In the afterglow the junk faded into the background as we drove straight away from the coast into a choppy sea, raised by the freshening wind. A momentary flash and a series of dull heavy thuds marked her end. I bent over Makstutis to adjust the bandage on his arm. He peered up at me. "Doc, you've got holes in the head," he said and grinned. I pulled off my helmet and looked at the neat bullet marks through the top. "Didn't let any sense in." I rubbed my sore scalp. It was only then I remembered my torn heel. I pulled off my boot and looked at it. It was only a small flesh wound. "You and Achilles," Anders said and smiled. "Yes, but he lost the fight. We've won." CHAPTER 17 "Fasten your seat belts." The light flashed on in the passenger cabin of the Canadian Pacific Airlines jet. We were going down through the overcast. Vancouver was ten minutes away. "Did you enjoy your flight, Colonel?" the stewardess asked me as she came by for a last minute check. I smiled up at her. "The best part comes in ten minutes," I said, "but it certainly has been fast." Ten days previously we had been lifted out of the fishing boats by the crew of a U.S. Navy destroyer and taken to Okinawa. The casualties were admitted to the Army hospital for treatment and the rest of us, also at the hospital for observation, were given baths, clean uniforms and a meal. Everywhere we went we were kept under isolation precautions and we were guarded as carefully as a basket of over-ripe eggs that might break momentarily. A week in isolation convinced the officials that we were free of the bleeding death. By that time too, we had been drained of our information. "When can I go home?" I asked, the day we were informed of our release. "I've got a wife due to have a baby anytime. I'd like some emergency leave." That night they put me on a Military Air Transportation Service flight out of Kadena Air Force Base to Japan where I picked up a seat on the CPA flight recently resumed for military purposes only. As usual in Vancouver, it was dull, cool and sprinkling light rain, but I didn't care. I was home. I stepped down the ramp, limping slightly, and pushed through the barrier. It didn't take long for Customs to release me and then I was out in the waiting room, looking around for my wife. There was the Chief, coming for me with a big smile. I grabbed his hand, glad to see him. * * * * * "Where's Pat?" "In the hospital, having that baby of yours." He laughed at my startled expression. "There's nothing to worry about." "Nothing to worry about! My God! Let's get going!" In the car we didn't talk much. At last he pulled into his own parking space at the Lab and turned to me. "Get on over to the Labor Room and see Pat. I'll meet you up in my office later." I almost ran to the big Maternity Building, close by, and stepped into the elevator. At the desk of Delivery, the nurse stood up in protest.