Over the South China Sea
August 26
Flying northeast, the V-22 Osprey would refuel once before landing at its base in Okinawa. Boss Man and the other operators were feeling good—they’d accomplished the mission, eliminated the threat, and turned control of the Panda Star over to the Marines. Less disciplined operators may have relaxed or even celebrated. But not this team.
“Affirmative, Colonel. The Panda Star is not operational as a launch platform. The Seventh Fleet is no longer under threat of missile attack.”
Colonel Pierson took notes even though the conversation was also recorded. “Good work, Commander. Pass along my congratulations to your team as well. Looks like we dodged the bullet and avoided war with China, at least until the next Asian crisis. Still have to figure out why the Chinese would take such aggressive actions.” Pierson paused in thought before continuing, “Have Lieutenant Lacey and her team stay on this. I’m not convinced everything is as it appears. Any questions?”
“No, sir. Thank you, sir,” but the colonel had already disconnected.
Jim contemplated those last words—have Lacey stay on it. It was unusual for Colonel Pierson to express doubt concerning the outcome of a mission. True, Jim also felt uncomfortable over the apparent ease of the mission, not that parachuting onto a moving ship and engaging in a gunfight was easy. Why weren’t they better prepared to repel boarders? It’s like the crew was asleep.
“Bull, what’s your take on the defensive readiness of the crew?”
“You mean down there, the Panda Star?”
Jim nodded.
“Well, I’d say we kicked their butts. And the Marines we left in charge aren’t going to take any crap, either.”
“True,” Jim replied.
“What’s bothering you, Boss Man?”
“I don’t know. Just a feeling. There should have been armed men guarding the helipad. And why did it take so long for the crew to get that heavy machine gun firing?”
“Speaking for myself, I’m glad they screwed up.”
Before Jim could say anything more, his phone chimed. It was set up so that calls were relayed through the communication system of the Osprey. The caller ID indicated it was Lieutenant Lacey.
“Go ahead, Lieutenant,” he answered.
“Sir, I’ve received an encrypted text message from Peter Savage. It came in on your personal cell number only thirty minutes ago. It’s important.”
“I’m listening.”
“He says they destroyed the control room on the Royal Seeker. The ship is no longer operable as a launch platform. However—”
“What? Brunei Special Forces were supposed to board that ship. What the hell was Peter doing there? And what does the Brunei commander have to report?”
Lacey sighed. “Sir, I have no idea how or why Peter got involved in this. Just seems to be his nature. And regarding the Brunei Special Forces, I can’t get a clear answer. I suspect they never departed on the mission.”
“We had assurances!”
“Affirmative. We’re trying to get better information. It’s very sketchy right now.”
“Let me know the minute you have answers. What else?”
“You’re not going to believe this, but Mr. Savage says a missile was fired just before they blew the control instruments. According to him, the missile struck the USS Gerald Ford, although it only caused slight damage.”
“Peter says a missile was fired? That’s impossible. The Panda Star was the launch ship.”
“Unless—”
Jim finished her sentence. “There were two ships.”
“And if there were two, there could be more. Sir, the Seventh Fleet may not be out of danger.”
“Have you briefed Colonel Pierson yet?”
“No, sir. I wanted to speak with you first.”
“Well get on it! Where is Peter now?”
“His text message said he was en route to the Sultan’s Palace. However, the message could have been queued for transmission before he got within cell coverage.”
“In other words, he could already be at the palace.”
“That’s correct.”
“Understood. Get ahold of Peter ASAP. Put him through to my phone. I need to talk to him directly.”
“Yes, sir!”
Jim gathered his team. “Alright everyone, listen up. As you know, our mission was to investigate one of two suspected ships that could be the missile launch facility. We did our job, and we know we have removed from service said ship.”
A chorus of cheers erupted accompanied by handshakes and fist bumps.
“Hold it down.” The roar subsided, all five team members focused on their leader.
“I have just received a report that the second team, which gained entry onboard the Royal Seeker, also disabled a launch facility.”
“How can that be?” Bull asked. “I thought there was only one.”
“That’s what we all thought, Sergeant. But we were wrong. And if there were two launch ships, there could be more.”
Concerned looks were shared among the gathered operators. “What’s the plan, sir?” The question was voiced by Iceberg, but Jim knew it was the question on every man’s mind.
“Sit tight, for now. Lacey is briefing the colonel. I expect we will have new orders before we land.”