When the thunderous sound of static electricity filing the armory, Henri felt his vision go into a tunnel effect as he again lost his balance and fell forward. The pistol he had hidden behind his back flew from his hand as a fast-thinking Russian sailor reached for Farbeaux just after he came into contact with the deck. The young man pulled Henri in and held on for dear life and with a silent prayer to a God that might not even inhabit this bizarre world.
Dishlakov still had his back turned when Salkukoff saw Henri lose his weapon. Thinking quickly and with a murderer’s eye for survival, he reached out and with a booted foot slid the pistol toward him. One of his last remaining men saw what he was attempting and assisted by kicking the nine millimeter behind Salkukoff far enough to where he could grasp it with his manacled hand. Before he could congratulate himself, a large hand circled around his wrist, and he felt the bone snap.
A large Russian sailor with a machinist rank embroidered on his sleeve stood above Salkukoff and shook his head as the smaller man held back his scream of anger and pain. Salkukoff looked away when he saw that his fellow countryman would have no qualms of crushing the life right out of him.
Before the large Russian could seat himself again, the world around them flared to white light, and then they and the battle cruiser Simbirsk disappeared.
In the battle bridge, Jack felt his legs grow weak as he tried to focus his attention on Ryan and Everett. The bridge suddenly flared to brilliant life and sound. Collins felt his ears pop several times in rapid succession. Multicolored bands of light filled the bridge like an expanding fan, and then the world just vanished.
Will Mendenhall stood with Dutch Admiral Andersson and Captain McAvoy on the bridge wing of Nimitz. The search for the missing ships had found nothing. They discovered wreckage from the destroyer De Zeven, but thus far that had been it. F-18 Hornets crisscrossed the skies as the search continued.
Will felt his patience at the slow progress of the search growing thin. He had been aboard for only one full day and thus far had not one good thing to pass on to the Group about their chances of finding their missing ships and their friends. He wiped his face in frustration. His angered disposition was interrupted by a messenger who passed along a message flimsy to Admiral Andersson. He read it and then gave it over to Captain McAvoy.
“How far out are they?” McAvoy asked the messenger.
“Radar places them three hundred miles from our battle group. We also have the Russians asking permission to join the search.”
Admiral Andersson turned his attention to the four Russian cruisers and the five helicopters that had joined them the previous day. Needless to say, feelings were running high and tensions even higher.
“Another group?” he asked.
“Yes, sir, this group consists of Russian high brass.”
“That’s all we need,” Andersson said as he looked at Will Mendenhall. “You don’t have anything to do with this first group, do you?”
“Look, Admiral, you got a copy of my orders. I’m here to observe, and that’s all I know.”
The admiral looked at the army officer with skepticism. “And this second group of Russians? Nothing there either?”
“No, sir, I have no idea.”
Another runner popped his head into the bridge wing.
“Captain, CIC is reporting a rise in sea temperature, and winds are increasing. They recommend bringing in our CAP and search aircraft.”
“Do so, will you, Captain? This is starting to have a familiar ring to it.”
Will didn’t know exactly what it was they were speaking of. Then lightning lit up the already bright afternoon sky. He ducked as the bolts hit in several locations simultaneously.
Suddenly, Nimitz rocked on her keel. Waves began to hit the large warship with punishing blows. Men hurried to secure exposed aircraft, as the weather had turned so suddenly that Andersson and McAvoy became aware that whatever was happening was a familiar scenario as when they had lost ships from both the Russian side and their own.
“Admiral, we have massive activity thirty miles to the north,” the announcement came. The admiral looked through his field glasses and saw the large swell of sea and the circling clouds above it. Before he knew what to say or order, the world came crashing inward. The black clouds to the north burst down into the sea.
Will Mendenhall saw what was happening, and his tension ratcheted up with the other officers on board.
Then it happened. They saw the wall of water as it came in from the north. It swelled and then dropped. It rose and then fell. The actions made the Nimitz rise and fall with the seas. Mendenhall hung on for everything he was worth. Then the sound of ten thousand exploding bombs erupted around them. The sun was blotted out, and even the Russian ships that had joined them in their search one day ago had to turn their ships into the wind and swells. The sea once more settled, and just when they thought the event was over, the giant carrier rode high on a wave and then came crashing down with steel-wrenching power. Then all was silent.
Andersson was helped to his feet by Mendenhall, who was more confused by what just happened than anyone aboard.
“What in the hell just happened?” Will asked as McAvoy also rose back to his feet. He only shook his head.
“Captain, CIC, we have three new contacts on radar, thirty-five miles out, bearing three-one-seven degrees.”
McAvoy picked up the bridge phone. “Speed and course?”
“Zero speed, zero course; they’re just sitting there.”
“How is my air cover?”
“Shaken but still in the air.”
“Get me some eyes on target.”
“Vectoring search aircraft now.”
“Also order cruisers Sheffield and Saratoga forward toward the contact. Patch the CAP communications directly to us.”
“Aye, patching through communications.”
As they waited, Will couldn’t help but shake his head. Three contacts for six missing vessels was not a good sign. All he could do was pray for his missing friends. The wait was agonizing.
“Rough Rider One, this is Ghost Lead, over.”
“Ghost Lead, this is Rough Rider, over.”
The three officers waited as the radio played out their hopeful song.
“Rough Rider, we have three ships in bad shape. One of them is the Houston, one is Shiloh, and the third is not identifiable.”
McAvoy picked up the bridge phone once more. “All rescue elements head to target area, all ahead flank. Bring Nimitz into the wind. I want alert one fighters in the air in five. Rescue choppers launch immediately. All medical teams stand by for immediate transport. I want five damage control teams ready to board the damaged ships. All stations, general quarters. Communications, inform the Russian search elements of the situation, but warn them to stay clear, as we have air operations close aboard. Get off a secure communiqué to NATO command; inform them of the situation and ask for instructions in dealing with our Russian friends.”
McAvoy relayed the request from Andersson.