Mitchell switched views to his Situational Awareness Tactical Display showing the four green diamonds--Bravo Team--heading toward the north side of the castle, where two choppers were parked in the field, along with two more trucks. The map was color-coded, with hostile terrain glowing orange, secured terrain in blue, and inaccessible areas in gray. Bravo Team would quietly ensure that none of those rides remained operational. If any Tiger tried to escape, he'd be doing it on foot.

Abruptly, the uplink channel window crackled to life with the image of a young man with bleached blond hair impaled by a headset. "Captain Mitchell, this is Lieutenant Moch, sir."

Ah, yes, Mitchell had met him briefly and heard more about him from Diaz. "Go ahead, Lieutenant."

"Sir, we had a clean launch, and you'll have Predator support in one minute, thirty seconds, sir."

"Roger that. And just remember to keep that flying lawn mower on the perimeter. You scan for outside threats and complement the satellite. We've got the AO covered from here."

"Uh, roger that, sir."

Mitchell grinned to himself. The "aviator" wasn't happy, but he had admitted on the sub that the Predator's engines could blow everyone's cover. Still, having the drone provide additional surveillance of the mountains was certainly welcome.

"Ghost Lead, this is Bravo Lead. We have drivers and pilots posted near their vehicles, and we're in position. Waiting on you, Boss."

"Roger that." Mitchell glanced at the time in his HUD. "Still a little early."

He then stole another look from the satellite images, waited a moment more, then switched to the Predator's thermal infrared sensors just as the drone came online.

He immediately spotted the two snipers posted in the hills, red diamonds flashing.

"Diaz, check your HUD. Predator's got two out there."

"I see them. All right, sir, they're mine."

"Alicia, when that power goes down and I signal, you'll need to work faster than you've ever worked before. Snipers, then main gate sentries. Then you move again."

"I understand, sir." She backed out of the brush and darted off into the woods across the path.

Mitchell unclipped the cell phone from his waist and called Buddha. "Okay, where are my targets?"

"Sorry, Captain. He has not called back yet."

"What's the delay?"

"I don't know."

"Then call him!"

"Too risky. We must wait. He will call."

"What if he has second thoughts?"

"I have read this man correctly. He is scared, but he will help. He wants the best for his village."

"Buddha, I got air assets, I got people waiting."

"Captain, you may launch your attack now, but it seems there are still people awake at the castle, and I can't promise how soon that information will come."

Mitchell thought a curse. "Understood."

"Sir, do you want to launch the drone?" asked Smith.

"No, we'll wait till we cut power--but I was hoping to have our targets pinpointed before then, damn it."