OUTCAST Ops: African Firestorm

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

In the cargo compartment of the helicopter, Tanner, Liam, and Danielle were huddled around the laptop, staring intently at the pictures Stephen had taken. The Hip was seven kilometers away from the ship, flying less than ten meters above the shifting waters of the Indian Ocean. The rest of the team sat on the benches, watching them.

The former CIA agent had concentrated on the forward stacks and whatever was under them. The first three images showed little in the way of useful information, as the angle was wrong. The fourth depicted something under the tarp, something that looked like scaffolding.

But the last two pictures revealed information. The fifth shot allowed them to see that the scaffolding was actually a launch rail, with a missile perched on the rail. The final photo captured another missile on a launch rail adjacent to the first.

"Son of a bitch," Liam whispered.

"What can you tell us about them, Dani?" Tanner asked.

Danielle peered at the screen. "They look like cruise missiles. I'm guessing a max range of a thousand miles, probably less. And…" She tapped the screen. "Missile warheads."

"They're getting ready to use them," Liam said. "But on what?"

Tanner looked at Danielle. "The Northstar was heading for Doha, right? ISIL has no love for the Iranians. Maybe they decided to strike at Iran?"

Danielle shook her head. "Look at the missiles. They're aimed off the port side, not the starboard side. Unless they're planning to turn the ship around, whatever the target is, it's across from Iran."

"United Arab Emirates is across from Iran," Liam noted. "So are Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar." He pulled a map of the Middle East from his cargo pocket and unfolded it. "These guys want to make a big splash with a major target."

He put his fingers on the map over Saudi Arabia. "These countries are scared shitless that ISIL will come after them next, so they've been active in trying to stop them."

"I think you can rule out Qatar," Stephen said. "It's a major funding source for ISIL, and they won't risk it. Yemen’s has no major targets."

Tanner pulled out his satellite phone. "I'm calling Casey. We need more data."

Casey answered on the second ring. "What do you have?"

"We have two nuclear-tipped missiles on the Northstar Venture, and the ship is crewed by ICA tangos. We're e-mailing you the pictures we took."

Casey swore. "Any ideas on the target?"

"We think it's in the UAE, Oman, or Saudi Arabia. We need your help narrowing down the possible targets."

"Let me make a few phone calls and get back to you." Casey hung up.

Tanner looked at the others. "Time for some quick thinking."

On the bridge, Riyad watched the radar intently. For a moment he considered sending Ilshu to help Narsai, but decided against it. The helicopter wasn't armed, and if the other helo was, it would be a waste of men and material. No, he had to let Narsai handle it on his own for now.

He walked away from the radar and over to the chart table. He compared positions and headings for his ship and that of the Northstar Venture. The Saad el Melik was moving northeast at fifteen knots, ten knots slower than the Northstar and losing ground steadily. The container ship was thirty kilometers ahead of them and pulling away from the older ship.

Riyad stroked his beard as he considered his options. The American warships racing west were still hours away, too far to prevent Narsai from executing SANDSTORM, even if they did know about the Baburs. But that one helicopter pacing the container ship bothered him.

"Colonel!" Kashgari shouted.

Riyad turned to the ship's captain. "What?"

"Radar is picking up new contacts. They're coming from the American ships."

The colonel strode over to the radar. Four blips were moving away from the American ships and heading toward the Northstar Venture.

"How soon?" he whispered.

Kashgari frowned. “No more than thirty minutes.”

Riyad reached for the sat-phone and pressed the auto-dialer. Narsai answered.

"Yes, Colonel?"

"You are now within range for SANDSTORM. Can you fire the missiles?"

After a slight pause, Narsai said, "Not quite yet, but Dr. Masood and his team are working as quickly as they can."

"Tell him to hurry. The Americans are sending helicopters and will be there in less than half an hour."

"We will fire them before then, sir."

"You had better. Good bye."

Riyad broke the connection and stared out into the darkness.