some kind of enemy
position or listening post on those islands?” asked the Exec.
“It’s a bit late now to be worrying about that, but
no, the islands are directly beneath the launch path of the rockets and were
abandoned because of that…as our resident anorak on western health and safety
laws can confirm?”
Captain Huaiqing’s blacked up face suddenly sprouted a
set of pearly white teeth.
“Conn, sonar, sharp rise in the sea bed…six hundred
feet… five fifty…five hundred….” The granite pinnacle arose steeply from the
depths, its sides almost sheer in places.
“All stop.”
“Conn, sonar, Bao is matching us Captain.”
“Thank you” answered Li. “Raise the ECM… raise
‘Search’.”
Again the area was clear of detectable threats and as
the periscope slid back down again Li looked at the chronometer.
“Half an hour to high tide Major, and there are no
mines in the vicinity.” He turned and faced the soldier. “The French had a six
hundred foot long cable car affair running from Royale to Devils Island as the
tidal race is too fierce for boats in the channel so don’t hang about…and the
very best of luck to you Major.” He held out his hand.
“Thank you for the excellent job of getting us
here Captain, and whether or not we succeed I hope to see you on the dock in
six hours.” The handshake was brief but firm and Li hoped it did not betray the
guilt he felt.
If the troops failed to take the pads out of operation
then he would not be seeing Jie or his men again. His orders on that count were precise, allowing no
room for manoeuvre and were marked for his eyes only.
Four of the troopers entered the submersible through
the after hatch and Jie Huaiqing with five men departed one at a time from the
escape hatch just aft the conning tower to attach themselves to its outer hull.
The submersible’s batteries, motor and air supply had
been tested regularly on their marathon journey from China, and its pilot ran
through the start-up, instruments lighting up one at a time until the board was
fully lit with green lights over ‘Air’, ‘Battery’, ‘Propulsion’ and
‘Manoeuvring’.
Jie rapped on the submersibles hull with his knifes
hilt to signal they were all secured outside upon which the crew of the Dai heard
the sound of the securing clamps releasing. The sound magnified by the water.
Once the Mouse Roar sonar showed the submersible was
clear and entering the channel between the three small islands Dai remained in place knowing that Bao was launching her submersible too.
To their left, the south of the islands was
almost certainly a continuance of the dense minefield but there was no need to
seek it out now.
Li had been correct; the channel was the chink in the
armour protecting the satellite launch facilities.
It took several minutes for the second special forces team to reach them and then pass into the
channel also, after which the passive sonar told them Bao was
moving back out to sea and Dai followed.
Major Huaiqing was attached to the casing of the small
vessel by a rubberised carabiner and a firm grip on the foot and hand holds as
he watched the submarine that had been ‘home’ for six weeks disappear into the
ocean blackness. He gripped the regulator between his teeth, breathing calmly
into his re-breather as he returned his gaze to the way ahead, where lay the
channel between the small islands that had been more the gaoler of the
prisoners incarcerated there than any gun totting prison guard. But surely he
thought, they must have thought the risk worthwhile at such times as this when
standing on the shore watching the maelstrom relent twice a day?
The submersibles spot lamps snapped on as the mouth of
the channel approached to show rock walls covered by razor edged barnacles that
would flay the living flesh from any unfortunate swimmer caught in the currents
grip, and then he was startled by the black soulless eyes and evil, jagged
fanged grin of a Tiger
position or listening post on those islands?” asked the Exec.
“It’s a bit late now to be worrying about that, but
no, the islands are directly beneath the launch path of the rockets and were
abandoned because of that…as our resident anorak on western health and safety
laws can confirm?”
Captain Huaiqing’s blacked up face suddenly sprouted a
set of pearly white teeth.
“Conn, sonar, sharp rise in the sea bed…six hundred
feet… five fifty…five hundred….” The granite pinnacle arose steeply from the
depths, its sides almost sheer in places.
“All stop.”
“Conn, sonar, Bao is matching us Captain.”
“Thank you” answered Li. “Raise the ECM… raise
‘Search’.”
Again the area was clear of detectable threats and as
the periscope slid back down again Li looked at the chronometer.
“Half an hour to high tide Major, and there are no
mines in the vicinity.” He turned and faced the soldier. “The French had a six
hundred foot long cable car affair running from Royale to Devils Island as the
tidal race is too fierce for boats in the channel so don’t hang about…and the
very best of luck to you Major.” He held out his hand.
“Thank you for the excellent job of getting us
here Captain, and whether or not we succeed I hope to see you on the dock in
six hours.” The handshake was brief but firm and Li hoped it did not betray the
guilt he felt.
If the troops failed to take the pads out of operation
then he would not be seeing Jie or his men again. His orders on that count were precise, allowing no
room for manoeuvre and were marked for his eyes only.
Four of the troopers entered the submersible through
the after hatch and Jie Huaiqing with five men departed one at a time from the
escape hatch just aft the conning tower to attach themselves to its outer hull.
The submersible’s batteries, motor and air supply had
been tested regularly on their marathon journey from China, and its pilot ran
through the start-up, instruments lighting up one at a time until the board was
fully lit with green lights over ‘Air’, ‘Battery’, ‘Propulsion’ and
‘Manoeuvring’.
Jie rapped on the submersibles hull with his knifes
hilt to signal they were all secured outside upon which the crew of the Dai heard
the sound of the securing clamps releasing. The sound magnified by the water.
Once the Mouse Roar sonar showed the submersible was
clear and entering the channel between the three small islands Dai remained in place knowing that Bao was launching her submersible too.
To their left, the south of the islands was
almost certainly a continuance of the dense minefield but there was no need to
seek it out now.
Li had been correct; the channel was the chink in the
armour protecting the satellite launch facilities.
It took several minutes for the second special forces team to reach them and then pass into the
channel also, after which the passive sonar told them Bao was
moving back out to sea and Dai followed.
Major Huaiqing was attached to the casing of the small
vessel by a rubberised carabiner and a firm grip on the foot and hand holds as
he watched the submarine that had been ‘home’ for six weeks disappear into the
ocean blackness. He gripped the regulator between his teeth, breathing calmly
into his re-breather as he returned his gaze to the way ahead, where lay the
channel between the small islands that had been more the gaoler of the
prisoners incarcerated there than any gun totting prison guard. But surely he
thought, they must have thought the risk worthwhile at such times as this when
standing on the shore watching the maelstrom relent twice a day?
The submersibles spot lamps snapped on as the mouth of
the channel approached to show rock walls covered by razor edged barnacles that
would flay the living flesh from any unfortunate swimmer caught in the currents
grip, and then he was startled by the black soulless eyes and evil, jagged
fanged grin of a Tiger
Similar Books
