The Weapon

 

Spectacular Praise for the Novels of

DAVID POYER

KOREA STRAIT

“The taut tenth entry in Poyer's series…is rich in the naval detail fans have come to expect…a satisfying, fast-paced narrative…Dan Lenson remains a winningly weary hero.”

—Publishers Weekly

“Realistic and frightening…well up to Poyer's excellent standards. No bluster, no dazzle, just real naval engagements that we may well see before long.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Exciting . . . fans of modern naval warfare will relish the details and sea action, as well as the insights into the Korean situation and the Korean people. Recommended for popular thriller collections.”

—Library Journal

THE THREAT

“Plenty of action, plot twists…. frenetically paced…[an] engaging potboiler.”

—Virginian-Pilot

“Poyer remains the most thoughtful of the military-thriller set and a master of authentic detail.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Poyer's forte is storytelling, and
The Threat
delivers a masterful tale that leaves the reader dazzled.”

—Steve Berry,
New York Times
bestselling author of
The Third Secret, The Templar Legacy,
and
The Romanov Prophecy

“[Fans] of
The West Wing
…and political novels will enjoy the author's revealing portrayal of the backroom goings-on at the White House…. Recommended especially for fans of Robert Ludlum's political thrillers (although Poyer is a superior writer).”

—Booklist

“Terrific suspense…perfect authenticity…powerful storytelling and compelling characters…David Poyer is our finest military novelist and
The Threat
is simply superb.”

—Ralph Peters, author of
New Glory
and
Never Quit the Fight

“There's plenty of danger and gripping action to satisfy his legion of fans.”

—
Military.com

THE COMMAND

“[An] explosive climax…the reader takes a well-informed cruise on a U.S. destroyer. Poyer knows the ship intimately. Vivid descriptions cover everything from knee knockers to combat information center, radar to computers, wardroom to enlisted quarters. Battle scenes in particular come alive with authenticity…and all that, and more, is in this latest chapter of Commander Daniel Lenson's contentious career.”

—Proceedings

“Poyer packs a story with both dense technical info and welcome local color. Unique Aisha merits a spinoff series.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Plows fearlessly—though with hair-raising effect on occasion—through today's stormy international and social seas…the salvos of nautical expertise also lend flavor and authenticity…the author provides believable insights into Muslim thinking…Poyer's genius for description impress es on page after page. The vividness of his scene-setting grabs you.”

—Virginian-Pilot

“Lovers of procedural military fiction wait for David Poyer's next installment of the career of Dan Lenson.”

—Roanoke Times

BLACK STORM

“No one writes gritty, realistic military fiction better than David Poyer. No one.”

—Stephen Coonts

“A gripping, gritty novel that reads like the real thing. You're with the Marines every step of the way. Poyer knows his stuff.”

—Vince Flynn

“Exceptional…A straight-ahead adventure yarn, a frontal assault on the bestseller lists.”

—Boston Globe

“A must-read…not since James Jones's
Thin Red Line
have readers experienced the gripping fear of what it's like to fight an enemy at close quarters…Poyer's research is impeccable, his characterization compelling, and the Iraqi Desert Storm scenario all too believable.”

—John J. Gobbell, author of
When Duty Whispers Low

“I've been a David Poyer fan for over a decade, and his storytelling abilities—always first-rate—just get better and better.
Black Storm
is a timely, gripping, compelling yarn told by a master.”

—Ralph Peters

“Absolutely riveting. David Poyer has captured the essence of what it is like on long-range patrols. His book is distinguished by quick action and continuing suspense that will keep the reader on edge until the very end.”

—Maj. Gen. H. W. Jenkins,
United States Marine Corps (Ret.),
Commander of the Marine Amphibious Forces in the Gulf War

“One of the strongest books in an outstanding series…the remarkably vivid portraits he draws of the variety of men and women drawn to serve their country merit high praise.”

—Booklist

“One of the best…action fans will be rewarded.”

—Publishers Weekly

“Poyer's close attention to military practice and jargon will…suit those looking for accurate detail.”

—Newport News Press

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALSO BY DAVID POYER

Korea Strait

The Threat

The Command

Black Storm

China Sea

Tomahawk

The Passage

The Circle

The Gulf

The Med

 

David Poyer

 

 

St. Martin's Paperbacks

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

THE WEAPON

Copyright © 2008 by David Poyer.

Excerpt from
The Crisis
copyright © 2009 by David Poyer.

All rights reserved.

For information address St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2008025779

ISBN: 978-0-312-36527-1

Printed in the United States of America

St. Martin's Press hardcover edition / December 2008

St. Martin's Paperbacks edition / December 2009

St. Martin's Paperbacks are published by St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY

10  9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1

Ex nihilo nihil fit.
For this book I owe thanks to Bob Albee, Harry Black, John Castano, Richard H. Enderly, Dave Faught, Jim Franciskovic, John T. Fusselman, Catherine “Queekie” Gladden, Carlos Godoy, Frank Green, Rick Hedman, Donna Hopkins, Bill Hunteman, Ken Johnson, David Luckett, Leslie Lykins, Warren L. Potts, David Sander, Tommy Schultz, Bill Sheridan, J. Michael Zias, and many others who preferred anonymity. Thanks also to Charle Ricci of the Eastern Shore Public Library, who was unendingly patient with my loan requests; Commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic; Office of the Chief of Naval Information; the USS Saratoga Museum and the staff and “crew” of Juliett 484/K-77 at the Russian Sub Museum in Providence; the Maritime Museum of San Diego; and the Nimitz Library at the U.S. Naval Academy. My most grateful thanks to George Witte, editor of long standing; to Sally Richardson and Matt Shear; and to Lenore Hart, best friend, first reader, and reality check.

The specifics of personalities, locations, and procedures in various locales, and the units and theaters of operations described are employed as the settings and materials of
fiction
, not as reportage. Some details have been altered to protect classified information.

As always, all errors and deficiencies are my own.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moral judgements are singularly out of place in espionage.

—Graham Greene

Tilted mountains surrounded the valley like massive firing berms. Gravel slides had wiped out whole glades of the second-growth forests that clung to their rocky slopes. Clouds drifted ghost-white against shadowed hollows. Each time Team Charlie had gone out on the range, their gunfire had echoed in those hills as if lost divisions were still locked in battle, the Blue against the Gray.

As they took a knee in front of the instructor this morning, the team's drab digital-pattern battle dress was hard for the eye to focus on. They wore black nylon knee and elbow pads, black tactical vests, ballistic eye protection, belts of fat red twelve-gauge shells, and nine-millimeter SIGs in thigh holsters. They held pump shotguns with black nylon stocks muzzle down. Their shoulders were aching, chests heaving after two hours of running, climbing, and thinking around corners against their trainers.

One of whom barked, “Next problem. Lenson, you got six guys. Task: assault and clear that green building. What's your plan?”

Commander Dan Lenson, USN, tried to think. But concepts only oozed through his brain, like used motor oil. They hadn't gotten much sleep the past few nights. And it felt
bizarre, blasphemous in some deep way, six men genuflecting around one who stood. He noted another instructor headed for the control booth. “Uh, my plan . . . I need to dominate the path with two shooters at, uh, that sandbag pile and behind the black tank. . . .”

“And?” The harsh voice goaded him. The GrayWolf instructor was in black BDUs and peaked cap. The name tape on his blouse read whalen. The night before, Dan's team had discussed how much more they'd take before they shot him themselves. “Think fast, Team Leader! You're not gonna have time to
cog
-itate out in booger-eating country.”

“Flash-bang through the window. Push in a four-man stack? Redeploy my fire team to the back to catch any skedaddlers?”

“Don't
ask
me, tell me. If you don't know, for Christ's sake, don't advertise the fact! Positions! Fifteen rounds sabot slug, fifteen rounds of buck, lock and load. Keep in mind your tactical reload drills. A dry weapon is no weapon. And remember, the problem goes from whistle to whistle; you're not done till the signal goes.”

Lenson dragged a sleeve across his face. Tactical Analysis Group, Team Charlie had been running and shooting since before dawn. But his guys were looking at him. He cleared his throat. “I'll go in first and take position on the sandbags. Covering fire on my signal. Donny, break right, suppression position behind the tank. Teddy, you take point on the stack, with Yeong-Min, and Monty, and Rit. Live rounds, guys! Take your time and make sure the line of fire's clear before you shoot.”