Amber

Chapter 9

Maddock had to admit that he did not at all relish the thought of confronting Underwater Operations Coordinator Andy Metcalf. But men had been lost — he hoped literally — that they were in Russian custody and would be deposited back to U.S. personnel, tail between their legs, the Russians’ feathers bristling while they made noises about acts of war. But deep down Maddock knew that wouldn’t be happening. Alex Yu and Raul Jiminez had perished on that ghostly wreck at the hands of the Russians.

They had already called Metcalf by telephone as soon as they had been able to reach one, so that a search for the missing men could be launched. Now, as they were escorted up the Williamsburg’s boarding gangway by yet another stone-faced sailor, they were here to deliver that debriefing in person. Maddock wouldn’t have it any other way. But that didn’t mean he looked forward to it.

Walking through the ship, this time they were greeted with stares of outright hostility, as though it were their fault two of their sailors had not returned. And in a way, Maddock thought grimly, it was, wasn’t? He had personally briefed Yu and Jiminez, given them their orders. The ship’s walkways, stairs, bulkheads and machinery passed by in a blur as the four SEALs made their way to the fantail of the massive war machine. But no, he argued with himself, it was the Russians who were responsible. Moreover, Yu and Jiminez were well aware of the Russian presence and threat before they embarked on the mission. They were the ones who had informed Maddock about the escalating activity, after all. It wasn’t like they were completely blindsided. Had they refused or even expressed reservations about participating in the mission, Maddock would have requested someone else. They had willingly participated.

So it was that Maddock had his thoughts prepared for the debriefing with Metcalf, his various questions anticipated, but like so much in the business of war and national security, you could prepare, but there was no guarantee whatsoever things would play out the way you had thought. Metcalf was standing there with a sat-phone to his face, talking on it as he watched the SEAL visitors approach with their sailor escort, who stopped and saluted.

Metcalf said, “Yes sir, right away sir,” into the phone before clipping it back to his belt and saluting his sailor.

He glared ever so slightly at Maddock. Was that a tear in his eye? But his voice was hard as steel as he spoke. “Admiral Liptow has been informed that you have returned from your dive and that both of the sailors who accompanied you did not. That is the extent of what he has been told at this point. He requests an immediate briefing via teleconference with the four of you. We have set up a secure conference facility on board for this purpose. Ensign Peterson will escort you there. Good day, SEALs.”

Metcalf turned on a heel and strode off before any of them could say anything. What was there to say?

“This way.” The ensign pointed toward the superstructure of the ship and began walking toward a high stairwell. A few minutes later he deposited them at the doorway of a third level conference room, the door to which was open.

“The Admiral is waiting on a secure line. Just hit unmute on the closest phone to the end, there. When you’re done, hit the intercom on the wall here and someone will escort you off the ship.” With that, the ensign left them alone in the smallish room, which featured not much more than a simple table and chairs to support a bank of conference phones.

The four of them took seats and Maddock unmuted the phone. “Admiral Liptow, Dane Maddock here with fellow SEALs Uriah Bonebrake, Willis Sanders and Pete Chapman. The Navy tells us this line is secure.”

“Liptow here, Maddock. Line is secure. Proceed with your briefing. I understand things turned out less than optimal.”

Professor rolled his eyes. Dane flashed on them nearly drowning down in that gloomy wreck. Less than optimal. Understatement of the century. Maddock took the prompt.

“Yes sir. We lost—“

“Two Navy divers, Alex Yu and Raul Jiminez. I know. Give me the particulars.”

Maddock took a deep breath and then began recounting the details of their dive, with occasional input from Bones, Professor and Willis. When he finished, there was a lengthy pause on the other end of the line, at the end of which the Admiral said, “That’s a substantial loss of Navy life and property for a golden cherub that was stolen from you by the Russians.”

Maddock and the others agreed, but he pointed out the positive outcome. “I did take a few photographs of it before it was taken. We feel it indicates that the Amber Room was not completely destroyed in the war, Admiral. If this piece survived, other pieces may have, too.”

“I concur. It tells us more about the Russian angle, too. As it turns out, we have some new intel that points to a possible lead on the whereabouts of the room in an inland location not far from your current position. In addition, we have a contact we’ve been working with who we’d like you to rendezvous with in order to carry out the next phase of the operation.”

Maddock’s ears perked up. “Who would that be, Admiral?”

“Her name is Zara Leopov. She been working with—“

Bones couldn’t suppress an exclamation as he exchanged glances with Maddock. The two flashed on a harrowing situation in Russia, on a submarine locked in ice, strange creatures… It figured that they would tangle with her in Russia again.

“Is there a problem, gentlemen?” The Admiral’s voice boomed through the speaker. Maddock held up a hand in Bones’ direction. Bones was making lewd gestures at Willis and Professor while presumably describing Leopov.

“No, sir, it’s just that we already know Leopov from a previous mission, sir.”

“Problems? Any reason you can’t work well together now? Because we need her, Maddock. We need the information she can get for us. I wish we didn’t, but right now that’s the way it is.”

“We’re happy to work with her, Admiral.”

Bones grinned mischievously.

“Good. Because time is most definitely of the essence here. Now listen up… ” The admiral went on to give them details on how to meet up with Leopov, as well as a few more operational fine points as to what they were looking for next. Then he signed off and Maddock got up from the table. He walked to the door and held his hand over the intercom before turning back to his colleagues.

“Ready for Phase Two?” They all nodded and Maddock hit the button.