Jack Terral - Battlecraft (2006)

"We've been real careful," Jim said. "But it's something that's bigger than both of us." He grinned and shrugged. "Isn't that what they say in the movies? Anyhow, a very sincere and lasting relationship has come out of the situation."

"Well," Brannigan said, "I'm in a service marriage, as you know. I don't want to throw cold water on your hot desires, but I have to tell you that there are times it can be rough. Lisa and I have gone through some touchy situations, and that includes coming close to breaking up."

"I'm not staying in the Navy," Veronica said. "My ETS is up just after the first of the year. I already have a job offer from an electronics firm in San Diego. Since I was going to take it anyway, it'll work out just fine for both of us. So, I'll just be a serviceman's wife."

"Okay," Brannigan said. "It seems you both have really looked into this thing." He shook hands with Jim and hugged Veronica. "Congratulations and best wishes."

"I want you to be my best man, Skipper," Jim said.

"You got it," Brannigan said. "But we're going to have to keep a lid on this until after the mission. Be careful where you ... well... where you meet, okay?"

"We understand," Veronica said.

Jim laughed. 'There's a lot of empty space around the ship since there's not a Marine battalion or a chopper squadron aboard."

Brannigan set his coffee cup down. "I'm happy for you both. Lisa and I'll have you over for dinner real soon."

"You see, darling," Veronica said to Jim. "Our social life is already starting."

.

FORTRESS MIKHBAYI

27 OCTOBER

1000 HOURS LOCAL

MIKE Assad, dressed in his al-Mimkhalif uniform complete with pakol and the stolen Webley revolver in a holster on his pistol belt, strode down the dock toward the Royal Yacht Sayih. He glanced over the wharves, where various types of small craft were tied up. The area was immaculate without oil spots, trash, or debris lying about. Mike chalked that up to Sheikh Omar Jambarah's time spent in a British military academy. If there were any folks that really knew spit and polish, it was the Brits.

He went up the gangplank of the yacht where the bodyguard Taa stood watch. Mike's new preferred status with the sheikh precluded any more rude searches of his person, and the pistol on his hip didn't get as much as a second look from the thug. Mike made his way to the stem deck, then turned to go down the passageway that led to the women's quarters. A small sitting room was located just aft of the cabins, and Mike found Hildegard reading a magazine while she waited for him. She stood up and they kissed.

"I wish we could for a walk go," Hildegard said. "Or at least on the deck to relax in lounge chairs."

Mike looked around. "Where are the other women?"

"They are where we eat up forward," she said.

Mike glanced through the viewing window on the port side and could see that Taa stood at his post by the gangplank.

Mike looked beyond and got a complete view of the wharf area. "Come herehe said. He waited for Hildegard to come up close, then he whispered in her ear. "We're gonna get out of here tonight. It will be dark and nobody will be able to see you."

"Where to do we go, Mike?"

'To some people who can help you get the justice you want for your friend Franziska," he explained.

"These people, who are they?"

"Never mind," he said. "They can help you, understand?"

"Yes!" she said, excited. "I will pack my things."

"No!" he hissed angrily. "The last thing you want to do is make people think you're leaving. It is important. Just dress comfortably for a trip over the ocean. Make sure you have a long-sleeve shirt and slacks, okay? And the wide-brimmed beach hat you have in your wardrobe. You don't want to get sunburned."

"How far do we go, Mike?"

"I got no idea, honeybunch," he said. "But I'll be back for you tonight. I'll have to take care of the guard at the gangplank, then we'll be able to get down to the boats." He kissed her. "I'll see you later."

Mike left her and went back to the stem deck, going around to where Taa still stood watch. He nodded politely to the bodyguard, then went down the gangplank turning toward the wharf area. He walked along slowly, stopping now and then to give the impression he was wandering among the boats for no particular reason. It took nearly twenty minutes of seemingly aimless strolling, but he finally spotted something that interested him.

A naval whaler boat was tied up at a dock in the center of the waterfront. He hadn't been able to see it right away, but a closer inspection showed it was exacdy what he was looking for. When he walked up, he noticed a couple of sailors refueling it while another was checking out the motor.

Mike nodded to them. "You take boat out?" he asked in his stumbling Arabic.

"No, brother," one answered. "We keep all boats prepared in case they are needed for emergencies."

That's real handy , Mike thought, thanks a lot, you assholes. He smiled at the guy. "May I get on boat for to look at it?"

"Of course, brother," the man replied.

Mike went aboard and gave the whaler a close inspection. He noted she was about twenty-five feet long and was powered by an inboard diesel engine. He also quickly caught sight of a radio that was available at the wheel console. From his own naval experience, Mike knew that normally there would be a crew of three, a coxswain, bowman, and radio operator. However, he would be able to handle her alone without any trouble.

Mike walked down to check out the radio, noting it was a standard marine model, quite easy to operate. There was also a GPS mounted just above the instrument panel. He made sure the sailors weren't watching him, then he switched it on. The device informed him that he was at sixteen degrees north latitude and fifty-three degrees east longitude. Now he had a starting place to navigate from.

He jumped back up on the dock, waved good-bye to the crewmen, then continued walking around so no one would get the impression he had any interest in that particular craft.

.

HILDEGARD'S CABIN

ROYAL YACHT SAYIH

2300 HOURS LOCAL

MIKE Assad turned off the cabin light, then went to the porthole and pushed the curtain aside. He peered out at the wharves, noting that there were no guard posts, either stationary or walking, within the area. He swung his gaze slightly forward and sighted the bodyguard Baa at the gangplank on the main deck. He closed the curtain, then looked over at Hildegard. "Are you ready to go?"

"Ja" she said. "Ready I am." The woman was dressed in a long-sleeved blouse that buttoned up to the neck. She wore slacks and sandals with socks. The beach hat was looped around her neck. She would slip it on her head to keep the sun off during the hottest part of the day.

Mike picked up the tote bag from the bunk. It was heavily loaded with plastic bottles of Evian water taken from the women's lounge. Another lighter canvas container was filled with sandwiches that Hildegard had made in the galley. She was so excited about the coming adventure that the impetuous, reckless woman had unwisely told the Frenchwoman Blanche that she and Mike were going to sneak out for a picnic and not return until the next evening when it was dark. Hildegard knew all the women were jealous of her romance with Mike, and used the fib to rub it in.

"Now or never," Mike said, opening the door. "Let's go, baby!"

He carried the tote bag while Hildegard took responsibility for the sandwiches. They went slowly and silently down the passageway to the door leading out to the main deck. Mike slowly pulled the heavy metal portal open and peered out. He saw Baa, bored to distraction, leaning against the rail.

The bastard's evening was about to get more exciting.