Covert Commando: A Sam Harper Military Thriller

by Thomas Sewell

  Without the mine in my hands, I tilted my board away from the ship. My lower profile didn't resist the water as much.

  The boards and I angled away underwater, as if we'd never been there.

  That was close! What if I'd hit my head?

  I couldn't wait to try the same trick next to an active propeller. Just its prop wash would be scary, let alone an impact.

  Returned to the beach, but couldn't surface. The destroyer remained too close.

  "By the time I can get another mine, the destroyer will be too far away."

  "Target the replenishment ship next, then. See if you can mine the destroyer again while it's docked. Stopped."

  I sucked a deep breath through my rebreather's mouthpiece. "Water's too clear for that. But I'll work the problem mentally while we take care of the final two ships."

  "Surfer, focus on what you're doing. I can get some of the boys back here to brainstorm alternate ways of reaching that destroyer again."

  "Roger that. It's far enough away now. Surfacing briefly for my next rapid replenishment."

  "It's just a mine, Surfer."

  I rose to the surface next to the beach. "Still sounds more official that way."

  My men were already knee deep in the water with a mine. They'd carried it out and then dunked it to keep it out of sight.

  "Excellent initiative! Drag a couple of replacement batteries down with you next time. Don't worry, they're water proof. These won't have enough of a charge to complete the mission."

  I helped them strap the next mine into place on the secondary and then took my leave.

  Back into the sea.

  The replenishment ship was more like a freighter. Slow, deeper draft, not much of a danger, except from too much rust flaking off and getting into my eyes.

  One more rapid reload of both my stock of mines and fresh batteries for the board, and I took on the final ship. Another missile boat.

  This time, I slipped the mine gently into place, without a telltale clang, and then dive deep to avoid the dual-jet's turbulence.

  I was getting better at this with practice.

  That final escort boat handled, I returned to the shore for one more mine.

  "Any ideas on reaching the destroyer again?"

  "We've decided you need a distraction?"

  "Whose life are we risking for that?"

  "The two rangers there with you. They'll flip the outrigger and put it into the water. Paddle past the line of Chinese ships. The sight of two obvious observers will focus everyone's attention on them. Meanwhile, you can just sneak up and plant the last mine."

  "Just sneak up, huh? Let me ask these two about it."

  The EOD tech and my analyst met me at the edge of the water with a mine again.

  "How'd you dudes like to go for a boat ride?"

  I explained the plan.

  Of course they volunteered. They're both rangers, after all. Every ranger starts as triple volunteers, every one.

  Volunteer for the Army, then for Airborne, then for Ranger Selection.

  Every one of us dumber than a rock, but these guys were braver than a sea lion.

  Michelle's voice updated me over the radio. "The ships all docked. Now is your opportunity, before the reception on land gets too far along."

  "Roger that."

  Just one more trip to sneak high explosives underneath the nose of a Chinese naval task force.

  Chapter Thirty-Five: Island Fireworks

  Schnier and his spotter lay beneath a sniper hide on the fourth floor balcony of the Tilik Hotel. Near the junction of the port's pier and the main road, their height gave him a perfect view as the enemy's ships docked.

  A roof overhang protected the two rangers from overhead observation.

  A radio tower was the only nearby taller structure, but its platform was made of aluminum beams, open and exposed.

  The rest of his platoon were scattered around the seaside town. One team to hold the base of the hotel, the others holding additional sniper hides.

  If it came time to bring it, the Chinese wouldn't know what hit them until it arrived like a raging bull.

  Earlier, he'd spotted Pahk and half a dozen PLAN spec ops take up laughably inadequate positions along the pier's external concrete walls.

  Sure, they'd be somewhat protected from direct small arms fire at ground level, but the single wall didn't prevent Schnier's plunging fire from reaching them, nor the crossfires from at least two other sniper teams from flanking them.

  A second group exited the destroyer. The little Pahk inside Schnier's zoomed in glass strode across the pier. Saluted. Pushed a bearded man in a wheelchair.

  Omar!

  After what Sam relayed from Raven about her experiences as Omar's wife, Schnier should've finished him when he had the opportunity.

  His inner bull raged, but Schnier tamped the fires of hell down. Calmed his breathing. Sighted on the group.

  No Admiral Hu, but Omar, Pahk, what looked like a senior aide, plus another half-dozen bodyguards.

  Much good it'd do them, if Schnier decided to pull the trigger and unexpectedly end any of their lives.

  He took another deep breath. Deliberately focused off Omar, and on to the other members of the group. As tempting as firing now was, he needed to give their plan time to work.

  However, the moment it looked like the rodeo was ending prematurely, or they're cottoned to the trap, there'd be one less emir and then shortly afterward, one less North Korean alive.

  Schnier's inner bull raged on.

  * * *

  Larrikowal stepped forward in his dress uniform with the rest of Dorenza's delegation. They stood on the wide concrete pier to greet the Chinese would-be invaders.

  He kept in touch with his force and the rangers with an ear-piece radio. Back where he'd began, on protection duty for a politician.

  Admiral Hu strode down his destroyer's gangway. His gold-trimmed deep blue uniform and matching tie sported a six-row-tall brick of ribbons over his left chest.

  Based on the uniform chests of his naval officers who followed him down the ramp, PLAN and the CCP sure gave out a lot of awards.

  For the ceremony, Dorenza wore a western-style tailored suit with a blood-red tie. He smiled a greeting for the cameras.

  The pair of camera crews from ABS-CBN News transmitted from the south side of the pier. A government TV News crew recorded the opposite angle. Between their pooled video, they gave the entire nation a live view of the historic event.

  We'd flown the media over in secrecy. Told them Dorenza had an announcement related to the Chinese fleet occupying the Spratly Islands.

  Larrikowal laughed at their obvious shock when that PLAN fleet cruised up to the Port of Tilik. They couldn't record video fast enough.

  Honor guards, really more bodyguards in disguise, carried the Philippine and Chinese flags. They followed their government officials to make each side of the negotiations clear to observers.

  The SAF's technical analysts made sure the Chinese believed Dorenza was simply here for the initial greeting. To be humiliated by witnessing his rival's triumph.

  They'd convinced Hu that the President, sensitive to his high rank, would only arrive with the Speaker once the Chinese naval delegation waited for them on the pier.

  A young officer with short black hair in an awkward fitting army uniform pushed a bulky, bearded man in a wheelchair.

  From his sniper perch, Schnier identified them on the radio. "Pahk, pushing Omar. Odd that Hu brought them here, putting his support out in the open."

  Michelle added her interpretation, "He's making a statement. Telling the locals how he expects to run things. Might even make Omar a local representative. Co-opt his men even more. Remember, they have no idea we've destroyed his forces as a fighting unit."

  Schnier snarled. "I can take them both, anytime you give the word. I know the plan, but we can't let those two walk out of here."

  Larrikowal refrained from pointing out that Omar didn'
t appear to be capable of walking anywhere just now.

  "Stick to the ROE. No shooting without an immediate threat. If there is a battle, and I hope there isn't, we must have on camera that they caused it. Otherwise, we'll be at war with the world unwilling to step in on our side."

  Had he made a mistake in siding with Americans? In convincing Dorenza to agree to Sam's crazy plan? Letting the rangers bring arms to this meeting, rather than limiting it to his SAF?

  Their country wasn't on the line. Not like his.

  Dorenza took another measured step in order to distinguish himself from the Filipino delegation. He extended his hand for the benefit of the cameras.

  Hu similarly stepped forward. Took his hand.

  They performed a politician's shake, each wanting his good side to the camera. Dorenza won the dominance fight. Placed his hand with his palm away from the main camera and grabbed the Admiral's elbow to pull him awkwardly forward.

  "Welcome to the Lubang Island, Admiral."

  "Thank you, Secretary Dorenza. This is a historic occasion."

  Dorenza turned more toward the cameras than toward Hu. "Admiral Hu, you're the political commissar of the Chinese task force haunting our islands recently. You're here because you've negotiated an agreement with the President to purchase this port and build it into a Chinese-owned and run facility. That, as you called it, historic agreement, includes a 99-year lease with control of the associated exclusive economic zone, correct?"

  Hu raised his eyebrows at the unexpected statement of the obvious, but humored Dorenza. "Correct. That is the essence of our agreement. We have the appropriate treaty and legal documents your government sent over. They just need my signature and that of your President. When will he arrive?"

  Dorenza took a half-step back. "My department has put together a press package describing the deal and your role along with the President's role. As you stepped off the ship, we released it to the national and international media."

  "And the President?"

  "He isn't coming. All treaties require the consent of two-thirds of our Senate. No such treaty has been submitted for ratification. In fact, I doubt even the President's own party members in the Senate would vote to give China such an advantage in this area."

  Hu's neck turned a violent red to match Dorenza's tie. "This treatment is an outrage! I demand to speak with the President immediately and directly."

  From down on the dock, Larrikowal couldn't see the reason for sudden shouting and wolf-whistles on the other side of the docked destroyer, but something had distracted their crew.

  His earpiece erupted with Schnier's languorous voice. "Uh… Surfer, this here is a delicate moment on the pier. What exactly are those two idiots doing?"

  "Providing a distraction. Now leave me alone. I need to get back under water and plant this last mine."

  "Nude? In an outrigger?"

  Michelle spat out, "They're what?"

  "Only way to guarantee everyone on that side of the ship would watch them. Now leave me alone before their diversion ends and I have to come up with something more extreme."

  Larrikowal gave a tiny shake of his head. At least their expedition would be off camera.

  Dorenza gave Hu a wolfish grin. "Our media package included the evidence of your current and past corrupt dealings with the President. There isn't time to impeach him before the election, but I don't believe the Filipino people will be pleased with his record. We could arrest you for bribery, but technically, you have diplomatic immunity."

  Hu gestured to his dozen commandos stationed for security around the perimeter of the dock. They reformed into a tighter group, facing outward. Backed toward the gangway to the destroyer.

  "I don't know what you hoped to gain from this, but I'm not amused. We'll be leaving now."

  "Three more points." Dorenza pointed at Pahk and Omar. "First, I must insist you leave those two here. They're on our soil and we have arrest warrants for them. Terrorism, Murder, attempted assassination, and a few dozen more charges. Second, you have an American woman on your ship. I've been told she's held against her will. Consider it a customs inspection. If you don't produce her where she can choose to stay or depart in front of my customs officers, we will prevent your ships from leaving this harbor."

  "Ridiculous. We aren't subject to your laws." Hu turned to his delegation. "Let's go."

  They marched toward their destroyer.

  Except Omar. Larrikowal strode out like a fencer. Grabbed one of Omar's wheelchair handles.

  Prevented Pahk from moving him.

  Pahk pushed. Strained.

  Larrikowal held on with both hands.

  The dozen Chinese Special Forces broke apart as they swept past Dorenza and the others. Only a few feet of concrete pier remained between them and the wheelchair tussle.

  Schnier spoke in his ear. "You can't hold 'em. Fold up and I'll take 'em down on the way to the ship."

  Was the American captain that clueless? Just shoot the men on live television?

  "Hold on. This isn't worth starting a war over."

  Pahk evidently believed Larrikowal's words were meant for him. "You're the one about to start a war. Just let him go."

  Larrikowal shook his head. "He's a murderer. A terrorist. And he shot my partner."

  "Let the diplomats sort it out."

  The Chinese soldiers arrived. They didn't assault Larrikowal directly, but two of them added their weight to Pahk's push.

  Omar grinned as he began sliding and rolling toward the gangway.

  Three were too many.

  Sam, dripping seawater from a wetsuit which barely reached his knees, climbed up over the three-foot metal pole fence on the side of the dock. Stepped over to where the end of the gangway reached the pier.

  Pahk released the wheelchair. Clutched his throat. Shook his head violently at Sam's appearance.

  The two Chinese soldiers ignored Pahk. Pushed Omar behind Hu and the rest of the delegation.

  Sam held up a pair of controllers. In his left hand, a trigger-looking handle for his eSurfboard. In his right, an open red plastic box of electronics with a dial and a set of uncovered switches.

  "Admiral, don't you want to know what Secretary Dorenza's third point was?"

  Chapter Thirty-Six: Island Fall

  I sent my replenishment rangers ahead of me in the outrigger canoe from the beach. Told them to parallel the shore, but move far enough away to pass the Chinese destroyer a good fifty meters on the outside.

  Wouldn't want to make anyone nervous that they were attempting to board. Someone might shoot.

  Of course, I also explained that once in sight of the destroyer, they needed to do a striptease.

  "Think of it like being a streaker at a big event, but on water."

  My intel guy was more comfortable with my lunacy. "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, sir?"

  We dropped the excess limpet mines into the water as a temporary hiding place. I kept one more for my use.

  "You're a diversion. A distraction. Ever learned a magic trick before? You're the hand the audience focuses on trying to figure out the meaning of. Can't do that if they just dismiss you with a glance. The Chinese need to wonder what you demented dudes are doing."

  Schnier's demo dude reached down to flip over the outrigger. Slide it across the sand to the water. "This is the weirdest ranger assignment I've ever had."

  We gave him a hand with the boat. Floated it next to my eSurfboards. I handed him a paddle.

  "Just think of how many drinks you'll get by telling this story in some ranger bar outside Fort Bragg. They'll lap it up."

  "If you say so, sir."

  I listened in on the general inter-unit comms channel. Michelle piped in the media's audio of the meeting to replace any silence amongst our team.

  Helped everyone out of sight to maintain situational awareness. Know what was going on over at the pier.

  Once the two rangers reached the point I'd mentally designated as close enough, I checked my rebreather
and dove under water on my lead board.

  Flew beneath the sea toward the destroyer.

  Docked, its propeller would no longer be a danger. I wouldn't even need to match speeds.

  Of course, in shallow, clear water, their deck watch should spot me beneath the waves as soon as I got close.

  Unless they watched the shows instead. The international events on the pier, or the stupid strippers on the water. I didn't really care which, as long as they didn't notice me.

  Overload their observation function and they couldn't properly orient to me as a threat, let alone decide and act in response.

  Their burlesque act must've been good. No machine gun fire found me underwater. I placed the mine on the rear rudder, just behind the propeller. With luck, it might take out both in one blast.

  If so, mission-kill. Dead in the water without dead on-board.

  To limit my exposure, I dove deeper. Beneath the broad hull. Out of sight.

  Needed to stay out of the space between the destroyer and the concrete dock. Some tires hung on the dock reduced the ship's impact, but each incoming wave slammed the 7,500 ton ship into them.

  Gently, not much speed, but enough mass to crush anyone in the way.

  My board reached the bow. Didn't particularly want to stream back out into the open water. Made a right turn at the end of the pier instead.

  Now the concrete pier blocked any direct line of sight from the destroyer, so I surfaced.

  Listened to the progress of the negotiations. Dorenza was really giving it to Hu.

  I floated to where I'd dove over the railing to escape Filipino customs. As close as I could get without revealing my position.

  Listened to Dorenza's first two points. Heard shouting as the Chinese retreated. Something about a wheelchair and a war.

  Sounded like my cue.

  I extracted the portable mine control console from my board's watertight compartment.

  Stood on the board. Set the controllers on the concrete pier beneath a yellow-painted railing.

  Grabbed the lowest pole of the barrier. Pulled myself up. Climbed over the top. Retrieved my devices.

  Dripped water on the pier. Guess the cameras wouldn't get my best outfit.

  I stepped over to where the end of the destroyer's gangway reached the pier. Intercepted the Chinese delegation. Uncovered the detonation switches.