The lieutenant was writing rapidly as Bhati spat out orders. When he paused, Bhati realized he’d run out of urgent tasks. That was enough to get started. “You’ve done well, Lieutenant. Get your people busy. I have to make a call.”
Bhati stepped outside to phone his superiors. As busy as this place was now, it was going to get a whole lot busier.
“This is Sam Markham with breaking news: The nuclear weapon originally intended for Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong finally detonated at noon local time today. Initial reports confirm it was a larger weapon — much, much larger than the ten-kiloton nuclear depth bomb used two days ago to destroy the wreck of the rogue Indian submarine Chakra and its deadly cargo.”
An inset showed a flat ocean horizon suddenly rising up in an angry white ball, ringed with fire. “That relatively small explosion was in water less than two hundred feet deep. Luckily, this much larger weapon had been dropped into water over four thousand feet deep.
“As far as can be determined, there was no loss of life or property damage. The explosion did not break the surface of the water, although the site was kept clear as a safety precaution. Scientific teams have moved in to determine the radiation levels at the site of the explosion and when it will be safe for fishing vessels to return to the area. Commercial traffic, which was severely disrupted by the exclusion zone, will resume normal operations immediately.
“Although the Indians are credited with the destruction of their renegade submarine, apparently American naval forces were heavily involved, and the full story of the hunt and sinking of Chakra will depend on the willingness of those involved to share what was a battle hidden under the surface of a distant ocean.
“The Indian government has declared a state of emergency while the hunt continues for the plotters of what we now know was called ‘Operation Vajra.’ The destruction of the rogue submarine and the suicide of the ringleader have not dampened the Indian authorities’ investigation completely, and what has been learned comes from several high-ranking government officials now facing charges of treason and terrorism.
“News of the scandal forced the Indian delegation in Geneva to abandon the dormant Indo-Pak peace talks, literally disappearing in the middle of the night. Indian troops have been withdrawing to their original starting lines inside India for several days, and experts believe that the once-temporary cease-fire will now be extended indefinitely, even if an official peace treaty is never signed.
“Upon receiving news of the final torpedo’s detonation, President Myles’s staff released a prepared statement. ‘This thankfully harmless explosion is the coda to the Littoral Alliance war, which has claimed more lives in recent days, but could have exploded into a worldwide disaster. Its successful resolution required the courageous efforts of both individuals and nations who were more interested in peace than power. Let their actions be an example to us all.’”
EPILOGUE
The commodore had the base’s band at the pier, playing “Victory at Sea” as North Dakota pulled in. Jerry had one of his more junior officers make the approach, with only a minor bobble, due to a wind setting them off the pier.
Simonis and the rest of his staff were drawn up in welcome, but the families were absent. That had been scheduled for the evening, after Jerry, his officers, and senior enlisted had been debriefed, and instructed on what they could and couldn’t say.
Once the lines were over and the inport watch set, the three sub captains came ashore. Jerry, Samant, and Petrov received four bells each, and the 1MC announcing system blared, “North Dakota, departing,” then “Captain, Indian Navy, departing,” and finally “Captain, Russian Navy, retired, departing.”
Both Samant and Petrov were still wearing their North Dakota ball caps, but Samant replaced his with his Indian Navy uniform cover once he was on the pier. Commodore Simonis, with a larger smile than Jerry remembered, greeted each at the foot of the brow, and joked, “There were so many bells I thought you were on fire.”
Most of North Dakota’s wardroom followed the three senior officers off the ship, and along with the staff, piled into vans bound for the squadron headquarters and the debriefing.
Simonis offered them a ride in his official car, but said, “Jerry, you usually like to stretch your legs when you come ashore.” To Jerry’s guests, he explained, “It’s a ten-minute walk from here.” They were all agreeable.
The four officers started out, and Simonis immediately said, “Dr. Patterson sends her apologies to all of you. She had hoped to be here to welcome you back herself, but managing the aftermath of the situation is demanding more of her time than the crisis itself. She also mentioned something about ‘not embarrassing Jerry any further.’”
That earned Jerry curious looks from both Samant and Petrov, but he just answered, “I’ll explain later,” and kept walking.
Simonis adjusted his stride to walk alongside Captain Samant. “I have the honor of relaying messages to you from two presidents. Our President Myles sends his deepest condolences over the loss of Chakra, and wishes he could award you a medal for your courage both during and at the end of this crisis.
“On the other hand, President Handa appears ready to award you several medals, and broadly hinted that when you return, you should visit a uniform shop for admirals’ rank insignia. He wants you back ASAP, and there has been negotiation at the highest levels of our governments regarding when that will be. As far as we are concerned, that’s whenever you want.”
Next he turned to Petrov. “My instructions are to offer you our deepest thanks, and to ask if there is anything the United States can offer you in appreciation.”
Petrov shrugged. “We three talked during the trip back. I don’t think I can get my old job back, and I don’t know if I’d even be welcome in Russia. I’ve been instrumental in embarrassing my government, and I’ve been party to the loss of another Russian submarine.” The Russian intentionally bumped into Jerry as he finished his statement.
Jerry’s hands flew up in frustration, and he all but pleaded, “Alex, will you give it a rest! Please!” Samant chuckled, having been informed of the inside joke, while Simonis looked on with confusion.
“Well, I can guarantee that the U.S. would welcome you, Captain Petrov,” Simonis said, and Jerry nodded firmly.
The Russian smiled but shook his head. “Thank you, but President Handa said that I’d ‘always have a home in India,’ which is about the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me, and Girish has made the point that the Indian Navy will need technical experts like me for a long time yet.”
Samant appeared totally surprised and said, “But… but you’re always complaining about the heat, and the spicy food!”
Petrov shrugged with a broad grin. “I’ll cope. Besides, I’m starting to like cricket.”
As they were finishing their walk, Simonis was reminded of a message he had to pass on. He began with the four most feared words.
“Oh, by the way, Jerry, in addition to a well-deserved ‘well done,’ from the entire chain of command, I have to warn you: Dr. Patterson’s been finalizing plans with Emily for a house-hunting expedition to Washington, D.C. You don’t rotate out for a while yet, but Emily wants to find a new home now, before the baby comes. Besides, real estate transactions can take longer to arrive than a baby.”