security details could not afford these expensive devices, which put them at a distinct disadvantage.
Kilmer reviewed the schematics of the grounds for what seemed like the tenth time. Like every lab that handled enriched nuclear material, this facility was under heightened security following the terrorist attack in New York City. Because of the research conducted at this site, a breach would be exceedingly complex and probably deadly. Kilmer painstakingly studied every conceivable entry point to determine the path of least resistance; so far, the perfect plan eluded him but he was confident the facility could be breached.
Lawrence Livermore Lab presented a difficult challenge. This facility was the only West Coast institution that contained the amount of enriched uranium Holloway had specified. Other processing facilities could supply the twenty pounds of uranium to operate Conrad’s contraption, but these facilities were under tight military control, and resembled armed fortresses compared to the relatively low-level security at the Livermore Lab. Regardless, this was going to be a complicated operation.
The Lab also contained a couple of attributes, however, that Kilmer immediately appreciated. The nuclear material in the lab’s Stockpile Stewardship program was contained in one central location: a warehouse designed to protect against radioactive contamination of those working close by. This basketball-court-sized space was thirty meters underground, with only one entrance. Kilmer considered this a strategic benefit-the armed security protecting the containment center could be neutralized without regard for an immediate secondary response. This bought his team a great deal of precious time.
The Stockpile Stewardship program had caught Holloway’s attention because it was, as the name suggested, a stockpile of obsolete nuclear weapons. It was radioactive material that was used for further testing by the National Ignition Facility. In essence, the Nuclear Regulatory Agency completely disregarded this stockpile because these weapons were no longer considered integral to national defense. The uranium was essentially expendable, even though it was weapons-grade pure. A more perfect target elsewhere simply did not exist. Unfortunately for the lab’s security personnel, this site would lend itself to nothing more covert than an old- fashioned smash and grab. This meant there were going to be multiple fatalities.
Holloway had also specified that Kilmer design a plan that would put Homeland Security on the trail of the most likely local terrorist group. In this way, they could blame the Livermore theft on terrorist activity that bombarded worldwide news sources almost daily. It mattered little which local jihad was blamed, as long as the focus was shifted far from Kilmer’s domestic team. But this was the least of his worries. Rafie could handle the diversion.
The most prevalent of several stubborn difficulties to overcome was how to manage the nuclear material once the team entered the containment room. He knew they could muster the firepower to breach the facility, but once inside, a reasonable plan for extraction remained elusive.
Finally Richard Kilmer thought he had arrived at the solution: Seven heavily armed commandos could take out the Livermore Lab Security detail. A sniper with an M24 assault rifle would take a position atop the water tower that stood 100 feet above the complex. When the security detail was neutralized, two other men would blow the door and enter the stockpile area. As soon as the men entered the containment room and grabbed the cargo container, everyone would retreat to the armored assault vehicle to evacuate. It needed more thought to smooth out the rough edges, but essentially this was the plan.
Kilmer made his first call to Tommy Starkovich, the best sniper he had ever seen. “Stark” would deploy atop the water tower at the east end of the Livermore complex. From this vantage point, he could position Thor, his modified Remington M24 sniper weapons system. With this rifle, Stark was able to fire a. 300-millimeter magnum round through a man’s nasal cavity from well over 600 yards. From any distance, the victim never heard the shot, the bullet traveling faster than the speed of sound. Stark was methodical, analytical, and never hesitated to take the shot. He was the only man proficient enough to cover the incursion team on the ground.
“G’day mate,” Kilmer said when Stark answered.
“What up, Boss,” Stark replied, recognizing Kilmer’s unmistakable Aussie accent.
“We’re meetin’ t’night at 22:00 in the warehouse. I’ve brained up the Livermore op. Can ya come ‘round?”
The warehouse on Story Road was regarded as home base for his team’s West Coast operation. It was located close to the Bayshore Freeway in San Jose, and large enough to contain all the team’s technical equipment and many of Colt Hamil’s specialized vehicles. But of greater utility was the fact that Dallas Weaver had painstakingly installed a state-of-the-art audio/visual presentation room. Weaver’s equipment could generate three-dimensional satellite images offering real-time surveillance capabilities rivaling anything the CIA used. After a visual presentation in this nerve center, team members experienced an accurate walk-through of exactly what to expect on the grounds of the operation. Every member was thoroughly familiar with the complexities of the target following a presentation using Weaver’s equipment.
“You can count on me, Boss. I’ve been waiting for the call.”
“Good bloke…see ya t’night then.”
His second call was to Ivan Krilenko, a retired Russian Secret Service agent who had once been a personal bodyguard for Soviet president Yuri Andropov. He later had a distinguished career as a deep-cover espionage agent in the KGB, working for the first chief directorate responsible for operations abroad. Because he had spent much time in America, he learned the wonders of the free market system, and realized that his talents were eminently marketable.
Kilmer was fortunate to have discovered Krilenko in 1991 during a brief adversarial encounter. But it wasn’t difficult to see that the Russian possessed rare espionage talents that would perfectly complement his team. He convinced Ivan to capitalize on his skills by working for those willing to pay a lucrative price for his expertise. Shortly thereafter, Krilenko defected and immediately joined Kilmer’s team. Not only was he exceptionally adept at martial arts, he was also blessed with uncommon strength and exceptional stealth. Among the team he was known as “Shadow,” possessing the ability to sneak up on anyone before they realized he was there. Krilenko also promised to attend the rendezvous.
Kilmer’s next call was to Terrance Ventura, a retired Navy SEAL. There was nothing outwardly remarkable about Terrance, apart from the fact he was a SEAL and the very best demolition man Kilmer had ever encountered. Terrance specialized in underwater demolition, but his skill was not merely limited to water. There was a reason Terry was known as “Surgeon;” he could design Simtex shape charges to blast into anything with negligible destruction. His expertise with plastic explosive Simtex at the Livermore containment vault would be critical; they couldn’t risk releasing deadly radioactive material from the containment room. Kilmer was not successful in reaching Terry, but was confident the message he left would get a positive response. That left just Nuzam and Metusack.
He decided to call Rafael Nuzam next. If anyone was going to turn him down, it would be Rafie. Kilmer hoped he could convince the retired Green Beret to join him for one more foray. While Kilmer was unquestionably the team leader, Major Nuzam would always be the clear second-in-command. This grizzled Special Forces soldier was an unparalleled master at planning missions requiring rapid and discrete responses to unique situations. He possessed one of the keenest military minds in the business, as well as having a thorough knowledge of foreign languages, customs, and cultures.
Of all his men, Kilmer knew the least about Rafie, primarily because he could not divulge the dozens of covert missions he had led for the military. But his allegiance was unassailable. He would develop the necessary back story to misdirect the CIA into believing that terrorists had carried out the Livermore operation. Rafie was essential to the operation. If he declined, there was no alternative backup. Kilmer dialed his residence, leaving another message about the meeting.
Kilmer’s next call was to Sully Metusack. “Tooz” was a grinder. There was nothing too difficult, too dangerous, or too disagreeable for Tooz. He was the kind of soldier every commanding officer would love to clone-a soldier that would blindly follow an order until the mission succeeded, or he died trying. Tooz was uncomplicated; he didn’t know the meaning of excuses. If the mission demanded extended exposure to hostile fire, bad weather, or extreme circumstances, he never complained or shirked his responsibility. If stuck in a foxhole, you hoped it would be with Tooz. Not only was he good-natured, quick with a joke, and fun to be with, he was also a damn fine field medic. He could tend to your wounds, stitch you up, and make you laugh all at the same time. Kilmer knew Tooz wouldn’t be a problem. He agreed to meet at the appointed time.
Kilmer had previously briefed Colt Hamil about the evacuation for the Livermore mission during the planning of the Quantum job. Colt was another of Kilmer’s favorite team members. He was quiet, unassuming, and quite
