Exit Plan by Larry Bond Page B

small town.” Myles nodded and returned the sheet. She quickly put it away, and did not show the map to anyone else in the room.
     
    “There is a risk,” Lloyd insisted. “If the Iranians discover us in their waters, they’d consider it an act of war.”
     
    “They won’t find Michigan or the ASDS,” the SECDEF replied confidently. “The Iranian Navy operates to the east of the Strait of Hormuz, in the Gulf of Oman. The IRGC Navy has responsibility for operations inside the gulf, and they have no antisubmarine warfare capability whatsoever.
     
    Hughes and Ramsdale both nodded in agreement, but Lloyd didn’t look satisfied.
     
    “Why does Michigan have to go into Iranian territorial waters?” Myles asked.
     
    Patterson answered, “To shorten the run for the ASDS.”
     
    “Could the ASDS travel the distance if Michigan stayed outside the twelve-mile limit?” he asked.
     
    Joanna paused, considering a moment before answering. “Yes, sir. It has a range of a hundred and twenty-five nautical miles at five knots.”
     
    “So a total run of what?—twenty-five or thirty miles, is well within its abilities, and at least Michigan is in the clear. Will it affect the timing of the operation?”
     
    Patterson studied her notes. “Not significantly, sir. Michigan will be on station well before the ASDS is launched. It will double their time inside the ASDS, but it’s ‘dry,’ so fatigue isn’t the problem it was with earlier vehicles.”
     
    “Then is there any other reason to put a nuclear submarine inside Iranian waters?”
     
    Patterson looked at Kirkpatrick, Hughes, and Ramsdale. They’d built the plan together but had never considered keeping Michigan back. They all looked unhappy, but nobody spoke.
     
    “Then change the plan so that Michigan remains outside Iranian territorial waters. Also, add in a slight buffer to guard against any navigation errors,” Myles ordered.
     
    “We’re still violating their territory,” Kirkpatrick reminded him.
     
    “I understand that, Ray, but perceptions are important. And in this instance, there is a very big difference between the ASDS and a very large cruise missile-armed nuclear submarine.”
     
    Patterson nodded, making notes. “We’ll make the change immediately.”
     
    “It would be better if we didn’t have to send anyone into their territory,” Lloyd insisted. “If we’re discovered, the Iranians will turn it into a major incident.”
     
    “Like they need an excuse,” the SECDEF muttered.
     
    “Let’s not hand them one,” Lloyd countered, annoyed. “Imagine the propaganda campaign if they capture U.S. commandos lured ashore by someone pretending to be an American agent.”
     
    The SECDEF shook his head. “They don’t show themselves until it’s clear, and they’ll only be on the beach for ten or fifteen minutes. Mr. President, I agree with Ray and his people. Either we do this, and accept the low risk, or lose Opal and the information he carries. And what about the propaganda coup if VEVAK arrests Opal?”
     
    Lloyd persisted. “I’m assuming there’s nobody else in Iran—anywhere— that we can use to get Opal out of the country.”
     
    Patterson started to answer, but Foster broke in. “That was our first choice, Mr. Secretary, but again, without giving too much detail, Opal’s movements are being watched. We are using this secondary plan,” Foster said, emphasizing the word, “because my people don’t have any safe way to get him and his wife out quickly.” He motioned toward Hughes and Rams-dale. “When we couldn’t do it, we asked the Navy and SOCOM to help.”
     
    The CIA director turned back to Patterson. “Michigan will be on station by 1600 hours local time tomorrow. With your approval to proceed, the operation will start about an hour later. By this time on Thursday, Opal should be safe and the information should be in our hands.”
     
    Myles and Patterson both scanned the room. Lloyd looked unhappy,