Terminal Run

This unit is unclear on some things, Dr. Wang. Tell this unit again how is it that multiple ships are in mutiny at the same time.

“This evil admiral has a great deal of influence on both shores,” Wang began, wondering if One Oh Seven would pursue this to a point where his story became absurd. “He met with the renegade American commanding officers before the fleet sailed, and all of them are with him. While the crews are loyal and believe they are following lawful orders, the enormous power of a battle fleet is in the hands of our enemies and they must be destroyed, and one of the reasons I came in person rather than just having squadron send you radio messages is so I can ensure that the admiral does not fool you with false instructions.”

But if the radio circuits are compromised, wouldn’t the rebellious ships get your message to this unit to pick you up?

“We think the rebel fleet may have received our messages to you. It is possible that even now they realize that we know about them. That would make it all the more dangerous for us. Even now they may be stalking us with one of their many submarines.”

Oh.

Wang waited. This pause was longer.

So… what are our orders?

“We are commanded to stealthily find the units of the renegade fleet and sink them.”

Oh.

“Our failure to do so will result in the destruction of the Snare.”

But, Dr. Wang, this unit is afraid that even in these circumstances this unit cannot attack another vessel of the U.S. Navy.

“Under normal circumstances, that is true. But these are not normal circumstances. That is why the squadron took the drastic measure of bringing me onboard and insisted that I interface with you directly. We must attack the mutineers if this ship is to be saved. You must think of all the people who have devoted their lives to making you function. All the countless hours making sure you would not be harmed. This cannot end because of a fleet mutiny.”

This unit is beginning to understand, Dr. Wang.

“Good, One. Now we must make plans to attack. Tactical plans.”

What can this unit do to help, Dr. Wang?

Wang exhaled in relief. “The first thing you can do is meet the tactical expert in this case. His name is Victor Krivak. In the next few minutes you will see him in Interface Module Zero.”

Very well, Dr. Wang. Let us proceed.

13

Catardi sat at the head of the table and picked up the remote to click on the television display. The unit picked up weekly news and news digests when the ship was at periscope depth for replaying when the vessel was deep. It had never appealed to him to watch canned news, but he decided he would watch it until his midnight rations peanut butter sandwich was done. The wardroom door opened and Lieutenant Alameda and Midshipman Pacino entered, both turning to watch the display. The Satellite News Network newscaster spoke with a serious expression, the background graphic a map of India and western Red China.

“… British Parliament today issued a resolution supporting India in the Asian crisis while Prime Minister Thomas Kennfield issued a statement that the Royal Navy Fleet would be sent to the Indian Ocean in hopes of stabilizing the area. Red Chinese Premier Han Zhang, reacting to the British show of support for India, announced today that any foreign warships entering the Indian Ocean would be considered hostile and risked being fired upon. Meanwhile the Red Chinese Northern Fleet’s newest aircraft carrier Long March entered the Yellow Sea today, the third carrier battle group to sortie toward the Indian Ocean, following the Kaoling and the Nanchang aircraft carrier battle groups presumably to attack India from the sea while the PLA attacks from land. Latest developments also include the departure of the Royal Navy Fleet from their ports in the Mediterranean, the British putting to sea with their own aircraft carrier, multiple missile cruisers, and several dozen smaller ships, as well as multiple Revenge-class nuclear submarines. When asked what the British intentions were, the Royal Navy Admiralty spokesman stated, “They are on a training exercise to the Arabian Sea.” U.S. Department of War officials have been unwilling to comment on the convergence of the multiple war fleets in the troubled area, nor will they make any comment on the sudden unannounced departure two weeks ago of all U.S. Navy warships from their East and West Coast bases.