Sweetness in the Dark

by W. B. Martin

  “What’s our mission, Governor?” the Marine general asked.

  “The gold in the Federal Reserve Bank. We are to secure it if it’s still there, open up the vault and carry it to the ships. We will then return it to safety as determined by the Governor’s Council,” the governor said.

  “Whew. This will keep my Marines interested. Handling that much gold will perk things up. I wouldn’t expect much opposition that my boys can’t handle,” the general said.

  “No, I don’t think they’ll have any problems. And if we do meet resistance, your AV-8Bs will resolve it quickly.”

  “Rules of engagement? Any civilians still in the city we have to worry about?” the general asked. He commented that he had never fought on American soil before. No one had, thought Paul.

  ”The Governor’s Council has issued only one order. ‘Retrieve the New York gold’.” Beyond that General, the field is wide open,” the governor said.

  “Not like the old days then, Sir. My boys are tired of fighting with one hand tied behind their back and the other one holding a press release.”

  “The old days are gone. Dead and gone, I’m afraid for too many of our countrymen.”

  The meeting continued after an initial tactical assessment by the commanders. The governor stood up and motioned to Paul that they should leave the Navy to plan things without their interference.

  The two walked to their assigned staterooms adjacent to each other.

  “Get some sleep Paul. It will be very hectic soon,” the governor said as he closed his stateroom door.

  Paul climbed into his berth. He lay with his eyes open, listening to the rumble of the ship heading north. The Task Force would be off New York Harbor in two days and he assumed the Marines would go in then.

  Thoughts of Amanda took over his mind as he wondered what she was doing right now. She was still in Cheyenne meeting with other Convention delegates who had stayed behind as they worked out issues with the proposed constitution. She had been sad to see him go, but excited about her new friendship with Horst Petrasek.

  Paul wasn’t so sure about her meeting with the Texan, and lay awake imagining Horst and Amanda together. The vibration of the ships engines slowly overcame the stress of personal affairs and he drifted off to sleep.

  A loud clanging noise awoke him with a start. Still fully clothed from the night before, he jumped down onto the deck. Pulling his shoes on, he ran to the door into the companionway. Men were running by when the next door opened. The Idaho governor stepped out.

  “Trouble I’m afraid,” he yelled over the clanging noise. “That’s General Quarters, which means the Task Force has spotted a threat.”

  Paul followed the ex-Navy man up the ladder as they headed to the bridge. A Marine guard stopped them when they reached the companionway leading to the bridge. Under General Quarters no unauthorized personnel would be allowed near the ships Command Center.

  Standing in front of the Marine, Paul felt frustrated not knowing what was happening. Finally the Marine general came down from the bridge and rescued the two civilians.

  “I’m heading to the Com Center. Follow me,” he stated. “We’ve picked up a sonar hit. The pattern matches a Chinese attack sub. Helios are out dipping right now trying to locate it.”

  They reached the Com Center and the Marine guard stepped aside to let the three men enter. Paul stumbled on the raised threshold as he entered the darkened room. Radios were squawking with reports coming in from the helicopters hunting the suspected sub.

  Dipping sonar was being deployed at various locations that would triangulate the exact location of any underwater threat.

  “Sir, we have her. It conforms to our noise recognition records to a Chinese Class IV nuclear attack sub. Three thousand yards south-southeast,” the petty officer manning the plot table announced.

  “Take it out,” the admiral ordered. Then he noticed the two civilians in the room. “Any orders, Governor?”

  “Carry on, Admiral. These are your ships to protect. No civilian interference.”

  The admiral returned to his duties as everyone waited for the depth charges to do their business. The speaker from the sonar rumbled with explosions as the depth charges found their mark. Soon a clanking creaking sound was heard as the sonar picked up the sound of a Chinese sub breaking up and sinking.

  Quiet returned to the room as everyone realized the sonar now emitted no sounds. The threat was gone.

  “Sorry to wake you gentlemen, but it does seem that our Asian friends did have assets in the area. We’ll keep an eye out for others,” the admiral said.

  “Good work, carry on,” the governor said.

  “Sir, our Sea Stallion on patrol to the east reports a ship bearing for New York City,” the radioman said.

  “Get a couple of jets out to investigate,” the admiral ordered.

  His staff picked up the ready phone and relayed his orders. The ship soon rumbled as the ‘jump jets’ rolled down the deck and lifted off.

  “Maybe we should head up to the bridge. You can see a bit more from up there. My staff can handle things here,” the admiral offered.

  The bridge was expansive in its view compared to the enclosed Command Center. Paul put on his sunglasses to better view the action. Helicopters were returning from their sub hunt and setting down on the stern of the ship.

  Two more jets were being moved into position on the flight deck to be on ready status. With the two other jets investigating the ship to the east, these two new jets were responsible for Task Force security. Paul looked at the other warships on either side of the Marine carrier.

  The Iwo Jima was a small carrier compared to the Navy’s super carriers. Only able to operate Harrier-type jump jets, this carrier did not have the catapults that other jets needed. The Harrier short takeoff and landing fighter had been developed by the British. The Marines had loved the idea and had adopted the jet.

  The AV-8B was an upgrade of the original Harrier. Major changes had increased payload and range, making the AV-8B one of the most versatile and effective war planes in history.

  The Argentineans had discovered what a formable plane the Harrier was in the Falkland War. Argentine war planes would line up to shoot down a Harrier only to have the Harrier pilot simply stop in midair and ‘jump’ up out of the way. The Argentine jet would fly by to a Harrier now on it’s tail.

  With its vectoring jet nozzles, the Harrier was the only war plane that could stop in midair. It could also fly slowly backwards. Enemy fighter pilots soon discovered that the Harrier could do things no other fighter could do, much to their disadvantage.

  The pilots soon confirmed that a large freighter was heading north on a course that would take it into New York Harbor. The ship showed a Liberian registry and had ‘Monrovia’ painted on its stern, indicating the Liberian capital as its home port.

  “I don’t like this. What would a freighter be doing heading into a New York City that for all intents and purposes is dead. There’s no one left that would be shipping goods into such chaos,” the admiral said. “Get a Marine recon team ready. We’ll board her.”

  The staff again worked the phone and just as quickly two helicopters began warming up. Paul looked out the bridge window as twenty well-armed Marines walked out of the ships island and boarded the helicopters.

  “We’ll know soon enough what their cargo is,” the admiral said to the governor. “Radio the pilots I want jet coverage for the helios. Tell them maximum effect. I don’t want any misunderstanding who’s in charge here. And if the ship offers any resistance to a boarding, the pilots are to respond in kind.”

  The bridge remained quiet as they all awaited news from the Recon Team. It would take a while for the slower helicopters to reach the freighter. Paul noticed a frigate detach from the Task Force and turn to starboard. It appeared to be on a heading to intercept the mystery ship.

  Finally, the radio crackled to life. The helicopters reported the ship in sight. The AV-8B pilots called in
that they had the choppers in sight and that they were turning to buzz the ship as the first Sea Stallion went in.

  “We have hostile forces visible,” the radio squawked. The bridge went tense and everyone waited for more information. Paul thought it took forever before another voice rang out.

  “Marines on deck,” the radio said.

  “We’ve repelled onto the ship,” the admiral offered. “I don’t know what the ‘hostiles’ report was for. We’ll have to wait.”

  Paul watched out the bridge windows as the two waiting AV-8B’s suddenly had activity around them. The jet engines came to life and the flight deck crew worked to launch the aircraft. The roar was deafening, even inside the bridge, as one plane after another roared down the deck.

  An elevator dropped down and two more jet fighters were positioned for the ready. Soon the first two jets flew by, arriving from the east. The foredeck was prepared for landing as the crew waved the jets aboard.

  Paul marveled as each jet slowly matched the big ships speed and then slid into position over the deck. Then like a helicopter, the jet fighter lowered itself down onto the deck. Both planes were quickly taken below for rearming and refueling.

  The admiral raced by grabbing the two civilians as he went. The three of them met up with the two pilots in the conference room.

  “Report, Commander,” the admiral barked.

  “Sir, we were lingering in the general vicinity when we spotted the helis approaching. We closed with the freighter to make our presence felt, when multiple hostiles appeared on the upper deck with weapons. They appeared to be getting ready to repel boarders.”

  “And you showed them the folly of their ways Commander?” the admiral asked even though he knew the answer.

  “Roger that, Admiral. I raked the deck with my 20 mm and that definitely removed all their enthusiasm. Marines were soon on deck by drop line and we confirmed their taking of the bridge. Our relief showed up and we headed for the barn.”

  “Good work. Go check on your planes. We may have another sortie soon,” the admiral ordered.

  The three men followed the pilots out of the conference room and the admiral led them back to the Com Center.

  “Admiral, Major Lewis on the net.”

  “Major Lewis, everything secure?” the admiral asked.

  “All secure here. Five dead hostiles. Marines fine,” Major Lewis said. “But Admiral, you might want to heli over here. There’s somethings strange going on, Sir.”

  “Roger that. On my way.”

  The governor and Paul fell in behind the admiral as he headed to the flight deck. Since the admiral didn’t seem to bat an eye at his escorts, the two civilians continued their shadow. Reaching the helicopter, the three climbed aboard. The already warm chopper lifted off the deck and swung out over the ocean.

  Paul felt his stomach lurch as they went airborne. He struggled to hold everything down as they skimmed across the water. He wasn’t sure if they would repel onto the freighter like the Marines. What am I doing here? he thought. I’m a college professor in economics; not a warrior fighting pirates.

  The chopper slowed and Paul could see the freighter out the front windshield. The pilot seemed to be landing in the water, a couple of hundred yards from it.

  Then he saw the mainmast of the frigate that had closed with the freighter. They were landing on the fantail. Paul looked out the side window and saw a heaving ship below them. The ocean swells were throwing the smallish frigate around and the very small flight deck on the frigate bounced beneath them,

  How would the pilot ever hit such a small target without tipping over the edge into the sea? Paul wondered. He watched in fascination as the helicopter lowered a line to a crew member on the deck, who then attached it to something in the middle of their landing spot.

  A whirring sound broke his focus and he felt the helicopter being winched down onto the deck. A large bump announced their arrival on the gray ship. The door flew open and Paul enjoyed the fresh sea breeze as his stomach settled some.

  “You look better, Dr. Kendall. I thought we’d have to get the bag for you,” the admiral said. Paul smiled weakly in response. “We’ll take a Zodiac from here. Didn’t want to have to put you on the freighter by drop line. Just a warning though, the Zodiac will be bouncy.”

  That was an understatement. Paul hung on as they raced across the open water toward the freighter. Marines stood ready on both ships for any new hostile action. The fresh wind in his face kept his stomach settled somewhat. He was glad when they reached the lowered ladder and he could climb up onto something steadier.

  “Admiral, you brought the civilians. It’s a little grisly on the upper deck, Sir,” Major Lewis offered. The remains of the hostiles were spread in a messy red splotch across the deck. They walked quickly past the remains as they headed for the bridge.

  “What did you want me to see, Major?” the admiral asked.

  The major led them onto the bridge. Two Marines stood guard over two crewmen, while two other Marines stood at the ships controls. The freighter was stopped in the water and the waves rocked the large ship. Paul felt the uneasy motion of a ship not underway.

  Major Lewis grabbed one of the crew and took him into a small room off the bridge.

  “This is the captain. We checked the ship’s papers and it’s supposed to be heading to Cuba. It supposedly has a load from Chile. He speaks English,” the major began. “Captain, tell me again why you’re off New York City.”

  There was no response. Paul looked at the smallish man in front of him. He looked Filipino and was decidedly scared. The major asked again, and still no response.

  “Guards, show our captain what will happen to him if he keeps the silent routine going,” the major yelled.

  The two large Marines that had been watching the ships control came in the room and grabbed the captain. As he went limp, the Marines dragged him by the shoulders out onto the flying bridge that extended from the enclosed bridge. Projecting out over the ships side, the open flying bridge was designed for crew to supervise the ship’s docking.

  The Marines picked up the small man and threw him over the side, except they didn’t let go. The two men held him out over the water, close to one hundred feet below. The ship’s captain howled in fear.

  “Now, your voice seems to be working. Tell us what you were doing in these waters.”

  “I die if I talk. They will kill me!” the ship’s captain shouted. Fear etched his face.

  “Mister, I will kill you here and now. So you don’t have to worry about the other guys,” the major shouted.

  “I die anyway,” the captain yelled back, but as he did, the major registered a faint glare from the other crew member crouched just inside the bridge. The major looked at him watching the whole interrogation.

  Paul noticed the recognition by the major of the other man and turned his attention to him. This man was more Chinese looking and he appeared very confident as he sat on the deck.

  “Get him out of here,” the major told the two Marines guarding this second man. “Take him down into one of the staterooms below us. But don’t let him talk to anyone else.”

  The Marine guards scooped up the crew member and he disappeared. The major turned back to the captain.

  “Feel like talking now? Fewer witnesses. And as for being killed by anyone, the Marines will guarantee your safety.” The major indicated to the two Marines to place the captain back on solid deck.

  “But my family. They will kill my family if I talk,” the captain said.

  “And where is your family, captain? Maybe we can do something about them, too?”

  “No, no. They have them. If I don’t do as they say, they will kill my family.”

  “You’re not helping your family right now. As of today, you and your ship are out of business, whatever that business was. So your family is still at risk. If you talk, maybe we can help them,” the major continued.

  There was a long silence, as Paul could tell the cap
tain seriously considered his and his family’s situation. His ship was captured and the U.S. Navy wouldn’t let him sail off into the sunset. His only chance was to come clean, and Paul saw from his expression that the captain reached the same conclusion.

  “Are all the crew members locked down?” the captain asked.

  “Tighter than a witches…” the major responded.

  “Good. Many of those crew are not mine. They put their own people on my ship to make sure I do what they want.”

  “You point them out and we’ll remove them for permanent safe-keeping,” the major offered. “And who is ‘they’ you keep mentioning?”

  The captain looked around to make sure no other ears were listening. “The Chinese.”

  “And why do the Chinese want to take an empty freighter into a dead New York City? Not much cargo to pick up there,” the major joked.

  But that was where the major was wrong. Paul knew instantly what the freighter’s mission was and what cargo it was picking up. Paul caught the attention of the governor and the admiral. He motioned that they needed to go and talk. And they needed to do it right now. Time was critical.

  Chapter 27

  New York City

  Johnny Chang waited by the radio for a response. None was forthcoming. He had received a garbled transmission two hours ago and then the connection went dead. He waited nervously for his radio operator to reestablish a link.

  It was too dangerous to be sitting here waiting. He wanted to go out and make the rounds and check on his soldiers ensconced in the burnt-out buildings surrounding Wall Street. He wanted to check that no intruders were present.

  When P-Day hit, it was like the end of the world in New York City. When people realized that all electronics were dead, panic set in. The city had suffered through ‘blackouts’ before, the longest being the Great Northeast Blackout of 1988. That had taken down the entire Northeast and left the area in darkness for close to a week.