Final Option (Oregon Files 14)

“Not yet.”

Hali kept the paraglider descending straight and true as if they didn’t understand the danger heading their way. When the drone was only fifty yards away and closing fast, he said to MacD, “Break right . . . now!”

Hali pulled down on the handle in his left hand, which yanked the canopy down on that side and sent him and Belasco into a tight turn and descent. She screamed from the stomach-churning drop.

The drone shot right between him and MacD and exploded in midair a hundred feet above them.

Hali felt the heat and concussion from the blast and looked up. The canopy was undamaged. The drones were so small that they could only carry a tiny payload. Unless the explosion happened right next to them, they might live through this.

Hali looked around and saw another drone break from the others. The operator wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

MacD apparently knew that as well. “Strike one for the bad guys. Now what, mister expert flyer?”

“Our best chance is to get down to the island as fast as possible.”

“And the drone?”

“Dodge it,” Hali said.

“Very helpful.”

“I’m out of ideas.”

“Think quick. Here it comes.”

The drone was ignoring MacD and heading right at Hali and Belasco.

Hali pulled the paraglider first one way, then the other, in an attempt to shake it, but the drone was too quick. It would only be a matter of time before it closed within ten yards of them and blew them apart.

“I have an idea,” Gomez said on the comm system.

At that moment, another drone came out of nowhere and slammed into the attacking drone in a kamikaze fashion. The propellers on both drones shattered, and they tumbled toward the water. The operator set off the explosive, but by then it was too far away to have the desired effect.

“Thank you, sir,” Hali shouted. “Nice flying.”

“I’ve only got one more on hand,” Gomez said.

“Make it count.”

Hali watched as Gomez flew his second quadcopter into another drone. Both were demolished in the collision.

That left a single attacking drone, and it raced toward them. Hali could see the Gator knifing through the water, but it was too far away for anyone aboard to have a clear shot at the drone. The Oregon was following in the distance, ready to recover them all. Assuming, of course, that they lived through this.

The fortress on Ilha da Laje was now just a few hundred yards away. From above it looked like a flying saucer had landed in the water. The tiny rock poking out of the bay was completely covered by the stronghold that had been built in the eighteenth century to guard the entrance to the harbor. The concrete roof added since then was several feet thick and could withstand almost any assault. A cantilevered steel jetty extended from one side for boats to dock, but the military installation hadn’t been used in decades.

Since MacD had more maneuverability, he was ahead and nearing the island. He dropped quickly and landed in a roll on the fort’s roof.

He quickly detached from the canopy and got to his feet. He drew his pistol and began firing at the drone, but it was useless.

It was up to Hali. He had a plan, but it was almost suicidal. Still, it was their best chance.

He found a thermal coming off the warm bay waters and used it to rise as he approached the island. He had to gain some altitude for this to work.

“Make sure you have a good hold on my harness,” he said to Belasco.

“I’m not going to like this, am I?”

“Doubt it. Get ready to fall.”