“We have explosions,” Orlov said as the first concussion hit the K-122, rolling it right and left, sending the bow and stern undulating up and down as the nearby explosions pushed everything up, down, and away from the submarine’s center.
A cheer went up within the control room.
“Quiet!” Bocharkov snapped. “There is still another American warship up there.”
Heads hung down, but not without broad grins on them.
Bocharkov was proud. He took a deep breath. The K-122 had done its mission and escaped. His and Ignatova’s eyes locked. The XO smiled and rendered a two-finger salute.
“Let’s get out of here,” Bocharkov said, then issued several orders, keeping the K-122 inside the layer as it slowly left Subic Bay and entered the deeper waters of the Pacific Ocean.
SEVENTEEN
MacDonald walked down the gangplank, opened the door, and slid into the backseat alongside Admiral Green.
“How you doing, Danny?”
“I’m okay, Admiral.”
“Over thirty dead and over one hundred wounded, according to the latest situation report.”
“I can’t believe this has happened.”
“Must have been accidental. The USS Liberty is limping away from station. The SITREP says it was attacked by both Israeli fighter bombers and Israeli torpedo patrol boats.”
“Where were our forces?”
Green shrugged. “I was told we launched phantoms toward them, but McNamara himself ordered them back. Rumors have it that President Johnson even got involved and ordered the aircraft back.”
MacDonald shook his head. “Even if it was an unfortunate and accidental attack, I cannot see our navy turning its back on one of its own ships.”
MacDonald caught a hint of moisture in the old warrior’s eyes as the admiral turned away to stare out of the left rear window of the sedan. “Sometimes politicians view us as castaways for political expediency, even as they wave their fists in the air shouting their love for us boys in uniform.”
“I heard the skipper was wounded in the attack, but stayed on the bridge and directed the response.”
Green nodded. “Lots of confusion and conjectures going on right now on what has happened. Admiral Moorer, chief of the Joint Staff, has ordered all quiet on the subject until all the facts are known.”
“I just don’t understand how they could not see the American flag flying from the mast or—”
Green turned back to MacDonald. The glistening in the eyes was gone. “Let’s change the subject, Danny. Lots of things on the Liberty attack don’t add up yet, but I have full confidence in the ability of the United States Navy to lay all the facts out for all to see.”
“Aye, sir.”
“You know that I’m catching all kinds of shit on our torpedoes sinking an already sunken ship. Seems Subic Bay Operations knew about that vessel. Seems everyone who is stationed here has dived on her at one time or another. The only folks who expressed ignorance about it were our chart makers. Subic Bay Operations showed me their locally developed harbor charts. They even have it notated on those. Just seems they never got around to sending the data into Washington so the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey could incorporate it into our navigation charts.”
The automobile picked up speed as it left the pier, heading along the coast road, toward the main area of the naval base.
MacDonald smiled. “If nothing else, all the Soviets did was sink the same sunken derelict as we did.”
“On the positive side, we have explained to the Filipino Navy that we were conducting some shallow water ASW exercise. They believe it, but we have to explain why we were using live explosives.” Green sighed. “I am meeting with Commodore Heracleo J. Alano, head of the Philippine Navy at Cavite Naval Base to explain about yesterday morning.” Green held up a folder. “Our public affairs officer and Legal have given me my talking points.”
“Glad I’m not going with you.”
Green smiled. “Nope, this is why they pay me the big bucks. To keep our country safe, secure, and explain why we do the things we have to do for national security.”
“What is going on with the spooks?”
“What do you mean?” the admiral asked with a sly smile. “I have no idea what you are talking about, Danny, and besides… you don’t want to know. Sometimes not knowing is safer than knowing.”
“They have the warehouse side of the base roped off, guarded by marines, and my supply officer is unable to get our supplies. We’re getting under way this evening for Operation Beacon Torch. It would be nice to top off our food and such.”
“Won’t be getting anything from the warehouses before we set sail, Danny. I have sent out some logistics requests for supply ships to meet us en route to Vietnam. We’ll do an underway replenishment at sea.”
MacDonald nodded. “Are we sure we are going to Vietnam, Admiral? Rumor is we are going to be diverted to the Middle East.”
Green chuckled and shook his head. “I don’t think the U.S. Navy is very excited over anything having to do with helping the Israelis, and right now, it looks as if the war is about over. Seems the surprise air attacks on Monday destroyed the fighting power of the Egyptian and Syrian air forces. Reaching the Suez Canal in forty-eight hours sent a little fear through the Arab armies.”
“How about the Jordanians?”
Green nodded. “They are the only military I was concerned with. Probably the only one of concern to the Israelis. The Jordanians are well trained, well disciplined, and have the morale and confidence to be formidable foes. Fortunately for the Israelis, they are also the smallest of the forces they are fighting. From this morning’s Naval Intelligence briefing, looks as if the Jordanians are limiting their fighting to Jerusalem and the West Bank. That was probably intentional on the part of Jordan.”
“I read where the Israelis have overrun the Golan Heights and driven the Syrians off of it.”
“That’s what Naval Intelligence says. Plus, the Israelis are having tea on the banks of the Suez. They could cross it, if they wanted. The Egyptian Army is in full retreat.”
MacDonald shook his head. “I thought Nasser would put up a fight commensurate with his bluster.”
“I think Nasser thought his army would put up a fight commensurate with his bluster. Soviet tactics designed for the plains of Germany don’t work well in the open desert with no air support.”
The car slowed as it neared Subic Operations Center. The driver turned into the curved driveway of the main headquarters.
“Danny, this is where I drop you off. I’m off on my trip up the road to meet with Commodore Alano. We met in Washington a couple of years ago, so I suspect it will be a cordial meeting, but I have to give him enough information so he can report events up his chain of command.”
“Seems the Philippines are changing.”
“I’d be surprised if we are here ten years from now. I think the national identity of the Philippines is changing. Nearly seventy years as a colony of Spain or us, occupied by Japan, and used by the United States as a critical element of our Asian national security, one of these days the Philippines will want — no! they will demand — their right to stand on their own two feet and be responsible for their own security.”
“We’re helping them. We’re their friends.”
Green laughed. “Danny, you are still a naïve young man who believes there are things in this world like low-cost lawyers and the tooth fairy.” Green sighed. “We’re also using them. Eventually, all nations prefer to have foreign armies and navies on their own soil and not theirs. We need to do what we are doing now to make sure that when we part it is amiable — as friends and comrades.”