The mess decks were filled to overflowing. Soon, every available square inch was in use. Those with relatively minor injuries filled the passageways. The uninjured filled topside.
The SUCAP S3-Bs were pressed into service as longer range SAR birds. The combination of their advanced forward looking infrared sensors (FLIR) and inverted synthetic aperture radars (ISAR) were very effective in finding isolated survivors, particularly as night began to fall.
28
23 Jun 2000, 2336LT (1536Z)
As the last of the survivors was being pulled aboard, Fagan climbed to the bridge.
“Skipper, we've got two hundred and forty survivors onboard. The mess decks and all the middle level berthing are crammed full. We have over a hundred topside. Doc reports that he is almost out of medical supplies. He has ninety-four patients, all in fair or better condition and nothing he can’t handle. Burns, broken bones, salt water ingestion, a couple of concussions, some lacerations and bruises.
"The crew has been doing a great job. Everybody's pitching in to help. Even Turnstill is finally being useful. Don't know what we would have done without him interpreting."
Hunter commented dryly, "About time he did something besides eat, breathe and sleep."
Fagan continued, “More interesting, the CO was in that last bunch. He's not a happy camper. Demanding an explanation of why his ship was attacked in sovereign waters and making all kinds of dire threats. He's been using Admiral Suluvana’s name liberally. He evidently is a close follower and supporter of the admiral.”
“Interesting,” Hunter replied, scratching the stubble on his chin. “Any clue of why he was in these waters? He give you any ideas?”
Fagan replied, “No sir, but I bet it has to do with the island. They must be here to escort the delivery ship.”
“Maybe they are the delivery ship,” Hunter mused. “Pick-up was supposed to happen last night if we believe that comms intercept. Have you seen any other ship anywhere close?”
He gazed out over the water for a few moments and then said, “Here’s what I want you to do. Isolate that Skipper in the Chief’s quarters under heavy guard. No one is to say anything to him. Find out who his leading quartermaster is and interrogate him. Take Turnstill with you.
"I’m betting that only the Skipper and maybe a few of his senior officers are in on this. The leading quartermaster will know the planned routing and schedule. He probably doesn’t even know that it is anything but a routine port stop.
“We’ll use that against the Skipper to pump what he knows out of him. Get a message drafted to SUBPAC giving them the status of the rescue and telling them we have the Skipper. Let them know that we suspect that the frigate was the pick-up ship and that we are planning to interrogate the Skipper. Also find out what they have done to help us off-load our guests. By the way, do we have that Skipper’s name?” Hunter asked.
“Sure Skipper, his name is Balewegal, Commanding Officer of the Indonesian Navy Ship SAWAL,” Fagan replied as he started to lower himself down the long ladder to the control room.
23 Jun 2000, 2325LT (1725Z)
CDR Hunter stalked into the goat locker with Turnstill close behind him. Hunter glared down at the seated Indonesian Captain. “Well, Captain Balewegal, you should be happy to know that we have two hundred and forty of your crew safely onboard. They are being given medical attention, food and dry clothing. From your recent activities, though, I doubt that you care.
Turnstill translated Hunter's statement into Bahasa.
Balewegal angrily responded, in English, "I don't need the services of this spy dog!"
Turning to Turnstill, he continued harshly, "So, you have returned to your masters. Our money was not enough for you. You take American money, too. Do your American masters know all that you have done for us? Do they know about the drug smuggling?"
Turnstill lunged at Balewegal, his face contorted with rage. Hunter slammed him back into the bulkhead before he could reach the seated captive. Balewegal attempted to jump up to defend himself, but the COB shoved him back down.
Hunter yelled, "All right. That's enough!" while jamming the still struggling Turnstill into the corner.
Turnstill slumped down into the corner and held up his arms defensively. "Enough! I've had enough."
Balewegal started, "Captain, maybe you don't know that Turnstill was the top heroin smuggler in Java. That's how we found him, or rather rescued him. I'm afraid that our Courts are much harsher with drug dealers than yours. He was caught trying to sneak in a boatload of pure heroin. Sentenced to beheading. Admiral Suluvana saw some use in this mangy mutt and had him released. He has been importing items for us ever since."
Turnstill looked up at Hunter. "I was framed. Suluvana and this bastard set me up. I didn't know there were drugs on that boat. They told me it was a load of fertilizer and farm tools."
Hunter replied, "I don't give a damn. We’ll sort that out later. Right now, I have more important things to worry about."
Hunter turned to Balewegal. "It seems that you have considerable explaining to do. Admiral Suluvana is in custody and is singing like a bird. The lawful Indonesian authorities are demanding that we turn you over to them for prosecution. They sound distinctly unhappy with your activities of late."
Hunter crossed his arms and looked down at the seated captive. "Using one of their frigates to transport a deadly biological agent for a known terrorist and shooting down an American aircraft will not endear you to
