Free The Fate Of Nations: F.I.R.E. Team Alpha: Book One by Ray Chilensky Page B

problem,” Cater responded. “We’ve been tasked with getting him out. However, you should consider this. We’ll be blowing the hell out of a prison that represents the power of the WCA; a place whose very existence is used to terrify people into obedience. We’ll be showing that the WCA, and the DPS isn’t as powerful as everyone thinks. On top of that, we’ll be showing the European resistance fighters, who have been fighting the WCA with very little outside help for thirteen years, that they aren’t alone anymore.” Carter’s eyes panned over the team. “Are there any other questions?”
                  A question came from Okesa Nagura; an FNF First Sergeant originally from the Kyoto, Japan corporate exclusion zone. “Sir, what are our orders concerning Mister Mertens if things should go badly and we are on able to extract him”
                  Carter met her eyes; which were an extraordinarily light shade of green. “If, for any reason, we are unable to extract Mertens; he is to be killed.” Carter replied. “We’ll be doing him a favor. I don’t even want to think about what the enemy would do to him after a failed rescue attempt.”
                  Nagura nodded. “Understood,” she said, brushing aside a strand of ink-black hair that had escaped the restraint the elastic band that held it a long ponytail.
                  “Alright, let’s go over the assault plan one more time” Carter said. “Then it will be time to gear up and get going.”
     
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                  Hangers were usually noisy places alive with sound of aircraft engines, power-tools and metal clanging against metal reverberating off of bulkheads and decks. But the forward hanger of the Phantom was quiet. Work was done with rubber coated tools so, in the event that one was accidentally dropped or struck another piece equipment, the sound would not betray the submarine’s presence to listening enemy sonar. Carter noted the difference between the Phantom and the conventional carriers he had been aboard. It was almost surreal to see dozens of crewman performing task that would normally produce a great deal of noise being accomplished in nearly total silence. Adding to the strangeness was the red light that illuminated the hanger. The red light had replaced the normal lighting twenty minutes ago so that Team Alpha and the flight crews eyes could adjust to the darkness they would have to work in when the Phantom surfaced and launched the helicopters.
                  The Phantom’s two forward hangers currently housed Team Alpha’s two Mohawk assault helicopters, the aft hanger held the Cheyenne attack helicopter that would provide welcome air support for his team during the coming mission. The Phantom and her three sister ships were submersible helicopter carriers built from the keel up to insert and extract special operations forces. This was the Phantom’s first operational voyage.
                  Carter and his team waited in a ready-room adjacent to the hanger. From the hatch’s threshold he watched for the deck safety officer’s permission to cross the deck and board the Mohawks. Chief Warrant Officer Alan Donner, the mission’s flight leader, and his pilots carefully inspected each of the sleek, slate-gray aircraft, paying particular attention to the missile and rockets in the bays recessed into the fuselage housed in pods protruding from the aircrafts’ sides. When they were satisfied, they closed the bay doors and gave the deck officer a ‘thumbs up’ sign. The deck officer waved the team over and they crossed the deck to board the aircraft. They were laden with eighty pounds of weapons, ammunition, armor and equipment, but were seemingly unencumbered by the weight.
                  Carter let his team pass by him