Chapter 45
The Singapore Strait, Singaporean Territorial Waters, On Board the Liquefied Natural Gas Carrier, Hanjin Sun
November 13, 2006, 02:40 local time
Jackson knew Carl's outburst resulted from his fear of losing control over an operation he was responsible for, but Jackson didn't have time to explain what had happened. He replied, “The SEAL's radios don't work down inside the ship. The hijackers have killed a crewman and I need to know what's happening.”
Carl said, “The Admiral has issued orders that when the LNG carrier you are on, the Hanjin Sun, crosses a red line, five kilometers from the Changi Naval Base, US Navy destroyers will use all possible means to stop the ship. It's presently six kilometers, fifteen minutes at its current speed, from that red line.”
Jackson asked, “How do they plan to stop the ship?”
Carl replied, “They haven't reached a final decision. I have someone listening in to their video conference and they seem to be leaning towards using naval gunfire to damage the ship's steering and propulsion mechanisms. If they do, we advise you to move as far forward on the vessel as possible. I have also been told to inform you that if any of the gas containment vessels are punctured, you should get off the ship immediately, by whatever means.”
Jackson heard coughing and then the SEAL Lieutenant's voice on his radio, “I have a man with burns and we are all suffering from smoke inhalation. We need to evacuate the ship immediately. I've already called in the inflatable.”
Another voice cut in and said, “Is it safe to evacuate, Lieutenant?”
“The boarding ladder is still in place and clear of the fire on the other side of the ship. I want my men off the ship before those destroyers open fire.”
With the inflatable evacuating the SEALs, Jackson needed to know what they were doing to evacuate Joe and him.
“How do we get off the ship?”
Carl responded, “Our advice is to use one of the ship's life rafts.”
“What about the crew?”
“There is nothing we can do for the crew at this stage. Sergeant, I repeat, you have less than fifteen minutes to evacuate the ship.”
Jackson saw the long sleek shape of a US warship go past at high speed and then begin to turn in behind the LNG carrier. Its forward gun turret swung around to aim directly at them.
Without the SEALs to take out the hijackers on the deck, Jackson had to decide whether to leave the ship and abandon the crew to its fate, or try to do something with just Corporal Bao for support.
He could see four Blackhawk helicopters hovering several kilometers away. He assumed they were Singaporean. He hoped they knew friendly forces were on board the LNG carrier.
“I can see a number of helicopters approaching. Are the Singaporeans planning an assault?”
“Yes they are, although we don't have details on the timing.”
Jackson said, “If they attempt an assault they will likely trigger a massacre of the crew. The hijackers have murdered one crewmember already, and I do not intend to abandon the rest to the same fate.
“Sergeant Jackson, standby for new orders.”
Jackson went back through the doorway and toward the stairway, where he would be out of radio contact.
“Corporal, I'm coming back to your position.”
“I hear you, Sarge.”
Jackson reached the head of the stairs and saw Joe was covering the stairway with his pistol. Anil stood beside him.
Jackson said to Joe. “There's been a change of plan. We won't be getting any help from the SEALs. They are leaving the ship. So, we will have to take out the terrorists down on the main deck as well.”
“Anil, have you ever handled a firearm?”
“Yes, I have. There is military conscription in my country.”
“Then you are coming with us.”
It was against procedures, but Jackson handed his pistol to Anil and showed him how to operate the safety.
Jackson said, “You will stay at the bottom of the stairs that lead up to the bridge deck and protect our rear. If you see any of the hijackers, who will be wearing the same vests as the men you have seen on the closed circuit television, open fire on him immediately. It is important you do not give him any warning you are about to shoot. The vests the hijackers are wearing are packed with explosives.”
Anil responded, “I will kill him, without warning.”
Jackson found the man's quiet precision, reassuring, yet at the same time vaguely disturbing.
Jackson said, “We have less than fifteen minutes to do this. Let's go.”
Joe asked, “What happens when the fifteen minutes are up?”
“US warships will open fire on the ship.”
Anil said, “If the gas containment vessels are breached, inside the rear of the ship is the safest place.”
Jackson responded, “That's where they will be firing the shells. We have been told to go down the deck to the front of the ship.”
Anil shook his head and said quietly, “That's foolish advice.”
Chapter 46
November 13, 2006, 02:40 local time
Jackson knew Carl's outburst resulted from his fear of losing control over an operation he was responsible for, but Jackson didn't have time to explain what had happened. He replied, “The SEAL's radios don't work down inside the ship. The hijackers have killed a crewman and I need to know what's happening.”
Carl said, “The Admiral has issued orders that when the LNG carrier you are on, the Hanjin Sun, crosses a red line, five kilometers from the Changi Naval Base, US Navy destroyers will use all possible means to stop the ship. It's presently six kilometers, fifteen minutes at its current speed, from that red line.”
Jackson asked, “How do they plan to stop the ship?”
Carl replied, “They haven't reached a final decision. I have someone listening in to their video conference and they seem to be leaning towards using naval gunfire to damage the ship's steering and propulsion mechanisms. If they do, we advise you to move as far forward on the vessel as possible. I have also been told to inform you that if any of the gas containment vessels are punctured, you should get off the ship immediately, by whatever means.”
Jackson heard coughing and then the SEAL Lieutenant's voice on his radio, “I have a man with burns and we are all suffering from smoke inhalation. We need to evacuate the ship immediately. I've already called in the inflatable.”
Another voice cut in and said, “Is it safe to evacuate, Lieutenant?”
“The boarding ladder is still in place and clear of the fire on the other side of the ship. I want my men off the ship before those destroyers open fire.”
With the inflatable evacuating the SEALs, Jackson needed to know what they were doing to evacuate Joe and him.
“How do we get off the ship?”
Carl responded, “Our advice is to use one of the ship's life rafts.”
“What about the crew?”
“There is nothing we can do for the crew at this stage. Sergeant, I repeat, you have less than fifteen minutes to evacuate the ship.”
Jackson saw the long sleek shape of a US warship go past at high speed and then begin to turn in behind the LNG carrier. Its forward gun turret swung around to aim directly at them.
Without the SEALs to take out the hijackers on the deck, Jackson had to decide whether to leave the ship and abandon the crew to its fate, or try to do something with just Corporal Bao for support.
He could see four Blackhawk helicopters hovering several kilometers away. He assumed they were Singaporean. He hoped they knew friendly forces were on board the LNG carrier.
“I can see a number of helicopters approaching. Are the Singaporeans planning an assault?”
“Yes they are, although we don't have details on the timing.”
Jackson said, “If they attempt an assault they will likely trigger a massacre of the crew. The hijackers have murdered one crewmember already, and I do not intend to abandon the rest to the same fate.
“Sergeant Jackson, standby for new orders.”
Jackson went back through the doorway and toward the stairway, where he would be out of radio contact.
“Corporal, I'm coming back to your position.”
“I hear you, Sarge.”
Jackson reached the head of the stairs and saw Joe was covering the stairway with his pistol. Anil stood beside him.
Jackson said to Joe. “There's been a change of plan. We won't be getting any help from the SEALs. They are leaving the ship. So, we will have to take out the terrorists down on the main deck as well.”
“Anil, have you ever handled a firearm?”
“Yes, I have. There is military conscription in my country.”
“Then you are coming with us.”
It was against procedures, but Jackson handed his pistol to Anil and showed him how to operate the safety.
Jackson said, “You will stay at the bottom of the stairs that lead up to the bridge deck and protect our rear. If you see any of the hijackers, who will be wearing the same vests as the men you have seen on the closed circuit television, open fire on him immediately. It is important you do not give him any warning you are about to shoot. The vests the hijackers are wearing are packed with explosives.”
Anil responded, “I will kill him, without warning.”
Jackson found the man's quiet precision, reassuring, yet at the same time vaguely disturbing.
Jackson said, “We have less than fifteen minutes to do this. Let's go.”
Joe asked, “What happens when the fifteen minutes are up?”
“US warships will open fire on the ship.”
Anil said, “If the gas containment vessels are breached, inside the rear of the ship is the safest place.”
Jackson responded, “That's where they will be firing the shells. We have been told to go down the deck to the front of the ship.”
Anil shook his head and said quietly, “That's foolish advice.”
Chapter 46
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home