Tropical Terror Read Online Free

fill you in on some of the problems and the defenses.”
    At the six-by, Murdock told the men the assignment. He sent Senior Chief Dobler to ordnance. “Get all the exploding twenties they have, and regular 20mm rounds. Also we need TNAZ or C-5, whichever they have. Load up on 5.56 ammo. Anything else you think we might need. Some flashbangs would be good, a couple of dozen. Go. The Chinese are invading the other side of the island right now.”
    Murdock turned to meet a chief who came up with Johnson.
    â€œCommander, this is Chief Natterby, a commo specialist who works in the center. He knows the layout.”
    â€œWelcome aboard, Chief. We’ve got work to do. You stay with me. We’ll recon the place soon.” He looked back at the liaison officer. “Johnson, if they have any Marine Recon or Rangers on-base, get me twenty of them combat-ready. I want them here as backup. Chief Natterby, we need a command post two blocks from the commo center. Tell Johnson where it should be so he can get the Marines there.”
    Murdock scowled for a moment, thinking. “Recon time. DeWitt, Jaybird, Natterby. On me in that first Humvee. Let’s see what we have here to work against.”
    The Humvee had a driver. Natterby told him where to go. They edged up to the side of a building a few blocks later, and all climbed out.
    Natterby had talked all the way over. The place was a fortress, but it had weak spots.
    â€œWhat about a central air-conditioning system?” Jaybird asked. “Any way we could get to it?”
    â€œThe central air-conditioning has its only air intake on the rear of the building at ground level. There is no room-by-room control. Tough to shut off the air-con.”
    â€œPerfect spot for some tear-gas drills,” Jaybird said.
    Chief Natterby took a small cell phone from his pocket. “Sir, I can call ordnance and have them include tear-gas canisters with the other material your chief is picking up.”
    Murdock nodded.
    â€œHow many, sir?” asked Natterby.
    â€œFifty. No, make it eighty.”
    Now the men peered around the building at the communications center. It was a concrete block building, three stories high, with a l50-foot frontage on the street. Windows showed on the first two floors, but none on the third floor. The roof was a pincushion of antennas.
    â€œTwo doors in the rear,” Natterby said. “One truck ramp. One door in front. It’s electronic with a guard post outside. You need a thumbprint and retina check to get in normally. Right now the security post is empty. No easy access.”
    â€œWhat about the roof?” DeWitt asked.
    â€œNever been up there. Must be access to service the antennas. Probably a weak spot.”
    â€œAny windowless area that extends all the way to the roof-line?” Murdock asked.
    â€œYes, sir. On the rear, our near side. Rope climb?”
    Murdock nodded. “Okay, let’s pick out our command post. Where should it be, Natterby? No more than two blocks from the target.”
    They picked out a vacant parking lot behind another big building. The six-by came moments later, and then the other Humvee. The platoon began working over gear. Natterby made four phone calls, then went to Murdock.
    â€œI found the rest of your gear. I’ve arranged to have it brought here. Should arrive within a half hour.”
    â€œGood, check with ordnance and see if our truck there hasleft yet. We can’t do much until we get those canisters. That’s going to be our opening move.”
    Joe Lampedusa came up and Murdock grabbed him. “Two blocks over is a three-storied building,” Murdock said. “The commo center. I want you to do a recon all the way around it. Stay out of sight if possible. Look for any weak spots. Should be a rope-climb area back there without windows. Check it out. You have forty minutes. Leave your weapon here and your vest. Move it.”
    Ed DeWitt stood nearby,