The Malacca Conspiracy

Epilogue

The White House

Three months later

The Rose Garden was a blur of colors and a montage of the sweet scents of an early spring morning in Washington. Yellow, red, and white tulips were just beginning to bloom amidst gardenias, daffodil, jonquil, and some flowers that Diane did not recognize.

Across the lush, green grass just outside the West Wing, Diane stood at parade rest, her hands folded in the back of her service dress-blue uniform and skirt. Zack stood next to her, at the end of the line, also at parade rest. Next to her on the other side stood Captain Noble and the entire SEAL team, also in service dress blues. At their sides, the SEALs wore their ceremonial battle swords, which glistened brilliantly in the morning sun.

All this against the unseasonably warm Washington morning made for a gorgeous panorama of deep colors, with blue, red, white, and green meshing into bright tapestry against the pink blooms on saucer magnolia trees on the White House lawn.

“Attention on deck!” Captain Noble ordered. Diane and her colleagues jumped to erect attention.

A voice came over a loudspeaker. “Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States.”

Two marines opened double doors on the West Wing. The president stepped out onto the grass, flanked by Admiral Roscoe Smith to his right and Secretary of Defense Erwin Lopez to his left. They were followed by another naval officer, Rear Admiral Jeffrey Carl Lettow, a Southern Baptist pastor currently serving as the chief of navy chaplains.

The four men walked across the grass to a podium featuring the Presidential Seal. “At ease,” the president said as he reached the podium, the three others behind him. The audience relaxed slightly.

“Our nation has been hit.” The president began his speech with somber tones. “One of our great cities, Philadelphia, has had its heart ripped out. One of our ships, USS Port Royal, has been attacked, and many thousands have died.

“But though the Islamo-fascists may have temporarily bruised Philadelphia, evil cannot, and shall not ever, quench the heart and the spirit of America. We are grateful to God Almighty that we still live as a nation, and that as a nation, we have survived this brutal and criminal attack.”

The president reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a letter. His eyes met Diane’s; then he looked at the SEAL team. “This is a private ceremony. Though certain members of the press corps have been invited, there will be no live television cameras. Photographs and excerpts will later be released to the press. But this is a sacred occasion. This is an intimate time. You have saved our country.” He took the letter out and unfolded it. “I’d like to begin by reading a brief note from the president of Indonesia.”

He placed the letter on the podium and began to read. “To members of the US Navy SEAL team, to the US Navy pilots, to the US Navy JAG officers, and to members of the USS Ronald Reagan carrier task force-the government and the people of a democratic Indonesia are eternally grateful. You have saved our nation from a despotic tyranny, and while Indonesians grieve the loss of lives in America, we salute and commend you for having saved the lives of millions of others in your country. May God bless you all of your days, and may God bless the United States of America. Signed, Muhammed Magadia, president of the Republic of Indonesia.”

The president folded the letter and put it in his pocket. “And now, I’d like to ask a very special lady to come forward.” The marines swung open the double doors again. The First Lady of the United States stepped out first. Then another woman stepped out. The two women walked across the lawn toward the podium, but it was not until they had nearly reached the podium that Diane recognized the second woman.

The president spoke again. “The Presidential Medal of Freedom is this nation’s highest civilian award. The medal was first established by President Harry Truman to honor civilians for distinguished service in time of war. On February 22, 1963, the 231^st birthday of George Washington, President John F. Kennedy expanded the eligibility for receiving the medal when he signed this executive order. Presidential Medals of Freedom shall be awarded to persons ‘for especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, or world peace, or cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.’

“Past recipients of the medal include Pope John Paul II, Martin Luther King Jr., President Ronald Reagan, and Mother Teresa.

“Today, I have the pleasure of presenting the Presidential Medal of Freedom to a woman, who, facing fear and death, courageously put her life on the line and in doing so, saved the lives of millions.” He turned around and looked and smiled at the woman standing next to his wife. “The Presidential Medal of Freedom is hereby awarded to Kristina Wulandari.”

Applause broke out as the pretty young Indonesian woman stepped forward. She sheepishly bowed. President Williams put the medal around her neck. He kissed her on the cheek, and then gave her a long hug. “Thank you,” the president could be heard saying over the applause. “Thank you so much.” Photographers stepped forward and snapped photographs to commemorate the historic moment.

The applause subsided, and Kristina walked over and stood beside Mrs. Williams.

“There are others to be thanked for the fact that we are standing here today…Other members of the United States military to whom many of us owe our lives”-he looked at the SEAL team and at Commander Belk-“and to whom I personally owe my life.”

The president pulled another letter from his coat. “On August 7, 1942, Congress made the Navy Cross a combat-only decoration with precedence over the Distinguished Service Medal, making it the navy’s second-highest-ranking award, ranking only below the Congressional Medal of Honor.”

The president looked up from the podium again. “To Captain Noble, and to each and every member of SEAL Team One, Platoons Alpha and Charlie; to Lieutenant Commander Belk, to Lieutenant Commander Brewer, and to Lieutenant Commander Colcernian, your nation is grateful for your heroic actions in defending your country during the Indonesian operations of this past winter. To each of you, you are this day being awarded the Navy Cross.

“Please step up as I call your names.” He looked first at Captain Noble. “Captain Buck Noble.” Captain Noble marched sharply to the podium, saluted the president, then stood erect as the president lifted the medal from a silk pillow being held by the chaplain. “Congratulations, Captain,” the president said, as he pinned the medal on the SEAL’s chest.

“Thank you, sir.” Noble shot a sharp salute, pivoted, and returned to the line.

“Lieutenant Commander Billy Belk, front and center.”

The process continued, until finally, “Lieutenant Commander Diane Colcernian, front and center!”

Despite facing down death on multiple occasions over the past few years, this moment flooded Diane with a strange nervousness. She came to attention, stepped ten paces forward, stopped in front of the podium, and saluted her commander in chief.

The president stepped out to her, along with the chief of chaplains, holding the silk pillow with her Navy Cross.

President Williams picked up the medal, and as he was pinning it to her blue uniform, he spoke softly. “Diane, I know your dad would have been so proud of you.”

Emotion overwhelmed her when the president mentioned her father. “Thank you, Mr. President,” she whispered.

“He was a fine naval officer and a great man.”

“Thank you, sir.” Her voice was beginning to tremble.

“There.” He finished pinning the medal on her lapel. “That should do it.” He looked into her eyes. “You gonna be okay?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Fall back into line.”

“Yes, sir.” She shot him a final salute, then pivoted and walked back to the line of navy blue, where one officer had yet to receive his medal.

“Lieutenant Commander Zack Brewer, front and center.”

Zack stepped forward, by far the best-looking man in the Rose Garden, in Diane’s opinion. Just the subtle swagger in his step still made her melt. At that moment it hit her, suddenly, after all these years…the confidence, the swagger, the handsome dimple contrasted against his gentleness. Zack’s many traits were those of the man she had loved first and loved the most, her father. How could she not have seen it until now?

Zack snapped a sharp salute at the president, who stepped forward with Admiral Lettow to pin on the Navy Cross. They were all conversing privately for a moment, as the president had done with her and several other officers.

She knew that the president had a special fondness for Zack, but this conversation was lingering noticeably longer than any of the others.

The president stepped back behind the podium, motioning Zack to stand beside him.

“Ladies and gentlemen, as many of you know, Lieutenant Commander Brewer is known throughout the nation as the JAG officer who has successfully prosecuted several high-profile cases in the war on terror. Commander Brewer has asked to say a few words, and as his commander in chief, he has my blessing. Zack?”

Zack strode with confidence to the presidential podium, as if about to address a jury, or as if he were the president himself. Zack had once turned down an opportunity to get out of the navy and run for Congress. He loved the navy too much. But perhaps, she thought, as he reached the podium with an ease and charisma that exuded even before he spoke, there may be a political career for him after all.

“Mr. President, Mr. Secretary.” He turned and acknowledged those behind him. “Admirals Smith and Lettow, Captain Noble, I am honored for this opportunity to speak just a few words on this bittersweet occasion in our nation’s history.”

A pause. How does he do this with no notes?

“For today,” he continued, “there is a bitterness indeed as we contemplate the loss of life of our shipmates on board USS Port Royal, many of whom gave their lives in the defense of freedom, as also we remember the thousands who died in Philadelphia.

“But it is also a sweet occasion. We are thankful that our nation lives. The great city of San Francisco and our nation’s capital have been spared by the grace of God and by the acts of the United States military.

“This all started with an evil conspiracy, in a beautiful place, far, far away. That conspiracy is now known by the press as the Malaccan Conspiracy. And the lessons of the Malaccan Conspiracy are these.” He paused and eyed the officers, holding his gaze on her. “That life, especially life in the navy, is fleeting. Today, we are in the Rose Garden. Tomorrow, we may be in some far corner of the world responding to duty, doing our best to defend the Constitution and to help keep peace and freedom for all Americans. We go where duty calls. And make no mistake. We are glad and honored to do it.

“But there is another lesson, I believe, to be learned from the Malaccan Conspiracy, and I believe it to be this.” He held up his index finger. “Not only is life fleeting, but we must courageously seize the moment in the here and now. Miss Wulandari, with great courage, seized the moment and saved millions when she bravely faced a fear of death and got that computer stick into the right hands.

“Mr. President”-he looked at the president-“you made tough and courageous decisions when you gave orders to the US military during this crisis. I know the order you gave in San Francisco was hard, and your bravery showed in standing fast here in Washington, and not letting the terrorists intimidate you into leaving our capital.” Applause broke out from the SEALs and the press crew in the Rose Garden. “Mr. President, your bravery will be the stuff that legends are made of.”

That brought more sustained applause. Zack turned back to the audience. “And so today, in the spirit of the lessons learned from the Malaccan Conspiracy, in the midst of a life that is fleeting, that may take us from this place tomorrow, and knowing that I may very well publically fail in doing so, I must seize this moment.”

He paused again, surveying the crowd. He’s announcing he’s leaving the navy and returning to North Carolina to run for the Senate, Diane supposed. She always knew he would do it.

To announce his candidacy from the Rose Garden with the blessing of the president!

Zack was not only brave and unequaled in eloquence, but uncannily brilliant. There was no limit to his future. Her heart leapt with excitement for him.

“To the president, and the first lady, and the secretary of defense, and to my fellow naval brethren present, from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs to the brave enlisted members of the SEAL team, I ask that you would stay a moment and support me in what I am about to do.”

Could it be the Senate?

Perhaps governor of North Carolina?

From there, he could run for the White House.

“To Lieutenant Commander Colcernian, my dear colleague with whom I have served off and on since our days at the Naval Justice School five years ago, would you join me here at the podium please for a very important announcement?”

He wants me to join him in his campaign?

“Come on up, Diane.” The president was motioning at her. More applause. This was turning into something political. She knew it. Zack had the knack for the splash.

She reached the podium beside Zack, and as she did, the president came and stood beside her. The first lady walked over beside Zack. They were now a foursome at the podium. Diane and Zack just behind the microphones, flanked by the president and the first lady on each side.

Zack looked at her and smiled. “You think I’m getting ready to declare for office, don’t you?” That brought a round of laughter.

“Well, the thought did cross my mind,” she said, generating more laughter.

“Maybe you’re right,” he sheepishly teased, melting her again with that dimple in his chin. “Which office do you think I’m running for?”

“With you, Zack, who knows?” she shot back. Now the crowd was laughing hard.

He turned to the podium. “Mr. President, Mr. Secretary, Admiral Smith, Admiral Lettow, ladies and gentlemen. It is with great honor and high personal privilege that today I am announcing that I am a candidate for the office of”-he looked at her and grinned-“husband of Diane Jefferson Colcernian!”

What did he just say? Her mouth fell open. Is this happening?

Raucous applause broke out. Even whistling. Zack looked at her, still grinning. Then he turned to the Rose Garden crowd again.

“I am hoping that this will not be a long and arduous campaign. In fact, I am hoping that this victory will be won in this moment, here at the White House, in the Rose Garden, before the president and Almighty God. As I turn now to the woman that I love, pray for favor and blessing.”

He turned to her, took her hand, went to one knee, and slowly kissed her hand. “Diane, you’re the one that I love. There may be no more tomorrows. Will you marry me? Right here? Right now? In the Rose Garden?”

“Oh, Zack.”

“We’ve even got a chaplain, I have a ring in my pocket, and the president told me that he would stand in for your father and give you away.”

“That’s right,” the president said, gently resting his hand on her back. “It would be my honor.”

“Stand up, Zack.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He stood.

“I might, on one condition.”

He raised his eyebrow. “Anything.”

“First, I have to decide if you’re a good enough kisser.” Laughter from the audience.

“And just how are you going to decide that?” More laughter.

“Let’s just say the jury is still out, and you need to figure out a way to bring the jury in!”

He pulled her to him, and their lips met, igniting a hot, instant electricity and sustained applause. She pulled away. “The jury is with you, Commander. If you’ll promise to give me another one of those after the ceremony is over, I accept.”

He kissed her on the cheek to more applause and looked over at the chaplain. “Admiral Lettow?”

The experienced chaplain smiled at the couple. “Diane, why don’t you take the president’s arm, since he is giving you away, and Zack, why don’t you walk around to the front of the podium with me?”

They walked around to the front of the podium, with their backs to the SEALs and other members of the press corps. She stood between the president, still holding onto his outstretched arm, and Zack, whose hand was on her back.

The tears were flowing like a river now. How embarrassing, she thought, to be weeping in front of the president of the United States. “It’s okay,” the president whispered, which reminded her of her father, sending a new wave of tears down her face. The president offered her a handkerchief as Admiral Lettow began to speak.

“We are gathered here in the presence of Almighty God to join these two, Diane Jefferson Colcernian and Zachary Mitchell Brewer, in holy matrimony…”

The rest was a blurry dream that she would never fully remember, until she heard the final words, “You may kiss the bride!”

At that point the details would never fade from her memory. Zack’s powerful kiss was long and electric, even better than a few moments earlier. What a remedy for the stream of tears!

They turned away and saw that the SEALs had formed two long lines, stretching at least fifty feet into the Rose Garden.

“SEALs!…Draw!…Swords!”

In a swift and synchronized motion, the SEALs drew their stainless-steel swords into an archway, clinking as they touched and glistened brightly in the sun. Diane took her husband’s arm and followed his lead into the arch of swords.

The applause was enthusiastic as they stepped slowly under the sharp blades of shining steel.

This was a walk she never wanted to end. If only her father could see her now.

As they approached the end of the arch of swords, she saw photographers pointing their cameras into the archway and snapping away.

Zack slowed their pace, just before they stepped out the other end. Cameras whizzed and flashed at the end of the tunnel.

Then she remembered. She was about to become the victim of a time-honored naval tradition.

She winced.

As they stepped out of the archway, one of the swordsmen brought his sword down and swiftly popped her on the rump with his blade.

“Ouch!”

“Welcome to the navy, Mrs. Brewer!”