Page 103 of Enemy Within

One last kick slammed into his chest, and the world went black.

39

North Kara Sea

CAPTAIN ANDERSON’S VOICE BROKE over the radio as Jack and the others waited in the first RusFuel station.

“Mr. President, I’ve got bad news for you.”

Jack keyed the radio on as Ethan leaned in, frowning. Sasha and Sergey sat beside them, Sasha mechanically cleaning weapons as Sergey chattered at him in Russian. From the way Sergey gesticulated, and how Sasha smiled softly every now and then, Sergey was either telling one bad joke after another or sharing his dreams of their future.

Scott leaned back in a chair, his arms crossed, and snored.

“What’s going on, Captain?”

“Sonar has picked up Sierra One again. She’s come over the pole and is hanging out in deep waters. Bozeman took damage coming through Herald Canyon and had to go back through the Strait. We’re alone up here. We’ve got to move, or we’ll be sitting ducks. Easy targets for their torpedoes.”

“How are your repairs coming, Captain?”

“We’re better than we were before.”

Not fully repaired, though. Jack exhaled. “Get your people out of harm’s way, Captain. Stay safe.”

“Safe is blowing those bastards out of the water. We’ll get it done, Mr. President. They’ll be on the bottom of the seafloor soon. Once we go under, we’ll be out of radio contact until we surface again. Come hell or high water, Mr. President, we’ll find a way to get to you.”

“Thank you, Captain.” Jack watched Ethan check the bolt on his rifle, unload his magazine, check it, and reload. One of Ethan’s rituals, something he did to prepare himself. Cycle his thoughts and prepare for what was to come. He held one hand out to Ethan, laying it flat on the table.

“Stay safe, Mr. President. We’ll contact you as soon as we can.” The radio cut out.

Ethan laced his fingers through his own and squeezed.

WHEN THE RADIO CHIRPED again, Ethan almost dove for it. He’d started to pace, slow, looping steps from one end of the station to the other. Jack watched him silently. Adam’s silence had started to gnaw on his mind, too.

“Director Reichenbach, this is Lieutenant Cooper. Come back.”

Ethan pressed his throat mic and spoke. Relief strained his voice. “Lieutenant, good to hear your voice. We were starting to get worried.”

“Sorry, sir. There was some interference at this station. Some radio equipment one of the techs had that wasn’t ever turned off. We just got it taken care of.”

Ethan nodded. “What’s your status, Lieutenant?”

There was a pause, and a warble in the signal, a brief flicker of static. “We’re all clear, sir,” Adam said. “Station is secure. You guys should head down and join us.”

Ethan’s gaze flicked to Jack. He turned to Sergey, who nodded.

Jack smiled. “Tell him we’re on our way.”

40

North Kara Sea

SNOWMOBILES ROARED OUTSIDE THE RusFuel station. Adam lay on his belly, drooling blood onto the floor of the radio room. One eye was swollen shut. At least two ribs were cracked. Breathing felt like he was being squeezed in a vise, or getting bear-hugged with a bike chain. His hands were secured behind his back, and his boots were taped at his ankles.

He heard Cook’s men order his people to the center of the main room, down the hall. Heard the pull and tear of duct tape. His people, being restrained.

Ethan would be here soon. He’d ride in, and he’d save the day.

Adam had to believe that. He clung to the thought, whispering it over and over, praying as his lips moved through the puddle of blood beneath his chin.Allah, guide Ethan. Protect him, shield him. Protect him from what I have done.