“This is the .416 round,” Met announced, as he held one up in the air for all to see. “When this puppy comes out of the barrel, it is supersonic at 3,250 feet per second.”
“And it stays supersonic out to 2,500 yards before it starts to drop off,” Pru again spoke. “That roughly translates to about 2.3 seconds to travel 1.4 miles.”
“We have another item that may also help us on this
Project,” Met said, as he held up a short, round object. “This is the Barrett Optical Range System or BORS as most people call it. It’s an integrated electronic ballistic computer that couples directly to the riflescope by acting as the upper rear scope ring. The BORS continuously measures air temperature, barometric pressure, and bore line angle. Given these inputs, it automatically calculates a ballistic solution for a specific user selected cartridge.
Since we will probably be taking the shot at an extremely long range, this could help Pru and me to get an accurate first shot.”
“I’m sure we will get into this in greater detail later, but are there any questions at this time?” Pru asked the group.
“Will this replace the shooter/spotter teams we have used on past Projects?” Benz inquired.
“No,” Pru quickly replied. “Met and I both feel the shooter/spotter arrangements have worked out very well in the past and is still the way to go. We see this new equipment as enhancements rather than replacements to our long range shooting plans.”
The question and answer period went on for some time and when it finally ended, JC again took the floor. “Nice job,” he commended Met and Pru. “These items certainly fit the bill in the technical area.”
He now addressed the entire Team. “But we are still at a disadvantage in the area of planning tactics. If we knew where in the world we would be going, it would help, but since that will have to be answered by Intel at a later date, we are sort of stuck. In the meantime, I have an idea I would like us all to kick around. Instead of tactical planning for a specific area, why don’t we develop generic type tactics around the BORS and .416 rounds? That way we can seriously start tactical planning now and when we get the Intel about the location, we can just adapt the plan to that part of the world.”
At first cut, the idea sounded good, but as with all ideas, the Team would dissect it and put it back together again before any agreement was reached.
The Team had been discussing the new idea for some time when JC decided a coffee break was in order. While the rest of the Team filed out to the coffeepot, Panda and Air Jockey wandered up to the front of the room where Pru and Met were standing. As they examined the new round and BORS,
Panda remarked, “These guys ain’t as dumb as they look.”
“Maybe,” Jockey answered. “I think it all depends on the angle that you’re looking at them.”
Met looked at Pru and a big smile appeared on both of their faces. It was obvious that another mini-Bull Shit Derby was about to begin.
***
With technical and generic planning at the Barn completed, the Team continued training and waited for Intel from the Board.
Gil Dunn had requested a Board meeting be called and with everyone in attendance, JJ called the meeting to order then turned the floor over to Gil.
“It wasn’t easy, but we managed to get information about an upcoming trip the Moneyman plans to take,” Dunn started. “He will be traveling to the United Arab Emirates on the pretence of attending the Dubai Air Show, but in fact, he will be visiting a terrorist camp in the Rub al Khali desert to check on the status of his new nuclear plot.”
“Great news,” JJ acknowledged. “Now we can start some serious planning. Dawson, since we are talking about oil country, are there any people in your ‘Oil Intel Network’ that might have some information about Dubai they would share?”
“We do have people in the UAE and I’ll touch base with them,” Dawson assured him. “The personnel we recruited for the network are good people and they don’t miss much. I’m sure they will supply a lot of information.”
“Qatar sits across the water from UAE,” Admiral Fox spoke up. “I still have some connections with Navy Intel in that area and should be able to supply some info about UAE and their neighbors, Oman and Yenan. It may be useful to the Team when they are planning entry and exit strategies.”
The Board meeting went on for hours and covered everything from transportation to where the Board would be staying once the Project was activated. Even though the Board members would not be directly involved in this Project, they would, as in the past, locate themselves in the general area of the Project in case support of any kind was required.
***
Two weeks had passed at the Barn while the Team was preparing for the Project. After digesting all of the information and Intel, the Team developed a plan of action around the generic plan already in place. After working out the wrinkles, they refined its execution.
JC had called a meeting to present their plan to JJ and Mac and was about to start the briefing when he heard Mac say, “So, Panda, I don’t know how you are going to manage in the desert. Maybe I should plan to personally make an ice cream delivery to you.”
“At your age, you’ll probably be driving a Mr. Softy truck,” Panda quickly replied and the Team broke into laughter. Mac, Panda, and Jockey were always instigating something that gave everyone a laugh.
When things quieted down again, JC said, “Thanks, Mac. Just when I got everyone under control, you get them fired up again.”
“Always start a briefing with a little humor,” Mac replied. “Didn’t I teach you that in the Corps?”
“The only time wild man has a sense of humor is when he is flying a plane and seeing how close he can come to crashing it,” Panda added.
“Are you through now?” JC inquired, wanting to get on with the briefing.
“Yeah, that’s about it,” Mac answered and Panda agreed.
With that, JC started the meeting. “As we all know, this one will take place in the desert. The Rub al Khali desert to be exact. Just an FYI for you, JJ, Rub al Khali translates to The Empty Quarter. You know, like the spaces between Mac and Panda’s ears.”
“I didn’t realize it was such a vast, empty space,” JJ replied with a chuckle.
“Ho, that’s funny,” Mac commented with a smile.
“Well, you told me briefings should be started with a little humor,” JC defended.
When the laughter again subsided, JC continued with the briefing. With their usual shot of humor out of the way, everyone was in serious mode with total concentration on what JC was saying. They all took part in developing the plan, but acted as if it was the first time they had heard it in case something had been overlooked during the planning sessions.
“Five days from now, Moneyman is scheduled to be en route to Dubai International Airport to attend the air show and five days from now, the Teams will depart Mercer Airport en route to an isolated airstrip in Yemen. Jockey has reviewed photos of the strip and has assured us the new Global Express business jet should have no problem dealing with the conditions of the runway. If he has second thoughts about the landing, I will be more than happy to attempt the landing,” JC announced, as he looked at Panda who immediately blessed himself.
“Just kidding,” JC assured everyone. “I’m sure Jockey will have no problem with this landing. To tell you the truth, I would have had second thoughts about even attempting some of the successful landings he has made in the past.
“The Board has arranged for a C-130 to be waiting at the airstrip. The Team will transfer to the C-130, slip into Oman, and land close to the northern UAE border. After we unload three vehicles and their gear, the Team will proceed to their objective. Since it would not be a good idea to leave the C-130 sitting in Oman for any length of time, Mac and I will return to Yemen, wait for the pick-up call, and rendezvous with the Team at a different location in Oman.”
“Have a question,” JJ interrupted. “If you are discovered durin
g any of this, how are you going to explain being there?”
“We borrowed something from our past Project into Iraq where we attempted to look like we belonged there. Since the location in Oman is so desolate and our visit being so brief, we have calculated being discovered as slim, but just in case, the C-130 will have Oman markings.
“As for the Team and the UAE portion, they will be wearing UAE gear and the vehicles will have UAE defense force markings. The border crossing into UAE will be made at 02:00 hours. This will give the Team time to arrive at their first planned stop and blend into the desert before morning.”
***
The sky to the east was starting to get lighter as the Team put the finishing touches on blending into the desert.
Using night vision gear was good, but checking things out again in daylight was mandatory. Rest during daylight hours and moving at night was the order of the day, so the Team settled in for some needed rest.
The extremely hot day was giving way to the cooler temperatures of evening before dropping into the very cold range as Blue Jay and Check prepared to perform recon to make sure their Intel was still current before the Team moved into position the following night. “Now remember, Bean,” Blue Jay instructed, “if we don’t return by morning, take the Team back to Oman tomorrow night. Understood?”
Bean shook his head yes, which meant he agreed or it meant, Yeah, yeah, I’ll come looking to see what happened.
It was 01:00 hours when Benz noticed two figures moving in his direction. After observing them through his night vision gear for a while, he realized it was Check and Blue Jay returning from their recon patrol. Upon arrival at base camp, Blue Jay immediately called a Team meeting and gave them an update. “There are a lot of security people around the area and not just terrorist types. Some look like the Dubai military and my guess is they aren’t there just because of the visitor. In our planning, we assumed the Moneyman would travel by land to get to this camp, but one should never assume anything. As Mac would say, ‘If you assume something, it can make an ass out of U and him,’” Blue Jay quoted, as he pointed to Bean and then Panda.
“Let me think about this,” Bean requested. “Aren’t you the one who said Moneyman would probably travel here by land route?”
“I don’t remember,” Blue Jay said with a smile.
“He’s getting just like his uncle JC,” Panda suggested.
“Don’t think I’d mention that to JC. The shock of inheriting a nephew like him may be too much for him,” Bean observed.
“Anyhoo,” Blue Jay continued with the update. “Moneyman has his big ass private jet parked right at the camp, which means we have to move up our timetable because he could be leaving at anytime,” Blue Jay informed the others, as he unfolded a large piece of paper. “After a quick review, we will move out tonight, get into position, and take the shot whenever it presents itself, hopefully in the evening or at night.
“Pru with Benz as your spotter will be in position on the left flank 2,500 yards out from the target area with Check and Tic a short distance away protecting your sixes. The right flank will have the same arrangement with Met as the shooter, and Panda as spotter with Bris and Jockey protecting your sixes. Bean and I will be in the center, 2,700 yards out, and using two of the .416 rifles will act as security for both units. We will also create a diversion so everyone can withdraw safely.
“Now remember, the Moneyman is the target. I’m sure we are going to see some people here that we would definitely like to take out, but Moneyman is the primary. If we get him and get out safely, it’s a good day. If we try to get others as well, our exact positions may be compromised and it will not be a good day. Am I clear?” Blue Jay asked and everyone shook their heads yes.
“After the target is down, stay put until Bean and I create a diversion with the mortar. Remember, it will be three rounds of HE followed by three rounds of smoke. When the first round of smoke impacts, start your withdraws. Any questions?” Blue Jay asked. With everyone remaining silent, the Team prepared to move out.
It was 04:00 hours when Blue Jay brought the Team to a halt behind a large sand dune 3,000 yards out from the target area. “Let’s take a peek,” Blue Jay whispered into his com unit.
The Team slowly climbed up the dune until they were almost to the top, then got down and crawled until they could barely see over the top of the dune. Each man surveyed the target area and especially the area where they would be going. After a few minutes of silence, Bean’s voice came over the com. “You know we could be looking at our retirement funds. With a plan of this size, at least two of the $20,000,000 men should be in attendance and if we collected the rewards, we each would have over $3,500,000.”
“I say it would be closer to two million, eight hundred, fifty-seven thousand, and change, if you include the House Team.”
“I could live with that,” Bean approved.
“Here we go again. In the field with our financial advisor and Mr. Math Buster,” Blue Jay said, shaking his head.
“Just a thought,” Bean replied with a smile, as he and the Team kept surveying the area.
When everyone completed their surveying, the Team regrouped at the base of the dune. “We don’t have much time to get into position and blend into the desert, so I’ll keep this brief,” Blue Jay informed the others. “If we get a night shot, we should be in good shape, but if it’s day, it might get a little interesting. Good luck to you all and see you back at the rendezvous area.”
After everyone wished the others good luck, the three units departed for their assigned positions.
As night gave way to morning, Blue Jay and Bean were checking out the areas of the other two units to see if anything would give their positions away.
“I know about where they are, but I can’t see them,” Bean reported to Blue Jay.
“Yeah, I know,” he replied. “They’re getting better and better at this.”
As the day wore on, the temperature kept rising and by noon the Team was drenched in their own sweat, but movement was held to an absolute necessity.
At 13:00 hours, Blue Jay was on the com. “It looks like the pilot and co-pilot are climbing the stairs to the jet. The Moneyman may be preparing to leave.”
The other Team members were thinking the same thing and became even more intent on watching the area where they figured the Moneyman was housed. With that much security around it, somebody important had to be staying there.
Another hour had passed when the movement of security personnel could be seen, then men in traditional Arab dress started to appear.
“I count three high level terrorist types, but no Moneyman,” Bean reported into the com.
Pru and Met were glad the Moneyman hadn’t appeared yet. They were using the three terrorists to zero in their weapons for when their primary target appeared.
A brief time passed when additional security men walked onto the scene keeping the Moneyman close behind.
“That’s our cue,” Blue Jay said into his com unit.
Bean slowly backed out of his camouflaged spot at the top edge of the dune and moved down to the bottom where he removed a tarp covering the 60 mm mortar and started to assemble it into its firing position. When that was completed, Bean adjusted the motor, readied the first round of high explosives, and assumed the firing position.
Being surrounded by so many people, the target did not present a clear shot and if that continued to be a problem, the shooters would wait until the last possible moment before they cleared a path through the crowd to get at the Moneyman.
The group stayed close until they approached the plane, then Moneyman and the three high level terrorists walked away from the group to discuss some things they didn’t want the others to hear.
Blue Jay watched the target and waited for what he knew was going to happen. The three men by the jet were listening intently to what Moneyman had to say when all of a sudden he was taken off his feet and thrown backward as two .416 rounds slamm
ed into his chest. If he were wearing body armor, it wouldn’t have mattered due to the size and velocity; the round would have blown right through it.
Seeing this, Blue Jay said, “Do it,” and Bean let a round slide down the mortar tube. When it hit the bottom of the tube though, nothing happened. Realizing the round didn’t fire, Blue Jay immediately joined Bean and helped him remove the round from the tube. Bean prepared one of the smoke rounds to see if they would have better luck, but when he dropped it down the tube again, nothing happened.
Blue Jay looked at Bean and said, “It is not going to be a good day.”
“Plan B?” Bean inquired.
“Plan B,” he confirmed.
“Hold positions, gentleman,” Blue Jay ordered, as he and Bean quickly returned to their positions at the top of the dune, removed the magazines in their M82 rifles, and replaced them with magazines containing armor piercing incendiary rounds.
After clearing the rounds in their chambers and replacing them with the new rounds, the duo scanned for targets of opportunity. Bean said, “The jet?”
“The jet, for starters,” Blue Jay agreed.
The security force was slow to react. They weren’t sure if the prince was assassinated by the three terrorists or by an outside element and since the three terrorists had immediately taken refuge in the jet upon seeing what happened to the prince, it didn’t make it easy for them to get a handle on things.
Before it could all be sorted out, their questions were answered when .416 rounds pierced the jet’s thin skin in search of its fuel supply. The two rounds were not successful, but a few seconds later, two more took up the search, were successful, and the jet exploded into a huge ball of flame.
“Now?” a voice inquired over the com.
“Now,” was the confirmation, as the duo took aim at a refueling truck close to the plane and it soon became an additional diversion.
After changing their location and their ammo back to vanilla, Bean and Blue Jay again brought the terrorist camp under fire until they got the clear signal on the com from both units then they, too, withdrew.