As the sub continued upon its voyage the communications officer received a flash message from Pacific Command. Vanderhofen read it before handing it to the captain.

“We are to proceed to the north Philippines mam and intercept the Chanho.”

“That’s a Chinese warship. What’s that doing so far south?”

“Perhaps we should find out mam.”

She looked at the orders and winced.

“I really hope they don’t expect me to start a ruddy war.”
As the vessel headed for the target, a second message arrived within that hour.

“Now what?”

The second officer read it and cheered up.

“We are to rendezvous with the USS Wilson mam.”

“That’s a cruise missile carrier number two. Not good news at all.”

She turned to the helm.

“Go to four hundred and steer thirty degrees north.”

“Aye mam.”

When the sub surfaced, a dingy took her towards the waiting warship.
Once aboard, she was escorted to a very worried captain.

“Nice to meet you captain,” he said quietly. “These are hazardous times that we live in.”

“They are indeed sir. May I ask what my orders are?”

The captain smiled.

“Admiral Kimmel has something of a problem you see. China claims these waters and Manila reject that claim. Our president feels that the arrival of this missile destroyer is one provocation too many.”

Wilma shuffled her feet nervously.

“However captain, the admiral has other ideas. He wants you to come up with a plan to move this destroyer without starting a war.”

“Why me sir?”

The captain stared at her.

“He feels that your are the best woman for the job. Think you can handle it?”

“I’m sure that I can sir. What will be your role may I ask?”

He looked toward the floor.

“I’m here just in case you fail.”

“Permission to depart sir?”

“You may go.”

As she marched toward the door he added, “I really would not like to be in your shoes.”

Once on board the sub, she called Vanderhofen to her cabin.

“Close the door.”

“You look worried mam.”

“They want me to move that Chinese vessel without getting into a shooting match.”

“Sounds like a rather tall order.”

“I agree with you. What else do we know about the Chanho?”

“I checked the records whilst you were away. Her captain goes by the name of Yohipsan. A career officer who sank two Japanese fishing vessels two years ago, simply for straying into Chinese territorial waters.”

Wilma hung her head.

“That was not what I wanted to hear. So you think he would rather stand and fight?”

Vanderhofen nodded.

As she sat in silence, he smiled.

“I can hear your brain working Wilma.”

For the first time in her long career she actually laughed.

“Is it that obvious?”

He nodded.

“You’ll come up with a plan.”

She stood and patted his shoulder.

“Take the com eh?”

“Should I assume an attack posture?”

“Eh, take her to four hundred first. I want a word with Murray
first.”

As he headed back, she made her towards the reactor room.

“Oh it’s you mam.”

“I see that the berths are dry again?”

“We also replaced the sheered nuts mam. I hope to avoid a repeat.”

She smiled kindly.

“As a matter of fact so do I. Look, I need to pick your brain for a moment.”

“I’m here aren’t I?”

“If enemy soldiers took the boat how would you get them off?”

The engineer smiled.

“I would use an old submariner’s trick mam.”

“Can you show me?”

“Of course. Follow me then.”

He led her back towards the berths and kneeling produced a metallic key. He inserted it into the floor plate and turned. After lifting the hidden hatch, he pointed.

“I would expose these batteries to salt water you see. That would release chlorine gas. The troops would either leave or die where they stood.”

She thought this over.

“How long before chlorine levels reached lethality.

“In this tub about fifteen minutes mam.”

She nodded coldly.

“Then do it Murray.”

“Right you are mam. I’ll take the water from the bilge tanks. Remember though, once done it cannot be stopped.”

She nodded again.

“Let me know when it starts eh?”

“As if Id forget a simple thing like that mam.”

When she returned to the command area Vanderhofen reported.

“We are nearly at the position mam.”

“Maintain depth but bring us a hundred yards off his stern.”

“Aye mam.”

As moments passed she waited for the dreaded call. When it came, she reacted accordingly.

“Evacuate everyone to the food hall and seal the bulkhead.”

As the bridge crew watched, she waited a moment.

“Bow planes to fifty helmsman, emergency ascent. Blow the ballast tanks.”

As the vessel rose rapidly, she hit the communicator.

“This is the captain. When we break surface, I want all crew on
deck.”

She walked over to the communications officer and said, “When we surface, transmit SOS on all frequencies.”

“Yes mam.”

“You are staying behind,” Vanderhofen said slowly.

“I’m the captain sir. Always the last to leave.”

As the bow smashed into the cold air, the hatches opened and the crew began to assemble on the pitching deck. As the engineer reached the command area, Wilma buttonholed him.

“How long till we are safe?”

“Once the decontamination teams start, about twenty-four hours mam.”

“Up you go. You too mate.”

The communications officer climbed the ladder leaving Vanderhofen and the captain still below.

As she gazed at the silent room, she pointed.

“You next. I’m right behind you.”

As they emerged, the engineer pointed.

“She’s turning around captain.”

Wilma glanced at her second in command.

“Let’s hope he doesn’t blow us out of the water.”

As they watched, a klaxon sounded and the missile destroyer drew
alongside. As grappling nets were lowered, Wilma gave the order to board.

She was quickly shown into the captain’s cabin, where he greeted her rather warmly.

“Thanks for helping.”

“It was a pleasure. I have of course informed my government and
await their decision.”

She smiled sweetly.

“We had a release of chlorine. My engineer tells me that we need a
decontamination team to get rid of it. It should take around twenty-four hours.”

The Chinese captain thought this over.

“Perhaps I should tow you to the Philippines captain.”

Wilma shook her head.

“That base was decommissioned last year sir. We have the necessary facilities at Guam though.”

Captain Yohipsan smiled.

“If my government agree of course, I would be very happy to tow you there.”

Wilma smiled happily.

“Thank you sir.”

The captain wandered over to a cabinet and opened it.

“Would you join me in a drink captain?”

“Not while on duty sir.”

He stopped at once.

“Of course. You will dine with me I hope.”

“It would be an honour sir.”

The captain smiled.

“Return to your crew captain. I’ll have your sub lashed to my ship and then the long tow begins.”

Yohipsan was true to his word. The Chinese government not only authorised the tow, but insisted that all courtesy should be shown to the crew, and of course the captain.

As night fell, Wilma was nearing the end of a rather pleasant oyster and lobster meal. She now felt comfortable enough to relax.

“You know sir; I’ve always admired the Chinese navy.”

“I too admire your submariner’s captain. Also their very able female captain. The only one I understand.”

She nodded sadly.

Then, as an afterthought she added, “Perhaps one day we can be friends?”

Her host smiled.

“Perhaps we can.”

As dawn broke, the USS Vancouver was towed into Guam harbour where naval vessels hooted at the good news.

As she was disembarking the Chinese captain quipped, “Any time you need assistance captain, just give me a call.”

She stopped and rushed over. Taking his hand warmly she said, “You are indeed a true friend sir.”

Stepping onto the quay of the naval dockyard, Vanderhofen said quietly, “Quite a politician aren’t we? You should run for president.”

She quickly nudged him in the ribs.

“Don’t tempt me...”