Free The Lucifer Crusade by Mack Maloney

flew until their fuel ran out, at which time they dropped patriotically into the sea."
    "That's hard to believe," Hunter said, his eyes leaving the TV screen for the first time.
    "I'll say," Sir Neil continued. "Of course, there is one other rumor. Some say they were flown down South America way."
    South America. He'd been hearing a lot of mention of the continent lately.
    Hunter filed it all away and let the matter drop. He turned his attention back to the radar screen.
    "So you intend to refurbish her, put your aircraft aboard, and sail to the Suez," Hunter asked. "That's correct, major," Sir Neil said. "We can 72
    adapt about twenty-five aircraft - fighters mostly - to set down on her.
    She'll need work on the catapults, but we're sure we're up to it."
    "Have you been down to her?" he asked.
    "No," Sir Neil said. "The area is not exactly . . . secured, shall we say? But two of our commandos dropped in and had a look a few months ago. She's seaworthy. Her holds are secure."
    "What shape are the reactors in?" Hunter asked.
    "Oh, they're in fine shape," Sir Neil told him. "Trouble is, there's no nuclear fuel. Perhaps the sailors were smart and dumped it into the ocean before she was beached. Of course, then again, perhaps someone stole it all."
    Another bit of unsettling news.
    "So," Hunter said, trying to fit in the last remaining pieces of the Brits'
    plan, "do you have replacement fuel?"
    "No, no," Sir Neil said, almost laughing. "We don't have any fuel. Nor do we have anyone who would know how to get the thing running if we did. We were with you Yanks in nuclear-power subs, but nuclear-powered carriers just weren't our game."
    Hunter ran his hand over his chin. "Well, if you can't power the thing to the Suez, how the hell are you going to get it there?"
    Sir Neil laughed again. "Simple matter, Hunter, my good man," the Englishman said flawlessly. "We intend to tow it there ..."
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Chapter 9
    Hunter steered his F-16 toward its final landing approach to the Algiers airport. This day too was crystal-clear and bright, the sun so hot he could feel it even in his air-conditioned cockpit. In front of him the two single-seat British Tornados were lowering their landing gear and activating their air brakes. Hunter routinely disengaged his flight computer and took over the airplane manually for landing. All the time his radio was blaring with excited Arabic coming from the Algerian air controllers.
    The F-16's weapons systems were fixed. With the help of a mile of electrical wire, Hunter had been able to hot-wire both his Vulcan cannon Six Pack and his Sidewinder launchers back into working condition. But it had been a long, arduous process. He renewed his vowed revenge against the saboteurs many times. No one -but no one -could screw around with his airplane and get away with it ...
    One day after overflying the aircraft carrier, he
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    and Sir Neil had come to an understanding. They had agreed that, no matter how different their approach, their goal was the same: stop Lucifer. Whether Hunter did it by tracking down the super-villain (admittedly a difficult mission), or the Brits did it by securing the Suez for The Modern Knights (also very difficult), the effect would be the same: the madman's plans would be put asunder. And as crazy as the Brits' idea was, Hunter was always a sucker for a noble cause. In the end, he knew they needed his help.
    So Hunter decided to take a two-option approach. He would help the Brits get their aircraft carrier floating, loaded up, and moving towards the Suez. Then, and only then, would he make up his mind whether he would press on to the East by himself to find the elusive Lucifer.
    This flight to Algiers fit right into his dual approach. The Brits needed manpower-friendly, employable manpower -to serve both as the USS Saratoga's crew and as a protection force once they reached the Suez. Algiers was the site of the largest mercenary encampments in the entire Med and the Brits were here to buy.