“Right here,” he said pointing to the North and West of the small green mass labeled Lombok. “This little fly speck is named Nusa Funata. Until a couple of months ago, it was an uninhabited bit of jungle and volcanic rock. Its only claims to fame were some nearly impenetrable coastal mangrove swamps and a reported extensive system of lava caves."
Hunter gazed around the small room, glad to see that they were all engrossed in the briefing. “That all changed with a CIA estimate. They have been keeping tabs on a number of Eastern European and Chinese scientists that had been associated with the Iraqi weapons programs. Several of them went unaccountably missing several months ago. At nearly the same time, a leading Middle Eastern terrorist named Mustaf al Shatar also dropped out of sight. Coincidentally, pirate activities in the Straits of Malacca, up here, which had been on the increase, suddenly stopped altogether. Based on some other HUMINT, the CIA thinks that there is a link."
This was a polite way of saying that the CIA had an intelligence source, a spy. There was no way of knowing how reliable the source was or how close he really was to the operation.
“Two weeks ago, a small freighter carrying a group of thirty US and Australian missionaries from Surabaya on Java to Unjungpandang on Sulawesi was reported missing.
“What ties this all together is some satellite imagery of Nusa Funata where the NRO analysts found signs of significant construction. Uncover the picture, Nav,” Hunter continued.
Jacobs removed the cloth hiding the satellite pictures.
Hunter tapped on parts of the series of pictures. “Here you can see what looks like a pier and some storage sheds under construction. Here is a small airfield. This construction around these caves is as yet unidentified, but by the level of work here, they are assessing this as being the major facility. Also note the weapons emplacements. Clearly, someone doesn’t want to be disturbed. And this small ship at the pier is identical to the description of the missing one. The next satellite pass doesn’t show it."
A murmur of angry mutterings started around the room as the group reacted to hearing of yet another group of innocent Americans held hostage, or worse. They were all too familiar with the frustration of watching helplessly as terrorist after terrorist got away with these kidnappings.
Commander Hunter took a sip from his coffee before he continued. “The Indonesia government denies any knowledge of anything happening at Nusa Funata. As you know, they have been in turmoil for several years now. The military has all but taken over the country while they are trying to put down several different ethnic revolutions. They have also severely increased the restrictions on navigating their territorial seas. They aren’t allowing any warships in right now. This is a violation of the right of innocent passage, but that is being argued out at the World Court.
“Our passage will be submerged and doesn’t classify as innocent passage, anyway. Operating submerged in their territorial waters is technically an act of aggression. If we are detected, we should not expect a friendly reception. That is why we are taking the long way around. The passage through the Sunda Straits is the best way that we can get in covertly. The passage is deep and wide, hard for them to patrol."
Hunter walked back to his chair and sat. “Our mission is to conduct surveillance of Nusa Funata to determine what is going on. We will be rendezvousing with SEAL Team Three at sea so we can put people ashore for an eyes-on-target look.”
He took out a small notebook and started reading off a list of items.
“Weps, start developing the environmental and intel chart for the area. Post it in the regular place, on the bulkhead outside my stateroom, but keep it covered. I want your people and Nav’s people to do a search for whatever intel that is available. This is a passive search though. No queries outside the ship. As far as anyone outside this room is concerned, SAN FRANCISCO has no interest in Southeast Asia.”
Hunter checked one item on the list and then read the next one.
“We will be joining the ESSEX Amphibious Ready Group as their support submarine while we are transiting the Solomons. The NIMITZ Battle Group will be a day’s sail behind them. They are both ostensibly heading for routine deployments to the Arabian Gulf. Along the way, they will be conducting joint maneuvers with the Royal Australian Navy in the Timor Sea just South of Bali.
“If we find what we suspect and the Indonesians won’t play ball, they will be in a position to dash through the Bali Straits and conduct amphibious operations on Nusa Funata.
Hunter slapped the notebook shut. “That pretty much covers it. Any questions?” he concluded.
The team was excited. At last there was a plan to strike back.
“Yes, sir,” chimed in Master Chief Hancock. “I’m assuming that we have National Command Authority authorization to go into Indonesian sovereign waters as well as their territorial sea. We’re able to hide so no one knows we’re there. But what about the ESSEX ARG and the NIMITZ Battle Group? How will they get in?”
Hunter answered, “COB, I’ll leave the political decisions to the politicians. I’m just a broken-down old sailor who goes where he's told. I’m pretty certain that if we need them, they'll be there. With or
