Sue then smiled, "HL, when was the last time you got laid?"
Captain Hillibrand was taken aback, "I am not sure that is a question I should answer in mixed company, Sue."
Sue smiled, "Nonsense, Captain. Do you know what 'free use' means?"
HL sat straight in his chair, "I have not heard of that, no."
Sue replied, "It means, if you find yourself in need of sex, you just ask someone with whom you would like to have it. If they accept, which most times happens, there are no taboos, rules, restrictions, implications, or recriminations."
HL scoffed, "That is not allowed on a United States vessel, even an Embassy Afloat."
Bella chimed in, "What you may not know, Captain, is this yacht is actually privately owned and is on lease to the State Department. This is our home as well as an Embassy Afloat. And the only person Harry answers to is the President of the United States...not the State Department, not the Joint Chiefs, not the Secretary of Defense, not Homeland, not the CIA. He answers to Bill and Bill alone...your Commander in Chief."
The XO chimed in, "Wait, you are telling us this is a PRIVATELY owned vessel? How is that possible? You have more advanced weapons on this ship than any vessel in the fleet!"
Dad then spoke up, "HL, XO, how that is possible is classified and only a handful of people at the highest levels of government know that answer. I can say that, before Harry became an Ambassador and before he was an employee of the United States, there was a particular country who was very appreciative of his services and paid him with this yacht. The munitions were added last minute just prior to Harry receiving her and were added with the anticipation the ship would be used as an Embassy Afloat."
"Damn, the taxes alone must have been horrendous!" HL said.
I smiled, "Actually it is all tax free. I have a letter from the IRS stating as much."
HL's and XO's mouths dropped and XO whispered, "Who the hell are you people!"
Everyone had a good laugh at that one when all of a sudden Red came over the tablets, "Captain, we have a situation."
Captain Barnes replied, "Give me a sitrep, Red. Whatcha got?"
"Sir, we have two underwater divers approaching. They have no clearance and the remote cameras we deployed in the bay suggest they are armed with ship killing explosive mines. The two are about 10 fathoms deep and 500 yards out moving at 50 feet a minute."
Barnes looked at me and I said, "Take them out."
Barnes looked at one of the SEAL Lieutenants who got on his coms unit, "Alpha team! Prepare to deal with divers approaching! Two divers at 12 o'clock off the bow, 500 yards, moving at 50 feet a minute. Deploy two Striker 40, 40 mm smart grenades set to explode after entering the water. Launch one of the submarines to collect the bodies. Over."
"Copy Alpha Team leader! 2 smart 40's set for underwater detonation, 500 yards at 50 feet per minute. We will have them in the water in 2 minutes! Will Bravo Team handle the recovery? Over."
The other Lieutenant nodded and got on his coms, "Bravo team, launch a sub to collect two bodies approximately 450 yards off the bow. If safe, collect the mines they are carrying for inspection. Over."
"Copy Team leader. Launch is underway."
"Bravo Team, wait until the explosions before you dive, don't want any casualties from the explosions taking out our team. Over."
"Copy Team leader, will wait for the explosions before dropping her in the water."
Captain Barnes then told Red, "Okay, thank you for the good work, Red. Quietly set general quarters and shout out a warning about two loud noises from the water, no need to panic the staff."
"Roger that, Captain." Immediately Red came over the Yacht's intercom, "All hands, general quarters. Be advised there will be two loud noises coming from the hull in about 80 seconds. We are repelling an attack. All hands please man your stations. This is not a drill."
I then contacted Red, "Red, Harry here. Can you tell where they came from?"
"Roger, Sir. They came from the southern most area of the bay, approximately 300 yards outside our perimeter. There seem to be two vehicles and a lookout, judging from infrared."
"Ambassador," one of the Lieutenants said, "I have a visual through our Predator, permission to launch a switchblade?"
Without hesitation I responded, "Permission granted."
The Switchblade struck at the same time as the two grenades exploded underwater right over the two divers. There were secondary underwater explosions significantly more powerful than the primary.
Red came over our tablets, "You can cancel the sub, Sir. There will be nothing left. Evidently the divers had already taken the safeties off the mines and the concussion set them off. Nothing left but fish bait."
"Bravo Team, this is Team Leader. Copy?"
"Copy Team Leader. Over."
"You can launch the sub but just leave her in the water, moored to the Yacht. Secondary explosions left nothing to recover. Over."
"Aye Team Leader. Launching the sub and mooring to the aft deck. Over."
Captain Barnes then spoke with Red, "Red, give it 5 minutes and secure from General Quarters."
"Aye, Aye Captain."
I looked at the XO and smiled, "I take it the Marines are still consolidating their present positions before securing the entire area?"
XO looked a little sheepish and nodded, "Yes, Ambassador. That area will be secured before the evening is out."
The XO looked at Barnes and said, "That was a damn fine and efficient response you and your team had. Very impressive!"