“So grateful, Ahmed,” Sam said, giving him a discreet peck on the cheek. The man smiled and looked at his feet. “How much can I pay you?” She pulled out a battered wallet and started thumbing rupees.

“Let’s settle up another time, Samanthi,” he said. “I needed the practice anyway and the parts were used.”

Sam pressed a wad into his greasy hand and clutched it there. He smiled and muttered a thanks.

“Oh, did you check the air conditioning in this thing?” Tusker broke in. “It hasn’t been working too well lately.”

Sam and Ahmed laughed in unison. “Just tell her to drive a little faster,” Ahmed said, “That’s your A/C.”

They climbed into the truck and Sam pulled the choke and turned the key. It rumbled to life. “Take good care, my friend,” Sam called as she made a U-turn in the road. Ahmed just raised his hand in a wave and smiled. To Tusker, it looked like a sad smile.

Trinco

Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. That evening.

The naval base in Trincomalee overlooks the crescent of water once called “the finest natural harbor in the world” by Winston Churchill. The blocks of administrative buildings and rows of barracks date back to the days of British rule in Sri Lanka, when Trinco was a strategic outpost for the Royal Navy. During World War II, the water here would have been thick with battle cruisers, destroyers, and minesweepers. It was also the last port of call for HMAS Vampire.

Today, Trincomalee harbor sees a small fleet of Sri Lankan Navy vessels, almost hidden at their moorings behind the bristling mass of fishing boats, passenger ferries and freighters from all corners of the globe. Sam navigated the Land Rover through the crowded, ancient roads around the perimeter of the harbor and finally turned up a steep drive and through an imposing gate that bore garish gold lettering in Sinhala, Tamil, and English. The latter read, “Sri Lankan Navy, Trincomalee Base.”

They emerged from the tree-lined road onto the crest of the hill. Beyond the cream-colored colonial-era buildings was an impressive view of the Indian Ocean; in the other direction, the harbor lay below. Sam parked the Land Rover at what looked like the headquarters.

“Samanthi! Mr. Tusk!” Sebastian’s shouts stirred them from their thoughts. Sebastian was jogging across the gravel drive towards the Land Rover, a huge smile on his face. Behind him was an older man in uniform, also smiling. It was Captain Fonseka, Sebastian’s old friend and commander of the base. Sam and Tusker climbed down from the truck just in time to be hugged awkwardly by Sebastian.

“I was so worried… We searched…” He could barely contain himself, trying to get the words out. Sam reassuringly took his arm, trying to calm him.