Overview
The USNS Mercy attack is a RINIC missile attack on a U.S. medical ship in the Philippine Sea in Current Affairs. The attack convinces Calvin Munn that war pressure is rolling downhill and leads Vincent Becker to ask him to speak publicly.
The attack functions as the immediate cause of the Hudson Yards rally where Calvin is injured.
Aftermath
Becker wants Calvin to tell the story of going aboard the damaged Daniel Inouye and witnessing the rescue work there. Calvin agrees despite knowing the appearance will make him a public figure and may destroy his already fragile political career.
The rally connected to the Mercy attack becomes the target of the Hudson Yards bombing. After Calvin survives, Nik Marlan tells him that RINIC is paying restitution for the Mercy attack and that the crisis may cool if the United States acts intelligently.