Ghost Recon (2008)

"That's video from the Predator, sir. It just hit the network a few minutes ago."

Keating watched as the bird flew up the long, L-shaped pier jutting out from the sand spit where the Ghosts had made their infiltration.

Only now there were two large heat sources down there, and the image zoomed in to a fuel barge tucked up alongside the pier and a floating crane out near the end.

"They just moved those in," said Keating.

"Yes, sir."

"Get the satellite over them. And get me Montana's commander."

"Yes, sir."

EN ROUTE TO XIAMEN HARBOR

XIAMEN, CHINA

APRIL 2012

Nolan had already jabbed a needle into Mitchell's arm, numbing the area, and the medic was now in the process of removing the slug with a pair of straight forceps while Brown and Hume balanced dim lights over the incision.

It wouldn't be the first time Mitchell had lead plucked from his flesh, though he hoped it'd be the last. Nolan repeatedly urged Diaz to avoid the bumps in the dirt road as he pushed the forceps into the wound, and she did the best she could, saying they'd reach paved ground pretty soon.

"Almost there, Captain," said Nolan. "I see it."

"That's nice. Just get it out of me."

"And there it is," said the medic, holding up the slug. "I'll save it for you."

"Don't bother. Just stitch me up, thanks."

"It's a one-stop shop, Captain."

The Cross-Com's uplink cha

"Roger that," replied Mitchell. "Check the map. Once you get on the shore drive, look for that overpass we discussed. We'll see you there."

"You got it, Boss."

Brown, who was now up front with Diaz and had do

As she took the left fork, Mitchell's Cross-Com once more flashed with an incoming transmission from the downlink cha

"Go ahead, General."

"Our DIA mole managed to draw off one of those patrol boats, but the other's still out there, ru

"Sir, he'll tag us in a second."

"And Montana can't take a shot at him without the risk of being tagged herself, but intel from the Predator has presented some interesting possibilities."

"I'm all ears, sir."

"Intel believes that the patrol boats were put in place by one of the Spring Tigers himself, Admiral Cai. He added harbor security prior to their operation. You got lucky those boats didn't arrive before your infiltration."

"I hear that, sir."

"Cai also ordered in a refueling barge to support the boats, and he called in a crane to load pallets of fuel onto the pier for additional support elements. Have a look."

Mitchell studied the rotating graphic of the eighty-foot-long, self-propelled barge with a squared-off bow and a small control house. A tower with a boom jutting out in a V pattern rose just past amidships. Attached to that boom was a large refueling hose ready to be extended down and outward. The data bar indicated that the barge had a crew of six.

Next appeared the floating crane seated atop a rectangular, rust-laden barge not unlike its land-based counterpart. The crane's boom rose some 120 feet into the air, and written in English on the side of the operator's cabin was the company name: Wuhan Noontide Industries, Inc. The crane had a main operator and an assistant.

"Now Mitchell, I've just gotten off the horn with Captain Gummerson, and we're ru

"Which takes us back to where we started."

"Not exactly. Now pay attention, son. We have a lot to discuss."

Chapter Thirty-Two.

SHORE DRIVE OVERPASS

XIAMEN, CHINA

APRIL 2012

While Ramirez was technically the assistant team leader, the shooting pain from his gunshot wound made it difficult to think straight, so he'd placed Beasley in charge. Smith, who'd been hit himself, had done a fine job of taping up Ramirez and fitting him with a makeshift sling, but Ramirez had refused painkillers. He'd wanted his head to be clear. Maybe he'd have Nolan inject him with a local anesthetic when the medic arrived.

Ramirez and Beasley remained inside the idling SUV while Jenkins and Smith had gone down to the docks and loading ramp, just fifty meters ahead to secure the boat.

All of Haicang up to the Xiamen Bridge was still dark, but just across the harbor, Xiamen Island remained brightly--and u

Ramirez checked his watch, then pulled up the tactical map in his HUD and zoomed in on Mitchell's SUV. "They should be here by 0410 hours."

"And the sun comes up at what, 0524 hours," said the team sergeant. We need to move."

"Yup."

"You know something, Joey? I don't like this plan." Beasley gri

"Neither do I."

They banged fists, the words and act a little ritual often repeated during exfiltration.

Headlights shone behind them, and Ramirez whirled. "Captain's early? But I just saw him on--"

"No," grunted Beasley. "That ain't him. Get down!"

Beasley, who was in the driver's seat, shut off the engine and lowered the window, pistol in hand.

Ramirez clutched his own pistol and hit the window button as the headlights drew nearer.

"Ghost Lead, this is Bravo Lead."

"Go ahead."

"Boss, we might have a problem."

Jenkins had found the fishing boat's engine key in Buddha's pocket, and once down at the boat, he and Smith had climbed aboard, and Jenkins had inserted the key. He didn't start the engine. Not yet. Beasley had ordered them to lay low until he signaled.

"This thing's a piece of crap," said Jenkins. "We'll sink before we're saved."

"And this water is a freaking biohazard."

"You're not kidding. And hey, what if she doesn't start?"

"Dude, don't jinx us."

A flash of light on his peripheral vision stole Jenkins's attention. "Maybe I already have."

"Bro, there's a four-by-four up there," said Smith. "You see him? That ain't the captain! That looks military!"

"Matt, this is Bo," called Jenkins. "What's going on up there?"

Chances were high that the four-by-four belonged to the army and that the Spring Tigers had ordered patrols out during the predawn hours as part of their larger plans. Ramirez held his breath as the truck pulled up behind them and stopped.

The side-view mirror reflected a green truck not unlike the Brave Warrior but with a canvas top and large windows. Two armed soldiers got out and came toward them, pistols drawn.

Ramirez looked at Beasley, whose gaze was trained on his side-view mirror.

"Here we go, bro," Beasley whispered.

Suddenly, more lights wiped across the overpass, and the two soldiers whirled to face yet another military truck turning off the road and coming down toward them.

The second truck rolled to a stop behind the first, and the soldiers turned to face it.