Warriors by Barrett Tillman

by Barrett Tillman

  Two thousand feet from ground zero, this moving wall of air struck objects with 190 pounds per square inch of pressure over the normal atmospheric pressure of 15 pounds at sea level. At that distance, the rapidly-rising mushroom cloud of radioactive soil and weapons debris generated winds of 2,000 miles per hour. Even an earthquake-proof structure of reinforced concrete can be flattened by only 30 pounds per square inch of overpressure.

  Within the fireball, all matter was ionized. Before lifting away from the ground, the fireball scooped out a 150-foot deep crater in the dry earth of Arabia Deserta, 700 feet across. Ground shock cracked the base of both runways and the blast wave swept away all above-ground structures, vehicles, aircraft, and crews.

  The surging, roiling mushroom cloud spread out along the tropopause at 45,000 feet, carrying glass-like radioactive beads and human aspirations several miles downwind.

  DAY SEVENTEEN

  New York

  Avrim Ran stepped to the rostrum to address the United Nations General Assembly. This time no delegates walked out.

  "Last night, the Israeli Air Force launched six special missions against selected targets in Lebanon, Syria, Libya, Iraq, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Five of these targets were destroyed. Two of our aircraft did not return."

  Avrim Ran carried in his pocket the telex from Tel Aviv.

  Lieutenant Colonel David Ran was missing in action. But the ambassador continued reading his prepared speech in a flat, emotionless voice.

  "We call upon the Arab states to withdraw from Israeli territory.

  We propose a seventy-two hour cease-fire in order to disengage the combatant forces, after which time the government of Israel is willing to participate in negotiations to designate the West Bank of the Jordan as a Palestinian homeland." He paused for emphasis. "Should this opportunity pass, then the Israeli armed forces will continue to employ nuclear weapons, including on our own soil if necessary."

  Ambassador Ran folded his paper and walked from the stage. Not a word was exchanged, but he looked the Soviet ambassador square in the face as he passed.

  The military attaches in Washington were abuzz with rumor and speculation. Everyone expressed surprise at Ran's disclosure; it was unlike the Israelis to admit any of their planes had failed to reach its target and another never made it home. But there were a few who knew something else. The wreckage of two Mirages shot down over Arab-occupied territory had been closely examined. The aircraft were found to be repainted over the original South African colors. This led to speculation that Pretoria may have provided some of its own rumored nukes to Israel. There was limited knowledge that the Heyl Ha'Avir had a close relationship with the South African Air Force--pilot exchanges, resupply of common aircraft, and air-to-air missiles.

  Thus, although Israel had expended some of her own atomic arsenal, she might have an undetermined number of additional bombs. Naturally, Tel Aviv did nothing to refute that speculation.

  NEW YORK-In a rare gesture, the United States abstained today in a United Nations Security Council vote, allowing to pass a Soviet and Arab-sponsored resolution condemning Israel for use of nuclear weapons two days ago.

  However, diplomatic sources indicated that the unusually strongly worded resolution-which carries no force of action-may have been part of a compromise package leading to disengagement of the warring nations. Those sources said that American and Soviet leaders were "terrified" of the prospects for a wider nuclear conflict. Earlier reports of Russian commitments to radical Muslim regimes for a Soviet nuclear umbrella could not be confirmed, but some Arab delegates stated in private that Moscow's military promises had not been kept "in full."

  Secretary General Pedro Ortiz of Spain conceded, however, that Israeli nuclear strikes had brought the two-week-old war to a standstill. He announced that Arab forces are to begin withdrawing from Israeli territory over the next two days under a U.N. plan which will include American and Soviet observers.

  Meanwhile, military and scientific authorities have been attempting to evaluate the effect of the five nuclear blasts which shattered Arab troop, supply, and communications targets. Most are estimated at 100-kiloton yields with localized damage from air bursts over the targets.

  By far the worst effects are noted in central Arabia, where a ground burst on a Saudi airfield produced effects described as "enormously bad." Experts predict the region may be radioactive for years, though most of the nuclides descended locally owing to light winds in the area.

  One moderate Arab diplomat described the Saudis as "livid with rage," since Riyadh had limited its participation to air support and a few units in southern Jordan. In contrast, no atomic attack was launched against Iran, which played a major role in the war against Israel from the beginning. Informed speculation held that the distance was too great for fighter-bombers to penetrate layers of Arab air defenses. Other authorities, noting Israel possesses long-range Jericho missiles, believe the initial attacks were warnings of a second wave to be launched in the event the war continued. Military experts note that neither side can defend against missiles, and that Israel-perhaps 24 hours from collapse--had nothing to lose in that event.

  Israeli ambassador Avrim Ran told a news conference that no Arab troops should remain in Israel within 72 hours. In exchange, Tel Aviv will cede the West Bank to U. N. control while acknowledging the "loss" of Jordan as the long-awaited Palestinian homeland.

  Chapter 17

  SIX YEARS LATER

  THE DOORBELL RANG IN THE HOUSE ON MILL AVENUE. The young father shouted "I'll get it." and walked briskly through the living room. He opened the door to see a well-built man in his late thirties, leaning on a cane. The visitor had a dark tan, and his curly black hair was flecked with premature gray.

  "Mr. Paul Bennett?" the visitor asked. "Yes. "

  "I phoned you yesterday, from the airport."

  Paul opened the screen door. "Oh, yes. Of course, Mr. "

  "Levi Bar-El." The visitor extended his hand.

  "Mr. Bar-El. Please come in." Paul stepped back and bumped into his daughter. "Be careful, Angelina." The girl was nine years old with light brown hair and big gray eyes. Uncertain of what to make of the stranger, she retreated to the corner to join her younger brother, Edward.

  Paul showed Bar-EI to the sofa, careful to seat him where his left leg would not be cramped. Paul assumed the Israeli had been injured in the war, as he had mentioned research for a book when he phoned.

  After giving Bar-El an iced tea, Paul Bennett asked, "What may I do for you? I assume you want to know about my father."

  Levi Bar-EI sipped his tea and nodded. His gaze took in the dining room and Mrs. Bennett's silverware. Then his scan stopped at the mantle. He leaned forward, staring at a green figurine. It was a pregnant woman.

  Momentarily distracted, Bar-El recovered quickly. Turning to Paul, he said, "Actually, Mr. Bennett, I know a great deal about your father. I thought I might be able to tell you a few things about him."

  For most of the afternoon the former intelligence officer described the inner workings of Tiger Force. Some of the names were familiar to Paul. Bar-El had talked to Peter Saint-Martin and Geoff Hampton in London, where he had signed a contract with a publisher for a history of the war. They in turn had led him to some of the Americans.

  The most helpful IP was Congressman Tim Ottman of New York.

  Though few of his constituents knew anything about Tiger Force, they admired the second-term representative for his candor and his humor. He had stolen more than one tense press conference with an elaborate display of skill with an old yellow yo-yo. However, House staffers knew Tim Ottman to be exceptionally well informed on tactical airpower. A few regarded this as normal for a former Air Force pilot, but others wondered about his sense of urgency in procuring a mix of simple, reliable aircraft and complex, expensive ones.

  Not all Tiger Force IPs were anxious to talk to an Israeli officer.

  But some were professionally curious, and others bore no grudge. Paul Be
nnett himself was mildly surprised to find he liked the disabled Israeli, and questioned him closely.

  Paul asked about the remaining Saudi F-20 pilots. He knew that many had perished in the explosion at Ha'il or from the radiation effects thereafter. While not telling all he knew, Bar-El said that some still were in the program and two or three had been promoted to seniority beyond their years. Paul already knew that Lieutenant Colonel Rajid Hamir was headed for the top. They kept in touch by mail and by phone.

  The next day Levi Bar-El took an airliner to Seattle and rented a car at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. He had phoned Ed Lawrence from Phoenix to confirm the meeting. Actually, Devil already knew of the Israeli's interest in Tiger Force and looked forward to the meeting with cautious anticipation.

  Ed and Nancy Lawrence lived on twenty acres near Renton, where they raised Arabian horses and llamas. Peter Saint-Martin and Tim Ottman had said that Devil surprised everyone who knew him by settling down to a happy married life, and the irony was not lost upon them. Like John Bennett, they had expected the Tiger Force exec to die in an F-20 or, failing that, to drift away as an aerial beachcomber.

  No one was more surprised than Lawrence himself. A lifelong bachelor, he had met Nancy Mays on a Boeing 737 to Phoenix. An uncommonly pretty brunette, she had startling green eyes and a genuine curiosity about flying that captivated him. But her interest should have been no surprise--she was captain of the airliner, and they talked shop at length.

  Two years later they married and built a home on Lawrence's property near Renton. In addition to their animals they maintained a Champion Citabria in a small hangar on their private airstrip. It was a trim little aircraft, sporting a red-and-white color scheme. Lawrence had intended to paint three yellow and six blue stars below the left window, but Nancy refused to allow it.

  From a lifetime of globe-trotting the Lawrences were content to remain at home with their son, John B. The boy was almost three now and already had more flight time than some private pilots. Ed and Nancy Lawrence always made it to the Tiger Force reunions, but his attendance had dropped off at the Tailhook and Red River Rat gatherings. He was mildly surprised to find he preferred staying home.

  It was mid-afternoon when Levi Bar-EI finally found the farm, "Devil's Den." Nancy greeted him and led him to the hangar, where Lawrence was pulling unauthorized maintenance on the Citabria's Lycoming engine. Bar-El followed Nancy inside, appreciatively noting her shapely figure. She wore designer jeans and a faded blue T-shirt with some sort of black-and-white naval insignia on the front. Nancy introduced the Israeli, made him at ease, and returned to the house.

  Lawrence had weathered the years in good form, Bar-EI thought.

  The red hair was lightly streaked with gray, but the bright blue eyes and dazzling white smile seemed to erase ten or more of the aviator's 54 years. They sat and talked cautiously at first, feeling out one anothers' attitudes.

  At length Lawrence motioned outside and suggested they sit by the fence in the evening's low sun. The Israeli leaned his back against the rails, easing the load on his bad leg. He noticed some llamas and horses in the pasture, but paid them scant attention.

  Lawrence was describing his pilot training philosophy when Bar-El let out a shout. It was more of surprise than pain. Lawrence saw the cause and laughed aloud, in spite of himself. When Bar-El turned, he was eyeball to eyeball with a magnificent stud llama. The animal had curiously stuck his nose in the back of Bar-EI's neck.

  "He's just mooching," Lawrence explained. "Wants to see if you have anything to eat." He waved his orange ballcap at the black-and-white animal, who raised its head and gurgled. "Damn it, Rambo, get away. You're the biggest chowhound in three states."

  Distracted, Bar-El took in the livestock again. "You make a living with these creatures, Mr. Lawrence?"

  The aviator shrugged and laughed. "Yeah, pretty good. Rambo here would go for about forty thousand dollars if we wanted to sell him. But he's like an overgrown pet. Llamas seem to go with Arabian horses and Nancy likes to ride. I prefer the llamas myself, but I enjoy the horses, too." He looked around. "That one over there"-he pointed to a dappled gray-and-white mare--"is our prize breeder. Aren't you, Inshallah?" He whistled and the animal pricked up her ears.

  Bar-El turned to Lawrence. "Her name is Inshallah?"

  "Sure, it's Arabic. But then you know all about that, I suppose." Bar-EI thought to himself, Life is strange. A former mercenary enemy of my country entertains me with his Arabian horses and South American pack animals. Who would believe it?

  At length Lawrence asked the question which had been on his mind through all the intervening years. Bar-EI had anticipated it, and he was ready.

  Emphasizing that he could not reveal sources, the Israeli said, "We learned a few months after Claudia Meyers's death that the operation was planned by the Iranians, who hired another party to contract the Lebanese mercenaries. Apparently Tehran was concerned about possible hostilities with the Saudis and wanted to eliminate the head of Tiger Force."

  "I'll be damned. To tell you the truth, John and I figured it was you people or the South Yemenis."

  "Mr. Lawrence, I would have to deny I ever said this. But we knew that you and the Saudi government also were concerned about Iran." Bar-El's mouth tightened in an ironic smile. "I can tell you now that your name also was on Tehran's list but you kept so busy flying that they never had an opportunity to get you."

  The expression on the redhead's face told Bar-EI that the American knew the report was accurate.

  Finally Lawrence asked about any surviving Israeli fighter pilots from the air battles over Arabia and Jordan. He said that he would like to buy some of them whatever they drank.

  Bar-EI said, "Well, I cannot mention any names but you might contact the office of our air attache in Washington. I believe he could investigate." In fact, the current attache was a lieutenant colonel who had been shot down by an F-20 and was rescued by helicopter after the Ha'il strike. "I also know of two others who might be willing to meet you. Both are retired colonels. One was base commander at Balhama during the war. The other is partially paralyzed from back injuries sustained in ejecting from his F-15. They are both fine men-real warriors." Bar-El was tempted to mention their names. Instead, he added, ''The attache would put you in touch with them if he is permitted to do so."

  Lawrence had one last question. "What about the two losses during the nuclear strikes? What happened?"

  Bar-El was cautious. He had been cleared to write an unusually detailed account of some aspects of the war, but he did not wish to offend his host's sensibilities. Still, he decided to reveal more than he had planned to.

  "A Phantom was shot down en route to its target in Syria. Evidently there was an antiaircraft battery which unexpectedly showed up along the flight path. We don't know what happened to the weapon, as far as I am aware. I guess the Soviet advisers probably got it." He paused, pondering the likely options. "We don't think they would have wanted the Syrians to obtain fissionable material."

  "Okay. What about the other?"

  Bar-El shrugged. "That one is still a mystery. Probably it always will be. It never rejoined its fighter escorts after reaching its target." He decided not to mention the target. "We estimate it was shot down during its egress, but the unit responsible must have been wiped out in the aftermath of the attack. We know of no claims submitted for destruction of a Kfir that night."

  FEW TIGER FORCE PILOTS CAME TO PROMINENCE FOLLOWING the war. Most shunned publicity and others preferred to do their talking at reunions.

  The most famous veteran of Tiger Force may be seen in the Royal Saudi Air Force Museum six days a week. Mounted on an elevated platform in the rotunda is an F-20B. It forms the centerpiece for the area and is the first exhibit one sees upon entering the museum.

  The paint is faded on 00I from exposure to the desert sun and its markings are not as bright as they once were. But visitors walking past the sleek Northrop may count the victory stars painted
on the fuselage--one for each kill by Tiger Force. And some pause to read the name on the canopy rail, testimony of a king's promise to a warrior.

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