On the opposite side of the helicopter, Tom finished setting up all three Sea Scooters. The underwater diver propulsion vehicles were small, hand-held, electric devices used by SCUBA divers and free-divers for underwater propulsion. They weighed less than twenty pounds each, and had a water bladder, designed to automatically control the diver’s buoyancy.
Tom looked at Adebowale. “Have you ever seen one of these?”
Adebowale said, “No. But Sam explained what we can do with them. What do I need to know?”
Tom switched the power button forward, into the on position. It sat directly in the middle of the two handle grips. “Okay, as you can see, this button here turns the power on. You shouldn’t need to touch this once we’re in the water, but if you suddenly notice you’re out of power, you might want to check it hasn’t been bumped.”
“Okay,” Adebowale said.
Tom used his right thumb to depress the speed rate button, and the little propeller began to spin with a whine. “Look at this like a throttle on a motorcycle. Each time you press it you increase the speed. The RS1 Sea Scooter has three speed settings. We’ll probably need the fastest setting until we reach the bottom of the mine, then we’ll drop it back to the second or even first setting. Use the button under your left thumb to slow her down.”
Adebowale nodded.
“Okay, these power for ninety minutes at full speed, and can maintain up to 4 knots. This one has the map of the flooded mine built into its heads-up-display screen. Think of a GPS, only this one works by correlating the image ahead, based on its sonar pings, with your initial known location. We’ll set the initial location as the opening to the mine’s tunnel beneath the sink-hole. Each sea scooter has its own identifying sound, which means we can keep track of each other’s location throughout the tunnel, so long as we’re within line of sight. That means all three of us will be able to navigate in the dark, without too much trouble.”
Sam finished reassembling his Heckler & Koch MP5. He set the safety to on, and attached a full magazine of bullets. “Unless the map’s wrong.”
Adebowale said, “The map isn’t wrong.”
“It was always going to be a possibility,” Tom said. “Heck, the map you gave us is nearly three years old.”
Adebowale said, “No one has been down to the mine that way since the sinkhole opened up next to the Tumba River, and flooded the first ten levels of the mine.”
Sam began sliding his arms into the buoyancy control device, and tightening the Velcro. He placed his fins on his feet and put his dive mask next to him. He attached his Heckler & Koch MP5 to his right arm, using a tether, and placed the sea scooter in front of him, between his fins. “Also, remember, the maximum battery power is ninety minutes. That means, it’s a one way trip. Adebowale’s men are going to breach the guard house at exactly 22:00. That leaves us three hours to make the dive, navigate our way through the tunnel, and blow the mines that lead to Lake Tumba.”
Genevieve glanced back, “No one said anything about a one way trip before?”
Sam said, “Don’t worry. Tom and I will be coming home. We’ll stick to the plan as far as a pick up rendezvous point. I just want to be clear we have ninety minutes max, to navigate through the flooded section of the mine. After that, we’re out of power, and we’d never be able to swim it without mechanical assistance.”
Genevieve asked, “So what happens if you can’t complete the mission? How do you get out?”
“We don’t.” Sam sat forward. “We have to complete the mission. Once the C4 is blown, and the tunnels cave-in, Adebowale’s men will take the guards out of the equation. Once that’s done, our job is finished. We’ll make our way out of the mine, and double back to the edge of the lake, set off a green flare, and you can come get us.”
Genevieve said, “I’ll need to refuel.”
“Not a problem. Drop us off, and return to the Bangui airport to refuel. Meet us at the designated landing zone at 2330, and Tom and I will be waiting for you.” He looked at Zara. “I’ll do my best to bring Mikhail home, too.”
Zara nodded, but said nothing.
Genevieve asked, “What about Adebowale?”
“I’ll be staying with my people,” Adebowale said, emphatically.
Sam looked at Tom and Adebowale. “Let’s do one final run through of the mine.”
Adebowale nodded and opened the digital image on his computer tablet. “This is the last known map of the maze of underground tunnels below Lake Tumba. It was taken five years ago, and so we can expect some changes.”
Tom nodded and asked, “You’re sure we’ll still have access?”
“Reasonably confident.” Adebowale pointed to the map. “As you can see, the Lake Tumba mine is separated into four primary mines. Each one joined by a series of longitudinal tunnels at level ten. For the purpose of this mission, I’ve labeled each one by either, A, B, C, or D.”
Sam nodded.
“A, C and D are all still fully operational mine shafts. B struck a river that runs about three hundred feet below Lake Tumba. It caused a massive sinkhole, where the water flowed into the mine shaft. The first ten levels of mine B are under water after it became too difficult and too expensive to pump out all that water. The good news for us is they left it alone. Unconcerned that anyone would be capable of getting through ten levels of flooded tunnels, they’ve given us the perfect route in.”
Tom sat forward and studied the map. “There must be more than a hundred tunnels in mine B. Each one will be pitch dark, and silted up. It’s going to be just short of impossible to reach the tenth level, let alone the top of the mine. This is anything but easy.”
Adebowale grinned. The jet black and scarred skin of his face, was suddenly broken by his warm smile and his evenly spaced white teeth. It was the smile of a model or a politician, not what you expect from someone who looks like a great warrior. What’s more, the smile appeared genuine. He spoke in his monotone, and deep voice. “I’ve seen the future, and we all get through the flooded mine to reach the surface and free my people. You and Tom will go home tonight.”
Sam met his eyes. The grayish-blue looked to him like steel. There was a certainty there. Adebowale wasn’t just saying that they’d make it through the tunnel. He somehow knew the future — or at least believed he did. Sam nodded but remained silent.
The last fifteen minutes of the flight was spent in silence. Each member of the team mentally prepared for the task ahead. The weapons had been checked, the C4 secured, and the dive equipment was all working.
The Jet Ranger banked to the right. Sam glanced ahead. They were flying over Lake Tumba.
Genevieve said. “Three minute check, gentlemen.”
“Copy that,” all three of them said in unison.
The helicopter flew low above Lake Tumba, until it reached a small river. The small river eventually met the Zaire River around five miles away. Halfway between the great African river and Lake Tumba, Genevieve took the helicopter into a steep descent, before leveling out along the river, and then hovering within a foot of the Tumba River.
Genevieve said, “GPS says this is it.”
Sam opened the side door of the Jet Ranger. The water below appeared dark. On the side of the river, it appeared more like a small bay, than a river’s edge. He looked at Adebowale. “You’re certain this is the spot?”