Читать книгу HUMANS - Igor Yevtishenkov - Страница 9

«We aren’t sure that Hawking died,» the Colonel tilted his head towards his shoulder and carefully answered the Admiral’s silent question. I did the last briefing with him. He was in great shape. A really good mood. According to two reconnaissance aircrafts, his jet crashed here in the area to the south of Raqqa,» he pointed the crash site on the map. «His group reported that he had ejected. Reconnaissance aircrafts also confirmed that they saw a parachute on the ground. They were shot at with a single shot from a MANPAD too.»

«So the militants have received MANPADS from China eventually. Their Arabian sheikhs paid for them…» the Admiral shook his head.

«Yes, Sir!»

«How did they shoot him down? You said the flight range of MANPAD’s missiles was 9,800 feet, no further!

«Yes, Sir!» the Colonel nodded. This data arrived from the Pentagon. However, their trajectory shows that they can fly up to 13,000 feet.

«Hawking’s jet altitude was almost 16,000, right?»

«Yes, Sir! However, the shot was taken from the top of this hill here. They climbed up to the top and cut the distance for a shot. That is just 3,200 feet. Therefore, the missile was right on the edge of its range. The first shot went past the wing of the leader and the second one touched Hawking’s.»

«God damn it!» the Admiral could not take a decision on the rescue of the pilot and this indecision irritated him more than Colonel’s formal report. «Did you find his tracker?»

«Yes, Sir! It is located right in the area of the crash. It’s in the fire. There are about fifty terrorists round there, which is why, we may surmise that Hawking did it on purpose.»

«Hmm… It’s a strange decision. He would have been forced to do that, if he saw they had a device detecting our trackers. But this is impossible. It’s the latest version.»

«Yes, Sir!» the Colonel paused and added: «But the Chinese MANPADS appeared unexpectedly as well.»

«Damn you!» the Admiral could not resist. «We can’t land our people there. If we lose a single one, it will cause uproar in the Senate and heads will roll… not just ours!»

«Yes, I know, Sir. The elections are coming and Republicans will not miss the opportunity…»

«I knew you understood me!»

«Excuse me, Sir, I have one more thing.»

«Which one?» the Admiral felt that his subordinate had some idea.

«We could send a few storm troopers. They would drop empty boxes by parachute a little further than where Hawking landed. If terrorists approach them, our planes fire». This will distract them and enable Hawking to reveal his location… in any way… Yes, he’ll find a way. He will think of something. He has the technical means.»

«And if the terrorists do not approach? Or only half of them do? Or there is a second option: Hawking has gone in another direction? Or the third one: Hawking died. What then?»

«Then you have a clear conscience, Sir,» said the Colonel, quietly. «We can’t do more than that.»

«Hmm… How long do you need to prepare a new group?» asked the Admiral in quite a different voice. His previous doubt and uncertainty had left him.

«Two hours, Sir!» answered the Colonel, cheerfully, barely holding back a joyful smile.

«Do it!» sounded a short order and soon three crews began to prepare for an emergency flight.