“And my son?” I asked, “He’s seventeen, Admiral! He’s not a trained soldier of any kind!”
Banks nodded, “I bet he’d do well, he seems like a fit strong young man who’s been well trained.”
“So we’re not talking about a zombie match, then?” I asked hopefully, “or a firing squad?”
Banks smiled, “I don’t summarily execute anyone. No firing squads or keel hauling. If a capital punishment is adjudicated, then the defendant does have a chance.”
I wanted to laugh in his face. He talked like he was being magnanimous instead of a cold blooded bastard who put people in jeopardy for the entertainment of others. I held my tongue, though.
“When will we know?” Tony asked.
“Not sure yet,” Banks said, “As I said, I don’t want to pass that kind of sentence on them. I’d much rather let them off and have you all join us. I feel like I’m between a rock and a hard place, here.”
“So there’s still time to consider things,” I asked hopefully.
Banks nodded, “I want to forgive them, Major. Hell, it’s not a matter of personal forgiveness, truthfully. What I mean is I want to give them a pass in such a way that it doesn’t hurt what I’ve built here. Perhaps even helps. I just don’t know how.”
“Maybe we can think of something,” Tony offered, “May we visit the prisoners?”
“Sure,” Banks said, “I’ll let the prison know you’re coming. Talk to them, let them know the situation. Perhaps we can work something out.”
“Thank you, Admiral,” Tony said as he stood.
“Keep your chin up, Major,” The Admiral said as he extended his hand. It took everything I had to shake it. It felt like I was grabbing a snake, “We’ll figure something out.”
The walk from the carrier to the Westin was quick and quiet. Neither Tony nor I said anything. We got to the lobby and were met by a guard in marine combat utilities.
“What can I do for you?” he asked in a professional sort of tone.
Commander Sturgis and Major Milani to see the prisoners,” Tony said with such authority in his voice that the guard started to point to the stairs before he realized what he was doing.
“Sir—“The guard began.
“Here,” Tony said, handing over a note from Banks, “Where are they, Lance Corporal?”
“Second floor,” The young marine said, “room 208. There’s another guard on the floor. Just go up and tell him Smitty said you were to be let in. The password is jelly beans.”
We nodded and made our way up to the second floor. As expected, another marine, a private first class this time, stood near the doors and eyed us as we stepped out.
“Jelly beans,” Tony said, “Show us to room 208, please.”
The PFC frowned, “Smitty send you?”
“Of course,” I snapped, “That’s what the password is for, marine. Now snap to!”
“Commander Sturgis and Major Milani,” Tony explained.
The guard’s eyes went big and he said nervously, “Yes sir, yes ma’am. This way, please.”
Security wasn’t very tight here. That was good news, I hoped.
The young man unlocked the door, “I’ll wait close by. Just knock when you want to come out. The doors are disabled from the inside, sir… ma’am.”
“Very well,” I said as we walked in.
“Bring us any smokes?” Sam asked as he stood up from the small table near the window.
“Mom!” Andy said, leaping off one of the beds with a smile.
“Glad to see you guys!” I said, hugging Andy and then Sam. Tony did the same.
“Did you pay our bail?” Sam asked half-jokingly.
Tony scoffed, “Yeah, a goat and two chickens.”
“This isn’t a laughing matter,” I said, “What the fuck were you two thinking?”
I didn’t mean to get mad, but I think it was fear for them that came out that way. Andy and Sam exchanged a look.
“I just couldn’t stand by anymore,” Sam said.
“And I couldn’t let him go alone,” Andy murmured, shifting from foot to foot.
“Well, heroes,” I said angrily, but with a smile pulling at my lips, “You’re in the shit now. Banks is accusing you of insurrection. He says he has no choice but to punish you fully.”
Sam scoffed and took his seat again, “What a crock of shit.”
“All we did was try to help that guy,” Andy protested, flopping onto his bed, “We didn’t even do any good!”
“Doesn’t matter,” Tony said, taking the chair across from Sam, “It’s all about image. He wants to seem like a fair and magnanimous leader but he’s nothing but a warlord.”
“He says,” I added, “That he doesn’t want to punish you guys. He’d rather we joined him but can’t just give you a pass for appearances’ sake.”
“So what’s it to be?” Sam asked, “Firing squad?”
“Nope,” Tony said, “Capital punishments generally take two forms. A death match between two combatants… or maybe more for all I know…”
“Or a zombie fest,” Andy said flatly.
“More like feast,” Tony quipped.
“That’s not fucking funny, Tony,” I said hotly.
“No, it’s not,” Tony said with a sigh.
“Sorry,” I said softly.
Tony smiled at me.
“So what’s the plan?” Sam asked, “Do we bust out of here?”
“Doubtful,” Tony said, “We don’t’ have the manpower to pull that off. Not a few blocks from a carrier, for fuck’s sake.”
“And the Admiral says he’s open to an idea that lets you two off the hook and doesn’t hurt his image,” I said hopefully.
“Okay then,” Andy said, “We volunteer to fight a couple of guys in the ring. Or maybe do some dangerous missions that need doing or something…”
Sam snapped his fingers, “That’s not a bad idea, L T. The mission thing, I mean.”
“Like what kind of mission?” I asked suspiciously.
“When we first went aboard the carrier,” Sam explained, pacing up and down the room, “I met with the admiral in the officer’s wardroom. While we were talking a chief came in and said they’d picked up the machinery signature of a fast attack out in the Florida Straits… they lost her though. Banks told me that piracy was becoming a problem along the east coast and that there were people operating out there with military equipment. They hadn’t made any attempts on Key West yet, though.”
“A damned carrier squadron would make that a tough proposition,” Tony commented.
“Exactly,” Sam continued, “But not impossible. All the admiral has out there are a destroyer, a missile frigate and a coast guard cutter and some small vessels. The carrier is parked at the dock. So other than her air wing, she’s not really in position to do anything… and although Roosevelt does have ASW assets aboard…”
“The ship won’t leave the dock,” Tony finished, “Can’t, now. And maybe they don’t have enough personnel trained in anti-submarine warfare.”
“So you think this could be a threat to his little republic?” I asked.
“I think so,” Sam said, “He’s got, or had yesterday, an EP3 patrolling between here and Cuba.”
“So what’s all that mean for us?” Andy asked.
Sam shrugged, “I’m not sure… but maybe if we volunteer to help hunt that boat down…”
“Don’t you think he’s got that covered?” I asked.
“I’m grasping at straws here,” Sam said, holding out his hands, “I’m trying to think of something that keeps Andy from fighting some piece of shit or some ghouls in the ring.”
“I can handle myself,” Andy grumbled.
“I know,” Sam said with a smile, “You’ve been a good student… but the kind of people that would be fighting you mean business. They’re fighting for survival and play dirty… I’d rather not knowingly put you in that situation. Frankly, I’m not all that thrilled about it either, but I’ll do it.”<
br />
“Okay,” I said and stood up, “Let’s present it to Banks, Tony.”
Tony stood and everybody exchanged hugs, “Hang tough, boys. We’ll figure this out.”
Chapter 32
From the personal journal of Samuel R. Decker
It was around lunch time when Andy and I got our next visitor. A marine entered the room carrying a large picnic basket. She was a Gunnery Sergeant with close cropped black hair and ice blue eyes set in a pretty face with arched brows and high cheek bones. She was maybe a few inches over five feet tall and had a sturdy but well-proportioned figure.
“Captain,” She said, setting the basket down, “I’m Gunnery Sergeant Julie Rivers. I’m kind of in charge of keeping prisoners fed.”
“Nice to meet you, Gunny,” I replied.
Andy only smiled and I noticed that he gave her rather ample female charms a quick once over. I think she might have noticed too and smiled.
“What’d you bring us, Gunny?” Andy asked.
“Couple of snapper sammies and fries and onion rings,” She said with a grin, “Two pieces of key lime pie and two cokes. Hope that’s okay. Freddy said you were partial to key lime pie, Lieutenant.”
Andy and I exchanged a quick glance and I asked, “You’re Fred’s girlfriend? Fred the snack guy?”
She chuckled, “Yeah, that’s me. He thought you guys were nice and asked that I take extra good care of you… suggested I get you whatever you ask for.”
A sudden flash of insight made my eyes widen but I schooled my face quickly. Admiral Banks had chosen that moment to step into our room turned cell.
“Thanks,” I said, “And thank Fred too.”
“Aye-aye sir,” The marine said and turned on her heel.
“Appreciate your efforts, Gunny,” Banks said.
She smiled and snapped to attention before continuing into the hall.
“Come for lunch, sir?” I asked evenly.
“Not exactly,” Banks said, easing himself into a chair by the window.
“Aren’t you afraid to be alone with two desperate criminals?” Andy asked not entirely hiding his sarcasm… or maybe not trying.
Banks chuckled, “Terrified, son. But the two armed marines in the hall will watch my six I’m sure.”
I sat at the table across from Andy and began unpacking the basket. The food was still piping hot. Rivers must have double timed it from wherever it was made.
Andy took a bite of his sandwich and made a sound that indicated approval. Banks grinned.
“Do all prisoners eat this well?” I asked.
“No,” Banks admitted, “Not quite… this is meant more as a peace offering, Decker.”
I raised an eyebrow at that.
Banks sighed, “As you know, you’re XO and Major Milani came to see me this morning. We talked and I explained that just letting you two go free would be a bit of a problem for discipline.”
“We know,” Andy grumbled, “So instead we can either be eaten by zombies or fight other men in that cage…”
“Those are the usual methods,” Banks said, “But on the other hand… you’re just too valuable, Decker. And Mr. Summers here, while not officially trained, has proven quite capable based on all I’ve heard. And then of course there’s the major and Sturgis… far too valuable to throw away.”
“Do I hear you working up to a compromise, Admiral?” I asked after swallowing a bite of snapper. It was blackened and topped with red onion, romaine lettuce and a Cajun-flavored mayo. Damned good.
Banks nodded, “It was suggested that perhaps you two could redeem yourselves in my eyes… well, in the public’s view of my eyes if that makes sense… by undertaking a dangerous mission for me. A mission that’s suited to you and your XO’s special set of skills, Sam.”
I put half a dozen fries on Andy’s plate and snatched one of his onion rings and ate it. He grinned and ate my fries. After all of this, I looked at Banks, “What kind of mission, sir?”
“Well, that’s the thing,” Banks said, “There are actually several. But I think the one that’s most important right now is especially suited to your talents as both a SEAL and a man who knows his way around a nuclear boat.”
I frowned, “that sub out in the straights? You want me to assist your ASW teams?”
Banks shook his head, “yes and no… Muñoz is on that, or will be. That’s his specialty, after all. But I fear we just don’t have the equipment to go after this mystery boat with current surface assets and my carrier-based anti-sub helos. We can hold the perimeter for certain, but if he runs far afield, I don’t want to spare these limited assets chasing him all over the Caribbean.”
“And leave Key West vulnerable,” Andy said.
“Exactly, Mr. Summers,” Banks said not without appreciation.
I was starting to get the picture, “We need an attack boat.”
Banks grinned, “I love a sharp officer. Exactly. I don’t have another sub driver in this entire squadron. Further, although I could certainly assemble a raiding party… I think this job requires a small force to infiltrate rather than a direct frontal assault.”
“What’re we talking about here?” Andy asked.
“There’s a Seawolf-class attack boat tied up in Jacksonville,” Banks said, “I sent an overflight to confirm this four days ago. Sent a super Hornet with a thermal imaging package and they confirmed that the sub was docked and there was a low level heat signature from her stern.”
“Meaning her reactor is on standby,” I said thoughtfully.
“At least,” Banks said.
“Anybody alive up there?” I asked.
Banks shrugged, “It was night… so got a lot of signatures… cooler than human. We suspect the base is crawling with G’s. No idea if any people are left. I suspect not, if that boat is just sitting collecting barnacles.”
I sighed, “So you want me to go up to Jacksonville, cut the boat out and bring her down here and hunt the one you’re tracking now?”
Banks nodded, “That’s it. Obviously take Sturgis with you. And anyone else you want. What do you recommend?”
I sighed, “It’d be nice to have some submariners around… but obviously nuke techs, electricians, somebody who knows steam turbines… anybody that knows how to handle torpedoes… support crew. How many people can you spare?”
“Not a full crew for an attack boat,” Banks said, “I can spare a skeleton crew only for now.”
“I don’t like the idea of trying to fight a boat with a skeleton crew,” I said, “Especially a crew of people who’ve never served on a submarine before.”
“I know,” Banks said, “And I don’t intend for you to fight her. Just get her here. We can train once we’ve got the boat. This mystery sub out there isn’t a threat, or at least not an active threat, right now. And if they see that we’ve got an attack boat that might be all we need. In fact, since we’re talking the Seawolf class… it’d be even better if they didn’t even hear you coming until you tied up to the pier.”
I nodded, “that’s more feasible. And it wouldn’t hurt to have another nuclear reactor down here, I’m sure.”
“Exactly,” Banks said, “Once you get back, we can talk about some of my other plans. But I think this will go a long way in letting last night’s incident slide without effecting the balance I’ve built here. That’s the PR side. For the long term, having the world’s quietest and most deadly attack boat in the squadron certainly doesn’t hurt. So are you in?”
I took a bite of key lime pie and nodded, “I get to drive a Seawolf or get eaten by stiffs? Sounds like a no brainer to me.”
“Excellent,” Banks said, standing and extending his hand. He wore a smile that reminded me of the kind a great white might give you right before you hear that all-too-familiar music begin to play.
It was Gunnery Sergeant Rivers who led Andy and me out of the Westin. We followed her down to the docks near the south end of Malory dock where she showed us into a small center console skiff.
<
br /> “You’re our taxi too?” Andy asked as Rivers, who was thirty or so, started the sixty-five horse Evinrude.
“The Admiral asked if I’d ferry you back to your boat,” She said, “He also told me to tell you that there were plenty of open slips at the Galleon and that it might be best to moor up there. No charge.”
I frowned, thinking about all of the gear and goodies aboard that could be rifled through without anyone there to watch over them, locks notwithstanding. I guess Rivers noticed, because she grinned at my frown.
“They’ll be okay,” She said, “Theft isn’t a big issue around here, as you’ve seen. He asked me to assure you that your vessels wouldn’t be touched in any way. You are officers, after all.”
“Better than leaving them swinging on the hook while we’re gone,” Andy suggested, “And after all… it’s probably a single day, right? We’ll be flown up, get the sub going and steam back here in what… twelve or sixteen hours max? I know those Seawolfs… Seawolves… can do like forty knots or so.”
I chuckled as I pointed to Sunset Key, “You should know by now, L T, that nothing in this brave new world is that simple or easy.”
The little fifteen foot skiff planed off and bounced lightly over the mild chop as Rivers steered us around the backside of the small island. I indicated the two boats riding at anchor and she steered for them. As we drew close, I could see our gang sitting in Sorcerer’s cockpit. Tony looked over at us, did a double take and then pointed.
“Jail break?” Carl asked with a big grin.
Rivers eased her boat along the portside and Andy and I threw a couple of lines. We eased against the accommodation ladder and went up the side.
Andrea and Tara hugged Andy and I, taking turns. Even Brenda got in on it. I looked at Carl and Tony, “What? No sugar?”
“Not in front of the marines,” Tony said with a grin, “Who’s your friend?”
I waved Rivers up and she came aboard, “This is Gunny Julie Rivers. Fred’s GF. She was kind enough to furnish Andy and me with a great lunch and a ride out here.”
“Well, welcome aboard, Gunny,” Tony said, extending a hand, “We appreciate you looking after our problem children.”
World of Corpses (Book 1): World of Corpses Page 42