”
“So he’s going to sit out there, wait for you to come for Anna and try to make a trade.”
McCarter stood, easing the kinks out of his lean frame. He made no comment when he handed the data sheet back to Grimaldi, just let the silence stretch until the Stony Man pilot let go a long sigh.
“Just stop looking at me with those sad eyes. You remember what I said about not being able to invade Chinese airspace?”
“Yes.”
“I was lying.”
McCarter grinned. “Jack, we do this, the hammer will fall bloody hard. It’s unsanctioned. Against every rule. Hal will have steam coming out of his ears and I daresay even the President will do backflips if he hears. We might all end up out of a job.”
“You just gave me every good reason why we have to go for this,” Grimaldi said.
“Does this mean I will owe you big-time?”
“For the rest of your extremely long life, mate.”
“Jesus, what have I done.”
“Times that by three,” someone said.
McCarter turned to see the rest of his team sitting up and smiling broadly.
“You all crazy?”
“If you have to invade China,” James said, “even you need a little backup. You don’t think we’ll let you go in on your own?”
“Anna is one of us, hombre,” Encizo said. “That lady earned her stripes big-time.”
McCarter still had the photo image in his hand.
“I’ll be right back,” he said. “There’s somebody I need to talk to.”
MCCARTER WENT LOOKING for Loy Hung and located him coming out of the base medical facility. The Chinese smiled when he saw the Briton.
“Tan will be fine,” he said. “Your people have operated and he is comfortable. We both owe you a great deal.”
“Works both ways, Loy. If it hadn’t been for your group we wouldn’t have that piece of hardware, or the photographs.”
“But we may have lost Mei Anna.”
McCarter shook his head. “Not likely,” he said. “That’s why I was looking for you. Our base back in the U.S. got a satellite lock on Kang’s chopper. We know where he is. And we’re going in to bring Anna home.”
“Which is what Kang will be expecting.”
“Then I wouldn’t want to disappoint him.”
“It will be a trap.”
“Loy, don’t worry about us. I just need some help.”
“Anything.”
McCarter showed him the print taken from the satellite camera. “This is where Kang is holed up. Does it mean anything to you.”
Hung studied the image. “It is a lookout position. The military built a number of them in the country close to borders. They are simple redoubts, built to withstand attack but basic inside. Thick walls. No windows. Just gun slots. Roving patrols could use them for replenishing supplies. Usually no more than four-man teams are stationed there. They have radios for contact with their main base and to keep up with the vehicle patrols.”
“Are they still in regular use?”
“Some were allowed to fall into disrepair because of personnel problems, but others were maintained.”
Hung examined the image again.
“That’s Kang’s helicopter you can see,” McCarter told him.
“All this from a satellite orbiting the planet? Remarkable.”
“Not smart enough to actually rescue Anna. That’s still down to us.”
“I will come with you if you wish.”
“Hung, you’ve earned your break. This is our job, but thanks. Anyway, you’ll have enough on your hands briefing our people all about Guang Lor. And somebody needs to keep their hands on that stuff we brought out with us.”
Hung indicated the backpack he still carried. “This is not leaving my sight until I hand it over to your people.”
“If you can fix it, I’d like you to get a message to Shin Tek. Tell him we are grateful for his help, and we hope the Uygur get what they want.”
“I will tell him.”
THEY TOOK OFF AT NOON, planning to wait at the Wakhjir Pass border crossing until nightfall. Grimaldi had plotted their course and fed in all the topographical data Wethers had sent via the computer link. He had allowed four hours for the flight in. The operation would take place in the dark. Staying at a low altitude, Grimaldi would use the terrain configuration to keep them from being picked up too readily if there was any kind of radar in the area. According to available U.S. intelligence, the Chinese didn’t have systems that were sophisticated enough to cover the vast expanses of isolated terrain they would be covering. The landmass they would be flying over was mountainous, undulating and would provide some natural cover for Dragon Slayer. Staying below any possible surveillance was their best window of opportunity. Either way, they were going to have to risk the chance of being spotted in case the Intel had it wrong.
From Dragon Slayer’s lockers they outfitted themselves with black clothing and equipment, using black face paint to darken their hands and faces. This as always provoked a knowing smirk from Calvin James as he observed his partners.
“Put on all you want, brothers. It still won’t make you as good lookin’ as me.”
“Next mission, I swear, will be in the Arctic,” McCarter said.
They all wore lightweight com-links, and each man pocketed a compact signal device they could use to call in Dragon Slayer if an urgent need arose.
Grimaldi always made sure his weapon’s lockers were outfitted with ordnance to cover every conceivable event to cover whatever Phoenix Force might need. Before shipping out from the U.S., he had included a selection of weapons and backup. Ordnance for this return into Xinjiang was selected on the basis they needed reduced noise for their initial assault. The P-90s were exchanged for Heckler & Koch MP-5 SDs, a version of the standard MP-5 fitted with an integral suppressor and 30-round 9 mm magazines. Available handguns were the Browning Hi-Power for McCarter and 9 mm Berettas 92-Fs for the rest of the team. Every weapon was coated in a nonreflective matt-black finish. They took a selection of stun and fragmentation grenades, and each Phoenix Force commando had a sheathed knife strapped to his leg.
>
Gary Manning also chose a Barnett crossbow and half a dozen of the cyanide-filled hardwood bolts, nestling in a foam-protected carrying case. In addition there was a Barnett crossbow scope fitted to the bow. It was a programmed five-point, multireticle crosshair system that would allow for fast target acquisition. The combination was exactly suited for the conditions Phoenix Force would encounter at Kang’s stronghold.
Once they were in the air, heading for the Wakhjir Pass, McCarter went up front, settling in his couch beside Grimaldi. Using the monitor screen on his side of the flight deck, he tapped up the satellite overview of Kang’s redoubt. Wethers had managed some overhead and angled shots of the structure, and from these he had also created an extrapolated image. It allowed McCarter a thorough impression of the building, and with the topographical detail he was able to formulate their plan of attack. He sat studying the on-screen data, constantly flicking from image to image as he devised and rejected various schematics. Grimaldi, aware of the man’s concentration, kept quiet.
The inevitable call from Stony Man came after they had been in flight for more than an hour. It was Hal Brognola. There was no mistaking the gruff undertone in his voice when he asked to speak to McCarter.
“Hi, boss,” McCarter said casually.
“I just received word you guys took off from Bagram again in that damned chopper.”
“That right?”
“That’s right,” Brognola snapped back. “So none of your bullshit. You’re supposed to be on your way back to the U.S. I won’t even bother to ask what the hell you’re doing. We both know.”
“Looks like we’re both as smart as each other, then, boss.”
“I don’t have time to waste swapping jokes here. Your mission is supposed to be over, and you should be on that plane heading for home.”
“Uh-uh, Hal, this mission isn’t over. Not until the whole team comes out.”
“You realize what this damn jaunt could cost?”
“Take it out of my wages, Hal.”
“I’m not talking money and you know it. I’m talking about the political cost to the White House if you screw up and get caught.”
“I understand that. It was convenient for the President to forget when it was a matter of getting his electronic gizmo back, but not when it’s a human life. Well, we did that, Hal. Snatched back his bloody board and even took pictures to back up his claim the Chinese stole it. This trip we’re going to retrieve something else that belongs to us. Same deal, Hal. It comes with the package.”
There was a long, deep sigh on the other end of the connection. McCarter could almost sense the tension at Stony Man. He waited, allowing Brognola to make his next move.
“Hell, David, I know how you guys feel about Anna. She’s as much family to the rest of us as she is to Phoenix.”
“So we don’t abandon her. We’ll take the flak when we get back. Drum us out of the service if you want, but this is still mission time for us. If the Man doesn’t like it, bugger him, Hal.”
“You want me to quote you on that?”
“Bloody hell, yes. What can he do? Have me shot?”
“Probably.”
“He’ll have to get in line then. Anytime now we could have the Chinese army after us, so the President is liable to have a long wait.”
“I’m gonna chew your ass for this when you get back. The same for the rest of that damn crew of yours.”
“I’ll pass that along.”
“And I’ll ground that Grimaldi, too.”
“I heard that,” Grimaldi said.
“You still going for it?”
“Yes, Hal.”
There was another protracted silence.
“Just try not to piss off the whole Chinese nation. Promise?”
“Thanks, boss.”
“Yeah…be safe, guys.”
There was brief silence, then Barbara Price came on the line.
“Do what you have to. Make sure that lady comes home, too. We’ll update you with anything that comes in on your situation.”
“Thanks, Barb. Listen, make sure Hal is okay. Buy him a coffee. Send out for a box of those cigars he likes to chew. Put it on my tab.”
Price chuckled. “I might just do that.”
McCarter signed off.
“That went well,” Grimaldi said.
“Yes. Better than I expected,” McCarter said. “That’s the part that worries me.”
THE COMBAT HELICOPTER, running in silent mode, touched down two miles south of the redoubt. With Phoenix Force gone EVA, Jack Grimaldi activated the chopper’s sleeper mode and settled back to wait. He was able to pick up body signatures from the external IR scanners until the team moved beyond range.
Rafael Encizo took point, utilizing both his own skills and the electronic assistance of the compact GPS unit from the helicopter. Before they left Grimaldi had downloaded the satellite specs for the area and the position of Kang’s redoubt.
As Encizo moved ahead at a steady pace, the rest of Phoenix spaced out, with James bringing up the rear. They became aware of the inhospitable temperature within minutes of leaving the sheltered and temperature-controlled helicopter. The terrain, hot and dry during daylight hours, had turned cold, the chill factor encouraged by the wind drifting down from the high peaks off to the north. Grimaldi had advised of the climate change after reading the data provided by Dragon Slayer’s outer probes, and Phoenix Force had dressed accordingly. Despite this, any exposed skin was still subjected to the chill night air.
As they moved east they encountered adverse changes in the landscape, having to negotiate a series of razorback ridges. The ground underfoot was loose and dry, the only vegetation they encountered brittle grass that clung to any spot of soil it could find. A few times they had to move off track due to some obstacle they were unable to go over. The GPS unit allowed them to get back on the correct heading without problems.
“TARGET IN SIGHT,” Encizo transmitted.
Phoenix Force moved in on Kang’s redoubt, forming a tight group as the men hunkered down behind a spill of ragged boulders.
McCarter pulled out his night-vision binoculars and scanned the target. The green cast image allowed him to check out perimeter and stationed sentries. As his full pan moved to the extreme left he picked out the bulk of Kang’s helicopter standing some distance from the redoubt. There was an armed sentry close by the aircraft.
“Listen up. One by the chopper. Four roving sentries I could see. There might be others on the blind side. And there are two on the roof manning a 12.7, belt-fed machine gun. Anyone tell me what’s wrong with that count?”
“Seven plus Kang, his pilot and Anna,” Manning said. “More than his chopper could carry.”
“The sneaky mother has pulled in a few extra reinforcements,” James said. “Question is, how many?”
“I hate it when people do this,” McCarter grumbled. “Screws up the logistical parameters.”
“Yeah?” James said. “Fucks up the odds, as well.”
“Comic asides do not help,” the Briton said.
Manning had been quietly preparing his Barnett crossbow. He eased into a position that allowed him an unobstructed firing line.
“You people going to sit around all night, or are we going to get this done?” he asked.
“Rafe, around to the rear. Call in when you’re in position. Cal, the guy guarding the chopper. If we can do it quietly we take out all the exterior personnel first.”
Encizo and James donned their night-vision goggles before they faded into the darkness, leaving McCarter and Manning to wait until they were in position.
“This could take some time,” Manning said.
The Canadian quietly unzipped the case that held the cyanide-filled bolts for the crossbow. McCarter watched in quiet fascination as Manning took one and loaded it into the crossbow.
“A lot more humane than a bullet,” Manning said, aware of the Briton’s scrutiny. “Get hit with one of these, and the cyanide is in your
bloodstream so fast you’re dead before you can take a breath.”
“I believe you. Not much fun for the poor bugger who catches the shot.”
“There’s no nice way to kill, David. Only more efficient ways.” Manning tapped the hardwood bolt. “And this is efficient.”
“I suppose. When it comes down to it, we are in a bloody business. Deciding to take other men’s lives at a moment’s notice. No prior consultation. Just our judgment. I’m glad I’m not a religious man, Gary, otherwise I might have to start moralizing.”
“You want to wait until this is all over?”
McCarter grinned. “Passing thought is all.”
He made another check, scanning the area with his night-vision glasses. The sentries made their rounds. On the roof, the machine-gun crew sat in stoic silence, watching and waiting.
The lone man guarding Kang’s helicopter suddenly vanished from sight. As McCarter focused in on the sentry, he saw a shadow flicker behind the guy, then the Chinese simply fell out of sight into the deeper shadows.
“Helicopter secure,” came James’s voice over the com-link. “Sentry down. Going to disable chopper.”
Manning glanced at McCarter. “Game on.”
The Briton nodded.
In the next couple of minutes Encizo called to say he was in position, too. He had seen one sentry at the rear of the redoubt.
“Moving in now. Go when you guys are ready.”
Manning heard and positioned himself at his firing point. He extracted a second bolt from the case and laid it on a flat surface close by. He used the crossbow’s scope sight and spent a little time selecting his first target. He chose the machine gunner. The moment the man’s head was turned away from the gunner, Manning locked on his primary target, squeezed the trigger and released the bolt. All McCarter heard was a soft hiss of sound as the bolt winged its way toward its target. He had his glasses on the guy and saw the Chinese stiffen as the bolt struck, driving in just below his jawline. He didn’t even have time to raise a hand to the shaft buried in his throat. McCarter saw him sag forward over the machine gun.
China Crisis (Stony Man) Page 18