“Hannibal?”
“Yeah, the Punic wars, Rome against Carthage. The Elephant’s crossing of the Alps guy. Study his tactics. Military genius.”
“I’ll try sir, thanks.”
NATHAN TOOK TO HIS bunk with his laptop and drew up his plan; it had to be flexible but bold. He had to do what the enemy expected, but be ready to trick them. It took him time and several times he had to consult the boat’s electronic libraries.
He made his way to the control room. “Sir, I need to request information from The Department of the Navy. I’ll have to go through CINCUSNAVEUR.”
Franks nodded. “Come to periscope depth, speed five knots. Commander Krupa. Float the communications buoy.”
Nathan transmitted his request for information to the DoN. Later, he downloaded the files he’d requested.
“Down bubble fifteen, make your depth two sixty. Blake, before you get on with that, get some food and some sleep,” said Franks. “You’re no good to the Navy if you’re half asleep. Do it now.”
“Sir.” He took his time and slept. He spent time in the Wardroom at the desk, reading, writing and drinking coffee. Nathan worked on. Finally, the next day he handed a RAM stick to Captain Franks.
“Sir, I have the outlines of Operation VOROTA ready.”
Franks loaded it into his comm slot and read it on the monitor. He looked at Nathan with an odd mix of respect and dismay. Franks questioned Nathan on the plan, he was dubious. It was brilliant and yet stupid.
But needs must when the Lord of Chaos drives.
“Go with it. And God help us.”
“Sir.” Nathan handed the stick to the Communications Officer.
“Commander Krupa, send this to CINCUSNAVEUR.”
“Ok, Nathan.”
PRIORITY RED
B 86853571Z JUN 45 ZY87
NEW YORK CITY
EURFLT// ID E947QV54//
TO CINCUSNAVEUR NAVAL FORCES EUROPE. NAPLES ITALY//E1//
NAVAL OPS/31
MSGID/EUROPS 7302/ LIEUTENANT COMMANDER BLAKE ACTUAL//
MSG BEGINS://
ATT: CINCUSNAVEUR ACTUAL.
SUBJECT: OPERATION VOROTA.
ATTACHED ARE THE REQUESTED FORCE DEPLOYMENTS AND BATTLE PLAN OF OPERATION VOROTA. REQUEST COPY TO TURKISH CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF.
OPERATION VOROTA DATUM POSITION IS. Y7793.H3852-R6291.E8554-G8290.
MSG END//
The Petty Officer knocked on the door. The brass panel read ‘Commander US 6th Fleet’.
He entered. “Sir. This is in from the USS New York City.”
“Thanks.”
Vice Admiral Rebecca G Marino read the communication and the action document attached. It had the Chief of Naval Operations authorisation.
“Jeez…”
She called the Petty Officer. “Perez, get Captains Hailey and Bruch in here, ASAP. Also that USMC officer. The Colonel. If he’s still around here.”
The two Captains entered the room, and she passed them copies of the document. The two men were her tactical sounding boards, they bounced ideas off each other. It took them a while to read, and there were a few exclamations of surprise.
“We actually did this, Admiral?”
“Yes. It’s all accurate. Some of it is conjecture, but it’s reasonable.”
“I know this is all real,” said Captain Bruch, “the Ukraine crisis is getting hot, but this hot?”
“I was talking to the Pentagon,” she said, “they have this too. They’re sold on it, big style. The Chief of Naval Operations wants us to work with this.” She read the document again in discussion with the two Captains.
“Ok,” she said, “in the US Navy, what the CNO wants, the CNO gets. This Lieutenant Commander Blake. He’s the man in the loop with the acting rank of Captain. Get what he asks for.”
“What’s our Operation name for this, sir?”
“Use what he’s called it, VOROTA. I don’t know what it means, but it’ll do.”
Later that day an officer in Greens reported to the Officer Comanding NSA Naples.
A female PO sat at the reception. “Sir, I’ll see if she’s available.”
Petty Officer Perez entered the Admiral’s office, she soon returned.
“She’s ready Sir.” He walked into Vice Admiral Marino’s office.
“Hello, Colonel.” She shook hands with him.
“Hello, sir. Colonel Tonroe. USMC 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. At your disposal.” The Colonel looked the part, he was a rough and tough jarhead officer. She knew that what you saw, was what you got. It went with the Corps ethos.
“Sit Colonel. You want a coffee?”
“Yes sir.”
She had two brought in by PO Perez.
“Did you receive a change of orders from the Commandant of The Marines?”
“Yes sir, I’m to place the 24th MEU under your orders.”
“As a ground pounder, you’re the authority on ground operations here. So Colonel, let’s work this one out together.” She opened up a map and placed it on her desk. “This is Istanbul and the Bosporus, it’s our area of operations. I have the rundown on other forces who are likely to be in theatre. Both allies and opposition.”
“Sir, what are we up against?”
“The Russian VDV, airborne units.” She sat back. “Are you aware of them?”
“Yeah, they’re something like the Rangers.” Admiral Marino frowned. “Oh don’t worry sir. That makes ‘em like pussys.” He shrugged. “Sorry, Sir.”
“That’s ok. They’ll be looking to seize territory adjacent to and dominating the Bosporus. They may attempt to take the city’s airport. We’re there to stop ‘em.”
Colonel Tonroe looked over the map.
“Let’s see sir. If I was planning to control this area for a limited period of time, coz that’s all they’ll get, where would I be?”
NATHAN KNEW HE WAS in way over his head. What do I think I’m doing? I’ve just recommended a radical action to the goddamn Pentagon. To the CNO himself. What the hell am I doing, just who the fuck do I think I am?
Three hours later he had his reply.
Franks read it first. “Here Nathan.” Franks grinned.
“I should say acting Captain Blake.”
Nathan opened his mouth.
“Shut that thing. You’re promoted, for now. CNO’s orders. We’re on, and we have new ROE. We’re weapons free.”
Nathan read the message again. He rubbed his temples. He’d really got a tiger by the tail now. He hoped he was right and wished he wasn’t, too. There was nothing else for it now, he was up to his neck in it. He knew that if he was wrong he was in deep shit. However, if he was right, he was also in deep shit.
Acting Captain. What the hell?
“I may as well assume that I’m right.”
Nathan smiled; you can pick them, can’t you?
PRIORITY RED
B 86833571Z JUN 45 ZY87
CINCUSNAVEUR NAVAL FORCES EUROPE. NAPLES ITALY//E1//
TO NEW YORK CITY
EURFLT// ID E947QV54//
NAVAL OPS/31
MSGID/EUROPS 6722/CINCUSNAVEUR ACTUAL//
MSG BEGINS://
ATT: LIEUTENANT COMMANDER BLAKE.
SUBJECT: OPERATION VOROTA.
ROUTE COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH ME.
6TH FLEET ASSETS ARE ASSEMBLING.
USMC MEU IN THEATER.
MSG END//
This was looking like becoming a much bigger turmoil than he’d thought.