kept over the MG-3s at all times, except when dismounted for preventive maintenance or during firing exercises. At any time they were exposed to the elements, the Iranians continually wiped and brushed them to make sure no foreign debris worked down into the mechanisms.
The Toyota pickup trucks were just as well maintained. The drivers were also career military, justly proud of their status as driver/mechanics. They came from a society where such skills, while not rare, were still beyond the comprehension of the average person, and their jobs gave these soldiers a prestige that did not exist in Western society. They even received extra proficiency pay.
All in all, even in comparison with the Royal Regiment of Dragoons, Sikes Pasha felt he was in excellent company.
.
1400 HOURS
THE ride across the firm desert was not too uncomfortable. The ground was firm and fairly flat, making traveling fast and easy. Sikes sat on the passenger side of the Toyota cab, dozing a bit as the journey toward Iran continued. The Iranian soldier driving the vehicle had little to say since he knew no English and Sikes had hardly any knowledge of Farsi.
The monotony of the trip lulled Sikes into his private world of fantasy. He settled back and closed his eyes as images of his glorious future floated through his mind. He could picture the lounge of the Royal Regiment of Dragoons' officers' mess:
THE large-screen TV is tuned to the BBC evening news, in Sikes' imagination, and the rankers sit around in the easy chairs and sofas, their eyes worriedly glued to the images being presented to them as they sip their after- dinner brandies and whiskeys.
The Middle East is lost! the announcer declares in his upper-class accent. The Iranian Army under the command of Field Marshal Sikes has struck its final blow in defeating coalition troops and consolidating the countries of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Yemen, Oman, Afghanistan, and Pakistan under the control of Iran. Western influence has been effectively tossed out of the most oil-rich area of the entire world! What a calamity for the West! The question is, what will be Field Marshal Sikes' next action? The Prime Minister fears this great commander Sikes will turn his military ambitions toward the oil fields of the Russian Federation!
At this point a major declares, Sikes? By Jove, chaps! That name is familiar to me for some reason.
And to me, says a captain nervously, his brandy snifter shaking in his trembling hand.
The dragoon regiment's commander, a crusty brigadier, speaks up. Now why the devil does the name Sikes mean anything to you chaps?
Before they can answer, the image of Field Marshal Arsalaan Sikes with his name on the screen is seen. He is wearing a field uniform with medals pinned across the front, while epaulets bearing the Iranian national eagle over a wreath with crossed batons show his rank. As he begins speaking, every officer in the room suddenly realizes who the man is.
I say! the brigadier exclaims. Wasn't that chap a sergeant in this regiment at one time?
Yes, sir, replies a nearby subaltern. I believe he went before some of our officers for approval of his application for a commission and to become a member of this very mess. I believe his request was disapproved.
And who were the bloody fools who turned him down? the brigadier roars. My God! The man is a military genius! There's probably been no one like him since Wellington at Waterloo!
The major and captain quietly get to their feet and slip out of the room.
SIKES was close to falling asleep in the cab of the pickup truck, a slight smile on his lips.
.
SHELOR FIELD
SEALS HANGAR
16 MAY
1600 HOURS
TWENTY-FOUR hours had passed since Commander Thomas Carey's presentation of the OPLAN directing Bran-nigan's Brigands to take on the opium smugglers in northwestern Afghanistan. Now, after long hours of work and little sleep, the detachment was ready to present their briefback to Carey and his fellow staff officer, Lieutenant Commander Ernest Berringer. Carey and Berringer were seated in the front row of chairs, their own pens and notebooks ready for use during the presentation.
Brannigan was the first up. He went to the podium at the front of the room. We're going to conduct this antismuggling operation in three phases. The first is the transportation from Shelor Field to the OA. He turned to the blown-up satellite photo mounted on the wall behind him, flashing his laser pointer on a location. That will be our LZ. We'll need two C-One-Thirties to transport the six DPVs, personnel, weapons, and gear. Vehicles Alpha One, Alpha Two, and Charlie Two will be in the first aircraft. Bravo One, Bravo Two, and Charlie One will be in the second aircraft. Upon landing, we will quickly unass the aircraft to allow the two Hercules to remain on the ground with engines running for the minimum amount of time. As you can see from the map, the LZ is long enough that the airplanes will not have to turn around. They'll be able to make a straight run and get back up in the air as soon as we and our vehicles are disembarked. They will be back to Shelor less than forty-five minutes after leaving.
That should go smoothly enough, Carey said. Now let's get into Phase Two.
Right, Brannigan said. Phase Two will be the elimination of the smuggler rendezvous point. Once more he used his laser pointer. As you can see, it consists of three mud-wall buildings. We are going to assume the worst- case scenario and act as if they are well defended and have perhaps a dozen fighting men quartered there.
Great! Berringer said. And you're probably right. I am positive they have experienced attacks on the facility from smuggling rivals.
Exactly, Brannigan agreed. We are not going to make this raid in our DPVs because of the noise factor. We want this to be a surprise attack, so we will leave the vehicles here once more, he used the pointer and go on foot to the objective. I am planning a three-pronged attack, leaving an opening for escape.
Good God, Brannigan! Carey exclaimed. Are you going to let some of them get away?
No, sir. Puglisi and Miskoski will be in position with their AS-Fifty sniper rifles to knock down anyone who breaks out of the compound.
Berringer wasn't sure about that one. Don't you think Puglisi and Miskoski might have trouble if they have to shoot a half-dozen or so individuals making a run for it?
Brannigan shook his head. No, sir. Our two snipers are going to be close enough to have easy targets. I estimate the range to be no more than seventy-five meters at the most. Also, the AS-Fifties are semiautomatic.
Great, Carey said. Now you're on the ground, you've begun your operation, and knocked out the meeting site. What's next on your agenda?
We'll take down the main column of smugglers during their return from their run, but before they're within sight of the rendezvous point, Brannigan said. They'll be out in the open and roll into our ambush. Things will be simple. We'll be fully mounted and will engage them in a running battle. It will be a repeat of our fight with the armored cars, except these will be Toyota pickups and unarmed transport trucks.
You say things will be 'simple,' Carey remarked. Just what degree of simplicity are you going to employ? I'm referring to your basic tactics.
We'll kill them, sir, Brannigan replied. One thing I've learned on Operation Rolling Thunder is that these vehicle battles have to be played by ear. It's impossible to know how the fighting will evolve. So, we'll primarily concentrate on simply killing the sons of bitches, then adapt to any situation that arises.
Mmm, Carey said. Yeah. That ought to do it. Okay, Lieutenant, your basic plan is approved.
The next SEAL up was Senior Chief Petty Officer Buford Dawkins. We're planning on a three-day mission, sir. So we'll have enough MREs for five, just in case things don't go as planned.
They never do in warfare, Senior Chief, Berringer said. Your CO just said so.
Exactly, Dawkins agreed. Everyone will carry their basic load. These are all big boys with lots of experience, so each man will determine what he'll need, applying the two-day pad I already mentioned. We estimate we'll be putting about three hundred miles on each vehicle. I know that's a lot, but again, I'm employing a pad here. Anyhow, each DPV will burn every drop of fuel going two hundred and ten miles. That leaves ninety more to go, and that will require an extra nine gallons per vehicle, or a total of fifty-four for all six. That makes a grand total of one
