Red Shark

“I just did my job,” Scott said, reaching for a shirt, “no more than you all did. Especially Ramos.”

“Yeah, Ramos. But what I said about Karst, that other shit—”

“Forget it. We’ve got more work to do. And it’s going to take more shooting.”

Jefferson thrust out a hand and they shook, two men who respected each other. “I owe you, Jake. Don’t hesitate to call it in.”

Scott nodded. “If I ever need to, I will. Bet on it.”

Radford said, “The president agrees that we can’t allow Fat to be given refuge by the Mainland Chinese, Taiwanese, or anyone else for that matter. If the discs and videos he has fall into Chinese hands, it will complicate matters beyond belief. Therefore, I’m issuing orders in the name of the president for you to destroy the White Dragon and everyone and everything aboard her. Totally.”

Scott glanced at Deacon, then Jefferson. “Understood,” he said.

“As to your question, Commander Scott, about a cover story, we will tell anyone who asks that we know nothing about the dealings between, shall we say, rival drug-lords. We all know that sometimes they fight over territory and that can lead to unforeseen consequences. Now, why a vessel would blow up and sink in the Taiwan Strait, well, Mr. Fat is a known dealer in armaments, which are sometimes dangerous to transport by sea. Especially explosives. People are careless. Ships sink.”

“Yes, sir, they do. Or will,” Jefferson quipped.

“Nevertheless, you will exercise all reasonable caution when taking action against the White Dragon. I don’t want innocent people killed or injured, or a foreign-flagged vessel damaged. If it can be done so there are no witnesses, all the better.”

“That may be difficult,” Scott said. “We’re operating in busy waters.”

“I understand. As for the Chinese, well, if they lodge a protest, we’ll play ignorant. We can exert some control over the Taiwanese and perhaps their press reports, if there are any, will reflect this. What’s the White Dragon’s current position, Captain Deacon?”

“Sir, she’s about a hundred klicks southeast of Matsu Lietao. We’re trailing and can take her out in under five minutes.”

Radford lit a cigarette. He squinted as he talked through a scrim of smoke drifting across the monitored scene from Crystal City. “Very well. The sooner the better.”

“General, what about the Kilo?” Jefferson said. “They’re watching every move we make.”

“Gentlemen, you will handle her with care. I don’t want an incident with the Chinese. Bad enough they’ve been dogging you and this operation. We may be able to paper over whatever it is they think we’re doing, but I can’t guarantee it. In any event, the president is quite determined to keep the Chinese out of our plans.”

“Yes, sir, we’ll do our best,” Scott said. “I should tell you, though, that we sent the Kilo a message.” Scott explained the game of chicken they’d played. “I expect the Chinese skipper will call home when we hit the White Dragon.”

“And that’s why you will high-tail it out of there after it’s done. Any questions? No? Then I want to bring on Ms. Kida in Tokyo.”

The monitor went to blue, then split in half. Scott saw Fumiko looking fresh and bright, and with a serious look on her face.

“Commander Scott, Colonel Jefferson,” she said, “congratulations on a successful mission. But I also want to express my deepest regrets that one of your men, Petty Officer Ramos, was killed.”

“Thank you,” Scott said, “I’ll tell the others. Ramos made it possible for us to return with intelligence material. I just hope that what we found will prove worthwhile.”

“The mini-DVD from their surveillance system. Have you viewed it?”

“No, I don’t want to touch it. Better our experts in Yokosuka examine it first.”