of nuclear propulsion,” Blancanales answered, “but Gadgets has a theory about that. Hold on, I’ll put him on because there are only two extensions here at the motel.”
A moment passed and then Schwarz’s voice came on the line. “Hey, gang.”
“Politician says you have a theory about these terrorist subs,” Brognola said.
“You betcha,” Schwarz replied. “Our canaries here told us in the event this didn’t go off, the head honcho of their outfit had a contingency plan.”
“Which was?” Price said.
“Apparently they arranged to have a buyer procure about half a dozen specialized diesel motors from a local firm in Charleston. These motors are unique in that they’re used by diving outfits and underwater salvage companies to power equipment and the like. I’m betting the terrorists plan to drop these in as substitutes if they can’t get their hands on the original design specifications for the nuclear power plants.”
“So you think they could still make these things active?” Brognola asked.
“Well, at least enough to put out to sea and launch a series of nuclear warheads at specified targets, yeah.”
“I can’t understand how this would’ve gotten past our initial screenings,” Price said, looking directly at Brognola. “We thoroughly questioned everyone with a security access to this program from the Oval Office to the Pentagon. They all swore that if any information had been leaked it would have to be by Dr. Stout.”
Brognola nodded and directed his voice toward the speaker. “That’s true. Stout was the only one to possess the technical knowledge to create this sub. And he was under constant watch.”
“What about information and data security on his equipment? Could it have been compromised?” Schwarz asked.
“Members of our own team assisted the NSA with security and counterbreach implementations.”
“In fact, nearly line for line of the security programs was written by Akira himself,” Price added.
That spoke volumes. Aaron Kurtzman oversaw the team of cyber wizards that included Carmen Delahunt, Akira Tokaido and Huntington Wethers. Schwarz’s experience in electronic surveillance and counterintelligence paled in comparison to the combined efforts of that brilliant crew, and he said as much. “Well, Akira’s kung fu is strong. If our own people were working on it, it’s highly unlikely the IUA would have acquired the resources necessary to penetrate Stout’s systems.”
“Then that can only mean one of two things,” Lyons said. “Either someone on the inside knew more than they let on or the IUA’s managed to plant a mole real high up. I’m betting the latter.”
“Based on what?” Price asked.
“A few things are glaring. First, they had to have known the exact time and route the escort team planned to use when they transported Stout to the Pentagon. Second, they were ready and waiting for us at the factory, because the ambush they set up had been too elaborate for them to craft on the fly. And finally, Hal said that Phoenix has been ambushed twice since they got into Namibia and they’ve only been there what, three or four hours? The IUA seems to be one step ahead of us on every mark up until now. That’s more than coincidence or tactical foresight.”
“And while I hate to ever admit Ironman’s right, seems to me they could have just as easily split with the plans and not given us another thought,” Schwarz said. “Instead, they chose to stick it out and try to put us down for good, which means someone told them we were too great a threat to be ignored. Not likely they came to that conclusion all by their lonesome.”
Price looked sideways at Brognola. “Those are awfully good points, Hal.”
Brognola nodded. “As much as I wished otherwise, I think you’re right on the money with this. And since it’s your theory, I’m open to hearing suggested tactics.”
“I say we get to Charleston and find this base before the terrorists go live. If even one of those subs gets loose, we could have a disaster on our hands.”
“Agreed,” Brognola replied. “You have my authorization to proceed directly to South Carolina and learn whatever you can.”
“That’s almost five hundred miles, which means a driving time of at least seven hours.”
“Yeah,” Schwarz said, “but that’s only if we let Politician behind the wheel.”
As Price picked up another line she said, “We’ll arrange transport to Dulles. You can pick up one of the commercial flights that leave nearly every hour on the hour for South Carolina. Leave your weapons with whatever crew picks you up at the hotel. We’ll arrange for a fresh arsenal to be equipped in your vehicle when you arrive.”
“Understood,” Lyons replied.
“Take care,” Brognola said.
“We’ll take it any way we can, boss,” Lyons said.
And then he was gone.
Brognola looked at Price with a grave expression. “We’re running out of time.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Latif al-Din tried to hide his rising anger as he listened to the reports from his cell leaders.
The news could have been better, much better, but boiling himself into a fury wouldn’t change the situation. Somehow the Americans had figured out what they were up to and had managed to ruin his plans for the project they called FACOS. Now he would have to fall back to his secondary plan, and while that remained a viable option, it wasn’t his preferred course of action.
No good could ever come in letting the enemy dictate a response, no matter how foolproof the contingency plans. It gave them entirely too much power.
Al-Din now considered his options and after a time he ordered the chief project overseer to begin installing the diesel engines.
“And what of the men from whom we bought them?” al-Din’s second-in-command asked.
“I’m led to understand they live above their shop.”
“That is correct, sir.”
“Send a small force late tonight to eliminate them and destroy their building. That should erase any evidence of their dealings with us.”
“Of course.”
After the aide bowed and left the room to relay al-Din’s orders, the chief tactician in charge of their Namib Desert operations signaled for permission to speak. Al-Din nodded.
“Sir, were it in my power I would wish to be the one to carry better tidings.”
“Your news isn’t good, either?”
“Unfortunately not. The team you ordered me to send to destroy the American strike force utterly failed. We believe it may have been caused by mechanical failure of the chopper we stole from their maintenance yard.”
“Sounds more like
