“Why are you defecting, Colonel Amosa?”
“For the good of my country. For two years, I have hated what the government is doing. Now the Army must step up and support Mojombo Washington and his Loyalist Party, and hold honest elections to return the government to the people.”
“How many more regiments are there?”
“Two more and the support units and headquarters elements.”
“Can you get another regiment to come over?” Murdock asked.
I’m working on Colonel Massad of the First. But he’s a little timid. Not my choice for a regimental leader, but not a bad man. I’ll work on him. But for now, tomorrow, just me and my thousand men.”
“We’re bowled over by your help, Colonel,” Mojombo said. “Is there anything we need to do to get ready?”
“Just be sure not to fire on us if you see us. We’ll be about ten miles below your strong points. But there shouldn’t be any federal troops within that area. As we move south toward the city, we’ll do it in your name. If you want to detach fifty men with us, I’ll integrate them into my forces.”
“Good. I’ll send them down in the morning under the command of Lieutenant Gabu.”
“Have them contact Captain Markala.” The colonel nodded. “Good. This has gone well. We will be moving by truck to this area early tomorrow morning, so I better get back. Yes, we have transport. We’ll coordinate our work starting tomorrow.”
“Colonel, we have a plan that could swing public sentiment to the Loyalist side,” Murdock said. “We want to shut down the power station for twenty-four hours. Not blow it up, just take it off-line and kill the electric power to the nation for that long. Do you approve?”
The colonel frowned. “It will be an inconvenience to many people, especially the computer people. But they can stand a one-day vacation. Yes, and when it goes back on line we’ll trumpet the news to the people through the radio and newspapers that their power is courtesy of the Loyalist Party. I have high-level contacts with the press.”
“We had also considered shutting down the water pumping plants,” Mojombo said.
The colonel shook his head. “Doesn’t sound good to me. Too dangerous. People could die. Water is absolutely essential. I’d say don’t do the water plant.”
“You’re right. We won’t. I’d like to attach most of my men to your command,” Mojombo said. “A separate company and under your direction. I’m not a general by any means.”
“We’ll talk about that as soon as we get our line built here and start moving south. My hope is we can liberate at least half of Sierra City within a week.”
They talked a moment more, then said good-bye, and the colonel and his men left the jungle and vanished into the night. The two others moved out to a trail and headed north a mile to where they had left their motorcycles.
It took them most of an hour to ride the ten miles up the crooked, root-filled trail to Tinglat.
Before he went to his tent, Murdock checked to see if the Skyhawk was in its nesting place. It was. The pilot sat in the cockpit reading a book by a flashlight. Murdock said hi, and Josie Halstrom looked up and grinned.
“Hey, man, good to see you. I hear we’re picking up some support from the local Army lads.”
Murdock chuckled. “Right, we are, a thousand men and support. How did you hear about it?”
“Rumors all over camp.”
“Why are you back here?”
“Talked my boss into letting me come back in a different ship. He told me not get this one shot up. We up for any short-haul trips anywhere?”
“Could be tomorrow night. I’ll let you know. Right now my bunk is looking better and better.”
They said good night, and Murdock headed for his tent and found JG Gardner snoring softly on his side of the space. Murdock figured that was a good idea. The defection of one regiment of the federal Army was a huge windfall for the Loyalists. It could spell a quick end to the revolution. Especially if Colonel Amosa could bring over another regiment. That night Murdock knew he was going to go to sleep smiling.
The next morning, Murdock talked with Mojombo before he decided which of his men to send south to hook up with Colonel Amosa.
“This electrical substation or power station — do you have anyone who is an electrician or has worked at this place?” Murdock asked.
Mojombo frowned, and then called in a runner and told him to ask for any electricians or anyone who had worked at the South Substation.
“Yes, I see,” he said. “It would be helpful if we knew exactly what we can disable at the plant that will be quick and easy to replace. Not exactly throwing a switch, but something like that. We don’t want to blow it up.”
“Amen to that, Washington. I’d suggest that we send out our group tonight. Where is it located?”
“The substation is about twenty miles south of Sierra City. We’ll need to take the helicopter. It is a handy gadget. I’m planning on getting some for the government as soon as we get a new one elected.”
“Will you be running for President?”
“I hope so. I’m more politician than general. But that will have to wait. I do suggest we go at night to cut down on any ground fire against the chopper.”
“Agreed. This pilot is ready for anything. Let me know how many men we’ll need and if we need to take any electricians with us.”
Don Stroh scowled at Murdock as soon as the SEAL came out of the headman’s tent.
“Been looking for you, Commander. Just how in hell did you get me in trouble this time?”
“Trouble?”
“Yeah, my boss called me on the SATCOM and told me to get my ass out of here and back on the carrier at the first opportune moment.”
“I swear, Stroh, I didn’t say a word to anyone on the SATCOM. I don’t even know who your boss is. Maybe it’s routine.”
“He even knew I got shot in my arm. Now somebody has been talking with somebody.”
“The fun here is winding down, Stroh. I’d guess the President has about a week left in office.”
“Bradford. He’s your top SATCOM man. It had to be him talking to somebody on the air. Wait until I find him.”
Murdock grinned. “Stroh, maybe you better calm down. As I remember, Bill Bradford is six-two and runs about two-twenty or so after a good meal. You gonna take him on with bare knuckles?”
Stroh grinned and slammed his fist into his hand. “Yeah, I sort of forgot how big he is. Uh-oh, yeah. Well, at least I can talk to him.”
“Stroh, little buddy, I need a favor.”
“Is it going to cost me?”
“Not a penny. We’ll be going out on another action tonight. I want you to stay in camp.”
“Just when the fun begins? How can I really prove myself to your platoon guys if I can’t trade shots with the damn federal troops?”
“You did already, and you’re wounded. So you’re medically grounded. Now, take care of that arm and use the medication and do whatever else Mahanani told you to do. If you don’t obey orders like a good little CIA desk man, I’ll ship you back to the carrier.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll stay in camp. I don’t know why. No good booze here and no women at all. Well, some black ones over there in the village. But I’ve never been partial to black.”
“Good. Now, I’ve got to talk to the men and then to Mojombo.”
An hour later, Murdock knocked on the center post of the tent, and Mojombo waved him inside.
“I’ve had three men report to me about the electricity plant,” said Mojombo. “One of them worked for a time at the substation. He says it’s on the top of a small mountain with the big towers leading the wires in and then out of it.”
“Did he know how we could disable it without ruining the whole thing?”
“He had some ideas, but he’ll need to look at it again. We’ll take him along. Him and me and all of your SEALs.”