The Captive Missile Chapter 3

The Captive Missile

Chapter 3

   I searched for survivors but found no one! How could that be? They must have bailed just before the crash. I searched farther south and soon came to the spot where the snowmobile carrying the missile had entered the water. There was no sign of the boat and no sign of the police officers.
            I returned to the helicopter to see if anything were salvageable but everything was hot and any electronics were smashed.

I went back to the water’s edge. Ice had formed on the shoreline and about 20 meters out the water was free. Footprints dotted the snow. I looked out on the water and couldn’t see anything. Had the boat moved that fast. They had about an hour’s head start?

I noticed footprints moving off the north, along the shore. The footprints—there were 2 sets—continued up a small rise. At the top I had an amazing view of the inlet as well as the landscape.

The wind started to pick up from the south. I continued along the shoreline, following the footprints. Pulling my hat down around my ears for warmth I thought I detected something ahead of me, along the shoreline. As I approached, I noticed the footprints moving inland toward a large hill.

It appeared to be a cave cut into a large mound with snow hanging over part of the inlet. The mouth of the cave resembled the gullet of a ferocious beast, the snow hanging off the cliff like jagged teeth.

The shoreline below curved around into a small inlet. This must be Mirror Bay Inlet, I thought to myself. The water appeared like glass, the clouds above mirrored on the top of the water.

And floating in the water was a boat.

And on the boat was the stolen missile.

I gaped in wonder and failed to notice footsteps approaching from the rear until it was too late. I turned to face two men, one holding a rifle—most likely the one who shot at the plane.

One man turned to the other and muttered something in a foreign language. I couldn’t place the language but it sounded Middle Eastern.

The man with the rifle turned and motioned me into the cave. I complied. About 50 meters inside I came upon two other men, one lying on the ground the other knelt over him. Both had police uniforms. The police men from the helicopter.

The man kneeling turned when we approached. He gave me a rueful look as if to say—boy you are in the wrong place at the wrong time.

That was me all right. I nodded to the officer. The man with the rifle motioned for me to sit next to the officer which I did.

Are you from the downed airplane that called in about the missile, the officer whose badge identified him as Collins asked?

I nodded. Justin Macdonald. I waited until the two men with the rifle were out of earshot. I have two friends who are waiting in the plane. Van Gilman and Natalie Suqqath the pilot. I left when you didn’t show up.

That was very foolish young man, Collins admonished. These men are terrorists. They’ve stolen the Informant missile. They’re holding it captive for a $1 billion ransom.

I nearly choked at the ransom amount. How did they steal something like a missile? You can’t just drive up with a truck and swipe it.

They had inside help, obviously. That’s all we know. We were sent to take you back to Iqaluit and get a lead on these guys, but they shot us down. We bailed at the last moment and Kiley here suffered a broken leg and concussion. He lapsed unconscious soon after we landed. These two men shot us down and were waiting for us. They brought us here. Kiley’s still unconscious. He needs a doctor.

Kiley roused and moaned loudly, tossing and turning on the small plastic sheet that was laid on the ground.

Shut him up, one of the terrorists grunted.

He needs a doctor, Collins pleaded. Please?

Too bad for him, the terrorist muttered. If he dies, he dies, what I care. Your government had better come up with the ransom then maybe you will be let go—maybe not. It will depend on my mood when the time comes. I don’t like noise.

Collins swallowed. He was obviously distressed about his partner.

A few minutes later the two terrorists left the cave once more. I can try to make a run for it, I offered.

No, Justin. Those men will shoot without hesitation. I sent out a distress signal just before we were shot down. Help should be coming soon. Just hold tight. Hopefully, they will take these bozos by surprise. If we can retrieve the missile that will be something else again.

Shut up!  A voice reverberated through the cave. Stop talking now.

I nodded and sat back down beside Collins on a small rock. It was getting cold. The men did not start a fire. What were they waiting for? I asked Collins.

Right now they are waiting for the ransom to come in. Don’t know the details of course. After that—not really sure.

Kiley moaned again and Collins put his gloved hand over his mouth to quiet him down. Kiley roused again and opened his eyes. W-what’s going on? He murmured.

Shh. Collins admonished. It’s OK. We’re getting help. Just lay still.

Kiley tried to get up but Collins pushed him back down. You have to be quiet, Collins repeated.

The two terrorists walked back to the shore line. I craned my neck to get a look. Not being able to see I moved closer to the mouth of the cave. The two terrorists were talking on a cell phone, eyes watching the water. I returned to Collins. They’re talking to someone and it looks like they’re waiting for something.

Another police helicopter will be along soon, Collins reminded me. They’ll land farther away and come on foot, he whispered.

Suddenly there was a commotion outside. Two rifle shots were fired. Who was it? The other police officers or someone or something else?

I moved to the mouth of the cave. No one was in sight. I moved cautiously out the front of the cave.

Hands up! Someone roared. It wasn’t the terrorists. A uniformed man came into view holding a gun on me. It’s OK. I’m in here with Officer Collins and Kiley.

The man lowered his gun and approached. Are there any other hostiles?

No, there were just the two as far as I know. I said. Collins and Kiley are in here. Kiley is hurt.

The man motioned someone behind to approach. Two medics came down the slope to the cave carrying a stretcher. As they entered the cave to attend to Kiley the other man introduced himself . I’m with the RCMP. Names Adams. And you are?

Justin Macdonald. I spoke to the authorities over the radio from the Flight 608 that first reported seeing the missile.

Adams nodded. Well, the nation owes you a debt young man. The missile has been recovered. The Prime Minister has just been informed and is on his way to the Northlands facility. He’ll want to meet you and your friends.

With that, Adams walked off. I was about to walk to the top of the hill where another helicopter would be waiting but I turned to look at the illustrious missile. I never got a chance to look at it up close.

It was like I remembered in the news photo. It was a sleek design, silver colour about 4 meters. The warhead looked powerful and very valuable. The terrorists were going to use it for evil purposes but now it was back in the hands of the government.

Move along, a voice commanded and I jumped at the harshness of the voice. It was a man, about 50 with a full head of greying hair and was dressed impeccably in a suit and long thick black coat. His breath made a fog from the cold.

My men are taking it away, he said nonchalantly. I didn’t see Adams or Collins and Kiley. They were in the cave still. The other officers who had come with Adams had retreated up the hill to the helicopter with the two terrorists and were lost  to view. I got an uneasy feeling but brushed it off to nerves. I had been through a lot this morning and besides I was anxious to get back to Van and Natalie. They would be frantic with worry now.

Fine, I said to the man and he nodded slightly and smiled as I moved away. He signaled to two men who passed me coming down the hill. It looked like they were going to hitch up the trailer carrying the missile.

As I neared the helicopter I saw the snow vehicle they would use to tow the missile back to Northlands.

I still had that nagging feeling but couldn’t place what the cause. I had enough experience to know I shouldn’t ignore the feeling, but what could I do. An officer was beckoning me to the waiting helicopter.

I alighted and the pilot introduced himself as Officer Langton. As we lifted off a rumble could be felt more than heard. Sort of like an earthquake!

What was that? I asked as Langton ascended into the sky. Not sure, he said, picking up the radio.

He reported the occurrence to his dispatch who would investigate. Was it an earthquake? Was this unusual for this part of the island? I didn’t know but it was sure strange.

We flew north and soon saw the downed plane. We landed and Van and Natalie came out to meet us. I related what had happened.

Wow! Van exclaimed. This day is one for the books. Wait’ll the gang back home hear about this.

Did you guys feel an earthquake about fifteen minutes ago. Did the ground shake?

No, I don’t recall, Natalie reported. Why?

Don’t know, just a nagging feeling, I said. Just as we were taking off I felt a tremor in the earth. Officer Langton called it in but didn’t hear back. I don’t know why I’m so concerned about it. It could be nothing, I added. But deep down I wasn’t convinced.

We need to get going, Langton remarked. They’re waiting for us at Northlands. You’ll need to be debriefed, all of you on what you have witnessed today. Then I’m to fly you back to Iqaluit.

Natalie locked up the plane and we all got on the helicopter, the blades whipping up the snow in funnels of white. It was colder, and the sun was waning in the sky.

Soon we were airborne and heading north to the missile compound. We sat in silence for the first part, the ground beneath us rolling on an endless sea of white snow. We flew over Auyuittuq National Park then turned north west to continue over the rest of Baffin island.

The missile complex was located near the north shore of the island between Arctic Bay and Surmlik national Park. The compound was bordered by a steel fence and low hangar like buildings dotted the area.

A missile launch stood in the middle of the compound. I guessed it would take a few hours to return the missile to the facility. But news cameras were already on scene as they were originally here to report the opening of testing.

A small contingent of Northland facility management and some RCMP officers greeted warmly us. We were introduced to Rod Hannigan, the director of the facility who shook our hands.

 Another helicopter was parked nearby. The Prime Minister arrived just before us, Langton reported. He’s giving a press conference as we speak in the main hall. You’ll want to warm up. We have some food for you in the mess hall.

It was going to feel nice to be warm, Van muttered. I think my insides are frozen solid. I’ve never been so cold in my life.

As we trudged through the snow, I suddenly noticed an aircraft approaching from the south, flying erratically, headed right for the missile facility. I shaded my eyes and watched as the plane landed shakily on the tarmac which was located at the north end of the facility.

We continued on to the main building and were almost at the door when an RCMP officer, one I recognized from the site earlier. It was Adams. Sir, he exclaimed, getting the attention of the officials who we were following.

What is it, Hannigan asked. What’s wrong.

It’s the missile, Adams blurted between breaths. It’s gone!