Return to the Pacific
Rather than spend the better part of the year heading south and enter the Pacific Ocean through the Tierra del Fuego, Ron had opted for the more uncomfortable but less trafficked and faster North West Passage through Arctic waters.
As the submarine approached Bering's Straight the weather grew increasingly worse.
Currents and winds collided around the narrow gap that separated Asia from America making the passage hazardous for any vessel that didn't travel ten fathoms below the surface.
In June 1922 Kimberly Ann's Revenge entered the Pacific Ocean again.
To Ron's mind the accompanying summer storm was a fitting herald to his arrival.
"One, two, three... isn't that a beautiful sight?"
"What's that, Captain?" Felix said as he stood by the controls while Ron was peering through the periscope.
"Looks like we've got ourselves a little convoy."
Indeed, a small group of WWEE ships were making their way through the East China Sea where Ron was on the prowl a few weeks later.
On a hunch he spun the scope around and suddenly cursed loudly.
"What now, Captain?"
"Destroyers, Felix, four of them. Japanese navy, I saw the Kuma. She's a good ship, I've met her before."
Dementz and Felix looked at each other.
"You're not going to fight ze destroyers, are you, Herr Kapitän?"
"No. I'm not that mad."
Felix and Demenz let out slightly premature sighs of relief.
"Not yet."
"So what do we do, Captain?"
"We play 'follow the convoy' and look for opportunities, Felix."
Hours passed. Four hours became eight and twelve hours. The Japanese destroyers made no sign of leaving the vicinity of the convoy and frustration was rising on the pirate submarine.
"Mercy's sakes, won't they ever leave?" Lenny griped. He had yet to acquire the patience submariners had to possess.
"Captain, I think we must let this one go."
Ron was silent for a long time, then he smiled.
"Oh no." Felix groaned. "What now?"
"You'll see. I've got a little something that will knock them down to size. You go get some sleep, while I have a chat with the Lipskys."
Felix found himself roused a few hours later by Ron.
"I figured you'd want to see this." He whistled to the tune of Toccata and Fugue in D Minor as he ushered Felix to the periscope. "Tell me what you see, Felix."
Felix looked through the periscope. He saw lights, lots of them. It took him a few moments to realize what he was looking at.
"That's Shanghai! We're in Shanghai harbour! Ron what the hell are you going to do?"
Ron merely replied by calling out.
"Torpedo bay, fire tube one."
"Tube one away." came Dr. Lipsky's reply.
Through the scope Felix watched with baited breath. He winced as the Shanghai night was lit up by an explosion. The torpedo had hit one of the WWEE ships midship and it begun to tilt almost immediately.
Ron worked the controls, adjusting the facing of the submarine.
Another torpedo was launched and a second ship began to sink.
The operation was repeated a third time with the same result.
Felix stood entranced, watching the destructive show with horrified elation only to be shaken out of his reverie by Ron crying out triumphantly.
"And the award for the first submarine attack in Shanghai harbour goes to Kimberly Ann's Revenge! Booyah!"
He turned around and shouted:
"Engine room, full reverse! Get us out of here, Edward!"
As the submarine withdrew from the scene of the crime Felix faced Ron.
"I'm not sure if you're crazy or a genius!"
"Maybe I'm both?" Ron grinned like a fox in a chicken coop.
"I don't know where you get these damned ideas but you pulled it off, you magnificent bastard!" Felix laughed and slapped his friend and captain on the back. But when he spoke again, Felix's voice was deadly serious. "Ron, if they didn't want our heads before, then they do now."
The daring attack made headlines all over Asia and the effects could be felt all the way to the United States of America where Sheldon Gemini of the WWEE threw a fit of rage so intense his servants feared for his sanity and health.
It was only after a considerable time and several glasses of bourbon that he managed to calm down enough to put is mind to the task of solving the problem.
He thought long and hard, throughout the night. It wouldn't be enough just to sink that pirate. In order to satisfy the twisted mind of the industrialist it had to be a solution with a certain flair. Something that would make it personal.
Early in the morning he had made up his mind.
It was time to pay senator Rockwaller a visit.
"What are you doing behind my desk, Gemini?"
"It was the best seat in your office, senator. Sit down. We have business to talk about."
"What do you mean?"
"Simple, senator, I want you to do me a favour. Hold this little speech and press for the mission described in it." He handed some papers over. "Oh, and I need this particular ship and captain . It's not negotiable, senator Rockwaller."
"Who do you think you are? I am a senator of the United States! You can't order me around just like that!"
The burly, bearded man tossed an envelope to the senator.
"Shut up and take a look at these."
He opened it and looked at the photographs inside, his face turning increasingly red.
"This...what is this? This is outrageous!"
"Yes. Yes it is, isn't it? Your darling daughter seems to be quite friendly with that girl, what's her name? Ah yes, Tara. It would be a shame if these photos ended up in the wrong hands don't you think?"
"This is blackmail!"
"No, no! I'm just keeping the negatives safe for you, my friend the senator. But if you don't want to be my friend any more..."
Mr. Gemini reached out, as if to retrieve the pictures. The senator pulled them out of reach.
"Fine, you win. I'll hold that speech." Senator Rockwaller crossed his arms across his chest and looked more like a petulant child than a statesman.
"I knew you would come to your senses. You are resourceful man, senator. When the mission is completed I'm sure you will find it a perfect opportunity to increase your standing in the eyes of the public."
Senator Rockwaller held the speech as promised. It was well written and he was a skilled orator. He painted the endeavours of the renegade Captain stoppable in the darkest of colours and proclaimed him an enemy of free trade and, by extension, an enemy of freedom and civilization.
It hit all the right notes with all the right people and when he presented Mr. Gemini's plan as his own it was readily accepted by his fellow senators and the president himself.
Despite his resentment towards Mr. Gemini's methods, senator Rockwaller was quite pleased with himself when he found himself a rising star in the Senate.
Two weeks later USS Middleton left San Francisco with Captain Josh Mankey in command.