Necessary Retribution

by Mike McNeff

“Okay, we'll work it out when this is over. I'm going to tell Doug to head over and hook up with Jonathan. Let Jonathan know, will you?”

  “Will do, boss.”

  “Bye.”

  Robin dialed Doug again.

  “Yeah, Rob.”

  “Change of plan. Call Jonathan and make arrangements to meet him. He may need some help there.”

  “You got it. You know, I'll have to take Kahlid.”

  “Why?”

  “I can't leave him here, Rob. He's not exactly welcome in Taiwan.”

  “Ask the Marines to fly him to Virginia. I can have Bill Grassley arrange to pick up Kahlid since they'll be training him.”

  “I'll ask David, but he's used up a lot of stock for us all ready.”

  “See what you can do and let me know.”

  “Roger.”

  Robin next called the Fort Lewis Hospital and asked for Mark's room. A female voice answered.

  “Mark Warren's room.”

  “Nurse, this is Colonel Marlette. Can I talk to Sergeant Warren or Sergeant Young?”

  “Hi Robin. This is Jessica Lanthrop.”

  “Well, I see Mark is being well taken care of, Jessica.”

  “I'm here for moral support. Willy is here doing the actual work.”

  “I'm sure you being there makes Mark want to get well real soon, Jessica. Can I talk to Willy?”

  “Just a minute.”

  “Hey, boss.”

  “How are things, Willy?”

  “He's stable. As soon as you get a place ready, we can move him.”

  “Good. I should have a place in a couple of days.”

  “We'll be ready, Rob.”

  “Thanks, Willy.”

  Robin looked at his watch and wondered what was taking Karen so long. He went to the refrigerator and pulled out a plate full of steaks and started preparing them for grilling. The front door opened and Eddie, Laurie, Cathy and Andy came in followed by Casey.

  “Hey, Dad. What's up?” Eddie asked.

  “We're going to have our new Russian friends over for dinner. How ’bout helping set the table for ten people.”

  “Okay.”

  “We'll all help,” Cathy offered.

  “That would be wonderful, my oldest child. Can I have Andy for a little bit?”

  “Of course, Dad,” Cathy said kissing Robin on the cheek.

  The others got busy and left Robin and Andy to themselves.

  “Cathy says you've been working on some interesting projects.”

  “I hoped we could talk a little. My dad told me some things about the operations in terms of equipment that would make things easier, so I've been doing research and experiments to see what I can come up with and I think I've got some ideas.”

  “Like what?”

  “Well this new cell phone technology is really interesting. I think it's going to be revolutionary.”

  “It is interesting, but the damn phones are like bricks. We may as well stick with the sat phones which aren't much better, but they do have worldwide coverage.”

  “I wasn't suggesting you change to cell service. I think you need to stay on satellite, but look at this.”

  Andy handed Robin an electronic device a little longer and wider than a cigarette package and just about as thick. On one side, Robin saw a moveable stick. He wiggled it and moved it into an upright position.

  “I take it this is the antenna.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Are you sure it will pick up a satellite signal? Looks pretty small to me.”

  “It has the same components your current phones have. I've just miniaturized them.”

  “Is this one programmed?”

  “Yeah, dad had Jamie program it. Push that button to turn it on.”

  Robin turned the phone on and the screen lit up. “What kind of light is that? That's not the usual back lit liquid crystal you always see nowadays.”

  “That's what is called Light Emitting Diode, or LED. It uses much less power than other types of light…almost ninety percent less.”

  “Wow, that will save battery time.”

  “That's why I used it.”

  Robin dialed the com center and Mike answered the phone.

  “Hello?”

  “That's not a very professional way to answer the phone.”

  “Oh, I'm sorry, Rob. I didn't recognize the phone number.”

  “I'm just kidding you, Mike. I'm using a new smaller version of the sat phone built by Andy.”

  “Really? The signal is very clear. More clear than our current sat phones and the delay isn't as noticeable.”

  “It sure seems like it. I think we gotta winner here. I'll talk to you later.”

  “Okay, boss.”

  Robin handed the phone back to Andy. “How much does it cost to build one of these?”

  “Well, that's the problem. It's takes about twenty five thousand dollars. The guts of this thing are very expensive. Plus, I want to add a few features.”

  “Like what?”

  “A digital camera and a digital sound connection for a tactical earpiece. You noticed there's less delay in your transmission.”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, working with L.E.D.s I became interested in light and found a way to use it to accelerate the speed of the transmission through space.”

  “From this phone?”

  “Oh, no, there's not enough power in the phone to do that. It all takes place in the satellite.”

  “Andy, you're turning into a genius!”

  “No, not really, Dad. I'm lucky enough to be exposed to all kinds of very smart people and inventions through the CIA. My expertise is in miniaturization, but it lends itself to a lot of other areas. Almost all of the inventions we talked about, I helped invent or helped in their further development, so the other folks are helpful when it comes to giving me a break on the patent licensing.”

  Karen and the Rogovs came through the front door.

  “Andy, I'll start a new account and put two million dollars in it. Build us enough phones for the team. Keep me apprised of your other projects that apply to us and we'll fund them.”

  Andy's face lit up. “Really?”

  “Really.”

  “That's great! Thanks, Dad.”

  No, thank you, Andy. We can use any edge we can get.”

  Karen came up and kissed Robin. “The Rogovs are very happy with their new home.”

  “I'm relieved.”

  “Relax and get cooking. We're all famished.”

  “I'm working on it. Can you try to get everyone introduced?”

  “Looks like it's already in progress.”

  The family had surrounded the Rogovs. Robin noticed Eddie and Ilya talking to each other and Sasha's eyes locked on Eddie. Andy and Cathy were talking to Lev and Rada.

  “Looks like it. How ’bout another kiss.”

  Karen gave Robin a quick kiss on the lips, but as she pulled away, Robin pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight.

  “Are you all right, Rob?” She whispered.

  “No.” He gently pushed her back and looked into her eyes. She squeezed his hands and went back to their guests.

  Later in the evening Robin and Karen lay in their bed talking. The conversation had been about the family and the Rogovs, but Karen changed the subject.

  “Are you going to tell me what's bothering you?”

  Robin took a deep breath. “I'm very worried. We have to find those weapons and when we do, it will be tough to get to them. If we don't…well, that's just too horrible to contemplate. We can't fail.”

  “But you're not in this one alone, right?”

  “That's true.”

  “Maybe the CIA or the Russians will find them first and you won't have to get involved.”

  Robin looked into Karen's lovely eyes. The lamp light was just bright enough to cast their color as a deep jade.

  “I'm sorry…I just hoped.”

  “The problem with
both the CIA and Russians is although they can get us the intelligence, they can't move fast enough tactically to get to the weapons. Everybody and his brother will want part of the action and that'll slow them down.”

  “And you don't have that problem?”

  “I simply won't accept it. If we locate the weapons I know they'll tell us to wait for them.”

  “And you'll refuse.”

  “No, I just won't respond.”

  Karen put her head on Robin's chest. “Please come back to me. I couldn't go on without you.”

  Robin pulled her on top of him and kissed her deeply.

  “I will always come back to you. You're the love of my life.”

  Robin's pager started beeping. “Goddammit, what now!” He got up and picked up his phone and dialed the com center. He walked out into the family room so he wouldn't bother Karen.

  “Hi Rob. Sorry to bother you but General Yamurov just called,” Jamie said.

  “What's he want?”

  “He says the KGB took down some Russian Mafia suspects in Chechnya. One of them says they brokered deals for eight tactical nukes for Picushkin. One of their contacts is a Chinese intelligence agent with connections to Al Qaeda and other jihadist groups. Another is a Pakistani ISI agent.”

  “I'm listening.”

  “The Mafia guy says at least four nukes are headed for Pakistan.”

  Robin cursed to himself. He wanted more time with his family. “Okay, call out Jack and the air crew. Then call out everyone else. I want to be airborne ASAP. Call Jonathan and Doug and get them on the ground in Pakistan. Jonathan may be able to get some real time intelligence on the situation.”

  “I'm on it.”

  “How much sleep have you had lately?”

  “I'm good, Rob.”

  “Where's Nancy?”

  Jamie didn't answer for a moment. “She's here.”

  “Take her somewhere for a couple of hours. We'll wait for you.”

  The phone was briefly muffled. “Thanks, Rob.”

  “See you later.”

  Robin went back to the bedroom. Karen had changed into a sweat suit and was packing his bag.

  “I'll do that, babe. You go back to bed.”

  “Why? So I can listen to you bang around while you try to do it in the dark?”

  Robin stood beside Karen as she put his socks in the bag. Suddenly, she turned and wrapped her arms around him and Robin felt like she tried to merge their bodies and pull him into her soul.

  “It's all right. We'll get the job done and get home.” Robin's throat caught.

  “Sometimes you are so full of bullshit, Robin Marlette. I've loved you for almost twenty-five years. I know when you're scared…and you're scared now.”

  He looked into her eyes and his heart felt better…stronger. “You just keep on loving me and I will get home.”

  She smiled. “Then I don't have to worry.” She held him tight again.

  THIRTY-EIGHT

  JONATHAN MARCHAUX EASED INTO A BOOTH in the small Islamabad tea house. Two men sat across from him. One was an older Anglo with a hard look about him. The other was a young Pakistani who seemed about ready to jump out of his skin.

  The Anglo grinned. “It's about time you showed up you black bastard. I thought you were going to be a typical Legionnaire and wait for the Special Air Service to take care of things.”

  “Blakely, the SAS couldn't fight their way out of a paper bag without Legion back up, especially one who has been retired so long. Sorry, you know how traveling is around here.”

  The men shook hands. “I do. This bloke is Ahmed. He plays in the cricket league I coach. He has some good scoop that may be connected to our problem.”

  Jonathan shifted to Arabic. “I promise I will tell no one you talked to me and I can reward you for your information, if it proves to be accurate. What can you tell me?”

  The boy looked around the café and then leaned towards Jonathan. “My brother, Bacla is a member of Al Qaeda. Do you know of them?”

  “Yes, the head of Al Qaeda is Osama Bin Laden.”

  “Yes, yes, he is an evil man. He wants Bacla to martyr himself.”

  “What is Bacla to do?”

  “He says he will be given a mission to attack either America or India. He doesn't know which one, but it's supposed to be the greatest mission anyone has ever seen.”

  “When is he going to do this?”

  “He has a meeting in two days in Peshawar. He will be told then.”

  “Where is your brother now?”

  “He is here in my mother's home, but you must not talk to him!”

  “Don't worry, we won't, but we have to follow him so we can stop the people trying to get him to do this. Can you show us your mother's house?”

  The young man looked around the café again. “Yes, but we must be very careful and you must promise me you won't hurt my brother.”

  “I promise I won't hurt your brother. Does anyone else live with your mother?”

  “No.”

  “Then you just need to show us the house.”

  “All right, I will show you.”

  “Is it far?”

  “No, only two streets over.”

  “Lead the way.”

  The young man walked out of the café and Jonathan and Blakely followed him.

  “How can you promise his brother won't get hurt?”

  “I said I wouldn't hurt him. That's the best I can do.”

  “You're a real bastard, Jonathan.”

  “I don't think you have much room to talk, Colin.”

  Blakely shrugged. “It's a nasty business and I thought I got out of it.”

  “Me, too, but I can't stand by and let this insanity happen.”

  “You're right about that, Mate.”

  The two men kept a short distance behind Ahmed. Colin wore a Shalwar Kameez, so with his long grey beard and deep tan a person had to be close to spot him as an Anglo. Jonathan wore the modern dress of the Sheedi, the black Pakistani tribe. The two were able to melt in the foot traffic.

  After two blocks, Ahmed gave them a quick glance and walked into a small one story stone house.

  “Well, there's our surveillance target.”

  “Yes, Doug will be landing at the airport in about two hours. The team is also on the way. We need to find a surveillance point.”

  “Well, there is a rental sign on that place over there. You go get Doug. I'll check on renting the house.”

  “All right. Let me know what you find out.”

  Fatboy had taken off after a refueling stop at Anderson Air Force Base in Guam before Robin was able to make contact with Jonathan again. Ten seconds into the conversation, Robin could tell by Jonathan's voice he was more than concerned about the situation.

  “One of my SAS sources recruited a young Pak whose brother is a member Al Qaeda. The brother was told he has been selected for the greatest mission anyone has ever seen and it will be either in America or India. He will be told more in two days in Peshawar.”

  Robin was well aware of Pakistan's two faced relationship with the US and the Paks support for terrorists. It made sense Picushkin went there because the Paks wouldn't snitch Picushkin off to the Russians either. “Do we know who he is supposed to meet?”

  “No, and I think we are only going to find out by following the brother of our source. We need to move carefully. If ISI gets word we are on the ground here, our safety will be seriously compromised.”

  “I understand. Northern Pakistan is an area tough for us to operate in.”

  “Yes, we need to be very careful.

  Robin's mind sped through options for infiltration into the area. “I'll get back to you as soon as I can. I have to figure out how we can get in there without attracting too much attention, but we need enough assets on the ground to make sure we don't lose the suspects during the trip from Islamabad to Peshawar.”

  “I'll be waiting for your call.”

  “Thanks, Jonathan.”


  “Shall I alert the cavalry?” Jamie asked.

  “No, the first thing the CIA will do is call the Pakistani President and making our job impossible. It will be shades of Vietnam where we kept the South Vietnamese military informed of our ops and got compromised numerous times. I'm not letting that happen to us.”

  Robin pulled maps of Northern Pakistan and the Peshawar area and began planning the insertion of the team. He asked Jamie to have Ernie, Rocky and Burke come up to the com deck to help with the planning. As he looked at the map, the difficulty of the operation became even more apparent.

  At this point Robin considered Pakistan enemy territory, requiring any insertion be covert by necessity. His choices were limited by the geography. Fatboy could land in New Delhi, India and the team could proceed. The Russians and Indians were on good terms, so Yosef might be able to provide contacts for logistical assistance. The Indian government, however, would still be in control and that meant one more thing Robin couldn't control.

  The other choices all had more devilish problems. Iran was out of the question because of their hatred for all things American, as was Iraq. Afghanistan had no facilities for Fatboy to land near its border with Pakistan and the Russians were losing their grip on that country making the situation there unstable. Saudi Arabia was pro American, but they would alert the CIA as soon as Fatboy landed. As the planning team came into the cabin, Robin examined the CIA map of the area around Peshawar.

  “What's our status, Rob?” Ernie asked.

  “As usual we've got a shit sandwich to deal with. I'm trying to find a place we can land Fatboy and get to Peshawar without the Paks knowing we're coming.”

  Ernie leaned over the map with Robin. Burke and Rocky went around the other side of the table and starting looking also.

  Robin moved his finger on the map to a spot in Kyrgyztan, just above the Pakistan border. “This might be the place…Osh, Kyrgyztan. There's a Russian Air Force Base there. According to the CIA info the runway is over eight thousand feet.”

  “That won't be a problem for landing Fatboy, even at that altitude,” Burke observed.

  “I don't think so either, but we'll still have to get the flyboys’ opinion, not to mention the Russian's permission to land.”

  “I suppose that's the easy part,” Burke interjected.

  “You suppose correctly. To get in covertly we're going to have to go in at night and have disguises ready. At some point during the infil, we're going to need to split up in two or three man teams and come in to the target area from different directions.”