ABOARD THEASAD, GHEDI Sayid gave the signal that began the second phase of his operation, and the fishing fleet broke loose from its normal cluster around the mother ship and fanned into a long line across the projected path of the oncoming yacht. The white vessel was unaware of any threat and was maintaining a straight course. Sayid knew that when the approaching speedboat was spotted, the yacht’s captain would finally recognize the danger and go to full speed to run away from the immediate threat. That would lead him directly toward the line of fishing boats.

Sayid was a pirate, a seaman, a terrorist, and a technology geek who allowed the computers and electronics to help him predict what was going to happen. He believed in the old Somali saying Aqoon la’aani waa iftiin la’aan-Being without knowledge is to be without light. That was why he had remained so successful in such a risky business.

“Put our boats in the water,” Sayid commanded. A crane on the deck whined into life, and within five minutes two inflatable Zodiacs were pulled from the hold, with Yamaha F250B outboard motors already attached. When they were lowered, a squad of six pirates scrambled into each boat but did not cast off. Only when the yacht made its fateful turn toward the fishing fleet would the Zodiacs tear out of their hiding place behind the Asad and close in from the sides. The yacht, surrounded, would either surrender or be sunk.

It was just a matter of waiting a few more minutes now. Sayid went back to the computer and the radar. Nothing had changed.

SIR JEFF TAPPED HIS fingers and stared at the video being transmitted back to the Vagabond in real time from the circling Bird, the lightweight spy vehicle that was no bigger than a seagull. The pictures showed men with guns and rocket-propelled grenades crouched forward in the speedboat. No doubt about it. “Light them up, Mr. Styles.”