“That’s a roger, Mr. Horowitz. We just lost another trump card. We have to do it on our own.”
“Overhead planning for this trip called for two Airborne Ranger Platoons to drop in here in case of any trouble,” Horowitz said. “What happened to them?”
“The coast is on a total blackout,” Senior Chief Sadler said. “They got snafued up along the coast somewhere when a county sheriff wouldn’t let them take off at the city airport. Not sure where they are. They were supposed to arrive the same time we did.”
“Back to the planning board,” DeWitt said on the radio. “We’ll need men in front and in back of the place. You want Bravo to take the back and cut off any of them bugging out?”
“Yes,” Murdock said. “But keep your silenced weapons for the kitchen entrance on that end. Use your MP-5’s. When the front is clear, send Fernandez around back to check for guards there.”
“Right. Three men in there should be enough. Leaves me five to cover the whole back. Can do.”
“I know two of my men have MP-5’s in their drag bags, which gives us four silenced.” Murdock turned to Horowitz. “How many of the North Ks are there?”
“Eighteen. So with the general and me, we match up man for man.”
“Can you call in your Uzis? Go ahead and make a net call, and tell your men that they should report to their areas for Plan B, and be there promptly at 1930.”
“Won’t that tip off the Ks?” the general asked.
“Not really. We’ll be moving in long before then. But it might get some of the Secret Service men closer to the buildings wondering what is happening. They heard the Korean demand for surrender. So they’ll be cautious.”
“I was second in command of our protection unit,” Horowitz said. “If I tell them, they’ll move. They know the net is compromised. They’ll have to figure out what Plan B is. We don’t have one.”
“At least it will give the Ks something to worry about,” DeWitt said. “I like it.”
Sadler came back with the cammies and an MP-5 with five magazines. “Best we have, General. These might be a little large, but we can roll up the pants legs.”
“This is great, Chief, thanks.” She took the gear and walked into the woods.
When she was gone, Murdock frowned. “Let’s not get a general shot on our watch. She is to be kept out of harm’s way. We keep her safe in every way except tackling her. Agreed?”
The men nodded. “I should take her to the rear to be in our blocking position,” DeWitt said. “But I can’t get her over here.”
Murdock shook his head. “She wouldn’t agree to that. She wants to be out front. I’ll post her with the front sniper. She can help watch for any targets out there. Might hold her.
“Jaybird, Lam, and I will go in the bedroom end of the place after Lam and Fernandez eliminate any guards out front. Then I want Fernandez to go around to the back and check for any exterior guards. When the front and back are clear, then the two three-man teams move into the house. Any problems or suggestions with this plan?”
“We use only silence MP-5’s inside?” Jaybird asked.
“Right, I’ll trade my Bull Pup for a Five.”
The SEAL radios came on.
“Skipper, I’m about fifty yards from the right end of the place,” Lam said. “So far I haven’t seen any guards out front or near the right end. They must have somebody here. I’ll keep watching.”
“Don’t go any closer,” Murdock said. “Settle down and wait. We have an hour before dusk.”
The general came back and grinned. “I haven’t had on cammies for over four years. Feels good. Now, does anybody have an extra floppy or a watch cap?”
Murdock reached in his combat vest and pulled out a black knit watch cap. “Will this one do?” he asked.
Major General Arnold chuckled. “Now I remember, you’re the Commander Murdock the CNO talks about. Wanted you on his staff, but you turned him down. Takes guts. He said you were right. You’re more valuable leading your platoon.”
Murdock smiled. “General, I hope you think the same thing when this operation is over. Our man up front said he can’t spot any outside guards. I don’t like that.”
“Seems they should have somebody watching their front and their back,” General Arnold said. “Looks like we’ll have to play it by ear and count bodies as we go. Right now, eighteen. Wish we could cut that down two or three before we go inside.”
Murdock took a deep breath and plunged forward. “General Arnold, one thing we need to get clear. On this mission, I’m in command. On this ground I outrank you. You can come along, but you will follow my orders. Do you agree?”
“Absolutely, Commander. I’m at your service. Just don’t leave me back here with the kitchen help. The two girls over there are friendly and nice, but I’d really hate to be stuck here.”
“Good. When we set up, I want you up with Lam. When he shifts to the right-hand end to enter, you’ll trade your MP- 5 for his Knight and be responsible for anything moving out front. You’ll have the new Knight sniper rifle. It’s semiautomatic, a lot like the SR25. I’d bet you can handle a long gun with no problem.”
“I was on the rifle team for five years. Then some skinny, redheaded, flat-chested little corporal beat me out for the last spot on the team. I nearly had her court-martialed.”
“Yeah, I bet. General, you’ll be firing at seventy-five to a hundred yards. Fish in a barrel for a sharpshooter.”
“Skipper, Fernandez here.”
“Go, Fernandez.”
“I’ve got one guard. He’s in and out of the kitchen. Eating all the time. Has a sub gun but nothing longer. I can take him out whenever you lads get in position. Seems like he’s on a definite post here.”
“Roger that. We’ll wait until dusk and move up. Hit them about 1820. You clear anyone there, then move to the rear. Right?”
“Copy that.”
Murdock looked at his watch. It was 1800. “Horowitz, have you ever had any Army training?”
“No, sir. Just the regular training.”
“We need a good man to stay here with the other two women. Can you take care of that job?”
“Yes, sir. If that’s the best spot for me.”
“We need you here. Watch for any Korean infiltrators. The rest of you, let’s move up to Lam and Fernandez. Copy that, DeWitt?”
“That’s a roger.”
“DeWitt, time for you to move the rest of your squad to the rear of the ranch house. Swing wide, leave Fernandez where he is as sniper, and get the rest of your guys into a blocking position forty yards behind the house if you have cover.”
“Roger that, we’re moving out.”
The Alpha Squad SEALs formed up in a single line, five yards apart with General Arnold in the center, and worked up the slope through the heavy brush and timber. They were completely screened from the ranch house.
Ten minutes later they jumped as a voice called to them. “You guys make enough noise to raise the dead,” Lam said as he stepped out from behind a big pine tree three feet from Murdock, who led the line. Lam grinned. “Well, maybe not that much. I’m about twenty yards up there, but the good cover stops here. So far I’ve spotted two guards. One is walking up and back in front of the place, and another one is shielding the entrance on this right end. Suggest that Fernandez take the front guy from his end. The man seems to move all the way to the kitchen. I think he has the munchies.”
Murdock settled the men down in the brush and crawled up to Lam’s lookout.
“Oh, yeah, I can see the one on this end,” Murdock said. “He’s sitting on a chair with a cushion on it. Tough little guy. He’s got a long gun of some kind. Maybe an AK-47.”
“I’ll make sure of him first.”
“General Arnold will be up here with you. You take out the guard, and any more, then you move with me. Trade her your Knight for her MP-5. Be sure she has cover here.”