Death Minus Zero

by Don Pendleton

  “And you,” James said. “Any news?”

  “You’re pretty up to speed,” Valens said. “We’re just waiting for a report from you.”

  “As of now we’re at the hotel, where they serve bloody good coffee.”

  “And snacks,” Hawkins interjected.

  Valens smiled. She didn’t deny them the right to their moment of relaxation. Once they moved out to engage the enemy, the lighter moments would fade quickly. Thrust into the unpredictable and violent heat of battle, any comfort they might gain would be swiftly torn away.

  Her brief attachment to the team had already showed her their level of professionalism. They tackled matters head-on, using speed and force, and had no qualms when it came to handing out terminal justice. They handled violent situations with a determination that might have shocked someone not used to such efficiency. Valens had had her share of encounters and she was no beginner, but she admired this tight group of men who worked as one combined unit. They acted on impulse, each seeming to know what the other expected. It was a bonding that could not be learned from a training manual; it was born and developed through extremes of combat, where each man looked out for his brother in arms. There would be nothing that would split these men apart. Nothing that could break the affinity they had going. There did not seem to be any awkwardness in their actions. They were, she knew, true professionals.

  Claire Valens felt a faint shiver of reaction as she listened to the brief reports from McCarter and Manning. They relayed the information in direct, unemotional tones that told her she was in the presence of real professionals. Valens understood their way and in no way criticized how they operated. They were soldiers who lived in a different world than most.

  The enemy they were facing now was determined to wrest control of Zero from America and they would show little compassion as they made that attempt. In Valens’s eyes the struggle she was part of had become as close to a war situation as she had ever been. She understood the need to push aside conventional tactics and to take the struggle to the enemy. Here and now, like it or not, they were engaged in a battle to deny an enemy their spoils.

  The undeclared battle for control of Zero was under way.

  “You have everything you need?”

  “A squad of battle tanks and a platoon of combat troops wouldn’t go amiss,” Manning said.

  “I wish I could conjure them up,” Valens said.

  “One thing you could do,” McCarter said. “Access Zero and check out upcoming weather conditions for our location.”

  “That I can do.”

  Valens called up Zero and Doug Buchanan on a video link as Phoenix Force listened in.

  “Our team in Switzerland needs a weather update, Doug. Can you guys deliver that?” She was aware of her collective request. Without even being deliberate she was seeing Buchanan and Zero as a combined entity; it was becoming an easy option.

  “We will consolidate our data and offer a prediction,” Zero advised.

  “He means yes,” Buchanan said.

  “I figured that.”

  Valens could see one of Buchanan’s wall monitors showing a time-lapse sequence of weather over the Swiss landscape, the image changing and overlapping as Zero’s computers relayed the images.

  “It’s looking like a big snowfall sliding in,” Buchanan said. He worked the touch screen in front of him, bringing up more data. “Coming down from the north. It should hit any time now. It’s going to be massive.”

  “That isn’t what we want to hear,” Valens said.

  “The prediction is accurate,” Zero said.

  “I don’t doubt you’re right. Okay, I’ll pass that along.”

  “Keep us in the loop,” Buchanan said.

  Valens’s face reappeared on the Phoenix Force laptop screen.

  “Looks like you’re in for a big snowstorm anytime,” she said. “That going to be a big problem?”

  “One of our talents is being able to work around problems like this.”

  “We’ll try to keep you advised.”

  “Okay,” James said. “We’ll come back once we make our plans.”

  He shut down the laptop.

  Encizo, who had been standing at the lounge window, pointed with his coffee cup.

  “It’s over the peaks,” he said, “and heading our way.”

  McCarter joined him and they watched the dark mass gathering. Trees closer to the hotel were swaying as a wind swept in from the higher slopes. The first big flakes began to appear, swirling in toward them. The intensity of the wind snatched at the first flakes as the fall began in earnest.

  McCarter muttered something under his breath and returned to his seat. He poured himself another coffee. His mind was working overtime as he assessed what was happening on the other side of the glass. He viewed it from both angles.

  Falling snow could give Phoenix Force cover as they moved in on Chan’s lair. That was a plus. Adverse weather would make it harder for the opposition to see anyone coming. On the negative side, it could work against Phoenix Force if the fall became really heavy—which was likely in this part of the country. Operating in the middle of a snowstorm, in low temperatures, could turn out to be restrictive. There was, McCarter decided, no alternative. The team would make their move and rely on experience and sheer nerve to carry the strike through. Either way the assault on the site might become a less than attractive deal. Not that the Briton had envisaged it being a walk in the park.

  Just another obstacle to overcome. McCarter smiled.

  What the hell was he expecting?

  Going up against Colonel Chan and his force was never going to be easy. The Chinese had their prize and they weren’t about to give it up without a fight.

  “We rest up overnight and move in the morning. Snow or not, we have to go for it,” McCarter said. “Weatherwise we don’t have any choice. No way of knowing how this bloody bloke Chan is going to push things along. The longer we wait, the less chance Kaplan has.”

  He picked up the laptop and waited for the secure connection to Zero Command, informing Valens that the snow had arrived.

  “You watch yourselves,” she said. “Chan isn’t going to cut you any slack, I’m sure.” She was distracted by the signal from her cell phone that a text had arrived. Turning back to the screen, she said, “You might want to hear this text from Jui Kai. Chan is sending a three-man team to pick up extra provisions in the morning. He’s convinced the coming snowfall might lock them into the house, so he’s making sure they have backup supplies. That’s three less for you to have to deal with.”

  “Only if we stop them from returning. Thanks for the intel, Claire. We’ll get on that.”

  The Phoenix Force leader ended the link, his thoughts on what the morning would bring.

  With evening coming on and the sky darkening quickly around the area, McCarter advised Phoenix Force there was little else they could do now. There was no argument when he suggested they turn in. They needed the rest a few hours of sleep would offer, helping them shake off the lingering effects of jet lag. The flight had not been as long as some Phoenix Force had experienced, but adjusting to the new environment was a wise move. They would need the reserves the coming day would expect.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  They were up at first light.

  McCarter handed out the weapons and other ordnance as Phoenix Force gathered briefly in his room. The others returned to their own rooms to check the pistols, load and secure them.

  Each Phoenix Force veteran geared up. Because of the severe weather they all had insulated inner and outer wear, including gloves and headgear. Along with extra magazines of 9 mm loads, the team carried the screw-on suppressors and sheathed Tanto knives. There were small backpacks to hold items they didn’t carry on their person, which included the flash-
bang grenades. In addition they had lightweight goggles to protect their eyes in case the heavy snow interfered with vision. Each man had a compact short-range com set complete with ear buds. As standard they all carried fully charged sat phones that would allow them to maintain contact with Stony Man and Zero. They donned the winter clothing, the weatherproof boots. The shoulder rigs were worn beneath the zippered, proofed jackets.

  * * *

  MCCARTER LOGGED ON to Zero and spoke to Buchanan.

  “We’ve been monitoring the house the past couple of hours,” he said. “Right now the weather has effectively put paid to that. The storm has moved in over the area, so you’re looking at heavy snow for the next few hours. Sorry I can’t promise better weather. Our last decent image did show a car leaving. Three men inside. Managed to zoom in and get a look at the license plate. Sending it through. Then we started to lose the pictures.”

  “Doug, thanks for the update,” McCarter said before signing off. “Keep us in the know if you get anything else.”

  “Stay sharp, people,” Buchanan said in closing. “If I can get any signal on those three in the car, we’ll send you the word. Right now I’m being blocked by the storm. We keep losing transmission pictures over the area.”

  “This data about three of Chan’s crew going on a road trip,” Manning said. “Reduces the odds a little.”

  “Maybe this sounds crazy, but how about we go for them?” James said. “Stop them going back to base?”

  “Not so crazy,” McCarter said. “Gary, you and Cal take one of the SUVs and track that crew. Anything you can do to stop them tying up with their mates back at the house...”

  “You sure you want to do it this way?” Manning asked.

  “The way that snow is coming down,” McCarter said, “we’re going to have one go at this. Cutting the odds should help. If you can disable that crew, join us at the house. We’re only going to get this one chance to spring Kaplan. I don’t intend to lose it, so let’s go.”

  As they made their way downstairs, heading for the parked SUVs, Herr Yudell met them in the lobby, expressing his alarm.

  “You are going out now? The forecast is for exceptionally severe weather,” he said. “Look how heavy it is now. I have just heard on the radio weather band that this is going to be an exceptionally bad storm. I know the signs. Not just the snow but heavy wind. Very risky to go outside.”

  As the others carried on outside, McCarter calmed the agitated manager.

  “We are more than used to dealing with such extremes, Herr Yudell. We have done this kind of thing many times before. Our research demands we experience such climatic conditions. Don’t concern yourself. We’ve sat phones and com sets and we will be in regular contact with our home base.”

  “Research?”

  “Why we are here,” McCarter said. “Part of a long-term program on global weather conditions we are involved in. Storm flow patterns. Wind speed and such.” He patted Yudell’s shoulder. “We know how to deal with this kind of weather.”

  Yudell watched them leave, shaking his head.

  “Crazy Americans.”

  McCarter made his way to the waiting SUV, Encizo behind the wheel, Hawkins in back with his laptop. The SUV with Manning and James in had already moved off, picking up the coordinates supplied by Zero and entered into their GPS.

  Hawkins, sitting behind McCarter, had the laptop showing a download from Zero that displayed a map of the area, the subject house online.

  Encizo had picked up a local map from the hotel reception. He spread it out so the others could see, using it in conjunction with the satellite display. He traced the area with his finger.

  “This is our current position. We need to follow the road north, then curve around to the east. It follows in the general direction of the target house. Along this line here. We should come in well behind the house and make our final approach by foot.”

  “What distance are we talking?” McCarter asked.

  “Roughly a twenty-mile route from where we’re sitting now. Last stretch, once we leave the car, will be around two miles.”

  “That’s going to be fun,” Hawkins said, staring out the window at the swirling snow.

  “Couple of miles should be manageable,” McCarter said.

  Encizo started the SUV and they eased out of the hotel lot, rolling out along the road and following it up the gentle incline.

  “This Colonel Chan is going to have sentries,” Hawkins said. “We figured that in our itinerary?”

  “If he’s anywhere near as good as he’s supposed to be, he will have sentries,” McCarter replied. “He’s military, so security of his area is going to be part of his strategy.”

  “Isolated location. Under his control,” Encizo said. “He chose well, but this change in weather wouldn’t have been part of his overall scheme.”

  “Won’t be the first time weather change has interfered with a military plan,” McCarter said. “Bracing walk will do us all good.”

  “Unlikely we’d be able to walk up to the front door and ask for a cup of sugar,” Encizo said.

  “Never thought of that old trick,” McCarter said.

  He used his sat phone to check in with Manning and James. The connection was spotty in the weather conditions.

  “According to Zero, the suspect vehicle left a short time ago,” Manning said. “We have the plate number so we should be able to ID it.”

  “Sharp eyes on this,” McCarter said, ending the call.

  Encizo had the wipers on full. The blades were having a hard time keeping the windshield clear. Already the fallen snow was building up on the road and the surrounding landscape. Above the topmost peaks the sky showed dark with the steady fall and the wind was picking up stronger now.

  “This is what you call real cover,” Hawkins said. “We should be able to walk right up to the door before anyone sees us.”

  “It’s what goes down when they do spot us...” McCarter said.

  * * *

  MCCARTER WATCHED THE increasingly heavy snowfall with a less than happy expression on his face. Doug Buchanan’s forecast from Zero was living up to his predictions. That left Phoenix Force with an added concern.

  “Is this going to cause you problems?” Claire Valens said as she connected via her sat phone and McCarter brought her up to date.

  “There are usually problems of one kind or another,” the Briton said. “This just goes on the list.”

  “I’m guessing right at the top.”

  “Not far wrong there, love,” McCarter said. “For sure we won’t be dressing in T-shirts and shorts.”

  “Hey, we have a connection with Zero again,” Hawkins said.

  He positioned his laptop where McCarter could see it. Doug Buchanan’s head and shoulders filled the screen, though the connection was less than perfect due to the heavy snow.

  “The way the bad weather is building around you,” Buchanan said, “I may be about to lose the signal completely. Snowstorm is a doozy. Even our scanners are losing out so I’m not going to be able to give you any more backup for a while. Sorry, guys.”

  “We’re grateful for what you’ve already done for us, Doug,” McCarter told him. “Once we hit that house we’re going to be on our own, so you stay hard, mate. We’ll give you a buzz when we have good news.”

  Hawkins broke the connection.

  “Nothing like being upbeat, boss,” he said.

  “You said it.” McCarter was fervently hoping any future news would be just that.

  Upbeat.

  That wasn’t the case. When he received his next call from Valens, the news was more on the downside.

  “Zero has been hacked—in simple terms,” she said. “An outsider has broken through some of the system into one of the weapon circuits.”

 
“Bloody hell.”

  “Don’t ask me how they did it. Doug tried to explain but he lost me after half a dozen technical words. It tells me Chan must have got some data from Saul and he’s using it against Zero.”

  “Chan must have a top man running his computer system,” McCarter said. “Smart enough to be able to use what he’s been given. Claire, what’s Doug doing?”

  “I’ll let you know when I know.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Virginia

  “Can’t you block the intrusion?” Colonel Corrigan asked.

  “We’re trying,” Buchanan said. “Part of the system has started to block us out. It’s overriding the encryption protocols. Someone has gotten in.”

  “Kaplan must have been forced to give up information,” the colonel concluded.

  “Kaplan’s locks have been breached,” the voice of Zero said. “We are attempting an emergency shutdown of the weapon controllers.”

  Next to Corrigan one of the technicians, Paul Shelley, said, “Nothing is working from here, either, Colonel. I’m attempting to cut through the block but nothing seems to be online.”

  “It looks as if whoever took Saul has forced him to reveal part of his protocol codes,” Buchanan said.

  “This was a disaster waiting to happen,” Corrigan said. “Kaplan having his own set of codes into Zero was a mistake.”

  “The sat phone system hasn’t been breached,” Buchanan noted. “If Valens’s people are close to where Kaplan is...”

  Corrigan snatched up a sat phone and punched in the number. He waited as the call rang through.

  “What’s your situation?” he said when Valens answered. “I hope you have good news for me, Valens, because we are in deep.”

  “The team is heading for the target,” Valens said. “Right now they’re knee-deep in a snowstorm. It’s not helping their progress.”

  “Put Coyle on.”

  Valens transferred the connection through to McCarter’s sat phone.

  “Corrigan wants to talk to you.”

  “Talk to me, Colonel.”