by SJ Hailey
The NYPD Sniper and pilot realised the assassin’s intention, the aircraft swung around for another shot, the sniper fired again, hitting Alfred in the throat.
The rifle fell limp against his body, still resting on the soft support that had allowed him to take the long shot, his sidearm falling into the vent below. His blood blew up as a red mist in the night air.
The jamming device only had a ten minute battery life due to its size, when it failed the DSS agents got the call from the Koala informing them the assassin was dead.
They did not relax, but got aboard the damaged helicopter, still covering the principal, prepared to tolerate a little cold air on the short trip to JFK. Uncotto thanked the protection team as the helicopter flew away at high speed, they responded with a polite drop of the nose. Within twenty minutes he was at JFK and making his way towards his waiting flight, the carnage and destruction left in Manhattan was not his concern now.
THIRTY SIX
Isla Joya Verde.
Briggs found the self-destruct sequence active, he announced over the intercom system to evacuate immediately, that The General had betrayed them. Some had believed him and run out without hesitation, grabbing any belongings as they passed. Many disbelieved, they would soon discover how sadly mistaken they were.
The end came quickly, but with enough time for the occupants of the base to realise Briggs was telling the truth. All the doors locked, and heat resistant seals expanded in the borders of the doors, securing every remaining occupant in the room. Many people feared the worst, and the intercom system was still operational, transmitting their pleas to the souls that had heeded Briggs warning and fled.
No one could do anything.
After five minutes the screams increased to a primal level, the animalistic calls of the doomed, gas nozzles in the ceiling began to hiss, the occupants suspecting nerve gas. The reality was worse, it was butane gas, and after less than a minute it was ignited. There was no electrical fire the power had been cut a minute before, to ensure there were no accidental ignitions. The rooms being in complete darkness increased the terror, Mastasson had completely betrayed his people in pursuit of his goal.
The combination of the atmospheric oxygen, the gas and flammable objects created an unstoppable inferno. The screams of the victims were brief but lingered in the ears and minds of the survivors; the tortured resonant sound of death. Intake vents opened to let air in to feed the fire and increased its intensity, the beast roared on its food. Extract vents allowed the masses of smoke to exit, allowing fresh breath for the monster. Briggs knew that bodies and souls were drifting away in that dark plume that bleed into the sky above the island.
There were no dramatic explosions, no huge blasts of flying debris, just an efficient incineration of all his years of work, and people who supported it. The only blessing was the chemical and biological labs, the safety protocols ensuring all samples completely destroyed and contained. Even though Briggs had lost so much and so many, he had saved the world from at least one more atrocity.
The seaplane banked and reduced altitude, skimming the caps of waves, approaching the Panama coast, Briggs satellite phone came back online. He had timed his escape almost perfectly, all personnel and equipment he could salvage intact. He had beaten Mastasson so far, now he hoped Thorpe would finish the job.
Mastasson had refuelled on a freighter off the coast, filling his external tanks to allow him to reach Ecuador, linger and exit at his leisure. He could not use his satellite phone, but was desperate to inform Enzi of the change in situation following Jacob’s intrusion.
Enzi had rendezvoused with the three inshore boats at the estuary of Rio Cayapaya, where he had been attacked yesterday. He transferred from the small seaplane, and the boats rapidly accelerated up river, ignoring any protests from the more sedate and considerate locals. Unexpectedly Enzi‘s backup radio came to life, ‘Enzi this is The General.’
Enzi responded, clearing the interference with a little adjustment, ‘Why are you using this frequency General, it is not secure?’
‘Just listen there is no time. Jacob is coming to you and he has the artefacts.’
‘Jacob? Why and how does he have the artefacts?’
‘This is not an episode of Jeopardy Enzi, just secure the complex.’
‘We will be there shortly, and I will do that. What about Jacob?’
‘He will no doubt be heading either to his camp, or to the complex. Stop him and secure the amulets.’
‘How would you like me to stop him?’
‘Just kill him!’
‘I only have twenty locals, plus the five soldiers Colonel Briggs gave me.’
‘Five soldiers?’
‘Yes, four soldiers and a Sergeant Thorpe. He said you knew?’
‘Thorpe? Send the soldiers out first to ensure the area is clear, they can be cannon fodder if there is a trap.’
‘You suspect a trap?.’
‘With Jacob I suspect everything and trust nothing.’
‘What about Colonel Briggs, why would he send men without telling you?’
‘It does not matter, Briggs and everyone on the island are ashes now. If the Americans have not bombed the base, the self-destruct sequence I set has destroyed it.’
‘And the money and other essentials? What of them?’
‘Oh they are perfectly safe with me, you know I always carry insurance Enzi.’
Jones listened carefully from the cabin near Enzi, he also liked insurance.
‘Is Laurent with you? We may need him.’
‘Yes he is here, a little extra help if I need it.’
‘How far away are you?’
‘About one and a half hours at most, where can I land?’
‘There is a clearing to the north, land there it is only a short walk to us.’
‘Why can I not land on the complex?’
‘Too exposed and there is some kind of magnetic field, sent our compasses crazy last time I was there.’
‘Okay, make sure that area is clear for me.’
‘Jones will look after it. Out.’
Enzi was still annoyed at being Mastasson’s lackey, but was prepared to tolerate it a little longer to achieve his needs. He was not concerned at sending the soldiers to their deaths, he had done so before many times, as long as he survived he did not care the cost. This trait he shared with Mastasson, it was what bonded them, their desire to succeed at any cost except their own.
The area was unexpectedly deserted, Enzi ordering the boats to stop while he inspected with binoculars. There was no sign of life, his soldiers were not so complacent, scanning the area for snipers or other threats.
‘You have nothing to fear here gentleman, they are long gone.’ He nodded to Jones who emptied a clip into the buildings and walkways, no response except screams from displaced monkeys and birds in the trees.
‘You see no one here, but I am informed that we may have company at the complex. I want you to secure it as follows.’
He instructed Jones on the groups of men and how to disperse them to effectively control the area, based on information received from Laurent back on the island.
‘Anyone who approaches is to be shot, I don’t care if they are local or Jacob’s people.’
Everyone understood clearly, the threat of Enzi and his accomplices was clear even to the local hired guns. Thorpe and his men remained silent, listening and ensuring they were clear on Enzi’s positions.
‘Sergeant Thorpe, I would like you to stay at the bottom of the wall, a roaming patrol, keeping watch on our perimeter.’
‘Certainly Mr Enzi.’
Thorpe put his radio down, and nodded to the four men in his charge, the driver of the boat was oblivious. Just as he had predicted, Enzi had freed him to rove, and this would ease the execution of his mission.
THIRTY SEVEN
La gente de la luz azul were obviously knowledgeable in concealment, they had been watching the archaeological dig for weeks, without anyone beco
ming aware. Osvaldo had met them on the beach near La Tola, the hovercraft came to rest on the shoreline.
‘Debra, this is the remainder of my group.’
As Osvaldo Roderigo introduced them, they stepped forward, offering firm handshakes to Debra and anyone else.
The first was Augusta Fabiola Gutierrez Garcia, about fifty years old with black and grey wiry hair; she was stocky build, with a rifle slung over her shoulder. Osvaldo Roderigo informed Debra that Augusta Fabiola was their main recruiter, which surprised Debra considering her formidable appearance. The second woman was younger dark brown hair, and huge eyes, Dalia Maria Aguilera Hurtado, the mathematician of the group. The third was the youngest, only eighteen and just recruited on her birthday two months before, Ana Lucia Erazo Roldes, still being instructed in the ways of the group, and nervously laughed as she shook Debra’s hand. The last, like Ana Lucia young and a recent recruit, inheriting the position from his grandfather, who had recruited Osvaldo Roderigo.
Lucio Andres Correa Alvarez, looked like a very young Enrique, and already had the attention of the women in the group.
They were all dressed in appropriate camouflage, and all had rifles with telescopic sights, and handguns.
‘I am impressed by how prepared you are.’
‘We have all worked with local military to track and assist in the destruction of drug factories on the border with Colombia.’
‘Well that is going to help. Can you help my other people conceal themselves on site?’
‘As long as none of them are wearing bright pink camouflage or something.’
Debra laughed at Lucio Andres joke, ‘You would be very popular back home I am sure.’
With introductions completed, the group loaded up the hovercraft and were enroute to the complex soon afterwards, Debra explained the plan, using aerial photographs and scans taken by Katherine. She overlaid the predicted positions of Enzi and his men, and their locations to give effective fields of fire, and dispersal to avoid all being taken out in one attack.
Debra and La gente de la luz azul arrived on site hours before anyone else. Teddy dropped them by hovercraft, He was only a call away, five minutes at full speed, but in a fire fight she knew five minutes was too long. Teddy had made two runs, the first with Osvaldo Roderigo’s people, the remaining La gente de la luz azul members, the second with volunteers, most of whom had little or no combat experience, but could use weapons accurately. With Archer’s help and tactical awareness, Debra would implement a defensive strategy for the complex, to ensure that Enzi’s people did not secure or hold it. Any soldiers would be more of an issue. Archer hoped that Mastasson would not send any, as he wished this complex and the amulets to remain secret.
Debra heard boats pull up at the improvised landing piers, just two large trees, secured with rope to roots on the riverbank. She used her scope to confirm the number of men and arms, and that Enzi was among them. She saw his tall elegant body climbing from the boat, his suit notably absent, but still wearing long canvas trousers and a shirt. She did not radio Jacob or Archer to inform them, or open fire on the group while they were exiting the boat. Archer was clear in his instructions. He wanted them unaware of Debra’s presence, to allow Mastasson to arrive unimpeded.
Debra saw Thorpe’s men exit, they stood out, full combat fatigues, facial camouflage, correctly equipped for jungle warfare. She knew they were the real threat, and not expected. These five men spread out along the trail adjacent to the wall, scattered over twenty feet apart, in single file, ensuring any ambush would not take out the whole squad. They disappeared into the jungle, as the rest of Enzi’s men clambered clumsily up the complex’s wall. Three men stayed with the boats, to secure Enzi’s escape, Debra signalled her colleagues and two of them moved into position to target the boat crew’s.
When they arrived on site, Michael had sent a small remote controlled drone up over the complex to survey it, and check for existing threats. The quadcopter had four small fans looking more like the top of a cooker than a robot. It was easily controllable and the high definition camera on its belly gave excellent coverage and clarity of picture.
They dispersed in small groups, concealing themselves at the base and top of the wall, using the collapsed areas to get down into, still having good line of sight with the opposite side. Michael had brought a group of old and hastily modified robots with him, Teddy helping him wrestle them into position. Teddy complained that such a poor constructed man could build such large and strong machines. Without Teddy’s strength, Michael would never have got the machines on site.
There was no radio contact, no transmissions to disclose their position or intentions, Archer had been clear on that. As Debra waited she unexpectedly intercepted The General’s transmission to Enzi. She put her earpiece in and used the new intelligence to update her maps. The only reason she was to call out, was if they were in dire trouble and needed support, which Debra knew would never come fast enough.
She focused back on the boats, and observed Enzi and a taller man, instructing men where to locate, Jones. Then Jones disappeared into the jungle with two men. The local henchmen that had been supplied were complacent and lazy, no sooner had Enzi left, they were lighting cigarettes and some of them even went to sleep.
Within minutes Debra had documented all their positions on her laminated diagram of the complex, as Michael’s drone drifted unnoticed over their heads. She instructed everyone near her to move and re-position themselves, Michael was to get help carrying the improvised munitions to their firing points, as quietly as possible, hiding their mechanical assassins. She knew in thirty minutes she would be ready, but was unsure if they would all survive.
THIRTY EIGHT
The clouds over the jungle had darkened, indistinguishable layers of sky merged. Mastasson checked his automatic weather updates on his display, no storms of this size were predicted today. He changed course to come in away from the storm clouds and approach the clearing from another direction, it was longer, but safer. Laurent had been very quiet, Mastasson suspected fear, rather than politeness.
‘Laurent, are you not curious to see what power these amulets can unleash?’
‘Yes, but at what cost?’
‘Cost? The only cost is to those who will pay me not to use them.’
‘You would use this relic to blackmail countries?’
‘Now you of all people should appreciate that manipulation of an advantage is something to be admired, surely?’
‘Yes I but only when it is an advantage for me alone.’
‘You are not just agreeing to stop me from killing you?’
‘If I answer that as yes, do you kill me anyway?’
Mastasson laughed, and this only abated when he saw a large tower in the jungle. He slowed to observe it, ‘Do you see that Laurent? That is the reason I came, that presence.’
Laurent was surprised, in front of them was a large obelisk, he estimated over fifty metres high. Jet black with no reflection on any surface, at the pyramidal top was a blue crystal, same colour as the amulet he had discovered, and it was glowing. Then a small tendril of light came from the top of it, snaking up into the air, Mastasson backed the helicopter off.
The lightning bolt connected with the tower with surprising ferocity, the light temporarily blinding the helicopters occupants.
‘What was that?’
‘That Laurent was a leader coming out of the tower.’
‘A leader?’
‘A small charge of electricity. In nature all objects give off this small charge, that is what the lightning connects with. It would appear that this tower is giving out a leader to encourage a deliberate strike.’
‘It is using lightning?’
‘It would appear so, and that is why I have risked so much.’
Jacob and Archer had found Debra’s position, and could see the boat teams by the side of the river. Jacob needed to get the amulets to Osvaldo Roderigo inside the complex. Augusta Fabiola told him just to run
to the open hatch.
Jacob pulled his necklace out, it was glowing brightly, ‘whatever you do you must keep it on. Where’s your necklace Archer?’
Archer did not pull his out, ‘I’m staying here, you need someone to support Debra.’
‘Agreed son, Augusta Fabiola would you like to join me?’
‘I would Jacob, how very polite. I will get the other two.’
‘We get to the top of the wall, and then go on Debra’s signal.’
‘What signal is that Jacob?’
‘Oh believe me Augusta Fabiola, you will know.’
With a wink to Debra, Jacob and Archer began to carefully climb up the wall, away from the sight of the boat crews.
Mastasson landed in a very small clearing, his rotor blades clipping and shredding some overhanging bushes, he untied Laurent’s hands, left the cockpit. A handgun drawn, MP5 Machine gun across his back and a knife on his belt.
‘This does not mean I trust you, but to move through the jungle you need your hands, if you run, I will kill you.’
Laurent did not reply, he knew Mastasson would carry out his threat.
Enzi had set up position overlooking the hatch, and was as relaxed as the men around, the sky overhead had darkened, and they had heard several thumps from around them, but he presumed it was normal background noise for the area. None of the local’s he had hired seemed perturbed, so he just sat back and awaited Mastasson’s arrival.
Mastasson moved quickly through the jungle, pushing Laurent in front, the occasional shove in the back with his handgun continuing the intimidation he had started back on the island. He had left the clearing and was amongst sparse jungle, entering a larger area, his CV22 ahead, he recognised the markings. He crouched down and ordered Laurent to do the same, scanned for anyone nearby, having to rely on his eyesight, he had forgotten his binoculars. He saw a woman, she appeared to be alone, at this distance he did not recognise her, but Laurent did.
