“Looks like we send four. People, I want to be honest. I think any one of you would make an excellent representative. There is not a person I wouldn’t want to speak for us. Having said that, since only three can go, we need to do a ballot this time. Each person is to write down three names that they think should represent America. We will simply take the top three. If there is a tie we will vote again on those that tied. So think it over and write down the three you think should go,” Randy said.
Randy didn’t vote. He would wait and see who was selected among the members. The only person he didn’t want to go was Captain Miller and that was for a purely selfish reason. He felt no one could do a better job of handling emergencies that might arise while they were gone than Captain Miller. He would feel a lot better with him in charge.
* * * *
Randy collected the ballots and said, “Margaret, if you wouldn’t mind, I will read off each name and you tally the score.”
Margaret tore a piece of paper and placed each League members name down the side.
“Ready?” Randy asked.
“Go.”
“Margaret Olson,” Randy read off.
He went through each ballot and waited until Margaret had tallied the votes. She double checked the math before reading them off.
“Captain Miller, Dan Pierson, Margaret Olson are the top three,” she said and everyone applauded.
“Well then. I guess that pretty much takes care of that item. Congratulations, I think,” he said and they all chuckled.
“Now, the next item is the USS Salem’s progress. As of two days ago, they did sea trials and except for a few minor glitches it went fairly smoothly. Captain Earl Taylor said he was overall pleased with the first outing. They will make the necessary repairs and do one more shakedown cruise. If all goes well, we could schedule the conference in thirty days.”
“Have you let the other nations know?”
“Not yet. I don’t want to put anything into motion until I’m sure we won’t have further delays. I think it would detract from the meeting,” Randy replied.
“How long will it take to get across the ocean?” Angie asked.
“We are allowing twelve days. It probably won’t take nearly that long but I wanted to build in a safety window.”
“The eight hundred pound gorilla in the room is who will be covering your position while you and the others are gone?” Kevin asked.
“I guess the best person would be whoever came in forth in the balloting. Does that sound right to everyone?”
They all agreed. It also didn’t make it seem like Randy preferred one person over another.
“Margaret?” Rand asked.
“Fourth is Captain Rosen.”
“Okay, then it’s settled. Anyone object to anything we have discussed?”
No one spoke up. It would have been difficult to say anything and not cause hard feelings.
They went down the topics on the agenda for the next two hours.
“Okay, it’s getting late and I’m sure you’re all hungry. Let’s break until 1:45,” Randy said, looking at his watch.
* * * *
Randy was sitting at a small table that had been placed on the courthouse lawn. He was apprehensive about Rachel. For the past week she had been feeling rundown and weak. The doctors had run another blood test but nothing had shown up.
What did have them worried was that her blood pressure had elevated and she was having headaches, blurred vision, and was often dizzy for no apparent reason. One doctor diagnosed her with preeclampsia but there was not a consensus. Two others thought it might be Hyperemesis Gravidarum.
Whatever it was, he was troubled about Rachel and the baby. This was creating difficulties with their toddler, Sophie, as well. She was not getting as much attention as she was used to.
“Excuse me, you’re Randy Boling aren’t you?”
“That would be me.”
“I’m Chief Sorenson. I’m in charge of the engine rooms on the Salem.”
“Oh. Ah...I wasn’t expecting anyone for another week. Nice to meet you Chief.”
“Nice to meet you sir.”
“Please, no sir. I’m certainly not military.”
“But you are in charge of the colony.”
“Still. Randy will do.”
“Alright. I flew in to let you know we just did the second shakedown cruise.”
“Really? I didn’t think you would be ready for some time. How did it go?”
“Very well. We had a few leaks but those were quickly taken care of. The main engines are operating efficiently and everyone is a lot more comfortable with their assignments.”
“Boy that is exciting news. So we’re about ready to go?”
“We are. That’s why Captain Taylor sent me. We are as ready as we will ever be,” the Chief told Randy.
“That is outstanding news. Wow. It’s really going to happen. Man, this is a huge step. We will get in touch with the other nations and set a date for the conference. We are still counting on the trip taking twelve days, right?”
“Unless something really big happens, we should make it in eight to ten days.”
“Great. I’m still going to go with the twelve.”
“You’ll be there pretty early.”
“That’s good. We need to get everything ready. How many cooks are going along?”
“We have twelve right now. Others could help if necessary.”
“Total crew?”
“We will have about sixty-five men and women. That is about half of the typical crew but we don’t need a lot of the ranks that are usually assigned to ships.”
“The captain is comfortable with sixty-five?”
“Yes sir. How many will you be bringing?” the Chief asked.
“Four. Three men, including me, and one woman.”
“No problem. Bring lots to read. It will get boring after the first couple of days.”
“We could bring some books for the crew. Our library has thousands and thousands of books.”
“That would be most appreciated.”
“So what are you orders now?” Randy asked.
“Wait for you to get ready and escort you to the ship. It’s rather hard to access. The Love Boat it isn’t.”
“Alright Chief. If you want you can move into the Hilton until we are ready to leave or did you already have a house assigned?”
“Yeah, I’m all set. Got everything I need already.”
“Where are you located?”
“1345 Lakeland Lane.”
Randy scribbled down the address on a piece of paper he took from his pocket.
“I’ll keep you posted. I would imagine you are looking forward to a little down time.”
“Oh yeah. Sixteen and eighteen hour days. Seven days a week. I’m ready.”
“Then go get rested. Thank you for the wonderful news. Everyone will be excited. Don’t be surprised if you find you have a hero status attached to you.”
“Me? Everyone worked their butts off.”
“But you are here,” Randy said patting him on the back.
CHAPTER TEN
CHINA
Feng was worried as usual. To Major Zorn it seemed like it was getting worse every day. He felt sorry for the man. His fear of General Tasan was consuming him.
“We must make contact with the island immediately,” Feng was saying as the Major was lying back on a lounge chair.
“We will, but we first need to scout out the location. I am not about to just try to go over there and get shot. Not for you or General High and Mighty.”
“I am going. You can come if you wish but I am no longer going to sit around and do nothing.”
“You are truly a pain. Why you are not enjoying your time away from Beijing is beyond me,” Zorn replied.
“I may be a pain, as you say, but I have a duty to perform.”
“Duty? Duty? Duty to whom? Some little man that thinks he is a General? A man that thinks China should rule the
world? Tasan is an imbecile. Conquer the world. Insane. That’s what it is. What world?” Zorn said, getting up from the lounger.
“I am going. You do as you wish,” Feng stubbornly said.
“Fine, we will go but it is a stupid risk.”
“You do not have to go.”
“Come on, let’s get this over with. I will drive. I’ve seen you drive and am not risking my life further,” the major said.
“Like you, I just want to get this over with.”
The major slid behind the wheel of a CA-7560. A Chinese made car that was nothing more than a box with four wheels. He weaved his way through the city on Ximna Road until they reached the Yu River.
“So which way?” Zorn asked.
“Quan Xie said we should follow this road east.”
“Then east it is,” he said turning.
They drove several miles until they saw a large island in the middle of the river.
“That must be it,” Feng said excitedly.
“Could be. It’s is certainly big enough. Looks like fencing is going around the island as well.”
“See. I knew we would find it. The General will be most pleased.”
“Well, that certainly makes my day better,” Zorn said sarcastically.
They found a landing dock with two barges tied up. Across the river on the island they could see another dock.
“This must be where they come for food and take it back to the island,” Feng said.
“I agree.”
“How can we contact them?”
“We could just wait until they come for food.”
“No. I don’t want to wait any longer. Sound the horn, maybe someone will come and see what is going on.”
The major pressed on the horn, holding the button down. It was not a very loud horn but it could probably be heard since everything was so still. Only the ripple of the water slowly sliding by made any sound at all. He held it down for almost a minute before he gave up.
“Why did you stop?”
“Look, if they don’t hear it by now they are either deaf or no one is there any longer.”
“They are there. Quan Xie said they were.”
“Then where are they?”
“Honk the horn again,” Feng said, but the major made no move to push the button again.
“That is not going to work. We will use my gun to see if we can get their attention.”
“Are you sure that is a good idea? What if they think we are hostile?”
“I am getting hostile. I’m sick of this whole thing,” Major Zorn said getting out of the car.
He took his pistol from the holster and held it in the air and pulled the trigger. The noise sounded unbelievably loud with no other background noise. They waited for several minutes before someone came walking out to the dock.
“Someone is here,” Feng shouted and started running down to the dock on his side of the river.
The man on the island was dressed in a uniform and was holding a Type 82 7.65 submachine gun. He was looking at them through a pair of binoculars. Feng was standing at the end of the pier shouting and waving his arms. The man turned and walked back down the path he had come from.
“Why did he go?” Feng asked.
“Probably to tell his superior there is some crazy man yelling at the river.”
“Very funny. Will he come back?”
“Who knows? I would say there is a very good chance he will be back with others,” the major replied.
Feng sat down on the pier and waited. The major waited with him but remained standing. Several minutes passed before ten military personnel came walking back down the path and onto the pier. Several were looking at them with binoculars. Feng stood up and started waiving again.
“Easy. They know we are here. They are trying to determine if we are a threat. By now they realize I am an Army officer of probably equal or higher in rank than their leader,” the major looked over to the side of the dock and realized a sniper with a LR-2a sniper rifle was watching them through the scope.
It was easily capable of hitting targets 1200 to 1600 yards away, accurately and consistently.
“Be very careful Feng. A sniper has us in his crosshairs. He could take either of us out in an instant,” Zorn warned.
“But we must talk to them.”
“You won’t do much talking if you are dead. Just wait until they make the next move.”
“They would really shoot us?”
“Absolutely.”
They stood and waited. Several minutes passed. Sweat trickled down the major’s neck. He knew at any second the officer in charge could have them taken down. Finally four of the men jumped into a small boat and started across the water. Both the major and Feng remained motionless. It took only a few minutes for the boat to reach the dock but they stopped short.
“Who are you and why are you here?” the Zhong Wei shouted.
“Captain, I am Major Zorn. We have been sent from Beijing by General Tasan. We need to speak to your person in charge. Who would that be?” Zorn shouted back.
“Why would this general send you here? How did he know about this base?”
“I am not privy to the general's knowledge. All I know is our orders were to find your leader and deliver a message.”
“What is the message?” the Captain demanded.
“You surely noticed that I am Shao Xiao and you are a captain. I do not answer to you. Now, you will return to the base and tell your leader that I will speak with him, one way or the other.”
“And if I decide just to shoot you, then what?”
“They you are a bigger fool than you look. You will soon be taken out and quartered. The general has little patience for those that do not obey his orders.”
The captain looked at him for several seconds. Zorn knew he was trying to find a way to save face but he wasn’t going to give him an inch.
“Captain. You will obey my orders right this minute or I will shoot you myself. Now go this instant,” Zorn shouted placing his hand on his holster.
The captain flinched and said something to the others. The boat turned and headed back to the island. Feng was shaking as the boat pulled away.
“I cannot believe you bluffed like that.”
“Bluffed? What bluff? Of course I would have shot him. It is my right as a higher ranking officer.”
“But, what about the others? And the Sniper?”
“They would have done nothing. They were enlisted, not officers. Their own leader would have been obligated to shoot them if they had taken any action.”
“I will never understand the military mind.”
“Be thankful for that,” Zorn said.
* * * *
Feng and Zorn did not have to wait long before the boat returned with two men. Neither was the captain from the previous encounter.
“Da wei Lai is awaiting you.”
“Thank you Staff Sergeant,” Zorn said as he stepped into the boat.
Feng followed and quickly sat as close to the major as possible. They rode across the river to the island in silence. Two more enlisted men were waiting on the pier and helped the major and Feng out.
They led them down a small path to a large steel door that was open. They went down several flights of stairs until they came to another large steel door. One of the men opened it and they stepped into a huge underground complex. Feng’s eyes almost popped out of his head. The major acted like he had seen it all before.
“Senior Captain Lai will be with you shortly. Please have a seat,” the Staff Sergeant said, indicating several chairs along one wall.
Feng went over and sat down but the major just stood there. A full three minutes passed before a short, barrel chested captain entered the room. He walked up to the major and saluted but Zorn just stood there looking down at the man.
“I am Senior Captain Lai. I understand you are Major Zorn from Beijing.”
Zorn continued to look at the man and said nothing. The captain f
idgeted.
“Sir?”
“Senior Captain Lai. Do you always keep Majors waiting for you to make your appearance? Do you think for one minute that you can intimidate me? Get your men out of this room this instant do you understand me Captain?”
“Sir, I was...”
“I do not care what you were doing. I don’t care if you were entertaining three women at once. You will not keep me waiting. Now get your men out of here this instant,” Zorn said in a soft voice but the look he gave the captain was enough for him to immediately dismiss everyone in the room.
Once they had all gone, Zorn said, “If you ever embarrass me like that again I will not bother to have you shot, I will do it myself. I know you may be king of the walk here but when a senior officer is present you will defer to him. Is that clear Captain Lei?”
“Yes sir. Sorry sir. I meant no disrespect. It will never happen again.”
“Fine. Let’s move on. We have been sent here by General Tasan. He happens to be the highest ranking military survivor in China. Our orders were to find out what your capabilities are when it comes to satellites.”
“Satellites? I don’t understand? We know nothing about satellites other than that they are up above the Earth.”
“This is not a satellite communications facility?”
“No sir. We are a chemical and biological facility. Actually, we just store products now. We have no scientists left. They were attending a conference when everything changed. Now there is just this contingent left. We are charged with ensuring that nothing is ever taken from here without the proper authority.”
Zorn burst out laughing. The Captain didn’t know what to do. Feng sat with his mouth open. All of this for nothing.
“Sorry Captain, but we have been searching for this facility for several weeks under the mistaken impression that this was a top secret communications facility. All the travel and time have been wasted.”
“I don’t know what to say,” the captain replied.
“What can any of us say? This facility is what it is. You can do nothing about it,” the major said shaking his head.
“What will you do now?”
“I don’t suppose you know where China’s secret communication center is located?”
THE REVELATION - Book 3 (THE EVENT) Page 5