Machado stood and crossed the cabin, jerking open the door. "We better hear something damned quick," he grumbled nastily. "I can't keep my men in check much longer. They have this growing urge to place me in charge of the mission."
Ammar smiled agreeably. "Noon . . . if we haven't heard from our leaders by noon, I will Turn over command to you."
Machado's eyes widened for an instant in suspicion. "You'd agree to step down and place me in charge?"
"Why not? I've accomplished what I set out to do. Except for the disposition of President Hasan and Miss Kamil, my job is finished. I'll gladly hand the final headaches to you."
Machado suddenly grinned the devil's own grin. "I'm going to hold you to that promise, Egyptian. Then maybe I'll see the face behind the mask." Then he stepped outside.
The door latch had hardly clicked after Machado's depamm when Ammar removed the miniature radio from under his coat and pressed the transmit switch.
"Ibn?"
"Yes, Suleiinan Aziz?"
"Your location?"
"On the stern."
"How many on shore?"
"Six have been ferried to the old mine pier. There are fifteen of us left on board, including you. The going is slow. We only have one
-man boat. The large eight-man inflatable was slashed beyond repair."
"Sabotage?"
"It could only be the handiwork of Machado's men."
"Have they caused any more problems?"
"Not yet. The cold keeps them off the outside decks. Most are sitting in the lounge drinking tequila from the bar. The rest are sleeping. You were wise to instruct our men to become friendly with them. Their discipline has loosened considerably."
"The charges?"
"All explosives have been placed in a line running parallel with the glacier's face. The detonation should bring down the entire frontal wall on the ship."
"How soon before our withdrawal can be completed?"
"The use of paddles makes for slow going under a heavy ebb tide. We can't use the boat's motor for fear of alerting Machado's men. I'd estimate another forty-five minutes to clear everyone off the ship."
"We must be safely away before daylight."
"Everyone will do their utmost, Suiek= Aziz."
"Can they run the ferry operation without you?"
:'Yes."
'Bring one man and meet me at Hasan's cabin."
"We're going to execute them?"
"No," replied Anunar. "We're taking them with us."
Ammar switched off the radio and slipped the Koran into a pocket of his coat.
His betrayal by Akhmad Yazid would be revenged. He was going to enjoy seeing his magnificent plan Turn to shambles. Ammar had no intention of carrying through with the original operation, knowing Machado had been hired to kill him and his hijack team. He was angered more by the loss of his fee than by being stabbed in the back.