The Collectors Book Six: Black Gold (The Collectors Series 6) (23 page)

              Men on the remaining skiffs hurled grapnels into the air. Each landed on the deck; over half found a secure anchor while the others fell back.

              Without wavering, men clambered up the vertical ship’s side and rolled onto the deck.

              “Take your time and select your target,” said Barry. “They don’t know we can see them.”

                Shots rang out and several of the pirates slumped on the deck. Others crawled behind their dead comrades and used them as shields.

              From the superstructure Colin and David lobbed grenades over the ship’s side.

              On the bridge Petros pointed an infra-red camera at a group of pirates attempting to find cover. He directed the water cannon and chuckled as the jets smashed into them. In disarray, they swirled like spinning tops on the smooth painted deck. Unable to maintain a grip they vanished over the side.

              “These men are stark raving mad,” said Henry.

              “There’s nowhere for them to run,” shouted Barry “They’re fighting for survival.”

              Henry set his AK47 to automatic and fired a short burst downing two. “They can’t win.”

              “But they don’t know that. They expected to jump on board and reap a good payday,” said Barry.

              “And we don’t give redundancy payments.”

              “To your left,” screamed Barry.

              Henry fired two short bursts, striking two pirates. They staggered and fell into the sea.

              “It’s gone quiet. It’s over. We’ve won.”

              Neither man moved. The rush of the sea sweeping along the hull was tranquil.

              Barry scanned the deck and sighed with relief. “We have a clear deck.” He lifted an axe. “Cover me while I check if we have any more waiting in the skiffs.”

              Henry moved in behind Barry. “I’ll watch your back.”

              The two men edged to the ship’s port side and peered at the waterline, their gaze drifting from forward to aft. Several empty skiffs that remained attached bounced on the sea. Barry cut the wire and laughed as they tumbled in the wake before sinking. Maintaining a good watch they wandered to the starboard side and repeated the procedure. This time there was nothing to see.

              Henry turned and gave a thumbs up to Colin and David. “I believe it’s over.”

              “Until the next time,” said Barry.

              “With luck they’ll choose easier targets or not bother.” He operated the digital door lock and pulled it open. “Better report to the captain that the main deck’s clear.”

              The two men entered, removed their night goggles and closed the access door.

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On the stern of Leviathan, Linda and her team of seven crouched in the shadows under the lifeboats.

              She looked into the eyes of each man. “They haven’t seen us. We can take this ship and I promise you so much money you can give up this life.”

              The seven frightened men listened in silence.

              “We will follow you,” whispered Jomo. “You have a plan to avenge our comrades?”

              She pressed two fingers to her lips. “If we assist each other, we can climb to the bridge. Once in position we kill those there. I will control the ship while you do away with the crew.  Later they will join our departed friends at the bottom of the sea. Jomo, I need a man who is strong and I can trust. You will lead the climb.”

              Jomo balanced on the ship’s side and reached for the next deck. His fingers gripped the steel while two men assisted from below. He scrambled over the edge, turned and lowered his arms to hoist the next man. Each man carried his weapons of choice, AK47s, small automatics, knives and clubs. It seemed to take an age before they were in position to climb again.

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Left to their own devices, David and Colin made the decision to return to their mess, contact the bridge and find out what was happening. Still wearing their night vision goggles they strolled along the deck chatting.

              Colin motioned with his right hand for them to stop. “Did you hear a noise?”

              “What noise?”

              “Listen.”

              Both men turned and scanned the deck.

              “Port side,” whispered Colin. “Five or six pirates climbing towards the starboard bridge wing.”

              “And all we have is half a bag of grenades.”

              Colin glanced aft then forward. “I’ll head for the bridge. You return to the mess and telephone whoever’s on watch.”

              “I’m out of here,” said David.

              Colin sprinted as if his life depended on it.

              David jumped the combing at the mess entrance, grabbed the phone handset and pressed the call button, leaving his finger pressed on it.

              “Okay, I hear you. What do you want?”

              “Shut the fuck up and listen. Six pirates are climbing towards the port bridge wing. Understand?”

              He heard the handset drop to the deck and hung up.

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Bear pointed. “The ship can take care of itself. Go.”

              Richard and the bridge team scurried away while Bear, Petros, Amadou and ZZ concealed themselves as best they could.

              Bear watched as a man like a black ghost pulled himself onto the deck and turn to help another. Together they heaved the next man to the deck.

              One pirate, his AK47 ready, sidled across the deck and from the outside peered into the bridge.

              Bear inched forward and crouched below the window nearest the entrance. The men outside talked in a language he didn’t understand. He judged there to be seven and raised himself to his full height and stepped out.

              “Breath, fart or make the slightest wrong move and you’re dead.”

              One man raised his weapon and clicked the safety. Bear dived to the deck.

              Amadou and ZZ were not in a generous mood and fired as one.

              The roar of AK47s on automatic filled the air.

              The pirates’ bodies twisted from a multiple assault.

              “Stupid,” muttered Bear as he removed their weapons and tossed them over the side. As he readied the first corpse for dropping into the sea, he saw a movement on the deck below. He let go of the body and motioned to the others to go inside the bridge.

              “How many more?" asked Petros, as Bear whispered the news that one pirate remained.

              “PK, you go and open the door on that level but wait until I’m in position.”

              Petros grinned as Bear positioned his large frame on the edge of the bridge gunwale. He ran, descended the companionway and strode to the port exit door on that level. He banged on the six securing clips, taking his time on the final one. From outside he heard a thump and a scuffle and pushed the door open. Bear stood there with a woman hanging from his right hand.

              “The old tricks work the best. She was ready to shoot you. Not a nice lady.”

              “What are we going to do with her?” asked Petros.

              “I could toss her over the side, but then the sharks might throw her back.”

              Screaming abuse, Linda kicked out with both feet.

              “No need to panic,” said Bear, as he slapped her with his open hand across the face. “The Captain might want to have a word with you.” He grabbed her clothing, lifted and dragged her to the bridge.

              “You found a bilge rat. Horrible things,” said Richard with a grin.

              “She’s a bit lively,” said Bear.

              “Has she a red dragon’s head tattoo on the back of her right hand,” asked Andy.

              Bear grabbed her hand. “She has.”

              “That’s the woman who murdered Captain Wood on Goliath,” shouted Andy.

              She turned to Andy, harshness in her face. “You disappoint me.”

              Eyes filled with hate, Henry screamed, “That’s the bitch who murdered my father. I’ve waited a long time for this moment. She has neither compassion nor a sense of right and wrong.”

              The look which formed on Linda’s face chilled Henry to the bone. It was not the expression of a woman about to die. It was one of pure evil.

              With a harsh shriek she broke free, crashed into Henry, striking his crotch with her right knee. He roared in agony, the pain dropping him to his knees. From inside her coverall she pulled a thin-bladed knife and plunged it into his right shoulder.

              Henry stifled a scream as she dragged the blade free and pressed it against his throat. “Touch me, he dies.”

              No one moved.

              Bear turned to Petros. “Do you want to shoot her or shall I?”

              “I can’t be bothered,” said Petros. “You do it.”

              Bear lifted an AK47 from the deck.

              Henry lashed out with his right arm and grabbed her wrist. From the power of an inner madness, he forced her onto her back and pinned the hand which held the knife to the deck.

              She screamed like a banshee, her eyes blazed and her knee struck his thigh.

              Bear grabbed her hair and lifted her into the air.

              She kicked out, screamed and spat.

              “Now I’m pissed off. Women who spit at me have to be got rid of. It’s most unhygienic. You’re finished. So don’t fuck with me or I’ll turn nasty.”             

              “If none of you are going to kill her, I will.”

              Everyone was startled at the coldness in Henry’s voice.