Sakura Wars: The 21st Century
Circle of Faith
By Steve Edward
Chapter 4
Monday, April 12th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 1400 hours –
Captain Sammy Hollister sat on the bridge wing, looking at two old friends in the distance. The USS John S. McCain DDG 56 commanded by Commander Timothy Welter and the USS Hooper DDG 70 commanded by Commander Andrea London. Both ships had been assigned to escort the Wisconsin for this mission and they had been happy to do it.
Both destroyers had been involved in engaging the Sea Wraiths over the past month sometimes there were only one but in the last both destroyers had joined forces to engage six at one time south of Okinawa. They ended up getting some help from Task Force 77 which launched a gaggle of F-35 Strike aircraft from the USS Ronald Regan to take out the remaining Sea Wraith was proving difficult to destroy. That particular Sea Wraith had been an estimated 500 foot long monster which helped it hide its vital areas under water. Two JDAMS weighing 2,000 pounds a piece finally killed it.
Though the patrol zone was to be the Sea of Japan, Task Group Rose was enroute towards Taiwan and would after showing the flag in that area head northward through the East China Sea into the Sea of Japan. There were still some arguments over the Island of Taiwan which had been claimed as part of China. A particularly disturbing incident had taken place when a Sea Wraith emergence had been detected and a Taiwanese Navy Destroyer engaged the creature.
During the course of the engagement the Taiwan Navy Destroyer had been heavily damaged and sent out a distress call. A Chinese Naval Unit in the area had responded and with indifference watched as the Sea Wraith continued to attack the disabled Taiwan Navy Destroyer. The USS Hooper had also heard the distress call and responded as well. Commander London, when she was close enough engaged and destroyed the Sea Wraith; which was about to sink the ship.
In the scathing after action report of the incident, Commander London noted the Chinese Naval Unit indifference. Captain Hollister herself surmised that a political difference was the root cause. If anything the lack of action on the part of the Chinese could prove problematic down the line. Someone had ordered the Chinese ship not to help the Taiwan Navy ship. The political difference had caused 280 men and women to die.
Friday, April 16th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 0630 hours –
Racing southwest across the East China Sea, the Wisconsin was at battle stations. The Rose Combat Division had launched 30 minutes before and was engaged in a seagoing battle at wave top height.
115 miles North West of Tanshui, Taiwan three Sea Wraith had emerged and had attacked a group of Taiwan fishing vessels. None of the usual warning signs such a seismic tremors or even a normal quake had been noted by monitoring stations. Three of the nine trawlers of the fishing fleet were destroyed and their crews dead.
Commander Oogami making another approach scored a direct strike, the Sea Wraith in its death throws was hit again by Lieutenant Ri using Hellfire missiles. Lieutenant Milchstrase having cut another in half observed a Naval Vessel in the distance. Closing with the unknown ship her Eisenkleid was locked on by a surface to air fire control radar, "Wisconsin this is Leni, I have been locked on by fire control radar and taking evasive action."
Commander Fujieda and Captain Hollister both looked at the tactical display board, Captain Hollister spoke, "Leni hard right and go to the deck and launch all counter-measures. All Rose Combat Division units hit the deck and return to the Wisconsin on the double," the anger rising in Sammy's voice she sent the following message in the clear, "Unidentified Naval Vessel in the South China Sea this is the United States Navy Battleship USS Wisconsin do not fire. The craft that you have locked on is engaged in a Sea Wraith eradication mission. If you fire you will be considered hostile and you will be destroyed do you understand that asshole?"
Admiral John Long monitoring the events at the Combat Control Center in Tokyo, his mouth fell open, "Wisconsin this is Tokyo. You have batteries released if you so desire."
Commander Fujieda who had watched as the initial battle began and having degraded to this offered her own words of warning, "To Naval vessel, this is Executive Officer of Rose Combat Division. Our commanding officer has authorized batteries released for our 16 inch guns which are well within range of your vessel. Shut down the fire control radar and stand down, you have 30 seconds to do so. I begin count down now 25 seconds, 20 seconds, 15 seconds, fire main batteries at 5 seconds, 10 seconds," Petty Officer Bell called out, "Their fire control system has shut down has shut down Ma'am!"
Breathing a sigh of relief, Sammy realized just how close she came to causing an international incident, "What the hell do those idiots think they are doing? They knew damn well that it was the Rose Combat Division out there fighting the Sea Wraiths! People! I want a clear video feed of that vessel as well as still photographs. I want that bastard identified." Admiral John Long also wanted to know who it was because he was going to pay a visit to the embassy of the country responsible.
Friday, April 16th, 2010 – Tokyo – 1000 hours –
Ambassador Tate Chester standing outside the entrance of the Chinese Embassy was a career diplomat. The phone call from Admiral John Long had sent shivers down his spine. The Chinese Embassy had been notified that United States Navy Admiral John Long was coming to pay a call to the Chinese Ambassador, Pham Lin Yu. The embassy had initially stated that the ambassador was unavailable, but using diplomatic language Tate explained the admiral could visit him at their embassy or at the Japanese State Department, it was their choice.
The black Suburban rounded the corner and pulled up behind the diplomatic sedan. Staff Sergeant Teresa Bloomberg exited the vehicle and opened the door for Admiral John Long. Gingerly exiting the vehicle, and walking towards Ambassador Chester he held out his hand, "Ambassador Chester sorry to drag you in on this but we have to talk to the Chinese. Their inactions are getting out of hand and there is the matter of locking fire control radar on one of my Rose Combat Division units that was engaging a Sea Wraith."
Ambassador Yu sat at his desk reviewing the background of Admiral John Long; currently commanding Task Group Rose. The man was slight of stature but had the respect of many. The likely reason the admiral was here was because of their Chinese Navy destroyer locking its fire control system for their anti-air missiles on one of his precious machines. Ambassador Yu felt confident that the American could be pacified in one form or another. Ambassador Yu would soon find out just how much respect Admiral John Long did indeed command. Yu should have read the background material much more closely.
When ushered in, Admiral Long took in the Chinese Ambassador with his hands firmly on the desk making no effort to stand. Ambassador Chester noting Yu had not risen till he had entered the room could see that Ambassador Yu had already made one mistake, but held his tongue. Yu seemingly ignoring the admiral stood and approached Ambassador Chester instead, and greeted him. Yu turning the escort had her close the door and leave.
Ambassador Yu returning to his desk offered a seat to Ambassador Chester who accepted. Yu did not even ask Admiral Long if he wanted a seat. Chester mentally counted mistake number two.
Admiral Long decided the best seat was the desk itself and sat on it, much to the surprise of Ambassador Yu, "Admiral Long do you not know your place?" as the admiral slammed the brief case down next to the right hand of the ambassador.
Releasing the catches, "Yes Ambassador Yu, I do know my place and trying to ignore my presence is going to make things much worse if you do not improve your attitude. You might want to consult with your Naval Attaché as she could tell you a lot more about me than the folder that is lying on your desk." Ambassador Chester smiled mistake number three.
Admiral Long then switched to Mandarin Chinese, "Yu, I speak and write numerous languages. Please be advised that this moment your counterpart has been summoned to the United States State Department. His next stop is the White House as the President of the United States will be speaking with him. The President and I are gravely concerned over the current behavior of your military forces. The matter of the fire control lock is rather trivial, though had that ship fired a missile it would have been destroyed. I understand it has a crew of three hundred or so."
Standing up Admiral Long walked back to the side of Ambassador Chester and switched to English, "Ambassador Yu, please convey to your government and military that failure to engage Sea Wraiths or aid a ship that is in distress or under attack from Sea Wraiths can be construed as aiding the enemy. Why your naval vessel failed to assist the Taiwanese Naval vessel is or I should say was a part of the political climate, but nevertheless 290 men and women died needlessly. I should also note that the Taiwanese Naval vessel had come to the rescue of a Chinese Flagged fishing trawler which had been attacked by the Sea Wraith. The trawler did escape with no loss of life."
Placing a manila envelop on the ambassador's desk the admiral continued, "Ambassador the envelop contains surveillance photographs taken of your trawler from a United States Navy SH-60 helicopter belonging to the USS Hooper which had to engage the Sea Wraith that was attacking the Taiwan Navy Destroyer. It shows clear evidence of the attack from the Sea Wraith." Placing a DVD on the desk, "This is video recorded in live time of the events that took place that day from a US Military surveillance satellite. For the time being we will hold back what we have from the Taiwan government.
As to the fire control radar issue, Task Group Rose will be doing a Freedom of Navigation and Freedom of Flight exercise in the South China Sea as they transit north to the Sea of Japan. If so much as one fire control radar is detected and obtains lock on either the Wisconsin escorts or the Wisconsin herself and while the Rose Combat Division is air born, I will consider the action as hostile and will destroy the offending transmitter and any military targets of value. I have already been given the go ahead by the President to do so. Please convey this to Beijing immediately, Good Day ambassador."
Ambassador Chester stood up and turned to leave, "Ambassador Yu, Admiral John Long has issued the ultimatum, do not trifle with him or Task Group Rose. Good Day sir."
Admiral Long and Ambassador Chester immediately left.
At the White House in Washington D.C., the Chinese Ambassador heard similar words spoken directly by the President of the United States; also given copies of the evidence the Chinese ambassador hurriedly departed the White House to speak with Beijing before someone made the mistake of activating a fire control radar system.
Monday, April 19th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 0900 hours –
Commander Fujieda unaccustomed to sitting in the chair that was normally occupied by Admiral Long , was giving the morning briefing to Admiral Long in Tokyo, "Sir the Freedom of Navigation and Freedom of Flight exercises have been successful with no interference or activation of any fire control systems along our line of advance. It seems the Chinese may have finally gotten the message. Just what did you convey to them sir?"
Admiral Long clearly chuckling, "What had to be said Commander, it was the photographic evidence from Commander London in USS Hooper that slammed the trap shut. The US State Department believes there was some type of political infighting going on at the time, which still does not absolve the Chinese for the loss of life on the Taiwan Navy Destroyer."
Admiral Long tapped a key and the video screen changed, "Since our discussion the Chinese are actively helping the Taiwanese Navy with Sea Wraith outbreaks. As for the fire control radars they were warned that if any kind of fire control lock was detected by either the escorts or the Wisconsin and if any of the Rose Combat Division were locked on without provocation; Captain Sammy Hollister already had her orders to open fire and take out the offending transmitter. It goes against the grain of the United States to be the one that fires first but someone much wiser got involved after they learned who issued the ultimatum, which was namely me."
The admiral reappeared on the screen, "Professor Walters hit pay dirt in Mongolia on Sunday; the ruins that were initially uncovered by the University of London had a hidden chamber. The entrance was buried nearly 25 feet underground, and it took longer than expected to excavate by hand, Commander do any of these photographs bring back memories?"
The display split and the eerily familiar sight of a demonic seal formation appeared only the colors of the stones were different, "The demonic seal placement is exactly the same as those that have been found previously but the composition of the stones used is entirely different. It is comprised of Jade. Monetary value if the stones were to be broken up and carved into individual pieces of art could exceed one billion US dollars."
Commander Oogami studied the photographs, "Admiral it is likely that if that seal is disturbed in any fashion that there could be events triggered that would be detrimental," as the admiral reappeared on the screen; "Without a doubt Commander. There is the matter of the unnatural light. The photographs were taken without the aid of any artificial lighting, as the circular base of the seal and the stones themselves are emitting visible light. Radiation testing has been conducted and it is of normal background nothing harmful."
Captain Hollister spoke next, "Admiral does this mean we have to start looking for glowing rocks too?" as she took in the greenish tinged scene; "Doubtful, Captain. I think this is unique to this particular site and with it placed deep underground I suspect it was for protective reasons. Professor Walters reported that the ruins showed abnormal signs of wear. The conditions did not exist to cause that much degradation of the structure from the natural elements. His conclusion was that it was attacked and destroyed, at least the above ground structure was. It was constructed in such a fashion that if it was attacked the building structure would fall in such a way as to prevent access to the interior. Who ever built it was very clever and methodical, as the Professor called it a self-suicide pill. If the occupants came under attack and knew that they were likely going to be captured or overrun they could initiate the collapse of the building from within; which Professor Walters believes happened some 9,000 years ago."
Admiral Long concluded the briefing, "Commander Fujieda, Captain Hollister please continue the good work you are doing out there. I have visitors arriving shortly and need to prepare for them, Tokyo out." Captain Hollister stood then waited for Commander Fujieda who dismissed the briefing, "The briefing is concluded. Carry out your duties, dismissed."
Monday, April 19th, 2010 – Tokyo – 1000 hours –
The first to arrive at Task Group Rose Support Base was the US Ambassador Tate Chester who was with Admiral Long in his office, "John, it was pretty much obvious that the chat you had with the Chinese seemed to have had an effect. Have you had any incidents yourself?" as the ambassador walked to the large display screen showing the position of the Wisconsin and her escorts.
Admiral Long stood next to Tate, "No Tate, nary a problem. Not even a military over flight. I have Captain Hollister following an imaginary line up the coast. The Wisconsin's onboard navigation system is taking her precisely 14 nautical miles off the coast of China towards the Sea of Japan. The Rose Combat Division is doing both day time and night time Freedom of Flight operations. What ever was going on may have been miscommunication on someone's part."
The intercom buzzed on the admiral's desk, it was Staff Sergeant Bloomberg announcing the arrival of the Chinese Ambassador and the Chinese Naval Attaché. Turning to Ambassador Chester, Admiral Long commented, "Showtime."
Ambassador Yu entered first well aware of whose turf he was on; Admiral Long openly welcomed the Ambassador and offered a chair which he accepted. Then the Chinese Naval Attaché entered, Rear Admiral Mingmei Li Ying who approached Admiral Long then engaged him with a very un-admiral like passionate embrace and kiss. Captain Orkney and Staff Sergeant Bloomberg mouths agape could only watch.
With the doors open to the outer offices, the female staff sitting at their desks caught the entire thing too, as Admiral Long tried break the embrace it only got a little tighter till Mingmei finally surfaced for air.
Admiral Long taking in the rear admiral who still had her arms around his waist, "Well Mingmei still as passionate as ever," her brown eyes locked with John's blue eyes.
"It has been some time has it not John?" as Rear Admiral Ying finally stepped away, Ambassador Yu and Ambassador Chester who also had been caught off guard were blushing, Ambassador Chester spoke, "Well it seems you two need no introductions," as Tate stepped forward and politely shook hands with the Chinese Rear Admiral.
Admiral Long turned and offered a chair to Mingmei which she accepted and John turned to Staff Sergeant Bloomberg to have her bring the tea and coffee cart in. Captain Frank Orkney not sure what was going to happen next quietly closed the door after Staff Sergeant Bloomberg left.
Ambassador Yu opened his brief case and extracted a sealed envelope which he handed to Admiral Long who glanced at the wax seal then broke it. Admiral Long read the contents and smiled. Placing the letter on the desk he sat down, "Ambassador Yu, the apology from your country is accepted."
The ambassador giving a visible sigh of relief, "Admiral Long it was a sad mistake on the part of my country having done what it did. We will be opening a dialogue with the Taiwanese government over compensation issues regarding the loss of life on the Taiwan Navy Destroyer."
With that out of the way, Admiral Long nodded to Captain Frank Orkney who picked up a nearby phone and dialed the Combat Control Center, "Send the message immediately to have Task Group Rose conclude the operation. They are to resume normal course and speed forthwith."
Mingmei taking note, "John, I see you have kept your part of the bargain as well," as she opened her own brief case; "I am sure you will find this interesting since it pertains to what you have been searching for," Mingmei stood and walked to his side and gave him another sealed envelope.
Admiral Long opening it read the contents and accepting the folder from Mingmei glanced at the photographs, "Mingmei, the dates stamped on the photographs indicate that these were taken as far back as 15 years ago," as John set the folder down on the desk.
Mingmei nodded, "Yes John they were. All the sites are still intact, the unique characteristics matching those previous sites that you have already discovered though all of the ones listed are constructed of granite and not jade."
The chirp from the display board briefly interrupted the conversation; the direction arrow showing that Task Group Rose had altered course and speed indicating a northeasterly direction.
Admiral Long turned to Mingmei, "Can we get over flight permission and landing rights to the nearest airfield to each one? I would like to send in researchers to examine them all closely," as Ambassador Yu heard that he nodded, "Yes Admiral that has already been obtained for you. We would ask that your researchers share any thing that may come to light from the examinations," the Admiral stood and approached Ambassador Yu and shook his hand; "All information will be shared equally with nothing held back sir."
Ambassador Yu taking note of the time, stood to depart; "Admiral I must be going, but Rear Admiral Ying has stated that she would return to the embassy at a later time. Thank you for your time and may our next meeting be under better circumstances." Captain Orkney opened the door for the ambassador and escorted him out to the entrance of headquarters building.
Ambassador Tate Chester stood as well, "John you seem to have things well in hand and I believe you two needs to makeup for lost time. If you need anything else please give me a call, Good Day sir." Ambassador Chester on his way out winked at the admiral and closed the door.
Admiral John Long suddenly felt very uncomfortable and began to make his way for the door was stopped by Mingmei, "John we really need to makeup for lost time. It has been a while has it not?" as John gulped, the knock on the door followed by Staff Sergeant Bloomberg bringing in fresh tea and coffee likely saved John Long from some embarrassment.
Behind Teresa stood Captain Frank Orkney, "John you might want to formally introduce Mingmei to both of us. It might help defuse things down the launch ways so to speak."
Mingmei with amusement in her eyes sat back down, "John you may as well tell them both since I am now your liaison with my government."
Admiral Long told Frank and Teresa to have a seat and just as Frank was about to close the office door, "Frank leave it open please, they have big ears out there so they might as well hear it too."
John stood and walked to the display monitor and tapped its surface then moved his finger till it rested in a position in the South China Sea, Northwest of Taiwan, "I and Mingmei first met here, very near the same position where the Rose Combat Division engaged the Sea Wraiths on Friday. It was 2002, and I had command of a cruiser out of Yokosuka, Japan. It was only a few months after 9/11, the Persian Gulf was heating up and the Navy was sending all the carriers to the region and leaving the small boys to do a lot of grunt work."
Admiral Long walked back to his desk and sat down, "The Chinese and Taiwanese governments were having another dispute and were rattling sabers again as usual. Added to the mix was a fishing fleet from China and a fishing fleet from Taiwan. I get my orders to show the flag and to monitor the activities. Well by the time I had got on station, the Chinese and Taiwanese fishing fleets and navy units had been playing sea going bumper cars. It was quickly going to turn ugly if something was not done so I exercised my freedom of navigation and took it one step further."
Opening his desk drawer he took out a photo album and opened it, "That is a picture of my Gig with me onboard, taken by then Lieutenant Commander Sammy Hollister who was my Executive Officer."
The next photo Admiral Long showed was taken from the Gig itself, "I decided that I would exercise the freedom to fish as well, so I made a mad dash into the middle of both fleets, had the Gig lowered and went fishing. It is very hard to ignore the presence of an 8,000 ton US Navy guided missile cruiser and its captain who is in his Gig fishing.
Because my ship was in the middle of both fleets, dead in the water and I am fishing from the Gig, it made the commander of the Chinese fleet furious. So he dispatched Mingmei in her frigate."
Mingmei stood up and walked to the photo album and flipped to the next page, "That photo is the one I took of John when he was in the Gig wearing that stupid hat. He refused my request to come along side so I had to go after him in my own small boat. He was sitting there nonchalantly in that chair with a glass of ice tea in his hand. I demanded to know what he was doing and he told me flatly that he was fishing and to go away as I was disturbing the fish."
Admiral Long continued, "Mingmei's boat was more like a skiff than a proper boat so it was not doing too well out in the chop. A rogue wave caught it when she was along side and well it kind of launched her out of her boat into mine. Mingmei unceremoniously landed on top of me in the chair so to keep her from going overboard, I kicked and back flipped with Mingmei and we ended up on the deck in an undignified position. Mingmei had in the middle of the flip wrapped her legs, well you know around my waist and the landing it caused her to involuntarily umm to lock lips with me as I had grabbed her waist to well hold on to her."
Mingmei not in the least bit embarrassed, "Me and John had locked lips in front of everyone. The incident was witnessed by the fleet commanders of both the Chinese and Taiwan fleets. It was when the whistles started blowing that the dispute ended. The respective fishing fleets went their separate ways and John carried my back to my frigate since my own boat had been swamped and sunk. He had even pulled my own boat crew from the water."
Admiral Long continued, "Seeing that the incident was over with, I decided to do a Freedom of Navigation mission along the coast, keeping my ship at 14 miles off the coast. Mingmei shadowed my every move except one." Mingmei smiled at that, "John reversed his engines in the middle of the night and turned his navigation lights off and steered a reverse course past my frigate in the darkness and took station directly astern of me, which was unexpected. I had been silhouetted by my own lights from the shore. So he knew where I was at. My lookouts had lost sight of his wake in the darkness and I did not find out until sunrise where he was at which was 1,000 yards astern of me when he blew his ships whistle."
Captain Orkney remembering a war game that had taken place, "Damn so that is where Sammy learned that nasty trick!" as John grinned, "I've showed Sammy a few tricks in my time. I was umpiring that war game when she pulled the maneuver, and that is how she got behind you and sank your fleet."
Admiral Long flipped to the next page, "After the cruiser assignment, I got my Flag, and was assigned to Washington D.C. it was there I and Mingmei ran into each other again. She was a Commander by then and was at the Chinese Embassy. There had been a diplomatic function taking place and I was at the time the rooky Flag in town so I had to attend the functions as part of my duties. Everyone there had heard of what by then had been dubbed Operation Locked Lips. The Chinese Ambassador even asked me to autograph the photo of me and Mingmei which was taken after that goofy back flip I did."
Mingmei sat back in her chair with a cup of tea, "I knew John was a widow but I had heard he liked to dance so I approached him and well asked if he would not mind to dance with me. He accepted and we danced to a waltz. The male members of the embassy had been rather pushy and snotty with me and so I wanted to get away from them for awhile." John smiled, "Dancing for two hours was long enough was it not Mingmei?"
Nodding she replied, "For that moment, it was the best time I had ever experienced. If I remember correctly we upstaged the ambassador and his wife."
John flipped the page, "Ah yes the diplomatic dance. The photo taken of us was taken from an intimate angle, my boss at the time Admiral Guthrie sat me down and reminded me of my duties after that. Not that it really mattered; because by then it came out that the Chinese ambassador had three left feet."
Admiral Long flipped to the next page, the photos of painful memories; "The next couple of years we did not see each other or have contact. Mingmei was given command of a destroyer and was assigned the South China Sea patrol area. She and Sammy would come across each other and play the shadow games like we usually did. When the Sea Wraiths appeared here in this region on March 4th, 2007; Sammy was off of Japan fighting hers about the same time Mingmei had her own encounter."
Turning to the next page, "Unlike Sammy who got rather beat up like me; Mingmei avoided any damage or casualties on her ship. When word got out that we were going to hold a conference on developing tactics to fight the Sea Wraiths, Mingmei requested to attend and was granted permission to do so. By then I was still an out patient at Bethesda Naval Hospital when Mingmei finally found me." Staff Sergeant Bloomberg spoke, "That was when you were staying at the townhouse?"
John nodded, "Yes Teresa that was right after being nominated for my third star and receiving the Navy Cross. Mingmei visited the townhouse one night and we had a long discussion over the current events. That was in late 2008 if I recall, and she had brought up her concerns with my physical appearance at the conferences."
Mingmei setting the tea cup down on the table, "I had seen John before his grievous injuries. The news of his actions at saving the Queen Mary 2 had caught the attention of our own military. His personal sacrifice did not go unnoticed. When word was received that he would be leading the conferences I received the assignment to attend them. I was shocked at his appearance, gaunt and haggard looking in your words like death warmed over. He told me of the surgeries that he had been enduring. He told me of the frequent changes of bandages that he went through and of the constant pain."
Admiral Long looked up at Frank, "In short Frank I was very close to becoming an addict of pain killers, more specifically Oxycotin which I was taking 160 MG a shot. Then Mingmei witnessed my propensity for wondering a few days later."
Mingmei leaned back in her chair, "It was the blizzard that hit Washington D.C., in early December of 2008. I had rented a townhouse near John and would occasionally see him go by in a vehicle driven by Teresa or while he was taking his evening walks. Teresa had already left and I was preparing a late snack when I saw movement under a street light. I realized it was John."
John recalled what happened next, "Frank you were already told by Sakura Shinguji about what happened in the Imperial Theater. It was basically the same situation only no one was there to keep me in bed. Something snapped inside of me and I guess my mind wanted to get away from the pain. I vaguely remember hearing a woman's voice that I recognized and it was Mingmei standing on the sidewalk in front of me in the middle of a blizzard."
Mingmei standing up poured another glass of tea, "John is no light weight and though he appeared to recognize me, he pushed me to the side and tried to walk away. I could tell he was not right so I stopped him the only way I knew how and punched his lights out. Getting him up the steps was no easy task but I had managed. I took him into my town house and laid him on the living room floor. When he came to, he tried to fight me and get back on his feet. I had no choice but to put him into an arm lock and forced him against the couch where we lay for the remainder of the night."
Admiral Long appearing to wince at that memory, "The next morning I woke up and found I could not move. When I attempted to, Mingmei applied more pressure pinning me against the sofa. My whole body felt on fire and with Mingmei on top of me I finally cried uncle. She would not let go, she knew me too well by then. There I was a Three Star US Navy Admiral on the floor with a Chinese Navy Commander in an uncompromising position."
Mingmei appeared to blush, "When on ship I wear undergarments, but when alone at home I prefer nothing but a bathrobe." Staff Sergeant Teresa Bloomberg who was blushing even deeper, "Mingmei you were only wearing a bathrobe?"
Mingmei nodded, "Yes Sergeant that was all I had on. John would not stay still enough to allow me to put anything else on. It was finally around noon that day when he appeared to return to normal. After allowing him up, I noted he was bleeding. The scabs on his back and chest had torn open during the struggle. Whether it was shear exhaustion on his part or something else he allowed me to take him to the bathroom where I bathed him and cleansed his wounds while in the shower with him, naked."
Captain Orkney and Staff Sergeant Bloomberg mouths wide open looked on in shock as John continued, "No it is not what you think, well maybe a little but we stuck together in the townhouse. Teresa I knew you would be a little worried so that was why I called you and told you not to come to the town house that week. It did after all take them a week just to plow us out of the drifts. Mingmei and I had a long sit down and we discussed my situation. That is when she utilized Chinese pressure points to ease my pain. The pills that I was taking were back at my town house, and Mingmei knew that if I started to pop them again I would likely end up doing what she had witnessed before, so for the entire week she and I well, we were together for a considerable period of time so she could treat me."
Mingmei continued, "John would experience the pain of healing only on a greater level. The Oxycotin as you know can be highly addictive. John was very close to being an addict and I could not stand by and watch him destroy his career. He obviously needed rest and so I made him stay in bed. When it came time to apply the pressure points I would lay parallel to him or in some instances on top of him. Intimate yes, but sexually no we did not make love as it would have been improper for him and I, and by the end of the week I had weaned him off the pain killers completely. Of course by January 2009, John and I knew it would be difficult to continue our association and relationship so we bid farewell to each other then.
When I had heard of the time travel mission and the return of the Imperial Flower Combat Division which John was to bring to Tokyo, I requested assignment to the embassy. John had requested through State Department Channels to have a Chinese Naval Liaison assigned to Task Group Rose. Since I hold the rank of Rear Admiral I requested the assignment." Captain Orkney stood as did Staff Sergeant Teresa Bloomberg and held out their hands. They both welcomed Rear Admiral Mingmei Li Ying to Task Group Rose.
To be Continued . . .
