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Carlton had chosen this eastern Mediterranean island because it was one of the closest ports to the Suez Canal The rest of the Colossus ships were currently in the Indian Ocean, and he wanted the Colossus 5 to join them as soon as it was ready

His phone buzzed It was the captain of the transfer vessel he’d sent to pick up the guards from Jhootha Island Carlton answered it and stuck the phone under the headset he earing to muffle the sound of the helicopter’s rotors

“Is it done?” he asked without preamble

“No, sir,” the captain said, his voice noticeably nervous

Carlton glanced at Taylor and Gupta and grimaced

“What happened?”

“The

re are two Indian Coast Guard cutters and a cargo ship near the island I tried to get closer, but I arned away by the Navy ships”

“A cargo ship? You mean, the Triton Star?”

“No, sir It’s a battered old steamship called the Goreno And sir, the pier has been raised”

Carlton slaainst the door “Tell me the facility on the island was destroyed as ordered”

“I can’t confir from the center of the island”

Carlton breathed a little easier when he heard that news Yudin must have carried out his orders

“Any survivors?”

“I don’t know”