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part 2 of the story
The Heist of the Century

J. Ross Archer

    “Admiral Philips, thank you for seeing me, Sir.”
    “Yes, yes, now tell me what the hell is going on; I have not been able to get a thing out of Wainright. Maybe you can enlighten me; from what I hear, you might be the one running this show, but before you begin, let me tell you that the President knows about the possible security breach at the Erzurum storage facility. Now, Benette, please inform me of what’s happening in my sphere of responsibility. (The Southern Command.) I’m damned tired of ineptness among subordinates, and he banged the table with a fist.
    “Admiral Philips, here’s what I know from what I’ve gathered from multiple reliable sources, and this is my opinion on what we must do.”
    “My God! I can’t believe I’m allowing a Colonel to tell me, a four-star admiral and Commander of US Forces controlling a quarter of this planet, how to do my job. Nonetheless, go on with your presentation, Bennette, but don’t let my four stars intimidate you. And do not waste my time with trivia—understand?”
    “Yes, Sir, I understand, and you do not frighten me. I’ll begin again. Ahmed, you and General Fieeb feel free to jump in any time you have something you want to contribute.”
    “Stop talking and start explaining, Bennette, and forget you are talking to general officers,” said General Fieeb.
    “OK. Sirs,” Bennette began cautiously, “we must find a solution by working on both ends of the problem. Ahmed and I will start from the beach where the warhead was loaded onto a 45-foot Benito. If we can identify the captain of the boat and possibly some of his associates, we might better understand what is going on. In the meantime, Sirs, you search by sea and air. I think the four of us should talk every hour on the hour to exchange information—that’s assuming you will be working together according to the book.”
    “Don’t be a smart ass, Bennette; it accomplishes nothing but building ill will among us all, and as far as I’m concerned, we have to think pretty much alike as one team—and we are one team. Do you two understand me?”
    At that moment, a sailor entered and handed Admiral Philips a message, and he read it aloud: “A representative from my staff will be joining you on your flagship presently. Signed by the President.”
    “That’s all we need, a presidential minion looking over our shoulder,” said the Admiral. “We’ll work around him else he might fall overboard. Get the weatherman in here for a weather update for this part of the world and get the executive officer in here; he will babysit the President’s minion. Then, Bennette, we will helicopter you and your counterpart back to Erzurum; I believe the chopper is waiting for you now. And Bennette, you two had better work without pause or error, or I’ll have your careers on a platter,” the Admiral hissed. “No get going and prove your worth. I’m tired of looking at you both. And one more thing—good luck, gentlemen.”
    The latest weather forecast was shared with Ahmed and me one hour later. Unfortunately, it portended more negative news. Most noteworthy was the report of a hurricane headed straight for this area, landfall (our sea location) expected to happen at approximately 1000 hours—three hours from now. Bert lowered his head and shook it out of despair.
    “That’s all we need—a freaking hurricane,” said Ahmed. But, when the men left the command-and-control center to get their gear, they noticed a significant increase in wind speed, whipping rain, and the worst was yet to come.

Colonel Bennette’s Office

    Bert called the Sergeant Major in to see if he had learned anything.
    “Excuse my informality, Sir, but I have some information you will want to hear.”
    “Spill it, Top; the clock is running.” Bert puts a fresh cigar in his mouth to chew; it soothes his nerves.
    “The Turkish Sergeant Major and I were canvassing the immediate surrounding area, and we knocked on the right door about fifteen minutes ago. The guy who lives there said he did see a sailboat sailing from the beach behind your storage facility. So, it appears these men are reliable witnesses.”
    “Ahmed, what do you think?”
     “I think we had better go with this guy because it’s doubtful we will get a better witness.”
    “He’s in my office. Shall I bring him in, Sir?”
    “Please,” said Bert.
    “Bert, I should interview this guy because he’s local and will respond more willingly if he hears only Turkish.”
    “Agreed,” said Bert.
    The fellow comes into the office shaking with fear. Everyone in the room tried to look calm and friendly. The Sergeant Major gave him a cold beer and a cigarette. Everyone purposely joked and laughed a lot; this seemed to have put the man at ease,
    Then, Ahmed pulled his chair directly in front of the man and began questioning him in a warm, friendly tone. They conversed comfortably for ten minutes.
    “According to Pectora, here, two men loaded a large package on a small, motorized fishing boat and carried the package out to a waiting sailboat about six or seven hours ago, and the boat appeared to be on a southwest course. He doesn’t know boats well enough to know the type of boat, but he said it was probably 40 or 50 feet long and had two large sails. I think that’s all he knows.”
    “Good. Let’s cut the man loose with our appreciation for his cooperation. Ahmed, do you think you could persuade your coastguard to fly us for a look at where the boat might be after six hours at five nautical miles per hour.”
    “Sorry to interrupt, Sir, but an Admiral Philips is on the line,” said the Sergeant Major.
    “This is Colonel Bennette, Sir.”
    “One of our destroyers located our sailboat and is standing by 500 meters away. I’ve ordered him to board the boat and search for the warhead. You may stand down.”
    “But, Sir,” said Bert in a panic, “we need to know where he was taking the warhead and to whom it was ultimately going—possibly a terrorist organization, and besides, someone who is nuclear qualified ought to inspect the package and determine if the package is the stolen warhead. The warhead’s present status also must be established; otherwise, it could have been armed by a knowledgeable person who oversees the Benito.”
    “We are working on who, where, and why. I’m assuming you are asking permission to be the one to board the sailboat—in a very indirect way, Bennette, and I’ll take it under consideration and get back to you. Be mindful of two things, Bennette: first, the outer bands of this hurricane will hit us in about three hours, then no one will be able to board that boat—it might sink. And secondly, I have half the Whitehouse on my ship telling me what to do. So given that situation, I can’t guarantee I will be able to honor your advice and permit you to board that boat. So do nothing further until you hear from me—understand?”
    “Loud and clear, Sir; permission to come aboard your flagship, Sir?”
    “Granted—if you can get here.”
    “Bert, how are we going to get out to the flagship?” asked Ahmed.
    “Do you have any chips you can call in with someone in your coastguard—or anyone who can fly? Unfortunately, Ahmed, we’re running out of time,” said a stressed-out Bennette.
    “I’ll do my best. Wait for me here. I know you know that we’re operating on fragile ice, don’t you, Bert?”
    “Yeah, I’m aware, and I’m as frightened as you.”
    Bert now had nothing to do but wait, and Bert was not good at waiting; minutes passed like hours as he watched the clock on his desk. The Sergeant Major kept his quiet company. After a very long hour had passed, Ahmed finally called.
    “Bert, we’re a go. Get to the naval station airport as quickly as you can.”
    “Sergeant Major, how fast can you drive us to the airport?”
    “Fast enough, Sir, just close your eyes and pray.”
    The news from Ahmed had a much-needed calming effect on Bert.

xxx

    A thousand scenarios passed through Bert’s mind during the ride to the airport. Would the wind hold off long enough to fly to the boat? What exactly would he do once on the boat? Could he overcome the crew? How would he negotiate? How would he get off the boat when the wind would be at full strength about that time? Will the whole world be watching? Finally, Bert was jolted back to reality by the pilot saying they were five minutes from the boat.
    Bert checked his equipment: float vest, weapon loaded, extra ammo, lightweight sneakers, and an emergency strobe light attached to the float vest. He was ready. After tying his shoes, Bert looked up to a shocking surprise; standing before him dressed in the same attire as himself was Ahmed. He had been staying out of sight in the aft part of the helicopter.
    “You honestly did not think I would allow you to have all the fun?”
    “To tell you the truth, I felt pretty lonely when you appeared out of nowhere.”
    “Ahmed, what am I going to do if the captain doesn’t speak English—my second language is German?”
    “You will figure it out; you work better under pressure, I’m sure,” said Ahmed with a chuckle.
    Ahmed’s attempt at humor to relax Bert was well-taken, but it did not have the intended effect. They arrived at the boat’s location, and it was being tossed around severely by the winds—he was going to have a hard time getting on deck with a rope ladder. In addition, the helicopter was also affected by the wind and might not be able to stay over the boat.
    “I’m going with you, Bert.”
    “No. I was hoping you could stay with the chopper to observe whether or not I make it back on deck. Besides, it would help if you kept the flagship informed as to the activities here. I have a handheld radio; get one from the crew so we can communicate.”
    “Yes, the Admiral is on the radio now demanding an update.”
    The helicopter had difficulty staying over the boat long enough for Bert to drop from the ladder to the boat. But finally, they succeeded; Bert was on deck and uninjured, but Ahmed knew the likelihood of him being able to catch the rope ladder again in increasing storm winds was dismal.

xxx

    The hatch to the boat was not locked so that Bert could see the crew. Two deckhands were lying on the floor—obviously seasick. The captain was sitting at a table listening to the boat’s radio issuing a severe storm warning for all vessels in the area. So, I’ll slowly walk the few steps down to the cockpit, leave my weapon holstered, and try to demonstrate I’m not looking for trouble. But, of course, what I’ll do next depends on the captain’s reaction, thought Bert.
    The captain looked up from the radio but did not appear shocked to see Bert; he sat calmly awaiting Bert’s next move. Finally, with them both non-combative, Bert relaxed a bit, then the captain spoke.
    “Why don’t you sit down and have a drink with me—I’ve been waiting for someone like you to drop in on me.”
    Bert accepted the captain’s invitation without comment and relaxed even more. At least we will not have close combat, thought Bert.
    “I’ve known for several hours that I was being observed and that you people would find out I had the warhead, but I also knew your Navy would not try to blow me out of the water because I carry a 15-megaton warhead on this boat. So, here we are. My name is Carlos Escobar, and I’m a, what do you call it—a soldier of fortune, I believe.”
    “May I examine the warhead before discussing what will happen next?”
    “Of course, follow me.”
    The captain led Bert to the forward cabin and removed a canvass tarp from a 15-megaton warhead, and Bert quickly examined it. The warhead was not armed and appeared in good condition. Moreover, the serial number and other markings matched those on record in Bert’s head.
    “Are you satisfied with the warhead’s condition?”
    “Yes, I am.”
    “Good. Shall we go back to the table?”
    They sat down at the table in silence. Bert was still suspicious of this man, but if he is indeed a soldier of fortune, he will negotiate, thought Bert.
    “Who hired you, Captain, and what is he paying you?”
    “You catch on quickly, my friend. I’m not at liberty to give you my employer’s name, but I can tell you he’s paying me $100,000 EU in advance and another $100,000 when I deliver the warhead.”
    “And now, you want to negotiate a better deal with us because your arrangements have gone sour, am I correct?”
    “You catch on quickly. What are you willing to do?”
    “Allow me to summarize, Captain, the entire 6th US Fleet, and the Turkish Navy are within spitting distance of you, and the world is watching. I speak for the Commander of the Southern Command and the Sixth Fleet. I can offer you 300,000 US dollars, and in exchange, you will surrender the warhead; give me your employer’s name and tell me your intended destination. My terms are not negotiable. Do you agree to these terms because this boat will be blown out of the water with you on it if you refuse? Does that satisfy your concern?”
    “OK. OK. I agree with your terms. I’m working for a German, Dieter Obermeier, and I was to deliver the warhead to him in Rio—Brazil. I think he is a Nazi terrorist, and that’s all I know.”
    “Then I’ll radio Admiral Philips to get his approval of what we have done here.” Bert was beginning to feel like his old self.
    Bert had no idea how the Admiral would react to the liberty he had taken in his name, but he was about to find out. So, he changed the boat’s radio frequency to the fleet channel, and the Admiral came online quickly.
    “Bert, what in hell is going on?”
    Bert explained what had transpired between him and the captain, and then he held his breath for the Admiral’s rath.
    “Bert, I’m going to see that you get a medal for your brilliant handling of a dire situation that might have cost millions their lives. Now, get off that boat as quickly as you can while the helicopter can still fly; the weather will worsen. I’ll take care of the Brazil end of the bargain and payment to the captain when, and if, he gets to Rio. You and Ahmed can stand down—a critical operation well executed.”
    “Captain, you heard that conversation. Getting the $300,000 depends on getting this boat to Rio safely—and the warhead. So, I will try and get off your boat if the helicopter can get me off.

xxx

    The helicopter was having great difficulty hovering over the boat. Still, after many failed attempts, Bert managed to grab the rope ladder and slowly climb the 30 feet to an unstable chopper hovering over the deck. Unfortunately, once on the helicopter, he collapsed on the floor and did not attempt to move.
    “Well, welcome aboard, Bert, but I’m in error; welcome aboard, hero,” said Ahmed with a chuckle.

xxx

    Half an hour later, Bert and Ahmed, joined by the Sergeant Major, relaxed in Burt’s office with a bottle of Scotch whiskey.
    “Do you two know what would have happened to me if the warhead was not recovered? I would have been Court-martialed for dereliction of duty. What would have happened to you, Ahmed?”
    “The same, I imagine. Did you know I am retiring in a week?”
    “What! When did this come about? Why have you not told me about this decision?”
    “Because I just this minute decided to do it.”
    A heated argument erupted between good friends, and the Sergeant Major rolled his eyes and said: “I’ve had enough of you two children; I’m out of here.”

6^th Fleet Headquarters in Hawaii one month later.

    After a parade and pass in review, Bert and Ahmed marched to the front of the formation where Admirals Philips and the Chief of Staff of the Turkish Army were waiting. Bert was awarded the Navy Cross, while Ahmed received a medal of equal status from the Turkish General. While the formation adjutant was reading the citations, Bert relived the whole incident in his head and wondered where so much initiative had come from on his behalf. What happened to the man who guided that Benito through stormy seas? What did he do with the $300,000 he received? The Dieter Obermeir character rang a bell for Bert, but he did not place the man in his mind.

Three months later

    Bert married his college sweetheart (a West Point graduate) and was promoted to Brigadier General, his rank until he retired. Ahmed retired a week after returning to Erzurum, as he declared, and is living a calm life on a goat farm north of Istanbul. Bert and Ahmed occasionally visit each other.

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