Double Blindside. Don Pendleton
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Название: Double Blindside
Автор: Don Pendleton
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Морские приключения
Серия: Gold Eagle Stonyman
isbn: 9781474029063
isbn:
As he’d worked at selecting personnel for the newly created Stony Man, Hal Brognola had met the young woman and was so impressed with her intellect that he considered her as a replacement for the deceased April Rose, the Farm’s original mission controller. When Brognola approached her and offered her the job, Price, who was disillusioned with NSA internal political squabbling, was intrigued by his offer. It hadn’t taken her long to realize she was being given the opportunity to join a special department.
Once on board, Price became aware of the Special Operation Group’s unique setup. It was ultrasecret, manned by the best in every field, from Brognola down to the operatives who ran the day-to-day workings of Stony Man. The secret nature of the unit meant Price’s personal life became almost nonexistent. It didn’t put her off. The people she came to see as her family were enough to satisfy her. The job kept her involved day and night. She built strong relationships with the teams who roved the globe fighting all kinds of threats and menaces. In truth, Price’s life was full. She was committed to it, and committed to having her concerns over Phoenix and Able. She fully understood the situations they found themselves in and had made it her responsibility to ensure they received the best backup she could offer.
McCarter had assigned Manning and Hawkins to the UK detail, while he, Encizo and James would go on to Turkey to head up that end of the assignment. Manning and Hawkins would join up with the rest of the group if their part of the mission could be completed in time.
It wasn’t a regular contrivance to split Phoenix Force, but given how the information had come through, a two-pronged investigation would be appropriate for the initial probe.
As Phoenix Force was being flown in by the USAF, they were able to travel with their weapons. Once they left the Incirlik base, matters might be different and they would have to check with the Turkish Secret Service, with whom they would be working, on the ability to retain their arms.
Price handed out documentation packs with her usual operational ability.
“And don’t go spending your pocket money all in one go,” she said lightly. “I expect receipts for everything. They will be checked.”
It was her usual banter, part joke, part serious because she worried about them once they were in the field and, as professional as she was, Price had more than a passing concern for their safety. It didn’t matter how many times the Stony Man combat teams departed, she experienced the same feelings and would not be settled until they all returned safely from their missions.
On this mission the results of failure were almost beyond belief. Barbara Price had been with Stony Man long enough to accept the reckless behavior of extremist groups. They took on board what they wanted to express and disregarded the wider impact of the damage they might create. In this case, Özgürlük appeared to be playing an extremely dangerous game. One that involved the possible detonation of a nuclear device on their own soil.
Would they do it?
Could they risk affecting a part of Turkey with radioactive poison simply to gain their demands? From past experience, Price knew the answer. The madness of extreme threats had no limits. It had been postulated before. And it would be again if the Turkish fanatics—and Price had no hesitation using the word—went to the logical conclusion of their game.
Nuclear bombs in Turkey and even in the U.S.
A double threat.
One that could easily come true if the Stony Man teams didn’t neutralize it.
Istanbul, Turkey
Senior Agent Cem Asker of the Turkish National Intelligence Organization—Milli İstihbarat Teşkilati—shook hands with the three members of the American team. He had been advised the Americans were to be afforded all possible courtesies as representatives of U.S. Intelligence. His orders had come down from the highest source possible in the Turkish government. Issued by the president himself. There were to be no questions about the team. No obstacles were to be put in their way as they launched the probe into the suspected security breaches that involved both Turkey and the United States. The courtesy also extended to the weapons the men had brought with them.
Asker was a dapper man in his early forties with a neatly trimmed beard. He gave the impression of being organized and precise. He had arranged for additional seating to be provided for the three men when they were shown into his office. He waited until they were ranged in front of his desk before he sat himself.
“It would appear a little churlish to welcome you to Istanbul so casually,” he said. “You are not here to enjoy a vacation.”
McCarter said, “And we are not here to override your authority, either, Agent Asker. Our aim is to hopefully stop whatever is going on that might affect Turkish security.”
“And American interests, as well,” Asker said keenly. “Both countries are involved. And as NATO also has an interest in the matter, there is a further urgency.”
“It’s complicated,” McCarter said.
When Phoenix Force had landed at the American base at Incirlik, it was more than apparent that a terrorist attack on the massive base would have a debilitating effect on the American presence in the country. Apart from the military hardware, there were some 5,000 U.S. personnel and family members stationed at Incirlik. Not to be overlooked was the stockpiled nuclear ordnance, there in case the unthinkable happened and American bombers needed to be launched. The commitment to the protection of U.S. interests and the readiness of the American military had been and still was a matter of much debate.
It didn’t take a stretch of the imagination to visualize the damage even a small nuclear device could do. Substantial American and other lives lost. And millions of dollars of equipment destroyed. A big victory for Özgürlük.
“It is complicated indeed,” Asker agreed. “Which is partly why I have asked Agent Berna Kartal to join us. Her association with your people has placed her at the forefront of this matter. I am sure she will be able to assist you greatly.”
“Any help we can get,” McCarter said, “will be welcome.”
“Berna Kartal is a very experienced agent.”
“Always handy to have experience,” Manning said. “If it’s the right kind, of course.”
“Please do not concern yourself with that,” someone said from behind the seated Phoenix Force operatives. “My experience is extensive.”
Phoenix Force turned in unison and saw the young woman who had stepped into Asker’s office. She was five foot eight. With her dark hair held back from her face, her high cheekbones and generous mouth only added to her natural beauty. Her eyes scanned across the Phoenix trio, searching and curious; there was an intelligence there that told them this young woman was not making a casual statement about her abilities. She wore all black, shirt and pants, and had a holstered Glock 9 mm pistol on her right hip. As she moved into the office to take a chair beside Asker’s desk, a faint smile edged her full lips.
“Do I pass?” she said.
“Not judging,” Encizo said graciously. СКАЧАТЬ