CARRIER 2: VIPER STRIKE By Keith Douglass

the handset from the commo operator.

“Green Throne, Green Throne,” he said. “This is Alligator. Do you

read, over?”

“Alligator, Green Throne. We read you. Go ahead.”

“No joy on primary,” he said. The words hurt as he said them. But

there was no way now to find any American prisoners in that camp.

“Repeat, no joy.

Crocodile is engaging.” Crocodile referred to the That contingent, and

he wanted Green Throne to know that it was the locals who’d screwed the

pooch.

“Understood, Alligator,” the voice on the handset said. “Green Throne”

was Colonel John Caruso, monitoring the action from his CIC back on

board the Chosin. Communications were being relayed through a circling

Navy Hawkeye somewhere over central Thailand. “Revert to original op

plan. We will direct Chickenhawk and Thunderbird to move in.”

“Roger that, Green Throne. Wilco. Alligator, out.” He handed the

radio handset back to the commo operator. “Okay, Sciaparelli. Hohum.

Break out the GLDs. Move it! Move it! We don’t have all day.” In

fact, he knew, they had very little time now at all.

It was too damned bad about those Western prisoners the Karens had

reported seeing. But there was nothing more that could be done for them

now.

0748 hours, 21 January

U Feng

Hsiao was gathering his maps and papers when an aide entered his office.

Hua! Get my pilot. Have him ready my helicopter. And send some men

to get the Americans and bring them here.”

“You are leaving, General?”

Hsiao nodded. “It is perhaps best if I take the Americans to Mong-koi.”

“It could be dangerous. The air battle-”

“I shall be traveling at treetop level, and the border is only a few

minutes away. The Americans will not pursue me into Burma.”

“Yes, sir.”

“A precautionary measure only, Hua. I think it best that I and my

prisoners stay out of the line of fire until after the Q-5s destroy the

That forces.”

“As you command, General.”

The aide hurried out, and Hsiao began gathering his maps and papers.

This was more than precaution, he admitted to himself. The arrival of

the American carrier planes had been a complete surprise. Wu might be

holding them at bay, but at last word he’d lost five aircraft doing it,

with no American kills reported yet. The Yankees’ technology and their

skill might yet turn the battle against his forces. If Wu was defeated,

Dao’s Q-5s, now on the way across the border from Burma, would be easy

prey. And if the Q-5 attack was stopped, the That assault would come,

possibly within minutes.

He did not wish to be in the area if that happened.

From Burma, Hsiao could retain control of his forces whatever happened,

and the American prisoners would give him considerable bargaining power,

both with the Thais and the Burmese. He might even be able to make a

deal with the Americans, if they thought highly enough of their female

news reporter.

He collected the last of his papers and strode unhurriedly from the

room.

CHAPTER 27

0748 hours, 21 January

U Feng

“Made It!” Pamela said. “What’s that? Shooting?”

She’d heard the sound before in the streets of Bangkok, a distant

rattling sound. It was hard to associate that fireworks snapping with

gunfire and death.

“Sure as hell is,” Bayerly said, listening. “We’d better get ready to

didi.”

“Pardon?”

“Di di mau. Move out!”

“Move?” she asked, confused. “Where?”

Bayerly jerked his head toward the door. “Gunfire means someone’s

closing in. Probably a pretty big op if it’s supported by Tomcats off

the Jeff. These bozos here can’t afford to let us go or get rescued.

They’ll either move us, maybe try to use us for bargaining later … or

they’ll shoot us.”

“Oh, God …”

He gave her a tight-lipped smile. He seemed calmer now than he had

earlier, calmer and more self-possessed. “Something tells me our friend

Hsiao isn’t going to want witnesses around talking about his part in

things. Like kidnapping, torture, and murder for a start. Or

revolution.” He stood next to the shed’s door, stooped slightly as

though listening. “Okay. Stand back.”

“What are you doing?” she asked.

He didn’t answer but took several steps back to the far end of the shed,

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