CARRIER 3: ARMAGEDDON MODE

0758 hours, 26 March Tomcat 201

“Victor Tango One-one, this is Viper Two-oh-one! We have a launch, repeat, launch. Probably ASM, bearing one-seven-one, range thirty miles.”

“Copy, Army Dixie. We are tracking.”

“Victor Tango, Viper Two-oh-one is engaging.”

Batman had managed to knock down a ship-killer earlier using guns alone. Perhaps Army could do the same. As Dixie fed him speed and course updates from the backseat, he became convinced that the missile he was tracking was not another Exocet. This one was larger and slower . . . possibly ;a Brit-made Sea Eagle.

That fit with the notion that the air targets to the south and .southeast were Sea Harriers off the Indian carrier. Well, there’d be time enough later to take them on.

First things first. His course and speed were all wrong for a ‘guns-only approach on the ship-killer. Working for maximum of time, he swung the Tomcat into a broad turn to , one that allowed the missile to cruise past at six fifty miles per hour. He checked his course and position. Jefferson was fifty miles ahead . . . four and a half minutes at the missile’s present speed.

He cut back on the throttles and settled into the slot squarely behind the missile.

“Army!” Malibu called. “I’m getting a radar signature ferai our six. Looks like Blue Fox multi-mode.” • – That meant a Sea Harrier on their tail. “Range!”

“Twelve miles. Closing.”

No problem. A Sea Harrier couid barely manage Mach 1, if that There was lots of time. “Ah . . . Batman, this is Army,” he radioed. “Where are you?” ,. “Your two o’clock and high,” Batman replied. “Range five iniles.”

“Batman, I’m after this missile, but I’ve got a problem closing on my six. Can you brush him off, over?”

“Roger, Army. The Batman’s on the way.”

Army searched the horizon ahead for the enemy’s missile. ‘•The range was down to two miles now. He’d have to be a bit icloser before he could spot it with the naked eye. For now, the radar-directed target box drifted from side to side on his HUD, marking an empty patch of blue just below the horizon.

Gently, he eased his throttle forward, straining to catch up.

212

Ketti Dougtass

0758 hours, 26 March

Sea Harrier 101, Blue King Leader

Lieutenant Commander Tahliani watched the small, drifting box on his HUD that marked the position of the enemy plane. Another computer-generated graphic marked the second American plane, now approaching nearly head-on from the northwest

He continued to concentrate on the first target, pushing his throttles full forward, picking up speed.

His plan had worked well, but now he had to take advantage of the setup he’d created. By launching the missile at the American carrier, he’d drawn the enemy F-14 into a chase, forcing his opponent to slow and turn in order to position himself behind die speeding ship-killer. As long as die American stayed behind the slower missile, trying to line up his shot, Tahliani had a chance—a small and very brief chance—to get close enough for a Magic Kill.

Unfortunately, the second American Tomcat was vectoring in to cut him off. It was going to be close, either way. . . .

CHAPTER 20

0758 hours, 26 March Tomcat 216

Batman adjusted his course, eyes glued to the graphic symbol marking the enemy Sea Harrier.

He still had one Phoenix . . . but the AIM-54 was not a dogftghting missile. With no Sidewinders left, he would have to make a head-on pass, guns blazing. He might get lucky on the flyby, and if he didn’t, he should be able to swing around and take the bandit on his six. “Tomcat Two-one-six,” he radioed. “I’m in. Going for guns.” He flicked the guns control , on his stick and saw the target reticle appear on his HUD.

He closed with the enemy head-to-head at better than Mach2.

0759 hours, 26 March Sea Harrier 101

The range to his target was eight miles, and slowly decreasing. With part of his mind Tahliani concentrated on the target, and with part he focused on the enemy F-14, coming in almost head-on. The Tomcat pilot was trying for a pass with his guns.

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