Chapter 24

Descending to the Jonathan Carr, Fay realized Romeo had come to her aid. He led the way through the hatch, along the passageway, around the corner, down the ladder, and to the entrance to Captain Nevada’s stateroom. The hatch was open; she swam in.

Everything was as she had remembered. The broken closet door, the PC on the desk, the gray carpeting; nothing had changed. I should leave, but the hatch is sealed. She remembered the porthole. Don’t panic. Conserve air. The porthole was also locked, and, sadly, she was out of air.

A gentle voice startled her. “Hi Spider, I’m so happy y’all would join us,” a woman said.

Fay blinked her eyes; a woman glided toward her from the dark corner of the room. “Hi, Mama,” Fay replied. “Am I late?”

“Why no, Darlin’, you’re right on time!” her mother said, embracing her. “Our tea party has just begun.”

She hugged her mother’s neck. “I’ve missed you so much!”

“I know, Spider, but you’re here now, it’s all that matters.” The woman smiled as she led her Spider to a table set for five. A beautiful table with a white lace tablecloth was set with silverware, English teacups, and lavender candles. “Darlin’, I’d like to introduce you to our guests. Mr. Park, the defense minister of North Korea.” Park rose from his place at the table and bowed.

“Captain Nevada,” her mother said. Nevada rose from his seat and smiled. “And the nice man who flew here, all the way from outer space,” her mother said, pointing to another person seated in the shadows at the end of the table.

Although Fay could not see his face, she greeted the man. “I'm so pleased to meet y’all,” Fay said.

“Please join us,” her mother said. “Your dad will join us soon. I’m so lookin’ forward to seein' him.” Her mother turned toward the door. “There's somebody knockin’ at the door. Will you see who it is?”

“It's my friend, Mama.” Fay felt a tear race down her cheek. “And, oh, Mama, he is just the nicest man! It's almost dawn. I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

“Honey, I’m sorry you have to go. But I am glad you are so delighted. Please come again.” Her mother’s gleaming smile warmed the entire room.

“Okay, Mama, it was good to see you!” Fay hugged her mother again. “I’ve missed you so much. I love you.”

“I know you do, Spider, but don’t fret now,” her mother said while she comforted her daughter in her arms. “I’ll see ya again. And give your dad my love. Tell him I miss him. Will you do that?”

“I will. I promise.”

“Fay…Fay!”

She could hear her name being called. Slowly, her eyes opened. Fay found herself gazing up at Andrew.

“She’s back, Captain.”

Fay felt him press the tips of his fingers firmly to the artery in her neck.

“Her pulse is getting stronger. I think she will be fine now.”

She struggled to sit but found she had no strength. Andrew eased her up and into a sitting position. “Hi, guys,” Fay chirped. "Where am I?"

"Welcome back!" Egan said. “We’re in a boat heading toward the Nalon Vet.”

“Got any coffee, Egan?”

He reached into a canvas bag near his feet. “I have a thermos.” He unscrewed the cup, opened the stopper, and poured a small amount of coffee into the cup.

Her hands trembled as she eagerly accepted the cup from him with both hands. “Where’s the Vet, sir?”

Egan withdrew a small compass from his pea coat. He studied it for a moment. “That way.” He pointed out into the darkness. “I’ve set the Vet on a course and speed that will take her beyond North Korea’s territorial waters before dawn. We should overtake her in about thirty minutes.”

Fay yawned. “Oh, good, I’m sleepy.”

Andrew said, “You’ve had a rough go of it.”

“I don’t recall much. I do know I made it to the Carr. And I saw my mother.”

“You were trapped in Nevada’s cabin,” he said.

“I remember. I escaped through the porthole.”

“But you were supposed to wait for me once you did.”

“Wait for you?”

“When the hatch jammed,” Andrew explained, “you tapped out a message in Morse that you were going through the porthole and you would meet me there. When I got there, you’d gone.”

Fay listened intently, trying to recall the events. “That’s right,” she said with a nod, “we communicated using Morse code. Now I remember. I recall thinking how rusty I was at coding. I hoped I was making sense.”

“Your Morse was fine. It’s just when you bolted from the porthole, you didn’t wait for me.”

She struggled to recall the precise sequence of events. “I think I was out of air?”

“All I know is when I finally found the porthole, it looked like it had been ripped off of its hinges.” Andrew chuckled. “Did you stop to open it first?”

“I don't know?”

“I found a large chunk of your wetsuit hanging on the jagged metal edges. I knew you were in trouble.”

Egan said, “Andrew surfaced, and with the help of Juliet and Romeo, they quickly located you. You were struggling to stay afloat. We think if you had spent a minute more in the frigid water, you would surely have developed hypothermia and slipped back below the surface.”

“I recall floating on the surface. And there was a megalodon.”

“Andrew was with you all the time. He held you afloat while I searched for you. We hadn’t realized until we had you back that you were suffering from the effects of nitrogen narcosis.”

“Rapture of the deep? Mercy, I’m afraid I don’t recall.” Fay smiled at Andrew Lawrence. “Thanks, Timmy. You saved my life.”

He smiled but remained silent; he seemed embarrassed by her comment.

Fay closed her eyes; it was time to sleep.

By the time the trio arrived at the Nalon Vet, Fay had awoken, had consumed the entire thermos of coffee, and was warmly wrapped in a pile of blankets. She was shivering uncontrollably. Andrew and Egan appeared relieved to see her lifted, via sling, to the Vet’s deck. She was then whisked on a stretcher to the onboard medical facility.

Fay remembered nothing after being lifted aboard the Vet until she found herself awake and hungry later the same day. She felt refreshed, yet she experienced a slight headache, and her legs and feet were cramping. She showered, dressed, and briefly wondered who had undressed her. She conned the cooks in the galley out of a bowl of soup, a sandwich, and a cup of coffee. She ate and then headed for the bridge in search of Egan Fletcher. She found him there, and he seemed happy to see her.

“Hello! Back among the living, I see,” he said.

“I feel great!” And she did feel great. She felt more invigorated than she had in years. “I almost died last night, didn’t I?” Fay whispered, so the others on the bridge could not hear.

“Andrew couldn’t locate your pulse when we brought you aboard. He got you restarted with one mg of epinephrine and a whole lot of massage. He must have rubbed those feet, legs, and hands of yours for at least an hour, non-stop, in an attempt to get your blood to start circulating again,” Egan told her.

“So, Timmy Lawrence and I got up close and personal,” Fay said with a snicker. “And thank you,” she said sincerely, “for not leaving me.”

“The ship’s doctor believes you developed hypercapnia toward the end of your dive.”

“Hypercapnia is CO-two toxicity,” Fay said. “My metabolism must have shot up when I was straining to open the hatch or the porthole. I probably started shallow breathing.”

“We thought you might have experienced nitrogen narcosis.”

“Whatever it was, I must have been completely out of it. I remember dreaming I had tea with my mother. Captain Nevada was there, the North Korean defense minister, and the Aurora pilot. How odd, I thought. My mother is dead. I would assume the defense minister’s life isn’t worth a plugged nickel these days.”

“One of the Aurora pilots died.”

“How, sir?” she asked.

“I heard he was injured in the crash. He must have died from the injuries.”

Fay felt a wave of remorse. “I’m sorry to hear that,” she said. “Did we recover all of the data from the Carr?”

“That part of our mission was a success.”

“And we're not at war with North Korea?”

“We're still at DEFCON-Three,” he replied. “Did your investigation of the crime scene uncover anything?”

She pursed her lips and frowned. “I don’t know yet. I have to ponder it for a while longer.”

He smiled. “When Timmy opened your wetsuit, he found the flash drives. They turned out to be the data the Navy was searching for.”

“I remember, I grabbed them on my way out of Nevada’s room. Although I don’t know why.” Fay gave Egan an appreciative smile. “Thank you.”

He looked at his watch. “It’s near suppertime. Are you hungry?”

“I have already…ah…yeah, I am starving,” she stammered. “Mr. Striplin,” she announced, “the Captain is leaving the bridge.” She glanced at Egan. He held up first one finger, then two, then five, and smiled. She gave him a confirming nod. “Steer course one-two-five, Mr.,” she said, in a firm and authoritative voice. “The X-O has the bridge.”

“Steer one-two-five, aye.” Striplin crisply repeated her command.

Following a relaxing chat and a glass or two of wine with Egan, Fay retired to her quarters. He had told her they would make port at Chinhae at 04:30. She opted to sleep until 06:00 reveilles, eat breakfast aboard, and then return to Seoul. Egan contacted Major Kim; he would drive her back to Seoul.

She was up at 06:00. Hunger had awoken her. This was unusual, as it was not normal for her to be awakened by the urge to eat. This morning, Fay decided to eat in the enlisted men’s galley. She hoped to find one or all of the dive team there. She wanted to thank them, especially Andrew. However, she soon learned the men had left the ship at 04:30. After breakfast, she located Egan in his quarters and chatted with him for a short time.

“I'm still digesting whether or not I can claim it was nice to have you aboard,” Egan said. The expression on Fay’s face brought a chuckle. “Faydra, I am kidding you. It was a supreme honor and my great pleasure to have you aboard.”

“After all of the trouble I have caused everyone, I am relieved to hear you say that! A heartfelt thank you to you, your crew, and E-Team,” Fay said. “Sir, what about Romeo and Juliet? I stopped by the galley to find a fish treat for them but was told they were not aboard.”

“We try to keep them penned onboard only for short periods. When they are crew members, they run ahead of us, near the bow, while underway. On a base, they are housed in special pens. But they do fly as well. Our Mark 7 Marine Mammal Systems, also known as dolphins, travel with their handlers aboard a C-17 Globemaster III transport.”

“Wow!” Fay said. “I knew none of this. And here I thought I knew everything!”

****

Major Kim was waiting for her dockside.

“How is it you are here in Chinhae, South Korea, Jangho?!” Fay asked as she approached the smiling Major.

He laughed. “I was with you on the Vet!”

“I didn’t see you aboard!” It was understandable he would be on the Vet. After all, he was an interpreter and Army Intelligence. Had the Vet crossed paths with an irate North Korean sea captain, Kim would have had to communicate with him.

“I was busy; you were busy.”

He was right; after all, it was not a social cruise they were on.

On the drive back to Seoul, Major Kim had several interesting things to tell her. For instance, when she inquired about the E-team, he told her they had departed for Pyongyang, North Korea. It was all he knew or was willing to say on the subject. Fay wondered if they had arrived in Pyongyang via limousine or via parachute. Either way, the trip meant extreme danger for the men.

Jangho knew little about the Aurora. He assumed the aircraft, or spacecraft, was on its way back to a secret Air Force base in Nevada or Utah or wherever it was they kept the mystery ship. Fay was sad to learn diplomatic sources, which in Jangho’s business meant spies, had reported that Park Seung He had been executed.

Fay was hungry; she insisted they stop soon for lunch. Jangho spoke the local language and could read the restaurant’s small menu where they stopped. Fay was quick to point out he could order for her, as long as the order did not include the word—or anything remotely resembling —kimchee.

Shortly after ordering, their meal arrived. Fay called it “Korean BBQ.” Jangho had another name for it, although she could not spell or pronounce his version.

“So, you don’t like kimchee?” he asked curiously.

“Not on your life, Mr.,” Fay quickly responded. She did not like kimchee, nor did she like standing close to anyone who had just eaten it. An elevator full of Koreans, just past lunchtime, would be the worst-case scenario in her estimation.

Jangho seem hesitant, almost ashamed, when he asked, “May I ask a favor of you?”

“Of course,” she replied. “Anything.”

“This evening, our President of South Korea, Lee Ka Eun, will be speaking at our hotel. President Lee asked me to ask you if it would be possible to meet the daughters of the Great William Green?” Kim asked. “She is an admirer of your father from when she was a young woman. I know you have been through a lot, and by all rights, you should be exhausted.”

Fay interrupted, “Jangho, if I were on my deathbed, I would do this for you and President Lee Ka Eun. Count me in!”

Kim was delighted. A broad smile and an honorable bow conveyed his satisfaction. 

“Ah, Jangho?”

“Yes?”

“My Don Winslow is included?” Fay asked.

“Of course.”

Another surprise. Mr. Kim had a direct connection to South Korea’s Blue House, or Cheongwadae.

Jangho was curious to hear the details of her adventure—or misadventure as it were. After hearing her rendition of the tale, he looked as exhausted and tired as she felt. Fay was looking forward to seeing her sister; there would be at least one more telling of the story that day.

****

The two officers arrived in Seoul in the early afternoon. The sun was shining, yet it was chilly. Being back at the Park Hyatt felt like being at home.

After thanking Jangho, Fay retired to her room.

Entering, she noticed Pearce sitting on her bed. Her hands were folded in her lap. “Hi, Sissy!” Fay cried out, throwing open her arms and rushing to her sister.

Following a welcoming embrace, Pearce patted a spot on the bed to her left. “Sit,” she directed politely. “Tell me everythin’, and don’t leave out nothin’.”

Fay laughed. “Y’all won’t believe it. Do you have a day to spare? You know, for some reason, I’m famished.” After telling Pearce everything, she said, “Oh! By the way, President Lee Ka-Eun has requested our presence this evening. She will meet us here at the hotel after her speech.”

“Zowie! I do know we have met our fair share of diplomats but not President Lee. She is my favorite!”

“Let Winslow know about it. If he is uncomfortable, tell him to smile and bow a lot, and he will be okay! I’m going to get dressed for dinner. I want to talk to y’all about Gregory Rodman.” Fay headed toward the bathroom, stopped, and then retraced her steps back to Pearce. “You think I’m nuts, don't you?”

“Y'all have some doubts?” Pearce deadpanned. “Don’t worry, Spider. I’d already decided you were a certified nut-case when I saw ya bury your nose into Rodman’s dead ear. What was that?” she asked. “Oh yeah, you smelled aftershave.”

“I smelled L’Observe,” Fay said indignantly.

****

The hotel’s Paris Café bustled with activity. The hint of war seemed good for business. Many business and military people were guests at the Paris Café that evening.

Fay had dressed for the special occasion. She had chosen a dress Pearce referred to as her “Jennifer Lawrence” dress. Fay did not know why she called it that. Perhaps because Miss Lawrence had worn a similar dress in a movie - the film Red Sparrow, according to Pearce?

The dress was simple, silky, short, and sexy—a traditional “four-S” outfit. It was a combination that would even turn the Pope’s head. Fay felt pretty good about herself.

No sooner had her team sat down when Pearce said, “A cowpoke with a familiar face is wavin’ at us from across the room. And speakin’ of faces, y’all forgot to put yours on.”

Fay turned in the direction Pearce was pointing. She squinted, but without the aid of her eyeglasses, she could not make out the face. “Who is it?” Her head snapped back, her jaw dropped, and she asked, “I forgot to put makeup on?”

“Did you miss it when I said ‘cowpoke’? It’s Mr. Hay. And yes.”

“I suppose he wants us to join him.” Fay closed her eyes and let her head drop forward. Shaking her head, she muttered, “Forgot to put makeup on…God, I think I'm losing my mind.”

“Yes, ma’am. You lost it already,” Pearce whispered. “Here he comes.”

Bart did not have much time to visit. Yet, the expression on his face suggested he was not sure who Fay was. Bart explained there was a 04:00 flight, so he needed to catch a few hours of sleep. He, like everyone else, wondered what was going on. Bart had noticed aircraft belonging to several commercial U.S. flag carriers parked at Yokota airbase, near Tokyo, and then again at Osan airbase, near Seoul. He said it was not uncommon for the Military Airlift Command, MAC, to use commercial airliners to transport troops. His assumption was that many soldiers were being flown into Korea from Japan and the United States. It would strain MAC resources, hence the various commercial aircrafts’ appropriation.

On the other hand, Fay suspected Bart knew much more than he had led her to believe. The man is a Secret Service pilot, for God’s sake. But she understood his guardedness; after all, this was a mega-crisis.

Fay learned Bart was transporting medical people from Japan to Korea and the families of high-ranking military officers and diplomats from Korea to Japan. The imminent threat of war would explain the military buildup. The teams of medical personnel were, more than likely, being brought in to deal with the biological aspects of the crisis.

As Bart said his farewells, Major Kim appeared in the restaurant's doorway. “I think Mr. Kim is looking for you, ma’am,” Winslow said. Don waved, and Kim waved back. He smiled and briskly approached the table.

“Good evening, everyone,” he said in a low voice as he reached the table.

“Were you looking for us, Major Kim?” Mr. Hay was departing, and Mr. Kim was arriving. Fay introduced the two men. After an exchange of pleasantries, Bart left.

Fay motioned toward the place at the table left vacant by Bart. “Mr. Kim, please join us.”

“Thank you,” he said and sat down. “Are you all ready for this evening?”

“We are excited!” Fay said.

With his voice still just above a whisper, Kim said, “I want to chat with you before your meeting with President Lee.”

“I'm glad you found us then. What’s going on?”

“Our crisis is growing worse by the hour.” Jangho leaned toward her. “An Army doctor has set up a small clinic here at the hotel. Tomorrow morning and throughout the day, he will be inoculating all military personnel staying at the hotel.”

“Anti-toxins? We're all current on our anthrax inoculations.”

“We've learned, thanks to E-Team’s excursion into North Korea, that we face a new threat.”

“More black biology?”

“I'm afraid so,” Kim said. “Something even more threatening than anthrax. The North Koreans have obtained cultures, from the Russians we understand—a deadly cocktail if you will, a blend of smallpox and the Ebola virus.”

Fay looked concerned. “Geez,” she said. “It’s lethal, I assume.”

“Over ninety percent fatal. And the North Koreans have enough of it to wipe out the entire population of the continent of Asia.”

“Wow! And the hits just keep on comin’.”

Kim nodded. “This evening, a jet, with a cargo of anti-toxin, arrived at Osan. It’s being distributed to all military personnel and their families, as we speak. I have left a box containing three gas masks for you at the front desk as a further precaution. The masks are discreetly being issued to all military personnel as well.”

“My first thought is to get the hell out,” Fay responded.

Kim smiled. “I know how you feel. I want to leave myself, but this is my home, my country, my people. Millions will perish. Sadly, there will be much suffering.”

“The E-Team. Have they returned from Pyongyang?” Fay inquired.

“They are still in North Korea. They have been communicating regularly.” Major Kim slowly shook his head as he spoke. “It has to be a thankless job. They get caught, they get shot, and their very own country will disavow them.”

Fay averted her gaze from him. Glancing down at her coffee cup, she said with a respectful tone in her voice, “They live with that reality every day.”

“When will you be leaving Seoul, Fay?”

Fay shifted her gaze back to Jangho. “I don’t know. I still have an investigation to conduct. I’m going to wrap it up as soon as I can, in light of the recent developments.” She smiled and said, “Why? You trying to get rid of me?”

“Not at all,” he mildly protested.

She detected a genuine look of concern on his face.

“I’ll arrange for your passage out of Korea when you are ready to go,” he said.

Fay reached across the table and firmly grasped the back of his hand. “Thank you, Jangho. You have been a true friend to us. Your friendship and concern are very much appreciated.”

Major Kim smiled. “Okay, are we ready to meet President Lee? And she is known by her closest friends as Alex. You may call her Alex if you wish. She will like it.”

“Alex?” Fay asked Mr. Kim. “How so?”

“President Lee attended university in the United States. As a result, she Americanized to some extent.”

After their visit with Lee Ka Eun, the trio retrieved their gas masks from the front desk and retired to their rooms. Fay needed time to reflect. Not only were she and her team about to be crushed by the sheer weight of an impending biological war, but they also had what appeared to be a murder to investigate. She did not yet understand her feelings on this issue.