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“Gomez, show us the supply ship.”
In an instant, the camera slewed around and focused on the supply ship heading toward the Magellan Sun. The design of the much smaller vessel looked at least forty years old and had a two-story superstructure at the front and a flat cargo area taking up the rear half of the ship.
“That’s a lot of open deck space, Chairman,” Linc said. “I don’t think we’ll get a friendly welcome if they spot us hanging around their precious cargo.”
Juan and Linc’s objective was to tag some of the cargo that was being off-loaded from the Magellan Sun so they could track it to where it was being delivered. And if they had the opportunity, they would open it to find out just what was being transported.
But Linc was right. Trying to do that on the unprotected deck of the supply ship would be a death wish. They might as well put neon bull’s-eyes on their chests.
“You up for a shore excursion?” Juan said.
“As long as it’s the package tour,” Linc replied, “a mai tai would hit the spot.”
“Sorry, refreshing beverages not included. They’ve got to have trucks for transporting whatever they’re bring ashore. I think we’ll have a better shot at getting close to the cargo on land.”
“I wouldn’t mind getting on dry land.”
Juan leaned toward Linda and said, “Linc and I are getting out on our way to the ship.” He checked the satellite map of the bay. “There’s a nice beach about half a klick from the dock. Linc and I will hoof it the rest of the way.”
“Aye, Chairman,” Linda said. “My checklist is done and we’re ready to rock and roll.”
“Then let’s get moving.”
She radioed that they were departing, and the crane released the Gator. It sank below the keel doors and motored away from the Oregon with a barely perceptible whirr of the electric motors. When it was out from under the ship, Linda brought the Gator to the surface. She cranked up the diesel, which reverberated through the interior but would be inaudible outside except when they were cruising at high speed.
She pushed the throttle forward until they were rocketing toward the shore without any worry that the Magellan Sun’s radar would pick them up.
Just five minutes later, Linda eased the throttle back, which meant they were within two miles of the ship. Any closer and the sound of the engine might be heard. She activated the ballast tanks, and the Gator sank until the water’s surface lapped at the bottom of the cupola. Linda’s face glowed red in the soft light, but it wouldn’t be visible through the tinted windows. They continued forward at fifteen knots, reaching the beach a short time later, where they stopped, with the Gator’s bow resting on the sandy bottom.
Linc popped the hatch and climbed out. Juan handed their gear up, then turned to Linda and said, “We’ll meet back here for extraction when you’re done. See you soon.” Then he looked at Eddie, MacD, and Murph. “Don’t get into too much trouble.”
“Don’t worry about these jokers,” Murph said with a grin. “I’ll keep an eye on them.”
“You’re the real problem. I bet you’re planning to plant a virus that’ll back up their toilet system or something.”
Murph raised his hand in mock salute. “Guilty.”
“Linda, you’re in charge of this motley crew,” Juan said with a laugh. “Just get in and out and back here quick.”
She shook her head at the banter. “Aye, Chairman. I’ll make sure they behave.”
Juan had no doubt about that. He knew as soon as they were away, they’d all get their game faces on and become supremely focused on the upcoming operation.
He climbed out and buttoned up the hatch before walking along the sunken bow as if he were walking on water. Holding his equipment bag over his head, he followed Linc into the gentle surf and was submerged up to his chest. His prosthetic combat leg was designed to withstand immersion in water, but it always felt strange having only one soaked foot.
As soon as Juan was off the Gator, Linda revved the motor and backed away from the beach. In the distance, he could see that the supply ship had reached the Magellan Sun and was pulling alongside. The crane was already in motion off-loading pallets.
After he kitted himself out with his tactical gear and body armor, Juan slung an MP5 submachine gun over his shoulder and lowered night vision goggles over his face. Even with the enhanced imaging, the noiseless Gator had already disappeared from view.
Without a word, he and Linc put on their own serious game faces and began the trek through coastal jungle. Their footsteps were so soft that the only sound was the constant chirp of insects and the shouts of a dozen men at the dock ahead of them.
30
MANILA
Having seen Locsin’s men in action before, Raven knew they were a ruthless group and wouldn’t hesitate to kill her and Beth if they resisted, so she simply did what they told her to do. Beth followed her lead. Still, she was constantly watching for their best opportunity to either escape or call for help. Beth seemed frightened, but her initial panic was gone, and Raven knew she could depend on her when they attempted to make a break for it.
The briefcase bomb had been deactivated as soon as the two of them had climbed into the SUV and were under Locsin’s control. Now they were sitting in a glass-walled warehouse office, unshackled, apparently no threat to the six men around them, including Locsin, who seemed to be studying them. The smell of sour garlic wafted off the guards like a putrid perfume. Raven, not wanting to give them any satisfaction at their capture, yawned and stretched as if she were bored by the whole thing. She looked out the third-story window at an enormous warehouse filled with more fire trucks than she had ever seen in one place.
