Disclaimer: As in Ch.1

Same time

POW Camp, China

"Matt, you awake?" Receiving no answer, Trey tried again by gently shook Matt's shoulder. "Matt?" Still no response, he jerked on his hand and realized that Matt is running a fever.

"God! Matt, wake up! Come on, wake up buddy!" Trey checks on Matt's shoulder wound, courtesy of the Chinese, and realize that the blood had blend with the yellowish liquid. It is definitely infection but Trey didn't know how bad the wound is.

"Matt, you have to wake up. Come on!" Trey kept shaking Matt's shoulders, in hope that it will wake him up.

"Trey, go away. I'm tired. Let me sleep." Matt groaned.

"Oh no, you don't, Mister! You have to stay awake."

"I can't. I'm really tired."

"Matt, you have to try. Come on, talk to me about your sons, little Harm and Andrew." Trey tried distracted him from falling unconscious.

"What do you want to know?" Matt himself also fighting to keep awake but desperately failing.

"Anything, I don't care! Tell me something." "Matt, Matt! Damn it!" He lost his conscious.

At that precise moment, Captain Chen entered the room.

"Well, well, never thought I would get so lucky to have both sons of Harmon Rabb, Jr. for my company."

"Ah…don't tried to denied it, Lt." Captain Chen interrupted as Trey ready to open his mouth.

"Lieutenant Harmon David Rabb III and Commander Matthew Jonathan Rabb, the sons of former CNO, Admiral Harmon Rabb, Jr. I should have guessed your connection with him at the first place. I recalled your father is one stubborn man. You have been one stubborn man yourself, Lt. It been 12 years but you still have tell us anything aside from your name and rank. You are indeed your father son. I'll see to it that your brother will not the same," he smiled slyly.

"Take him!" Captain Chen ordered and his two men dragged Matt out the room.

"No! Where are you taking him? He is barely conscious!"

"That's the point, isn't it, Lt.?" Captain Chen smirked and then walked out.

======

Chinese Interrogation room

"Commander, wake up!" one of the guard yelled and throw a basin of cold water at Matt.

Matt groaned his way up; his left arms automatically cover his injured right shoulder.

"I see you also as stubborn as your brother and father," Captain Chen smirked.

"Who are you talking about?" Matt obviously tried to deny his relationship with Trey.

"You know who am I talking about. I think I need to introduce you to yourself, Commander Matthew Jonathan Rabb, the second son of Admiral Harmon Rabb, Jr. There is no need for denial. It's really not that hard to put two and two together to get four. Now, why don't you start telling us some story about your country intention toward Chinese government."

"Over my dead body!" Matt told the Captain in cold icy voice.

"I know you don't mind scarified your life for the Navy, Commander. But are you saying that you will scarified your brother?" Captain Chen said, at the same time nodding to the guard.

Soon the door opened to reveal severe battered Trey. His right eyes almost swollen to shut, a big gash could be seen on the side of his temple, and his split lip revealed more blood than necessary.

"Leave him alone! He is no threat to you anymore!" Matt shouted.

"Well, we treat him 'well' to guarantee your cooperation, Commander. It's your choice, you want him died or you start telling us some stories."

"Commander! You will not reveal anything! You understand?!" Trey tried to raise his voice but he is too weak to do so.

"Take him out of here!" Captain Chen ordered and Trey was dragged out the room but before he called out, "Matthew Rabb, you are not going to reveal anything! Do you understand me?!"

"I give you until dinner tonight to think it over, Commander. One wrong move, you are to be responsible for your brother's dead!" Captain Chen laughed his sinister laugh that make Matt's spine ran cold. He had to choose between his country and his own brother. Trey was right; Chinese had used Trey to get into his own head. Captain Chen had leave him in room to make his choice.

If only Matt know what his father and country had planned for all of them tonight, he would not need to face the option.

======

The Jungle of Hangzhou

1700 PST

The marine detachment group landed in the Jungle with not much of obstacles. They only encounters with one Chinese Patrol Group but fortunately Captain Irwin was quick enough to command his men to get out of site. The group could now see the camp in front of them and several prisoners wandering in the yard with Chinese soldier watching them like a hawk. The camp is apparently not heavily guarded as it looked like. The marine counted only 6 men outside the main building. It didn't seem much activity conducted there. That is or there are more men inside the building that are unaccounted for. All they could do now is wait till sunset while they are preparing for the attack.

-------------

USS Kennedy

1700 PST

Flight tower

"CAG, everything is ready. Both Tomcats await order."

"LSO, they are yours. Launch them!" CAG ordered.

"Aye, Aye, Sir!"

Minutes later, two tomcats disappear in the blue sky. A pair of parents silently said their prayer, hoping that their son will not come home covered by the flag. Their friends could not do anything but watch and send prayer of their own.

---------------

Captain Chen's office

Hangzhou POW Camp

1745 PST

"Captain! This is not good. Government will end the war by 1200 PST the day after tomorrow", his aide frantically reported.

"What?! Is that a confirm?!"

"Yes, it is. United States is putting a pressure during United Nation conference and they proved our disagreement to cease fire. All POW are ordered to be release at the same time of the surrendered day."

"I will not let them free! It their problem snooping around our land and I definitely will not let the Rabbs' boys go. Their father cause me to lose both of my sons during the war, I want him to taste the pain of losing his sons. Come with me!" Captain Chen strolled of his office, his aide towed behind him.

Interrogation room

Matt doesn't know what to do. If he choose his country, his brother is dead. His parents' 12 years long hope die in his hand. If he choose his brother, he betrayed his uniform. He sit on the chair still pondering what should he do when the door open.

"You're time is up, Commander. Let's have some stories time shall we?"

"Bring him in!" Captain Chen ordered the guard to bring Trey into the room.

"Now, Commander to encourage your quick decision, your brother shall accompany us. What do you think?"

The guard sat Trey on the chair in front of Matt and tied him there. Trey was almost unrecognizable. His face covered with blood from his temple, judging from the way he slumped his body, Matt could guess more bruise under his thin shirt.

"Why are you doing this?" Matt inquire. "Trey is no more threat to you than I do."

"Why? Why don't you ask your father?"

"What is this has to do with my father?" Now Trey also get caught in conversation.

"10 years ago, because your father ordered an alpha strike of our naval fleet in Pacific. The entire carrier sunk in Pacific with both of sons who served aboard carrier. Just one order and because of that one order your father gave out, I lose both my sons. When I learn that his son Harmon III being held POW, I pull string to command the camp. You, commander completed the scene. I wondered how Admiral Rabb would feel to lose one son to the other." Captain Chen laughed his sinister laughter that send chilled to both Matt and Trey's bones.

They know their father was not to blame for the strike, he must received order himself to order an alpha attack. Unfortunately, they know that Captain Chen thought their father is to be blame because he was the Chief of Naval Operations at the time. Now, they know why Captain Chen hated Harmon Rabb Jr. that much. Admiral Harmon Rabb, Jr. was never in favorite list among Chinese ranking officer but for Captain Chen, he was a murderer. This was his personal revenge.

"Commander, tell me your decision!" the captain ordered.

Matt hesitated, it is a very hard choice. "Commander, I'm not a very patient person."

"Matthew Rabb, don't do it!" came the weak voice of Trey. "Don't betray your country."

"Trey…" "Listen! I've been here for 12 years. It doesn't matter anymore. Don't betray your country or I'll never forgive you!"

"Okay, enough of the act! Commander, give me your decision! I count till 10!" Captain Chen furiously pointed a gun in Trey's temple.

"Matt, don't!" "Trey…" "1…2…3…4…5…6…"

Matt look deep into Trey eyes for silent pleading. Trey got his meaning and offered him a faint smile.

"7…Commander! 8…"

"I'm sorry, Trey." Matt whispered and a single tear drop as he close his eyes.

"9…10! It your choice, Commander!" a gun shot echo in the room.

TBC….