Those in Peril

by Smith, Wilbur

  ‘Time to man your stations, gentlemen,’ Hector told them. ‘Remember! We will not spring the ambush until we have a positive fix on the exact whereabouts of both Uthmann Waddah and of his boss, Adam. This might take some time as there will be a lot of people milling around, but when we have them spotted in the throng we will have to move very fast. Try to take those two main targets alive. However, if they are escaping from you don’t hesitate to kill them. You will still be up for the rewards.’ Hector made a winding movement with his right arm. ‘Okay! Move out in order of deployment!’

  David Imbiss’s gun crews formed up in an eerie silence and Dave led them into the entrance of the covert tunnel system. Swiftly they climbed the ladder to the gun platform below the bridge. Within minutes Dave reported back to Hector over the Falcon battle radio.

  ‘Both guns loaded and manned, Heck.’ Hector acknowledged and then spoke to Sam Hunter. Although they were in direct eye contact he used the battle radio to keep the noise level down to an absolute minimum.

  ‘Okay, Sam. Get your men loaded into the AAVs. But the mode is still “Silent Ship”. Do not start your engines until I give the order.’ Sam acknowledged curtly, and then led the ninety men of the landing party up the companionway to the level beneath the cargo deck. It took a little longer than manning the guns, but at last Sam’s voice came over the radio.

  ‘All AAV crews loaded. Hoist cables attached and ready to lift. Turret hatches closed, and engines off. We are ready to launch.’

  ‘Right-oh, Sam!’ Hector approved. Then he looked over the men still remaining in the assembly area. These were his storm troopers. They would spearhead the assault on board the ship. Of course, Hector was in overall command but his lieutenants were Paddy and Tariq.

  Hector’s stick of six men was a mixed bag. There were twin brothers, Jacko and Bingo MacDuff from Glasgow, two Iraqis, an Aussie from Queensland and a German Afrikaner from Namibia. They were all fighters and killers. If luck was with the attackers, and Adam and Uthmann came out on the royal barge to welcome the Goose, and if they went directly up to the bridge to greet Kamal, it would simplify the matter a hundredfold. Hector and his stick could grab all of them in one fell swoop.

  But whichever way it went, Hector and his stick must seize Kamal and the four jihadists with him on the bridge. Then they could release Cyril Stamford and the other crew members being held there. From the heights of the bridge Hector would then be in a position to overlook the entire bay and spot the whereabouts of Adam and his henchman. He would be able to direct Dave Imbiss’s gunners onto these prime targets. After that they would destroy Kamal’s fleet of attack boats and cover the landing of the three AAVs on the beach, and their return from the compounds escorting the seamen of the pirated ships.

  Paddy and his team would attack the second level. Their first objective would be to subdue the guards in the owner’s suite and in the smaller cabin on the same level where Nastiya and Vincent were being held. Once they had rescued these hostages they would be ready to move swiftly to any area of the ship where Hector needed them.

  Tariq and his team would attack the lowest level of the Goose’s accommodation where the other crew members were being held by the pirates. Once they were in control of that level they would also have command of the main cargo deck. After Paddy’s team had come down to reinforce them they would be able to concentrate all their forces on their primary task, which was to capture Adam wherever he might be at that time.

  Considering his pathological aversion to seawater it seemed highly unlikely that Uthmann Waddah would accompany his Sheikh, but he must surely be on the beach to witness the triumphant entry of the Golden Goose to Gandanga Bay. Hector was confident that he would be able to spot him through the high-power telescopic lens of the camera at the ship’s masthead. Then he might have to go after him and hunt him down.

  At all times during the action Hazel and her four assistants would keep Hector and his officers informed of developments and of the exact whereabouts of every pirate aboard. The five of them would remain in the situation room to monitor all the cameras and listening equipment. The men under Hazel were all born Arabic speakers and would translate for her every word uttered by Kamal and his gang.

  In the dawn the Golden Goose moved slowly and carefully between the sandy headlands of Gandanga Bay. Under Kamal’s direction she was groping her way down the deepwater channel. Hector, Paddy and Tariq watched the scene ahead on the repeater screen on the bulkhead of the assembly area. The surface of the bay swarmed with small craft. The wolf pack of attack boats was already circling the tanker. The roar of outboard motors, the crackle of rifle fire and screaming and chanting was so loud that Hector was able to hear it even deep in the hull of the tanker.

  Hector spoke into the microphone of his radio. ‘Hazel! Have you spotted Adam? He should be coming out to us in his royal barge. According to Tariq he will be dressed in white robes with a golden headband around his turban. It should be easy to pick him out.’

  ‘Negative, Hector. I cannot see anyone who answers that description,’ Hazel replied. Hector had been absolutely certain that Adam would want to be the first to step aboard the Golden Goose. His whole plan was based on this premise, but now he felt the sharp stab of doubt.

  Shit! If the very first thing goes wrong, he thought, then everything afterwards goes wrong! But he must not let his doubts affect the others, so he said calmly, ‘Hazel! Where is Kamal? Do you have him on your screens?’

  ‘Affirmative, Hector. Kamal is on the starboard wing of the bridge with three of his pirates. He is waving to the men in the small boats and they are cheering him. Cyril Stamford is at the ship’s helm. It’s all getting somewhat confused.’

  ‘Okay, Hazel. Watch that swine Kamal. I cannot delay any longer. We have to deploy into the tunnels and take up our jump-off positions at the hatches.’ Hector nodded to Paddy and Tariq. Then he went to the tunnel entrance and climbed swiftly. The ladder was only wide enough to admit one man at a time. The six men of his team followed him closely. As soon as the last of them disappeared into the tunnel Paddy led his team in behind them. They stopped at the level of the owner’s suite. Paddy could see the soft para boots of the men of Hector’s team on the steel rungs above his head. When he looked down he could see the top of Tariq’s helmet. He was at the level of the crew’s quarters and the cargo deck. The ladder was loaded with armed men primed for action.

  Hector leaned his shoulder against the clandestine entrance to the bridge and whispered into his microphone.

  ‘Hazel! Where’s Kamal now?’

  ‘Hector! He’s come in from the wing. He’s with Cyril at the con. I think he’s preparing to drop anchor.’

  ‘How far are we off the beach?’ There was a pause while Hazel read the range finder.

  ‘Seven hundred and thirty-four metres,’ she said. ‘Kamal has taken us in very close.’ Hector was aware of a faint rumble and vibration and immediately Hazel went on, ‘Yes! I can see that Kamal has let go the two bow anchors.’

  ‘Still no sign of Adam’s barge?’

  ‘No. None.’

  ‘Are any of the men from the attack boats coming aboard the Goose?’

  ‘No. They are shouting and shooting in the air, but they are standing well off from our ship. It’s almost as though they are waiting for something to happen.’

  ‘Can you see any sign of Adam or his barge on the beach?’

  ‘There are hundreds of people there, but I can’t make out any sign of him or Uthmann Waddah.’

  ‘Where the hell is the bastard? We can’t do a thing until he shows himself,’ Hector fretted.

  ‘Hold on! Kamal has gone out on the wing of the bridge again,’ Hazel said softly. ‘He’s making another call on his satphone.’

  ‘You can bet all your money that he’s talking to his master,’ Hector guessed.

  With the skirts of his robe tucked up between his knees, Uthmann Waddah squatted in the clearing on the periphery of the tent city above Ga
ndanga Bay. He had the satphone pressed to his ear, and in front of him was a fine view out across the anchorage to where the great ship lay at anchor. Although he had watched it for over an hour as it came in sedately through the mouth of the bay and anchored off the beach, still he was amazed by its enormous size. It did not seem possible that anything of that magnitude would be capable of floating. Its open deck seemed larger than the new airfield that Adam had had built at the Oasis of the Miracle. That deck seemed sufficiently spacious for a 737 to land upon it, and furthermore the ship was less than a kilometre off the beach. Uthmann felt much more sanguine about the orders that Adam had given him. He was listening to Kamal’s voice on the other end of the satphone, and occasionally acknowledging the orders he was receiving.

  ‘As you say, noble prince! . . . I shall give him your message at once, Your Royal Highness.’

  The titles were extravagant for such an unimportant scion of an undistinguished family of brigands, but Kamal seemed to accept them as his due. Uthmann ended the call and stood up. He adjusted his ammunition bandolier over his shoulder and hefted his assault rifle. Then he stepped out briskly towards the largest tent in the encampment. Adam looked up as Uthmann prostrated himself before him.

  ‘Did you speak to my uncle?’ Adam was seated on a cushion of snowy lamb’s fleece. His robes were flowing and dazzling white. His turban was of the same cloth. And his headband was of eighteen-carat gold filigree.

  ‘This very moment!’ Uthmann replied. ‘He has asked me to assure you that all is well. He has complete control of the ship. He has searched every inch of it, and there are no enemy hidden anywhere on board. All the infidel captives are bound and helpless. But the news that will light up your heart is that Hector Cross and his harlot, Hazel Bannock, are still his prisoners. They are totally subdued, helplessly awaiting your judgment and execution. Your uncle humbly begs you to come to him and take possession of the great treasure he has brought to you.’

  ‘Are you still willing to fly me in the helicopter to the ship, Uthmann?’

  ‘I am willing and eager to be of service to you in any way possible, my Sheikh.’

  ‘You were not so willing yesterday and the day before,’ Adam reminded him.

  ‘Yesterday the ship was hundreds of leagues out in the ocean. I was fearful only for your safety, my Sheikh. If the machine had failed so far from the land you would have been in grave danger. But today the ship lies less than a kilometre from dry land. Your sacred person will be secure. Even if the helicopter engine should fail, I will be able to steer you to a safe touchdown on dry land.’

  ‘I am deeply touched by your concern for my safety,’ Adam sneered at him, and Uthmann prostrated himself once more to hide the anger in his own eyes. Adam took pleasure in taunting Uthmann about his terror of water. This single weakness somehow reduced him to the same level as Adam himself, no longer the perfectly intrepid and invincible warrior.

  Adam had his black leather briefcase on his lap. It was almost part of his body. That case went everywhere with him. He never let it out of his sight. He trusted no one else to carry it. A stainless-steel chain was attached to the frame and dangling from it was a cuff of the same steel. Adam snapped the cuff onto his left wrist. Uthmann knew that it was a combination lock. Clutching the case, Adam rose to his feet and with his right hand made a regal gesture towards the entrance of the tent.

  ‘Very well, Uthmann Waddah. You may take me to my blood enemy, Hector Cross. My vengeance has been too long delayed.’

  ‘Hector! Things are moving.’ Hazel’s voice was soft in Hector’s ear. ‘Kamal has left the bridge. Cyril Stamford is being guarded by four militia. They’ve tied his wrists and his elbows together and forced him to sit on the deck. Kamal has gone down to the second level. His men have tied Vincent and led him out of his cabin. Now the whole gang are all gathered outside the owner’s suite. There they go! They’ve forced the door and are pouring into the suite. Nastiya is standing in the middle of the cabin. She is making no move to defend herself. They are tying her arms behind her back at her elbows and wrists. Now they’re holding her down and fixing a short hobble between her ankles. They’re scared witless by those pretty little feet of hers. With that hobble Nastiya will hardly be able to walk. My God! Now they’re looping a lead rope around her neck. Kamal is taking no more chances with her. Now six of his thugs are dragging her out of the suite. Two of them are holding her on the lead rope. Kamal has not ventured within ten paces of her. It looks like they are taking her and Vincent to the lift. Nastiya is behaving very docilely—’

  Paddy’s voice interrupted her transmission. ‘Hector! I can hear them through the hatch. Kamal is no more than a few feet from where I am standing. I can hear his voice clearly. I could go in now and with one sweep take Kamal and all his men out of the game.’

  ‘Negative, Paddy! I repeat negative! We must wait for Adam to show up before we move. Acknowledge that order!’

  ‘Received and understood!’ Paddy’s voice was tormented. Poor old bastard, Hector thought, they have got his woman and he is helpless. Hector ached with him.

  ‘Hector, they’re descending in the lift,’ Hazel broke in. ‘They have left the second level deserted. Now they’ve reached the cargo deck level. Kamal’s men are frogmarching the two prisoners out onto the open deck.’

  ‘Paddy! Go back down the ladder to join Tariq’s team on the level below you,’ Hector ordered.

  ‘Will comply!’ Paddy answered formally. He is truly pissed off with me, Hector thought with a grim smile. Suddenly Hazel’s voice stung his eardrum. Her tone was sharp with excitement.

  ‘Hector, there’s a helicopter approaching from the shore. It looks like the same machine that buzzed us before Kamal boarded the Goose.’

  ‘Hazel, give me a running commentary,’ Hector ordered. ‘Can you see who is in the cockpit?’

  ‘Negative! The sun is reflecting straight off the canopy into my lens. However, all the pirates in the attack boats are concentrating their full attention on the helicopter. They are waving their banners at it and screaming like a troop of baboons at feeding time. The four men Kamal left on the bridge to guard Cyril have all crowded to the wing of the bridge to watch the chopper and join in the tumult and the shouting!’ Hazel caught her breath and then went on quickly, ‘Hold on, the helicopter is banking across the sun. I can see into the cockpit now. Two men in the front seats. The pilot and a passenger. The passenger in the righthand seat is wearing a white turban and gold headband. I swear it’s Adam!’

  ‘Let us give thanks for that,’ Hector said with relief. ‘Now hear me, all of you. I am going to seize the bridge. If the men there are all looking the other way, I will be able to take them without any muss or fuss. From there I will be able to make the best judgement call. Paddy and Tariq, hold your present positions in the tunnel at the level of the cargo deck, but be ready to go in. Dave, stay on your toes. We will be needing your Bushmasters very soon now.’

  They all acknowledged and Hector moved up onto the narrow ledge under the hatch. There was room for three of his men on the ledge with him, and the other three were crowded at the head of the steel ladder just below them. Hector loosened his trench knife in its sheath on his webbing and gave his men the thumbs-up sign, then slapped the shoulder of the hammer man at his side. He swung the hammer and with that single blow the retaining pin shot out of the lock and the steel hatch flew open. Hector led them through in a concerted rush. The four pirates were in a tight group on the far wing of the bridge. All their attention was on the approaching helicopter, and like their comrades in the attack boats they were hollering and whooping and shooting into the air. They were so absorbed that they had not even heard the hatch opening behind them. Hector was halfway across the bridge before one of the pirates turned and looked over his shoulder. He stared at Hector in blank astonishment. Before he could recover Hector chopped him across the side of his neck with the blade of his hand. He dropped to the deck and lay without even a twitch. Hector
jumped over him and used the handle of his trench knife to bludgeon the Somalian leaning over the bridge rail beside him. He went down on top of Hector’s first victim. The heavy knife handle left a depression the size and shape of an eggcup in the back of his skull. The men following Hector, the MacDuff brothers, knifed the two remaining pirates, but they botched the job a little. One pirate was down on the deck kicking in a spreading puddle of his own blood. The last one was staggering towards the companionway that led down to the next level. Blood spouted from the knife wound in his back and he was screeching wildly in Arabic, ‘Beware! The infidels are here!’

  He would be down the stairs before Hector could cross the wide bridge and catch him. Hector drew the 9mm pistol from its quick-release holster. It was like an extension of his own body and shot exactly wherever he was looking. He was barely aware of releasing the trigger, but it was a perfect brain shot. The pirate’s head jerked and his whole body seemed to melt like a chocolate bar in a microwave. He slithered bonelessly down the stairs and collapsed on the first landing. From the break-in to Hector’s pistol shot it had taken less than five seconds.

  ‘Think they heard your shot?’ asked the wiry little Scot at Hector’s side as he wiped the blood-smeared blade on his trouser leg.

  ‘I doubt it, Bingo.’ Hector shook his head. ‘Not with all those lads outside blazing away with their AKs.’ Then he looked down at the pirate who was still whimpering and dragging himself across the deck on his belly. ‘Tell your brother to finish off what he started. Then you can free Captain Stamford and his crew.’