Gray-black.
It was as if
Most of the windows on the bridge were simply obscured with rain. The water struck the glass like something solid, with a deafening roar. More than once, Batman had the irrational, but overpowering, feeling that a giant sea, a
He’d gotten a report that the anemometer — the wind-speed measuring device — had pegged at two hundred miles per hour.
And they hadn’t even reached the eyewall yet. The part of the storm Dr. George described as “the heart of the typhoon.”
Batman knew that people were watching him, glancing at him. He kept his expression calm but alert. Forced himself not to cringe when a fresh barrage of wind-powered rain crashed into the windows. To keep his knees loose and relaxed when
What the hell had he agreed to here? What had he gotten them into?
Chin grinned. “And the other ships in the group?”
“They’re converging into a tighter formation and moving northeast, Major General,” the aide told him as he brought in the latest reports. “It appears they’re intending to circle around the typhoon.”
Chin nodded. “Their plan is obvious: to meet the carrier on the back side of the storm — assuming it makes it that far. We’ll be ready for them.”
“But shouldn’t we attack the escort ships
“Before the carrier reappears, yes. But not yet. This is working to our advantage after all. Let the storm do some work for us first. Let it batter the ships and tire their crews. Meanwhile, our men will rest. Only when the time is right will we strike — and when the carrier finally reappears, there will be no escort ships left to protect it.
“Then” — He popped a closed fist against his open palm — “then, we finish the job.”
“So what are you planning to do with me, Matthew?” McIntyre asked. “Shoot me?”
Tombstone shook his head. “Have my partner place a shore-to-ship telephone call. Get us a little help out here.”
“What kind of help?”
“A SEAL team. With explosives.”
He watched McIntyre’s face tighten, but felt no pleasure in it. He’d grown up loving this man like a father.
“But first,” Tombstone went on, “
He saw the color fade from McIntyre’s handsome face. “I can’t — ”
“Sure you can. There’s the phone right there on your desk. Just dial and talk.
“You look nervous, Uncle,” Tombstone said, leaning back in the comfortable chair. “Sun’s about to come up. Hope you aren’t a vampire or something.”
“I’m fine,” McIntyre said, but glanced toward the phone.
“What’s the matter?” Tombstone demanded. “Need reassurance about current events? Need to let someone know to launch the UAVs? What?”
“Nothing, nothing….”
“Good. Then you won’t mind devoting your attention to a little plan of mine.”
“Plan?”
“Oh, you’ll love it. And it will only cost you nine-tenths of your personal fortune.”
“Batman?”
Batman’s jaw dropped. Even over the static online, Tombstone’s voice was recognizable. “Are you okay, Stony?”
“Depends on what you mean by fine, because that’s exactly what I wanted to talk to you about. Any chance you’ve got a spare SEAL team around?”
“You bet. I don’t know if you’ve checked the weather lately, but they’re sure not out on the deck doing calisthenics.”
“I could use them right now. I need a lift home for me and a friend.”
“A friend?” Batman felt the beginning of a smile start across his face. If Stony meant what he thought he meant, then that was the only piece of decent news Batman had heard in the last couple of days.
“Yeah. Pilot by the name of Lobo needs a lift, too.”
Hot damn! Lobo was alive. “Hold on, Stony. Where are you?”
As Tombstone started filling him in, Batman began issuing his own set of orders. A few moments later, the commander of the SEAL team, Lieutenant Commander Brandon Sykes, was standing tall in front of him. “Hold on, Tombstone. I’m going to put you on the speakerphone.”
After listening for a few moments, the SEAL officer started nodding. “Yes, sir. No problem with that. Easy to do. See you in about an hour.”
After Batman punched the telephone off, he turned back to the SEAL officer. “I assume you know what the weather’s like. It’s not going to be pretty.”
The SEAL officer regarded him with the grim smile. “It never is, sir. I figure we go in, extract our two people, then do some damage to McIntyre’s facility. Getting back’s going to be the problem — we may have to find somewhere to lay low until this blows over.”
Batman nodded. “I can find a helo to get you in, but it’s going to be risky.”
“You get us anywhere near the coast, and we’ll make it.”
Tombstone replaced the receiver, never taking his eyes off McIntyre. “You mind serving as my hostage for about an hour, Uncle Philip? No, I don’t think you do. After all, we’re like family, aren’t we?”
“Tombstone, as I told you, I never meant to — ”
Tombstone crossed the room in three strides. “Never meant what, Uncle Philip?” He grabbed McIntyre by the hair and yanked him up. “Come on. I’ve got to collect the rest of my team, and you’re going to make sure that everything goes smoothly.”
“Like you said, we’re family.” McIntyre’s voice was finally taking on an edge of fear. “For the sake of your father, your uncle — Tombstone, don’t do this. There’s a place for you in my organization. Have you ever wanted to be rich? Rich beyond your wildest dreams? I can make that happen, Stony. You know I can.”
Tombstone’s grip on McIntyre’s hair tightened. “I’m already richer than you’ll ever be, Uncle Philip. My wife, my friends, my career — there’s nothing you can offer me.”
“I could give you command of your own private squadron,” McIntyre said persuasively. “Think of it, Stony. What future have you got left in the Navy now? A series of desk jobs, that’s all. Join me, and you’ll command the
