thousand feet and began a right-hand orbit, carefully keeping an eye on the
approaching clouds. “They get much closer, and we’ll have problems,” he
remarked.
Gator grunted. “We should be inbound by then.”
They left unspoken the possibility of having to abort the mission.
True, the admiral had made it plain that it was Batman’s call. Neither
crew was to pointlessly risk the safety of the multimillion-dollar aircraft
and its highly trained crew of two if there were no chance of accomplishing
their objective. However, it would be a cold day in hell–Bird Dog smiled
grimly at the appropriate metaphor–before either of the two would
willingly break off.
“How’s she flying?” Gator said, more to break the silence than out of
any real curiosity.
“Heavy as a pig,” Bird Dog answered. “I hate playing bomb cat.”
The versatile F-14 Tomcat had been designed as both a fighter and
bomber aircraft. During the days when the A-6 and A-7 aircraft were in use
in the fleet, practicing the arcane skills of bombing had been largely a
matter of form. However, as the older attack aircraft were phased out, and
the newer F/A-18 Hornet entered the fleet, the Tomcat community found
itself under serious attack. After ironing out some minor avionics
glitches, Tomcat squadrons aggressively attacked the problem of becoming as
proficient in ground-to-air attacks as they were in aerial combat. Within
a couple of years, they were matching every test of accuracy and
reliability neck for neck with the Hornet. Indeed, carrier battle group
commanders preferred Tomcats over the Hornet, since the latter aircraft’s
payload and endurance was seriously limited. The Tomcat, while a much
larger spotting problem on the deck, generally proved itself more than
worth the extra space, based on its capacity for ordnance.
Of course, Bird Dog reflected, it was tough to tangle with a Hornet.
The smaller aircraft had a maneuverability and weight-to-power factor that
made it a tough target for any Tomcat. Still, they managed to hold their
own as well there. If you could outlast a Hornet, sooner or later he’d
have to leave to go gas up.
And when you’ve got an opponent like a MiG, with their higher fuel
endurance, the Tomcat was the only choice. Like it had been in the
Spratlys. While the Hornets had covered their asses from time to time
there, in the end the Tomcat had proven victor of the skies.
“Okay, time,” Gator announced. “Batman’s starting his run in. He
says it looks like it’s clearing up around the island. You vector on down
and get on his ass just like we briefed, Bird Dog.”
“Hell, he’s the bird dog on this mission,” the pilot grumbled. “I’m
just batting cleanup.”
“You mix any metaphors you want as long as you get me back to the
boat,” his RIO answered.
1000 Local
West End, Aflu
“Commander, I think you’d better come here,” the senior Spetsnaz
commander said.
“Problem?” Rogov paused from inventorying the stores, and walked over
to the small group of worried commandos. “What?”
“Listen.” The commando thrust his hand-held radio toward Rogov.
“Started five minutes ago.” He turned up the volume on the radio.
Rogov shook his head. “I don’t hear anything except static.”
“That is the problem, exactly. Someone is trying to jam our
communications.”
“Jamming? But how-” Rogov whirled around and glared at the SEAL
still held captive at the end of the cavern. “I see,” he said, his voice
more calm.
“It appears to be a static source. It hasn’t changed in intensity,
and it’s still strongest from a single direction.”
“So what can you do about it?”
The commando shrugged. “There are no choices. There are intruders on
the island, and we’ve lost communications. My standing orders are for my
patrols to take cover in the event that something such as this should
happen. I suspect they even now have our entrance under surveillance, and
are prepared to kill anyone that approaches that door.”
“You find this transponder,” Rogov said harshly. So close, so close
to success, and now this. Unreasoning rage boiled in his stomach, making
its way slowly to his head. “Find the men who brought this and kill them.
Do you understand?”