“Yes, for Chief Drake and Petty Officer Hopkins. Commendation Medal, at least. Deffler deserves one too, but he doesn’t work for me.”
“He’s covered. Consider all those awards done. It’s a pity no one will be able to brag about them. Hopefully, there will be more opportunities soon.”
“Thank you, ma’am. They won’t mind. If you don’t mind, ma’am, what do you mean ‘more opportunities’?”
“Yes, well, it goes with why you haven’t chopped back to Sector Miami yet. We will hold on to you guys for a while, indefinitely, actually, and we’ll be making a few changes.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Did you think you acquired all that talent by accident or good luck? Kauai was on our radar long before the mishap, with the negative personnel actions and equipment casualties well above the norm. We sent Drake in to relieve the previous chief to find out what was happening. I’m sure you realize by now that Drake is a ‘fixer’ in general rather than just the technical sense.”
Sam nodded. “Yes, he has shown a scary ability to get around things to keep us operating, and Ben has leaned on him for the XO uglies.”
“That’s for sure,” Ben agreed, realizing for the first time how timely and correct Drake’s “If I were you, XO, I would…” suggestions had been.
Mercier nodded. “He let us know right away the old command had to go. We were working on doing that quietly when the mishap forced our hand. The challenge was finding people we could send in on short notice who could pull things together. Sam, you were already here, working up as an Ops Center supervisor and had come off a very successful 87 command in Hawaii. For XO, we took a hard look at the Prospective XO list and plucked Ben off Dependable a few months early, at Drake’s suggestion.”
“I hadn’t met Drake before,” Ben said.
“True, but he ‘knew a guy’ on the ships of several of the candidates, and you came up on top. As usual, he was spot-on.
“After Kauai’s mishap, we decided to rebuild her crew wholesale. This provided an opportunity to try out a proof of concept of an elite 7th District patrol boat that we can send into sticky situations like this one. We quietly made a few ‘corrections’ in the complement around your arrival. Then it was just a question of waiting for the proper test. This was it. It was pure luck you guys found that wreck; we would have gotten you underway to take over, otherwise.”
“Okay, Captain, so we have a dream team, thanks to you and Chief Drake. I’m still happy, but humbler.” Sam half-smiled.
“Don’t sell yourselves short. It took good leadership to save that boat. If we hadn’t found a solid command cadre like you two, we would probably have just written her off and moved up the decommissioning. As it stands, you’re a very useful asset, particularly now.”
“Why now, ma’am?”
“You’ve been introduced to the challenge and understand our need to able to respond quickly, competently, and discreetly. Our experiment to set up a ‘dream team,’ as you say, has grown out of our hands. The National Command Authority needs an option to use quick, ‘surgical’ actions in the maritime environment that don’t gin up the chaos of diverting Navy destroyers or subs. The ability to act in home waters without stirring up issues with the DoD doing law enforcement is also a big plus. You and your crew proved yourselves able to provide that capability. We had a lengthy discussion before you guys showed up, and your pal Simmons had put in a real stellar assessment of you in his official report. You made a highly favorable impression on him.”
“Ma’am, I can promise you he won’t be as happy if I ever cross paths with him again.”
Mercier frowned. “Oh, I see. Anyway, you impressed that committee with how you pulled off this one. Despite what you might have thought when you came in, the ‘interrogation’ was a genuine fact-finding and a chance to gauge you in person. They had already decided to move you along to ‘better things,’ provided you didn’t blow yourselves up in there. Now, exercising that capability comes at a big jump in personal risk, as you have also seen. So much so, I can’t order you to take it on.”
“Ma’am, let me get this straight; doing this job is a voluntary assignment?” Ben asked.
“No, you can ask to be relieved, and we will approve it, regretfully. But consider carefully before you do that. Remember, the request and relief will be on the record.”
After a thoughtful pause, Ben broke the silence. “What’s to think about, I’m in, ma’am. But if we expect to take on any more terminators, I’d like more firepower and training than a P229 pistol and boarding officer school.”
“Yes, we already put together a scratch tactical course for you in Quantico. You, Bondurant, Guerrero, and Lee, that is.” Mercier smiled. “We’ll be sending Lopez to Charleston for the next Maritime Law Enforcement Specialist class in a couple of weeks, and he’ll get, um, ‘extra attention’ there. We’ll be adding an ME3 billet to Kauai to hold him when he graduates.”
“How did you know I would ask for… Oh, Chief Drake.” Ben grinned.
“Yep, he’s already felt them out about it. They’re in if you are. Also, we’re pulling Kauai out of action for an ‘upgrade’ of the armory and combat systems. We’ll see you’ll have something to use when you return. For once, we have both official backing and enough funding. The shipyard availability will be an excellent cover for your absence at training.”
She turned back to Sam. “I get this was a rough one, and you are too knocked-out to give a considered answer. It’s also a tough job for a man with a young family. Consult on the home front and call me as soon as you can.”
“Thank you, Captain. Given everything you’ve told us, it’s tough to ask to be relieved,” Sam responded. “I think Jo will swallow hard and bless this, but it’s a new ballgame, and she gets a vote.”
Mercier sat back and smiled. “Thank you. I don’t see how we can pull this off without you, and so I’d personally be very grateful if she can be persuaded. Let’s see; what else? Oh yes, one last thing, we’ll be moving you up to Canaveral. On the record, you will be the permanent Range Safety Cutter for the Space Center. There should be fewer questions about the 7th hanging on to a one-ten that way.”
“Um, ma’am, changing homeport generates a lot of paperwork for both the skipper and XO. How can I take care of that while I’m eating snakes up in Quantico?” Ben asked.
“We’ll put a team together to cover you. It won’t go into effect until after the shipyard work is complete. Anything else? With your stock so high, now’s the time to ask.”
“Ma’am, I’d sure like to hang on to Hopkins,” Sam began. “We’ll be rewriting the book to make the best use of our new stuff, and I need what she brings to the table. But, I don’t want to keep her if that means she gives up pinning on chief. Is there any way we can bump her billet up to E7 since we will take this boat ‘off the books’ anyway?”
Mercier nodded with satisfaction. “You continue to impress. Get a thumbs up from her that she wants to stay, and I’ll make it happen. Anything else?”
“Yes, ma’am, one last thing. We’d have been dead ducks without our UAV support, and Deffler went out on a limb to fly them in that fog. Since he was technically the pilot-in-command, he’ll be in a real jam if any pearl-clutchers start second-guessing. I’m sending a memo to Deffler’s CO explaining and taking responsibility for the flights and recommending him for a decoration. It would carry a lot more weight if you pitched in.”
“Man, you want everything, don’t you?” Mercier grinned. “Don’t give it another thought. Send me a copy of the memo, and I’ll ring him up for a chat. Now, last call, anything else?”
“No, ma’am,” both men replied.
“Great. One last order for both of you. Go home, get some rest and blow off steam, you need it. Kauai is offline until further notice. And don’t even try sneaking back aboard to work for at least 72 hours—you know I have eyes there now,” she said, shaking their hands.
“That we do, ma’am,” Sam sa
id as he led Ben out. They passed through the outer office and down the hall wordlessly before pausing at the elevator. Sam broke first, doubling over in laughter, Ben was startled but quick to follow.
“Holy shit, Skipper! What the hell just happened in there?”
“You heard the captain. We saved the world, changed homeports, and became the Coast Guard’s first Special Operations team.” Sam chuckled while the elevator door opened. “Hooyah!”
After they entered and the doors closed, Ben asked, “Honestly, you think Jo will be OK?”
“She won’t like it,” Sam replied. “It will be a hard sell, given what she knows about Hoppy’s personal history. I may have to lean on Hoppy to help close the deal. It’ll be a stretch, even with her help.”
“Yes, sir,” Ben said soberly, his thoughts going back to the infuriation Hopkins had expressed over his decisions on this operation. He was suddenly very concerned that this deal might be DOA.
“You OK?”
“Yes, sir,” Ben replied. “It’s just all settling in for me. I’ll be fine.”
23
Coda
Sam and Ben returned to Kauai around 0530 and were greeted by Drake, Hopkins, and Deffler at the brow. When he stepped out of the government sedan, Ben flashed a grin and thumbs-up to their three shipmates and received relieved smiles in return. After returning their salutes, Sam and Ben each shook their hands. “Welcome home, Captain, XO,” Drake said quasi-formally.
“Thanks, Chief,” Sam replied. “Let’s cut the crew loose for normal post-patrol liberty as soon as we can. You can hold off tearing down the mains for now. We’re offline indefinitely, and we have an unscheduled shipyard period. No sense doing a lot of work that may just be undone.”
“Very good, sir. Can you elaborate a bit?”
“I think you know the score already, Chief, based on Captain Mercier’s very complete intel on my crew.” Sam ended the answer with a raised eyebrow.
“What can I say, Captain? I know a gal downtown.”
“Right. Remind me to discuss that with you later.” He turned to Hopkins. “Hoppy, can we move on to the cabin in a minute, please? There’s something I need to talk to you about.” Seeing the sudden look of concern on her face, he added, “Don’t worry, I’m pretty sure you’ll think it is excellent news.”
“Yes, sir.”
He then turned to Deffler and shook his hand. “Fritz, unfortunately, this is the end of our time together. I can’t find the words to tell you how grateful I am for what you and Mike have done for us on this op. I’m sending a memo to your CO singing your praises and stating that any violations of FARs were because I held a gun to your head. It’s not much, but I’m sure it will cover you.”
“I appreciate that, Captain.” Deffler smiled in return. “I don’t suppose you can find some ISR work for us around here until, I don’t know, maybe April?”
Sam chuckled. “Sorry, Airedale, there are things even a PB skipper can’t do. Good luck, stay warm, and be safe up there.” He returned Deffler’s salute and then turned to go inside, with Hopkins following him.
After Deffler also wandered inside, Drake turned to Ben. “What’s going on with Hoppy, sir?”
Ben grinned. “The skipper worked his spooky magic and found a way to keep Hoppy aboard and let her pin on chief.” His smile faded. “If she wants to hang around.”
“Seriously, sir? Why wouldn’t she?”
“She ripped me a new one yesterday for my little adventure. I had it coming, too. Put a new spin on the dangers of glory-hunting for me. I’m not sure she still wants to work for me.”
Drake looked at Ben in surprise and shook his head. “XO, for a smart fella, you sure have some dense patches. She loves you, sir, you and the CO. Yes, she’s mad as hell at you two for putting yourselves on the spot like that, but that doesn’t mean she would want to be anywhere else.” When Ben looked down and shifted nervously, he added, “Don’t let it get inside your head, sir. Just keep doing what you’re doing, and everything will be fine.”
“Thanks, Chief.”
◆◆◆
When they reached the cabin, Sam pointed at the spare chair. “Take a seat, please.” When she had sat down, he continued. “Hoppy, a bunch of people in high places are satisfied with how we carried off the last operation. So much so they’re going to invest in equipment upgrades and specialized training. We will be the go-to folks for special operations. As part of that, I asked for, and they agreed I can keep you—with a bump up to chief.” He paused as her eyes widened and mouth hung open. “It’s your decision, and if you decide to move on, you’ll get complete support from me. I want you to stay, and we need your insight and skills, but you need to understand what this means. We will probably be committed to operations like the last one, some of which will involve serious hazards. I can promise you we’ll be better-trained and smarter in the future, but the risks will still be high. I appreciate your candor on the last op, which was on the nose in the end. But I need to know you can take it when the kids have to launch out because it will happen, and we won’t have the luxury of time for soul-searching when it does.”
“Sir, if you and Mr. Wyporek are in, I’m in,” Hopkins’s face brightened into a smile. “I hope I can still point out when I have concerns, respectfully, of course.”
“You damn well better call us out when we screw up. It’s your ass too,” Sam said as they both stood. There was a slight pause, and then she gave him a quick, warm hug. “Dammit, Hoppy, dismissed!”
“Sorry, sir, won’t happen again, sir. Thank you, sir!” she said, rushing out of the cabin.
Sam sat back down, signed on to his workstation, and sent a terse email to Captain Mercier: “Hopkins agrees. Respectfully request upgrade OS billet to E7. V/R, Powell.” He sent a second, brief email to the CO of Air Station Cape Cod, copied to Captain Mercier, with Deffler and Morgan’s “Get Out of Jail Free” memo attached. That done, he looked up to see Ben standing in the doorway.
“I’m your ride this morning, Captain.”
“Thanks, man, but I can make it OK.”
Ben shook his head firmly. “No, sir. Remember a few days back, around the last time you slept, when you pointed out the fatigue in our passenger? I’m seeing the same thing in you right now. Look, you just saved my life at the risk of your job; let me give back a little.”
Sam had to admit, with the adrenaline and tensions faded, he was dangerously tired. Far too tired to drive himself. “OK, you win. Let’s get going before I decide to crash here.”
They strolled down to Ben’s white Camaro, an academy graduation present from his parents, and climbed in. Sam was asleep before they even reached the base security gate. Observing his friend fast asleep, Ben activated his phone and used the voice feature to dial Sam’s home number.
“Um, hello?” Jo answered groggily after four rings.
“Hi, Jo. Ben here.”
“Ben?” He could hear the alarm rising in her voice. “What…”
“It’s OK, everybody’s fine,” he interjected. “We’re on the way there. Sam is pretty knocked out. I think he’s been up for about three days solid; he dropped off right after he got in the car.”
“OK.” Her relief was palpable. “I guess you had an interesting trip?”
“It was rough. I’ll let Sam tell you about it. I just wanted to let you know he might not be the usual super-attentive hubby when he gets home.”
“Thanks, I’ll shunt him straight to bed,” she replied. “What about you? Do you need to flop here? I can make up the couch for you.”
“No, I’m fine. I’m a lot younger than you two, remember?”
“I’ll pass on calling you a jerkwad just this once because I love you for taking care of my man.”
“All part of my usual awesomeness.” Ben smiled. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Goodbye Ben, and thank you very much,” she said, hanging up.
The trip home was slow but typical for Miami. Ben pulled into the driveway
a little after 6:30, climbed out and opened the passenger door. “Skipper.” He shook Sam’s shoulder gently. “Sam?”
Sam startled awake. “Wha… Oh, right.” He climbed out of the Camaro and grabbed his bag. He turned to Ben and hugged him. “Thanks, man.”
“You too, Boss. See you in a few days,” Ben watched Sam walk tiredly up to the front door before climbing into the Camaro. Driving off, he thought about how long the drive might be from Quantico to Bethesda and whether his upcoming intense training would allow any time off for visits.
Sam unlocked and opened the door and entered the quiet house. He wondered if he might be the only one up when Jo emerged from the kitchen barefoot in her robe. God, she’s so beautiful, was the single thought his fatigue-addled brain could form when Sam looked at her long raven hair and lovely dark eyes. “Jo, I…” He stopped when she put a finger to her lips. She stepped forward, cupped his face in her hands, gazing into his eyes for what seemed like minutes and then tightly hugged him, all without a single word.
She released him and took his arm, leading him toward the bedroom and whispered, “It’s rack time for you, my dear captain. Ben called me with a head’s up while you were on the way. You can tell me all about it after you’ve had some sleep.”
Sam nodded. “Aye, aye, my love.” He paused at Robby and Danni’s bedroom, as he did every morning when he was home, and peeked in to make sure they were sleeping comfortably and covered. Sam then let himself be led to the bed and undressed, practically falling onto the bed afterward. He felt a soft kiss on his lips as he drifted off to sleep.
Afterword
None of the characters in this book represent any particular person (you got that, all you lawyers out there?). However, some of the best qualities of the fictional crew members of Kauai were inspired by many of the fine people with whom I had the honor and pleasure to serve while I was a part of the Coast Guard.
Engage at Dawn: First Contact Page 24