SEAL Team 666: A Novel

Since SPG didn’t have a secure communications system tied into JSOC, Walker was routed to a landline. As it rang, he saw Laws mouth the words Pure Titanium?

“It’s a strip club on Bragg Boulevard.”

“I know what it is. What’s it have to do with old Burt and the energy drinks?”

“Burt had so many energy drinks, he couldn’t get his pecker to wake up. He had three free lap dances and an invitation to a private room for his birthday and all it did was sleep. The girls started calling him Floppy.”

“Ahh. That would do it.”

A tinny voice answered on the other end. Walker asked for Jennifer Costello. After another wait, he heard her voice.

“This is Jen.”

“Hi Jen, this is Ghost Four.”

“Jack? Wait—where are you calling from?”

“No names,” Laws interrupted. “This is Ghost on mission, we need SPG assist. Can you go secure on your end?”

“Give me a moment,” Jen said, efficient and official. A high-pitched whine shot across the miles, then dissipated. When she came back on the line she asked, “Is everyone safe?”

“I’m safe,” Walker said. “Jen, we need an assist.” He looked meaningfully at Laws.

“This is Ghost Two. We’re a man down and need to get access to a local computer. Can you help?”

There was silence for a moment before she answered. “Glad you’re okay, Ghost Two. Good question. What do you have in the way of equipment?”

Walker held up the device that Fratty had been carrying. There were no labels or markings. “A rectangular box with different cables connected to it. Our man would have used it, but…”

There was a moment of silence. “So sorry, Ghost Team. Listen, is there a USB and a coaxial cable?” she asked.

Following her instructions, it wasn’t long before they had a connection established through the satellite uplink.

“I’m running this through an isolated server just in case there’s a failsafe.” Two minutes later they were past the log-in screen.

Laws began to read the characters on the screen.

Holmes came over. “What’s your status?”

“Looks like there’s a captain’s log as well as a link to the navigation system.” Laws began clicking the mouse and bringing up different screens. He turned in his seat and looked around. “See a printer in here?”

Ruiz found himself standing next to a printer, an ancient dot matrix. He said as much, then turned it on.

It was soon printing one line at a time, making a sound like the world was ripping apart.

“Recovery vehicle says we have to get moving. They have aircraft inbound in ten mikes.”

“I could write faster than this printer,” Walker said, tearing off one page.

“Can we upload to your server?” Laws asked.

“We’re not set up for that,” Jen said, “But let me check.”

Holmes went into action. “Ruiz. Set the charges for seven minutes, then meet us at the bow. Laws, you’ve got exactly two minutes to get what you need out of that computer.”

Laws glared at Holmes, then shrugged. “Tell your girl thanks,” he said, standing up. He jerked out the power cord to the computer, then pulled his knife from its sheath. He jammed it into the back of the computer and pried off the side panel. After a moment of sawing and breaking, he came out with the hard drive. “Possible capture by the People’s Liberation Army is the mother of invention.”

“Save it for the inspirational poster. You all ready?”

Laws and Walker nodded.

“Do you need me anymore?” Jen asked from across the world.

The sound of her voice made Walker long for home. Given a proper evac and recovery, he’d be there soon enough. “Leave the light on,” he said.

“Wilco,” she replied. Then, “And be careful, honey.” Then she disconnected.

Laws broke into a grin from ear to ear.

“Don’t say it,” Walker growled.

“I wouldn’t dream of it … honey.”

Walker rolled his eyes, but couldn’t help smiling. But that evaporated as he noticed Holmes standing over Fratty’s body. “I’ll carry him,” Walker said, hurrying over. He flexi-cuffed Fratty’s hands and ankles together the way he’d been taught, which would make him easier to carry both in and out of the water. Then he lifted the body and arranged the weight on his left shoulder.

Holmes watched him through the whole process. Then he went to the controls and checked the speed and direction. “Okay, let’s go. Masks on.”