Blue Darker Than Black by Mike Jenne

Author:Mike Jenne [Jenne, Mike]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781631580727
Publisher: Yucca Publishing
Published: 2016-01-12T05:00:00+00:00

17

HOUNGAN

Aerospace Support Project

3:35 p.m., Saturday, March 14, 1970

Distraught, Tew anxiously paced the floor while Wolcott intently studied the latest report from the rescue staging site at Homestead Air Force Base. According to Fels, the situation was dire, but his men on the ground in Haiti had formulated a solid plan, and he urged that everyone show patience and restraint until they had an opportunity to execute.

Tew dug in his desk drawer for some antacid pills. Finding the bottle empty, he cursed under his breath and slammed the drawer closed. “I cannot believe that with all our sophisticated technology, we have two men stranded in this backwards country, held captive by a sorcerer convinced that they’re some kind of werewolves, and that he’s intent on trading them off to curry political favor,” he bemoaned. “And here we are, the most powerful nation on the face of the planet, yet we only have three troops on the ground to resolve this situation.”

Looking up, Wolcott slipped off his reading glasses. “You forgot Henson and that Army guy, Glades. That totes up to five, Mark. Besides, the other fifteen will go in tonight.”

“You’re right. What a difference that will make,” snorted Tew sarcastically. “Who needs an airborne division or a carrier battle group? Five men? We have a veritable army at our disposal. Look out, world! What a fiasco. I suppose the only issue that remains is whether we leave the rescue to Fels and his men, or whether we call Hugh Kittredge.”

Reflecting on that contingency, Wolcott groaned quietly. General Kittredge had agreed to let them handle the situation, so long as there was a reasonable expectation of a favorable outcome. But if it became apparent that they were in over their heads, they were expected to phone Kittredge without delay.

In turn, Kittredge would call the president, and the State Department would swiftly throw its weight behind securing the release of their two men in Haiti. But it was an action that would not be without consequence. No matter how much money was spent or how quietly this distasteful matter was handled, Wolcott could not envision an outcome in which the world would not learn about their secret operations in orbit.

“Well?” asked Tew.

Wolcott slowly cracked his knuckles, which emitted a disconcerting sound like pea gravel being crunched underneath the weight of heavy hobnailed boots. “Say the word, Mark, and I’ll make the call,” he declared, lightly placing his hand on the phone receiver. “But we both know that when I make the call, Blue Gemini is over. All over.”

“So what would you have me do?” demanded Tew. “Moreover, Virgil, what would you do?”

“Me? What would I do? We’re right against the goal line and it looks mighty ugly, but Isaac Fels is confident that his boys can make the winning play. I say we trust them to do their jobs.”

Tew slumped into his chair and nodded his head. “You’re right, Virg. We should trust them.”

Dubuission Homestead, Haiti

5:15 p.m., Saturday, March 14, 1970

After the plan was finalized, Henson rode into Grande-Rivière-du-Nord to do some last minute shopping.

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