“Sir.” The COB left his cabin.
Nathan went to the control room. “All well, XO?”
“Yes Sir. Everyone’s excited to be getting the extra leave.”
“They’ve deserved it. I didn’t think COMSUBPAC would let us down. XO, Kaminski. Let’s go up to the sail.” The three of them stood on the sail, squinting in the sun and looking forward out over the familiar scene.
It would be a full debriefing here, then up to homeport Kitsap after their leave.
“It’s a fine day, Sir,” said Nikki.
“It is, and it’s great to be back.”
“What’s that Sir?” said the XO, “the Flag.” Flying high on a black flag was the skull and crossbones of the Jolly Roger.
“Captain Franks of the USS NYC told me he’d been on exchange with the Royal Navy years ago. That’s what their boats fly on homecoming after a patrol where they’ve sunk the enemy. Turn and salute the flag.” They did.
Soon after, three F/A 18’s flew low overhead, and they came in for a second pass dipping their wings in salute. Ahead was the Coronado Bay Bridge.
Nathan smiled and looked at the rows of grey warships. “It’s good to be back. Conn us in, XO. We’re on pier four.”
“Aye Sir.”
Nathan looked at Nikki, and she looked at him with those bottomless blue eyes and gave him a shy smirk. He sighed. Parting would be such a sweet sorrow. He knew that was how it would have to be. Such was the loneliness of command.
SHE WAITED UNDER THE shade of the fronds of a palm tree near the Long Son Pagoda. The large white statue of the Buddha was nearby. The Pagoda and monastery was a quiet soothing place. The beautiful and Taoist architecture, carvings of mythical animals and sculptures of Taoist gods.
Three tourists wandered by, then stopped to take selfies with their cell phones. She smiled, at least they were Samsungs.
It’s elegant and dominant three-tier roofed entrance ornate with dragon mosaics. Large temple grounds decorated with tastefully potted vegetation, all green and reds.
She’d ditched her Asian hooker clothes from New York and wore a flowered summer dress, sporting plants, flowers and parrots.
THE MONK APPROACHED her, smiling. “Hello, Charlie Victor One five one. Or should I call you Yeon-mi?”
“Hello, Chief Ji-hu.”
“You did well, Yeon-mi. It went well. Better than we could have hoped. The Americans have humbled Kim Jong-un. You will be the toast of Seoul; well, maybe the toast of the National Intelligence Service. Most of the nation won’t be aware of our part in the events.”
“You played your part too Chief Ji-hu,” she smiled.
“I’m just glad I don’t have to dress like a hooker in New York now.” He smiled.
“We thought you made a convincing Chinese MSS agent.” She snorted.
“We both played our part in truth. You, Yeon-mi, leaning on National Security Advisor Stockhaisen to restrain the President until we were ready. And I, playing a Buddhist monk persuading Peekaboo to reconcile things with her father, thus freeing him from the Ministry of State Security’s grasp.” Chief Ji-hu laughed. “Or should I say, your grasp Charlie Victor one five one,” he smiled.
“It’ll have to be kept quiet, Sir.”
“Yes, it will Yeon-mi,” his voice a whisper. “The Americans cannot know. Never.”
“Chief Ji-hu, could I ask you something?” He nodded. “Why is it that you are here? Why isn’t a section Chief of the National Intelligence Agency at the headquarters in Seoul?”
He smiled at his agent. “That would be telling, Yeon-mi.”
“I’M ALESSANDRA CRISTOFORETTI and you’re watching NBC’s 40 minutes. The situation on the Korean peninsula is easing. The Chilean President is currently in Pyongyang for talks. She’s certainly been racking up the air miles shuttling between Washington and Pyongyang. Both sides are pulling back after some harsh words, and we’ve not seen the pink lady since her famous finger pointing cursing blast at the US. It seems that Kim Jong-un is licking his wounds for now. We contacted National Security Advisor Stockhaisen, who’s on vacation in the Florida Keys with his daughter Peekaboo, and he told us there could be tantrums down the line. Put your trust in God, but mind to keep your powder dry.”
She turned to the camera.
“This is Alessandra Cristoforetti and you’re watching NBC’s 40 minutes.”
TWO DAYS AFTER THEIR arrival, Nathan looked up at the departures screen. He was sitting at departure gate 12 at San Diego International Airport. There it was, United Airlines, forty minutes to go.
Little Rock, Arkansas via Houston. He would be back home for two weeks’ leave. Back to reality; it would be a rest and he supposed he could do with that.
But he knew it would somehow be an empty rest. Not what it might have been. Nathan sighed and shook his head.
He opened his magazine. He was vaguely aware of a woman who approached and stood before him.
“Golf? I didn’t have you down as a golfer,” she said.
He looked up and stared in amazement. “Nikki? What? I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“I didn’t expect to be here until last night. I tried to pluck up the courage to call you, but I couldn’t. So I thought I’d just turn up.” She swallowed. “Can I come with you, Nathan? Spend some time together?”
“Yeah, great! Wow, I’m surprised. Pleased too.” He stood in front of her, smiled at her, reached out to her face and stroked her soft cheek. He kissed her on the forehead. They hugged and kissed. “Oh wow. Nikki, I wanted to call you too, but I didn’t know how you’d take it.”
She smiled and laughed. “I’d have grabbed at the chance.”
“Come on, sit.”
She sat and, placing her arm on his back, reached up and affectionately stroked the back of his neck. He smiled and lost himself in her bewitching gaze.
“I think we’re going to enjoy this Nathan.”