“Go, go, go.” Marr couldn’t hear but turned the sled south west. Innes and Marr finned to add more speed. Still the grenades exploded close by. Innes reckoned that the boat would stay in mid water away from the sea walls, they were heading right for a seawall where they could hug the wall and head toward the exit. Boom thud, boom thud, boom thud. This was a nightmare, were they leaving the grenades behind or heading into them. He wished he could see the boat above, but out there they just headed into the blackness. Innes admitted it was the first time in a long time he’d felt frightened like this, he felt his heart pounding and his temperature rising. Boom thud, boom thud, boom thud. He briefly closed his eyes.
The next grenade could be the one.
Chapter 13
COMMANDER JIN LONG looked at her with affection. “We endure while the bastards in Beijing sit on their asses.” She knew now that his Father was one of those on his ass. Jin laughed.
“You know Tangia, this is the last thing my Father wants. This invasion.”
“If he’s part of the regime he is a part of it all,” May said.
“No, he’s part of it, yes. But there’s much more to it than that.” She could see that he was trying to withhold something. But he wanted to say more. She moved over to him and snuggled up to him, he stroked her hair.
“What a mess Tangia.”
“Tell me Jin, what’s wrong, apart from this cursed bridge.” She waited and pushed her hands into his jacket and felt his warm chest.
“My Father is a part of a large subgroup of the Politburo and other figures in the government and the Military.” He paused. “They oppose the PRC Government and the Communist party. They call themselves the 7/12 group after the day; 7th December; when Chiang Kai-shek moved the government of China to Taiwan.” He looked at May and smiled. A grenade went off several yards away, shrapnel flew by and both ducked.
“They started this war Tang. They caused the invasion of Taiwan.”
“Why? She asked puzzled.
“They know it’s doomed to fail. Taiwan backed by America is too strong. The PLA will be defeated. The nation will descend into chaos. That’s when the 7/12 group will make their move. They wish to restore the rightful government to China, the government of The Republic Of China.”
“No, what?”
“Yes Tang. The government of Taiwan will then rule the whole of China, Taiwan and the mainland.”
“But?”
“I know Tang, it’s massive and ambitious but many agree with them, and of course many don’t. There are people in the MSS who know and oppose them. Ling Shimming, head of Bureau 4 at the Ministry of State Security, is a prominent opponent. He’s aware of it but few even know of 7/12. Tang, the PLA’s defeat here will cause massive change. Its time has come, China will once again be whole, under the blue star of Taiwan.”
May instantly knew the truth. This was horrifying, it came to her in a rush, a deluge of information. Her mind had sized on the nub of the problem instantly, call it an epiphany, call it what you will. May Hsin knew.
This would be a terrible mistake, she loved her country and would do anything for it, but this? She knew the Republic Of China, Taiwan, couldn’t rule mainland China, it was too long ago the separation. So ok, some in the PRC’s leadership wanted this, but how much support would they get from the people? Some no doubt, many hated the regime. But not all. What about the military? The PLA would be split. This could only mean one thing. Civil war with Taiwan dragged into it. Some would blame Taiwan and say it was an attempt to gain power.
May could see the irony of course. Her country becoming the rightful China, now united. Peace and democracy. Here she lay, by a bridge in a PLAN uniform, knowing that disaster beckoned. Sadly, it was wishful thinking, the reality would be war, massacre and columns of starving refugees. Even nuclear war.
May looked skyward. “Ancestors. Hear me, give me strength.”
Long raised his head and looked at her. “What Tangia?” A grenade exploded a few yards behind him. She heard the splinters of metal fly by. He was hit and hit badly.
“Medic, medic.” She cut parts of his uniform and used them to stop the bleeding. Soon a medic crawled into the shed from behind.
“It’s Commander Long, Grenade, help him,” The medic gave him a look over.
“We’ll have to take him to the field station. It’s more than we can treat here.”
“Ok, do it.” The medic shouted, and a colleague appeared, they dragged him back down the hill towards their field station.
May thought hard, what to do now. This she knew, looking around her at the battle, is a small issue now. She had to get through it first. She’d muster the men, lay down heavy fire and then order a withdrawal under the reply she knew would come down on them from the Americans. Just then there was another grenade far to her right. Bullets slammed into the shed, she looked up and there stood an American soldier pointing his rifle at her.
“Stop, weapon down.” He said in bad Chinese. May did as he said, “oh, shit.”
RANGER CORPORAL BEN C Willis stood in the shed looking at the woman laid against the far wall. She was tired, dirty and wearing an odd blue camouflaged uniform, she was good looking he supposed, if she wasn’t here in this shit. He noticed her badges, an officer, she wore the red patch he’d been told about. She was the enemy, not what he’d imagined. What the hell did you do with a prisoner? They hadn’t told him that.
“Hello Willis.” He looked at her in surprise, she’d read his jacket patch.
“You are a Ranger, yes? My name is May, I surrender to you.”
“You can speak.”
“Yes, I have done for a long time Willis. Did you think I’d grunt and swing through the trees?”
“I have to take you to see my Officer mam.” May nodded. He made her lead the way up the hill, they took shelter a couple of times to escape the crossfire.
“Is there anything you need mam? Water, food?” He knew he better treat her well, she was an Officer, and this was out of his comfort zone. He’d take her straight to the Major, he’d want to interrogate her.
“Thank you I’m starving, food if you have it. Where are you from Willis?”
“Colorado Mam. Here, try this from my pack, he opened the pocket holding the cake he’d been given by the girl.
She unwrapped it and bit into it, May took several mouthfuls.
“This cake, it’s Taiwanese an old recipe. It’s good, where did you get it from?”
“After I dropped, a woman and her daughter gave it to me,” he frowned, “how do you know it’s Taiwanese?” She grinned.
“Because I’m Taiwanese.” Willis frowned, she’s talking shit. They set off again and finally got to the Major.
“Sir, I got a prisoner. She’s an Officer, Navy. I don’t know the rank. She speaks too.” The Major looked at her badges.
“That’s like a Major, I think. Thanks Willis, return to your unit.”
“Sir,”