Vanishing Point - Marc Cerasini [100]
Tony risked another peek, saw the Chinese commandos advancing in disciplined ranks behind the tow tractor. They were about fifty yards away and closing fast. Even if he had a clear shot, Tony would have trouble picking them off.
The hostages had knocked out the glass window on the blast proof hangar door. Phil Bascomb had been using the tiny opening as a gun position, providing Tony with cover fire. As the commandos closed on them, Tony glanced over his shoulder. "Tell Dr. Bascomb to lay down more suppressing fire," he cried.
The airman frowned. "Bascomb was killed in the last attack. Lucky shot came right through the hole. I think Dr. Toth has the gun now."
Tony was thrown by the loss. He'd liked the middle-aged, pony-tailed scientist from Berkeley. The irony was that man had protested the Vietnam War, only to die at the hands of a Communist enemy that had invaded his homeland. A ricochet snapped Tony back to reality.
"Tell Toth to start shooting," he yelled.
Shots rang out, inside the hanger and out. Tony dropped to the ground, peeked around the door. One commando had straggled behind the others and Tony picked him off, only to retreat again when a hail of gunfire blasted through the door. Tony rolled to a sitting position, leaned against the wall. He scanned the frightened faces of the others, who were depending on him to save their lives.
We're running out of ammunition and shooters. We can't hold out much longer, Tony mused. I hope Jack made it into Hangar Five. If he can't stop that helicopter from lifting off, we're going to die for nothing... .
* * *
11:16:31 a.m. PDT
Hangar Five,
Experimental Weapons Testing Range
Groom Lake Air Force Base
The Blackfoot's dual engines produced a ear-splitting roar that reverberated inside the massive hanger. The noise more resembled the whine of a high-performance jet fighter than the sound of a traditional rotor-bladed helicopter. The Blackfoot also flew faster and higher than any helicopter ever developed — so high the cockpit was pressurized and the pilots were required to wear pressure suits.
While gunfire exploded outside, the commandos who served as the ground crew had completed the final flight check. Now they scrambled to get out of the way.
Jong Lee stood at the bottom of the cockpit ladder, clad in a form fitting, silver-gray pressure suit, helmet in hand. Leaning close, he issued final instructions to Yizi.
"The old men in Beijing care more about commerce than they do about China," Jong Lee said. "It is up to me to teach them a lesson, and force their hand."
"What will you do?" Yizi asked.
"Before I fly to the base in Mexico, I shall fire the Malignant Wave at downtown Las Vegas. The act will most certainly provoke a war. But with a weapon as terrible as Malignant Wave in China's possession, what can the Americans do but surrender?"
Lee frowned. "My strike will mean that when the Americans come, they will seek revenge for what happened to their city, their people. You must fight them to the death. No one must be taken alive. I expect you to deal with anyone who tries to surrender."
"I understand, Jong Lee." Yizi's face was stony.
The man hesitated before boarding the aircraft. He wanted to say something more to this loyal and courageous young woman, but for the first time in his life, words failed him.
Meanwhile the figure of Captain Hsu emerged from the back of the hangar. He also wore a pressure suit, the featureless helmet and tinted visor covering his head, masking his features. Silently, the man stepped around Jong Lee and climbed the ladder.
Lee touched the woman's arm. She raised her eyes to meet his gaze. "Yizi, I want to..."
"Stop him!" a pained voice interrupted.
The real Captain Hsu stumbled into the center of the hangar, blood trickling from his nose and mouth. He pointed to the figure climbing into the cockpit, then pitched to the floor, a stiletto sticking out of his back.
"Hunzhang!" Lee cried, realizing he'd been tricked.
Lee raced up the ladder. On the way, the helmet slipped out of his grip. He abandoned it and dived for