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hostages before Odyssey guards execute them"

Pitt nodded "Fair enough"

In precisely ten minutes he and Giordino were buckled into their seats inside the big Chinook transport helicopter with Lieutenant Colonel Nash They were acco ues with aruns that looked like arms out of a science fiction movie, and an assortment of rocket launchers

"Tough bunch," Giordino said adly

"I'reed

The pilot lifted the helicopter off the ground and took off across the beach over the lake It was a short hop of fifteen miles to the Odyssey center The entire operation was based on surprise Colonel Nash's plan of operation was to subdue the guards, rescue the hostages and then evacuate the hundreds of workers in boats that were already on their way around the lake to Ometepe Soon as the last person was off the island and safely ashore on high ground, Nash was to give the signal to the pilot of a B-52 boround-penetrating concussion bo a flank avalanche that would collapse the tunnels and sweep the research and development facility into the lake

It seemed to Pitt that they had no sooner taken off than the helicopter stopped, hovered for a few seconds and set down Nash and his h the open hatch and shouted for the security guards at the fenced gate to the hostage quarters to thron their arms

The other four copters had landed and received sporadic fire froainst an elite force Seeing that resistance was hopeless, they quickly surrendered as fast as they could drop their weapons and raise their hands They had not been hired to fight professional forces, only to protect the facility, and none had a death wish

Pitt, with Giordino right on his heels, rushed through the gate and burst in the front door of the building ahead of Nash and hisshots elsewhere on the facility, were stunned to find thee automatic pistols before they had a chance to realize as happening They froze not so much in shock as in fear

Nash was more than surprised to see Pitt and Giordino eapons, he was uns!" he demanded

He was ignored, as Pitt and Giordino began kicking in the doors to the rooms The first, second, third and fourth They were all e escorted frouard and ja it

"English!"

"No, senor"

"Dónde están los cientificos?"

The guard's eyes widened as they crossed and focused on thehis nose "Ellos fueron tornados lejos a la darsena y colocados en el transbordador"