Masters of the Broken Watches

by Razi Imam

  “How are you going to ‘manage’ the secretary of defense?” Sebastian asked Drake in a hushed voice.

  Drake lifted his glass of water and took a sip. “I’ve known Dick for a long time. His heart is in the right place, but I think he’s gone way overboard.” He chuckled. “No pun intended.”

  “His heart may be in the right place, but he’s created a lot of problems for us,” Sebastian said, sharing the attack in the hangar and how they had escaped. “And now, sending a warship to the South China Sea to take control of our research,” he continued. “Had it not been for your civility, Captain Drake, we would most certainly not be having this conversation, or this gracious meal.”

  “Well, I’m glad how things have turned out, honestly,” Drake admitted. “I’ve had trouble with this mission from the start. I couldn’t in good conscience attack my own countrymen. Whatever the politics of the situation, it just felt wrong.”

  The team rolled with laughter as the XO described the fallout from being hacked, including the cold sandwiches and scalding showers, and how he was now a reluctant fan of Judge Judy.

  The idea of having dinner was excellent, they were all able to enjoy a little R&R and forget about the weight of the world for a while. Minh, Pham Kai, and Vu had requested to stay back for a quiet meal of their own.

  Tucked away in a dark corner of the Skjold deck sat a shadowy form dripping salt water and sweat, involuntarily shaking from excessive adrenalin. Brass knuckles glinted in spite of the darkness.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Heroes Rise Up

  “When you go through a hard period, when everything seems to oppose you…

  when you feel you cannot even bear one more minute, NEVER GIVE UP! Because it is the time and place that the course will divert!”

  ~ Rumi

  PHAM KAI, MINH, and Vu were enjoying their meal in the mess area, happy for the peace and quiet. Vu was still recovering from all that had happened since he woke up. Sebastian had given him all the notes documenting their experiments in Guam, and he had seen the video of the life form that created the nodules.

  He read Sebastian’s notes while taking a spoonful of the sour soup Minh had made. She was able to prepare a simple meal called Canh Chua, based on tamarind-flavored broth with pieces of pineapple, chopped tomatoes, bean sprout, scallions, and garlic. She had added hot sauce liberally on top. She also added noodles and pieces of chicken to give it more weight. It was beyond scrumptious.

  Vu felt beads of sweat appear on top of his head as he took continuous bites. Minh and Pham Kai were happy to see him eating. He was starting to look good, but they were surprised that his hair had lost its distinguished gray wave. How he was able to recover from that injury was beyond their ability to understand—they knew it must have had something to do with the special fish Pham Kai had caught.

  “What are you reading, if you don’t mind?” Pham Kai asked. “Is it about the fish I caught?”

  Vu was startled to hear Pham Kai’s voice, even though they were all sitting together. He was so engrossed in reading and enjoying the soup that he had forgotten. “Yes, Pham Kai. You have caught the biggest discovery in the history of mankind.”

  “What is it?” Pham Kai asked. “Why was the sea maroon and glowing at night, and what was that big thing we saw on the TV? I’ve never seen a creature like that in my life.”

  Pham Kai and Minh listened to Vu’s explanation with extreme interest, taking in everything from the six time particles to the large, subterranean, arsenic-based creature.

  “So, one of these time particles healed you from your injury?” Pham Kai said.

  “Yes,” Vu confirmed. “It appears one of the time particles they call Fisio has the ability to help the body regenerate its cells. It seems like a miracle.”

  “In our culture, we believe the sea has all the medicine needed by mankind,” Pham Kai said then turning to Minh meaningfully.

  “Stop, I don’t want you to ask…” Minh said.

  Pham Kai looked at her in bewilderment. “Minh, this is the miracle we’ve been searching for all these months,” he whispered.

  “I know, but what if it doesn’t work for me?” she said.

  Vu brought both his hands together, palms facing each other—a gesture of forgiveness and respect. “I don’t know if this will work for your condition, but I’ll ask the team and see if we can test these particles on you.”

  Minh nodded and smiled, but her heart was heavy with sadness. Pham Kai stared down at his bowl of soup. In all that had happened, Minh had forgotten about her condition—but her loving husband was still searching for a miracle.

  Vu continued to share more details of the nodule and the subterranean creature as he read the reports.

  “What do you mean, this fish can slow down time?” Pham Kai asked.

  Vu explained while reading aloud about the Rahpido time particle.

  “Vu, I remember there are stories—and it also happened to me, when fishing near the Paracel Islands—of people losing track of time,” Pham Kai said.

  Vu nodded, smiling. “Like I said, you have discovered something great. What would you like to name it?”

  “Name it?” Pham Kai smiled humbly, shaking his head.

  “Yes, you discovered it, and I’ll make sure the world knows it. So, what would you like to call your fish?” Vu asked again.

  “I don’t know, Vu. I don’t think I would like that,” Pham Kai said, feeling awkward.

  For a moment, Minh thought she saw a shadow from the corner of her eye. She turned to look at the door, thinking someone from the team had returned from dinner. Her scream startled Vu and Pham Kai. They followed her gaze behind them, unable to believe who stood in the doorway.

  Wang Li, dressed all in black, water dripping from his frame, regarded them with a menacing expression. Instant panic struck them, though Vu took a few extra seconds to recognize him.

  Pham Kai whispered under his breath, “Poseidon, help!” He knew Poseidon was in charge of the ship and would somehow alert Sebastian and the team.

  “What was that, you stupid fisherman?” Wang Li taunted. “A prayer for your friends to return, perhaps? I watched them leave. No one can save you now.”

  He then focused on Vu, and his expression turned pale, as if he’d seen a ghost. “How is this possible? I broke your neck. How is it you’re standing here? And why do you look different, almost younger? What’s going on?”

  Just then, Pham Kai’s demeanor changed. He stood up.

  Wang Li’s eyes whipped around, making sure they were alone. He appeared nervous, confused. For the first time in their presence, he felt vulnerable.

  Pham Kai stared straight into Wang Li’s eyes. “You can’t kill us or hurt us. It’s not meant to be. You’ve lost against us twice—you will continue to lose if you keep going. Your hatred toward me is costing you everything you love and respect.”

  Minh and Vu stared at Pham Kai, shocked by this formerly quiet man.

  Wang Li was also taken aback by Pham Kai’s words. “Tell me what magic is taking place on this ship!” he demanded. “I have to take control of it and hand it over to the captain of the Luyang.”

  “Listen to me,” Pham Kai said. “This ship is operated by a computer, and we don’t control it. You’ll never be able to take control of it—none of the systems will start. I know this because I’ve been studying how it operates for the past two days.”

  Wang Li knew one thing about Pham Kai—he was a masterful seamen. Only a brilliant sailor could perform the stunt he’d pulled off while escaping. If Pham Kai was saying a computer controlled this ship, then it must be true.

  “Pham Kai is right, Wang Li,” Poseidon’s voice came through the speakers.

  Wang Li jumped, wild-eyed, trying to look everywhere at once. “Who said that? How do you know my name?”

  “I am Poseidon, the computer controlling this ship. And yes, you heard Pham Kai say my name when he first saw you. I not only know your name, Wang Li, b
ut I know your rank, your reporting officers, your address, the names of your family members, and everything contained in your official record. Pham Kai was also correct about something else—I will not give you control of this ship.”

  A mix of fear and anger contorted Wang Li’s face. “Well, if you don’t give me control of the ship, I’ll kill these three, right here and now.”

  “I cannot agree,” Poseidon said. “I have already informed the USS Bainbridge of this hostage situation. Several American Navy SEALs presently have their sniper rifles trained on you.”

  Wang Li tucked his chin, and saw that Poseidon was right. Three red dots danced across his shirt. But he couldn’t accept defeat. He couldn’t let Pham Kai win again. “You broke the law,” he growled at Pham Kai through gritted teeth. “You were fishing in the Paracel Islands, a sovereign territory of the People’s Republic of China. You were not allowed to be there. I told you—”

  “You forget, captain,” Pham Kai interrupted, “that those islands are not China’s territory. You attacked me. You tortured me. You tried to cripple a man who had paperwork in accordance with the laws you pretend to care so much about. You tried to force me to commit suicide with my wife. And when that didn’t work, you chased us all down and destroyed my boat. But know this, captain.” He paused, searching Wang Li’s eyes. “My will to save my wife is stronger than your will to destroy us. It’s stronger than the entire Chinese Navy. And far bigger forces are at work here than just you and I. Perhaps our destinies are tied—perhaps we both have bigger roles to play, bigger than we can see or understand. Whatever the case, I’m done running from you.”

  “Bah!” Wang Li spat. “What destinies? All I know is, ever since I met you, my life has been nothing but hell! I’ve lost my commission, and I’m the laughingstock of the navy. I have to fix this!” His eyes were desperate, almost pleading with Pham Kai. “I need my life back.”

  “And I want my wife to have a full life,” Pham Kai replied seriously.

  Wang Li stared at the floor. Pham Kai’s new demeanor and his words were starting to break him down.

  Sebastian and the team were right in the middle of their dessert when they got a message from Poseidon that a hostage situation had occurred on the Skjold.

  Captain Drake activated his SEAL team to neutralize the threat. They had the Chinese captain in their sights, through two five-inch windows on the Skjold. Wang Li was standing straight in their line of sight.

  “Sebastian, who is this joker?” Drake asked.

  “I think he’s the Chinese patrol boat captain,” Sebastian said, holding his cell phone to his ear with Poseidon on the line. “He has a grudge against Pham Kai. He’s working alone.”

  WANG LI WAS exhausted, more so than he’d ever felt in his life. He just wanted to lie down and go to sleep. “You don’t understand,” he said weakly. “I’m a loyal soldier, following orders. All I want is respect and recognition.”

  “And you think respect and recognition comes from hurting people who are weaker than you?” Pham Kai asked softly. He stepped between Wang Li and the snipers, placing a hand on the man’s shoulder. “I will not let them shoot you. You’ve lost your way. Your ego and pride have gotten the best of you. It’s time for you to rise up and become a man who defends the weak.”

  As the red dots disappeared from his chest, Wang Li truly saw Pham Kai for the first time. The man he loathed and wanted to destroy was reaching his tormented soul. “Who are you?” Wang Li asked.

  “I’m just a fisherman trying to save the love of his life,” Pham Kai answered.

  For the first time in years, Wang Li felt something he had never experienced—his soul felt at peace. He removed the brass knuckles from his hand and placed them in his pocket, lifting his hands into the air.

  Navy SEALs boarded the Skjold and escorted Wang Li onto the Bainbridge. Minh was visibly shaking, looking weak and frail. Pham Kai hugged her tightly and spoke in her ear. “It’s over, we’re fine. Relax, all is well.” She hugged him back, sobbing.

  Vu bowed, offering deep respect for how Pham Kai had diffused the situation. Pham Kai bowed his head in return, still holding Minh close.

  After Wang Li had been escorted off the Skjold, the team came over from the Bainbridge to check on them. On seeing the team, the three broke into a collective embrace. After all the hugs, Shiloh walked in holding a bowl of soup Minh had made.

  “What? Stress makes me hungry,” he said, feeling their judgment. “And wow, this is heaven.” Mumbling with his mouthful.

  They all broke out laughing as he devoured his second meal of the evening.

  ***

  WHAT DO YOU mean, you didn’t arrest the scientists and confiscate their research?” the secretary of defense shouted over the Bainbridge war room speakers. “Drake, you had direct orders! This is insubordination, Grounds for court-martial! You’re throwing away your career on a bunch of idiots who don’t know what’s good for their country. I expected more from you. You’re the fucking captain of one of the most powerful destroyers in the U.S. Navy. Act like one!”

  “Dick!” Drake yelled, trying to get the secretary’s attention. “These scientists saved my men, they know what’s good for our country. I’m taking them to a secure location to give them an opportunity to explain their position to you.”

  “Drake, you have lost your mind!” the secretary continued. “These scientists are sharing their discovery with the entire world, which is a huge threat to the national security of our country! I’m ordering you to arrest them!”

  “Dick, I don’t have time for your political games,” Drake replied.

  “Drake, I’m releasing you of your command,” the secretary ordered. “XO, you are now in command of the Bainbridge.”

  The XO responded without a pause. “Sir, on behalf of myself and the entire crew, Captain Drake is our chief and we’ll continue to support him.”

  “You’re a bunch of idiots!” the secretary somehow shouted even louder. “I don’t understand what those stupid scientists have done to you, that you’re willing to face a court-martial. That’s where you’re all headed!”

  “Dick, you do what you need to do,” Drake said, “but just to be clear, I’ll protect these folks with everything at my disposal. These are American citizens, and they mean no harm to the United States of America or any of our allies. They’re not our enemy. I recommend you stand down.” He pressed the button, ending the call.

  The war room was quiet, but only for a moment. Applause broke out from the senior staff. “No need for that,” Drake said, holding a hand up for silence. He turned to the communications officer. “Patch my office into all active duty captains. I need to bring them up to speed and make sure they understand what’s at stake here.” He headed from the war room, gesturing for the XO to join him.

  ***

  AFTER EIGHT HOURS of repair, Bainbridge was ready for travel. The goal was to escort the Skjold to a friendly port safe from any threats. They were barely underway when the TAO announced urgently, “Sir, two Luyang-III class warships are approaching, one from starboard and the other from port. The three ships have us surrounded.”

  At the same time, the communication officer announced, “Sir, the Luyang-I captain wants to talk to you.”

  “Put him on the speakers,” Drake ordered.

  “Captain, the Peoples Republic of China orders your unconditional surrender,” Zheng’s voice echoed through the war room.

  “Captain, if you think we’ll surrender without a fight, you don’t know me or any American warship captain,” Drake fired back.

  “Captain, you’re surrounded and outgunned,” Zheng argued. “The best course of action is to surrender unconditionally. We’ll resolve our differences through diplomatic channels.”

  “Captain, all three Chinese warships have crossed the five-mile mark,” the XO informed him.

  “Fire warning shots at all three of them,” Drake ordered.

  The weapons officer fired three projectiles progr
ammed to detonate two hundred feet in front of the approaching ships.

  “This is a warning to you,” Drake spoke into the speakerphone on his conference table. “If you don’t cease your forward progress, we will engage you.”

  “Captain Drake, all three warships have locked missiles on you,” Zheng replied. “We haven’t fired because we want to end this amicably. In our last altercation, no one was killed. Let’s not allow this to become deadly. After all, our nations are not at war.”

  “Well, if you don’t want this to get deadly, stop your forward progress,” Drake said. “If you cross the three-mile mark, we will fire upon you.”

  “Sir, six warning projectiles have been fired from the Chinese warships,” the Bainbridge’s TAO announced.

  A series of explosions thundered one hundred feet from the Bainbridge—two on the starboard side, two off the bow, and two off the port side.

  Zheng raised his voice. “You are hereby ordered to surrender in the name of the People’s Republic of China! You are not to move from your current location, or we’ll fire.”

  “Captain Drake, I repeat, we have six missiles locked on you, and we will fire. You must stand down,” Zheng ordered again.

  “Captain Zheng, we’re not surrendering, nor are we handing you the Skjold or the scientists. Do what you have to do. We’re ready to engage,” Drake said, hanging up.

  Zheng conferred with the other captains. They agreed that they couldn’t let the Skjold leave the area.

  “Sir, the Chinese have fired low-impact laser-guided stealth missiles. Impact in three minutes,” the TAO shouted.

  Drake turned to his TAO. “Activate Trident.”

  “Aye, Captain,” he confirmed, punching a code into the keyboard.

  The top six monitors displayed a grid pattern representing the Bainbridge and the three Chinese warships. The prototype XN-1 Laser Weapon System, code-named “Trident,” had been under testing prior to their current mission. Drake was ready to see it in action.