Cajun Justice(103)

“Permission to come aboard,” Chief Alvarez asked while simultaneously saluting.

The military policeman returned the salute. “Welcome aboard, Chief.”

“Permission to come aboard,” Bonnie requested.

The guard saluted Bonnie. “Welcome aboard, Lieutenant.”

Cain stepped onto the deck of the USS George Washington and was overcome with emotion. The ship’s motto was engraved on a large wooden plaque attached to the wall. “The Spirit of Freedom,” he said aloud, feeling euphoric as goose bumps formed on his forearms. In the corner, near the wooden podium, was the bust of President George Washington—America’s first president. Behind the bust was the American flag with a gold-plated eagle on top. Despite all our flaws, we’re still the greatest country in the world, Cain thought.

Tears formed in his eyes as he requested “permission to come aboard.”

The guard snapped a crisp salute. “Permission granted. Welcome aboard, sir!”

Cain returned the salute with the same vigor and precision. He turned toward Alvarez, who noticed that Cain’s eyes had welled up with tears.

“Are you okay?” Chief Alvarez asked.

“Never better,” Cain replied.

They ducked their heads and entered the ship’s hatch. The chief escorted them through the large hangar bay, which was crowded with various F-18 fighter jets and H-60 Seahawk helicopters.

“Where’s the plane y’all used to fly?” Bonnie asked.

“The Mighty War Pig wouldn’t be on this ship,” Cain said. “It was a land-based submarine hunter.”

“How many missions you figure we flew together?” Chief Alvarez asked, obviously feeling nostalgic. “At least the ones we can talk about.”

“Counting tonight?” Cain smiled wearily.

Chief Alvarez returned the smile. “I reckon tonight’s mission will stay top secret, unless that Champ Albright has anything to do with it.”

“Champ Albright?” Bonnie joined their conversation. “The reporter I meant to introduce you to?”

“One and the same,” Cain said. “He actually helped me find you. I’ll tell you about it on our way to Guam.”

“This ought to be good. I can’t wait to hear all about it,” she said.

Cain and Alvarez laughed as the chief continued escorting them through the ship to their sleeping berth. Even though it was technically a VIP room, it was still on board a military ship designed for combat. The USS George Washington’s mattresses were prison-thin, the pillows hard as rocks, and the wool blankets scratchy as sandpaper. Cain didn’t care, though. As far as he was concerned, the mighty ship was the Ritz-Carlton.

“How did you score this room?” he asked Alvarez.

“It may seem like a new navy with the new generation joining nowadays, but chiefs still take care of each other. Let’s just say I owe the supply officer a drink when we reach Guam.”

“A room like this, I’m sure it’s a lot of drinks,” Cain replied.

“You guys are worth it.”

Cain felt an enormous sense of gratitude. He wrapped one arm around Alvarez and the other around Bonnie and pulled them close.

“I’m just glad I could help you out in your time of need,” the chief said. “Nobody is assigned this room until we pick up an admiral in Guam. So you and Bonnie can rest easy. You’re safe now. When you wake up tomorrow, we’ll be preparing to get under way.”

Cain was used to pushing his body to its limits, but this had been different. He had gone days without rest or peace of mind, having been fueled by sheer determination to rescue Bonnie. As soon as Chief Alvarez shut the door on his way out, Cain lay in the bottom bunk, staring at the bunk above him. His mind drifted toward wonderful thoughts of Umiko. He thought of how special she was. How she’d gently cared for him, and of their life-changing kendo trip to the base of Mount Fuji. He would never forget that trip: the retreat had helped him overcome his feelings of guilt. Feeling a sense of newfound peace, he crashed into a dreamless sleep.

Hours later, what seemed like chaotic activity woke him. Hatches were opening and slamming shut. Senior enlisted sailors were shouting instructions and junior sailors were replying with the same level of intensity. The intercom bellowed commands from various military officers, but it was the command from the boatswain’s mate that caught Cain’s attention.

“Prepare to shift colors.”

That was the command for sailors to stand at attention on the side of the ship in their dress white uniforms.

Cain and Bonnie stayed put in their room, competing for a view from the porthole. The pier was full of hundreds of family members waving good-bye to their military spouses and parents. It felt as if they were waving good-bye to Cain and Bonnie.

The sun was peeking over the mountain, slowly rising with each minute. The island nation was getting smaller as the massive aircraft carrier cut through the water and sailed on its own power.

“Take one last look, sis. The land of the rising sun.”

“Sayonara,” she whispered, peering through the small porthole.

“Soon we’ll be in Guam, and then back on the bayou.”

“Home sweet home,” she said.





Epilogue





Ten months later