tc.redstormrising-第115章

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mander　Davies　crawled　into　his　raft　despite　a　broken　wrist；　cursing　and　blessing　his　luck　at　the　same　time。　His　first　considered　action　was　to　activate　his　rescue　radio。　He　looked　around　and　saw　another　yellow　raft　a　short　distance　away。　It　wasn't　easy　paddling　with　one　arm；　but　the　other　guy　was　paddling　toward　him。　What　came　next　was　quite　a　surprise。
〃You　are　prisoner！〃　The　man　was　pointing　a　gun　at　him。　Davies's　revolver　was　at　the　bottom　of　the　sea。
〃Who　the　hell　are　you？〃
〃I　am　Major　Alexandr　Georgiyevich　Chapayev…Soviet　Air　Force。〃
〃Howdy。　I'm　mander　Gus　Davies；　U。S。　Navy。　Who　got　you？〃
〃No　one　get　me！　I　run　out　of　fuel！〃　He　waved　the　gun。　〃And　you　are　my　prisoner。〃
〃Oh；　horseshit！〃
Major　Chapayev　shook　his　head。　Like　Davies；　he　was　in　a　near…state　of　shock　from　the　stress　of　bat　and　his　close　escape　from　death。
〃Hold　on　to　that　gun；　though；　Major。　I　don't　know　if　there're　sharks　around　here　or　not。〃
〃Sharks？〃
Davies　had　to　think　for　a　moment。　The　code　name　for　that　new　Russian　sub。　〃Akula。　Akula　in　the　water。〃
Chapayev　went　pale。　〃Akula？〃
Davies　unzipped　his　flight　suit　and　tucked　in　his　injured　arm。　〃Yeah；　Major。　This　is　the　third　time　I've　had　to　go　swimming。　Last　time　I　was　on　the　raft　for　twelve　hours；　and　I　saw　a　couple　of　the　Goddamned　things。　You　got　any　repellant　on　your　raft？〃
〃What？〃　Chapayev　was　really　confused　now。
〃This　stuff。〃　Davies　dipped　the　plastic　envelope　in　the　water。　〃Let's　rope　your　raft　to　mine。　Safer　that　way。　This　repellant　stuffs　supposed　to　keep　the　akula　away。〃
Davies　tried　to　secure　the　rafts　one…handed　and　failed。　Chapayev　set　the　gun　down　to　help。　After　being　shot　down　once；　then　surviving　an　air　battle；　the　major　was　suddenly　obsessed　with　the　idea　of　being　alive。　The　idea　of　being　eaten　by　a　carnivorous　fish　horrified　him。　He　looked　over　the　side　of　the　raft　into　the　water。
〃Christ；　what　a　morning；〃　Davies　groaned。　His　wrist　was　really　hurting　now。
Chapayev　grunted　agreement。　He　looked　around　for　the　first　time　and　realized　he　couldn't　see　land。　Next　he　reached　for　his　rescue　radio　and　found　that　his　leg　was　lacerated；　the　radio　pocket　on　his　flight　suit　ripped　away　in　the　ejection。
〃Aren't　we　two　sorry　sons　of　bitches；〃　he　said　in　Russian。
〃What's　that？〃
〃Where　is　land？〃　The　sea　had　never　looked　so　vast。
〃About　twenty…five　miles　that　way；　I　think。　That　leg　doesn't　look　too　good；　Major。〃　Davies　laughed　coldly。　〃We　must　have　the　same　kind　of　ejector　seats。　Oh；　shit！　This　arm　hurts。〃

〃Damn；　what　do　you　suppose　that's　all　about？〃　Edwards　wondered　aloud。　They　were　too　far　away　to　hear　anything；　but　they　could　not　miss　the　smoke　rising　from　Keflavik。
A　more　immediate　concern　was　the　squad　of　Russians　now　at　the　base　of　their　hill。　Nichols；　Smith；　and　the　four　privates　were　spread　out　across　a　front　of　a　hundred　yards　centered　on　Edwards；　faces　darkened；　mainly　squatting　behind　rocks　and　watching　the　Russians　half　a　mile　away。
〃Doghouse；　this　is　Beagle；　and　we　got　trouble　here；　over。〃　He　had　to　call　twice　more　to　get　an　answer。
〃What's　the　problem；　Beagle？〃
〃We　got　five　or　six　Russians　climbing　our　hill。　They're　about　six　hundred　feet　below　us；　half　a　mile　away。　Also；　what's　going　on　at　Keflavik？〃
〃We　have　an　air　attack　under　way　there；　that's　all　I　know　at　the　moment。　Keep　us　posted；　Beagle。　I'll　see　if　I　can　send　you　some　help。〃
〃Thank　you。　Out。〃
〃Michael？〃
〃Good　morning。　Glad　one　of　us　got　a　decent　night's　sleep。〃　She　sat　down　beside　him；　resting　her　hand　on　his　leg；　and　the　fear　subsided　for　a　moment。
〃I'd　swear　I　just　saw　some　movement　on　the　top　there；〃　the　platoon　sergeant　said。
〃Let　me　see。〃　The　lieutenant　moved　his　powerful　spotting　glasses　on　the　peak。　〃Nothing。　Nothing　at　all。　Maybe　you　saw　a　bird。　Those　little　puffin　things　are　all　over　the　place。〃
〃Possibly；〃　the　sergeant　allowed。　He　was　starting　to　feel　guilty　for　sending　Markhovskiy　up　there。　If　this　lieutenant　had　half　a　brain；　he　thought；　he'd　have　sent　a　larger　force；　maybe　led　it　himself；　like　an　officer　should。
〃The　air　base　is　being　heavily　attacked。〃
〃Have　you　radioed　in？〃
〃Tried　to。　They're　off　the　air　at　the　moment。〃　There　was　concern　in　his　voice。　Sixty　miles　was　too　far　for　the　small　tactical　radios。　Their　heavy　VHF　set　reported　into　the　air　base。　As　much　as　he　wanted　to　be　with　the　patrol；　the　lieutenant　knew　his　proper　place　was　here。　〃Warn　Markhovskiy。〃
Edwards　saw　one　of　the　Russians　stop　and　fiddle　with　his　walkie…talkie。　Tell　him　he's　climbing　the　wrong　hill…tell　him　to　e　home　to　Mama。
〃Keep　your　head　down；　babe。〃
〃What　is　it；　Michael？〃
〃We　got　some　people　climbing　this　hill。〃
〃Who？〃　There　was　concern　in　her　voice。
〃Guess。〃
〃Skipper；　they're　ing　up　for　sure；〃　Smith　warned　over　the　radio。
〃Yeah；　I　see　that。　Everybody　got　a　good　place？〃
〃Leftenant；　I　strongly　remend　that　we　let　them　get　in　very　close　before　opening　fire；〃　Nichols　called。
〃Makes　sense；　skipper；〃　Smith　agreed　on　the　same　circuit。
〃Okay。　You　got　ideas；　gentlemen；　I　want　to　hear　them　right　away。　Oh；　yeah；　I've　called　in　for　some　help。　Maybe　we　can　get　some　air　support。〃
Mike　pulled　back　on　the　charging　handle　of　his　rifle　to　make　sure　a　round　was　chambered；　set　it　on　safe；　then　put　the　M…16　down。　The　Marines　had　all　the　hand　grenades。　Edwards　had　never　been　taught　how　to　use　them；　and　they　frightened　him。
e　on；　fellows；　just　go　the　hell　away　and　we'll　be　glad　to　leave　you　alone。　They　kept　ing。　Each　paratrooper　climbed　slowly；　rifle　in　one　hand　and　the　other　hand　grabbing　or　fending　off　rocks。　They　spent　their　time　evenly　looking　up　toward　Edwards　and　down　at　their　footing。　Mike　was　truly　frightened。　These　Russians　were　elite　soldiers。　So　were　his　Marines…but　he　was　not。　He　didn't　belong　here。　The　other　times　he'd　faced　Russians；　in　Vigdis's　house；　the　terrifying　incident　with　the　helicopter；　all　those　were　behind　him　and　for　the　moment　forgotten。　He　wanted　to　run　away…but　what　if　he　did？　He'd　earned　the　respect　of　his　Marines；　and　could　he　throw　that　away　and　still　live　with　himself？　What　of　Vigdis　…could　he　run　away　in　front　of　her？　What　are　you　most　afraid　of；　Mike？
〃Stay　cool；〃　he　muttered　to　himself。
〃What？〃　Vigdis　asked。　She　too　was　afraid；　just　from　seeing　his　face。
〃Nothing。〃　He　tried　to　smile　and　half　succeeded。　You　can't　let　her　down；　can　you？
The　Russians　were　now　five　hundred　yards　away　and　still　well　below　them。　Their　approach　became　more　cautious。　There　were　six　of　them；　and　they　moved　two　at　a　time；　fanning　out　and　no　longer　taking　what　looked　to　be　the　easy　route　to　the　top。
〃Skipper；　we　got　a　problem；〃　Smith　called。　〃I　think　they　know　we're　here。〃
〃Nichols；　I　want　to　hear　you。〃
〃We　wait　until　they　get　within　one　hundred　yards；　and　for　Christ's　good　sake；　keep　heads　down！　If　you　can　get　some　support；　I　would　suggest　you　do　so。〃
Edwards　switched　radios。　〃Doghouse；　this　is　Beagle；　and　we　need　some　help　here。〃
〃We're　working　on　that。　We're　trying　to　get…to　get　some　friends　to　listen　in　on　this　frequency。　It　takes　time；　Lieutenant。〃
〃I　got　about　another　five　minutes…tops…before　the　shooting　starts。〃
〃Keep　this　channel　open。〃
〃Where　are　they？　Edwards　asked　himself。　He　couldn't　see　anyone　now。　The　rocks　and　cover　that　had　so　often　worked　for　them　were　now　working　against　them。　He　stopped　bobbing　his　head　up　and　down。　He　was　the　officer；　he　was　in　mand；　he　had　the　best　vantage　point；　and　he　had　to　see　what　was　happening。　Edwards　moved　slightly　to　get　a　decent　view　of　the　events　below　him。

〃There　is　somebody　there！〃　the　platoon　sergeant　said；　grabbing　for　the　radio。　〃Markhovskiy；　you're　heading　into　a　trap！　I　see　a　man　with　a　helmet　atop　the　hill。〃
〃You're　right；〃　the　lieutenant　said。　He　turned。　〃Get　the　mortar　set　up！〃　The　officer　ran　over　to　the　big　VHF　radio　and　tried　to　raise　Keflavik。　Armed　troops　on　this　hill　could　only　mean　one　thing…but　Keflavik　was　still　off　the　air。
Edwards　saw　one　Russian　rise　up；　then　drop　back　down　on　a　shout　from　someone　else。　When　the　shape　reappeared；　it　was　behind　a　rifle。　He　heard　a　whistling　sound；　then　there　was　an　explosion　fifty　yards　away。
〃Oh；　shit！〃　Edwards　fell　to　his　face　and　cowered　next　to　his　rock。　Bits　of　other　rocks　fell　around　him。　He　looked　at　Vigdis；　who　seemed　all　right；　then　over　at　the　far　peak；　where　men　were　racing　downhill。　Another　mortar　round　fell　to　his　right；　and　was　followed　by　automatic…rifle　fire。　He　grabbed　his　satellite　radio。
〃Doghouse；　this　is　Beagle。　We　are　under　attack。〃
〃Beagle；　we　are　now　in　contact　with　a　Navy　carrier。　Stand　by。〃　The　ground　shook　again。　The　round　fell　less　than　thirty　feet　in　front　of　his　position；　but　he　was　well　shielded。　〃Beagle；　the　Navy　carrier　is　now　on　your　frequency。　Go　ahead　and　transmit。　Their　call　sign　is　Starbase；　and　they　know　where　you　are。〃
〃Starbase；　this　is　Beagle；　over！〃
〃Roger；　Beagle；　we　show　your　position　five　klicks　west　of　hill　1064。　Tell　me　what's　happening。〃
〃Starbase；　we　are　under　attack　by　a　squad　of　Russian　infantrymen；　with　reinforcements　on　the　way。　Their　observation　post　on　1064　has　a　mortar　and　we're　getting　fire　from　that。　We　need　help　fast。〃
〃Roger；　copy；　Beagle。　Stand　by　。　。　。　Beagle；　be　advised　we're　diverting　some　help　your　way；　ETA　two…five　minutes。　Can　you　mark　your　position？〃
〃Negative；　we　don't　have　anything　to　do　it　with。〃
〃Roger；　understand。　Hang　in　there；　Beagle。　We'll　be　back。　Out。〃
Edwards　heard　a　scream　to　his　left。　He　stuck　his　head　up　and　saw　mortar　rounds　falling　near　Nichols's　position…and　Russians　less　than　a　hundred　yards　to　his　front。　Mike　grabbed　his　rifle　and　sighted　it　on　a　moving　shape；　only　to　have　it　drop　out　of　sight　again。　He　picked　his　walkie…talkie　up　with　his　free　hand。
〃Nichols；　Smith；　this　is　Edwards；　report　in。〃
〃Nichols　here。　Whoever　has　that　mortar　knows　what　he's　about。　I　have　two　wounded　men　here。〃
〃We're　okay；　skipper。　We　seen　two　Russians　go　down　hard。　I　sent　Garcia　to　cover　you。〃
〃Okay；　guys；　we　have　air　cover　on　the　way　in。　I…〃　The　shape　came　up　again。　Edwards　dropped　the　radio；　aimed　his　rifle；　and　fired　three　rounds；　missing　the　shape　that　dodged　out　of　sight。　Back　to　the　radio。　〃Nichols；　you　need　help？〃
〃Two　of　us　can　still　shoot。　I'm　afraid　your　Rodgers　is　dead。　There…〃　The　radio　went　dead　for　a　moment。　〃All　right；　all　right。　We　killed　one；　and　the　other　is　backing　away。　Look　out；　Leftenant；　there　are　two　fifty　yards　to　your　left　front。〃
Mike　looked　around　his　rock　and　got　shot　at　for　his　trouble。　He　shot　back　without　hitting　anything。
〃Hi；　skipper！〃　Garcia　crashed　down　next　to　him。
〃Two　bad　guys；　that　way。〃　Edwards　pointed。　The　private　nodded　and　moved　left　behind　cover　of　the　hill　crest。　He　got　thirty　feet　when　another　mortar　round　exploded　four　strides　behind　him。　The　private　fell　hard　and　didn't　move。
It's　not　fair；　it's　not　fair。　I　got　them　this　far；　and　it's　not　fair！
〃Smith；　Garcia's　down。　Get　back　up　here。　Nichols；　if　you　can　get　to　my　position；　move！〃　He　switched　radios。　〃Starbase；　this　is　Beagle。　Tell　your　birds　to　hurry。〃
〃Two…zero　minutes　out；　Beagle。　Four　A…7s。　We　have　some　other　help　ing；　but　they'll　get　to　you　first。〃
Edwards　took　his　rifle　and　moved　over　to　Garcia。　The　private　was　still　breathing；　but　his　back　and　legs　were　peppered　with　fragments。　The　lieutenant　crawled　to　the　crest　and　saw　a　Russian　crouched　thirty　feet　away。　He　aimed　his　rifle　and　fired　two　bursts。　The　Russian　went　down；