Surprise Melody Flintkote. Part Two
Copyright© 2019 by Old Man with a Pen
Chapter 16
“Diego Garcia, Diego Garcia, Diego Garcia. Convoy of Sailing Vessels.”
“Sailing Vessel convoy. State your intentions.”
“Diego Garcia, convoy intends to sail in company of DDG64 on her return to Rota. Permissions filed with United States State Department, Department of the Navy and Captain of DDG64. Request permission to enter lagoon.”
“Wait one.”
“Yessir.”
There was a considerable wait.
“Sailing Convoy, sailing convoy, Change to 103.9. Repeat. Change to 103.9.”
All down the line, the boats confirmed the change.
“Sailing Vessel Flint. Sailing Vessel Flint. You are cleared. All other vessels anchor west side.”
So ... we motored through between Anniversary and West Islands and my cellphone buzzed ... vibrated actually. “Hello?”
An anonymous voice directed me to tie-up at the Brit Club dock. “You will be met.”
The Brit Club dock is a tiny affair, more a place for RIB inflatables than a 90 foot catamaran. I easily could have straddled the platform between my hulls ... if there hadn’t been a formidable looking patrol craft already on the port side of the dock. An armed pair of officers boarded without so much as a by-your-leave while an enlisted crew set about securing the Flint to the float.
“Assemble your crew,” one of the officers demanded.
I pitched him over the side.
The other one backed into JW. He was fumbling with the snap on his holster. That resulted in one of JW’s practiced moves.
“Don’t kill him, JW.” I said.
“Spoilsport!” JW said, “Can I hurt him?”
“No.”
“Just a little?”
“No,” I turned to the dry officer, “Look you. You are guilty of piracy ... boarding without permission.
“But ... but ... but ... we’re officers in the United States Navy.”
“That’s a New Zealand flag we’re flying. Give me one good reason we don’t hang you by the neck until dead.”
Stymied.
The enlisted crew, finished tying us up, sent a Chief Petty Officer to the gangway. He proved ... once again ... that enlisted can pee a round hole in snow, while officers write their whole names.
“Permission to board,” He saluted the NZ flag and me.
“Come aboard, Chief.” I said, “Got any idea what’s going on?”
“Speak privately, ma’am?”
I motioned at the patio doors, “Precede me Chief.”
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