During a proof of concept in the Black Sea, he had led a gunnery exercise — the first of its kind in the new Soviet Union— that scored perfect hits on a towed target even after the target had rolled into a fogbank that had risen unexpectedly. Everyone wanted to delay the exercise, but Sverdlov had raised his hand for silence and said, “When we fight at sea or take the battle to the coast, we will never have control of the elements. Continue the exercise.”
Afterward, when the cruiser Chervona Ukraina approached the target being towed by the cruiser Krasny Kavkaz, Admiral Sverdlov had stood stoically as his staff celebrated the discovery of the target having been hit several times. When the celebrations had calmed a little, Sverdlov had turned and announced to everyone that what they had witnessed was the “first broadside” by the Soviet Navy.
In the years leading up to the Great Patriotic War with Germany five years later, the Soviet Navy had increased its profound ability to deliver broadsides. Every new innovation within the Navy as it grew under Chairman Stalin was announced as the “first broadside.” Here Katshora was telling him he was to deliver another “first broadside” for the Soviet Navy. He took a deep breath as he felt the pride of being chosen, bringing a deeper chill in the Arctic cold within the office.
Katshora grinned. “Anton, you are listening?”
“Sorry, Comrade Admiral,” Anton answered quickly, bringing his thoughts back to the room. “I was thinking of how honored I am.”
“If your thoughts wander while I am speaking, then I must assume I am boring you.” Katshora laughed when Anton blushed. “You must relax, Captain. I am on your side and have been where you are now. You will do well.” The admiral let out a deep sigh and put both hands on his knees. “I think you were wondering why you were chosen, and was there a skipper before you, and if there was, then what in the hell happened to him? All good questions, but we don’t have the time this morning to cover all of them. As for your predecessor, he did not live up to expectations. He viewed atomic power as something to be afraid of instead of harnessed.” Katshora nodded. “I was right in my assumption that you had little idea what the K-2 prototype really involved. This raised the question as to what happened to the K-1 prototype. Another topic for conversation between us later. Meanwhile, what I have shared with you is between two sailors. I don’t like my Navy officers to have less information than the civilians they must work with. I know you understand, but hopefully you understand better now. No?”
Anton nodded. “I am so honored to have been chosen,” Anton said, his voice shaking slightly.
“Yes, you are honored. I am honored to sit here with the captain first rank who is going to catapult our Navy into the fight for leadership on the seas with America,” Katshora replied, the words sounding like a rote he had said many times. “You know, I wish I could see the face of the American Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Fechteler, when he discovers that you — we— have an atomic-powered submarine.” Katshora’s booming laugh filled the office once again, bringing on a deep, wet bout of coughing.
Anton’s eyes widened. Then he leaned forward, about to stand.
Katshora waved him down. The coughing stopped. “My apologies. This Arctic weather is not good for old men.” Katshora leaned back, taking a couple of deep breaths. “You have met Doctor Zotkin, I believe?”
Anton acknowledged he had and told of spending yesterday trying to keep up with him.
Katshora nodded. “You will be working with him on this project. He is the leader of it, and you are to do whatever he asks.”
It was as he thought after spending half a day trying to keep up with Doctor Zotkin. His impression of the doctor was one of him being disorganized and lost; he had been unable to get the good doctor to talk to him about the Whale.
Katshora laughed. “He won’t tell you anything,” Katshora said, slapping his knee. “Zotkin is a scientist. Scientists, by their very nature, are paranoid about everyone and everything around them. When they are on the verge of being recognized for their achievements, then it becomes even worse. I think Zotkin sees himself as the father of the atomic Navy.” He waved it away. “Let him have that mantle if it achieves what we need in our Navy. Until then, I think he views everyone as a threat.” Katshora looked at Anton. “Everyone as a threat,” the admiral repeated, his eyebrows rising.
“Thank you, sir. I believe I understand.”
Katshora leaned forward. “You didn’t really know what your mission was to be until this very moment, did you?” He punctuated each word with his finger poking into the soft arm of the chair. Then he leaned back, motioning Anton away. “You don’t have to answer. It is best we keep those things that others have no need to know away from them. I’d be surprised if your crew knows anything more than that they are testing a new propulsion system. So today, when Doctor Zotkin is briefing you, pretend to be surprised. Pat him on the back about atomic energy. You’ll have a friend for life — unless he thinks you lack deference for his contribution.” A couple of seconds passed. “Then be careful, Comrade Captain.”
Katshora’s warning meant Zotkin had his own chain of command where the scientist could influence events. It also meant that Katshora’s command of the K-2 project was more limited than what Anton had thought.
“I won’t be going with you for your briefings today, Anton. I have assigned Miskin to be your steward today, to make sure you do not get lost. If you need to talk with me, you can trust Miskin to get word to me.” Katshora waved his hand around his office. “I have informed Doctor Zotkin that you have use of my office here. Treat it as your own.”
“Sir, I would hate to use your office. You will need it on your visits.”
Katshora shook his head. “I seldom come to this side of the bay. Too cold for these old bones. I have told Doctor Zotkin that I would need you to come to my headquarters after each period at sea or at least periodically to brief me on Navy-related issues. He’s probably not too happy about it, but he understands that we Navy types are real pains in the ass when we want to be.”
Katshora stood.
Anton quickly stood also.
The admiral reached out and gripped Anton’s hands.
Anton gripped back, drawing a smile from the old admiral. “ ‘First broadside,’ Comrade?”
“ ‘First broadside,’ Comrade Admiral.”
Katshora dropped the handshake. “I think I am going to enjoy working with you, Comrade Anton.” Katshora picked up his coat and thick Arctic cap off the stanchion. “As I said, the office is yours. Miskin is yours, and he will ensure that you stick to your schedule.”
“Thank you, Comrade Admiral, for your insight and frank discussions.”
Katshora finished putting on his bridge coat and hat. The door opened, and Miskin entered. “Ah, Miskin, I am leaving.” He nodded at Anton. “Take care of our good captain.”
“Yes, sir,” the slim sailor answered. “As I would you, Admiral.”
Katshora laughed and looked at Anton. “I don’t know if that is a good thing or not.”
Katshora headed toward the door, Miskin stepping aside to let the admiral leave. At the last instant, Katshora turned. “And tell the lovely Elena I asked about her. We will be having a dining-in for my officers and senior captains in a couple of weeks. I hope to see both of you at it.” Then he left.
Miskin shut the door behind him and then turned to Anton. “Sir, you have a briefing with Doctor Zotkin at ten a.m. I will return fifteen minutes prior to escort you there, unless there is anything else?”