Payback

17

“Is he bluffing?” Lam asked.

“One way to find out,” Horowitz said. He took out a small radio and pushed a button. “This is Five. Mr. President, are you safe?”

They waited, but nothing came over the air. After a twenty-second pause a voice responded.

“This is Four. I’ve had no transmission from the President in a little more than an hour.”

“Four, on the net checks, did you hear everyone?”

“All but the missing man.”

“Then something may have happened to the President. I’m calling for a radio check by the numbers,” Horowitz said.

Lam listened as four Secret Service men checked in.

Horowitz scowled. He looked at Lam. “We could be in a lot of trouble here. I’m Five, the man we lost already is Seven, and the two with the President who didn’t check in are Six and Eight. That means they might be out of range, or captured, or worse.”

The speaker on the Secret Service radio sounded.

“So, Secret Service, you came up three men short on your radio net,” the voice with the same strange accent said. “That is correct. Three of your men won’t collect their retirement, and we have the President. So far he is safe, well, and he has not been harmed. Later it will be dark. We ask that all of you return to the ranch house where you will be more comfortable. The cook is now preparing a fine meal for you.

“We’re not sure how you destroyed our helicopters, but it is of little concern. We have two other plans to leave this area without them. So come in now and we will not harm the President. You have three hours before dark to get here. I suggest that you hurry.”

Horowitz jumped as Murdock edged into the small clearing.

“That’s my CO, Horowitz, it’s okay.”

Murdock and the rest of Alpha Squad came in and at once established a perimeter defense around the position. The commander came over to the pair.

“Commander Murdock, this is Mr. Horowitz, with the Secret Service.”

The men shook hands. Lam told Murdock about the claim that the President was captured and the two men with him dead.

“Is it possible?” Murdock asked Horowitz.

“The Koreans have at least one of our radios. So they have captured or killed at least one of our men. The President’s guards didn’t respond to my radio net check. So something is wrong.”

“What’s the range of your sets?” Murdock asked.

“On flat land about ten miles. Up here it could be a mile depending on the terrain. A ridgeline could block out the signal.”

“Think the President just might be out of range and the Korean is bluffing?”

“Could be.”

Senior Chief Sadler and Jaybird came in from the perimeter, and Murdock filled them in.

“Could you have blown up their choppers?” Sadler asked Horowitz.

“Sure, if we could have moved in close enough,” Horowitz said. “I always carry a fragger on jobs like this.”

“So the Koreans don’t know that anyone else is here,” Murdock said. “That’s good. We can give them a few surprises.” He looked at the Secret Service man. “Any of your men have long guns?”

“Nothing but the Uzis. We usually work close-up.”

“We have the rifles and machine guns if we need them. Now all we need to do is to figure out what to do. DeWitt, we’ll leave our mikes open. Cut in whenever you want to. We’re having a strategy session.”

The woman in the red dress walked up to the group.

“Commander. I’m Beth Arnold, the President’s National Security Advisor.”

Horowitz broke in. “Commander, this is Major General Beth Arnold of the U.S. Army.”

The four SEALs saluted her. She returned a crisp professional salute. “General, I’m Lieutenant Commander Murdock, this is Senior Chief Sadler, Operations Specialist Second Class Lampedusa, and Machinist’s Mate First Class Sterling. We always have enlisted men help when planning an operation.”

“May I sit in on your session? I’ve had some experience.”

“General, by all means. You’ve seen the ranch house. We haven’t. Where would their strong and weak points be?”

“It’s a ranch-style house, long and one-story. The kitchen is on the extreme left end, the large living room and activity rooms in the center, and the bedrooms mostly on the right-hand side. There are twelve bedrooms. They probably have the President in one of them, if they really have him.”

“I’d say we have to assume that he’s a captive, so we can’t use our 20mm rounds on the house,” Jaybird said.

“Agreed,” Murdock said.

“It’s got to be a silent hit,” Lam said. “We move up and watch and wait and try to pick them off one at a time, quietly.”

“You have suppressed weapons?” the general asked.

“Yes, two of the new Mk 11 from Knight with the twenty-inch barrel and silencer. Then we have other silenced weapons including our MP-5 sub guns.”

“The way Lam slipped up on me without a sound, I would have been a dead man if he’d wanted me to be,” Horowitz said. “Be sure to use Lam.”

“I’ve heard about SEALs’ work before,” General Arnold said. “You’re the platoon that the CIA and the President use for covert operations, correct?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Murdock said.

“Damn glad you’re here. Should we send men into both ends of the house, say three on each end, and start working silently toward the center?”

“Good idea, but first we’ll have to take out any exterior guards,” Senior Chief Sadler said. “Be good to get two men up there quickly to check it out in what’s left of the daylight.”

“I agree,” DeWitt said on the Motorola. “Lam and Fernandez would be my picks.”

“Lam, you and Fernandez get on your horses,” Murdock said. “Each of you take the silenced M-11. Move up on each end of the place. Close enough so you can find any exterior guards. Report back by radio. Then hold your positions for our arrival.”

Lam lifted his Knight sniper rifle and vanished into the brush.

“That’s a roger on this side,” DeWitt said on the radio. “I sent Fernandez out. He goes up to about fifty and checks the scene.”

“Right,” Murdock said. “Be sure nobody in the house can see you, Fernandez and Lam.”

General Arnold looked at Murdock. “You have any extra cammies with you?”

“Yes, ma’am, but…”

“No buts about it, Commander. Find a man about my size and get his spare shirt and pants. I’m going with you and this damn red dress isn’t a combat outfit.”

Murdock grinned. “Glad to have you on board, General.”

Sadler nodded at Murdock and went to the perimeter. Murdock looked through the trees at the ranch house over seven hundred yards away. “Where would they be keeping the President, if they have him, General?”

“My choice would be the owner’s suite. It’s larger, has a big window facing the front, and has access only from a hall in back that runs the length of the building.”

Murdock turned to Horowitz. “Did the team with the President have a SATCOM with them?”

“Yes. That must be how they called for help. Oh, yes, so now the Koreans may have the SATCOM as well, so we can’t use yours. You do have one?”

“That’s a roger, Mr. Horowitz. We just lost another trump card. We have to do it on our own.”

“Overhead planning for this trip called for two Airborne Ranger Platoons to drop in here in case of any trouble,” Horowitz said. “What happened to them?”

“The coast is on a total blackout,” Senior Chief Sadler said. “They got snafued up along the coast somewhere when a county sheriff wouldn’t let them take off at the city airport. Not sure where they are. They were supposed to arrive the same time we did.”

“Back to the planning board,” DeWitt said on the radio. “We’ll need men in front and in back of the place. You want Bravo to take the back and cut off any of them bugging out?”

“Yes,” Murdock said. “But keep your silenced weapons for the kitchen entrance on that end. Use your MP-5’s. When the front is clear, send Fernandez around back to check for guards there.”

“Right. Three men in there should be enough. Leaves me five to cover the whole back. Can do.”

“I know two of my men have MP-5’s in their drag bags, which gives us four silenced.” Murdock turned to Horowitz. “How many of the North Ks are there?”

“Eighteen. So with the general and me, we match up man for man.”

“Can you call in your Uzis? Go ahead and make a net call, and tell your men that they should report to their areas for Plan B, and be there promptly at 1930.”

“Won’t that tip off the Ks?” the general asked.

“Not really. We’ll be moving in long before then. But it might get some of the Secret Service men closer to the buildings wondering what is happening. They heard the Korean demand for surrender. So they’ll be cautious.”

“I was second in command of our protection unit,” Horowitz said. “If I tell them, they’ll move. They know the net is compromised. They’ll have to figure out what Plan B is. We don’t have one.”

“At least it will give the Ks something to worry about,” DeWitt said. “I like it.”

Sadler came back with the cammies and an MP-5 with five magazines. “Best we have, General. These might be a little large, but we can roll up the pants legs.”

“This is great, Chief, thanks.” She took the gear and walked into the woods.

When she was gone, Murdock frowned. “Let’s not get a general shot on our watch. She is to be kept out of harm’s way. We keep her safe in every way except tackling her. Agreed?”

The men nodded. “I should take her to the rear to be in our blocking position,” DeWitt said. “But I can’t get her over here.”

Murdock shook his head. “She wouldn’t agree to that. She wants to be out front. I’ll post her with the front sniper. She can help watch for any targets out there. Might hold her.

“Jaybird, Lam, and I will go in the bedroom end of the place after Lam and Fernandez eliminate any guards out front. Then I want Fernandez to go around to the back and check for any exterior guards. When the front and back are clear, then the two three-man teams move into the house. Any problems or suggestions with this plan?”

“We use only silence MP-5’s inside?” Jaybird asked.

“Right, I’ll trade my Bull Pup for a Five.”

The SEAL radios came on.

“Skipper, I’m about fifty yards from the right end of the place,” Lam said. “So far I haven’t seen any guards out front or near the right end. They must have somebody here. I’ll keep watching.”

“Don’t go any closer,” Murdock said. “Settle down and wait. We have an hour before dusk.”

The general came back and grinned. “I haven’t had on cammies for over four years. Feels good. Now, does anybody have an extra floppy or a watch cap?”

Murdock reached in his combat vest and pulled out a black knit watch cap. “Will this one do?” he asked.

Major General Arnold chuckled. “Now I remember, you’re the Commander Murdock the CNO talks about. Wanted you on his staff, but you turned him down. Takes guts. He said you were right. You’re more valuable leading your platoon.”

Murdock smiled. “General, I hope you think the same thing when this operation is over. Our man up front said he can’t spot any outside guards. I don’t like that.”

“Seems they should have somebody watching their front and their back,” General Arnold said. “Looks like we’ll have to play it by ear and count bodies as we go. Right now, eighteen. Wish we could cut that down two or three before we go inside.”

Murdock took a deep breath and plunged forward. “General Arnold, one thing we need to get clear. On this mission, I’m in command. On this ground I outrank you. You can come along, but you will follow my orders. Do you agree?”

“Absolutely, Commander. I’m at your service. Just don’t leave me back here with the kitchen help. The two girls over there are friendly and nice, but I’d really hate to be stuck here.”

“Good. When we set up, I want you up with Lam. When he shifts to the right-hand end to enter, you’ll trade your MP- 5 for his Knight and be responsible for anything moving out front. You’ll have the new Knight sniper rifle. It’s semiautomatic, a lot like the SR25. I’d bet you can handle a long gun with no problem.”

“I was on the rifle team for five years. Then some skinny, redheaded, flat-chested little corporal beat me out for the last spot on the team. I nearly had her court-martialed.”

“Yeah, I bet. General, you’ll be firing at seventy-five to a hundred yards. Fish in a barrel for a sharpshooter.”

“Skipper, Fernandez here.”

“Go, Fernandez.”

“I’ve got one guard. He’s in and out of the kitchen. Eating all the time. Has a sub gun but nothing longer. I can take him out whenever you lads get in position. Seems like he’s on a definite post here.”

“Roger that. We’ll wait until dusk and move up. Hit them about 1820. You clear anyone there, then move to the rear. Right?”

“Copy that.”

Murdock looked at his watch. It was 1800. “Horowitz, have you ever had any Army training?”

“No, sir. Just the regular training.”

“We need a good man to stay here with the other two women. Can you take care of that job?”

“Yes, sir. If that’s the best spot for me.”

“We need you here. Watch for any Korean infiltrators. The rest of you, let’s move up to Lam and Fernandez. Copy that, DeWitt?”

“That’s a roger.”

“DeWitt, time for you to move the rest of your squad to the rear of the ranch house. Swing wide, leave Fernandez where he is as sniper, and get the rest of your guys into a blocking position forty yards behind the house if you have cover.”

“Roger that, we’re moving out.”

The Alpha Squad SEALs formed up in a single line, five yards apart with General Arnold in the center, and worked up the slope through the heavy brush and timber. They were completely screened from the ranch house.

Ten minutes later they jumped as a voice called to them. “You guys make enough noise to raise the dead,” Lam said as he stepped out from behind a big pine tree three feet from Murdock, who led the line. Lam grinned. “Well, maybe not that much. I’m about twenty yards up there, but the good cover stops here. So far I’ve spotted two guards. One is walking up and back in front of the place, and another one is shielding the entrance on this right end. Suggest that Fernandez take the front guy from his end. The man seems to move all the way to the kitchen. I think he has the munchies.”

Murdock settled the men down in the brush and crawled up to Lam’s lookout.

“Oh, yeah, I can see the one on this end,” Murdock said. “He’s sitting on a chair with a cushion on it. Tough little guy. He’s got a long gun of some kind. Maybe an AK-47.”

“I’ll make sure of him first.”

“General Arnold will be up here with you. You take out the guard, and any more, then you move with me. Trade her your Knight for her MP-5. Be sure she has cover here.”

“Got it, Cap. We don’t want a major general gut-shot on our watch.”

They lay there watching the house.

“I haven’t seen anybody at the windows,” Lam said.

“Fernandez?” Murdock said into the Motorola.

“Go, Cap.”

“Have you spotted a second man who works the front and goes over to the kitchen?”

“Got him, Cap. He’ll be my first hit when he’s here. Then I get the second one. All silent. Roger that.”

“We wait until it’s almost dark, maybe twenty minutes. You in position, DeWitt?”

“All hunkered down and waiting. Fernandez is at the front sniper station, and I’ll take Canzoneri and Franklin with me to the kitchen entrance. Mahanani will use the Knight here in back looking for guards. Give us a countdown from five minutes and I’ll get everyone settled in.”

“Roger that, DeWitt.”

Murdock moved General Arnold and Luke Howard up to Lam’s sniper spot. “I want both of you to stay here for any movement out front. Bradford, Ching, Sadler, and Van Dyke, you’ll stay spread out about here for a blocking team. Spread out twenty yards apart across the front now, guys. Nothing and nobody gets past you.”

“Murdock, I’ve got Donegan, Victor, and Jefferson in blocking.”

They waited. Murdock checked his blockers, then led General Arnold and Howard up near Lam. He found good cover for the two of them five yards behind Lam.

“All set?” Murdock asked the general.

“As much as ever. First combat I’ve seen since Desert Storm. Don’t worry, I won’t shame you.”

Murdock checked his watch.

“DeWitt, you have your five before we move.”

“Copy that.”

Mahanani checked his view of the rear of the house again. He had seen no guards out back, but there could be one stationary one. DeWitt hurried back to his spot near the kitchen, keeping thirty yards of brush and trees between him and the structure. He met Canzoneri and Franklin, and they planned their run to the kitchen door after the guards were down.

The sun had been behind the far ridges for twenty minutes when dusk dropped in on the ranch house.

“Snipers in front,” Murdock said. “It’s a go. Your weapons are free.”

Lam had been sighting the Knight sniper rifle in on the North Korean at the end of the ranch house. The man had just stood up and stretched. Lam refined his sight and pulled the trigger.