“Ohh…” Melanie exclaimed in shock, “Commander, Tango Papa 1 has ejected two unpowered objects behind, they’re sinking,” she said with surprise. Pike frowned then realised, shit.
“All ahead, blow all forward 70 %.” The deck tilted to aft, crew hung on, objects fell to the deck and rolled aft.
“The bloody Song has dropped sea mines.” Bellerophon was pulled by buoyancy and pushed by her drive away and above them. A Spearfish hit Tango one, the hull shook, Pike knew the shock wave would slow them down. Bastard. The boat pushed on upwards. Two huge explosions detonated below them. Enormous gas clouds were expelled, these were designed to break ship’s backs. The boat was caught above them. The control room rocked to the left and right, the crew were secured by harnesses, but shoulders and heads hit control buttons and rocker switches. The groaning of steel could be heard as the hull took the rolling blows. The sea boiled outside of the boat, but still her drive and buoyancy pulled her away. A shout went out from Weaps. “Spearfish terminal.”
Melanie tried to listen for a hit, but it was just too wild out there. The boat slowly settled.
To the west she could hear the faint sounds of large bubbles rising and a bulk that may have been sinking. Then there it was, a part of Tango 2, several bulkheads must have been isolated, an implosion, the was no mistaking the sickening crush sound.
“We scored a Hot datum on Tango 2.” No one cheered or even grinned, it had been that close.
Pike looked around his dazed control room. “Right, well done, that’s Billy Ruffian 2 PLAN 0. Sonar, wiggle your shell likes, find me some more targets Miss M.”
THERE WAS A CEASE FIRE now active on Taiwan. PLA troops were returned to their landing ships. Local fishing boats helped with the evacuation. A few cases were life hung in the balance were flown to hospitals on the Island.
Operation Dragon’s breath was at an end.
“BENSON, WHAT’S THE magic sea telegraph telling you?” Nathan smiled.
“Sir a few minutes ago I heard two fish running to the far east. The computer library ID’d them as probable F21 Artemis heavy torpedoes, French, they must have been Suffren’s. Shortly after two hits and two boats down.”
“Good, any trade for us?”
“No sir, not subsurface. There are surface vessels but some dead in the water others low revs, Most of the vessels under power are heading towards the stricken ships. We can designate them sir.”
Nathan shook his head. “No, they’re probably rendering what help they can. Let them be.” He turned to the XO. “Larry, I think that’s it.” The XO grinned.
“Yeah, the Black Swan flew in, took a dump, and flew out again.”
Chapter 17
SHE CLIMBED OUT OF bed, donned the clothes they’d given her and followed the young man.
At last she’d meet Ling Shiming, she knew it could be a very difficult meeting. You didn’t get near the top in the MSS unless you were shrewd and hard.
They walked along a corridor and took an elevator to the next floor. He approached a more elaborate door than the rest, swiped a card down a reader. Knocked and entered. He nodded to the receptionist. “May Hsin.” She waved him through. The young man knocked on the door, it was opened by Ling himself.
“Come in Miss Hsin. You can wait out there.” She walked in. Ling Shiming had an oversized wooden desk. Opposite was a large window looking out at a forested garden.
“Sit please, would you like a tea? Anything to eat?”
“Thank you, I’ll just have tea.” May sat at one end of a silk embroidered couch. It was adorned with lakes and trees in the traditional style. Ling sat at the other end. He said nothing and very soon the receptionist entered, pulled up a low table and served the tea.
“Thank you.” She left the two of them alone.
“It’s not every day that I entertain an Officer of the NSB. And never one so appealing May. Sorry for my men’s actions, but they just followed orders set down some time ago. So, what can I do for you?”
“Director, I’m here about a great threat to both our countries,” she looked at him and with fear in her eyes, “the 7/12 group.”
He looked at her with an open mouth, he hadn’t expected that.
“How do you know about that?”
“I work for the NSB, as you know we watch you.” Ling shifted in his chair. Many in the MSS didn’t even know about the 7/12 group, and here he was discussing it with an enemy who did know.
“You will tell me just what the NSB knows about 7/12.”
She smiled. “Could I have another tea?”
He scowled but rang his receptionist who brought in two more.
She stood cup in hand and looked out of the window.
“Nice trees and nice flowers on them. You know the tree’s give the Bees shelter because they pollinate the flowers.”
“You didn’t come in here to talk to me about flowers.”
“You said I’ll tell you what we know about 7/12. I’ll do no such thing.” May spun around and faced him.
“As the American Mafia say. I’m going to make you an offer you can’t refuse. Do you have links into 7/12?” His face told her he didn’t.
“I do Ling. I have two. I’m an NSB Officer, and that gives me some credibility.” He stared at her, she was a sneaky operator, he’d have to be careful.
“If 7/12 got their way what would happen Ling? Civil war in China, with Taiwan drawn in. Probably the US too. We are opponent’s but neither of us want’s that.”
Ling didn’t like this at all, to have his balls on the line and a 粗野Taiwanese girl holding a knife over them.
“Go on make this fucking offer.”
She sat and looked at him with a slightly raised chin. “I’ll infiltrate 7/12 for you and let you know what’s planned, I’ll tell you who and where. You take whatever action you see fit. In return I ask you to downplay any moves against Taiwan. The recent invasion will echo for years. You’re in a position of influence. You can make a difference.” He tried to suppress his anger, with effort he managed to contain it.
“I was using Tang Li’s MSS ID Card. She was a member of the elite counter espionage group Gothic Panda. I need to be recognised as her by the MSS and be able to draw on all resources needed.” She let him think for a little while.
“Ok May,” he shook his head, “you’re now an honorary member of the MSS and in Gothic Panda.” Ling spat the words out.
She suppressed a smirk, leaned over to him and lowered her voice. “I’ll need a firearm, not Chinese. An H&K will do. A new photo ID card and a credit card.”
Ling had to laugh. “You cheeky bitch. Go to building 14, any problems get them to call me. Off you go, while I wring my hands and vomit.” She walked to the door.
“May?”
“Yes?”
“What was all that shit about the Bees and Trees?”
“They work together for the common good. Just as we do now.” He nodded.
She left his office. “Where’s building 14?” she asked the young man. “You don’t need to take me, just tell me. Any questions, see him,” she thumbed his office door.
May left and walked towards the building. She had to smile, but knew it was far from over yet. She grinned and then laughed. “Me, an honorary member of the MSS. What a farce.”
SHE REACHED THE BUILDING and entered. Inside was a small medium office staffed with men and women. She walked up to a woman typing something on a computer with a cigarette in her mouth. “Yeah,” she said without looking up.
“I’m here for a new photo ID, credit card and a gun.” Put your B49 down there and I’ll get around to it.