“Speaking of rare earth elements,” Loren said, “I heard a rumor on the Hill that the Chinese are lifting their export ban.”
“They’ve told us as much. Once the Australians stepped in and took over Edward Bolcke’s mine at Mount Weld, the Chinese lost hope of monopolizing the market. And our rebuilding efforts at Mountain Pass are well ahead of schedule. Fortunately, the remnant materials we acquired from Bolcke’s former operations in Panama and Madagascar have kept us humming.”
An aide materialized at Sandecker’s side, informing the Vice President that the ceremony was about to start.
“Duty calls.” He bowed to Loren and shook Pitt’s hand before returning to his seat.
A moment later, Ann Bennett worked her way down the aisle and took an empty seat next to Loren. “Hello,” she said warmly. “I wasn’t sure I was going to make it.”
“Did you just fly in?” Loren asked.
“Yes. Dan Fowler’s sentencing was this morning, and I didn’t want to miss it.”
“Ironic timing,” Pitt said. “What did he get?”
She gave a satisfied smile. “Thirty years, as the prosecutors hoped.”
An admiral took to the podium and introduced the Vice President, who gave a rousing speech about protecting the seas from all forms of enemies. A string of Navy officials followed with the expected words of ceremony.
During the speeches, Ann leaned across Loren and whispered to Pitt, “Is it in the water?”
Pitt nodded. “Two nights ago, under the downpour they were waiting for.”
“And ready for sea trials?”
“All systems look good, I’m told.”
“I thought the North Dakota already had her sea trials,” Loren said.
“Yes, that’s right, dear,” Pitt said, tightening his lips.
At the podium, the North Dakota’s honorary sponsor was introduced and sang out the traditional commissioning first order. “Man our ship and bring her to life!”
The crew and officers of the North Dakota stepped aboard the submarine to the cheers of the attending crowd. Pitt’s eyes looked beyond the vessel, focused on a motorized barge surrounded by numerous red-and-white warning buoys.
“Where is she?” Ann whispered.
“By the barge on the other side.”
Loren noticed that some of the Navy officials also seemed more interested in the barge than the newly minted North Dakota.
“What’s with everybody?” she asked. “You all act like there’s something more important going on here than the North Dakota’s launching. And why is everyone staring at those buoys by the barge?”
Pitt smiled at his wife and squeezed her hand.
“The sea doesn’t always reveal all her mysteries,” he said. “Even under the threat of a rusty butter knife.”
