cc.vixen03-第43章

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　〃How　soon　before　the　Marines　can　go　in？〃　asked　the　President。　〃They　are　boarding　helicopters　at　the　staging　area　this　very　minute；〃　answered　General　Guilford；　the　Marine　mandant。　〃And　the　SEALs　are　already　on　their　way　downriver　in　a　Coast　Guard　patrol　boat。〃　〃Three　bat　units　often　men　each；〃　added　Kemper。　A　muted　buzzer　sounded　on　the　phone　beside　General　Higgins's　chair。　Kemper　leaned　over　and　answered　it；　listened；　and　replaced　the　re…ceiver。　He　looked　up　at　Higgins；　who　had　remained　standing　by　the　viewing　screen。
　〃munications　teams　have　set　up　cameras　on　the　southern　bluffs　above　the　Iowa〃　he　said。　〃They'll　be　transmitting　pictures　in　a　few　seconds。〃
　Almost　before　Kemper　had　finished　speaking；　the　aerial　image　from　the　satellite　cameras　faded　into　blackness　and　was　replaced　by　a　shot　of　the　Iowa　that　filled　the　screen　with　the　ship's　superstructure。
　The　President　slowly　poured　himself　a　cup　of　coffee　but　did　not　drink　it。　He　stared　at　the　Iowa；　his　mind　churning　in　search　of　a　decision　that　only　he　could　make。　At　last　he　sighed　and　addressed　himself　to　General　Higgins。
　〃We　go　with　the　SEALs　and　Marines。　If　they　fail；　whistle　up　the　Specter　jets　and　order　your　forces　on　shore　to　open　fire　with　everything　they've　got。〃
　〃And　the　nuclear　strike？〃　asked　Higgins。
　The　President　shook　his　head。　〃I　cannot　carry　the　burden　of　ordering　mass　murders　of　my　own　countrymen；　regardless　of　the　circumstances。〃
　〃We　have　another　half　hour　before　sunrise；〃　said　Kemper　softly。　〃Captain　Fawkes　must　have　daylight　to　sight　his　guns。　All　radar…operated　and　automatic…fire　control　systems　were　removed　from　the　Iowa　before　she　was　demissioned。　He　cannot　possess　any　degree　of　accuracy　unless　he　has　a　spotter　in　or　near　the　target　area　who　can　report　the　range　and　accuracy　of　the　Iowa's　fire　by　radio。〃
　〃Could　be　the　spotter　is　sitting　on　a　rooftop　across　the　street；〃　the　President　said；　sipping　at　the　coffee。
　〃I　wouldn't　be　surprised；〃　replied　Kemper。　〃However；　he　won't　be　on　the　air　for　long。　We　have　puterized　triangulation　monitors　set　up　that　can　pinpoint　his　location　within　seconds。〃
　The　President　sighed。　〃Then　that　about　covers　it　for　the　moment；　gentlemen。〃
　〃One　more　prospect；　Mr。　President；　that　I　left　for　last；〃　said　Higgins。
　〃Shoot。〃
　〃The　Quick　Death　projectiles。　Should　we　capture　them　intact；　I　sug…gest　they　be　analyzed　by　Defense　Department　laboratories〃
　〃They　must　be　destroyed！〃　Jarvis　cut　in。　〃No　weapon　that　ghastly　is　worth　saving。〃
　〃I　fear　a　more　immediate　problem　has　just　cropped　up；〃　said　Timothy　March。
　Every　eye　whipped　back　to　the　viewer　at　the　sound　of　March's　voice。　Kemper　swiftly　snatched　the　phone　and　shouted　into　it。　〃Pull　back　your　lens　to　the　rear　and　above　the　Iowa's　stern！〃
　Unseen　hands　dutifully　did　as　they　were　told　and　the　battleship's　outline　grew　smaller　as　the　camera　increased　the　image　area。　A　set　of　aircraft…navigation　lights　approaching　upriver　immediately　gripped　ev…eryone's　attention。
　〃What　do　you　make　of　it？〃　demanded　the　President。
　〃A　helicopter；〃　Higgins　replied　angrily。　〃Some　damned　civilian　must　have　gotten　curious　and　taken　it　into　his　head　to　buzz　the　ship。〃
　The　men　left　their　chairs　and　clustered　around　the　screen；　watching　helplessly　as　the　intruding　craft　beat　its　way　toward　the　grounded　bat…tleship。　The　observers　tensed；　their　eyes　betraying　helpless　frustration。　〃If　Fawkes　panics　and　opens　fire　before　our　forces　are　in　position；〃　said　Kemper　tonelessly；　〃a　lot　of　people　are　going　to　get　hurt。〃
　The　Iowa　lay　dead　in　the　middle　of　the　Potomac；　her　engines　quiet；　the　telegraph　turned　to　〃all　stop。〃　Fawkes　looked　about　him　with　guarded　optimism。　The　crew　was　unlike　any　he'd　ever　manded。　Several　of　its　members　looked　to　be　mere　boys；　and　all　were　dressed　in　the　camouflage　jungle　uniforms　popularized　by　the　AAR。　And；　except　for　the　efficient　manner　in　which　they　carried　out　their　assigned　duties；　there　was　nothing　about　them　that　remotely　suggested　South　African　naval　per…sonnel。
　Charles　Shaba's　job　as　chief　engineer　was　terminated　by　the　idle　engines；　and　according　to　his　orders；　he　now　became　the　gunnery　officer。　When　he　climbed　to　the　bridge；　he　found　Fawkes　leaning　over　a　small　radio　set。　He　threw　a　smart　salute。
　〃Pardon　me；　Cap'n；　but　can　we　talk？〃
　Fawkes　turned　around　and　placed　a　loglike　arm　on　Shaba's　shoulder。　〃What's　on　your　mind？〃　he　said；　smiling。
　Pleased　to　catch　the　captain　in　a　good　mood；　Shaba　stood　at　attention　and　shot　the　question　that　was　burning　in　the　minds　of　the　crew。　〃Sir；　where　in　hell　are　we？〃
　〃The　Aberdeen　proving　grounds。　Are　you　familiar　with　it；　lad？〃
　〃No；　sir。〃
　〃It's　a　sprawling　piece　of　land　where　the　Americans　test　their　weapons。〃
　〃I　thought　。　。　。　that　is；　the　men　thought　we　were　going　to　sea。〃
　Fawkes　looked　out　the　window。　〃No；　lad；　the　Yanks　have　kindly　allowed　us　to　hold　gunnery　practice　on　their　target　grounds。〃
　〃But　how　do　we　get　out　of　here？〃　Shaba　asked。　〃The　ship　is　stuck　on　the　bottom。〃
　Fawkes　gave　him　a　fatherly　expression。　〃Don't　fret。　We'll　float　her　off　at　high　tide　as　easy　as　you　please。　You'll　see。〃
　Shaba　looked　noticeably　relieved。　〃The　men　will　be　glad　to　hear　that；　Cap'n。〃
　〃Good；　lad。〃　Fawkes　patted　him　on　the　back。　〃Now　get　back　to　your　station　and　see　to　the　loading　of　the　guns。〃
　Shaba　saluted　and　left。　Fawkes　watched　the　young　black　man　fade　into　the　darkness　beyond　the　passageway；　and　for　the　first　time　he　felt　a　great　wave　of　sorrow　for　what　he　was　about　to　do。
　His　reverie　was　diverted　by　the　sound　of　an　aircraft。　He　looked　into　the　brightening　sky　and　saw　the　blinking　multicolored　lights　of　a　helicop…ter　flying　upriver　from　the　east。　He　grabbed　a　pair　of　night　glasses　and　aimed　them　at　the　craft　as　it　passed　overhead。　The　letters　numa　were　vaguely　distinguishable　through　the　lenses。
　National　Underwater　and　Marine　Agency；　Fawkes　translated　silently。　No　danger　there。　Probably　returning　to　the　Capital　from　some　oceano…graphic　expedition。　He　nodded　at　his　reflection　in　the　glass；　a　feeling　of　security　growing　within　him。
　He　replaced　the　binoculars　on　the　bridge　counter　and　turned　his　attention　once　again　to　the　radio。　He　held　the　headset　to　one　ear　and　pressed　the　microphone　button。
　〃Black　Angus　One　calling　Black　Angus　Two。　Over。〃
　A　slurred；　unmistakably　Southern　drawl　answered　almost　im…mediately。　〃Hey　man；　we　don't　need　all　that　coded　jive。　You're　in'　in　cool　as　a　White　Christmas。〃
　〃I'd　appreciate　economy　of　speech；〃　snapped　Fawkes。
　〃As　long　as　the　bread　I　signed　for　is　good；　you're　the　boss；　boss。〃
　〃Ready；target　range？〃
　〃Yeah；　movin'　into　position　now。〃
　I　　　　　〃Good。〃　Fawkes　glanced　at　his　watch。　〃Five　minutes　and　ten　seconds　I　till　Hogmanay。〃
　〃Hog　。　。　。　what？〃
　〃Scots　for　a　smashing　New　Year's　Eve。〃
　Fawkes　clicked　off　the　mike　and　noted　thankfully　that　the　NUMA　helicopter　had　continued　on　its　leisurely　course　toward　Washington　and　disappeared　beyond　the　bluffs　upriver。
　At　almost　the　same　instant；　Steiger　altered　the　controls　and　banked　the　Minerva　M…88　helicopter　in　a　wide；　sweeping　turn　over　the　Maryland　countryside。　He　kept　low；　shaving　the　tops　of　the　leafless　trees；　dodging　an　occasional　water　tower；　grimacing　at　the　words　that　came　over　his　earphones。
　〃They're　beginning　to　get　nasty；〃　he　said　casually。　〃General　Somebody…or…other　claims　he's　going　to　shoot　us　down　if　we　don't　get　the　hell　out　of　the　area。〃
　〃Acknowledge；〃　said　Pitt。　〃And　tell　him　you're　plying。〃
　〃Who　should　I　say　we　are？〃
　Pitt　thought　a　moment。　〃Tell　him　the　truth。　We're　a　NUMA　copter　on　special　assignment。〃
　Steiger　shrugged　and　began　talking　into　his　microphone。
　〃Old　General　Whosit　bought　it；〃　said　Steiger。　He　angled　his　head　toward　Pitt。　〃You'd　better　get　ready。　I　judge　it　about　eight　minutes　to　the　drop。〃
　Pitt　unclasped　his　seat　belt　and　waited　until　Sandecker　did　the　same；　then　moved　into　the　helicopter's　small　cargo　partment。　〃Do　it　right　the　first　time；〃　Pitt　said　into　Steiger's　ear；　〃or　you'll　make　an　ugly　red　mess　on　the　side　of　the　Iowa。〃
　〃You're　looking　at　a　neatness　nut；〃　Steiger　said　with　a　diluted　smile。　〃All　you　have　to　do　is　hang　tight　and　leave　the　driving　to　old　Abe。　If　you　have　to　drop　early；　I'll　make　damn　sure　you've　got　a　nice　cushion　of　deep　water　under　your　ass。〃
　〃I'm　counting　on　it。〃
　〃We'll　e　around　and　swing　in　from　the　west　to　cloak　our　outline　against　whatever　darkness　is　left。〃　Steiger's　eyes　never　strayed　from　the　windshield。　〃I'm　flicking　off　the　navigation　lights　now。　Good　luck！〃
　Pitt　squeezed　Steiger's　arm；　stepped　into　the　cargo　section　of　the　Minerva；　and　closed　the　cockpit　door。　The　partment　was　ice　cold。　The　loading　hatch　was　open　and　the　wintry　morning　air　whistled　into　what　seemed　a　vibratinaluminum　tomb。　Sandecker　held　the　harness　out　to　him　and　he　strapped　it　on。
　The　admiral　started　to　say　something　and　then　hesitated。　At　last；　his　cast…iron　features　taut　with　suppressed　emotion；　he　said；　〃I'll　expect　you　for　breakfast。〃
　〃Make　my　eggs　scrambled；〃　Pitt　said。
　Then　he　stepped　into　the　frigid　dawn。
　Lieutenant　Alan　Fergus；　leader　of　the　SEAL　bat　units；　zipped　up　his　wet　suit　and　cursed　the　vagaries　of　the　high　mand。　Not　more　than　an　hour　ago　he'd　been　rudely　awakened　from　a　dead　sleep　and　hurriedly　briefed　on　what　he　regarded　as　the　dumbest　exercise　ever　to　e　his　way　during　seven　years　in　the　Navy。　He　pulled　on　his　rubber　hood　and　tucked　his　ears　under　the　lining。　Then　he　approached　a　tall；　burly　man　who　sat　slouched　in　a　nonregulation　director's　chair。　His　feet　were　propped　on　the　bridge　railing　and　he　peered　intently　down　the　Potomac。
　〃What's　it　all　about？〃　asked　Fergus。
　Lieutenant　mander　Oscar　Kiebel；　the　dour　skipper　of　the　Coast　Guard　patrol　boat　that　was　ferrying　Fergus　and　his　men；　twisted　the　corners　of　his　mouth　in　an　expression　of　distaste　and　shrugged。　〃I'm　as　confused　as　you。〃
　〃Do　you　believe　that　bullshit　about　a　battleship？〃
　〃No；〃　Kiebel　said　in　a　rumbling　voice。　〃I've　seen　four…thousand…ton　destroyers　cruise　upriver　to　the　Washington　Navy　Yard；　but　a　fifty…thousand…ton　battleship？　No　way。〃
　〃Board　and　secure　the　stern　for　Marine　helicopter…assault　teams；〃　Fergus　said　irritably。　〃Those　orders　are　sheer　crap；　if　you　want　my　opinion。〃
　〃I'm　not　any　happier　about　this　outing　than　you；〃　said　Kiebel。　〃I　take　my　picnics　as　they　e。〃　He　grinned。　〃Maybe　it's　a　surprise　party　with　booze　and　wild　women。〃
　〃At　seven　o'clock　in　the　morning；　neither　holds　much　interest。　Not　out　in　the　open；　at　any　rate。〃
　〃We'll　know　soon。　Two　more　miles　till　we　round　Sheridan　Point。　Then　our　objectives　should　be　within　…　〃　Suddenly　Kiebel　broke　off　and　cocked　his　head；　listening。　〃You　hear　that？〃
　Fergus　cupped　his　ears　and　turned；　facing　the　patrol　boat's　wake。　〃Sounds　like　a　helicopter。〃
　〃ing　like　a　bat　out　of　hell　without　lights；〃　Kiebel　added。
　〃My　God！〃　Fergus　exclaimed。　〃The　Marines　have　jumped　the　gun。　They're　going　in　ahead　of　schedule。〃
　An　instant　later　every　head　on　the　patrol　boat　turned　upward　as　a　helicopter　roared　past　at　two　hundred　feet；　a　dim　shadow　against　a　gray　sky。　All　were　so　engrossed　in　the　mysterious；　darkened　craft　they　didn't　notice　the　vague　shape　trailing　below　and　slightly　to　the　rear　of　the　copter　until　it　swept　over　the　decks　and　carr