The Isle of Devils HOLY WAR (14 page)

Savage saw them first and said, “Something tells me that those flashing red lights don’t have anything to do with Christmas.”

Storm added, “You can bet your butt on that, Savage.” No sooner had Storm finished speaking than they heard the hatch up above open and several terrorists enter onto the platform. The two wasted no time in jumping one after the other onto the barge. There was a passageway between the boxes and drums, and the two made their way through it. Soon they were in the middle of the barge and out of sight.

Savage and Storm were both on their knees watching the terrorists up on the platform. Savage whispered to Storm, “Got a match, mate? This is the biggest floating bomb the world has ever seen. It would make one heck of a conflagration.”

Storm replied, “With all these explosives and millions of gallons of oil this ship of death could wipe any port city off the map.”

The terrorists didn’t even bother to go down and check out the explosives barge. After a few minutes of shining their flashlights around the perimeter of the tank area they left to check out other areas of the tanker.

Back on the deck, Imad was directing his fellow terrorists on the second phase of their cover up. The entire center deck of the tanker had ten high powered speedboats on blocks. An aluminum pole framework ten feet high had been constructed over the speedboats. Towards the stern of the tanker was a huge roll of what appeared to be gray canvas rolled up on a roller device that was at least ten feet above the deck and as wide as the tankers deck. Imad pulled out a remote control device from his pocket and gave it a click. Steel cables connected to the canvas began unrolling it over the aluminum frame. Within minutes the entire framework was covered with the canvas. From deck level it appeared that the speedboats were now under a massive shade screen. The terrorists tied down all the sides of the canvas to the tanker’s rails making sure that adverse wind and weather would not damage the canvas or flood the speedboats.

Finding the needle in the haystack

The Commissioner was now in route to meet up with a United States Coast Guard helicopter. As soon as he left the hospital he had alerted the Director of the FBI and the United States Homeland Security Director. With the aid of U.S. spy satellites, every inch of the Atlantic Ocean was being photographed in a desperate search for the tanker. By the time the Commissioner arrived at the airport, the Coast Guard helicopter was waiting and had already refueled.

The Commissioner went out onto the tarmac to speak with the pilot of the helicopter. The pilot shook his hand and said, “Commissioner, I am Captain Scott, and this is my co-pilot, Lieutenant Smith.”

The Commissioner replied, “It’s nice to meet both of you. Have the satellites located the tanker yet?”

The lieutenant spoke up first, “Yes sir, we have a tanker spotted about one hundred fifty miles north, northwest of Bermuda. We thought we would check it out first.”

The captain added, “If this is our tanker the Air Force will dispatch F15’s to intercept, and we’ll send out Coast Guard cutters to board her.”

The Commissioner replied, “Very good, mates. Shall we go?” The three climbed into the helicopter and were airborne in a couple of minutes.

Within an hour, the helicopter had the tanker in their sights. The Commissioner asked, “Can either of you see the ship’s name yet?”

Captain Scott replied, “No, not yet, but soon we’ll be able to.”

Meanwhile on the tanker the approaching helicopter had been picked up on the tanker’s radar system. Imad was on the bridge and screamed out, “Sound the tanker’s warning sirens!” A few seconds later sirens were blasting throughout the tanker.

Below deck Storm and Savage heard the sirens blaring. Savage turned to Storm and said, “What the bloody hell are the sirens sounding for? Are we on fire?”

Storm replied, “It a warning alright, but my guess is that another ship might be approaching. If it stops quickly then I’m sure they’re anticipating company.” No sooner had Storm finished talking than the siren went dead.

Savage nudged Storm in the arm and said, “Well, mate, I think it’s time to get some fresh air and see what’s going on with our terrorist friends on deck.” The two climbed out of their hiding spot in the middle of the explosive filled barge.

As the two were climbing the stairs, Storm stopped to look back down at the explosives barge and tank partially filled will oil saying, “If this baby ever explodes the damage will be unbelievable. Furthermore, it will be an ecological nightmare.”

Savage added, “Well, mate, it’s up to us to make sure that doesn’t happen.” Just as the two were making their way to the platform where the hatch was located, it suddenly opened. A terrorist with his AK47 was standing in the hatchway, very startled to see Storm and Savage.

Storm said, “Oh hell!” He quickly grabbed the terrorist by the arm before he could react and threw him hard against one of the platform rails. While Storm was fighting with the terrorist, Savage ran over to the hatchway and quickly sealed the hatch closed before anyone else could see what was going on. Storm reached over to grab the terrorist while he was on one knee. The terrorist grabbed his AK47 off the platform deck and shoved the butt of the automatic weapon into Storm’s stomach. Storm grimaced in pain, but to the surprise of the terrorist, Storm flipped back around giving the terrorist’s arm that was holding on to the AK47 a karate chop. The terrorist dropped the weapon. Storm grabbed his other arm and quickly flipped the terrorist over the railing. The terrorist screamed as he dropped over fifty feet. Half way through the drop he struck some protruding pipes then flipped over and landed in the oil in the tank. With no sign of life, he simple sank out of sight. Storm turned to Savage and asked, “Do you think anyone on deck saw what just happened?”

Savage replied, “No, I got the hatch closed so quickly I think we’re fine.” Savage looked down at the platform and yelled out, “Oh hell! You busted that AK-47 to pieces when you knocked it out of the terrorist hand. Now we still only have one weapon”

Storm snapped back at Savage, “Next time I’ll just let him shoot you!”

Savage laughed and said, “Ok, get over it. I’m just kidding you, mate.” Savage picked up the pieces of the assault weapon and threw them down into the oil.

Storm walked over to the hatch saying, “Let me take a peek out the hatch door and see what all the commotion is about. “ He cracked open the hatch a couple of inches, but could not see anything except excited terrorists running all over the tanker.

Savage asked, “Storm, what is it?”

Storm replied, “I don’t see anything.” He hesitated before speaking again and then added, “Just a second. I hear something. It’s a chopper I hear.”

Savage added, “It must be a U.S. chopper of some sorts to cause Hooda to sound an alarm. We better get up on deck and signal them.” Storm agreed and the two of them crept through the hatch and up on the deck.

Meanwhile back on the Coast Guard helicopter Lieutenant Smith had his binoculars out trying to read the markings on the tanker. As they got closer the Commissioner asked, “Lieutenant, are you having any luck identifying the tanker?”

The Lieutenant replied, “Yes, I can almost make the name out. Yes, I can see it now.”

The Commissioner was impatient and asked, “Well mate, what is the name on the tanker?”

The Lieutenant said, “Commissioner, you’re not going to like this. It’s not the ‘Sahara Gold. The name on the tanker is ‘The Liberty’.”

The Commissioner asked, “May I see those binoculars?” The Lieutenant handed them to him. The Commissioner added, “Thanks.” He was now able to read the tanker’s name and confirm that it indeed was ‘The Liberty’.

The Captain asked, “Sir, what now? Do you want to turn back?”

The Commissioner thought for a second and said, “Krack told me that there were speedboats strapped on the tankers deck. Let’s check it out.”

The Captain replied, “Roger that.” The helicopter leaned forward and flew in a bee-line towards the tanker.

As the helicopter closed within a hundred yards of the tanker the Commissioner said, “I don’t see any speedboats on the deck of this tanker. Do you think they moved them below deck?”

The Captain was also looking and said, “On a tanker the only thing below deck is crude oil. We’ll buzz around the tanker much closer, and maybe if your men are aboard they will signal us.”

The Commissioner replied, “That’s a good idea, mate.” The Coast Guard helicopter was now hovering several hundred yards above the tanker hoping that Savage and Storm would signal them if they were aboard.

Hooda and Imad were in the bridge watching the helicopter. Imad asked Hooda, “They must be checking us out for something. Do you think its routine?”

Hooda replied, “You idiot. We’re in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Who in the hell would be making routine inspections here?”

Imad asked, “Do you think they’re tracking us from Bermuda? Do you want me to have one of our men take one of the shoulder rockets and shoot them down?”

Hooda fired back, “That’s a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter. If we shoot it down they’ll send out a search team looking for them. Anyway by now they have already radioed their home base that they have spotted a tanker. They must have come from the U.S. not Bermuda. Just in case our infidel stowaways have any ideas of signaling them, send all our men out on the deck and wave at the helicopter as if they’re greeting them.”

Imad replied, “Yes, Hooda.” He turned and left the bridge calling his men on his walkie talkie giving them instructions.

By now Storm and Savage were out on the deck, but they found themselves under the massive tarp covering the deck. Storm was first to speak saying, “Why in the hell do they have this tarp covering the deck? Are they trying to protect the speedboats from the salt water and sun?”

Savage replied, “Not a clue, mate, but something tells me it’s not for those reasons.”

Storm continued on saying, “Well, it doesn’t matter anyway. We still have to get out in the open and signal the helicopter.”

By now the deck was crawling with terrorists. Savage added, “We better get moving. If we stay here we’ll be seen.”

Storm replied, “Let’s get back to the stern of the tanker and signal them by firing off the AK-47.” Savage agreed. They moved over to the aft of the tanker and crawled under the long oil pipes that ran the length of the tanker.

As they crawled along under the pipes it became evident what the terrorists were up to. Storm whispered over to Savage, “These guys are acting like they’re glad to see the helicopter. I hope the helicopter doesn’t leave before we get to the stern.”

Savage whispered back, “Just keep moving.”

As the helicopter hovered over the tanker, the Lieutenant commented, ”Sir, all I see is the crew on the tanker waving and greeting us.”

The Captain replied, “I think you’re right.” He turned back to the Commissioner and said, “Commissioner, I don’t think this is the tanker. If it’s alright with you we’ll sweep more south and west while our fuel is still adequate.”

The Commissioner disappointedly said, “I agree. Let’s move out.” The helicopter slowly moved parallel to the tanker in the direction of its stern.

Almost at the stern Savage looked up to see the helicopter just about to pass over them. He yelled back to Storm, “Oh crap! The Coast Guard is leaving. Hurry up, Storm! We have to get their attention.” Both men rolled out from under the pipes and were on a dead run towards the stern of the tanker. Being out in the open now they were sure to be spotted by the terrorists.

As they arrived at the stern, Savage yelled out, “Fire that bloody weapon now!”

Storm fired back, “Roger that.” He quickly cocked back the bolt pointing the AK-47 in the air and squeezed the trigger. Nothing happened, he squeezed the trigger again and still nothing. Storm looked over at Savage and said, “These weapons never jamb.”

Before Savage could answer they both heard the bolts being cocked on several other weapons. Then they heard Imad’s voice saying, ”Well, infidels, there’s always a first time for that to happen. Drop your weapon and wave good bye to your friends before we blast you. I can assure you that our weapons won’t jamb. Storm threw the AK-47 overboard and the two waved half heartily at the helicopter as it picked up speed and flew off to the south. Imad looked at one of his men and then pointed to Storm saying, “Check that one for weapons.”

The terrorist replied, “Yes, Imad, but what about the Bermuda cop?”

Imad laughed and said, “Bermuda cops don’t carry weapons. Don’t bother checking him. When you’re finished checking that one, get them to Hooda’s cabin. Oh, if they try anything bust their heads open.”

The terrorist smiled and said, “Most gladly.”

Imad turned around and walked away in the direction of the Captain’s cabin where Hooda was waiting.

While Storm and Savage were walking to see Hooda Savage whispered over to Storm, “Well, mate, do you think this is the end of the line for us?”

Storm replied, “No, I don’t think we will be so lucky. These terrorists will probably enjoy inflicting a lot of pain on us trying to find out what we know and who we’ve told. Then I think we’ll find ourselves strapped to that floating bomb below.”