Welcome to

2012--Chapter 3

Page 16

**Everyone, without exception bowed deeply when Foster Shinj entered the modern, high tech center that he called his war room. He walked briskly over to an expansive arching console. As he sat in his throne-like chair, he guestered to his second in command Dan Qatomo "Bring me up to date."

"Yes Taipan" Dan responded with another bow. "The major powers are still searching for the stole equipment. The ASAT (Asian satellite) has been totally dominated by the Americans. The Byrd Foundation has arranged for us to recieve downlink data as promised. Every ship that was in the area has or is undergoing a search by the United Nations."

Foster smiled slightly "So the prize has not been found, and no one knows where to look."

"Basically Taipan" Dan Qatomo responded. He used a remote control to switch a monitor to a godseye view. "A French satellite did find traces of a helicopter operating in the area at the time of the theft."

Foster rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he looked at the monitor. "A helicopter could have flown the cargo to any one of a number of islands off Burma, or Sumatra. That still leaves everyone with a broad search area."

Dan nodded "Exactly, but I believe that the thieves would have been limited to a few options. The thieves would have suspected that an intensive search would have begun very soon. I believe that they airlifted the cargo out of the area by ordinary means. Tavoy or Mergui would then be the likely places for the helicopter to have escaped to."

Foster frowned "It is possible that the merchandise is still near the location. There are literally hundreds of hiding places in the area."

Dan smiled slightly "An excellent decoy Taipan. It causes many to waste their time fruitlessly. I believe that the thieves intend to use the equipment very soon. Therefore, they would need it out of the area. I have taken the liberty to dispatch agents by air to Tavoy and Mergui to check."

"A wise idea Dan. I believe both Tavoy and Mergui have samll, commercial airfields. A local cargo charter could have easily been employed. Authorize our agents to offer $2,000 international credits for a solid lead." He studied the area on the monitor for a few moments before he asked Dan "Do you have any idea which way a cargo plane might have headed?"

Dan guestered "I would have flown it to Thailand if it were me. The cargo could be loaded onto any number of ships or aircraft in Bankok."

Foster looked at the monitor thoughtfully "And I would not have flown it directly to Bangkok either. Matter of fact, I would have recrated it, and sent it into Bangkok by rail. Can we obtain flight recent flight history of Thailand?"

Dan shrugged "We can not, but Byrd might. Byrd might be able to access a military satellite for the information."

Foster narrow eyedly contemplated the situation. "I feel you may very well be on the right track my friend. Get our air forces, and our special security teams ready. I will contact the Byrd Foundation myself."


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Last updated by Denton on 1/10/98