Attack of the Seawolf

It was tea. Murphy tried to drink it; the tea burned his parched lips. He looked up at the interrogator, who dismissed the guard. The interrogator sat on the bunk so that his head was just below the level of Murphy’s.

He looked at Murphy and spoke, his English sounding vaguely British.

“My name is Tien. Leader Tien Tse-Min. I apologize if you have been treated badly. It took me some time to get here — all the confusion of this absurd revolution, you know, and the guards are stupid. Am I to understand you are the commanding officer of this vessel?”

Classic Good Cop technique, Murphy thought, hating himself for wanting to thank the bastard for easing up on him. For the last week the words from the Code had been running through his mind: I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades … When questioned … I am bound to give only name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability … The Code was like the Ten Commandments, an ideal ethical code, but who could live up to it? He thought back to a lecture at Annapolis by a Vietnam veteran, an aviator admiral named Ferguson, who had been shot down over Hanoi. He had been a plebe, and his roommate, Michael Pacino, had gotten up in front of the whole Brigade of Midshipmen to ask the admiral what he thought of the Code of Conduct. The upperclassmen and the Academy brass were ready to keelhaul him for asking such a wiseass question to so senior and venerated an officer about such a hallowed subject as the Code of Conduct. But Ferguson had taken the question.

“What do I think of the Code?” he’d said.

“I think it’s a bunch of nice words written by old ladies who have never been in combat or taken prisoner.

“I am bound to give only name, rank, service number, and date of birth.” Let me tell you, guys, if Charlie wants to get some information out of you, by God you’re eventually going to tell him. A man can take only so much pain before he breaks. That’s any man. Folks, you saw my sketches of the torture gear, and with that stuff, I guarantee it, you’re gonna talk.

We tried to establish our own code. We’d resist for two beatings, two sessions. Then, halfway into the third beating we’d start giving the gooks a made-up story. They asked me who was in command of my aircraft carrier. After two torture sessions I told them it was Vice Admiral Mickey Mouse, and his Chief of Staff was Captain Donald Duck. That held them down for about a day, until they realized I’d made fools out of them. It only took them another two beatings to get the real information, but at least we made them work for every bit they got. The

Code of Conduct assumes you’re held by civilized folks serving tea and asking if there’s any information you’d care to betray your country with. Bullshit, son. That answer your question?”

Pacino had nodded and taken his seat while the hall full of malevolent upperclassmen hissed him.

Murphy stared into the interrogator’s eyes.

“My name is Murphy. Sean Murphy. Commander, United States Navy. I’d tell you my service number, but why the hell would you care?”

He expected a slap, a punch in the face, or perhaps a nudge in his bullet wound. At the very least, a shove back down to the hard deck. But Tien just smiled.

“Actually, Commander, we know all about you. The ship’s office, you know. Has all the personnel files, complete with photos and backgrounds. We know who the officers are, who the weapons chief petty officer is, who the chief engineer is. I take it you forgot to burn those records with the other secret papers.”

Murphy said nothing. Tien went on.

“I only ask, Commander, because we intend to repair your ship so you can leave port and return home.”

Murphy realized he was being manipulated. He tried to keep his face impassive, but apparently, in spite of himself, his expression had eased for a moment, giving Tien an opening.

“Yes, that’s right. We just want to do what we can to repair your damage so you can drive out on your own power. After all, at a time such as this, we hardly need world public opinion against us, not when the thugs of the White Army are advancing on our People’s government. How would you feel, sir, if Mexican troops had Washington surrounded? Before we complete your repairs, we have only one requirement of you. You know now how concerned we are with world opinion, and with our image with your own government.

I do not know why your Navy sent you to spy on us, but I certainly hope it was not for the benefit of the White Army. I digress. I merely want you to record a statement. A statement to go on record that elements of your military ordered your ship here to spy on us, and that this shows the support of America for the Japanese-sponsored White Army. You will call for an end to this violation of international law and ask for help for my nation, telling how humanely we have treated you, and how we will be releasing your ship.”