Those In Peril Part 25

'If it is G.o.d's will,' Cyril agreed. Kamal looked startled and then smiled.

'I have enjoyed your company, Yankee. I shall regret our parting.'

'Perhaps if G.o.d is kind we will meet again?' Cyril smiled back at him. One of his front teeth had been knocked out when Kamal's pirate whipped him with the rifle b.u.t.t. The empty hole in his mouth gave him a louche expression.

'I love him, don't you?' Hazel smiled as she watched Cyril on the video screen. 'He is so super cool, as Cayla might have said.'

'He is a hard case, is our lad,' Hector agreed. He was delighted to hear Hazel mention Cayla's name so naturally. Was she at last coming to terms with the fact that her daughter was gone, he wondered?

No! he said to himself in reply. he said to himself in reply. It won't be over, not for Hazel, not for me, until we have finished what we have come here to do. It won't be over, not for Hazel, not for me, until we have finished what we have come here to do.

Although he now knew the exact time they would sail into Gandanga Bay, Hector let the troops sleep for four more precious hours. Forty minutes before sunrise he pa.s.sed the word for 'Stand To'. Quietly each man woke the man on the far side of him and within ten minutes they were all gathered in full kit and body armour in the a.s.sembly area on the second level. They watched Hector's face avidly as he stood before their closely packed ranks. He gestured for them to insert the earpieces of their Falcon battle radios, then cupped his hands around the microphone of his own set and spoke into it quietly. Even though he was speaking directly into the earpieces of his men, there was no sound of a human voice to echo through the bulkheads and alert a listening pirate.

'We are about to enter the pirates' home harbour. You have all studied the maps that Tariq Hakam drew up for us, so in general you know what to expect. However, we cannot know the exact anchorage which Kamal will select for the Goose Goose. Sam, it may be a long run in the AAVs to the beach but Dave's gunners will keep the enemy heads down until you are safely ash.o.r.e. As you all know our main objective is to capture or neutralize two particular men. You have seen their faces on video many times already, but I am going to show them to you one last time. These fine gentlemen are the first prize.' Hector turned to the large video screen on the bulkhead behind him and started the projection. The first images to appear were from the archives of Cross Bow Security. There were several excellent shots of Uthmann Waddah, talking with Hector, giving a lecture on firearms on the firing range and drilling new recruits.

'Many of you know this man,' Hector told them. 'He was once a member of Cross Bow. He is extremely dangerous. Mark him well. There is a bounty of fifty thousand dollars on his head, dead or alive.' The watching men stirred with excitement. Hector changed the projected images. First there were several pa.s.sport photographs he had obtained from his contact in French Interpol. They were full-face and side-view images of the subject.

'This person's name is Adam Tippoo Tip and he is a man of importance in Puntland; a sheikh and the head of his tribe. He is also the leader of the pirates,' Hector explained. 'Bear in mind that these pictures were taken almost seven years ago. Tariq has seen him recently and he says that his beard is now full and dark. Also he has put on some weight.'

Hector brought up another image on the screen. 'Now this video was taken a little over four years ago.' Hector started running the clip from the ransom demand that Adam had sent on Cayla's mobile phone. Blown up to full screen it was slightly grainy and blurred. Adam was looking into the camera and speaking, but the sound had been expunged from the recording, and Adam mouthed his threats silently. At the back of the a.s.sembly area Hazel stood up and ran from the room, unable to watch once again the face of Cayla's murderer. Hector ran the loop three times. Then he switched off the video machine and spoke into the microphone, directly into their ears.

'The bounty on Adam's head is one hundred thousand dollars.' His listeners smiled wolfishly and a few of them nodded and smiled. Hector looked them over with satisfaction. They were as hot as a pack of hounds with the smell of the game in their nostrils, eager to be slipped from the leash. He sent Tariq to fetch Hazel back and once she returned Hector went on speaking into the radio.

'I am switching now to the camera at the s.h.i.+p's masthead. This is real-time.' The image changed to a wide-angle view of the African coastline ahead of the Golden Goose Golden Goose. They were still four or five miles off. The time at the foot of the frame showed as 0617. The heat haze had not yet obscured the line of blue-glazed hills on the westerly horizon. The rising sun was highlighting them. They were looking into the wide, open mouth of an extensive natural harbour, guarded on either side by two low headlands. In the depths of the bay was an untidy a.s.sembly of s.h.i.+pping.

'So we come at last to the lovely pleasure resort of Gandanga Bay, Jewel of the African coast!' said Hector with heavy irony. 'There is even a meet-and-greet service on its way out to welcome you all.' A flotilla of pirate attack craft poured from the mouth of the bay and headed directly towards the Goose Goose at high speed. The wakes left behind by the powerful outboard motors frothed the surface like boiling milk. Every boat was packed with bearded men with dark complexions. As they drew closer it became clear that they were dressed in jihadist militia uniform, baggy breeches and black turbans, and that they were brandis.h.i.+ng either rifles or scimitars. at high speed. The wakes left behind by the powerful outboard motors frothed the surface like boiling milk. Every boat was packed with bearded men with dark complexions. As they drew closer it became clear that they were dressed in jihadist militia uniform, baggy breeches and black turbans, and that they were brandis.h.i.+ng either rifles or scimitars.

'Time to man your stations, gentlemen,' Hector told them. 'Remember! We will not spring the ambush until we have a positive fix on the exact whereabouts of both Uthmann Waddah and of his boss, Adam. This might take some time as there will be a lot of people milling around, but when we have them spotted in the throng we will have to move very fast. Try to take those two main targets alive. However, if they are escaping from you don't hesitate to kill them. You will still be up for the rewards.' Hector made a winding movement with his right arm. 'Okay! Move out in order of deployment!'

David Imbiss's gun crews formed up in an eerie silence and Dave led them into the entrance of the covert tunnel system. Swiftly they climbed the ladder to the gun platform below the bridge. Within minutes Dave reported back to Hector over the Falcon battle radio.

'Both guns loaded and manned, Heck.' Hector acknowledged and then spoke to Sam Hunter. Although they were in direct eye contact he used the battle radio to keep the noise level down to an absolute minimum.

'Okay, Sam. Get your men loaded into the AAVs. But the mode is still "Silent s.h.i.+p". Do not start your engines until I give the order.' Sam acknowledged curtly, and then led the ninety men of the landing party up the companionway to the level beneath the cargo deck. It took a little longer than manning the guns, but at last Sam's voice came over the radio.

'All AAV crews loaded. Hoist cables attached and ready to lift. Turret hatches closed, and engines off. We are ready to launch.'

'Right-oh, Sam!' Hector approved. Then he looked over the men still remaining in the a.s.sembly area. These were his storm troopers. They would spearhead the a.s.sault on board the s.h.i.+p. Of course, Hector was in overall command but his lieutenants were Paddy and Tariq.

Hector's stick of six men was a mixed bag. There were twin brothers, Jacko and Bingo MacDuff from Glasgow, two Iraqis, an Aussie from Queensland and a German Afrikaner from Namibia. They were all fighters and killers. If luck was with the attackers, and Adam and Uthmann came out on the royal barge to welcome the Goose Goose, and if they went directly up to the bridge to greet Kamal, it would simplify the matter a hundredfold. Hector and his stick could grab all of them in one fell swoop.

But whichever way it went, Hector and his stick must seize Kamal and the four jihadists with him on the bridge. Then they could release Cyril Stamford and the other crew members being held there. From the heights of the bridge Hector would then be in a position to overlook the entire bay and spot the whereabouts of Adam and his henchman. He would be able to direct Dave Imbiss's gunners onto these prime targets. After that they would destroy Kamal's fleet of attack boats and cover the landing of the three AAVs on the beach, and their return from the compounds escorting the seamen of the pirated s.h.i.+ps.

Paddy and his team would attack the second level. Their first objective would be to subdue the guards in the owner's suite and in the smaller cabin on the same level where Nastiya and Vincent were being held. Once they had rescued these hostages they would be ready to move swiftly to any area of the s.h.i.+p where Hector needed them.

Tariq and his team would attack the lowest level of the Goose Goose's accommodation where the other crew members were being held by the pirates. Once they were in control of that level they would also have command of the main cargo deck. After Paddy's team had come down to reinforce them they would be able to concentrate all their forces on their primary task, which was to capture Adam wherever he might be at that time.

Considering his pathological aversion to seawater it seemed highly unlikely that Uthmann Waddah would accompany his Sheikh, but he must surely be on the beach to witness the triumphant entry of the Golden Goose Golden Goose to Gandanga Bay. Hector was confident that he would be able to spot him through the high-power telescopic lens of the camera at the s.h.i.+p's masthead. Then he might have to go after him and hunt him down. to Gandanga Bay. Hector was confident that he would be able to spot him through the high-power telescopic lens of the camera at the s.h.i.+p's masthead. Then he might have to go after him and hunt him down.

At all times during the action Hazel and her four a.s.sistants would keep Hector and his officers informed of developments and of the exact whereabouts of every pirate aboard. The five of them would remain in the situation room to monitor all the cameras and listening equipment. The men under Hazel were all born Arabic speakers and would translate for her every word uttered by Kamal and his gang.

In the dawn the Golden Goose Golden Goose moved slowly and carefully between the sandy headlands of Gandanga Bay. Under Kamal's direction she was groping her way down the deepwater channel. Hector, Paddy and Tariq watched the scene ahead on the repeater screen on the bulkhead of the a.s.sembly area. The surface of the bay swarmed with small craft. The wolf pack of attack boats was already circling the tanker. The roar of outboard motors, the crackle of rifle fire and screaming and chanting was so loud that Hector was able to hear it even deep in the hull of the tanker. moved slowly and carefully between the sandy headlands of Gandanga Bay. Under Kamal's direction she was groping her way down the deepwater channel. Hector, Paddy and Tariq watched the scene ahead on the repeater screen on the bulkhead of the a.s.sembly area. The surface of the bay swarmed with small craft. The wolf pack of attack boats was already circling the tanker. The roar of outboard motors, the crackle of rifle fire and screaming and chanting was so loud that Hector was able to hear it even deep in the hull of the tanker.

Hector spoke into the microphone of his radio. 'Hazel! Have you spotted Adam? He should be coming out to us in his royal barge. According to Tariq he will be dressed in white robes with a golden headband around his turban. It should be easy to pick him out.'

'Negative, Hector. I cannot see anyone who answers that description,' Hazel replied. Hector had been absolutely certain that Adam would want to be the first to step aboard the Golden Goose Golden Goose. His whole plan was based on this premise, but now he felt the sharp stab of doubt.

s.h.i.+t! If the very first thing goes wrong, he thought, then everything afterwards goes wrong! then everything afterwards goes wrong! But he must not let his doubts affect the others, so he said calmly, 'Hazel! Where is Kamal? Do you have him on your screens?' But he must not let his doubts affect the others, so he said calmly, 'Hazel! Where is Kamal? Do you have him on your screens?'

'Affirmative, Hector. Kamal is on the starboard wing of the bridge with three of his pirates. He is waving to the men in the small boats and they are cheering him. Cyril Stamford is at the s.h.i.+p's helm. It's all getting somewhat confused.'

'Okay, Hazel. Watch that swine Kamal. I cannot delay any longer. We have to deploy into the tunnels and take up our jump-off positions at the hatches.' Hector nodded to Paddy and Tariq. Then he went to the tunnel entrance and climbed swiftly. The ladder was only wide enough to admit one man at a time. The six men of his team followed him closely. As soon as the last of them disappeared into the tunnel Paddy led his team in behind them. They stopped at the level of the owner's suite. Paddy could see the soft para boots of the men of Hector's team on the steel rungs above his head. When he looked down he could see the top of Tariq's helmet. He was at the level of the crew's quarters and the cargo deck. The ladder was loaded with armed men primed for action.

Hector leaned his shoulder against the clandestine entrance to the bridge and whispered into his microphone.

'Hazel! Where's Kamal now?'

'Hector! He's come in from the wing. He's with Cyril at the con. I think he's preparing to drop anchor.'

'How far are we off the beach?' There was a pause while Hazel read the range finder.

'Seven hundred and thirty-four metres,' she said. 'Kamal has taken us in very close.' Hector was aware of a faint rumble and vibration and immediately Hazel went on, 'Yes! I can see that Kamal has let go the two bow anchors.'

'Still no sign of Adam's barge?'

'No. None.'

'Are any of the men from the attack boats coming aboard the Goose Goose?'

'No. They are shouting and shooting in the air, but they are standing well off from our s.h.i.+p. It's almost as though they are waiting for something to happen.'

'Can you see any sign of Adam or his barge on the beach?'

'There are hundreds of people there, but I can't make out any sign of him or Uthmann Waddah.'

'Where the h.e.l.l is the b.a.s.t.a.r.d? We can't do a thing until he shows himself,' Hector fretted.

'Hold on! Kamal has gone out on the wing of the bridge again,' Hazel said softly. 'He's making another call on his satphone.'

'You can bet all your money that he's talking to his master,' Hector guessed.

With the skirts of his robe tucked up between his knees, Uthmann Waddah squatted in the clearing on the periphery of the tent city above Gandanga Bay. He had the satphone pressed to his ear, and in front of him was a fine view out across the anchorage to where the great s.h.i.+p lay at anchor. Although he had watched it for over an hour as it came in sedately through the mouth of the bay and anch.o.r.ed off the beach, still he was amazed by its enormous size. It did not seem possible that anything of that magnitude would be capable of floating. Its open deck seemed larger than the new airfield that Adam had had built at the Oasis of the Miracle. That deck seemed sufficiently s.p.a.cious for a 737 to land upon it, and furthermore the s.h.i.+p was less than a kilometre off the beach. Uthmann felt much more sanguine about the orders that Adam had given him. He was listening to Kamal's voice on the other end of the satphone, and occasionally acknowledging the orders he was receiving.

'As you say, n.o.ble prince! ... I shall give him your message at once, Your Royal Highness.'

The t.i.tles were extravagant for such an unimportant scion of an undistinguished family of brigands, but Kamal seemed to accept them as his due. Uthmann ended the call and stood up. He adjusted his ammunition bandolier over his shoulder and hefted his a.s.sault rifle. Then he stepped out briskly towards the largest tent in the encampment. Adam looked up as Uthmann prostrated himself before him.

'Did you speak to my uncle?' Adam was seated on a cus.h.i.+on of snowy lamb's fleece. His robes were flowing and dazzling white. His turban was of the same cloth. And his headband was of eighteen-carat gold filigree.

'This very moment!' Uthmann replied. 'He has asked me to a.s.sure you that all is well. He has complete control of the s.h.i.+p. He has searched every inch of it, and there are no enemy hidden anywhere on board. All the infidel captives are bound and helpless. But the news that will light up your heart is that Hector Cross and his harlot, Hazel Bannock, are still his prisoners. They are totally subdued, helplessly awaiting your judgment and execution. Your uncle humbly begs you to come to him and take possession of the great treasure he has brought to you.'

'Are you still willing to fly me in the helicopter to the s.h.i.+p, Uthmann?'

'I am willing and eager to be of service to you in any way possible, my Sheikh.'

'You were not so willing yesterday and the day before,' Adam reminded him.

'Yesterday the s.h.i.+p was hundreds of leagues out in the ocean. I was fearful only for your safety, my Sheikh. If the machine had failed so far from the land you would have been in grave danger. But today the s.h.i.+p lies less than a kilometre from dry land. Your sacred person will be secure. Even if the helicopter engine should fail, I will be able to steer you to a safe touchdown on dry land.'

'I am deeply touched by your concern for my safety,' Adam sneered at him, and Uthmann prostrated himself once more to hide the anger in his own eyes. Adam took pleasure in taunting Uthmann about his terror of water. This single weakness somehow reduced him to the same level as Adam himself, no longer the perfectly intrepid and invincible warrior.

Adam had his black leather briefcase on his lap. It was almost part of his body. That case went everywhere with him. He never let it out of his sight. He trusted no one else to carry it. A stainless-steel chain was attached to the frame and dangling from it was a cuff of the same steel. Adam snapped the cuff onto his left wrist. Uthmann knew that it was a combination lock. Clutching the case, Adam rose to his feet and with his right hand made a regal gesture towards the entrance of the tent.

'Very well, Uthmann Waddah. You may take me to my blood enemy, Hector Cross. My vengeance has been too long delayed.'

'Hector! Things are moving.' Hazel's voice was soft in Hector's ear. 'Kamal has left the bridge. Cyril Stamford is being guarded by four militia. They've tied his wrists and his elbows together and forced him to sit on the deck. Kamal has gone down to the second level. His men have tied Vincent and led him out of his cabin. Now the whole gang are all gathered outside the owner's suite. There they go! They've forced the door and are pouring into the suite. Nastiya is standing in the middle of the cabin. She is making no move to defend herself. They are tying her arms behind her back at her elbows and wrists. Now they're holding her down and fixing a short hobble between her ankles. They're scared witless by those pretty little feet of hers. With that hobble Nastiya will hardly be able to walk. My G.o.d! Now they're looping a lead rope around her neck. Kamal is taking no more chances with her. Now six of his thugs are dragging her out of the suite. Two of them are holding her on the lead rope. Kamal has not ventured within ten paces of her. It looks like they are taking her and Vincent to the lift. Nastiya is behaving very docilely-'

Paddy's voice interrupted her transmission. 'Hector! I can hear them through the hatch. Kamal is no more than a few feet from where I am standing. I can hear his voice clearly. I could go in now and with one sweep take Kamal and all his men out of the game.'

'Negative, Paddy! I repeat negative! We must wait for Adam to show up before we move. Acknowledge that order!'

'Received and understood!' Paddy's voice was tormented. Poor old b.a.s.t.a.r.d Poor old b.a.s.t.a.r.d, Hector thought, they have got his woman and he is helpless. they have got his woman and he is helpless. Hector ached with him. Hector ached with him.

'Hector, they're descending in the lift,' Hazel broke in. 'They have left the second level deserted. Now they've reached the cargo deck level. Kamal's men are frogmarching the two prisoners out onto the open deck.'

'Paddy! Go back down the ladder to join Tariq's team on the level below you,' Hector ordered.

'Will comply!' Paddy answered formally. He is truly p.i.s.sed off with me He is truly p.i.s.sed off with me, Hector thought with a grim smile. Suddenly Hazel's voice stung his eardrum. Her tone was sharp with excitement.

'Hector, there's a helicopter approaching from the sh.o.r.e. It looks like the same machine that buzzed us before Kamal boarded the Goose Goose.'

'Hazel, give me a running commentary,' Hector ordered. 'Can you see who is in the c.o.c.kpit?'

'Negative! The sun is reflecting straight off the canopy into my lens. However, all the pirates in the attack boats are concentrating their full attention on the helicopter. They are waving their banners at it and screaming like a troop of baboons at feeding time. The four men Kamal left on the bridge to guard Cyril have all crowded to the wing of the bridge to watch the chopper and join in the tumult and the shouting!' Hazel caught her breath and then went on quickly, 'Hold on, the helicopter is banking across the sun. I can see into the c.o.c.kpit now. Two men in the front seats. The pilot and a pa.s.senger. The pa.s.senger in the righthand seat is wearing a white turban and gold headband. I swear it's Adam!'

'Let us give thanks for that,' Hector said with relief. 'Now hear me, all of you. I am going to seize the bridge. If the men there are all looking the other way, I will be able to take them without any muss or fuss. From there I will be able to make the best judgement call. Paddy and Tariq, hold your present positions in the tunnel at the level of the cargo deck, but be ready to go in. Dave, stay on your toes. We will be needing your Bushmasters very soon now.'

They all acknowledged and Hector moved up onto the narrow ledge under the hatch. There was room for three of his men on the ledge with him, and the other three were crowded at the head of the steel ladder just below them. Hector loosened his trench knife in its sheath on his webbing and gave his men the thumbs-up sign, then slapped the shoulder of the hammer man at his side. He swung the hammer and with that single blow the retaining pin shot out of the lock and the steel hatch flew open. Hector led them through in a concerted rush. The four pirates were in a tight group on the far wing of the bridge. All their attention was on the approaching helicopter, and like their comrades in the attack boats they were hollering and whooping and shooting into the air. They were so absorbed that they had not even heard the hatch opening behind them. Hector was halfway across the bridge before one of the pirates turned and looked over his shoulder. He stared at Hector in blank astonishment. Before he could recover Hector chopped him across the side of his neck with the blade of his hand. He dropped to the deck and lay without even a twitch. Hector jumped over him and used the handle of his trench knife to bludgeon the Somalian leaning over the bridge rail beside him. He went down on top of Hector's first victim. The heavy knife handle left a depression the size and shape of an eggcup in the back of his skull. The men following Hector, the MacDuff brothers, knifed the two remaining pirates, but they botched the job a little. One pirate was down on the deck kicking in a spreading puddle of his own blood. The last one was staggering towards the companionway that led down to the next level. Blood spouted from the knife wound in his back and he was screeching wildly in Arabic, 'Beware! The infidels are here!'

He would be down the stairs before Hector could cross the wide bridge and catch him. Hector drew the 9mm pistol from its quick-release holster. It was like an extension of his own body and shot exactly wherever he was looking. He was barely aware of releasing the trigger, but it was a perfect brain shot. The pirate's head jerked and his whole body seemed to melt like a chocolate bar in a microwave. He slithered bonelessly down the stairs and collapsed on the first landing. From the break-in to Hector's pistol shot it had taken less than five seconds.

'Think they heard your shot?' asked the wiry little Scot at Hector's side as he wiped the blood-smeared blade on his trouser leg.

'I doubt it, Bingo.' Hector shook his head. 'Not with all those lads outside blazing away with their AKs.' Then he looked down at the pirate who was still whimpering and dragging himself across the deck on his belly. 'Tell your brother to finish off what he started. Then you can free Captain Stamford and his crew.'

Jacko bent over the wounded man and seized a handful of his beard. He wrenched his head back to expose his throat. Hector turned away and went out onto the wing of the bridge. Behind him he heard the Arab gasp and gurgle his last as Jacko slit his throat neatly.

Keeping well back out of sight under the bridge canopy, Hector searched the sky for the helicopter. He picked it up at low level coming in very slowly over the tanker's bows, its rotor buffeting as the pilot pulled up his collective and began a controlled descent. Hector watched the machine settle gently on the steel deck.

The door of the pa.s.senger cabin opened and a striking figure stepped down to the deck. It was a tall man in a s.h.i.+mmering white robe and turban. His beard was full, black and curling. His belly under the white robe was slightly protuberant. In his left hand he carried a small black leather briefcase. He lifted the other arm in a gesture of benediction as he advanced down the deck towards Kamal and his men. They all fell to their knees and dragged down the two captives with them.

'Hail, great Sheikh!' Kamal cried. 'Warrior son of mighty warriors!' On the wing of the bridge high above the gathering of pirates on the cargo deck, Hector placed his lips an inch from the microphone of his radio.

'Paddy, where are you?'

'I am with Tariq, in position at the Number One entry hatch!'

'The helicopter has landed. Adam has disembarked. Kamal is on the cargo deck to greet him. Nastiya and Vincent are down there with them. Kamal is going to present them to Adam. They are all of them off guard. This is the time to take them before they realize that Nastiya and Vincent are ringers. Go, Paddy! Go! Go! Go!'

'Roger that!' Paddy sang out with fierce joy. 'Here we go!'

Hector made a final check of the situation on the cargo deck below him. Very little had changed while he was speaking to Paddy, except that the pilot of Adam's helicopter had climbed down from the c.o.c.kpit and was lounging against the fuselage. He was casually holding an a.s.sault rifle. Hector spared him one quick glance. Kamal and Adam were his main concern. Then belatedly he realized who the helicopter pilot was. His gaze darted back to the man, and an icicle seemed to pierce his heart.

'No! It's not possible. Uthmann can't fly a helicopter. But it's him. It's Uthmann!'

As he thought it, Kamal shouted an order and two of his men jumped up from the deck and dragged both Vincent and Nastiya to their feet and thrust them forward towards Adam as he approached.

'Behold, mighty Sheikh!' Kamal cried out. 'As you commanded me, I bring you the a.s.sa.s.sin Cross and his harlot.' Adam stopped and stared at the two captives uncertainly.

Then from behind him Uthmann Waddah yelled, 'That is not Cross! That is not Hazel Bannock! It is a trap, my Sheikh. Beware! The infidel is about to strike.' He did not wait for Adam to run back to the chopper, but hurled his rifle through the open door, and as quick as a ferret into a rabbit hole he followed it. He had left the engine running and the rotor revolving idly. Now he doubled over in the pilot's seat and kept his head well down as he grabbed the controls and gunned the engine. The helicopter lifted off the deck and turned on its axis to head towards the beach.

Adam was still running back down the deck screaming in Arabic, 'Wait for me, Uthmann! I command you. Do not leave me here at the mercy of Cross!' Uthmann never even raised his head to glance in his direction. Instead he lowered the nose of the machine and roared away, low over the waters of the bay.

Hector had a distorted view of the top few inches of Uthmann's head through the perspex canopy. The machine was climbing and banking steeply. The target was infinitesimal and the angles were impossible. In desperation, Hector fired and saw the perspex of the canopy shatter, leaving a gaping hole too far back to be effective in stopping Uthmann. The helicopter did not waver and raced away directly towards the beach, gaining alt.i.tude and speed. Hector lifted the microphone of his radio to his lips.

'Dave! Dave! Unmask your guns. Take that helicopter under fire. Uthmann is flying it. Don't let him escape. Shoot him down, for G.o.d's sake, shoot him!'

'Roger that!' Dave responded at once. From the deck below his feet Hector heard the crash as the steel doors that concealed the gun emplacement dropped down on their hinges and revealed the two Bushmaster cannon. But already the helicopter was approaching the sh.o.r.e 700 yards away. Hector watched it avidly. He heard Dave chanting his orders to his gunners on the deck below. Then there were the flashes and the stunning multiple cracks as the twin Bushmasters fired three-round bursts of fragmentation sh.e.l.ls after the fleeing machine. Hector saw the puffs of smoke and flame of the airbursts appear in the sky above the machine. That one salvo was enough. He saw the helicopter trip and stagger in flight as the storm of steel b.a.l.l.s ripped through its fuselage. The pilot must have been killed instantly, and the engine destroyed, for the rotor stopped dead in the air. The nose of the machine dropped and it began a powerless and uncontrolled plunge towards the surface of the sea.

Then the miracle occurred. Hector saw the helicopter come under control again, the nose lifted into the att.i.tude for auto rotation. The rotor began spinning once more, but now the airflow over the blades was reversed. It was not driving the machine forward but braking its fall sharply. It was gliding towards the beach and Hector shouted an order into the mike for Dave to keep firing at the helicopter. There was no response. Hector's voice had been drowned by the thunder of cannon. David Imbiss had not picked up Hector's order. Instead he had switched his targets and both guns were firing at the circling pack of attack boats.

The fragmentation sh.e.l.ls burst in the air above them and the steel b.a.l.l.s tore the flimsy wooden hulls to splinters and scythed down the men in them. The surviving boats turned away at top speed and headed for the safety of the sh.o.r.e. The helicopter continued its auto rotation glide towards the beach but as Hector watched it fell only just short and plummeted into the water, kicking up a tall cloud of spray. For a few moments it disappeared, but then it bobbed back to the surface and floated onto its side.

Surely even Uthmann could not have survived that, Hector thought, but the topside door of the helicopter opened slowly and a human form crawled out and clung to the fuselage. It was too far to recognize a face but he knew it was Uthmann. His hands were empty. He had left his rifle in the cabin. Anyway the range was six or seven thousand yards, much too far even for the Beretta.

'The b.a.s.t.a.r.d can't swim and he is terrified of water.' Hector spoke aloud, but without any real conviction. He watched the distant figure tumble off the helicopter's fuselage into the sea, and expected to see him go under. But the water was only deep enough to reach to Uthmann's armpits. Helplessly Hector watched him as with frantic and uncoordinated movements he floundered towards the beach, and then staggered ash.o.r.e.

Hector looked back at the cargo deck just as Paddy and Tariq's combined strike teams burst out of the lower doors of the stern tower and rushed at the group of Arabs who surrounded Kamal. Immediately both forces were locked in a struggling melee. They were almost equally matched in numbers, and the fighting was at close quarters and hand to hand. None of them could risk firing for fear of hitting their own men.