ROCKS AND SHOALS

by M. L. Maki

  Russell pales, “You’re lying. None of it’s true.”

  Lee, “Sorry, Senator. It’s all true.”

  Russell looks over at Roosevelt, “You set me up. You knew about this. You, sir, are not a gentleman.”

  Roosevelt grins and looks over to Hunt, “Do you want him charged?”

  Samantha contemplates Russell, “Mr. President, as satisfying as that would be, I recognize it would have a negative impact on the war effort. Sir, as long he votes as you say, every time you say, he would be an asset and not a liability. Mr. Diggs, at a minimum, should be fired. Convicting Senator Russell would hurt the nation. Pettigrew wants to enlist in the Army as penance for what he did. I think we should let him. Does that work, sir?”

  Eleanor smiles at her and Roosevelt nods, “I believe it does.” He looks at Russell, “Do you accept this arrangement?”

  “Damn it. You haven’t left me a choice.” He looks at the naval officers, grimacing. “I do.”

  Roosevelt, “Well, that’s done. Thank you for coming. Admirals, Commander, ladies, I’m sorry for the contretemps. Sometimes these things are necessary. And, Commander, please accept our invitation next time. We enjoy having you.”

  Samantha smiles, “If the war allows, sir, I will.”

  They all get up and make their goodbyes to the President and First Lady. Eleanor walks Samantha out, “Samantha, dear, with all this, I hope you have someone in your future.”

  Sam smiles, “His name is Jeremiah Buford. He’s a SEAL lieutenant.”

  “I’m happy for you. Has he proposed?”

  “No, not yet.” They stop and watch Senator Russell and his wife get into their car. Sam shakes her head, “I wish we…It was terrible what we had to do tonight. I wish he had understood.” She turns to Eleanor, “We’re in a war right now. No time.”

  “Well, please send us an invitation.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Thank you for everything. Thank you for being my friend.

  NAS MIRAMAR, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

  1522, 13 January, 1943

  Spike lands last in formation with her wingman. They’re directed to the tarmac in front of a hanger with the coat of arms of the Royal Black Knights painted ten feet high on the doors. She raises the canopy and ‘Handy’ Washington climbs up to disconnect and unbuckle her and Chaos, “Spike, head is on the back wall of the hanger.” He grins, “You have a lieutenant waiting for you.”

  “Who?”

  Handy chuckles, “Your SEAL, Boss.”

  She smiles, “Thank you, Handy.”

  Chris from the back, “Boss, I got the post flight.”

  “Thank you.” She climbs down and sees Jere leaning against the hanger door.

  Lieutenant Commander Gus ‘Cuddles’ Grant and Lieutenant Commander John Thomas ‘Tommy’ Blackburn walk up and salute. Grant, “Spike, who’s XO. Gandhi transferred with Swede. You have three lieutenant commanders.”

  She turns to Chaos, “I think my XO should be in another bird, and I want to keep flying with you. Are you okay with me giving XO to someone else?”

  “Sure. I’m not chasing promotions. I just want to fly.”

  Spike turns back to the two men, “I trust all of you. Let’s put it this way, who wants their command first?”

  Cuddles, “I want to stay in the squadron as long as I can. Give it to Tommy.”

  Blackburn grins, “Roger that.” He salutes and leaves.

  Spike walks to the head, motioning Jere to follow her. Cooper intercepts them, “A word after you pee, Boss.”

  “Sure.” She goes into the head.

  Cooper turns to Jere, “You have the stealth of a buffalo, sir. I take it you want the world to know?”

  Buford smiles, “I’m having a bonfire on the strand tonight. Houlihan is helping to set it up. That’s when I’m proposing.”

  “Roger that, sir. I’ll helps Hot Pants coordinate. Spike has about an hour of work here and then she can cut loose. Do you have a personal vehicle and a place to stay off base?”

  “Car, yes. Place, no. I live in barracks.”

  “Sir, no matter where you wander as a SEAL, this will be your home base. It makes sense for you to set up a home for the two of you here.”

  Jere nods, “You’re right.”

  Cooper points to the crew working in the hanger and holds up five fingers. They all disappear. He nods, “Good. Now, when she comes out, collect your kiss, then meet her at the O-club in about an hour.” Cooper leaves out the back door.

  Spike walks out, her eyes on Jere. “How are you, Jere?”

  He wraps her up in a hug and gently kisses her, “Now, I’m better.”

  “You’re going to get me into trouble.”

  “Cooper cleared the place for us. He’s a gem.”

  “He is.” She pulls his head down and slowly kisses him.

  When they come up for air, Jere pulls back, “I’ll meet you at the O-club in about an hour. I know you have work to do.”

  She looks into his eyes and smiles, “I love you, Jere.”

  “I love you, too. Cooper went that way.”

  Spike walks out the back door and finds her yeoman, “Where’s my office?”

  PHOTO STUDIO, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

  1730, 13 January, 1943

  Samantha, wearing a knee length black dress with small white polka dots, looks into Jere’s eyes. The photographer takes the picture. “I love you, Jere.”

  Jere, in his dress blues, gazes into her eyes, “I love you, too.”

  Sam, “It’s time for us to go public.”

  “You’re right.”

  The photographer lifts his head from the camera, “Please, face the camera.”

  They turn. Jere is behind and to her right, his hand on her waist and his right hand in hers. He lifts her hand to his lips and kisses it. Sam chuckles.

  The photographer smiles, “That should do. I can have them for you by tomorrow.”

  Sam, “Thank you. Remember, we keep the negatives.”

  “Of course.”

  Jere pays and they leave. “Let’s get dinner. I have a bonfire planned on the strand tonight.”

  “Yes. I’m famished.”

  THE STRAND, CORONADO ISLAND, CALIFORNIA

  After dinner, they go to the strand in his truck. The guys on his team have the bonfire going and everything set up. Sandra Douglas gets up from Triage’s lap and runs up, “Hey, look at you. You never wear a dress.” She twirls, “Like mine?”

  “Absolutely. Sandra, you look great.” Sam hugs her. “God, it’s good to just be for a while.”

  Jere, “Good to see you, Sandra. Looking good.” He grins as she playfully hits him on the shoulder. “Come on, honey, I want to introduce you to my guys.”

  They are settled on the sand, enjoying a beer, when Gloria, Thud, GQ, and Speedy show up. Gloria and Speedy are carrying their guitar cases. Gloria drops her case and pulls Sam up into a hug. “Missed you, girl. You look great.”

  Sam smiles, “I love you, Gloria.”

  Sam realizes that most of the officers and some of the enlisted crew from the Black Knights have arrived and are making themselves comfortable with a drink.

  Lieutenant Commander John ‘Gunner’ Hardin and his wife, Paula, show up with more beer, and his guitar. Speedy, Gunner, and Gloria get comfortable on some driftwood and tune their guitars. Then, Gloria lifts her voice into the night singing ‘The Rose.’ Cuddled against Jere, Sam takes his hand and leans her head on his shoulder. She sighs in contentment, smiling as Gunner, looking into his wife’s eyes, sings ‘I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You.’

  Jere puts an arm around Sam and softly kisses her, “I’ve never heard any of these songs.”

  “They’re from our time.”

  Gloria starts, ‘Could I Have This Dance,’ by Anne Murray, focusing on Sam and Jere.

  Sam smiles, “I’m detecting a theme.” She sees Cooper on the edge of the firelight. When their gaze meets, he salutes her with his beer.

  Then, Gunner f
ollows Gloria with ‘When A Man Loves A Woman.’ Then, Gloria and Gunner put their hearts into, ‘Let It Be Me.’

  Jere stands and pulls Sam to her feet. He brings her inside the circle of light and puts his arms around her waist, gazing into her eyes. He kisses her gently and takes a knee. Holding her hands, his gaze adoring, he smiles, “Samantha Hunt, I love you. My love, I’ve asked your grandfather for permission. I asked Admiral Lee for permission. I asked Admiral Klindt for permission. Hell, I even asked Admiral Halsey for permission. I asked your dad for permission. Tonight, I ask you. Samantha Hunt, will you marry me?”

  Sandra Douglas gasps. Gloria grins. Cooper smiles and takes another drink.

  Sam, her gaze only for Jere, “Yes, you wonderful man. Yes, I will marry you.”

  He pulls the ring box out of his pocket and opens it, “Will this do?”

  Sam’s eyes go wide, “Oh, yes. Oh, my.”

  He takes it out of the box and slips it onto her finger. Sam looks at it for a moment, then takes his hands and pulls him up into her embrace. He kisses her tenderly, “I love you, honey. Oh God, I love you.”

  The shocked silence breaks as everyone applauds. Surrounded by friends, by her family, Sam realizes she’s happy. Truly happy.

  Holding each other close, they dance.

  THE END

  COMING SOON

  OKAY THREE WIRE

  BOOK SIX

  OF

  THE FIGHTING TOMCATS

  SOUTH BY NORTH

  BOOK 4

  OF

  THE FIGHTING TOMCATS HUNTER/KILLER SERIES

  BOOKS BY M. L. MAKI

  The Fighting Tomcat series

  FIGHTING HER FATHER’S WAR

  DIVIDED WE STAND

  WE SO FEW

  SHOULD ENGLAND FALL

  The Fighting Tomcats Hunter Killer series

  SHARK AMONG THE MINNOWS

  TO HUNT AND PROTECT

  INTO A FORBIDDEN SEA

  NOTES

  When starting a novel of this type it is necessary to decide at the outset how to tackle a number of issues. The Navy uses a great deal of jargon, technical terms, and acronyms in speech. Eliminating this techno-speak from dialog would remove the character of the whole story. We also recognize that leaving the jargon in could confuse readers not familiar with the military. It was decided to include a glossary and leave the language as it would be spoken with a few exceptions. When ships communicate over radio each ship has a code name that is used in place of the actual ship’s name. As this would be confusing, we opted to use the ship’s name. We simplify many complex procedures to keep the story flowing and reduce confusion. Aircraft numbers are based on the bureau (serial) number of the plane regardless who the pilot is. The exception is the commanding officer whose number is always one. Though this may be confusing, the reader should be able to follow the dialog without the number cue. Where events occur simultaneously, yet in different time zones the author chose to adopt Greenwich Mean Time for clarity. In all other sections, local time is used. A number of other technical details were changed to prevent revealing classified information.

  A note on naval rank structure. In other services an enlisted person is addressed by rank, “Corporal, Sargent,” etc. In the Navy sailors are addressed with rate and rank. An E-6 is not normally addressed as, “Petty Officer First Class.” He or she is addressed as, “MM1, BT1, BM1” etc. The rate is the job classification of the sailor, be that machinist mate (engine room equipment operator), or mess specialist (cook). A more comprehensive list of rates can be found in the glossary or on line. The rank of enlisted sailors is in three groups of three ranks. E-1 through E-3 sailors are non-petty officers. These are new sailors who may or may not yet have a rate. E-4 through E-6 sailors are petty officers. These sailors are the technical experts and watch-standers who keep the navy running. E-4’s are third class, E-5’s are second class, and E6‘s are first class petty officers. E-7 through E-9 sailors are middle managers. They are Chief, Senior Chief, and Master Chief. Chiefs are system experts who train, lead and guide instead of operating equipment. The colloquial for E-7 is, “Chief.” For E-8’s it is, “Senior.” No one calls a Master Chief, “Master.” Calling a senior or master chief, “Chief,” is not an insult. There are essentially two types of officer. Line officers can command vessels and aircraft. Non-line, or limited duty officers are doctors, dentists, chaplains, civil engineer corps, or have other specific duties.

  Glossary

  16: VHF channel 16 is the international emergency channel. It is also, the channel used to communicate in the open, or non-encrypted communications.

  1MC: General announcing system. Ship wide loud speaker system.

  2nd Lt.: Second Lieutenant. Army and USMC rank. (O-1)

  (Number)K: Fuel state. K for thousand pounds.

  AA: Navy rank. Airman Apprentice (E-2).

  AB: Navy enlisted rate. Aviation Boatswain’s Mate. They do many duties on the flight and hanger decks and maintain other aviation equipment. ABAA through ABMC.

  AD: Naval aviation rating. Aviation Machinist. ADAA through ADCM. AD’s maintain aircraft structural components, flight surfaces, and engines.

  ADM: Admiral. Naval Officer rank (O-10). Also used colloquially for Rear Admirals Lower and Upper, and Vice Admirals (O-7 through 9).

  AE: Navy rate. Aviation Electrician. They maintain the electrical generation, conversion and distribution systems associated with jet aircraft. AEA through AECM

  AGL: Above Ground Level.

  Ahead (Bell): The standard bells, or speeds of a ship are ahead 1/3, ahead 2/3, ahead Standard, Ahead full, and Ahead Flank. The number is the amount of revolutions per minute of the shaft.

  Ahead Flank Emergency: Order to come to the fastest ahead speed as fast as possible. See Bell.

  Air Boss: The ship’s force air department head. The air boss commands all operations on the flight deck and hanger deck.

  Air Chief Marshall: Royal Air Force Officer rank. Equivalent to Vice Admiral or Lieutenant General.

  Air Commodore: Royal Air Force Officer rank. Equivalent to Captain or Colonel.

  Air Marshall: Royal Air Force Officer rank. Equivalent to Rear Admiral or the current Rear Adm Upper Half or Major General.

  Air Vice-Marshall: Royal Air Force Officer rank. Equivalent to Commodore or the current Rear Adm Lower Half or Brigadier General.

  Amphenol: Multi-prong electronic or electrical connection.

  AN: Naval Enlisted non-designated aviation rank. Airman (E-3).

  AO: Enlisted rate. Aviation Ordinanceman. AOAA through AOCM. They inspect, care for and handle air delivered ordinance.

  Arco: When an aircraft flies as a refueler they are given a special call sign. Usually the name of a gas station chain.

  ASROC: Anti-submarine rocket. A torpedo delivered by a rocket.

  ASW: Anti-submarine warfare.

  AT: Navy rate. Aviation Electronics Technician. They maintain the complex electronic equipment associated with jet aircraft. ATA through ATCM

  Auto-gyro: An emergency landing technique that uses the wind blowing through the helicopter rotors to keep them spinning, then uses the collective to slow the bird’s descent at the last moment.

  (AW): Naval specialist Badge. Air Warfare Specialist. Placed after rate such as AD1(AW).

  Back (Bell): Astern bells for a marine engine. Back 1/3, Back 2/3, and Back Full.

  Back Full Emergency: Astern bell to be answered as fast as possible.

  Bandit: NATO code for enemy aircraft.

  Barely Trainable: Derogatory nick name for Boiler Technicians. See BT.

  Battalion: Army/USMC tactical unit smaller than a brigade or regiment but larger than a company. Smallest unit designed to function independently. They are commanded by a LT Colonel.

  BDU: Battle Dress, Utility. The basic Army and Marine uniform.

  Bell: The speed a ship is traveling at: Ahead they are Ahead 1/3, Ahead 2/3, Ahead Standard, Ahead Full, and Ahead Flank. Astern they are Back
1/3, Back 2/3, and Back full. In an emergency the order given is ahead flank emergency, or back full emergency which is a command to go as fast as possible.

  Bearing: Compass or relative bearing in degrees from 0 to 360. Compass is true north, not magnetic north. Relative bearing puts 000 as straight in front of the bow of the ship and clocks degrees clockwise around the ship.

  Bilge: The bottom of the inside of a ship where water, oil, dirt, and everything else tends to accumulate. It is unpleasant to clean the bilge.

  Bilge Keel: An extension from the hull of a ship that follows the turn of the bilge under the water. Bilge Keels are normally V shaped to give structural strength. There is normally one on each side and they are meant to slow and limit the roll of a ship.

  Bilge Turn: Where the hull of a ship changes from mostly horizontal to mostly vertical.

  Bingo Fuel: Near the minimum to safely return to base.

  Binnacle List: List of people sick or injured. Every unit and division maintains the Binnacle List and turns it in daily.