Taipei Harbor, Taiwan. The Retriever is docked here for repairs after enduring a typhoon. Her escort destroyers are docked alongside. In Captain Emerald's office, Bengal is going over reports.

"Namib and his crew have repaired the catapaults, the hangar door and the bridge portholes. Members of Hubert's Corps of Engineers landed this morning on the COD from Japan, and are putting the comm and intell center back together."

"Have we got anyone on patrol at the moment?"

"Yes ma'am. Harlem and Baja of the Lycaons. I figured we'd give Maverick a break."

"Harlem? Didn't Mission Control dub him a hothead?"

"That's almost a prerequisate of being a pilot." says Bengal with a smirk "CAG Akira had a talk with him about that. He promises to be a goodboy for his tour."

"Good. Anything else?"

"Yes ma'am. The new Chinese carrier Rising Sun is almost finished with her sea trials. The rumor mill says she'll come down here to harass Taiwan."

"The Master tells me the U.S. is sending a task group here and will arrive in three days. If that's all Bengal, dismissed."

"Yes ma'am."

*****

Over the East China Sea, two Jet Rovers fly on patrol. Harlem, a Jack Russell, and Baja, an American Eskimo, pilot their craft.

"This is Lycaon Three to Doghouse, I have three bogies on my scope headed for our position. Looks like a reconaissance plane and escorts."

"Roger Lycaon Three, overtake and investigate. But do not, repeat, not engage them."

"Roger wilco. Let's punch it Baja."

"Right behind you Harlem."

They kick in their afterburners and head for them. They soon slow down and make contact.

"Roger, a turboprop and two MIGS." says Baja

"This is Lycaon Three to unidentifed flight, come in, over?"

"Bamboo Leader to Lycaon Three, do not approach. This is standard recon flight out of China."

"Then may I suggest you turn around and head home?" says Harlem "Your rather close to Taiwan."

"We are along regular path of recon. We go this way past Taiwan every day. It is you who do not belong."

A warning tome sounds in their cockpits.

"Oh, furball! They're targeting me!" says Baja

"Bamboo Leader, cease your target lock or I will open fire!"

"No. You leave Lycaon Flight. This is our waters."

"Fine! You asked for it!"

"Harlem, no!" says Baja

Harlem gets his own lock on the turboprop.

"Good tone!"

"Harlem, stop! You fool hothead, don't do it!"

"Fox two!" shouts Harlem, as a missile leaps from his jet.

"We're boned." mutters Baja

The missile impacts and the plane explodes.

"Splash one!"

The MIG's take evasive and more warning tones sound.

"Let's get out of Dodge, Harlem!"

"Evasive action!" says Harlem.

*****

Retriever intelligence center. All the equipment is working again, and the events with Lycaon Flight are being overheard. Emerald and Bengal burst in.

"What's going on?!" shouts Emerald "Who fired first?!"

"Lycaon Three, ma'am." says Sultan

"And they're fighting for their lives up there." says Raven

"Got tone. Fox Two!" says Baja "Splash two!"

"This guys all over me!" reports Harlem "Baja, get over here!"

Thumping can be heard from the speakers.

"Aw s***! He using guns against me! I'm hit!"

"He's bugging out! Going home."

Emerald picks up a mic.

"Harlem, get your docked tail down here this instant! Report to my office immediatly after you land! You too, Baja!"

"Yes ma'am."

*****

Emerald's office. Harlem and Baja stand at attention in front of Emerald's desk.

"You were told not to engage those Chinese MIGs. You deliberatly fired on another plane over international waters!"

"Ma'am, they had Baja in a target lock." says Harlem

"I don't care who started what!" storms Emerald

She picks up a report from her desk.

"Rika tells me you took some bullets along the wing and fuselage. Your planes out of action. You are hearby grounded for a month!"

"Does that include me ma'am?" says Baja

"No! 'Does that include me' has you flushing out waste extraction for a week! Get out!"

Bengal enters as the pilots leave.

"We just got an offical request from the Taiwanese government. We are to way anchor and leave their waters immediatly."

"Perfect."

"Oh, it gets better. The Rising Sun just recieved orders to 'evict those dirty curs from the China Sea's'."

Emerald scoffs.

"Fine. Were not wanted in this area. I can take a hint. Have Seamus put us out to sea."

"Already gave the order."

"Good. In the meantime, have intelligence keep and eye on that chicom carrier."

"Yes ma'am."

*****

East China Sea. On the bridge of the Rising Sun, Captain Wong turns to his crew.

"Launch aircraft commander. Toss those mongrels from our waters."

"As you command captain."

MIGs start taking off from the flight deck and head south towards the Retriever.

*****

On the bridge of the Retriever, Patton looks up from his board.

"Multiple contacts! I count twelve bogies headed straight for us."

"Hound Leader to Doghouse, do you copy those bogies coming from the north?"

"Roger that, Zev." says Slick

"Taiko, get our planes in the air." says Bengal "Looks like the Chinese mean business."

"Aye sir. All right you deck hounds, look sharp!"

"Slick, sound general quarters." says Emerald

"Yes ma'am."

All across the ship, warning klaxons sound for general quarters.

"General Quarters, General Quarters, all paws dog your battlestations! This is no drill!"

"Mutt Flight is airborne and on their way, Captain." says Akira "Sirius Flight taking off and flying cover. Lycaon Flight on standby."

"Very well."

"New contact!" says Patton "Missile's fired by the Chinese MIG's."

"And now the doggy doughnuts hit the fan." mutters Seamus.

to be continued.....