"Admiral, don't you want to know what Secretary Dorenza's third point was?"
Hu stopped. His escort raised their rifles to ensure I understood they'd fire if physically threatened.
"Who are you?" Hu obviously still reeled from Dorenza's revelations. He should've ignored me.
I doubted they wanted to start a war without authorization, but open rifle barrels do promote an adrenalin rush. I took a deep breath.
"The man holding the switches. Pahk over there can vouch for me, but please allow a demonstration."
I flipped a switch. The one for the mine I'd originally dumped in the channel. Needed to clean it up, anyway. Can't leave unexploded ordnance around.
Boom! Everyone's heads turned toward the sound. A geyser of water spouted thirty feet into the air. Spread out in a cloud as it sank back to the sea.
I put my hand over the rest of the switches. "Don't make any sudden moves. Wouldn't want an accident. There's one of those attached to each of your ships. Two for the destroyer."
Pahk caught up with the Admiral.
Just in time to receive Hu's glare. "What's the meaning of this? He knows you?"
Pahk gulped. "We met in Seoul. An imperialist ranger lieutenant. The one Omar held prisoner."
"So you can see," I pointed at Omar in his chair, "why I can't allow you to take these two with you. They aren't even Chinese nationals. The international media might be interested in learning from your country why you allowed them on board after the Filipino police informed you of their charges against them."
Hu waved at his security detail. "Let the locals have Omar. He's become a liability. Pahk will return with us. As far as those cameras are concerned, he's dressed as a member of our military and is a Chinese citizen. So we'll board together and leave this two-fifty place."
Pahk pushed Omar's chair behind him. "Thank you, Admiral."
Larrikowal stepped up to take Omar's chair. Gave me the evil eye. Mouthed, "Don't start a war."
Omar tugged at a strap across his lap. "I kept my bargain. You promised! This doesn't end here."
Hu glared at Omar. "Prove it. As far as I know, you're just an acquaintance of Pahk's, who asked for a boat ride as a favor. We owe you nothing."
I compromised, despite it being against my nature. "We'll give you more time to mull over Pahk's fate. Something you should know before you depart."
Hu paused at the top of the ramp. "What?"
"Dorenza's third point was to tell you about the limpet mines, like the one I just detonated harmlessly in the water. They each contain an anti-tamper detonator, so I wouldn't advise messing with them outside a full shipyard. They're command detonated, either locally as you've seen, or via satellite radio signal activation, good anywhere in the world."
"Your reason for this act of war?"
"It's only an act of war if we actually blow you up, but you can still avoid that fate. You have until noon to return your guest, the American citizen, Raven, to this pier. I'm sure you wouldn't want to illegally detain her, as we rangers take leaving one of our own behind very seriously. You can drop Pahk off for extradition at the same time."
"And if we don't? Make your threat explicit."
"Then your ships won't leave this harbor. They'd make nice artificial reefs, don't you think? Something for the tourists to scuba dive through and admire your advanced technology?"
Hu stared at me. "You won't get away with these threats."
I ignored his bluster. "Until Raven and Pahk are here to stay, don't leave the harbor. We wouldn't want to think you're planning to take them outside Filipino jurisdiction and thus need to slow you down."
"I'll verify your words and consult with my headquarters." Hu turned to complete his journey up the gangway.
"You do that, but remember. Noon."
Hu's men followed him up the ramp as Larrikowal and the SAF took Omar into formal custody for terrorism.
Dorenza and the rest of the SAF retreated to the base of the nearby hotel. Out of any inconsiderate Chinese retaliation.
My two rangers, tourist clothing restored, docked their outrigger canoe near the shore at the end of the pier. I remotely navigated my surfboards over next to them, where they could pull them out of the water for me as well.
Watching them work from above, I heard a scream. Turned.
Pahk held Raven at the destroyer's railing. Ready to push her over. Into the crushing space between the ship and the dock.
I sprinted toward the hull, head craned back to watch.
Damn that Pahk! Should've taken him out of competition in Seoul when I had the chance.
* * *
From his sniper perch, Schnier identified Admiral Hu's unexpected guests. They'd brought at least two of their demands to the party.
He toggled his mic. "Pahk, pushing Omar. Odd that Hu brought them here, putting his support out in the open."
Michelle chimed in with her typical people analysis, always concerned with motives instead of deeds, "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's good old competitive spirit pushed itself forward. A man had to have at least some pride.
No way he was about to let Omar and Pahk get away. Not ever.
He focused his rifle scope high on Omar's chest. They were bulls in his pasture now.
"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."
Easy enough from less than 100 meters to put a high-speed 7.62 round through Omar, the back of the wheelchair, and into Pahk.
Knock 'em so hard they'd see tomorrow today.
"Stick to the ROE." Larrikowal quenched his fire. "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."
Fine. He'd resist his instincts. Follow orders. Keep the world out of war.
For now.
Schnier listened to the news feed. Watched for an excuse to defend the delegation as Dorenza greeted Hu. Humiliated him on TV. Threw shade on the Filipino President.
Had to admit, Hu's expression when he learned they'd set him up was pretty satisfying.
Dorenza demanded Omar and Pahk remain. Good.
Larrikowal made a grab for Omar. The little SAF major had big brass cojones, for sure.
Schnier spoke in his ear. "You can't hold 'em. Fold up and I'll take 'em down on the way to the ship."
Larrikowal just kept tugging. "Hold on. This isn't worth starting a war over."
The rest of Hu's security detail caught up. A couple of them Pushed Omar's chair. Made progress toward the ship.
Schnier shifted his crosshairs to Pahk. "Give me a range and wind adjustment!"
Before his spotter could respond, Sam appeared. Interrupted. Blew up some seawater. Just like the little Tasmanian devil-surfer to destroy everything he came across.
Came in handy sometimes.
Pahk left Omar behind, but Sam allowed him to leave with Hu.
The SAF forward element caught up. Took Omar away. One brought to justice.
After capturing the end of the argument, the camera crews on the dock continued to film the Chinese ship.
Schnier settled himself down with a sigh. He'd keep his job as a sheepdog intact. Not begin a war over his pride. Look at the bigger picture.
At least this once.
Not likely to be much action until closer to noon, anyway, so he and his spotter alternated watching the destroyer.
His spotter saw it first. "Sir, looks like an argument on the ship."
Schnier focused in on the deck. Raven sitting on the ship's railing above the dock. Pahk shaking her arms.
"On glass. Imminent threat. Target, man at railing, risking HVT's life."
His spotter's training kicked
in. "Check level. Hold over, six point 2."
Schnier made a minor adjustment. "Ready."
"Wind left point 3."
A quiet atmospheric day. Tiny shift in aim-point.
Sam sprinted into view below them.
Schnier toggled his mic. "Taking Pahk out."
Larrikowal was quick to respond. "Negative. Maybe this will end well. Pahk's obviously upset, so Hu might give her up to us."
"He's a clear threat. It's on camera that her life is in danger."
Michelle chimed in. "We can't impact the locals like this. This is their country. Their decision. We're just guests."
Their love wasn't on the line. Not like his. What if Pahk pushed her over the side?
Sam peered up at Raven from the edge of the concrete pier below them. Hands full of electronics.
Didn't have a firearm.
Schnier paused his breathing.
Raven scuttled away from Pahk. Stood on the top railing. She'd been a gymnast in college, but that wasn't a regulation high beam. Too round and narrow.
Schnier tracked Pahk as he followed her movements. Kept her off the deck.
She moved to the side. Played keep away with her body.
Was Schnier the sheepdog, or the bull? Would he protect her or start a war?
Or both?
He wanted to pull that trigger bad, but he resumed his even breathing. Tracked Pahk, just in case.
Pahk jumped at her. Tried to grab her.
Raven dodged back. Bent in the middle to avoid him. Her feet slipped off the top rail.
She fell.
Grabbed the bottom railing. Her feet and chest banged against the side of the hull.
Schnier's breath stopped.
The space below, between the hull and the dock, opened up as if to welcome her if she dropped further.
Pahk lifted a boot heel to stomp her hand.
No war now. Schnier eased his trigger back.
The round exploded from his rifle barrel with a flash of consumed powder.
His active hearing protection ear pieces canceled most of the sound, but the pressure wave still pounded him in the head as the rifle butt slammed into his shoulder.
Sam's voice from the radio overrode his noise canceling earpieces, "Take the shot."
Too late.
Pahk slammed his boot down on the railing.
Raven released her hand. Narrowly avoided being crushed.
Schnier's bullet blew open Pahk's upper chest. Exploded out his back. He fell back. Crumpled to the ground.
Instant demise.
She hung from the railing with one hand. Swung her other to get an additional grip.
Missed. Couldn't reach.
Schnier flung his rifle down. Dashed to the balcony door. Raced down four flights of stairs, barely touched every other one.
Sprinted across the road. Down the pier.
Raven hung in there. By only one hand.
* * *
Raven huddled in the corner of her cell in the Chinese brig. Would love water. Food.
Even plain rice again.
She'd heard a distant explosion earlier. Training?
No one came to explain. She hadn't seen anyone since the ship stopped moving so much.
Pahk peered through the plexiglass window. "Good. You're awake."
He undogged the hatch with a clunk. Pulled the bulkhead door open. The three hinges creaked.
She stood. Tensed. Ready to fight if he assaulted her.
He grinned. Stretched out his hand. "Come with me."
"And if I refuse?"
"Admiral wants to see you. Pass judgment himself. His task force. Pretty much gets what he wants, when he wants it."
"I'll follow you."
He retracted his arm. "Don't make me restrain you. Walk in front. Better view that way."
She inched out of the hatchway, back to the side, so she could keep as much distance as possible.
"What about Omar?"
"Don't worry about Omar." He winked. "He's no longer in the picture."
Died from his wounds? Did Pahk kill him? Or did they just let him go?
She certainly couldn't trust Pahk. Was she capable of trust for anyone, any more? After Omar?
The deck remained relatively still. Not much of the swaying of sea travel. Why was the shipped stopped, anyway?
Would Pahk tell her?
"The ship stopped." Couldn't get mad at her just for making a statement.
Pahk grunted. Pointed down the corridor to a ladder leading up. "We're docked."
Docked? Too soon to be out of the Spratly Islands. Maybe the island China built up and stuck a barely usable runway on?
She walked in front of him. Conscious of his stare on her backside. Climbed the ladder, really just a steep staircase with minimalist metal steps.
He stayed close. Fixed his focus on her, right above. Had he no shame?
She stiffened her neck and back.
Two switchbacks, and then they arrived on deck next to a square building with a tower on top. A wire contraption made of four old-fashioned TV antennas spinning on a ball was like a Christmas tree topper on the tower.
Made a humming sound as it turned.
Pahk reached the deck. Poked her in the back. Pointed forward; to a larger deck construction. Some kind of control tower, even taller than the area they'd come up through. Four stories?
The terrain next to the ship distracted her. She knew this dock. Had seen it several times from much closer to the ground and water.
Lubang Island!
The Chinese destroyer brought her back. Why?
Filipino soldiers on the other end of the pier. A gangplank led down from this deck, it's head only thirty meters distant.
Four Chinese marines guarded the entrance. Might as well have been a mile away.
She ignored Pahk's unspoken command. Looked over the railing. The blood red waterline of the ship only fifty feet below her. Slowly moved back and forth. Impacted the pier's tire buffers.
Just above that, maybe ten feet, the raw concrete edge of the dock.
Freedom.
Was that Sam on the other side of the pier? Back turned? Looking down at the water?
Pahk seized her arms just above the elbows. Smashed her into the railing from behind. "Let's go. Back inside. Admiral Hu will decide."
Raven couldn't help herself. She screamed, "Sam!" It came out of her parched lips as more of a screech.
She got her left arm free. Spun. Elbowed him in the jaw.
Shorter than her. Surprised at the resistance. He let go. Collected himself. Faced her.
"There's no place to go."
Would death be such a bad destination?
She climbed backwards up the railing. Three rungs. Used her height. Sat on the top. Rested her feet on the middle.
Pahk dashed forward. Grabbed for her arms again.
Obviously didn't realize that as a former gymnast, she could also use her legs.
She kicked him in the chest.
No real damage, but pushed him back.
She climbed up higher to avoid him. Stood on the top rail. Just like the balance beam, except narrower and rounder.
And four stories higher.
Pahk grabbed at her legs. "Come on! Do what you're told."
She slid her feet to the side. Too fast for him.
Too high.
"I've done that too much already, recently, and I'm not even married to you!"
She'd rather die than give one more inch. Make one more compromise to survive.
He shifted tactics. Jumped up. Grabbed at her waist.
She instinctively dodged back. Sucked her stomach in. Bent her back to avoid his grasping hands. Realized she needed to keep her feet on the bar.
Failed. Slipped off.
Fell.
The railing became a blur. She straightened. Reached.
Grabbed.
Held on to the bottom of the three railings with her hands.
Momentum slammed
her chest and legs into the gray-painted steel hull. Oof!
The ship moved with the harbor's smaller waves. A gap opened below her. Three feet between the hull and the pier.
Snapped shut again, like an alligator's jaws.
She wanted to live. Don't look down. Look up.
Climb up.
Pahk had other ideas. He raised a boot. Lined it up with her hand on the railing. Stomped down.
She let go. Kept her left hand unbroken. Swung from her right.
A wet splat above her. A sharp crack far behind her. A splash of blood.
Focus.
She swung like a monkey. Remembered her days on the horizontal bar. Reached.
Missed. Too far.
Pahk slumped backward to the deck. Lifeless eyes.
The ship shifted back and forth in the waves. Bounced her in and out in response. Made it difficult to get side-to-side momentum instead. To grab back on with her other hand.
Two of the Chinese marines who guarded the gangway jogged down the deck toward her and Pahk's body, rifles at the ready.
The other two scanned the town for where the shot had come from.
Forget climbing back up. Raven could barely hold on against the rolling of the waves.
Should she pick her moment to let go? Try to hit the pier? Avoid the crushing gap?
Four stories. Forty feet. Concrete. Might break a leg. Her head if she fell wrong.
No good solutions.
Sam stood at the bottom. Another American soldier sprinted across the pier.
Schnier!
A Filipino officer chased after him. Carried a small sail.
The Chinese marines arrived. Checked Pahk. Dead. Pointed at her. Alive.
For now.
They argued. She didn't speak much Mandarin, but from their body language, neither wanted responsibility for her.
Too much risk.
Schnier arrived below her. Shouted up, "Raven, hold on!"
Master of the obvious. "Not as easy as it looks."
Another wave knocked her into the side of the hull. She got her off-arm onto the ship's deck.
Nothing to hold, but she pushed up.
Grabbed.
Both hands on the bottom railing again!
Progress. She balanced her feet against the hull. Almost stable. Glanced down again.
Schnier and Sam held up their arms, as if to catch her. Forty feet? Not a chance.
Covert Commando: A Sam Harper Military Thriller Page 24