The next wave came from the west. USS Harry S. Truman launched her complete deckload of fighters and attack aircraft. The F-4 Phantoms and A-6 Intruders were salvaged from the Davis-Monthan boneyard simply because they flew without the fly-by-wire systems of the newer aircraft. Their systems might be damaged by EMP, but the planes would get the pilots home. In most cases, they could even continue their mission. The Truman was overloaded with aircraft. As the deck was cleared, more were brought up for launch. Just over ninety aircraft were on the way to their target. Even half of the Phantoms were carrying bombs. The rest were ready just in case the morning raids had not completed the job.
The pilots were old timers. Most had served when their airplanes were operational and knew the aircraft systems. Nearing the coast, the pilots and crews were nervous. The EA-6B was doing its job, but no one was sure what would be waiting. As they passed the coast, all eyes scanned the area for incoming missiles and aircraft. The threat receivers were operating but remained silent. Crossing just north of Changch'an-ni, the pilots saw the remnants of an air base. Smoke still rose from one of the buildings. A few rounds of anti-aircraft fire came up to greet them, but the tracers didn’t come close. Their primary target was only about twenty miles away.
Just a few missile batteries had been restored around Pyongyang in the 24 hours since the first strikes. A telephone warning had been received from the coast and the local commanders switched on their search radars. Almost immediately they saw the incoming aircraft, activated their guidance radars, and prepared to launch. When they did, the lead Phantoms launched a total of 12 HARM missiles against the six sites. The High Speed Anti-Radiation missiles immediately homed in on the guidance radars, covering the twenty miles in just a few seconds. The missiles slammed into the sites, knocking out the radars or destroying the missiles nearby, but not before three missiles were successfully launched. The missiles streaked skyward only to find there was no guidance coming from the ground. They automatically began scanning with their onboard radar, and two of the missiles acquired a target — two of the leading F-4s. The lead jets all began maneuvering radically to throw the missiles off and fired infrared flairs to distract them. The electronic warfare systems were activated, but it was too little, too late. Only one of the missiles lost its target, flying away over the mountains. The second homed in on an F-4, exploding just under the nose of the aircraft. The resulting shrapnel tore the nose off the plane and sent hot metal into both engine intakes. The F-4 erupted into a ball of flame, its pilot and rear seater never even knowing what hit them.
The rest of the flight flew into the city and found their targets. The purpose of the raid was to cut the head off the snake. The main communications lines were cut. The telephones, radio, television, and military antenna farms were bombed to rubble. What was left of the defense ministry building was hit once more and deep penetration bombs dropped to take care of anything below ground. The train lines were bombed for a two kilometer distance to ensure no more train traffic, then bombs were dropped on all the bridges across the Taedong river. The rest of the government buildings were also bombed to disrupt any governmental action. Finally, the Korea Computer Center was hit by several bombs, knocking out their main computing and data center. Losing just two aircraft, the rest joined up and headed for home.
Ricks slowly stirred from a deep sleep. He was warm and felt the most secure he had ever felt, especially in this country. He felt a stirring at his side and a set of arms reach around him. Su Lynn nestled herself into Ricks’ side as she dozed. Both had been exhausted the night before when they returned from the hospital. Ricks was surprised when she led him back to the shelter. Even more so when she put him in bed, then joined him there. Neither spoke a word, but the love they shared simply poured out. Despite the exhaustion, sweat, and pain from the past few days the passions shared between them engulfed them and spread. Sleep finally took hold for a few hours, yet Ricks felt as if he had slept for a week. He felt renewed and refreshed. She did all this for him. He wrapped his arms around her naked form and held her close.
Su Lynn felt Ricks pull her closer. Her eyes flickered open and looked up into his. He wore a smile on his face. Su Lynn had grown to love that face. Even though he was a soldier and a man who could inflict violence, with her he was gentle and caring. She chose to believe this was the real man beneath. She had known him for only a few weeks, yet it was enough to know how she felt. Last night she had let down the last barriers between them and was not disappointed.
“We need to get up. People will talk,” Ricks said without making a move.
“I no want to move. I stay right here,” she said.
He pulled her over on top of him and kissed her warmly. “I don’t really want to either,” Ricks said. He couldn’t believe the feelings he was having. He couldn’t believe he could be so happy. She moved over him and kissed him passionately.
They were interrupted by the sounds of pots falling in the kitchen outside. The kitchen staff was obviously just outside the door.
Ricks gave a sigh. “I guess we’ll need to finish this later,” he said. Glancing at his watch he looked back into her eyes. “And I do need to go check in and see how Paul is doing this morning. Then maybe we need to try and find a place where we can be together.”
Su Lynn looked at him. “I not think there is a place in the city. They specially not give rooms to people not married.” Her disappointment was plainly evident.
He smiled at her. “Then maybe we need to take care of that, too.” He marveled at the joy that appeared on her face. “Su Lynn, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Would you share your life with me?”
Through tears she nodded. “Yes, Dale,” she choked out before he kissed her again.
After a moment of tenderness, both left the bed and began dressing. Ricks took a moment to look at Su Lynn as she stood naked beside him. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. He reached around her and gave her one more hug, kissing her on the neck.
They both dressed quickly and opened the door into the kitchen. The people busied themselves preparing the morning meal. Occasionally one would look over at them and smile. Su Lynn was afraid of what people would say, but everyone was acting as if they had been married for years. That one small token lifted her spirits even more.
Ricks took her hands. “I’ll go check in and should be back by lunch. Then we’ll go out and do a few things together,” he said.
She nodded and he kissed her lightly. Ricks put his cover on his head and walked out the back door, stopping only briefly to give a wave. Su Lynn turned back to her duties. As she worked, her assistants smiled at her and helped her as before. The old woman who helped her long before came over and gave her a slight hug. The twinkle in her eyes told more than could be said.
Ricks entered the hospital and walked up to Hufham’s room. He could hear him from down the hall.
“I don’t need to stay here for this. I can go back to the BEQ!” he demanded.