Red Tide, стр. 74

That, Kelsey knew, was the source of the never-ending ache that consumed her. An endless quest for paternal approval that led her to attend the Seattle Maritime Academy and to work tirelessly for her father, eternally striving to please him. But knowing the cause of her affliction had done nothing to cure it.

When the war started, and Rong was trapped in China, it wasn’t long before the Chinese government took her into custody—and ran a background check.

Someone in the Chinese hierarchy saw George Parker’s company as an asset waiting to be used. And it wasn’t long before an emissary arrived in Port Moresby. The proposal he delivered to George Parker was simple: “Do what we tell you to do, or your daughter will die.”

Parker dithered for a couple of days but gave in. And the things the family had been forced to do since were shameful. Moving mysterious shipping containers. Hiring employees they didn’t need. And, on one occasion, pumping diesel into a Chinese submarine while at sea. All to save a sibling whose first name rhymed with “Wrong.”

Now Kelsey was responding to yet another summons. She would, no doubt, receive orders to perform some new form of treachery. Or, and the possibility frightened her, the Chinese had heard about her efforts to help the Allies.

If so, they’d throw her into prison with Rong. Or shoot her. And send a video to her father. Meanwhile Wride, Chaney, and the rest of the team would die too. The possibility made Kelsey feel queasy.

She closed her eyes. There was a ray of hope however. It was a fragile thing, but all she had to cling to. And that was a Chinese criminal named Andrew Soo. A man who, according to one of her contacts, was the Dragon Head (leader) of the Hong Kong-Macao crime triad.

The Hong Kong triad, like other triads, was a transnational organized crime syndicate, with outposts in countries that had large Chinese populations. And, within the closed society of triads, the Hong Kong triad was known as a “black society,” rather than a less powerful “dark society.” As such it had control over local markets and enjoyed police protection.

Could Soo break Rong out of the detention center in Macau? If so, Rong could be rescued and returned to Port Moresby.

More than that, it would free the Parker family from its ties to Chinese intelligence, and put the months of forced servitude behind them. Kelsey hadn’t told her father about the plan. That meant the whole effort was up to her. She felt lonely.

***

Aboard a Chinese Type 22 Missile Boat southeast of Samir Island

It was a beautiful day. The sky was a lighter blue than the sea, which rolled in from the west, and caused the boat to wallow. But not much, thanks to the missile boat’s catamaran style hull. A virtue Ryson hadn’t had time to appreciate while the vessel was shooting at the Arcus.

But now, as the boat’s twin diesels pushed it toward Manado, Ryson had come to appreciate the vessel’s virtues. Catamaran hulls were more stable than mono hulls. And while that made for a steady gun platform, and a smoother ride, it also meant they had a wider turning radius.

And, even after the loss of her bow gun, the boat still had teeth. They included six unspent anti-ship missiles, plus a couple of MANPAD (Man portable air-defense) launchers similar to Stingers. Throw in a couple of LMGs and the Type 22 could give a good account of herself—minus the autocannon.

Ryson’s crew, some of whom had been wounded during the attack on Samir, were learning how to operate the ship’s weapons just in case. But now, thanks to the air cover provided by the planes from Manado, the greater danger was an attack by an Allied jet jockey. That in spite of the alert sent to the local squadron leaders.

Ryson had ordered the boat’s chief to stretch American and Australian flags out across the bow—and in the gap just aft of the bridge—but would it be enough? He hoped so. Getting killed by a kid in an F-18 would really piss him off.

Ryson’s priorities were to reach Manado quickly, check in with Admiral Nathan, and make sure that the squadron’s supply ship departed on time. The people on Samir were running short of everything. That included fuel, food, and ammo. Every kind of ammo, especially missiles for the Tor system, which continued to hold the Chinese air force at bay. The latest score was the Tor system 5, and the Chinese pilots 1, after the loss of the Perth.

Vos’s XO, Lieutenant Andy Tyson, was in command of the Type 22, and clearly enjoying himself. Yes, there was a senior officer on board, but Tyson was in command! That made it a moment to savor. “I’m going below Andy, let me know if you need me.”

Tyson said, “Aye, aye sir.”

But Ryson knew the young man would do everything possible to avoid rousting him. And, barring at attack, he’d be able to nap undisturbed.

The captain’s cabin was not only tiny, but still home to the previous occupant’s belongings. As for the man himself, he and the other prisoners were forward, and under guard.

A photo of a pretty Chinese woman sat perched on a fold-down shelf. She watched impassively as Ryson took possession of her husband’s bunk, curled into the fetal position, and fell asleep.

***

The city of Macau, China

The light was starting to fade by the time the Seastar landed in the Zhujang River Estuary. The brown water from the Pearl River mixed with the blue water of the South China Sea to create an unappealing brew.

Thanks to the fact that Wride had landed there before, she knew how to best thread her way between small islets, anchored ships, and newly constructed defenses to reach the Macau Seaplane base. The IFF system was sufficient to keep the military off her back. But the civilian authorities