‘ICIS’ Saltbox Hill
‘ICIS’ Saltbox Hill Biggin Hill Kent
Lat = 51 degrees, 19.7 minutes North
Long = 0 degrees, 1.2 minutes East
Strayker had been apprised of the car bomb being disarmed by Commissioner Dawson, Max and Strayker were now speaking with Vince at ICIS.
“What’s the story on Shakira, Vince?”
“We have them located sir, if you would like to come through to the Intel room, GAIL will give us the details.
They entered the large circular room with the vertical column of light from which GAIL’s three-dimensional hologram appeared.
Vince spoke, “Good evening GAIL.”
“Good evening Vince and to both our Visitors, Major Strayker and Colonel Storm.”
Max replied, “Hello GAIL; how’s your tracking on Shakira been developing?”
“Well gentlemen, along with his convoy he has stopped at a place called Muxima fifty miles south of Luanda.”
A large two-meter square Visual display screen appeared on the wall to their left with a satellite image.
“Gentlemen this is Shakira’s location; it is a fort; my records show that it has been rebuilt to its former glory, it is Muxima Fort Angola founded in 1599, built by the Portuguese to defend their access into the interior and to act as the base of the slave trade; situated on the west bank of the Kwanza River.”
Max and Strayker looked at the satellite image, Max spoke, “can you zoom in GAIL,”
The image gradually zoomed into two hundred feet.
It was a circular whitewashed building with red roof tiles situated on a hill.
Max was looking at a whitewashed building at the base of the hill, “GAIL what’s that building at the bottom of the hill?”
“My records show it is a church, and is one of five pilgrimage churches in the Luanda area.”
“Zoom in on the church GAIL,” replied Max.
The image enhanced showed people moving around the church.
“Your analysis on these people GAIL.”
“Pilgrims is my guess,” GAIL remarked.
“So that rules out an air strike; thank you GAIL please give us regular updates on the movements at the fort and church, now if you will excuse us we will retire to the situation room” replied Strayker.
In the situation room both Max and Strayker were looking over the satellite images of the fort.
“What’s your call on this one Max?”
Max paused before answering looking at the images; his military mind was racing towards his plan.
“Well sir, it would have to be done at night to avoid the pilgrims at the church, I would suggest an airborne assault with the drop zone here.”
Max pointed to the land on the east side of the Cuanza River, “this looks like grassland ideal for a night drop, we can drop in here and yomp about six miles to the river, this looks like a bridge half a mile south of the fort.”
“We will use this to cross, it will probably be guarded so we will eliminate any guards and move onto the fort. Taking the whole bloody lot out, I’ll finalize the assault before we are airborne.”
“Okay Max; all that is needed now is +to update the Prime Minister for the go ahead from EVEREST; I’ll set that up now.”