Deadly Force (25 page)

“Sounds like a good plan. The careful soldier is an old soldier,” Murdock said.

“I agree with you,” the captain said.

Mojombo smiled. “Good. I don't think it's a trap, but the caution is prudent. I served under the colonel when I was in the Army. He's the most honest officer I've ever met. He's straight and dedicated and will live up to his word.” He looked at Stroh. “Does the U.S. Government have any objections to this defection?”

“Not at the moment,” said Stroh. “But, if it turns out to be a trap, and you two men are killed, I can promise the federal troops that they will be hit time and time and time again with missiles from the air launched by our F-18 aircraft. When the eighteens are done, there won't be enough left of the federal Army to guard a goat herd.”

“I'll be ready an hour before dark,” Murdock said.

On their way back to their tents, Stroh kept scowling. “It could so easily be a trap,” he said.

“You indicated that. If it is, I'll smell it out and get Mojombo out of there fast. For now, we just have to wait and see.”

 

 

Murdock watched the other two men test-ride the motorcycles, then put Captain Markala first in line and Mojombo next. Murdock brought up the rear with the lieutenant on back. The most inexperienced rider went first. They left at 1700, which gave them two hours to make the destination before dusk. Murdock wanted to recon the area after they got there early.

They hid the cycles a mile from the ten-mile dock and hiked through the jungle. Mojombo led the way now. Murdock had seen nothing to suggest a trap. When they were two hundred yards from the dock, they stopped, and Murdock went on ahead silently, deep in cover, to check out the area. There was no one on or near the dock. He moved closer and checked the wooded growth beyond the dock. The closer he looked, the more evidence he found of men in waiting.

Why were they there? Were they simply early and had decided to wait out of sight until the appointed time? Maybe. Murdock chewed it over again and again. They could have a dozen non-lethal reasons for staying out of sight.
He
was staying out of sight as well. Murdock went back to the other two men and told them what he had found.

“Typical,” Captain Markala said. “The colonel is a good soldier and a cautious one. It's my opinion that he would hide himself if he arrived early. Why don't we wait until just before dusk. Then I'll walk out of the jungle and onto the dock. If all is well, the colonel and his men will come out. Then I'll wave at you that it's clear and you and Mojombo can come to the dock.”

“Sounds reasonable,” Murdock said. “Only let's change the plan a little. You go and contact the federals. If it's a real meet, you bring the colonel and one of his men with him and come into the jungle to this spot, where we'll have our talk. We're not going to walk out there with twenty or thirty guns on us from the brush. How do you react to that idea?”

Captain Markala grinned. “Just about what I would have suggested if I had been in your place. Yes. Good idea. We have nothing to hide. No plans to kill you. I'll do as you suggest.”

A half hour later, just before dusk, the three men moved silently through the jungle. Murdock and Mojombo stopped ten yards from the edge of the clearing. Captain Markala waved at them. “We'll be back soon.” He walked out of the jungle and went quickly to the dock. He stood there for a minute or two watching the water. Then two men came from the other side of the dock and met him. They talked. A moment later all three turned and walked toward where Mojombo and Murdock waited.

“Keep your hands away from your weapons and come inside here slowly,” Murdock said loud enough so the three men could hear him. They did as he directed. Just inside the line of trees and brush the men stopped.

It felt right to Murdock. The colonel was armed only with a heavy pistol on his belt. He wore a cammy uniform with silver eagles on his collar. He was a half a head taller than either of the other Africans.

“Colonel Amosa, excuse the precautions, but I felt they were needed. I'm Lieutenant Commander Blake Murdock of the United States Navy SEALs.”

“Commander, I have heard of your group. You are extraordinary fighting men. I admire that. We come in peace. Our intentions are exactly as my captain has outlined to you. We will be moving into this area in twenty-four hours, but not to do what the general has ordered us to do. We will come self-contained to be on duty for two weeks. We'll establish a solid defensive line across this northern area and start moving toward Sierra City. No federal troops will be
allowed past us, and if they don't surrender and join us, they will be wiped out.”

“How many men do you bring, Colonel?”

“Our regiments are small, only about a thousand men instead of four thousand. We are battalion-size by American standards. But we are tested fighting men. I have trained them. We have food, ammunition, supplies, and transport to handle our operation.”

“Why are you defecting, Colonel Amosa?”

“For the good of my country. For two years, I have hated what the government is doing. Now the Army must step up and support Mojombo Washington and his Loyalist Party, and hold honest elections to return the government to the people.”

“How many more regiments are there?”

“Two more and the support units and headquarters elements.”

“Can you get another regiment to come over?” Murdock asked.

I'm working on Colonel Massad of the First. But he's a little timid. Not my choice for a regimental leader, but not a bad man. I'll work on him. But for now, tomorrow, just me and my thousand men.”

“We're bowled over by your help, Colonel,” Mojombo said. “Is there anything we need to do to get ready?”

“Just be sure not to fire on us if you see us. We'll be about ten miles below your strong points. But there shouldn't be any federal troops within that area. As we move south toward the city, we'll do it in your name. If you want to detach fifty men with us, I'll integrate them into my forces.”

“Good. I'll send them down in the morning under the command of Lieutenant Gabu.”

“Have them contact Captain Markala.” The colonel nodded. “Good. This has gone well. We will be moving by truck to this area early tomorrow morning, so I better get back. Yes, we have transport. We'll coordinate our work starting tomorrow.”

“Colonel, we have a plan that could swing public sentiment to the Loyalist side,” Murdock said. “We want to shut
down the power station for twenty-four hours. Not blow it up, just take it off-line and kill the electric power to the nation for that long. Do you approve?”

The colonel frowned. “It will be an inconvenience to many people, especially the computer people. But they can stand a one-day vacation. Yes, and when it goes back on line we'll trumpet the news to the people through the radio and newspapers that their power is courtesy of the Loyalist Party. I have high-level contacts with the press.”

“We had also considered shutting down the water pumping plants,” Mojombo said.

The colonel shook his head. “Doesn't sound good to me. Too dangerous. People could die. Water is absolutely essential. I'd say don't do the water plant.”

“You're right. We won't. I'd like to attach most of my men to your command,” Mojombo said. “A separate company and under your direction. I'm not a general by any means.”

“We'll talk about that as soon as we get our line built here and start moving south. My hope is we can liberate at least half of Sierra City within a week.”

They talked a moment more, then said good-bye, and the colonel and his men left the jungle and vanished into the night. The two others moved out to a trail and headed north a mile to where they had left their motorcycles.

It took them most of an hour to ride the ten miles up the crooked, root-filled trail to Tinglat.

Before he went to his tent, Murdock checked to see if the Skyhawk was in its nesting place. It was. The pilot sat in the cockpit reading a book by a flashlight. Murdock said hi, and Josie Halstrom looked up and grinned.

“Hey, man, good to see you. I hear we're picking up some support from the local Army lads.”

Murdock chuckled. “Right, we are, a thousand men and support. How did you hear about it?”

“Rumors all over camp.”

“Why are you back here?”

“Talked my boss into letting me come back in a different ship. He told me not get this one shot up. We up for any short-haul trips anywhere?”

“Could be tomorrow night. I'll let you know. Right now my bunk is looking better and better.”

They said good night, and Murdock headed for his tent and found JG Gardner snoring softly on his side of the space. Murdock figured that was a good idea. The defection of one regiment of the federal Army was a huge windfall for the Loyalists. It could spell a quick end to the revolution. Especially if Colonel Amosa could bring over another regiment. That night Murdock knew he was going to go to sleep smiling.

The next morning, Murdock talked with Mojombo before he decided which of his men to send south to hook up with Colonel Amosa.

“This electrical substation or power station—do you have anyone who is an electrician or has worked at this place?” Murdock asked.

Mojombo frowned, and then called in a runner and told him to ask for any electricians or anyone who had worked at the South Substation.

“Yes, I see,” he said. “It would be helpful if we knew exactly what we can disable at the plant that will be quick and easy to replace. Not exactly throwing a switch, but something like that. We don't want to blow it up.”

“Amen to that, Washington. I'd suggest that we send out our group tonight. Where is it located?”

“The substation is about twenty miles south of Sierra City. We'll need to take the helicopter. It is a handy gadget. I'm planning on getting some for the government as soon as we get a new one elected.”

“Will you be running for President?”

“I hope so. I'm more politician than general. But that will have to wait. I do suggest we go at night to cut down on any ground fire against the chopper.”

“Agreed. This pilot is ready for anything. Let me know how many men we'll need and if we need to take any electricians with us.”

Don Stroh scowled at Murdock as soon as the SEAL came out of the headman's tent.

“Been looking for you, Commander. Just how in hell did you get me in trouble this time?”

“Trouble?”

“Yeah, my boss called me on the SATCOM and told me to get my ass out of here and back on the carrier at the first opportune moment.”

“I swear, Stroh, I didn't say a word to anyone on the SATCOM. I don't even know who your boss is. Maybe it's routine.”

“He even knew I got shot in my arm. Now somebody has been talking with somebody.”

“The fun here is winding down, Stroh. I'd guess the President has about a week left in office.”

“Bradford. He's your top SATCOM man. It had to be him talking to somebody on the air. Wait until I find him.”

Murdock grinned. “Stroh, maybe you better calm down. As I remember, Bill Bradford is six-two and runs about two-twenty or so after a good meal. You gonna take him on with bare knuckles?”

Stroh grinned and slammed his fist into his hand. “Yeah, I sort of forgot how big he is. Uh-oh, yeah. Well, at least I can talk to him.”

“Stroh, little buddy, I need a favor.”

“Is it going to cost me?”

“Not a penny. We'll be going out on another action tonight. I want you to stay in camp.”

“Just when the fun begins? How can I really prove myself to your platoon guys if I can't trade shots with the damn federal troops?”

“You did already, and you're wounded. So you're medically grounded. Now, take care of that arm and use the medication and do whatever else Mahanani told you to do. If you don't obey orders like a good little CIA desk man, I'll ship you back to the carrier.”

“Okay, okay. I'll stay in camp. I don't know why. No good booze here and no women at all. Well, some black ones over there in the village. But I've never been partial to black.”

“Good. Now, I've got to talk to the men and then to Mojombo.”

An hour later, Murdock knocked on the center post of the tent, and Mojombo waved him inside.

“I've had three men report to me about the electricity plant,” said Mojombo. “One of them worked for a time at the substation. He says it's on the top of a small mountain with the big towers leading the wires in and then out of it.”

“Did he know how we could disable it without ruining the whole thing?”

“He had some ideas, but he'll need to look at it again. We'll take him along. Him and me and all of your SEALs.”

“Sounds good. Daylight or dark?”

“The electrician said they used to have two men on night duty, and neither one was armed. Might be different now. Especially after our raids, the federals might have eight or ten men there defending the place.”

“Then let's go after dark and slip up on them. Hike in the last mile. All we have to do is follow the power lines.”

“About seventy miles down there. If we leave at dusk we should be in good shape. Your SEALs all in fighting shape?”

“All except Stroh, who I ordered to stay here.”

“Best for him. I'll see you this afternoon to set up our time schedule.”

That afternoon, the SEALs were told about the mission. The senior chief and the JG gave them details about the raid and when it would lift off.

“I like it,” Rafii said. “No hiking.”

“Maybe,” Jaybird said. “Remember our last round trip on a helicopter? We walked home.”

All of the walking wounded made it to the flight. Gardner had the bullet wound in his right arm, but it was healing. Rafii's wounded leg was not bothering him. Sadler's left arm wasn't as bad as they'd thought at first.

The fifteen SEALs and two Africans in the Seahawk lifted off the soccer field promptly at 1930, and made a wide swing around Sierra City. They found the power lines and followed them for twenty miles before the pilot saw the hilltop substation ahead. He pulled out a mile from it before he hunted an LZ. He found one beside a moderate-sized stream where flooding had choked out the jungle and left a small clearing that had been farmed.

“Stay right here unless we tell you to come get us,”
Murdock told Lieutenant Halstrom. He had one of their Motorolas, and it was tuned and checked. He waved at them and went into the edge of the encroaching jungle to be a defensive force of one.

Lam led the hike to the mountain. It was higher than it had looked from the chopper. They were near the top when Lam called a halt.

“Somebody up there, Cap. Not sure how many, but some. Must be an outpost. Should I take a closer look?”

“That's why you get the big pay, Sailor. Scope it out.”

Five minutes later, the SEALs heard Lam on the Motorolas.