Free Diamond Rain: Adventure Science Fiction Mossad Thriller (The Spy Stories and Tales of Intrigue Series Book 2) by Michael James Gallagher Page B

could fly low
under the radar and drop down onto it.  We’d be able to land on the road and
Captain Yukimura would not have to feel responsible for our safety.  Her nose
cone videos of us dropping in would guarantee our safe release.”
    “That’s fair enough,”
Yuki said as she considered the plan.
    When they reached the
southernmost tip of the lake, they saw that widely dispersed tourist centers
dotted the region and the beaches.  The nearest town, Kamen Ryblov, a long hike
if they got stranded, was the only real habitation.  The helicopter made for
the peninsula and the protected bay behind it.  The shock of seeing all of the
men crossing into Russia in the lake and on the highways shut off any banter. 
Though Sue Ann knew she was on the cusp of the biggest story of her career,
even her ambition couldn’t crush her fears.  They approached the coast flying
low over the water.
    “It’s empty.  Look!”
said Sue Ann with incredulity.
    “What’s the heat
signature then?”  Thomas was puzzled.
    “You’re a quick study
to get a heat signature up there on your visor,” interjected Yuki.
    “Kind of my
speciality,” Thomas replied.  “Tech gear is my thing.”
    The craft hovered over
the beach and all of them noticed a slithering movement on the shore.  “Looks
like a huge snake the size of the whole beach moving around down there,” said
Thomas.
    “Jesus, they’re frogs,
millions of them.  On the beach – all over.  I can’t take the chance of
dropping you down there.  You won’t be able to walk in that slimy mess.  They
must be twenty centimeters deep.” Despite her pilot’s composure, Yuki sounded
uncomfortable at the thought of squashing the creatures.
    “That’s almost a foot
deep.  The walkers don’t like ’em either.  Look over there by the forest where
their heat signature ends,” said Sue Ann.
    “They’re watching us
but they’re not moving towards us on the beach.  Probably because of the
frogs,” said Thomas.
    “I’ve seen a lot of
stuff in my career,” said Sue Ann, “but this beats it all.”
    “Wait!  Look at the
strange color those guys are giving off.  Is it a reflection off the water, or
something else?” asked Thomas
    “I see what you mean. 
It’s sort of purple.  No.  Now it’s gone.  It must’ve been a reflection.  Like
you thought,” said Sue Ann, but she sounded a little uncertain.
    “Whatever all this is,
I’m getting us back to safety,” said Yuki.  “No arguments.”
    “Just bring me over
there and I’ll open a side door.  We can point a directional mike at them and
see if we pick anything up.”  Sue Ann thought it was worth a shot.
    “Okay,” said Yuki, “but
I will not let you drop in there.”
    “Not your choice,
girl.  You’re responsible for the helicopter, not for me,” said Sue Ann.
    “Listen, Sue Ann,”
Thomas said hesitantly.  He wasn’t sure of Sue Ann’s intentions.  “We’ve got
great visuals – visuals that no one else has - and if we drop you in there-”
    “Okay.  Okay.  But
let’s get those close-ups with your camera, Thomas.”
    The noise deafened
everyone in the bird as it hovered over the water with an opened side door. 
After two or three shutter clicks and about three seconds of video, the men in
the forest near the beach simply vanished. All three people in the chopper found
themselves rubbing their eyes.
    “Did you get anything?”
Sue Ann asked in disbelief.
    “I got the before and
after,” said Thomas.  “It’s all recorded.” Thomas ran his hand through his hair
and shook his head in disbelief.
    “This is too weird. 
Let’s get out of here.”  The pilot was clearly uncomfortable.  Sue Ann nodded.
    “I don’t believe I am
saying this, but ya, get us the fuck out of here,” she said.
     
    ****
     
    Colonel Lau listened to the feed and chuckled
to himself.  It had been a simple trick.   His drone had responded instantly to
his command, turning on the suits of the