"Lee Edgar - Princess 04 - Checkmate for a Princess" - читать интересную книгу автора (Edgar Lee)

CHECKMATE
FOR A PRINCESS
by Lee Edgar



(c) LEE EDGAR 1997


Published and Printed by
REGENTLANE Ltd
Devonshire Road Industrial Estate
Millom, Cumbria LA18 4JS
All Rights Reserved
ISBN 1 900821 16 8

BRITISH LIBRARY CATALOGUING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

OTHER BOOKS IN THIS SERIES
Requiem for a Princess
Aftermath of a Princess
Escape Unto Death




OPENING MOVES

WEDNESDAY 11th AUGUST - 1100 hrs.
The aircraft carrier was remarkably steady as the helicopter gunship slipped
sideways a little and then dropped gently onto the flight deck with a chatter
of rotor blades. Immediately, the note of the engine changed and the door in
its side was thrown open to allow Major Alphonse Slazinski to drop to the
deck, his battle-dress stained with the smoke of recent action and his cigar
firmly in his mouth. The machine carbine he carried was slung loosely in his
hand, all danger now gone, and his manner was almost jovial as he gestured to
the group of civilian personnel inside the body of the 'copter. The last of
the McDonnell Douglas F-18 strike aircraft hit the arrester net on the flight
deck with a banshee scream of reverse thrust as six people dressed in pale
blue overalls and baseball caps followed the Major down from the helicopter
onto the deck and towards the bulkhead hatch recessed into the side of the
superstructure.
The relative quiet inside almost hurt their ears as the group stepped,
single-file, across the raised threshold and the black major removed the unlit
cigar from his mouth and stuck it into the top pocket of his battledress as a
smartly-uniformed officer approached the party. He saluted lazily though
respectfully. 'All present and correct, Commander.'
'Very good, Major Slazinski.' The officer smiled as he looked from one face to
another of the male members of the group. 'And which one of you gentlemen is