The cleaning operation did indeed take a day however; Admiral Kimmel decided that a refit was in order.

As the month drew to an end, Captain Harris found herself standing before him.

“Stand at ease captain. Try and relax.”

Wilma knew better than that.

“You have made quite a name for yourself.”

“Sir?”

“Your rather unique solution to the Philippines standoff has impressed important people.”

She remained silent as the admiral handed her a paper. As she looked, she saw her own picture below the headline, ‘Please run for the Whitehouse.’

“I don’t know what to say sir,” she said putting it down.

“It’s of no consequence captain. You will be glad to know that following the Chinese premier’s suggestion of a trade agreement, our president has agreed.”

“Glad to hear it sir.”

The admiral gave her a rather steely look.

“The Chinese premier has insisted that the signing ceremony takes place aboard your vessel.”

Wilma was gobsmacked.

“May I ask where sir?”

The admiral smiled.

“Would you believe Shanghai?”

“I’ve never been sir.”

“Don’t look so surprised captain. Neither have I. Apparently Captain Yohipsan will be there with his daughter Hunan Wye.”

“I look forward to meeting them sir.”

“You made a great impression upon him Wilma. Thanks to you relations
are at last thawing.”

“That will certainly improve things sir.”

“When you meet them, just be yourself eh? Try to let your hair down for once.”

She smiled.

“You may go. You leave at dawn.”

Wilma saluted and left at once. Outside the headquarters, Vanderhofen was waiting.

“How did it go mam?”

“Pretty well sir. We depart for Shanghai at dawn. Pretty early I would say.”

“That’s China mam.”

Wilma winked.

“I know it is.”

She slept fitfully, until the call of command echoed inside her ears once more.
...
The voyage from Guam to the Chinese port passed uneventfully and as the USS Vancouver entered, three Chinese warships fired their guns in honourable salute.

“Quite a welcome,” Vanderhofen commented.

“I quite like it.”

After drawing up at the quay, two vehicles arrived and the signing party approached the gangplank.

“Here we go,” she muttered.

“Nervous?”

She glanced at her number two.

“Of course I am.”

As the president approached, she shook his hand.

“Welcome aboard sir. May I direct you to the com?”

“Please do captain.”

After climbing down the ladder, the president glanced around.

“Quite lovely. We would like to do the signing inside your cabin.”

“This way sir.”

The president sat as China’s famous premier entered.

“You have quite a boat here captain.

“Well thank you sir.”

“I believe that you know Captain Yohipsan?”

“How lovely to see you again sir.”

“Likewise. May I present my daughter Hunan Wye?”

Wilma shook hands whilst trying to ignore the low cut dress.”

“Would you be kind enough to pose for a photo?” the president asked.

“Would love to sir.”

As photographers flashbulbs fired, the trade agreement was signed at last.
...
As evening approached, the formal dinner was coming to an end within the Shanghai hotel. Wilma was now dressed in formal uniform with gold braids attached.

As she sank the third glass of wine, Captain Yohipsan smiled.

“I have arranged for us to be located next door.”

Wilma smiled.

“That would be lovely captain. It makes a welcome change from my hard bunk.”

The captain grinned.

“In my country mam, a hard bunk is a sign of strength.”

Wilma felt herself giggle, but managed to stop it in the nick of time.

“In my country hard bunks keep us awake sir.”

“Before we retire,” Hunan Wye said. “May I have a word captain?”

Wilma nodded helpfully.

“I don’t see why not.”

As the final toasts ended, the two leaders retired and Wilma decided it was time to go.

“If I could be excused?”

Captain Yohipsan stood and said, “We will accompany you.”

When they reached their adjacent rooms, Hunan Wye turned toward her distinguished father.

“We need to chat now.”

The captain bowed as Wilma let herself inside.

The room itself was sumptuous, and the bed looked so inviting. She glanced around for security cams but could not see any.

“What do you want to discuss that seems so urgent?” Wilma asked.

The twenty-five year old woman stepped forward and swiftly unzipped the front of her dress. As she pushed it from her shoulders Wilma quipped, “The things that I do for my country.”

She sighed deeply and started to undress herself.

As they lay in each other’s arms afterwards Wilma said softly, “You still have not told me you know.”

The young woman cuddled up, folding a thigh across Wilma’s stomach.

“My father has heard rumblings within the military. Nothing concrete you understand but acutely significant.

“Why use that word?”

“There seems to be a plot to wreck this trade agreement, organised by two party officials.”

“What kind of plot?” Wilma asked nervously.

“Some kind of assassination I believe.”

Wilma sat bolt upright.

“Why the hell not mention this earlier?”

“I had my reasons.”

“I bet you did. Get dressed my dear.”

She reached across to her uniform and pulled out the radio.

“Come in Vanderhofen!”

A moment later the second in command answered.

“Captain. Having a pleasant night I hope.”

“Just shut up a moment. I need every crew member armed and deployed in the foyer of the Shanghai hotel at once.”

There was a significant delay.

“Say again?”

“Arm the men and come to my ruddy location. Oh yes, bring a weapon for me.”

“Will do mam.”

As the line died, Wilma dressed rapidly and grabbed the woman’s arm.

“Come on, we need to see your father!”

As they reached his door, the young daughter entered.

“What’s the meaning of this?”

“Sorry father.”

“I know about the plot captain,” Wilma said. “We need to protect both leaders.”

The captain climbed out and dressed rapidly.

“Follow me. They are located upon the tenth floor.”

When they reached it, the four-armed security guards threatened to react.

“We need both leaders out of here right now!” Wilma snapped.

When their doors opened at last, the two sleepy gents were none too pleased.

“I hope one of you has an explanation for this?” the president asked.

Wilma pushed Hunan Wye forward.

“Just tell them!”

When the story came out, the Chinese premier was rather annoyed.

“I know of these two officials. They would never do such a thing.”

“Would you trust your life upon it sir?” Wilma asked.

“We need to believe her,” the president said.

“I want you both safely out of here,” she said. “My men are en route as we speak.”

Captain Yohipsan said, “If you would both follow me.”

As the security team moved ahead, the presidential party led the way towards the foyer as Vanderhofen arrived with seventy armed men. The entire sub’s compliment had been drafted, including Murray the engineer.

As they dashed inside, the shocked Chinese guards failed to react.

“Disarm them,” Vanderhofen ordered.

When this was done, the security team appeared on the top landing.
Wilma looked down as a tank shell tore the front of the building apart.

As the dust cleared, Vanderhofen pointed.

“Everyone to the landing. Now move it!”

As he reached her, he handed over the machine gun.

“We seem to be caught in the middle of a coup,” he quipped.

“That’s the last ruddy dinner I’m going to,” Wilma hissed.

She turned to the leaders and said, “We need to get out of here right now.”

The Chinese premier nodded down the corridor.

“Only my room has a fire escape.”

“Then let’s go there sir.”

As they moved off, she turned to her second in command.

“Any casualties?”

He shook his head frantically.

“No. We were damn lucky.”

“Come on then.”

They crew followed the premier to his room and onto the rear fire escape. Once they were all safely upon the alleyway the president took her arm.

“If we get out of this captain, I’ll pin a medal to your chest.”

She simply stared.

“Right, I need three men including Murray.”

“You can count me in,” Vanderhofen said.

Wilma shook her head.

“If anything happens to me you need to get these folks to safety. Stay here eh?”

Wilma stared at Captain Yohipsan.

“Give him your weapon Vanderhofen.”

When it was handed over, his daughter threw her arms around him.

“No daddy!”

“Please daughter. Do not disgrace me here.”

Wilma grabbed his arm roughly.

“Love is never a disgrace captain. Right, you are coming with us.”

The four men dashed to the end of the dark alleyway and Wilma looked around the corner.

“All clear. Let’s go.”

They ran across the road and slowly reached the front apex. As she looked, the tank fired again. The entire front section collapsed in a haze of dust and she cursed.

“It’s a ruddy T-36!”

Sitting back, she called the engineer forward.

“I need to know that damn thing’s weak point.”

Murray glanced around the corner and moments later said, “The fuel tank is well protected mam. Only a direct assault upon the turret will do any good.”

“How do we get the damn turret open without grenades?”

Captain Yohipsan had an idea.

“One of us has to fire a round down the barrel. If that tank crew are worth their salt, they should have another shell in there.

Wilma looked at him in horror.

“That would be suicide. The damn thing would detonate.”

The captain gave her a solemn look.

“Please allow me to die for my country.”

She patted his shoulder and kissed him upon the cheek.

“I’ll miss you,” she whispered.

“I will miss you too captain.”

They watched as he carefully crept forward. Moments later, he dashed toward the armoured monster and stopped at its flank. Cocking the machine gun, he ran towards the lowered barrel.

“This is for China!”

As he fired, both he and the tank were blown to eternity.

Wilma looked towards her waiting men.

“We should get back.”

Dashing once more into the alleyway, Wilma walked towards the presidential party and her waiting crew.

“The coup is over Mr Premier. You can deal with those behind it.”

As the captain’s daughter heard this, she noticed that he was missing.

“Where is daddy?”

“Sorry love,” Wilma whispered.

As she collapsed into grief the premier said, “My people will remember what you did today.”

“As long as you remember Captain Yohipsan sir.”

“He will always be honoured captain. I will make sure of it.”
...
The stay over in Shanghai was a little longer than expected. The president and the premier of China insisted upon it.

At a great ceremony, the medal for distinguished conduct was pinned upon Wilma’s formal uniform.

The Chinese premier went one better.

Not only was she awarded the title of saviour of China, but her crew were granted honorary life citizens. As was she. As for the two party members behind the failed coup. Their fate was quietly forgotten.

When the festivities were at last over, she found herself once more within her own cabin. When the door rapped, she glanced up.

“Come in.”

“We have left the harbour mam,” Vanderhofen said.

“Continue due south sir. Go to one hundred.”

He noticed a rather downcast look upon her usually happy face.

“What’s the matter?”

Wilma just looked and remained silent.