The missiles suddenly swung away from the ‘copter and toward the light. Seconds later there was an explosion and the Hip was pushed even higher and faster, then dropped like a roller coaster. Tanner felt numb as his stomach dropped.
Axiam, his face grim with concentration, fought the helicopter as it dropped. He gained control and guided their craft away from the ship at wave-top.
Tanner inhaled deeply, bring himself under control again. "I think we found the right ship," he said after a few seconds.
"Ya think?" Axiam growled.
"Everyone back there all right?" Tanner turned in his seat to look.
"Did you know I hate roller coasters?" Naomi said.
"I think I left my stomach back there," Dante chimed in.
"We're fine," Liam said. "What the hell happened?"
"Somebody had man-portable anti-aircraft missiles aboard the ship," Tanner said.
"I'm guessing SA-7s," Axiam said. "Number three on the wacko terrorist list of must-have weapons, right after AKs and RPGs." He glanced at the radar. "They only have a range of about four kilometers, so as long as we stay no closer than five kilometers, we should be okay."
"Stephen, did you get those pics?" Tanner asked.
"I got a few shots off before we got out of there."
"Give the SD card to Danielle. I'm coming back there."
Narsai scanned the water around his ship, searching for any sign of the escaped helicopter. The bridge was dark, with only the control panel indicator lights to supply illumination. He lowered his binoculars, his eyes boring into the radar screen.
There was a blip, intermittent, off to his port, twenty or thirty kilometers out. Large waves rose and fell, increasing in size with each passing hour, and he could feel the deck shift under his feet.
The satellite phone buzzed, and Narsai picked it up, knowing who was calling.
"What is happening?" Riyad demanded, his tone harsh.
"The helicopter dropped flares and avoided the missiles. We think it's somewhere off our port side. We'll be ready for its next attack."
"You should have let it get closer."
"It veered away before we shot the missiles at it. I think they were trying to locate the warheads while staying outside of machine-gun range. I'm not sure they knew we had the Strellas."
"Do not assume," Riyad said in a lecturing tone. "I doubt they are going to assault the ship on their own. There are American ships closing in on your position. They'll be there within twelve hours."
"Your orders for me, sir?"
Riyad was silent for a few seconds, then said, "I am not a sailor, Saleh. You know the ship and the crew you command. I leave the decision to you. If you cannot execute DESERT WIND, execute SANDSTORM instead. The targets are still in place."
Narsai swallowed, a trickle of fear running through him. "I understand, sir."
"Whatever happens, do not let them capture the missiles. Is that understood?"
"Yes sir. I will scuttle the ship before that happens."
"Good. Allah be with you, my friend."
"Peace be with Him, and you too, sir."
"Good-bye."
Narsai walked over to the chart table and consulted the map there. He would stick with the original plan for now, but he needed a second target, something that he could fire at if it became clear that the Abu Dhabi mission could no longer be completed. As tempting as it would be to fire the missiles at the warships to the east, they were too far away and possessed serious countermeasures. There was no cities close enough that would allow them to make the statement the colonel wanted to make.
But the colonel had a backup plan, SANDSTORM, and that target was the Port of Salalah, on the southern coast of Oman. A regular port of call for the infidel warships, it currently hosted a pair of French destroyers, a Finnish frigate and the big prize — an American amphibious assault ship. SANDSTORM was a contingency in case the aircraft carrier was not in Dubai during the time window.
Now, it looked like it might be the best target.
Narsai straightened. "Musa, Increase speed to twenty-five knots."
"Yes, sir."
The ICA captain stepped away from the chart table and resumed searching for the helicopter. If it came down to it, he would launch SANDSTORM, but for now, he had a ship to defend.
"Kalid," he said into his radio. "I want a four-man team up here on the bridge, now."
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.