A rhythmic, thunderous roar suddenly echoed from the sky above, shaking the glass cabin. Sprinting low over the foaming waves, a massive maritime rescue helicopter bore down on their location. The violent wind from its giant rotors whipped the sea into a frenzy, spraying blinding water across both the fishing boat and the submarine. The helicopter swept directly into the gap, hovering boldly between the small wooden boat and the massive warship.
Through a powerful loudspeaker, the helicopter authorities immediately initiated a tense negotiation with the submarine’s bridge. “Stand down!” the rescue commander barked over the airwaves. “Check your coordinates. This fishing vessel has successfully crossed back over the Northern Limit Line. You are currently floating in international waters. Any attempt to arrest this crew or fire upon this vessel will be a direct, unlawful violation of international treaty!”
The standoff was agonizingly tense. For two breathless minutes, the armed officers stared up at the hovering helicopter. Finally, the submarine’s alarms blared. The massive black steel hull slowly began to sink, submerging back into the dark depths of the sea.