Honor Under Siege

by Radclyffe

  Cam and grinned. “And, you werent a deputy director of Homeland

  Security. If you had been, who knows what kind of cool equipment they

  would have pul ed out for you.

  “Hopeful y Henry doesnt have the same toys. Cam glanced at Stark.

  “Exit strategy in place?

  “Yes. Weve got choppers standing by at

  Bradley.

  “Do they know

  why?

  Stark shook her head. “No, only that its priority

  one.

  Starks phone rang and she pul ed it of her belt. “Stark. Send him in. She

  closed the connection. “Tanners man is here.

  A moment later, Wozinski entered with a thin, sandy haired young man

  dressed in black BDUs.

  “This is Jef Donaldson, Wozinski

  said. Cam held out her hand.

  “Donaldson. “Maam.

  “Tanner tel s me youre a good

  shot.

  “Sniper duty in Somalia,

  maam.

  “Good. Cam watched his eyes as she spoke. They were clear and calm

  and

  steady. “Comfortable with infrared

  targets?

  “Yes maam. If its hot, I can

  hit it.

  “Thats what were counting on. Cam thought of the injection shed just

  given

  Valerie. “And were hoping that one hot target is al youl

  have.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  T heyre leaving. Blair rose from the living room sofa where she

  had been waiting with Diane.

  “If you dont mind, Il stay here, Diane replied, her voice

  subdued.

  “Il be right

  back.

  Blair caught up to Cam just as the team reached the front door. She

  smiled briefly at Savard and Felicia, then turned to her lover. She ran

  the edges of Cams windbreaker through her fingers as she leaned close

  and kissed her softly, far more quickly than she wanted. “See you soon.

  “Il cal you, Cam murmured. “I love

  you.

  Blair stepped away and in the next instant, Cam and the others were

  gone. When she turned, she saw Diane halfway down the hal , standing

  in the doorway of the living room. She forced a smile and went to join

  her.

  “What now? Diane

  asked.

  “Its going to be quite a while before we hear anything, Blair said.

  “Im too restless to sit, and if youl be al right, Id like to check in with

  Mac and Paula. Il feel bet er if I know whats going on.

  “I dont know what I want to do. Diane made an angry sound. “But I dont

  need

  to tel you, sit ing around and waiting is not my style. Can I come

  with you?

  Blair hesitated, remembering the horror of seeing Cam on the video

  monitor after shed been shotlying on the ground, bleeding and literal y

  watching her die. She doubted that they would have that kind of

  communication link tonight, but even if they couldnt see or hear exactly

  what was happening, she stil wasnt certain that let ing Diane listen to

  Paula and Mac monitoring the events was such a great idea. If

  something went wrong, Diane would never be able to forget it. Blair

  didnt want that kind of nightmare for her.

  “I may be new at this, Diane said as if reading her mind, “and Im hoping

  this is the last time I have to wait while shes out doing something like

  this, but if shes wil ing to go out there and do it, I can at least be a part

  of it here. Then Il feel like shes not alone.

  “Okay, Blair said, shaking her head rueful y. “I dont know why I

  even questioned it. You wouldnt have fal en in love with her if you

  couldnt handle who she is.

  Diane

  smiled.

  “Thanks.

  Blair knocked on the closed door to the dining room before opening it

  a few inches and sticking her head in. “Can Diane and I come in?

  Paula swiveled in her chair, her expression distracted but her tone

  polite. “Of course. Were not going to be able to explain much once

  things get going, but youre welcome to stay.

  “Thanks, Blair said. “You dont need to worry about us,

  Chief. Blair and Diane moved up behind Mac and

  Stark.

  “Can you tel us what were looking at? Blair

  asked.

  “This is a satel ite relay of ten square miles surrounding the meet point,

  Paula

  said, turning back to the computer monitor, which showed a smat ering

  of smal blips on a grid surrounding a dark circle in the center. “The

  majority of the vessels in the area are fishing boats, commercial

  ships, and the occasional recreational vehicle. She pointed to a

  glowing dot in the middle of the circle. “Thats Valerie.

  “How do you know that? Diane

  asked.

  “We have GPS transponders in al of the vessels, including

  Valeries, the command ship with Renée and the commander and

  Felicia, and Tanners surveil ance boats. Paula skimmed her finger in a

  semi circle along the border of the screen. “These are Tanners people

  here.

  “When wil we be able to see Cam? Blair

  asked.

  “Theyre just leaving the marina now. Mac adjusted the wireless receiver

  in his ear and spoke using a throat mic, keeping both hands on the

  keyboard of his computer. “Commander? How do you read?

  A few seconds passed, then Mac spoke again. “Loud and clear,

  Commander. Paula said without looking at him, “Can you put that on

  audio, please, Mac.

  “Yes maam. Mac keyed a series of commands into his computer

  and then spoke again. “Ready for camera scan.

  “Sending imagenow, Felicias voice announced from the

  speakers.

  Yel ow, red, and blue images vaguely resembling human forms

  flickered on

  Macs screen and then

  stabilized.

  “How do you read? Felicia

  asked.

  “Four hots. Mac opened a smal window within the larger screen

  and a fluctuating bar-graph appeared. “Temperature variation less than

  two degrees.

  Give me a coordinates check.

  Savard rat led of a list of

  figures.

  “What are they doing? Blair asked, not real y expecting an

  answer.

  “Checking the variance on the infrared thermal detector camera, Paula

  said. “The lower levels of thermal radiance are due primarily to two

  thingseither larger body mass and high body fat, which blunts the

  reading, or a true depression in body temperature.

  “Youre the warm one, Renée, Mac

  said. Savard laughed. “Thats what

  they tel me.

  “Mac, can you correct for body mass using the limited readings we

  have? Felicia asked. “Valerie is thin and her core temperature is

  going to skew the thermal readings. Can you factor for that?

  “Working on it, Mac said, input ing figures as he

  spoke.

  “Youre in visual range, Commander. Paula straightened and her voice

  took on an edge. “We have an approach vessel closing on ground zero,

  bearing

  Blair sensed Diane trembling beside her and slid an arm around her

  waist. She kept her voice low so as not to disturb Mac and Paula.

 
; “Just remember that were only get ing part of the picture here, so dont

  worry, no mat er what seems to be happening.

  “I know. Il remember. Its justshe feels so far away, Diane

  whispered. “She isnt. And Cam and Renée and the others are

  right there. “Savard, hold us here, Cams voice said.

  The words were so clear that Blair almost looked over

  her shoulder to see if Cam had miraculously returned. Even

  miles away over radio, the sound of Cams voice eased the

  tension that had been slowly clenching her muscles and

  squeezing around her heart until she felt as if she were a

  piano wire tightened to the point of snapping. She forced herself

  to take a breath and let it out slowly.

  The red numerals in the lower left-hand corner of Paula

  Starks monitor read 2258.

  * * * * *

  Cam opened the priority one channel to Valerie.

  “Lawrence? “Im here, Commander, Valerie said.

  “Approach vessel on its way.

  “Roger that.

  “If youre forced to board his ship and we lose our audio link

  to you, I want you to bail at the first sign of trouble. Are we

  clear?

  “Clear, Commander, Valerie replied.

  “Confirming scan now, Cam said. “Switching to open channel.

  “Roger that. Greetings, team, Valerie said. “Glad to see you.

  “Were right behind you, Valerie, Savard said.

  “Do we have her? Cam asked Felicia, bending down beside

  Felicias computer array against one wall of the ships cabin.

  Behind

  them, Savard eased the engine down to idle and the ship rocked

  in the swells.

  “Ive got her, Felicia said. “Im just adjusting the feed

  to Donaldsons video goggles. She opened up the com link in her

  head set. “Donaldson? Target on screen?

  “Sweet and hot, maam, he radioed from his position outside on

  the bow.

  “Not too hot, I hope, Cam murmured. “Where does she fall on

  the thermal range?

  “Five percent below mean.

  Cam frowned. “Thats not much to distinguish her from Henry.

  “Shes cold, I can guarantee you that, Savard said. “Much

  colder

  and her reaction time will be so slow she wont be able to

  protect

  herself.

  “Here he comes. Valeries voice filled the cabin. “Switching

  to transdermal mic.

  Savard linked to Mac. “Anyone else out here with us?

  “Lots of someones, Mac radioed, “but no one in critical

  range. “Okay, let me know if anyone moves within the strike

  radius. “Roger.

  A minute of silence passed until broken by Valeries voice,

  muted by the shielded microphone.

  " Toss me your tie line, Valerie said, "and come aboard. "Here

  you go. Catch, a deep male voice responded. "Drop your ladder.

  Savard glanced at Cam in surprise. Cam shook her head,

  thinking it wasnt necessarily a good sign that Henry was so

  wil ing to board Valeries boat. It meant they had an open channel

  to Valerie if they needed one, but if Henrys plan was to

  eliminate Valerie, he wouldnt want to do it on his own vessel.

  Hed want to do it on hers.

  “Are you armed? Henry

  said.

  “Of

  course.

  “What

  about

  the

  others?

  “What

  others?

  “Dont tell me you came without

  backup.

  “Do you see anyone? Valerie

  asked.

  Henry laughed. “Only about two dozen boats out

  there.

  “I told you I dont trust them. No one knows Im out here. Search the

  boat if you want.

  “Not necessary. I agreed to this meet under these less than

  optimal circumstances, Henry said, “so youll believe me when I tell

  you that you need to come in. Youre in danger.

  “From whom?

  “From Roberts. The White House sent her after

  you.

  “Why?

  “They need a scapegoat. How long do you think theyll be able to keep

  the

  attack on the presidents daughter quiet? Add to that they botched

  the assault on Mathesons compound and let him escape.

  “He

  had

  help.

  “The country needs accountability, especial y after 9/11. Someone needs

  to pay for that, Henry said. “Washburn and the security adviser and

  a fair number of other people have decided it will be you, for starters.

  Its out of our hands.

  “And if I come

  in?

  “Well help you get lost for a year or two. Theres work to be

  done elsewhere.

  “Convincing, isnt he, Felicia mut ered. “Bastard. “Whats the

  temperature register look like? Cam asked. “Theres a three degree dif

  erence between them. Felicia keyed Donaldson. “Can you distinguish

  the primary from the friendly? “Yes maam, as long as they dont move

  around too much. “On my mark, Cam ordered on the same channel.

  “Yes maam. Locked and loaded.

  “Who tipped Matheson? Valerie asked. “We think he has friends in

  the

  Special Forces. “Do we have a

  name?

  “Several possibles. Ill brief you as soon as you are secure. “Where do

  you want me to go? “I want you to come with me now. “Tonight?

  “If you go back, Roberts may lock you down and we wont be able

  to extract.

  “What about my boat? “Well sink it. Its a good

  cover.

  “He came prepared. Cam checked the digital readout on the electronic

  timer running in one corner of Felicias monitor. Henry had been on

  board almost five

  minutes. That was a long time for this kind of

  rendezvous.

  “If she goes with him, he sinks the boat and shel disappear, Savard said.

  “If she doesnt agree to go, and hes bad, hel sink the boat and shel

  disappear. Either way, he wins.

  “I need at least 24 hours to create a plausible cover with Roberts,

  Valerie said. “I didnt spend all that time getting close to her to lose my

  connection to her now. Even if I have to go deep undercover, Ill still

  have a link to her.

  “Shell never give you

  anything.

  “She

  already

  has.

  “What? Henrys voice

  rose.

  Listening, Cam tensed. Valerie was playing a dangerous game.

  If Henry thought she already had important information, he

  might not let her go even if he wasnt working with Matheson. If

  he was Mathesons front man, all the more reason to take her

  now, or eliminate her.

  “ Theyre close to identifying

  Two miles away, Starks satel ite image showed a new blip at

  the same time as Mac picked up a thermal flair five miles

  from Valeries boat.

  “Christ, Mac blurted. “Its an SSM!

  Stark jumped to her feet.

  “Target? “Tracking!

  Stark grabbed her radio. “Hara, this is command one. Stand by

  to evacuate.

  “No! Blair exclaimed, grabbing Starks arm. “What is

  it?

  �
�Missile. Stark turned sharply to Mac. “Target. I need it

  now, Mac!

  Mac was already opening the comm channel. “Savard! Ship

  to ship missile, targeting Valeries boat. Forty seconds to impact!

  * * * *

  * “Donaldson, mark, Cam snapped.

  “Roger.

  Cam switched to the open microphone on Valeries boat. “This

  is Cameron Roberts. You are targeted for a direct hit by an

  SSM. You have thirty-seven seconds. Evacuate your vessel.

  “ She s lying, Henry shouted. “Stay right there! “No,

  Valerie said, “shesHenry, we have towhy are you drawing your

  weapon? There s no one

  * * * * *

  “Thirty-two seconds, Savard called. “Shell never disengage

  from

  Henrys vessel in time, Commander.

  “Fire! Cam ordered and Donaldsons rifle cracked from just outside

  the cabin. Cam spun toward Savard. “Get us in there now.

  “Its going to get hot, Savard noted even as she powered up the

  engine

  and shoved the throttle to maximum.

  Cam didnt answer, stripping off her windbreaker and vest as

  she ran from the cabin. Shed been wrong. They didnt have

  thirty seconds.

  * * * * *

  Blair pressed close to Paulas back, unconsciously gripping

  her shoulders. “Whats happening?

  “Time? Paula shouted to

  Mac. “Five four three two

  one

  For a mil isecond, the blip in the center of Paulas screen

  doubled in size. Then it winked out.

  After a minute of silence, Diane asked unsteadily,

  “Wheres

  Valerie?

  “Weve lost the signal, Paula said tightly.

  “What about Cams? Blairs fingers dug into Paulas shoulders.

  Paula shook her head.

  * * * * *

  “Fine shooting, Colonel. Matheson leaned against the rail of

  the boat, feeling a swell of satisfaction as a tower of flame

  climbed into the sky on the horizon.

  “Thank you, General.

  “Weve eliminated both problems at once, Matheson said. “Its

  time to rejoin our men and re-dedicate ourselves to our true

  mission. We have a war to win.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  I s she are they Oh, God, Diane whispered. “Get me a narrow-

  field, real-time image! Paula ordered. She keyed her radio.

  “Hara, standby. Close the roads. No one in or out. Call in the

  backup units and position them on the shore and the perimeter.

  Blair realized she was still gripping Paulas shoulders and

  forced herself to let go. She couldnt move her eyes from the

  screen in front of her. She stared at the dark circle, wil ing