The absence of other aircraft in the vicinity of the airport prompted the air traffic controller to issue a combined clearance. “Runway 26, cleared to land. Runway 8, cleared for takeoff.”
With the clearance in hand, the small high-wing aircraft followed perfect traffic pattern procedures, turning on final approach for Runway 26. The aircraft landed just past the numbers and made the long rollout toward the opposite end.
As expected, the air traffic controllers observed the small airplane spin around on the runway and come to a full stop. As soon as the aircraft stopped, the unexpected happened.
The runway lights and electrical power for half the town of Aden failed. The airport was plunged into total darkness. A few headlights from distant cars traveling along the highways were the only lights visible. The aircraft’s lights were no longer visible either.
“Takeoff clearance cancelled.” The chief controller yelled into the microphone. “Takeoff clearance cancelled.”
The radio was dead.
It took three minutes for the back-up generators to power up the control tower. Equipment began to glow as it came back to life. Runway lights grew brighter. A minute later all power was restored in Aden.
The chief controller scanned the length of the runway and taxiways, expecting to see the small aircraft. The runways and taxiways were empty. He scanned the surrounding skies.
Nothing.
The training airplane had vanished.
He picked up the phone.
“How the hell did you pull that off?” Kaplan asked into his voice-activated headset. The old man had surprised him with his creativity. He never thought of killing the power to the airport and the town.
Wiley replied. “I called in a favor.”
Kaplan watched the pilot of the tow aircraft cut all the aircraft’s lights the moment the runway went dark. The pilot’s instructions from Wiley were to keep the aircraft stationary on the middle of the runway and wait for the bang on the fuselage — the signal from the ground crew that the gliders were set.
With the entire area dark, Kaplan watched the ground crew move the two gliders into position behind the tow aircraft, attach each with a detachable rope roughly two hundred feet in length. One behind the other in tandem. After the slack had been removed from the towlines, one of the ground crew ran to the idling aircraft and slapped his hand on the fuselage then ran clear.
By the time the lights came back on to the airport and town, the three aircraft were far enough over the water to avoid visual detection.
As per Wiley’s instructions, the pilot of the tow aircraft flew straight for exactly three minutes, turned to a heading of 020 degrees for exactly two minutes before turning inland. Kaplan matched each maneuver. His anxiety about flying soon left him. The controls were light and responsive. Although he knew it was dark, the night vision display unveiled everything as if it were daylight. He saw several boats scattered across the open water pulling all-nighters to bring in as big a catch as possible.
“We’re not out of the woods yet.” Wiley said. “It’s roughly 350 kilometers to Hajjah — we disconnect from tow at three hundred.”
“Miles, please.” Jake said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve used kilometers. How many miles?”
“Jake, you better get used to kilometers. But miles it will be for tonight.” Wiley said. “215 miles to Hajjah. Roughly a 185 miles to disconnect.”
“Why aren’t we out of the woods?” Jake asked.
“Very soon Yemen’s army personnel will detect the tow aircraft.” Wiley explained. “They might or might not launch to find out why it left Aden after the power outage. And without running lights. I don’t imagine the authorities will be too happy with our pilots.”
“I thought the Yemen army was an allied force.” Kaplan said.
“Officially, maybe.” Wiley explained. “Reality is a whole different matter. Many leaders, or at least several of the top-ranking officials in the Yemen army are in cahoots with al Qaeda terrorists. Never trust Yemeni leaders. Yemen is overrun with al Qaeda. The leaders are paid off.”
“What if they do launch?” Jake asked. “We’re sitting ducks up here.”
“Depending on when they launch depends on which course of action we take. If they launch too soon, we disconnect and scrub.” Wiley said. “Otherwise we play it by ear.”
Disconnect and scrub? Did Kaplan hear Wiley right? He couldn’t let that happen. He wouldn’t let Wiley pull the plug. They had to save Isabella.
He had to save Isabella.
CHAPTER 26
Jake didn’t like blind trust and Wiley wasn’t being forthright in sharing his plans. Maybe Wiley didn’t trust him or was afraid he’d look bad if he had to change plans at the last minute. Or maybe he was just winging it as he went along. Either way, Jake didn’t like being left in the dark.
Bentley apparently trusted Wiley and Jake trusted Bentley’s judgment, even if Bentley had sent him into exile. An exile induced by himself.
In the Navy, he was a planner and an analyst. And he was damn good at both. He knew he had a gift. A gift he developed at an early age when his father taught him to play chess. Requiring him to predict his opponent’s play at least four moves ahead honed his skills as a strategic planner. By the 6th grade, he was winning chess tournaments. He developed insight into things many others didn’t grasp — except Wiley. The old man was smart, too smart. As difficult as it might be, Jake had to trust Wiley.
If the Yemen army launched early, would Wiley indeed abandon Hunt? She might not even be alive. He wondered how Kaplan would handle that. Abandoning Hunt? The possibility she was already dead? Jake knew his friend was tough but he also knew if the rescue was abandoned, Kaplan wouldn’t handle it well.
His thoughts were interrupted when Kaplan asked a question.
“When do we know we are passed the abandon stage?” Kaplan asked.
“It’s an hour and a half to disconnect if all goes according to plan.” Wiley spoke like a team leader, an air of authority in his voice. “Our first objective is to get north of Taiz, that’s where the first launch would originate. There is nothing in Aden. If they launch while we’re south of Taiz, we have no choice but to scrub the mission. There is no backup. We can’t stay attached and we can’t make it to Hajjah. If we can get to the 150-mile mark, there is a possibility of success. I have a backup plan but the element of danger escalates to the point where I don’t know if it’s worth the risk.”
“It doesn’t matter what the risk is.” Kaplan said. “If there is a backup, I say we use it.”
“Last resort only.” Wiley said.
Jake thought he sounded irritated with Kaplan. Then Wiley surprised him.
“Jake, take the controls.” Wiley said.
“Sir, I have no idea what to do.” Jake protested.
“Take them. Now.” Wiley commanded. “I’ll explain everything to you.”
The next hour went by fast. He didn’t have to do much while the gliders were still in aero tow. Except when they talked, it was relatively quiet. Only air noise passing over the glider. Kaplan was silent. No more questions. Jake suspected Kaplan was getting a refresher on the controls while Wiley was instructing him.
The silence was interrupted by a steady tone. Wiley spoke to the pilot of the tow aircraft, “Give me maximum climb rate. We have ten, twelve minutes tops before we disconnect. I need all the altitude you can give me.”
“What’s happening?” Kaplan took the words out of Jake’s mouth.
They’ve launched four aircraft from Taiz. Their speed implies helicopters.” Wiley said. “We’re at mile one thirty now, not far enough but we’ll go for it anyway. Listen carefully, if we don’t do this exactly right, we’re all dead.”