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Parente was bursting with pride. The Castros were the leaders of revolution in the Latino world. To be singled out by them, or even more, to seek out his company was the ultimate praise. His mind quickly thought over his schedule. That night he was planning to have another ceremony in his high mountain village. If they flew to the airstrip nearby, they could meet and then he would fly home as normal. It would be the perfect place.
“I have a very good place where your plane can come. We should plan on meeting and sharing a meal, as you suggested. I will be in the area that day and it would be the most convenient place. Please have someone contact my Colonel Rojas in this office. He will provide the coordinates for your pilot,” said Parente.
“Excellent! My brother and I look forward to meeting with you then,” said Castro. “Thank you for your courtesy.”
“It is my pleasure, Señor Presidente,” said Parente. He hung up the phone and sat back in his chair. Praise from Raul Castro meant more than anything to him. All his troubles were forgotten.
Key West, Florida
In a small office in Key West, Florida, Ted Sanchez sat back and let out a small whistle. The man was sweating profusely even though the air conditioning was keeping the room at a very comfortable 72 degrees. He looked over at the other men at the table. “You think he bought it?”
“Ted, you sound just like old Raul. Didn’t you hear the man’s voice? I think if he could have, he would have crawled through the phone line and kissed your feet,” said one of the men.
“Well, I hope that guy Hammond is right, or those people may never get home,” said Sanchez. “Now I need a beer,” he said as he got up. The other two men followed him out the door and into the heat of the day. After that performance, they needed a beer too.
Parente called Rojas back into his office and told him about the change in plans. Rojas could tell something wasn’t right. He wondered how far he could take it. “You seem troubled, Señor Presidente. What can I do to help ease your burden?” he asked.
Parente looked up from his desk. “Something not of your doing, my Colonel. It seems you are right about this Hammond. He now has a force very close to us. They say it is a joint exercise, but we both know it is something else,” he said.
Rojas nodded. “Is there any indication someone knows about what we are doing?”
Parente shook his head. “Not at present. They seem to be flexing their muscles. Everything we see tells me they do not know. If they did, their Marines would be all over the border.”
Rojas thought for a moment. “Señor Presidente, if they are flexing their muscles, why don’t we flex our own?” he asked. “We have a very formidable air force. Why not have an exercise where they can observe. Maybe the knowledge that we can hurt them will cause them to move further away.”
Parente’s face slowly spread into a smile. That was a very good suggestion. There could be problems if it wasn’t done right, but a little show of force, not actually directed at the fleet might send the right message to this Hammond. “Very good, my Colonel. You have come up with a solution that even my best generals haven’t thought of. Please call back my Air Force Chief of Staff. I think we should hold our exercises tomorrow at dawn,” he said.
As Rojas left the room, Parente started to think a little about his plans for Rojas. The man really was trying to help. But his thoughts were swept away. The plans were already set, and besides, there were always men like Rojas.
USS Iowa
The gentle roll of the ship was something to get used to, but Ricks seemed to enjoy the slow back and forth movement. He and his team found themselves feeling right at home aboard Iowa. The crewmembers seemed to welcome them everywhere they went. Some even remembered the ceremony just three years before. Each of the team members found themselves invited to enjoy some aspect of the crew’s life aboard. Some kicked back for a movie on the messdecks, some explored down in the engineering spaces, while some went out onto the main deck and just watched the waves roll by. Everywhere people stopped and talked, eager to share their experiences with the team.
Ricks made his way up the ladders to find himself standing just outside the bridge. Looking out over the railing, we could see several ships in company with them. The navigation lights twinkled in the dim moonlight. There was practically no light to see where you were going. He had to feel his way more than see it. The wind created by the ship’s movement washed over the deck and cooled what normally would be a balmy night. Ricks noticed that the air at sea was much cleaner and more refreshing. He took several deep breaths of it and his whole body seemed to relax. That was when he noticed the stars. There were more than he had ever seen in his life. The heavens had seemingly opened up a curtain to reveal an immense universe bringing wonder and a little excitement. True, some of the astrological figures were still there, but now he could see even more, blurring some of the familiar shapes and causing him to wonder what more was there.
Ricks was taking it all in when he heard something at the open door leading to the bridge. “Impressive, isn’t it?” asked Hammond as he moved out onto the bridge wing. He had been similarly impressed his first time at sea.
“I never believed there were so many stars up there,” said Ricks.
Hammond chuckled. “It’s because when we’re on land, the light from the cities clouds our view. Out here, there’s nothing but dark night. I’ve been out here for many years and I still can’t get enough,” he said.
“If it’s this nice, you might sign me up yet,” said Ricks. Hammond couldn’t see the grin on his face.
Ricks felt a hand pat him on the shoulder. “Your guys all settled in?” Hammond asked.
“Yes sir, but most are like me, going around trying to figure this ship out. I can see why you like it,” Ricks said.
“Yes, I’ve liked being aboard every ship I served on, but this one is the best. She’s a big part of my life now. She got me back to sea. She was the reason I met you, and she was the reason I met Patricia,” Hammond said. His voice had trailed off slightly at the end and Ricks understood why.
“Well, now she’s taking me so I can get her back,” said Ricks. “And I’m going to get her back, Roger. I promise I’ll bring her back to you,” he said.
Ricks felt the hand on his shoulder tighten slightly. “That’s why I’m glad you’re in on this, Dale. This is something I can’t do myself. Besides, I’m getting too old to go dashing through the jungle like some Tarzan rescuing his mate,” he chuckled. “But when I found out you were in Special Operations, I knew there was someone there I could count on. Hope you don’t mind.”
“Roger, this is one time when my duty and friendship come together. Yea, I’m really just a snot nosed kid compared to you, but ever since that day three years ago, we have become friends. When I heard Patricia was one of the ones kidnapped, I practically ran to operations to get in on this. And with these two legs, that’s some feat,” he said. Both men laughed. “I can tell you’re worried.” Ricks concluded.
Hammond gave a sigh. “A little,” he said. “Dale, with her, I finally found someone that fit me completely. She has made me very happy. To lose her…,” he stopped short.
“I know. Same with me and Su Lynn. That’s why I won’t let you down. I’m going to get her back. Even if I have to kill everyone within a five mile radius,” Ricks said. His voice had become icy.
“Hammond sensed the change. “Dale, I can’t ask you to do that. We can’t…”
“I know,” said Ricks cutting him off. “But you need to know I’m willing. Remember all that stuff I went through in Korea? I learned a lot from my friend Paul Hufham. Sometimes we have to do things, but most times, we have to think things through. I’m like him. Just let me find the guy who made this happen. That’s the one I want on the end of my knife. My team is the best in the business and Chapman is a good leader. We’ll bring her home,” he said.
“Just don’t die trying,” said Hammond. “I would hate to lose Patricia, but I’d also hate to lose
a friend.”
Ricks chuckled. “Oh, you’re not going to lose me. There’s a major back in South Carolina that called me demonic. Real demons are very hard to get rid of,” Ricks said.
Hammond slapped him on the arm. “You may be right,” he said. Now come with me. I want to show you something special.”
Hammond led Ricks back into the inner structure of the ship. They began climbing ladders which seemed to get narrower the higher they went. In a few minutes moth men exited the hatch on the O-11 level, just below Spot One. In just a few minutes a little sliver of the moon appeared from behind a cloud. With that small amount of light, from the highest point on the ship, the whole world seemed to spread before them.
The Compound
The shower felt wonderful. Despite their situation, each of the mayors took advantage of the nightly shower. The water was cool, providing a brief break from the heat. For Patricia Hammond, the cold water seemed to bring her back to life. She was getting used to sleeping in sweltering heat, and the days in the cell without even a breath of wind could rob a person of their very soul. But the simple shower caused her to come back from the dead. She allowed the water to cascade over her head and down her sides. The soap they had been given barely removed the sweat and stink from the day, but it was enough. While the water ran, she could escape from that dreary place and return to the life she had known. She found herself remembering the house she and Roger had lived in. It had been hers before they had met and when he had returned from the war she had brought him into it. They had been married in the tropical garden that was their back yard. She remembered standing there among the palms and fruit trees holding his hands as he had pledged his eternal love. Most of all, she remembered his smiling face. Through the war they had written letters to each other. Once, he had included a photo someone had taken of him standing on the bridge of the Iowa wearing his new admiral’s star. It was that same boyish smile. After the Iowa had docked, she had been escorted to the ship’s bridge. He was wearing that smile when he placed the ring on her finger. Whenever she did something he approved of, she had been rewarded with that smile. Since they were married, they had become more than husband and wife, they had become the closest of friends.
She was standing in the shower when the guard tapped the door, bringing her back to reality. Patricia let out a small sigh. At least she had gotten through another day. Shutting off the water, she toweled off with the rough cotton towel they had been given and put on her clothes. Holding them in front of her, they looked terrible, but were relatively clean since they were allowed to wash the clothes every third day.
After only a minute, she opened the shower room door and walked out to the young guard. This one smiled at her and motioned that she could precede him out of the building and across to her cell. She smiled back and mouthed ‘gracias,’ before stepping past him and reaching for the door.
The two exited the room and began walking across the graveled yard. They were suddenly brought to a halt by the sergeant, who called out from his doorway. He slowly staggered up to Patricia, looking at her with a grin on his face. “I see you have bathed. That is good,” he said with a slightly slurred voice. Patricia smelled alcohol on the man’s breath.
“You are a very fine looking woman for an American,” he said as his eyes roamed over her. “You should be treated better.”
Patricia stared at the man in disbelief. Somehow she had expected he might have tried something sooner, but here it was, none the less. “I am being treated just fine, thank you,” she said as she tried to walk past him.
He stopped her by grabbing her arm. “No, I know how a woman should be treated,” he said as his other hand came up and rubbed her cheek. The smell of the alcohol was getting much heavier. “As a matter of fact, if you cooperate, I can show you a great deal of pleasure,” he said as his hand slid down her chest and wrapped around her breast.
It happened so fast the guard never saw it coming. Taking a page from the Three Stooges, she took two fingers and forcefully poked both of his eyes. As his hands reached to protect his now wounded eyes, Patricia’s right leg swung with all its might between his legs and into the sergeant’s crotch.
The sergeant dropped like a stone to his knees. His face was a mask of agony. His eyes were pinched shut and there was blood running out the side of one of them. At the same time, both his hands were grasping at his crotch trying to stem the pain. He was breathing in gulps of air like a runaway steam engine. The young guard quickly grabbed her and pulled her toward the cell. At the same time she called out, “You will learn never to manhandle a woman. When my husband gets here, you will be the first to die,” she said as she was pulled through the door and pushed into the cell. The young guard closed the cell door saying, “You shouldn’t have done that. I don’t know what he will do.” Then he said to Manuel Donado, “Keep her out of sight for now.”
Out in the courtyard the sergeant began screaming, “I will see that you die! All of you! You will pay for this. Every last one of you!” he shouted as he was pulled by some of the others into his quarters. The others could hear him ranting behind the closed doors.
Donado had them bring her to the far corner of the room where he took her hands, “Are you all right?” he asked.
Patricia had fire in her eyes. “I’m okay. The dirty bastard. He got what he deserved,” she said angrily, pulling her clothing into place.
“Uh oh,” said Roberts stepping up beside Donado. “Girl, what happened?”
“That cretin tried to molest me. He told me that if I cooperated, he would show me a great deal of pleasure. Then he grabbed one of my breasts,” she almost shouted.
There was a giggle from the doorway and everyone turned to see the young soldier chuckling to himself. Donado walked over to the man. “What happened? She said he attacked her,” he said in Spanish.
The young soldier nodded. “Yes, it is true,” he said. “Then she poked the sergeant in the eyes and kicked him in the balls.” He began to laugh. He was soon joined by several of the people in the room who understood Spanish. Once it was translated for the others, everyone was having a good chuckle.
“Damn, girl, you do have a mean streak,” said Roberts as she started to laugh herself.
Donado almost had tears running down his cheeks. He looked back at Patricia who was still a little angry. “You did warn me you could kick,” he said with a grin.
Now even Patricia began to laugh. Every few seconds they could hear the sergeant scream some other obscenity from across the courtyard and the laughter would begin again. Finally the young guard motioned for them to quieten down. “It is best that we do not anger him further,” he said to the group. Then he looked back at Patricia and gave her a thumb’s up. She smiled back at him while the others began to return to their sleeping mats. The night was still oppressively hot, but Patricia felt like the world had lifted from her shoulders. She lay back on her mat and savored her victory. She was certain of one thing – her husband would be proud.
USS Iowa
The message had been received a little after midnight. The Venezuelan Air Force was going to exercise its rights and conduct a bombing exercise near the Allied task force beginning at 9 am the next morning. Washington had immediately relayed the information to Admiral Hammond and the Brazillian Admiral. It was obvious that the Venezuelans wanted to give a little show of force and that the Allies were to simply watch and not respond.
Hammond looked over at Rhodes who was reading the message. “What do you think?” he asked. He saw Captain Rhodes shake his head in the dim red glow of his flashlight.
“I guess they want to shake our tree a little. We may just watch, but I’m doing it at general quarters,” he said with a grin.
“I talked to Admiral Oso. He’s going to have a few planes up just in case. I’m going to have our guys at Condition Three at least. I’ll bring the Kings Mountain up close in the morning, just in case,” Hammond said. “You still do the pre-fires every morning?”
“Sounds like a good idea to me. I’ve wanted to see these guns shoot since I came aboard,” said Captain Moyseowicz, Hammond’s Chief of Staff.
Hammond chuckled, then thought a moment. “You know, I wonder what they are going to be bombing?”
“They might send out a tug with a sled,” said Moyseowicz.
“Might have one of their own killer tomatoes,” said Rhodes.
Hammond grinned. “Might be interesting. Doug, maybe we should be ready for a gun shoot,” he said.
Moyseowicz stared at Hammond’s shadow. “Okay, you have something on your mind. Can you share it?”
“Just a little message. Once they’re finished, maybe they’ll let us take a whack at it.”
At 0645, a small patrol boat appeared on the radar screens of the allied task force. Moving along at only 15 knots, it meandered through the formation until it reached a predetermined point. On its fantail was a large red balloon. At 0800, the balloon was pushed over the side of the boat and left to drift with the wind and seas. It was almost directly between USS Wasp and USS Iowa at a distance of ten miles. The patrol boat then rapidly left the area and took up a station about five miles ahead of the balloon and waited.
By 0810, the radars began picking up large numbers of aircraft leaving Venezuelan airspace and heading directly toward the target. Aboard the Iowa, the communications watch soon detected and listened to the radio signals between the shore, the aircraft, and the patrol boat. Although everyone was speaking in Spanish, several crewmen were able to translate. Things were not going so well for the Venezuelan Air Force. At first, because of a cloudy sky, they could not locate the patrol boat or the balloon. Then they had some difficulty in establishing an attack pattern since the balloon had been placed between two American fleet units, extra care had been taken to insure the Americans would not be hit. This was complicated by the arrival of a media helicopter which had to be positioned to watch the event. But by 0830, the squadrons of planes had positioned themselves to make their runs parallel to the allied formation.