As a member of TAG Charlie—an elite team of active-duty sailors, SEALs, and civilian analysts—United States Navy Commander and Medal of Honor winner Dan Lenson must defuse emerging naval threats around the globe. The deadly Skhval K, an unstoppable rocket torpedo designed to destroy U.S. aircraft carriers, definitely qualifies. When the Skhval-K is demonstrated at a Moscow arms show, Dan tries to buy one so that the U.S. Navy can build countermeasures. But when the Russians sell the new weapon to Iran and China instead, Dan decides that if he can’t buy it, he’ll steal it… When a daring nighttime penetration of Iran’s largest naval base goes wrong, Dan finds himself captaining a submarine he barely knows how to submerge—while being pursued by Iranian destroyers and sub-hunting aircraft through the hazardous Persian Gulf. Never mind the weapon and the balance of power in the Mideast. This time, Dan will be lucky to escape with his life… “Those who relish naval action won’t be able to come up for air until they turn the last page of this nail-biter.” — Publishers Weekly Authentic action and daring espionage combine in this timely thriller from USA Today bestselling author David Poyer “No one writes gritty, realistic military fiction better than David Poyer. No one.”—Stephen Coonts As a member of TAG Charlie—an elite team of active-duty sailors, SEALs, and civilian analysts—United States Navy Commander and Medal of Honor winner Dan Lenson must defuse emerging naval threats around the globe. The deadly Skhval K, an unstoppable rocket torpedo designed to destroy U.S. aircraft carriers, definitely qualifies. “Poyer [is] a master of authentic detail.”— Kirkus Reviews When the Skhval-K is demonstrated at a Moscow arms show, Dan tries to buy one so that the U.S. Navy can build countermeasures. But when the Russians sell the new weapon to Iran and China instead, Dan decides that if he can’t buy it, he’ll steal it… “There can be no better writer of modern sea adventure around today.”—Clive Cussler When a daring nighttime penetration of Iran’s largest naval base goes wrong, Dan finds himself captaining a submarine he barely knows how to submerge—while being pursued by Iranian destroyers and sub-hunting aircraft through the hazardous Persian Gulf. Never mind the weapon and the balance of power in the Mideast. This time, Dan will be lucky to escape with his life… DAVID POYER’s twenty-seven novels make him the most popular living author of American sea fiction. His military career included service in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Arctic, Caribbean, Mideast, and Pacific. The Weapon is the eleventh in his continuing novel cycle of the modern Navy and Marine Corps. He lives with his wife and daughter on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. 1 Camp Bandit, Western Virginia 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. .ing, 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?” .cepts only oozed through his brain, like used motor oil. They hadn’t gotten much sleep the past few nights. And it felt .ing 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. . . .” .structor 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 .daddlers?” “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.” .sis 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,