Sky Masters

A few moments later, Yin heard Han’s warning: “Attention, attention the oil derrick on Phu Qui Island. This is the People’s Republic of China frigate Wenshan on international hailing channel nine. Respond immediately. Over.” Captain Han on Wenshan was speaking in excellent English, the universal sailors’ language even in this part of the world, and Yin had to struggle to keep up with the conversation. He made a mental note to congratulate Han on his resourcefulness — the Wenshan was not a frigate, but if the crew of the oil derrick believed that it was, they might be less inclined to resist and more inclined to follow orders.

“Frigate Wenshan, this is the National Oil Company

Barge Nineteen on channel nine. We read you loud and clear. Over.”

Admiral Yin seethed. The National Oil Company. That was a Philippine company run by a relative of the new Philippine president, Arturo Mikaso, and headquartered in Manila. Worse, it was financed by and operated mostly by rich Texas oil drillers. American capitalists who obviously thought they could, in their typically imperialistic way, just set up an oil derrick anywhere they pleased.

The audacity.

To even attempt to build a derrick in a neutral zone…

And Yin knew it wasn’t really neutral at all. It was Chinese territory. And the Americans and the Filipinos were trying to rape it.

“National Oil Barge Nineteen,” Han continued, “you are violating international agreements that prohibit any private or commercial mineral exploration or facilities in this area. You are ordered to remove all equipment immediately and vacate the area. You will receive no further warnings. Comply immediately. Over.”

“Vessel Wenshan, we are involved in search and salvage operations at this time,” a new voice on the radio, young and at ease, replied. “Salvage operations are permitted in international waters. We are not aware of any international agreements involving these waters. You may contact the Philippine or American governments for clarification.”

“National Oil Barge Nineteen, commercial operations in these waters are a direct threat to the national security and business interests of the People’s Republic of China,” Captain Han replied. He knew that Admiral Yin would not approve of his debating like this over the radio — he was a soldier, Yin would tell him, not a scum-sucking politician — but he wasn’t going to move a meter closer to the Philippine oil derrick unless everyone on board understood why. “You are ordered to discontinue all operations immediately or I will take action.”

There was no further reply from the barge crew.

“HF radio traffic from the barge, sir,” Lubu said, relaying a report from his Radio section. “They may be contacting headquarters.”

Contacting headquarters? There was no reason for the people on the drilling platform to do anything other than dismantle. And to do it immediately. Yin shook his head in disbelief. And anger. China had been forced to cede an island chain that was rightly theirs, forced to set up a neutral zone and allow free navigation in the area, only to have it thrown back in their faces. The arrogance!

“This is unacceptable!” Yin spat. “Any idiot knows this is Chinese territory, whether this is called neutral territory or not. How dare they…!”

“We can relay a message to Headquarters and report the violation, sir…”

Yin bristled. “This is not a mere violation, Lubu. This is an act of aggression! They know full well that the neutral zone is off-limits to all commercial activity, and that includes salvage operations — if indeed that is what they are really doing. This task force will not sit idly by while these bastards ignore international law and challenge my authority.”

Lubu had not seen his Admiral this angry in a very long time. “Sir, if we are seriously considering an armed response, perhaps Headquarters…”

Admiral Yin cut him off. “These people aren’t worth the aggravation of an explanation. Have you forgotten that I’m in charge of this area? It is my responsibility to protect our territory.” Yin shook his head angrily. “The brazenness of this is what’s so astounding to me. Don’t they remember history? Hasn’t there been enough of their blood shed over these islands? Have they gone senile? Well, let’s remind them of the full power of this force.” Yin turned to Lubu. “Captain, relay to Captain Han on Wenshan: ‘You are ordered to move within one thousand meters of the platform so as to provide sufficient lighting and covering fire from your deck guns, then dispatch a boarding crew to take the captain, officers, and other personnel on board the derrick into custody. After the crew is removed from the barge, you will destroy the entire facility with heavy gunfire. ’To Xingyi: have them move closer and be ready to assist. To the rest of this task group: ‘go to general quarters.’ Relay the messages and execute.”