Silence was his only reply.
“Then I don’t see any alternative,” Juan said. “We have to do what he says. Hali, put us back on.”
Hali nodded again.
Juan sighed for effect. “I’ve considered your tempting proposal. We’re on our way.”
“Wise choice,” Golov said. “If you launch a single missile, or if there are any weapons visible on that wonder ship of yours, I will fire.”
“I don’t doubt you’re a man of your word. But if you fire, I will destroy you.”
“Two men of our word, then. I expect to see you out on deck with the rest of your crew when you get here.”
“I understand.”
“I can’t wait to see you again,” Golov said, and hung up.
“Stoney,” Juan said. “Set a course for the Achilles.”
“Aye, Chairman,” Eric said. The Oregon began to move.
A deathly quiet filled the op center.
“He’ll kill us all, you know,” Linda finally said. “You’ve seen what he’s capable of.”
“I know,” Juan said as he set the timer on his watch. “So we’ve got ten minutes to come up with a way to keep Golov from sinking that cruise ship while also stopping him from causing a continent-wide disaster. Any ideas?”
More silence, excruciating in its totality. It was broken when Eric cleared his throat.
“You’ve got something, Stoney?” Juan asked.
“Remember those Jetlev-Flyers Murph and I were playing around with a few weeks ago before we started that job in Algeria?”
“Murph liked those more than his beloved skateboard,” Max said. “He even convinced me to buy four for the ship to use for R and R.”
Eric nodded. “Well, Golov said he wanted to see you on deck.”
Juan sat forward, intrigued. “Where are you going with this?”
Eric had just the hint of a smile, and Juan knew he was onto something. “He didn’t say whose deck.”
SIXTY
Ivana got a good look at the Continental Control Hub as the Airbus Eurocopter circled high above it before touching down. Just as she’d seen in satellite photos, it was designed with a distinctive lightning bolt shape as an homage to its purpose. The silver exterior sparkled in the sun.
Antonovich sat across from her, watching her with glazed eyes. He’d been given a mild sedative to keep him compliant while still being able to function.
Sirkal sat beside him, holding a large professional video camera. Behind him were five mercenaries that made up his assault force. Two of them were dressed in suits like Sirkal and Antonovich, while the rest wore black windbreakers and pants.
As the chopper began its descent, Ivana’s phone rang. It was her father.
“We are almost there,” she answered.
“Good,” Golov said. “Because we’ve had trouble up here.” He gave her a brief recap of the attack by the Oregon. “They’ll be here in nine minutes. How long until you can get the virus uploaded?”
“It’ll be operational a few minutes after we are able to secure the command center.”
“And the transactions?”