For the upcoming classified operations in Switzerland, the SOAR unit was using six handpicked pilots from its "black" battalion. Other select teams of special operations forces and Nightstalker aviators were working together in France and Spain.
Commander Art Schweitzer and his executive officer had officially identified the cargo ship Stephanie Eaton shortly after sunrise. They tracked the civilian vessel for fifty minutes before reaching a spot where there were no other ships on the horizon. The CO gave the order, and the Mark 48 was soon en route to its target.
After Schweitzer fired the torpedo, he watched the Stephanie Eaton and photographed the horrific detonation. Blackish-red smoke and water shot skyward, and the stricken ship immediately began slowing. Schweitzer snapped several more photographs.
Less than three minutes later, the crew of fourteen began abandoning their ship. When the lifeboats were clear of Stephanie Eaton, the attack submarine descended to 200 feet to wait for the cargo carrier to sink and break up.
Nearly an hour later, after sonar detected other ships in the vicinity, Schweitzer became impatient and gave the order to come to periscope depth. Two ships, one a large containership and the other a small freighter, had come to the aid of the torpedoed crew.
Stephanie Eaton was still afloat. Schweitzer was sorry he had not fired a second Mark 48 after the crew cleared the vessel. As he was silently cursing his situation, a secondary explosion blew a gaping hole in the side of the ship. Schweitzer ordered Montpelier to again level at 200 feet.
A few minutes later, the sonar operator detected the sounds of a ship breaking apart. Another Saeed Shayhidi asset was descending to the bottom of the Atlantic.
Montpelier turned on course to her home port at Norfolk Naval Base, Virginia, the largest naval installation in the world. The mood aboard the submarine was unusually subdued. The men were not proud of sinking unarmed civilian ships, but they carried out their orders without question.
Overlooking the Bernese Alps, the magnificent Grand Hotel Park stands alone on a quiet hill only moments away from world-class alpine skiing and a charming village center. The Swiss Forest-style resort hotel has an interior dominated by natural stone, solid wood, and ceramic tiles.
The Grand was playing host to a large group of Hollywood celebrities, including movie stars, well-known producers and directors, and a handful of top-tier agents. In addition to its glitzy guests, the world-famous resort had another celebrity in residence. However, Saeed Shayhidi was not seen at Le Grand Restaurant or Le Salon Montgomery hobnobbing with the elites from the American film industry.
Sitting morosely in his two-bedroom suite with a trusted aide and two heavily armed bodyguards, Shayhidi was riding an emotional roller coaster. One moment he was hostile and illogical, the next moment paranoid, sullen, and withdrawn. He would go through a calm period for an hour or so and then repeat the cycle.
The loss of his prestigious Boeing corporate jet and the sinking of his yacht had had an adverse effect on Shayhidi. He had become extremely nervous and sometimes paced the floor, no longer the confident, assured international businessman.
The terrorist leader was clearly the person now being terrorized. The feeling was one of agonizing fear and total hopelessness. With no avenue to buy his way out of his predicament, the hefty fortune he inherited and continued to build was useless to him. He was trapped by his own arrogant cleverness and his feeling of intellectual superiority.
Both mentally and financially, Shayhidi was relentlessly and methodically being destroyed by the United States. His assets were being used against him and his freedom had been taken away. He was a hunted man; his life was in ruins. The irony did not escape him. It was a maddening, horrible feeling to have to live like a caged animal.
The familiar Fox logo suddenly flashed on his TV with more breaking news about the jihad against America, accompanied by a recent photo of Shayhidi.
Shayhidi stared intensely at the screen; an attractive, unsmiling woman looked up from her notes.
Fox has learned that financier and reputed terrorist leader Saeed Shayhidi, believed to be the mastermind behind the deadly attacks on the United States, has himself become a target.
Shayhidi froze in his chair, starring at video footage of one of his containerships sinking in the Pacific. An uncontrollable, panicky feeling swept over him, and he shuddered momentarily.
State Department officials have confirmed that Shayhidis ship, shown here in this amateur video taken from another cargo ship, was destroyed by an unknown source. The entire crew was safely rescued and the accident is under investigation.
"It wasn't an accident!" Shayhidi blurted through clenched teeth. "Macklin had it blown up — He's trying to destroy me!"
In addition, Shayhidi's yacht reportedly sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of southern France after an onboard explosion.
"Liars, liars!" Shayhidi shouted at the television. "You filthy bastards are going to pay for this! Macklin is going to pay! The American people are going to pay!"
Were receiving initial reports of other Shayhidi-related news from our White House correspondent, Wesley Herman. Wes.
Sharon, senior White House sources have told Fox that two of Shayhidis cargo ships have mysteriously disappeared, believed to have sunk in the Atlantic during the last day or two. A senior administration spokesman denied the U. S. military had any involvement in the incidents. He pointed out that Mr. Shayhidi has made dozens of enemies all over the world.
Shayhidi's eyes bugged out, and he hurled an empty ashtray at the television, barely missing the screen and impacting the wall. "Macklin, you're dead! As good as dead!"
His aide and the two bodyguards exchanged concerned glances. How long would it be before their boss snapped?
"They will pay — he will pay!" Shayhidi yelled at the top of his lungs. "Macklin has underestimated me!"
The seasoned correspondent continued in his clipped manner.
Mysteriously, two other vessels belonging to the shipping magnate, both believed to be petroleum tankers, suffered serious mechanical failures while in port. They are reported to be inoperable, one at a Houston refinery and the other at the port of Valdez, Alaska. Sharon.
Shayhidi leaped out of his chair and kicked the television screen in, cutting his leg in the process.
"They are going to pay," he bellowed. "Send an e-mail to Farkas. I'm changing the plans. Macklin has to pay for this! The American military has to pay for this. The American people have to pay!"
The aide attempted to reason with him. "Mr. Shayhidi, I don't think you should jeopardize your—"
"Get in touch with Farkas or get out of my sight, forever!" The adviser cast his dark eyes down. "Yes, sir, I'll contact him."
"Now!"
"Yes, sir."
Ashen-faced and shaking, Shayhidi turned to his two bodyguards. "We're leaving — going to Saint Moritz."
They nodded silendy.
"Macklin is going to pay!"
The E-4B was humming at 4:35 A. M. Pacific Coast Time when Hartwell Prost received the CIA briefing from Langley, Virginia. The president and his advisers had retired early in the evening during a lull in the events. Refreshed and relaxed after a light breakfast, Prost checked his wristwatch and closed his leather folder. It was time to bring President Macklin and his closest advisers up to date on world events.
Prost entered the E-4B s conference room, chatted with an aide, and turned to greet Macklin. "Good morning, Mr. President."