“Yes. Now’s the time to change the plan, so anyone with a better idea, feel free to speak up,” Marc said.
“I think taking them on the boat is still the best play,” Kal said. “They won’t be expecting anything, and there’s no chance for additional support. If we wait until it reaches Casablanca, there’s no telling what will be waiting on us.”
“I agree,” Marc said. “So, what we have so far is:
1: We wait until they’re nice and comfortable.
2: We have Fred cut across their bow like some distracted playboy to slow them down.
3: The four of us use the Seabobs to approach the ship underwater.
4: We board and take out anyone in our way.
5: We grab Catie and get out.
Sounds easy. What are we missing?”
“We need to secure the Seabobs to the hull underwater,” Kal said.
“I’ve got magnetic clamps that should work for that,” Blake said. “What about your legs, Kal?”
“They’ll be fine, I can use my arms to climb up and position myself at the rear of the ship and I’ll just cover everyone from there,” Kal said. “I shouldn’t need to move around much.”
“Is the ship metal-hulled?” Marc asked.
“Yes, Captain, it is.”
“Thanks, ADI. Blake, can we use your magnetic clamps to climb the side?”
“Sure.”
“You guys might want some kind of night vision,” Fred suggested.
“Got that covered,” Marc said as he pointed his specs. Fred just nodded.
“Weapons?” Liz asked.
“Silenced nine millimeters and Tasers,” Marc said.
“I’ve got a couple of the mini FX air rifles. I’ll keep one, and I suggest one of you carry the other,” Kal said. “We approach underwater, I’ll go up first and set up cover next to the skiff they have tied down at the stern. The rest of you come up midship right behind the cabin area, port side, so you’re away from the crew access.”
Everyone nodded their head.
“We do all that without alerting the pilot. Once you’re on board, make your way to the starboard side and enter the cabin areas,” Kal continued. “There are six cabins, so we move forward, clearing them one at a time.”
“I’m in the forward cabin port side,” Catie texted.
“Scratch that, we go forward and cover that cabin first,” Kal corrected. “Catie, are you alone?”
“Most of the time.”
“Are you still tied up and gagged?” Kal asked.
“Yes, but working on it.”
“Be careful, Catie,” Marc said. “We don’t want them to start sitting on you.”
“I am.”
“This is good,” Kal continued. “So, whoever has the rifle stays at the back of the hall; take out anyone who sticks their head out of a cabin. If you miss, they’ll at least duck back in. The rest of you secure Catie’s cabin then clear the rest prow to stern. Keep one person on her cabin, and they can cover the hallway from the forward position.”
“That’s a lot of carnage,” Fred said.
“These guys are smugglers, not exactly innocent,” Marc said. “Besides, anyone who wants to stay alive just has to stay in their cabin.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m fine with taking them out. We just need to consider how we clean up,” Fred said. “I guess we could just sink the boat.”
“We’ll deal with that once we have Catie,” Blake said. “Then we’ll know the exact situation.”
“Alright everyone, it’s a plan,” Marc said. “Prep your weapons and get some rest. ADI, do we have a time and location yet?”
“Yes, Captain, in two hours, your target will enter an area of relatively calm seas. You should attack there.”
“Catie, you good?”
“Yes!”
◆ ◆ ◆
Marc didn’t get any rest during the two hours. Now he was bobbing off the stern of the Mea Huli in a shorty wetsuit while getting his rebreather attached. The Mea Huli had stayed ahead of the smuggler boat, they were fifteen minutes ahead as the four of them were getting into the water. They would take off at full speed, aiming for the port side of the target. They had to leave enough room for whatever maneuver the boat’s captain made after Fred brought the Mea Huli across his bow. The other three members of the infiltration team gave him a thumbs up, signaling that they were ready. He launched and headed for the rendezvous spot. They would proceed on the surface so ADI could navigate for them. Then they would submerge before they closed on the target.
Ten minutes later, Marc signaled for everyone to stop. They gathered around resting high on top of the Seabobs. The water temp was only 20 degrees C, or 68 F. A bit cool for just wearing a shorty, but they couldn’t afford the loss of mobility that a full wetsuit would cost them.
“Here she comes,” Marc said. “Where’s Fred?”
“I don’t see him, but I can hear him,” Liz said. “He should be here momentarily.”
“Ah there he is, no lights,” Blake said. “Now he’s turned them on. And now they’re off.”
“Pretend fight,” Liz said.
“They’re on…. They’re off,” Blake continued calling off the state of the lights.
“I think our friends see him; they’re slowing down,” Kal announced.
“ADI, what’s happening on the target?” Marc asked.
“Captain, the ship is slowing down, but the men in the pilothouse don’t seem too excited. Two of them are with him keeping track of the Mea Huli.”
“Fred, you’re a genius,” Marc said. “Keep it up. Let’s go guys.”
The team submerged and jetted to where the smugglers’ boat was coasting along. It only took them three minutes to reach it, and they easily kept pace. They had decided to release the Seabobs with the depth set for three meters. That would avoid the risk of them getting caught in turbulence and bumping against the hull. The Mea Huli’s sonar wouldn’t have any trouble finding them later. They each clamped onto the hull, took their rebreather off and attached it to their Seabob, then pushed it away.
Kal made quick time climbing up the hull. His above-average upper-body strength made short work of the one-two climbing rhythm required by the two clamps. He dragged himself across the back of the skiff and up to the edge of the ramp. He pulled his rifle from his back, took it out of its watertight package, and set up.
“I’m good back here,” Kal said. “Time for the party.”
Blake climbed up about half a meter then stopped. Liz used him as a stepladder and crawled up his back then stood on his shoulders so she could climb onto the deck. She pulled her nine-millimeter out of the plastic bag and signaled Marc to come up. Marc used the same procedure that Liz had used.
“Ugh, brother, you need to lose some weight,” Blake complained as Marc was standing on his shoulders.
“Yeah, I’ll keep it in mind.” Marc swung onto the deck, letting Liz provide cover. He reached down and helped Blake make the final climb. “Speaking of needing to lose weight.”
“I know, it’s all the gear,” Blake said as he pulled the rifle off his back and removed it from its case. “I’m ready.”
“Catie, what’s your situation?”
“I’m alone and ready,” Catie replied.
“And not gagged or tied up, I’m guessing,” Kal said.
“Of course not,” Catie whispered back.
“Jam the lock to your cabin,” Marc told Catie.
“Already done.”
“Let’s go.”
The three made their way along the bulkhead to the hatch that opened on the hallway for the cabins. “You’re good,” Kal said.
“Ready?” Marc asked Blake.
Blake shouldered his rifle and gave Marc a nod.
Marc opened the door quickly. A guard was sitting in a chair at the end of the passageway. He reached for his gun and started to stand up. Blake shot him in the left eye, and he collapsed back into the chair.
“Go,” Bl
ake hissed.
Marc rushed to the front of the hallway with Liz coming behind him. When he passed the galley, there was a gasp. Liz shot the surprised crewmember in the head and moved on, meeting up with Marc at the front.
“Just one in the galley,” Liz said. She tried the door to the cabin next to Catie’s. “It’s open.”
“Wait,” Kal said. “We have one coming down.”
“Should I take him out?” Blake asked as he turned back to the door.
“No, I’ll get him,” Kal replied. “I just want to wait until he’s on the deck, so it doesn’t alert the other two up top.”
Kal watched the man make his way down the ladder. When he turned toward the starboard side entry, Kal shot him. He fell with a thud, but the engine noise was loud enough to mask the sound, so nobody was alerted.
“You’re clear,” Kal said.
“Good,” Marc said nodding, to Liz, “On three … two … three.”
Liz opened the door, and Marc rushed into the room, dropping low. Liz came behind him high. Four crewmen were lying in the bunks. Two were awake and reaching for their guns. Liz shot the one in the top bunk, and Marc took care of the one in the lower. They quickly dispatched the other two sleepers before they even realized what was going on.
“Seven down,” Liz said, “Thirteen left, an unlucky number.”
Another member of the crew came out of the back cabin yelling toward the galley. Apparently, the man Liz had shot was supposed to bring something back. Blake shot him. “Unlucky for him. Eight down now, I need you to clear this back cabin, they’re apparently wanting snacks from the galley.”
Liz made her way back to Blake while Marc stayed at the front. Marc undid the cleats that were locking the door to Catie’s cabin and waited for Liz and Blake to clear the rear cabin.
“I’m guessing two more in there,” Blake said. He pulled his nine-millimeter out and strapped the rifle on his back. “On three.”
They entered the room, acting like the missing crewmen coming back. Three men were sitting at what was obviously some kind of card game. “Alhudu’ ‘aw tamut, quiet or you die,” Blake called out.
The three men raised their hands. “Now, what do we do?” Blake asked.
Liz gave an exasperated sigh and walked over to the men. She used her gun to knock the first one out, a blow square in the center of his head. He fell over unconscious instantly. The other two pulled away and started to yell. Liz pointed her gun at them, she pointed to the barrel and then to the handgrip, essentially telling them to choose. They both quieted down and waited until Liz had knocked them unconscious.
“Eleven down, two up top, so we have seven left,” Liz said. “A lucky number.”
“These guys are really slow,” Blake said.
“Can’t you smell the hashish?” Liz asked.
“Oh, counting their money early, aren’t they?”
“Good for us, bad for them,” Liz said. She made her way forward to Marc, and they prepared to enter the fourth room. When they entered, there were four bunks, each occupied by sleeping crewmen. Liz dispatched each of them with a blow to the top of the head. “Fifteen.”
The fourth room they entered had four bunks, but only one of them was occupied. Liz was able to knock him out quickly, and they made their way to the 5th room.
“Okay, here goes,” Marc said as they rushed in. The room only had two bunks, and neither was occupied. “They’re up top,” Marc said.
“But that’s only eighteen,” Liz said.
“Cer Liz, twenty was only an estimate,” ADI said.
“Yeah, unless they were hot bunking, this should be it,” Marc said. “ADI, any activity up top?”
“Captain, the ship’s captain is bringing the boat back up to speed; the second man is keeping an eye on the Mea Huli. Fred has stopped turning the light on and off, so they seem to be relaxing.”
“Can you let me out?” Catie asked.
“Are you locked in?” Marc replied. “We need to secure the two up top before they realize we’re here and alert someone.”
Catie pulled out the piece of wood that she’d used to jamb the door and opened the door. “I’m free. Can I go to the bathroom?”
“Go ahead,” Marc said. “Kal has you covered. We’re going up to the pilothouse and finish this.”
Blake grabbed one of the caps that the crew wore and put it on, Marc did the same. “Keep behind us,” Blake instructed Liz. They slowly made their way up the ladder to the top deck. The pilothouse was huge, with consoles to manage the various winches around the sides of the boat when they were pulling in a net full of fish. The man piloting the ship was staring toward the front while the second man was looking forward out the port window to keep an eye on Fred.
Once they were well inside and had both men covered, Marc coughed.
“Ahem, gentlemen. If you remain calm, we won’t have to shoot anyone,” Marc said.
The second man spun around quickly, so Liz put a bullet in his head.
“Like I said, remain calm,” Marc repeated.
The other man raised his hands and slowly turned around. “What do you want?”
“We have what we wanted,” Marc said. “The question is what can you give us. Now please stop the boat.”
“The girl,” the pilot said with recognition as he turned and pulled the throttle back to idle.
“Yes, my daughter,” Marc said. “Now that I have her, why shouldn’t I just sink this tub?”
“I can tell you who ordered her taken.”
“I already know that,” Marc said. “We have his nephew tied up on our boat.”
“Ahh, I can tell you how to get to him.”
“Now that might interest me,” Marc said.
“He is expecting us to make port in Casablanca. There is a warehouse there that will have a van. Four of the men below are supposed to take her in the van to his estate.”
“No welcoming committee?” Marc asked.
“Just a driver. He doesn’t know anyone. He is just expecting the girl and four men.”
“Do we go to him, or will he come to the boat?”
“I go to him, then he will bring the van to the boat.”
“Okay, what about the compound?” Marc asked.
“I have only been there twice,” the pilot said. “It is walled, there are guards.”
“How many?”
“Eight, ten.”
“ADI,” Marc said.
“Captain, I have dispatched the drone to surveil the compound. It will be there in six hours.”
“How long for us to arrive at Casablanca?” Marc asked the pilot.
“We are supposed to arrive in nine hours, I can make up the lost time,” the pilot replied.
“Fred, come and get Blake, Catie, and Kal. Then you three can pick up the Seabobs and follow us. We’ll work on a plan on the way,” Marc said. “We can always decide to sink her later.”
“Hey, I want to stay with you,” Catie begged over the comm.
“Not a chance,” Marc replied.
Chapter 11
Retribution
Nobody wanted to sleep in any of the bunks on the smugglers’ ship, so they planned that Blake and Kal would get four hours of sleep, and then the Mea Huli would rendezvous with the smuggler. Blake and Kal would trade places with Liz and Marc so they could get some sleep. Marc decided they would have to make do with three hours so that they would have two hours to plan once ADI had the surveillance data. Catie would take over piloting the Mea Huli for four hours so that Fred could get some sleep.
Once they were underway again, the pilot turned to Marc, “Sayid, we should get rid of any bodies,” he said, motioning to the body on the bridge.
“Liz, can you go see if you can wake up any of the crew?”
“Sure.” Liz made her way to the crew area. She decided on the three guys who had been playing cards. They had seemed very eager to cooperate and appeared to just be sailors, not directly involved in the smuggling or the kidnapping.
She woke them up and motioned for them to drag the bodies out onto the deck.
“I should attend to this,” the pilot said when all the bodies were on the deck. “Hasad can pilot the boat.”
“Liz, Hasad, up here,” Marc hollered. One of the men moved toward the ladder and Liz motioned him to continue to climb. Marc covered the men on the deck while keeping a watchful eye on the pilot. Once Liz was up, he motioned to the pilot, “After you.”
When they got to the deck, the pilot shouted at the other two men, and they went to one of the side lockers and brought out some tools. They then stripped the men, going through their pockets and taking any valuables while they did.
“You, of course, may have anything you wish,” the pilot said.
“Just get on with it,” Marc said.
After they had stripped the men, the crew put their clothes in a bag. They mixed up what looked like concrete and poured it into the bag on top of the clothes. Marc looked at the pilot.
“We wouldn’t want any of it to float to shore; some enterprising police officer might decide to investigate.”
Marc nodded as he watched the two men toss the bag over the side. Then they pulled a couple of large knives out of a toolbox. Marc made of show of bringing his Beretta up to discourage any foolishness.
“Not to worry, Sayid. They just need to make sure that the sharks do their part,” The pilot said. He motioned to the men to hurry up.
Marc watched with disgust as they slit each body from pelvis to the solar plexus so that the intestines and internal organs were exposed. Then they simply pushed the bodies over the side.
“The sharks will be attracted by the smell of blood and organs,” the pilot said. “Soon, there will be no trace of what happened. Those men were simply too drunk to make the ship before we sailed.”
◆ ◆ ◆
Two hours out and everyone except Catie, much to her chagrin, was gathered on the smuggler. They were all seated in the large pilothouse. The boat was idling, and the pilot was locked below in his cabin, as were the rest of the crew.
“ADI, please provide us the intel you’ve gathered. First, who is this Omar Harrak?” Marc asked as he started the planning session.
“Omar Harrak is a mid-level crime lord in Casablanca. He has powerful friends in the government, especially the military and the police force. He is primarily involved in smuggling drugs and other goods into Portugal and Spain and luxury goods back into Morocco” ADI went on to list various other crimes and connections.
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