He gathered his things and moved back to the galley, returning the way he came. The rest of the team was up now, feasting on plates of powdered eggs and toast with plenty of black coffee. Jacob walked past them and stuffed his things back into his rucksack. Jesse called him to a galley table and slid a large plate of powdered eggs and burnt toast across to him.
“These guys must like us; they fixed up the last of their eggs and fresh baked bread just for us,” Jesse said, grinning.
“More like a gallows meal. I think it’s more pity than like,” Jacob said.
James grunted. “Hold your tongue, boy. It’s respect; they know where we are headed.”
Jacob took in a heaping forkful of eggs and washed it down with the hot coffee. “I heard about the one-way missions…”
“If you’re looking for a one-way trip, it can be arranged for you. If not, then shut your damn mouth. It’s bad juju to talk shit like that before an op,” James spat.
Marks passed across the room, with the chief of the boat, Bud, close behind him. The chief was holding a black canvas bag in his hands.
“That’s enough, fellas; let’s save it for the Deltas. Bud was able to give up these toys for us. Could be a difference maker,” Marks said.
The chief set the bag on the table and opened it, revealing six M4 suppressors and MK III silenced pistols with a number of boxes of subsonic rounds. Bud reached into the bag and stacked them on the table. “The SEALs left some gear in the weapons locker. It ain’t much, but I know what you’re up against, and I thought you could use it,” Bud said. “There’s more shit they left behind in the corner over there; take what you need.
“And fellas, be careful with this gear. Don’t go filling it up with bullet holes and bleeding all over it. Bring it back to me in one piece, okay? I’m sure when we get back to port they’ll be asking for it and wanting to take it out of my paycheck.”
“You’re not staying?” Stephens asked.
“Afraid not. We’ve been recalled back to Meaford. Leaving as soon as we drop you off, hopefully for a refitting and resupply, but I have my fears that it’s not in the cards for us.” Bud used his hand to pull at his overgrown mustache. “Listen, if you get into trouble, get a message to me and we’ll come running, orders or not.”
James shoveled in the last of his eggs and reached for one of the small Ruger pistols. He drew back the slide, showing an empty chamber. Grinning his approval, he shoved the weapon into a pocket on his tactical vest. “Thanks, Chief. I’ll make sure I nail one right between the eyes for you.”
Bud nodded. “Just keep your ass alive for me; that’ll be thanks enough—”
A radio on Bud’s shoulder squelched, interrupting him. He reached up and pressed the transmitter button. “Go ahead.”
“All ready, standing by,” came a metallic response.
“Ten-four, I’ll let them know,” Bud said. He looked back at Marks. “The RHIB is ready to launch when you are.”
Marks slapped his hands together. He ordered the team to finish their chow and to get to the top deck in ten. Jacob gulped down the last of his eggs and coffee and scrambled to his gear. He stuffed in the remnants of his belongings, pulling straps tight on the pack to crush its size and make it more manageable. Rogers moved to his side and snatched away his M4, using a wrench to remove his flash suppressor and install the new silencer. He then handed Jacob two magazines with a strip of black tape at the bottom of each. “These are if we go quiet; make sure you have the right mag in, or the suppressor won’t do us much good.”
Before Jacob could ask a question, Rogers had already moved on to set up Jesse’s rifle. Jacob waited for him to finish then hoisted his rucksack and moved to Jesse’s side for the walk up to the top decks.
The others passed them moving fast. Jacob picked up his pace climbing to the top and out onto the deck. The air was cold and damp. Still dark out, the stars shone bright over a clear sky, reflecting over the calm Saginaw Bay. It was impossible to tell which direction the shore was in, as there were no coastal navigation lights to be seen. Water calmly slapped at the sides. A number of sailors were standing around, having come on deck to witness their departure.
The team followed a sailor along the decks and to the fantail, where a large ramp had been deployed. They were offered a set of orange flotation devices, which Marks waved off. A man tossed them aside before moving to the business end of a winch control station. Following the cable down was a black RHIB, similar to the one they’d used to get there but far larger with a wood deck and a machine gun mounted in the bow.
Jacob walked close and Rogers took his pack, loading it into the boat with the other gear. Two sailors moved in close, both carrying blue five-gallon jugs of fresh water and other supplies. They set them on the deck and Jacob handed them off to Rogers. When all the gear was loaded, Stephens gathered them all off to one side.
“Easy day today. We’re gonna egress to a marina at the mouth of the river. The sailors say that the marina is nearly empty—”
“What does that mean, nearly?” James interrupted.
“Nearly,” Stephens said. “The marina is isolated north of the city. They’ve spotted Deltas on the main roads, but nothing concentrated. We have a couple of hours of UAV
