chapter 37
FLORIDA KEYS
THE sun rose brilliantly, casting its rays across the vast expanse of blue water. All nine men were on deck to witness the glorious power of Allah as another day of their blessed journey began. They'd spent the night lashed together, the two boats gently rolling in the shallow swells. Even with the calm water, though, four of the men had vomited. Hakim took a bit of perverse joy in seeing these land-loving freedom fighters buckle so easily to the gentle motion of the ocean. Even more joy knowing that it bothered his old friend Karim that he had failed to prepare them for this relatively short jaunt.
When they were done praying, rations were handed out and the men were encouraged to drink plenty of water, especially those who had thrown up. Hakim checked their position again and then climbed out onto the long bow of the fast boat. He looked through a pair of binoculars at a speck on the western horizon. They were sixteen nautical miles almost due east from Marathon, Florida. To the north an almost equal distance was the U.S. Coast Guard Station at Islamorada. Farther to the south and the west was the Coast Guard Station at Key West. Both bases were equipped with enough air and surface assets to make this a miserable morning, but it was Key West that he feared most. That was where the command center for the new Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron was located. The farther north they went, the more they could mix in with the pleasure boaters and sport fishermen coming out of Miami and the day trippers crossing back and forth from southern Florida to the Bahamas.
Hakim scanned the surface first and then tilted the binoculars skyward. There were a few contrails from commercial planes flying at higher altitudes, but no sign of any helicopters at the moment. From his past excursions Hakim knew they were most active in the dead of night and then later in the day when the boat traffic picked up. The boats didn't worry him as much. There were only a few that could keep up with them and they weren't armed with the bigger guns of the cutters and coastal patrol boats. The problem would be the helicopters. They were faster than his boats, and worse, they could keep an eye on them from a distance and radio for help. If they weren't careful they could end up with a bunch of police units converging on them when they reached shore.
This had been the most difficult aspect to plan, but Hakim thought he had it figured out. Karim joined him on the bow, and Hakim asked, "Are you nervous?" He asked the question knowing how his friend would answer.
"Only fools and liars say they aren't."
"Well, my friend, then which one am I?" Hakim continued his search of the sky, now turning back toward Key West.
"You are not nervous?" Karim asked with concern.
"No. Not in the least."
"Why do you tempt fate like this? You know you shouldn't say such things."
Hakim laughed. "I am excited. Why aren't you excited? This is what we have been working for. This is a great day." Hakim pointed toward the spit of land on the horizon. "There, my friend, is the great Satan. In a few minutes we will fire up these engines, and we will penetrate their defenses. Defenses they have spent billions on, and there is nothing they can do to stop us."
Karim frowned. "You are assuming they will not stop us."
"Yes, I am." Hakim lowered the binoculars. "When will you begin to have faith in your destiny? I have been telling you for years that this is what awaits you." Again he pointed toward the shore of America.
"Allah prefers us to be humble."
"Then you can be humble, but I will be excited. This is something they will write about. In a few days the entire Arab world will be talking about these new lions of al-Qaeda and their leader, the great Karim Nour al-Din, who have struck at the heart of America."
"We have done nothing yet."
"Is it wrong to hope?"
Karim made a brooding face and finally said, "I suppose not."
"And think of the faces those old women will make when the news finally reaches them in the mountain hideouts. Zawahiri will be furious that he and his millionaire boyfriend do not receive the credit."
"Do not speak of him that way," Karim said angrily.
"I'm sorry, but you know I think Zawahiri has poisoned him."
"He still deserves our respect." Karim was disgusted with the al-Qaeda leadership, but his fellow Saudi Arabian did not deserve to be spoken of in such a manner. "So," Karim said, "tell me of your grand plan. Do you really think we will just sail ashore and unload your drugs?"
"That all depends on the Coast Guard."
"And if they show up?"
"We will outrun them."
"What if it is a helicopter? Like you mentioned last night."
"You keep going straight, and I will worry about the helicopter."
"That is it? That is the extent of your grand plan?"
Hakim showed off his bright white smile. "No, I have a few tricks."
"Ahmed?"
"Yes, he is one of them, in fact now is the perfect time to show him the present I brought along for him." Hakim climbed around the windscreen and went below deck. A moment later he appeared with a long, black rectangular case. He looked into the other boat and said, "Ahmed, I have something for you."
The twenty-four-year-old Moroccan hopped from one boat into the other as the others came to the edge. Hakim set the case on the flat cushion just aft of the cockpit and popped the clasps. He swung the case open to reveal a very large gun.
Ahmed gasped as he said, "A Barrett fifty-caliber. I have dreamt of shooting such a gun."
"Can you handle it?" Hakim asked.
"Of course," Ahmed said enthusiastically. "Where did you get it?"
"Nashville, Tennessee."
"Isn't that where they are made?"
"Near there."
Ahmed picked it up and looked through the Barrett Optical Range Scope. "When do I get to fire it?"
"Hopefully not anytime soon, but just in case you have to, are you familiar with the weapon?"
"There is not much to know. It is one of the finest rifles ever constructed. Robust... accurate... very easy to shoot."
"Good. There are three ten-round boxes already loaded." Hakim pointed at the case.
"What type of ammunition?"
"Fifty-caliber BMG, armor-piercing incendiary."
Ahmed tore his eyes away from the gun and said, "Only NATO troops have that ammunition."
"And you." Hakim laughed loudly.
"Where in the world did you get...?"
"I'll tell you on the long drive to Washington. We'll have plenty of time, but now we must get moving." Hakim turned and looked up at his old friend, who was standing on the other side of the windscreen. "Are you ready, my friend?"
"Yes."
"Good," Hakim said with unbridled enthusiasm. "Just like we practiced last night. Everybody get in your proper place and we will start the engines." The men started scrambling into their assigned boats. "Remember," Hakim said, "keep your weapons hidden unless Karim or I tell you to get them out." He then turned to Ahmed and whispered, "Stay close to me, and make sure your new toy is ready to use."
Hakim started his engines one at a time and waited for his friend to do the same. After another minute Hakim ordered the lines to be undone and then got under way at a leisurely fifteen knots. With the wind whipping over their heads, Hakim turned to Ahmed and asked, "Are you familiar with the MH- 65C Dolphin helicopter?"
Ahmed shook his head.
"Not to worry." Hakim popped the small glove box on the dashboard and retrieved several pieces of paper. "Here are the schematics. I've circled the three places where it is most vulnerable. If we come across one it might be useful information."