Into The Shallows, A Clive Cussler Story From the Oregon Files
Chapter X
By Lane
The trio of German nuclear scientists had looked up into the early morning sky and seen the small model plane buzzing their camp. Where could it have possibly come from? The base was top secret, many had died or been bribed into silence to keep it that way. Regardless, it would be a hot topic of discussion at breakfast. The three were Dr. Katarina Bauer, a 1.85 meter tall Nordic beauty, Dr. Hanna Lang, neither as tall or as flashy but cute in her own way, then there was Dr. Hubert Faber, tall and lanky and educated in America.
The three were plotting their escape. As usual at breakfast they sat apart from the rest of the scientists and technicians. They had learned from a sympathetic clerk in the commandants office that the head scientist, Professor Viktor Friedman had signed their arrest papers. They say that there was a fine line between genius and insanity well Professor Friedman had crossed it. He was jealous to the point of madness. Dr. Bauer had proved him wrong on many occasions so she, and her friends, (guilt by association), must die. Soon the Sillen and the raider The Freidburg, were due in port. They knew their arrest and transportation to Germany would soon follow. Trial, what trial, they would be summarily shot. They glanced towards the mad professor having breakfast with the brutal Major Eggers. The professor nodded in their direction and gave them an insipid smile.
The professor and Major had their own little joke. "Ha, look at them. They think they can escape." The professor said smirking. The Major added, "Little do they know the Feldwebel in charge of the boats came to me immediately about their little plot. They will be arrested the minute they try to escape." Both men laughed a mutual laugh at the inept scientists and their pathetic escape plan.
Major Eggers knew he would truly have the last laugh. Top secret orders had come to him straight from the fuhrer himself. After the bombs were completed and loaded he was to have his men execute everyone on the base, the slave laborers, clerks, scientist and technicians. The base was then to be destroyed completely, no trace of them ever being there was to be left. He would relish that, executing people was his one true pleasure in life.
Back on board the Oregon the operations staff noticed dark clouds had finally begun to gather. Soon a tropical storm would inundate them. It was now so dark a daylight raid was even possible. The Chairman and his staff wanted to take advantage of the technological gap and night vision devices fitted prominently in their tactics. Chairman Cabrillo gathered his staff for one last discussion of the mission.
Three teams of 8 people each. Alpha team, headed by himself would free the slaves, attack the nuclear weapons blockhouse and do what damage they could. Bravo team, headed by Larry Thorn, former SEAL and Navy Cross holder, would go for the weapons and ammo bunkers. Charlie team would be in a blocking position to protect the extraction of Alpha and Bravo teams and act as a reserve if need be. Larry King, the Oregon's designated sniper would also be deployed with Charlie Team.
Positioned on the stern of the Oregon would be a tripod mounted M-240 7.62mm machine gun. A two crewed FGM-148 Fire and Forget Javelin anti tank launcher. Also positioned on the stern and lifted into position via flush deck mounted elevator was a Israeli made Soltan 120 mm mortar. This would rake the base with sustained fire prior to the assault.
Deep inside the Oregon near the stern ramp was Mark Dietrich fitted out as a commando. He hefted his M4 Carbine with PAQ-4 IR site. The sites were to be turned off for this mission, though some of the special weapons team members had permission to use them. Much to his surprise Gale was also assigned to Bravo Team with him. He noted, aside from her M4 Carbine, she carried what looked like a custom re-curve compound bow with an optical sight and laser IR targeting device. Five arrows were already mounted on it for rapid fire. Over her shoulders were slung an additional array of deadly arrows. For a cute young gal she sure looked lethal, like something out of a video game. Her skin tight dull black jump suit and camouflage painted face added to the image.
The commando's on board the Oregon had seemed to Mark to be "the glory boys," an elite, separate group that trained and otherwise kept to themselves. They had treated Mark okay but he knew there was a divide between them. These were, for the most part, Iraq/Afghanistan battle hardened veterans. Former SEALS, Special Forces, Marine Force Recon and Black Ops. It was a select and tight knit group, now Mark found himself amongst them. He was given no special treatment either.
They all steadied themselves as the big ship began to weigh anchor and move. Next they heard the sound of waves and waves of rain pummeling the ship. It was almost pitch dark inside the ship. Normal lighting was extinguished. It was a strange sight what with 24 men and women (Gale wasn't the only female) decked out in full combat regalia bathed in the eerie glow of red combat lighting. The Zodiacs were inflated and were to be powered by strong Fuzion Electric outboard motors for the sake of silence. No one spoke as the ship began its dangerous journey up the Amazon to the secret German base.
Gale edged over to Mark. Suddenly she grabbed him and kissed him full on the mouth. "That's for luck," she said with a sly wink. Mark was at a loss for words and would have kissed her back except some of the guys around him were snickering and laughing. "Hey, I need luck too," one of the men said softly. Gale gave him a certain international hand gesture and laughed. Except for that bit of levity there was complete silence. Mark thought that even the battle hardened commandos around him must feel fear prior to a mission.
The atmosphere in the Operations Center, bathed in the glow of red combat lighting, was also tense. If anyone spoke it was in hush tones. The blue-green glow from radar and sonar screens cast a strange pall on the faces of the operators. "Captain, that strange object that's been following us just took off out to sea at a tremendous speed." a technician said softly. "Noted," replied Captain Cabrillo. He then turned towards Linc and gave him a crisp military salute. "She's all yours Lincoln. Take good care of her." Linc nodded and returned the salute. The Chairman then made his way to the stern ramp to gear up.
Carefully they wove their way down the Amazon then turned left towards the base. Eric Stone was at the helm, his knuckles white from gripping the ships steering controls. One mistake on his part and it could be disaster for all. Tension was high, there was always that wild card in the form of the German E-Boats. Much like an American PT boat, they could do some serious damage to the Oregon.
It was like a parachute drop for some. Alpha Team leader Chairman Cabrillo said in a command tone, "Alpha team gear up, prepare to launch." Just then there was a huge crash of thunder and flash of lightening. The team in unison picked up their Zodiac. Mark's Team Leader Larry Thorn, a big strapping no nonsense sort of man, much like Mark's Master Chief said, "Bravo team gear up, prepare to launch. Mark stepped forward and along with the rest of his team lifted the Zodiac. The Charlie Team followed.
There was sudden movement of the ship. It was turning around and would back in towards the target right up to the last bend in the river closest to the base. Mark's heart was in his throat now, this was the moment. The heavy ramp using near silent hydraulics began to lower. It would be down for a minimum of time, just to get the teams launched. The full sound and fury of the storm greeted them like some ancient omen of pending doom. Sheets of rain swept the launch ramp. There was so much electricity in the air you could smell the ozone. One by one in order, Alpha, Bravo, Charley Team launched into the pounding rain.
Mark quickly flipped his night vision goggles down. Except for the blinding flashes of lightening it was as dark as a tomb. The teams electric motors came to life and silently they glided along. Alpha Team up ahead was to disembark on the furthest end of the dock and approach the camp from the left. Mark's Bravo Team was to go up the middle and attack from there. Charley was to hold the dock and high ground above the embankment.
The rafts now separated and went their own way now. Up ahead loomed the dock and numerous pilings. There was a ladder leading down into the water which they would have to climb. Suddenly Gale stood, loaded an arrow and let it fly. Mark saw the outline of a guard slump and fall down. Another anonymous shape of another guard went to call out. There was another "twang" of the bow and that guard fell as well. Since she was standing and obviously had a better view, she unleashed a third arrow and a guard cascaded off the dock and into the water near Mark's raft. His splash hitting the water was thankfully muffled by the thunder rolls.
In no time at all was the raft was secured and the team assembled on the deck. Up ahead was a wooden ladder that led up to the base proper. The ladder didn't go straight up but had two landing. There were some people high up on the furthest landing. Their team leader made a motion to get down while he studied the situation. There were sudden shouts in German. They came too fast for Mark to translate. In quick succession three shots rang out. Tumbling down the steps were came three Waffen SS guards – all shot dead.
Mark's team leader with Mark following right behind raced upward. What they found was shocking. Two women dressed in long white lab coats. The tallest, a stunner of a blonde, held a smoking Luger. There was a tall male, also dressed in a lab coat. "Who the hell are you? Larry Thorn said, leveling his M-4 at them. "Americans! Hot damn." the male said in a perfect New Jersey accent. Further discussion was put aside when the first round from the 120 mm mortar hit the camp. Many more soon followed.