Vanishing Point - Marc Cerasini [85]
Sable's rant was interrupted by the a burst of machine gun fire and a woman's scream.
* * *
3:42:31 a.m. PDT
Groom Lake Air Force Base
The strike had been decisive and Jong Lee had reason to rejoice. Stepping over the machine-gunned woman sprawled on the tarmac — a civilian worker reporting early for the next flight home — Jong's face remained impassive, even as he reviewed his successes.
The late Dr. Chang had paved the way for their undetected landing. The communications jamming device supplied to the Colombians through Hugo Bix was working perfectly. The scarred man, Roland Arrias, was inside the Boeing 737, monitoring the device to ensure that all communications in and out of Groom Lake were cut off.
Meanwhile Captain Hsu's strike team had stormed the puny garrison and slaughtered the security staff.
While the Cubans searched the hangars for fugitive Air Force personnel or cowering researchers, Jong Lee issued new orders to Captain Hsu.
"Go to Dormitory B. It is the only one that is occupied," Jong said. "I want you to capture all the scientists and researchers staying there, bring them back here. I will decide who is useful, and we will take them with us. The others will be executed."
"Yes, sir."
"I want you to place two guards around the airplane, and have it refueled. We will depart within the hour. With the stealth device the Cubans installed, the 737 will be invisible to American radar. We will cross the border and land at our base in Mexico three hours from now."
Hsu nodded.
"And after you've brought the prisoners here, you must make preparations for your solo flight in the Blackfoot, Captain Hsu."
17THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 4 A.M. AND 5 A.M. PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME
4:08:05 a.m. PDT
Hangar Five,
Experimental Weapons Testing Range
Groom Lake Air Force Base
Face tense, eyes wide, Steve Sable peered through a gap in the hangar door. Another gunshot echoed in the night.
"Son of a — they shot somebody else," Sable cried. "A mechanic, I think. Guys in black BDUs pulled him out of the big hangar... shot him in the back of the head, execution-style."
Tony, still bound, twisted his head to face his captor.
"They're after the technology in Hangar 18. Lots of equipment there. They got a taste for high-tech from the stuff you peddled. Now they're here for the rest."
Tony paused to listen as another burst was unleashed.
"They're getting close, Sable. They're going to be here soon. What do you think they're going to do to you?"
Sable heard cries outside, backed away from the door.
"Listen," Tony said. "You were right. I'm an agent for the Counter Terrorist Unit. Cut me loose and I can deal with these guys. Send an SOS..."
"You can't send shit!" Sable cried. He slammed his cell phone down on the workbench. "Everything is jammed. The cell phone is worthless."
"I have weapons," Tony said. "Stashed in Hangar Six. Cut me loose and I can protect you."
Eyes shifting like a frightened animal, Sable hovered over Tony.
"Yeah, how can I trust you?" he asked.
"You have no choice," Tony replied, staring straight ahead.
Tony felt cold steel against his wrists. "You've got to understand this was nothing personal, Tony. What I did to you I did to survive. Now we're on the same side, right?"
While Sable babbled, he cut away the cables until Tony was free. Groaning, the CTU agent reached down and rubbed his legs where the wires chafed him. Then he reached for something lying on the floor.
"You're free, Tony. Buddies again, right? Don't forget to tell the feds how I helped you. After this is over, I want to cut some kind of a deal."
"Sure," Tony replied. "Let's shake on it."
Sable extended his arm, and Tony thrust the live wire into his open hand. Sable jerked as if struck, reeled against the workbench. He wagged his arm to free his hand, but the