35

TASK FORCE 7.1
41 MILES EAST OF MIYAKO SHIMA ISLAND
1404 HOURS ZONE TIME; AUGUST 19, 2006

In the Flag Plot of the USS Enterprise, Commander Nolan Walker looked up jubilantly from the communications copy he held.

“Definite confirmation of the kill from the Cunningham, sir. A Han-class attack boat. Wreckage and a survivor recovered. No doubt about it!”

The only response was a noncommittal grunt from Admiral Tallman.

“Is there a problem, sir?”

“No, not a problem, Commander. But let’s not get too cocky about it, either.”

“One boat down barely twenty-four hours after we start the hunt seems pretty good to me, sir.”

“Oh, it was. That bunch out on the Duke did good work. The thing is, though, we just hooked one of the trash fish. The keeper is still out there. We’ve got to get him in the net before we can do any bragging down at the bar.”

Tallman turned back to the strategic display on the main chart table. “Notify Seventh Fleet that we have a solid kill. Then let’s figure out what we’re going to do next.”

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