“Lynn’s right,” Harding agreed. “We have bases very nearby. Get them on an intercept course. They can warn a Mexican frigate off. Hell… we sold it to them I’m sure. They must know we can ruin their evening.”
“The formal authorities dummied up the moment they were contacted and warned about an interdiction by federal agents on a ship in international waters. Rogue elements in the Mexican government have already refused all offers, saying the Tempest was under their control,” Denny answered. “They think they can save the product and ship by a show of power. I’m betting they can’t and we’re not going to let them. I can’t speak for you Monsters; but if Ahab and Payaso want the Tempest in the fleet stationed at Monster Island, something will have to be done about the inbound frigate. The other option is to take what we have, including the bodies, and go home. We can file an official complaint with the Mexican government later about their rogue battleship. I admit I love the idea of having the Tempest; but in order to get her, a sea battle with the Mexican frigate will be the only way possible.”
“Oh my!” Nick made grasping movements to his heart as Denny ended his update. “Uh… would there be any chance the Mexican government, who also has an air force, would be willing to launch on us poor Monsters. What you’re talking about is an act of war.”
“As much as I love this damn ship already,” Lucas added, “I have to agree with Dead Boy. How do we get out from under sinking a supposedly friendly nation’s warship? At the very least this is an international incident.”
“Shall we run then? I believe Paul can end all negative fallout from the event. This show of force to get the Tempest back confirms our suspicions that elements of the Mexican government enable piracy incidents here, and in the Gulf of Mexico, along with massive at sea transfers of drugs, weapons, and human trafficking. Paul hurriedly recruited key congressional leaders to list this as an official CIA joint task force with the FBI, Homeland Security, and the Justice Department. As representatives of the aforementioned agencies, Paul issued a warning that any action on the part of the approaching frigate would be looked on as from a hostile enemy.”
“Why didn’t you lead with that, Spawn,” John asked.
“I admit to questioning whether I believe Paul can pull this off. If Mexico decides to back the actions of their rogue warship, we’ll have to defend ourselves against whatever Mexico escalates to in the realm of warfare. I didn’t want to soft-sell this. We could be looking at a Bay of Pigs or Benghazi sellout. It won’t be Paul who does it. They’ll be crossing him too if they yank our backing. We’ll go with whatever you decide.”
“We can fire the RGM-84 from the Valkyrie.”
“Muerto’s right,” Clint said. “Once the frigate is hit, we can move on them with both the UH-60M Stealth and our Mi-24 attack helicopter for the finish.”
Gus Denova brought Carone into the room at Lynn’s order. He was openly sobbing by the time Gus forced him down on a chair. Lynn patted his shoulder. “Hello there, my little helper. You didn’t do as well as I thought. I’m very disappointed in you.”
Carone openly cried, his shoulders heaving. “I…I forgot! The pain was so bad, I forgot about sending the text to the contact drop in the Mexican government. You have to… believe me.”
“What about the women and your personal assassin?” Nick watched Carone’s face.
“I thought you had killed everyone but me, including the women.” Carone’s surprised features indicated truth. It was only then Lynn, Harding, and Nick moved from in front of Senta’s delirious form. “Oh my God! I…I didn’t know. Senta Bulgar is a killer. The officials… my contacts… Gabrielle Ruiz and Zepeda Osorio… they are ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense.”
“Is there any way to call them off,” Lynn asked.
“I…I cannot. They delete the drop the moment it is used. I do not get a new drop until the following day… if then. I could try calling Al-Kadi. Perhaps he has a more direct line.”
Nick shook his head. “We want Al-Kadi clueless for now. I have another idea. I saw the Panga boat in its stall. We have the XM25 airburst grenade launcher with EMP load. Let Payaso and I meet the frigate. For a lob shot I’d only have to be within seven hundred yards.”
“What if they have it shielded, Muerto?”
“We’ll run. I’ll bring our XM307 too in case we have to hold them off. Payaso? Are you following this?”
“I’m on my way over now with both weapons. Issac has the Valkyrie helm. If we have to abandon the Tempest, Lucas will be with him as well as Cala. Can you find the controls for the in hull boat dock, Lucas?”
“On it. I don’t think much of this idea. How close are they now, Denny?”
“They’ve slowed. We’re bombarding them with stand down orders. Jafar is networking with Johnny. He should be receiving streaming positioning data now.”
“I have it, Muerto,” Johnny acknowledged, with tablet in hand. “I will go with you and Payaso. It will be the Unholy Trio on the attack.”