CEYLON OPERATION X ADMIRAL KEJE-FRIS-AR AND GENERAL ALDEN ADVISED TO COMMENCE OPS AT DISCRETION XXX US SUBMARINE S-19 DISCOVERED BADLY DAMAGED BUT UNDERWAY WEST OF SAMAR X EXPEDITION HAS SUFFERED SEVERE CASUALTIES BUT HAS RESCUED SEVENTY ONE (71) SURVIVORS TAGRANESI PEOPLE X LT IRVIN LAUMER ALSO BEGS TO REPORT RESCUE XXX IMPERIAL PERSONNEL X PRINCESS REBECCA ANNE MCDONALD X MIDSHIPMAN STUART BRASSEY XXX ALLIED PERSONNEL X MIDSHIPMAN ABEL COOK X TAGRANESI LAWRENCE X SISTER AUDRY X CHIEF GUNNER’S MATE DENNIS SILVA X CAPTAIN LELAA-TAL-CLERAAN X MINISTER OF MEDICINE SANDRA TUCKER X GOD THE MAKER BLESS THEM X MESSAGE ENDS XXX
The page began to shake in Matt’s hand and a bright sheen covered his eyes. “My Lord,” he said hoarsely and wiped his face with his sleeve. He cleared his throat. “Uh, please send this to Government House, with my congratulations, to the Governor-Emperor and his wife.”
“What is it, Captain?” Spanky asked.
Matt’s lips formed a genuine, delighted smile, and he handed over the message. “Read it aloud, Spanky, then post a copy. Everybody aboard deserves to see it.” His eyes started to fill again. “Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I think I’ll… take a short nap on my cot in the chart house. I’ll be along shortly with a reply, Mr. Palmer,” he said, and turned away before the tears spilled down his face. “Carry on,” he added, closing the chart house hatch behind him.
Spanky read the message, but then he, Gray, Courtney, Chack, and Palmer remained by the rail in silence. They were exuberant, but also a little uncomfortable. Unspoken, all their thoughts were on Captain Reddy and how this latest news would hit him. He’d always been a rock-but a hot rock will crack when you pour cold water on it. Less than a minute later, to their surprise, Matt banged open the hatch and strode back to face them, a huge grin splitting his lips. His eyes were still red, but no trace of moisture remained.
“Belay that, Palmer,” he commanded. “Let’s go send a reply right now; then I’ll take the message ashore to the Governor-Emperor myself! I’ve got some ideas about this ‘new’ war I’d like to kick around with him anyway.”
“Well, sure, Skipper…” Palmer said.
“What about that… nap, Captain?” Gray asked, a little concerned. “You been pushin’ yourself awful hard…”
Matt laughed, and the sound was… right. “So have you, Boats. So has everybody. The hell with that. All of a sudden, I’m not really tired anymore!”
