“Redwing Leader to Russian aircraft.” Grant gave a thin smile as he made
his reply. “You been taking lessons from Khadafy on maritime law, boys?”
There was a veiled threat in the bantering words. When Colonel Khadafy had
suddenly claimed the entire Gulf of Sidra as Libyan territorial waters back in
the early eighties, America had sent in the carriers … and the colonel’s
feeble attempts at enforcement had resulted in some spectacular shoot-downs,
all of them of Libyans.
“Ye nye panyemayoo,” the reply came back in Russian.
“I not understand … Waters of Norwegian Sea declared part of combat
zone in police action in Norway. Very dangerous for noncombatants. Very
great risk of unfortunate incident. You are urged to withdraw.”
“Russian aircraft, Redwing Leader,” Coyote said. “Just for the record,
are you guys seriously claiming the whole Norwegian Sea as an exclusion zone?
Over.”
“Redwing Leader, this is Misha Escort Leader,” a new voice said, breaking
in. “This is not a matter for pilots to debate, da? Is for politicians.”
“Misha Escort Leader, you will note that we are no longer flying toward
the Norwegian Sea,” Coyote answered. It was time to change the subject. “We
are, however, flying directly toward an American carrier battle group which
has declared an exclusion zone of two hundred miles radius as of 0500 this
morning. Since we’re not violating any exclusion zones, isn’t it your turn?”
There was a long pause. Coyote suspected the Russians were checking with
their home base for instructions. Finally the Escort Leader’s voice came back
on the channel. “We find exclusion zone around non-involved aircraft carrier
most disturbing, Redwing Leader. America and Soviet Union are not enemies.
Why do you treat us as such?”
“Now that’s something for the politicians to talk about, tovarish,” Grant
told him. “I’m just doing my job, which is to see you out of this area.
Now.”
“Redwing Leader, I have strict orders. I will not deviate. I repeat,
I-”
“Heard you the first time, Ivan,” Coyote said sharply. He cut the
channel off and switched to the link back to the Hawkeye. “Bravo Six-four,
Redwing Leader. Got us a stubborn S.O.B. out here who won’t turn aside. Do I
have permission to give him some encouragement?”
“Redwing, this is Dragon’s Lair,” CAG’s voice answered quickly.
“Negative on your request. Negative. Ajax ETA your position in five minutes.
Let’s see if four more Tomcats makes them cool off a little.”
“Roger, Dragon’s Lair. Redwing Leader clear.”
He switched to the tactical channel and passed the instructions on to
Koslosky. The disappointment in the younger man’s voice carried over the
radio clearly.
Coyote could sympathize with the frustration. He hoped CAG was right and
reinforcements would frighten the Russians off. Every second was bringing
them closer to the Jefferson, and sooner or later the Americans would have to
take action. Drastic action, if necessary. They couldn’t allow the Russians
to overfly the battle group. That would send the wrong signals to too many
places, starting with the Kremlin and the White House.
But if they had to resort to force, they could end up with a tiger by the
tail.
CHAPTER 9
Wednesday, 11 June, 1997
0914 hours Zulu (0814 hours Zone)
Tomcat 204, South of the Faeroe Islands
“Still no change in heading. The bandits are still on heading
one-nine-five.” The tension in Coyote’s voice was plain even through the
distortion and static of the radio channel.
Batman Wayne didn’t like the edge in the squadron leader’s voice. The
Soviets simply weren’t backing off, and Grant was sounding more and more
frustrated with the situation. Would the Russians force the Americans to fire
the first shots? Did they want to start a war?
He keyed in his radio. “Redwing Leader, Redwing Leader, this is Ajax
Leader. Don’t worry ’bout a thing, Coyote. We’re coming up fast.”
“One minute thirty,” Malibu chimed in from the backseat, all business.
“Screen’s still empty except for our boys and their guests.”
“Keep watching them, Mal,” Batman said. He switched frequencies. “Ajax
Flight, let’s show these gate-crashers what we do when we find unwelcome
visitors.” He thought back to the intercept he’d done before. “Big D, you
and the Loon take the left. Go for weapons locks on the Bear. Make ’em sweat