173823.fb2 Kidnap - читать онлайн бесплатно полную версию книги . Страница 49

Kidnap - читать онлайн бесплатно полную версию книги . Страница 49

Chapter 48

As Tom hung up the phone, the helicopter suddenly took a dive towards the sea and they were all thrown to the floor.

“What the hell happened?”

Kano appeared.

“Sorry guys, we have a small problem.”

“What?”

“We just picked up a signal behind us. By the looks of it, we’re being chased by an Apache helicopter.”

“Oh God,” said Tom who thought things could not get any worse.

“What the hell is an Apache?” asked Lela.

“Very bad news. It’s an attack helicopter which will take us apart in about half a second,” said Tom turning to Kano, his brain kicking into action. “How far back is it?”

“I’m not sure. It was through a long range scope that we picked it up and we can’t actually see it yet,” replied Kano.

“I need to see Kisho and the charts,” announced Tom with authority.

“But Tom, what about the call? What’s happened?” asked Lela in desperation.

“Oh, our parents are being held hostage by, I assume, similar madmen to those at the four schools,” he answered glibly. He had much more pressing matters to deal with, they may be dead themselves in the next few minutes.

As Lela digested the devastating news, Tom made his way to the cockpit with Kano. Lela was left with Chen who did his best to comfort her.

“OK, let me see the read-outs,” said Tom. “And where are the charts and how far back is the Apache?”

“Here are the read-outs,” said Kisho. “And they’re about ten miles behind us but closing in fast.”

Tom looked at the charts and all the available data.

“OK, increase to maximum speed 167 knots…”

“But that’ll just eat up our fuel and we’ll fall short of the African mainland,” interrupted Kisho.

“I was going to say, for twenty minutes only,” said Tom.

“But why, what’s the point? They’re much faster than us and they’ll catch us in no time,” protested Kisho.

“Yes, but the only Apache sitting at the base had no auxiliary tanks and no missiles. It has a maximum speed of 197 knots but only for short bursts and every time they do that speed, their fuel will disappear. Their maximum range is about 260 nautical miles but that will reduce every minute they exceed their cruising speed of 160 knots. So if we increase to 167 knots, they won’t get close enough to use their guns unless they’re suicidal. The nearest land is where we just came from.”

“But how do you know all that?” asked Kano.

“I just do, like I know this is an EH101, maximum speed 167, cruising speed of 160 and range of just over 1,000 nautical miles with extra fuel tanks. I have a passion for aircraft.”

“Cool, do it Kisho,” said Kano. “But what did you say through there about your parents?” he asked, current crisis averted.

“It seems that my mother and father and I assume Saki have been taken hostage.” Tom went on to explain the whole conversation with the mysterious and fearsome caller.

“Get Lela in here,” said Kisho after hearing what Tom had to say.

Tom went to get Lela.