Prologue

Note from the Author:

I hope you enjoy this draft, pre-edited sneak peek at the upcoming novel Lost Fleet. Stay safe, wash your hands, and be kind to each other!

-Chris

Prologue

Late Summer, 1422

Admiral Zheng He braced against the thick port rail and stared into the widening black clouds on the southern horizon. As the huge ship rocked and rolled on the high waves, his crew fought to keep their stations. They scrambled to adjust the ship’s nine square sails in the hot, shifting winds.

His first officer shouted over the roaring sea. “Admiral, we can’t maintain this course much longer. The winds are too strong.”

Zheng He glared down at the younger man. “Do you question my leadership? There are over a hundred men down there who would gladly take your place and follow my orders without question.”

“I would never question you, my Admiral. I’m only trying to tell you that the men are fighting the storm, but they are losing. The land that lay to our port side can’t be seen even from the top of the highest mast. Yesterday, we had favorable winds, but now they’re gusty and swirling from the southwest. We are being pushed to the north. You can see as well as any of the men that this storm is bigger than anything we’ve ever experienced.

“And Admiral, even if this vessel could survive, the smaller ships in the fleet can not. We’ve already lost two, and another signaled us that they’ve lost two masts. They’re turning back. They’ll shelter on the north coast of the mountainous island where we stopped for provisions.” The first mate met his Admiral’s stare, his whole body trembling. “I’m not questioning your leadership, I’m recommending that we turn around and guide the whole fleet to safety, then resume this course after the storm has passed.”

A massive wave crashed against the flat bow. Zheng He fell to the foredeck. As he clutched the rail and clambered to his feet, he looked to the main deck below. Countless crew members struggled with lines and pulleys, trying to hold the sails in place. Countless more vomited over the starboard rail.

“Admiral, the crew are all ill. They take turns holding the sails and vomiting over the leeward rail. Sometimes they don’t make it. For the sake of the fleet, we have to turn back.”

“Turning back would be dishonorable.”

“Sir, protecting the lives of your crew is the honorable thing.”

Zheng He shielded his eyes and gazed at the horizon. “The divine light has followed me here and protected my journeys. My God would not lead all these people to their deaths.”

“Perhaps your god has led you here to show your crew your mercy and wisdom.”

The ship’s bow lurched toward the sky, riding up the crest of a massive wave, then plunging back down toward the depths. Saltwater gushed across the main deck as another rogue wave crashed into the ship’s starboard side. Shouts rose from the main deck as crew members fought to hold their stations.

The admiral finally nodded. “Make a course to the southeast, find shelter for the fleet, and group up when the cyclone has passed.

***

For three days, the storm ravaged the cove where the fleet sheltered, with only a few hours respite where the winds became calm as the center of the swirling storm passed over them. When clear skies returned and the ships lay again on glassy turquoise water, Zheng He called his officers to the foredeck.

“Report.” His gaze landed on his first mate.

“Sir. Your decision to seek shelter saved many lives. The men are grateful to you and will speak of your honor and wisdom.”

Zheng He nodded.

“But not all of the fleet bears good news. A patrol ship was crushed by a rogue wave, her entire crew lost. And one of the equine ships filled with supplies and tribute gifts was blown off course. The last man to see her said her sails were torn to rags and her crew was scuttling cargo, but she was still being dragged further north. We’ve not heard from her since.”

The officers bowed their heads in unison, their hands clasped before them in solemn respect for the lost men. After a moment, Zheng He clicked his heels together. “They await their resurrection. Now, send a scout east to prepare a way for the fleet and take the news back to your men. We will meet up for repairs, and then I will issue new orders. We are explorers. Men of the sea, who come to establish tributaries. To expand the Ming to the edges of the earth. No storm, no matter its wrath, will stop the reach of our Emperor.”