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THE SOUTH ATLANTIC

Tate hoped that he had destroyed the Bre useful from it But he couldn’t be sure Now, he couldn’t count on the sonic disruptor to disable the Oregon again Juan’s presence did, however, confirm that Jiménez had provided inforfor the Bre to underestiain

Unlikely as it was that Juan and his crew could quickly develop a countermeasure for the weapon, even a small chance was still a chance It was also possible that Juan could build his own version, but that would take weeks or months Not that it mattered The Portland was shielded from sonic effects

Since he couldn’t depend on his superweapon anyon He’d flown straight back to Montevideo with the others and ordered the Portland to set sail immediately They had a rendezvous to keep

“They’re right on time,” Tate said as he watched the one-hundred-ninety-foot missile boat on the main view screen of the Portland’s op center

“A fine craft,” Pavel Durchenko said The gruff Russian executive officer nodded appreciatively at the screen “It has been too long since I had a ship of my own”

“Just like I pro to Farouk “Prepare to engage the sonic disruptor”

“Aye, Commander,” Farouk said “Ready in all respects”

The Israeli- to its nener, the Chilean Navy The boat, renainally been made for the South Africans and served in their Navy for over forty years Chile had bought the heavily modified vessel to join the three others like it in its fleet

For such a s array of armaments She could fire up to four Harpoon anti-ship uns and twin 20h, she was unarmed The ammunition was to be loaded once she arrived in Valparaiso

Normally, the ship required a crew of forty-five, but the South Africans had installed automated controls that would let her be run by just twelve people for short periods of time

Perfect for Tate’s purposes

When she passed within a mile of the Portland, Tate said, “Fire the disruptor Full power”

“Firing,” Farouk responded