“I can’t figure it out either,” Jerry remarked. “I mean, there’s nothing moving at all around here.”

  “Surrrrre wish I knew what he was up to.” Bill said slowly.

  “After we dropped you off at your room, we came down here to just check on the place.” Jerry said.

  Then Bill added, “The last two yachts were just coming in from a trip, I guess, because they docked and started off-loading a lot of stuff.”

  “Yeah.” Jerry continued, “As soon as they were tied up, four men started cleaning the boats and working on the engines. At the same time, others were putting boxes of supplies on board the remaining boats. When those two last boats docked, just the crew was on them......no passengers.”

  Bill shrugged his shoulders, “It beats me. I checked with the Coast Guard, and they hadn’t even had radar contact with them.

  Jerry pointed toward the dock, “See......that’s enough food and other supplies to last a long time. Even extra fuel. Look at the tanks being loaded.”

  “Have you seen Heinman or Mead around there,” I asked.

  “No, Mead’s been at the resort for a couple of days now and when Heinman wants to talk to him, he has to go there.”

  Glancing around and feeling a little unproductive, I said, “What the hell do we do now?”

  “Just watch them for awhile.” They aren’t loading all that stuff on board without something going to happen. If nothing happens, we’ll shove them a little.”

  “If they do leave, I hope Heinman and Mead go too.”

  Bill said, “Now that they think you’re dead, it might make them feel like they have the upper hand again. And, that could lead to all sorts of things.”

  Jerry turned toward me, saying, “We’d better do what Bill said the other day and contact the Coast Guard, so they’re ready just in case.”

  We drove over to see the Commander and explained what was happening. He instructed all his people to set up a surveillance of the docks, but that no action was to be taken unless the order came directly from him.

  Deciding that a return visit was in order to watch over the boats again, I contacted Bill and Jerry the following day. It would have to be at night, and not knowing exactly what to expect, we had to be ready for anything. Arming ourselves with weapons and gadgets, we took off. Parking the car some distance from the docks, we made our way through the brush, keeping in the shadows. The lights surrounding the covered dock area shown bright in the darkness, as we waited patiently at the edge of a row of small trees. Using the binoculars, I could see several men still loading items and stowing them below decks. Looking up, I could see the flying bridge on one of the yachts, and noticed something different. A couple of men were installing a new type of antenna, one that I had never seen before.

  “What do you think that it?” I asked Jerry and Bill.

  “Don’t know.” Bill said and looking at Jerry.

  That brought a shrug of the shoulders, as I said, “None of the others have it. Whatever operates it has to be down below in the cabin and we’ll just have to go down there and see.”

  “Right after those men leave. Then we can have a look?” Bill Said.

  Two hours went by, and finally, they climbed down from the flying bridge, stowed their tools and left. Two guards remained and they were both at the other end of the dock.

  “This is our chance,” Jerry said to me. “Get moving. You know what has to be done, so make it quick.”

  In our little bag of tricks was a dart pellet gun that could put a man to sleep in a matter of seconds. Both the guards were standing close together and would make it that much easier. Bending down, I slowly edged my way to the side of the building, around the corner. Making sure that the guards were still in the same place and were within range, I prepared the gun. Setting the hammer and loading two pellets, I eased a little closer. The short rifle type weapon had a folding stock, was light weight, very accurate. I leveled the sights, aimed and fired. The dart hit one guard in the neck, as I fired the second, making contact in the other man’s shoulder. Signaling, I motioned that all was clear and they followed me as I entered the dock. Starting with the first boat, each of us took a different section. Bill was to take pictures, Jerry to check the antenna, and myself to look for the operating devices. Without stopping to talk to one another, we worked swiftly and could feel the tension as the minutes went by. Finishing the last nook and cranny, we got to the corner of the building, just in time to see one of the men starting to come out of the daze. Getting out of there and to the car, didn’t take long and we were on the highway.

  “That was close,” I said, matter-of-factly. “A few more minutes and they would have been fully awake. They won’t have any idea what went on.”

  “That’s what makes our jobs interesting, right?” Jerry said.

  Bill answered with a nod, “Right. You don’t think any of those men saw us, do you?”

  “Nah. They were still to fuzzy in the head to realize what was happening.” I answered.

  “Let’s get this info to the Commander. He should know what the equipment is,” Bill said with confidence. “If anyone can make heads or tails out of it, he could.”

  “We’ll have to get the film developed first, and then go over there,” I said. “By the time we study the photos, and get the expert input from the Commander, we’ll probably know more about the equipment than the operators.

  Glancing my way, Jerry said, “I hope you’re right. I just don’t want to under estimate either one of them. They probably have a lot of backing from the Russians, and they might offer to help them, just to get the last info they need. We’re going to do our level best to make sure that doesn’t happen. If they do get anymore......we’d better join the Foreign Legion, because our boss would kick us in the ass so hard, we wouldn’t need a plane to get overseas. We’d land in the desert in northern Africa. He’s got a big boot, you know.”

  “Yeah, we all know. We’ve been kicked a time or two.” Bill said, rubbing his butt.

  Laughing a little, I remarked, “What a hell-of-a thought that is. But, I do remember.”

  “Well......with this job, it’s either stop them or die trying,” Jerry said soberly.

  “I owe Mead something and I’m going to make sure he gets what’s coming to him. Especially after the way he is treating Jill and all the others.

  They both agreed that I wouldn’t be held back by either one of them. Being what it is, they wanted the same results.

  Early the following morning, we were at the Coast Guard Station, waiting in the outer office for the Commander to arrive. When he walked through the door, it was six o’clock on the nose and he looked wide awake, just like it was noon. As for me, that time of morning is for people who get plenty of sleep the night before. I don’t think any of us did. He greeted us with a cheerful, “Good Morning”, asked us to come in his office and have a cup of coffee.

  Speaking first, he said, “From your call last night, it sounds like you’ve made considerable progress with your case, and we’re ready to help. Let’s go into the briefing room where we won’t be disturbed and can get down to some serious talking and planning.”

  It was a large room next to his and we sat down at the table in the center. He walked over to the wall and pulled the drapes covering several sliding panels that showed the coast line in detail, and then he sat down with us.

  “Now, let’s get our thoughts going in the same direction. You said over the phone that you had taken some photos of unidentified equipment and instrumentation, right.”

  Pointing to a folder on the table, Jerry said, “I have them right here. But first, I wanted to show you these photos of some classified documents that were also aboard, and looked to me like they are Navy ship deployments.”

  “May I have a look at those,” he asked.

  Glancing through them, his face showed amazement at their content.

  “That’s exactly what they are. Navy Ship deployments in an area a thousand miles at sea and the entire coastline from Southern California to Seattle. Then continues up to and around Alaska. My main concern at the moment, is whether anyone knows about this except your two suspects. And of course, did they relay it to anyone else yet, and if they did, to whom.”

  Then I spoke up, “See these dates written on the top of each page?” I said, pointing to them. “All of them are future dates, and the letters “TR” in front of the date would indicate to me, that they haven’t been yet.”

  “Makes sense to me.” Jerry said, with Bill agreeing.

  Jerry pulled a small envelope from his pocket and opened it, handing the contents to the Commander. “I made a copy of their code book also.”

  “Now that’s really some good information. I can give this to our reconnaissance department. They have tapes of all coding sent throughout our area. They can see if anything like that was sent.”

  “Good show,” Jerry said.

  “Now, let’s see those photos of the equipment they have onboard,” he said.

  Spreading the photos the full length of the table and down the other side, the Commander stood up and viewed them one at a time. Looking at several and studying some more closely, he began to get a look of bewildered expression on his face.

  Picking up one of them, he looked at us one at a time and then back again, “Any of you know what these are?”

  “We talked about it and thought it might be used in radar detection equipment.” Bill said.

  “Well......you’re not far off. But, it isn’t radar detection. “It’s radar depletion.”

  “You mean, like making the radar signals go crazy?” I asked.

  “What I’m saying is, the complete radar surveillance of the coast line could be disabled by this equipment. Enemy ships, submarines, and for that matter aircraft, could enter our coastal limits without being detected. That is, until it’s too late to retaliate with full military alertness. Visual identification would, of course come into play and warning sent out appropriately. We have the same equipment in our own Navy.”

  “How do they keep our radar from functioning?” Bill asked.

  “It doesn’t keep the radar from functioning at all. Instead, they transmit a signal that interrupts the scanning devices and when the signals are flashed back to the ground stations, they’re garbled.”

  “Jamming” I said. Not like the old WWII type that used aluminum, but now its satellite operated.”

  “Any defense against it, Commander?” Jerry asked.

  “Only one. We would have to “Jam” their device with a stronger signal and we have it. The trick is, knowing that it’s being used. Then we can counteract it. It was developed during the cold war days, for early warning systems.”

  “Sounds like we need to get hot on that portion and keep an eye on the yacht all the time. I guess the best thing is to let you know as soon as the engines are started and they get underway.” I said.

  “We need to make that a priority,” he said. “We’ll keep them in sight round the clock, and know the minute any of the boats move.”

  “One other thing, Commander. I’m not doubting for a minute that those four girls will be aboard one of the yachts,” I said. “And of course I don’t want them to get hurt.”

  Bill interjected, “We’ll know which one they’ll be on and let you know.”

  “All of us feel that it won’t be long before they’re ready to go, since everything is loaded on their boats,” I said.

  “It could be anytime now, Commander.” Jerry noted. “What will be your course of action when they do leave port?”

  “First thing is to establish radio contact. If they refuse to let us board their vessels, we’ll attempt to surround them with our ships. If they resist or use gunfire, I have orders to destroy them.”

  “You mean blow them out of the water?” Bill asked.

  “We’ll fire warning shots first. But that’s about it.” he said tactfully. “The risk is too great, if they succeed with their plans. Whatever is necessary to keep them from that, we’ll do. We’ll wait for your signal from shore when, the one boat with the radar device is leaving. But, if we don’t receive that signal from you, and we see them visually, we’ll have to go ahead with the alternate plan. One, which I might add, I won’t enjoy, but it must be done.”

  “We understand,” Jerry agreed. “We have to be going now. I’ll keep you informed on the progress from shore.”

  Leaving there, I felt considerably better, knowing that the Commander was going to exercise caution and not go in there with guns blazing, and trying to start WW III. He was extremely knowledgeable of his job, and all of us had the confidence to see this thing through without bloodshed if possible.

  DESTINY TAKES A HAND

  The three of us arrived at the top of a small hill overlooking the inlet that expanded widely into the sea. The Commanders ship was just bearly visible on the horizon, as we waited for the signal to start things happening. We knew and expected trouble, but didn’t know just how much was going to be from them. Going over the last minute details and insuring each of us knew exactly what we were going to do, we waited......waited......and waited. Searching the horizon again, one of the other agents that Jerry had brought along, motioned to us that he had spotted the signal. In a few minutes, six Coast Guard Ships were rendezvousing, and each in a prearranged position.

  Bill and four of his men started down the hill and headed for the dock area, where they were to set up surveillance and keep Jerry and me advised if any of the yachts started to move. Jerry and I headed for the fence and took up our positions with five other agents, just outside the boundary of the resort. Using wire cutters, we made a hole in the chain link fence, and slipped through. In a small grove of trees close to the block buildings, Jerry signaled one of his men to make his way to the guard at the gate and silence him. But, before he got twenty feet from the trees, the guard saw him and opened fire with an automatic rifle, downing the agent. At the same moment, we returned fire, killing the guard, and entering through the gate. Once inside, we each went in different directions along the wall of the smaller building.

  Mead and Heinman were both in the larger building since earlier in the day and hadn’t come out. Three guards came through the main door, and when they saw the guard lying on the ground, set off an electronic alarm that brought still more guards to the front of the building. Several, opened fire on us and we again returned it, killing them as they rushed us. Finally, the guards stopped coming, and retreated back into the building. Jerry and I rushed through the door and took cover behind a desk just inside, making quick work of the rest of them. The large room was well equipped with communications and all was working and lights flashing from the panels everywhere.

  Voices were coming from a small office at the other end of the building. I recognized them as Mead and Heinman, and they were loud angry tones.

  “I’m not going to get caught up in this trap!” Heinman said.

  “You stay where you are, Heinman,” came the order from Mead.

  “But we’re trapped in here.”

  “No we’re not. Just stick with me.”

  Mead called out in a loud voice, as we got closer to the office, “You out there......who are you?”

  “You’re surrounded Mead. Give yourselves up,” Jerry shouted.

  “Not a chance. Who the hell are you?” he asked again.

  “Federal Agents.”

  “Mead......can you hear me? This is Harry Silver.”

  “It can’t be. He’s dead,” Heinman said.

  “I’m very much alive and you’d better do as you’re told and not do anything stupid.”

  “You and your men are the ones in trouble, Silver. Back off or I’ll throw the switch to blow this building sky high.”

  “What good would that do......you’ll go up with us.”

  “You’ve got two minutes to make up your mind or it’ll be too late to do anything. You’d better get the hell out while you can,” Mead called.

  “I think he means it, Jerry,” I said. “With a setup like this there would have to be some kind of destructive system.”

  “Even if there is, I’m not letting him get away,” Jerry said insistently.

  “We don’t have to let them get away. Stall them till I can get closer to the office. Maybe I can get a shot at them before he can do any damage.

  “O.K., We’ll keep you covered and try to keep their attention over here.

  “Mead......this is Agent Craven. Maybe we can make a deal,” Jerry called to the little room, as I made my way along the wall.

  “It’s not going to work, Craven. Mead said.

  “I’m in charge of this operation and I can make you a deal.”

  “Well, hear this, Mr. Agent in charge. You’ve got one minute and five seconds to clear this building, or you won’t be in charge of anything.”

  “We can negotiate, Mead.”

  “What do you take me for......a fool? I know the law and their tricks. No deals,” he said.

  I was within ten feet of the office and just about to go in with full force, but Heinman saw my shadow.

  “There’s someone outside the door,” he said nervously.

  “You out there, the switch is thrown and it won’t be long now.” Mead said.

  Heinman interrupted, “I can’t stand this anymore. I’m going to give myself up. Don’t shoot......I’m coming out.”

  Just as Heinman got to the door, a shot rang out from inside and he grimaced in pain and fell to the floor. I hesitated before charging into the room. To my surprise, no one was there, but the clicking sound coming from a mechanism implanted in the wall, told me that he had indeed, flipped the switch to the doomsday device. It read thirty-five seconds remained.

  “Get the hell out of here quick......it’s going to blow,” I yelled, as all of us ran through the door and found a ditch to lay in. Just a few seconds later, the blast shook the ground and pieces of wood and concrete were everywhere. Two of the agents were killed from the falling heavy pieces. Then a second blast seemed to come from a lot further back toward the smaller building. This time, I ran as fast as I could over the rubble that was in my way. Then I saw what had happened. The rear of the second building had been blown to bits. No one was in sight, as I searched for Mead.