Standing in for Dad Ch. 33

Sue then smiled, “HL, when was the last time you got laid?”

Captain Hillibrand was taken aback, “I am not sure that is a question I should answer in mixed company, Sue.”

Sue smiled, “Nonsense, Captain. Do you know what ‘free use’ means?”

HL sat straight in his chair, “I have not heard of that, no.”

Sue replied, “It means, if you find yourself in need of sex, you just ask someone with whom you would like to have it. If they accept, which most times happens, there are no taboos, rules, restrictions, implications, or recriminations.”

HL scoffed, “That is not allowed on a United States vessel, even an Embassy Afloat.”

Bella chimed in, “What you may not know, Captain, is this yacht is actually privately owned and is on lease to the State Department. This is our home as well as an Embassy Afloat. And the only person Harry answers to is the President of the United States…not the State Department, not the Joint Chiefs, not the Secretary of Defense, not Homeland, not the CIA. He answers to Bill and Bill alone…your Commander in Chief.”

The XO chimed in, “Wait, you are telling us this is a PRIVATELY owned vessel? How is that possible? You have more advanced weapons on this ship than any vessel in the fleet!”

Dad then spoke up, “HL, XO, how that is possible is classified and only a handful of people at the highest levels of government know that answer. I can say that, before Harry became an Ambassador and before he was an employee of the United States, there was a particular country who was very appreciative of his services and paid him with this yacht. The munitions were added last minute just prior to Harry receiving her and were added with the anticipation the ship would be used as an Embassy Afloat.”

“Damn, the taxes alone must have been horrendous!” HL said.

I smiled, “Actually it is all tax free. I have a letter from the IRS stating as much.”

HL’s and XO’s mouths dropped and XO whispered, “Who the hell are you people!”

Everyone had a good laugh at that one when all of a sudden Red came over the tablets, “Captain, we have a situation.”

Captain Barnes replied, “Give me a sitrep, Red. Whatcha got?”

“Sir, we have two underwater divers approaching. They have no clearance and the remote cameras we deployed in the bay suggest they are armed with ship killing explosive mines. The two are about 10 fathoms deep and 500 yards out moving at 50 feet a minute.”

Barnes looked at me and I said, “Take them out.”

Barnes looked at one of the SEAL Lieutenants who got on his coms unit, “Alpha team! Prepare to deal with divers approaching! Two divers at 12 o’clock off the bow, 500 yards, moving at 50 feet a minute. Deploy two Striker 40, 40 mm smart grenades set to explode after entering the water. Launch one of the submarines to collect the bodies. Over.”

“Copy Alpha Team leader! 2 smart 40’s set for underwater detonation, 500 yards at 50 feet per minute. We will have them in the water in 2 minutes! Will Bravo Team handle the recovery? Over.”

The other Lieutenant nodded and got on his coms, “Bravo team, launch a sub to collect two bodies approximately 450 yards off the bow. If safe, collect the mines they are carrying for inspection. Over.”

“Copy Team leader. Launch is underway.”

“Bravo Team, wait until the explosions before you dive, don’t want any casualties from the explosions taking out our team. Over.”

“Copy Team leader, will wait for the explosions before dropping her in the water.”

Captain Barnes then told Red, “Okay, thank you for the good work, Red. Quietly set general quarters and shout out a warning about two loud noises from the water, no need to panic the staff.”

“Roger that, Captain.” Immediately Red came over the Yacht’s intercom, “All hands, general quarters. Be advised there will be two loud noises coming from the hull in about 80 seconds. We are repelling an attack. All hands please man your stations. This is not a drill.”

I then contacted Red, “Red, Harry here. Can you tell where they came from?”

“Roger, Sir. They came from the southern most area of the bay, approximately 300 yards outside our perimeter. There seem to be two vehicles and a lookout, judging from infrared.”

“Ambassador,” one of the Lieutenants said, “I have a visual through our Predator, permission to launch a switchblade?”

Without hesitation I responded, “Permission granted.”

The Switchblade struck at the same time as the two grenades exploded underwater right over the two divers. There were secondary underwater explosions significantly more powerful than the primary.

Red came over our tablets, “You can cancel the sub, Sir. There will be nothing left. Evidently the divers had already taken the safeties off the mines and the concussion set them off. Nothing left but fish bait.”

“Bravo Team, this is Team Leader. Copy?”

“Copy Team Leader. Over.”

“You can launch the sub but just leave her in the water, moored to the Yacht. Secondary explosions left nothing to recover. Over.”

“Aye Team Leader. Launching the sub and mooring to the aft deck. Over.”

Captain Barnes then spoke with Red, “Red, give it 5 minutes and secure from General Quarters.”

“Aye, Aye Captain.”

I looked at the XO and smiled, “I take it the Marines are still consolidating their present positions before securing the entire area?”

XO looked a little sheepish and nodded, “Yes, Ambassador. That area will be secured before the evening is out.”

The XO looked at Barnes and said, “That was a damn fine and efficient response you and your team had. Very impressive!”

Barnes shook his head, “XO, it has to do with the SEAL Team we have on board. These boys are the best of the best.”

“HL, may I inquire as to how many attack subs you have in your fleet at the moment?”

“Yes, Harry: we have 3. Why do you ask?”

“I want to invite their Captains and Execs over for dinner. Would inviting them over one sub at a time seriously hamper their protective shield?”

Isabella then lit up and asked, “Actually, HL, would it be possible for four ships at a time, including the subs, dock here in port for 2 days at a time for shore leave? We have quite a few merchants here at the port who would love to have them drop by since we have disrupted their trade. Perhaps even keep it on a rotating basis?”

HL began to smile, “I think that would be one hell of an idea, M’Lady. Thank you for the hospitality.”

I then added, “That is a capitol idea! Please let the officers know we will be expecting them over for dinner each night they are in port, casual dress! I am particularly interested in meeting our infamous interdicter.”

HL smiled even broader, “With your permission I will certainly do so.”

Just then our Chef entered from the elevator with food carts in tow. “All I know is the next set of assholes who interrupts my dinner prep with a need for general quarters are going to have my knives up their asses!”

Everyone had a good chuckle and then dinner was served.

Chef had been slow cooking several lean briskets with salt, pepper, onion, vinegar, water, new potatoes, and celery stalks for over 6 hours. It was served in ¼ inch slices with a small bowl of Bar-B-Que sauce on the side.

No cutting tools needed as it was melt in your mouth tender and very juicy.

Chef had also baked mini-loaves of dark bread which were served with honey butter on the side.

The wine selection was a very hearty 2020 Bouchard Pere & Fils Reserve Bourgogne Pinot Noir that was very intense in both color and aromatic bouquet with ripe cherry, raspberry, and currant flavors leading to a beautifully smooth finish.

After dinner we were served snifter glasses of chilled GODIVA Chocolate Liqueur featuring its original, ultra-velvety dark chocolate flavor. It had the pure essence of Godiva chocolate with balanced notes that were not overly sweet which was mated with an equal amount of D’USSE Cognac XO contributing rich flavor notes of ripe blackberry and apricot, layered with hints of dark chocolate and walnut, culminating in an exceptionally balanced finish.

HL smiled as he sipped his after dinner drink, “Harry, feel free to invite me back any time. And by the way, I deeply apologize for everything in the past. You are not at all who I thought you would be and my fears were unwarranted.”

Captain Barnes lifted his glass, “To second chances!”

“Hear! Hear!”

****

Brannigan and a dozen FBI agents, all male, drove up the drive, past the burgeoning press corps and local police blockers, to meet Mrs. Cooper whom they found on the front porch waiting for them.

“Hello, Mrs. Cooper. In case you forgot, I am Special Agent Brannigan and we are here to secure your cottages.”

“Fantastic! Thank you fellas for coming. And Special Agent Brannigan, I do remember you from last time during that foolish incident. I hope we can put that behind us.”

“I have been told you had an epiphany at GITMO. Is that accurate?”

“Indeed it is. I am very happy with how things turned out. I just wish I had not been such a fool to begin with…Life would have been much simpler for me. But then again, I would not be here doing what I am doing if it hadn’t.”

“Well, it is good to see you found your silver lining. It is a pleasure to meet you this time, M’Lady.”

“Well, Mrs. Cooper and M’Lady just will not do. Please call me Millie. Also, I took the liberty of making sure all the sensors the SEAL Team left behind were working and locked into the house security system for you. Additionally, dinner from the Club is served buffet style on the kitchen bar. Help yourselves and after you have eaten we can get you situated unless you want to go dipping in the pool with the now naked lady servers who are already enjoying it.”

“Also, there is fishing gear and boats available any time you want.”

The rest of the agents looked at Brannigan who smiled, “What goes on here stays here. Anybody got an issue with that can leave the detail.”

One of the men chuckled, “I think I just got the dream assignment I never knew existed.”

****

Leesie was sitting next to the XO and the poor man had difficulty not staring at her breasts the whole evening. During after dinner drinks, Mom just took off her top while still at the table so he could get a better view. His and HL’s eyes popped and their jaws dropped when all the women at the table followed suit. The Tequila, some salt, and lime slices were set around the table and the party commenced. Seems the XO was all about mom’s boobs, enjoying licking his salt off of them before biting his lime and chugging a shot.