Bücher online kostenlos Kostenlos Online Lesen
Black wind

Black wind

Titel: Black wind Kostenlos Bücher Online Lesen
Autoren: Clive Cussler
Vom Netzwerk:
to move faster, a sudden whirring noise erupted from inside the hangar. An electronic command had been issued from the Koguryo’s launch control software and the hangar’s large barn doors began sliding closed in preparation for the blastoff.
    “The doors are closing,” Dahlgren huffed. “We’ve got to hurry.”
    Like a trio of Olympic sprinters heading to the tape, the men bolted side by side toward the shrinking gap of the closing doors. Though he still had plenty of fire in his step, Pitt eased back as they approached the opening and let Dirk and Dahlgren jump through first. Following single file, he turned and slid sideways through the gap just before the doors sealed shut.
    Midway down the hangar, they could hear the sound of muffled voices and a metallic banging as the men inside the metal shed fought
    to extricate themselves. Dirk, Dahlgren, and Pitt scurried to the shed and examined the chained and padlocked door as they caught their breath.
    “That chain isn’t going to give, but maybe we can pry the door off its hinges … if we can find a crowbar around here,” Dahlgren said, scanning the area for a potential tool.
    Pitt glanced at the motorized work platform Jack had ridden across the hangar and reached up and grabbed the control box, which dangled from the railing.
    “I think we’ve got our crowbar right here,” he said, lowering the platform a few feet, then rolling the device up to the front of the shed. As Dirk and Dahlgren looked on, Pitt grabbed a loose end of the padlock chain and wrapped it tightly around the platform’s railing, then yelled at the men inside the shed: “Stand back from the door.”
    Waiting a second, he then hit the raise button and watched as the platform rose slowly, drawing the chain tight. The lifting mechanism groaned and strained for a moment as the wheels of the platform rocked across the floor. Then, with a loud crack, the shed’s door ripped off its hinges and popped into the air, slamming against the platform with a shudder before dropping and dangling from the chain midair. Pitt quickly backed the platform out of the way as the Sea Launch crew surged out of the claustrophobic shed.
    The crewmen had been given little to eat since the Odyssey was commandeered and they appeared weak and haggard from the stress of their captivity. Yet an underlying anger purveyed over the men, a group of seasoned professionals who didn’t take kindly to having given up their rocket and platform.
    “Is the captain and launch manager here?” Pitt shouted over the cries of thanks from the released crew.
    A battered Captain Christiano elbowed his way through the throng, followed by a thin, distinguished-looking man with a goatee.
    “I’m Christiano, captain of the Odyssey. This is Larry Ohlrogge, platform launch manager,” he added, nodding to the man beside him
    “Has the platform been secured from those scum?” he spat with contempt.
    Pitt shook his head. “They’ve evacuated the platform in preparation for launching the rocket. We don’t have much time.”
    Ohlrogge noted the erector transporter had been returned to the hangar and that the hangar doors had been closed.
    “We’re talking minutes,” he said with alarm in his voice.
    “About eighteen, to be precise. Captain, get your crew to the helipad now,” Pitt directed. “There’s an airship waiting that can evacuate everyone from the platform if we move quick.”
    Turning to Ohlrogge, Pitt added, “Is there any way we can stop the launch?”
    “The launch sequence is completely automated and controlled by the assembly and command ship. Presumably, these terrorists have duplicated that functionality on their own vessel.”
    “We can mechanically halt the fueling of the rocket,” Christiano noted.
    “It is too late,” Ohlrogge said, shaking his head. “There is an override control in the bridge that would be our only hope at this late time,” he added grimly.
    “The elevator at the rear of the hangar leads to the bridge deck. The helipad is just above,” Christiano said. “Then let’s get moving,” Pitt replied.
    Quickly, the group shuffled en masse to the rear of the hangar and crowded around a medium-sized elevator.
    “There’s not enough room for all,” Christiano stated, regaining his captain’s form. “We’ll need three trips. You eight men first, then this group, then you ten men over there,” he ordered, dividing the crowd into three groups.
    “Jack, you go with the first group

Weitere Kostenlose Bücher