“Any info on what the forward boat said when it popped up to stream its comms mast?’ asked Larry.
“No. It was in code, it’s not been cracked. But I think we can be sure part of it was position info. That’ll have been passed to the Iranians, so they’ll know where the shipment and escort is.” Nikki touched Nathan on the arm, pausing for probably longer than she should.
“Nathan, we need to give them designations not front boat and rear.”
“Yeah, Ok front boat is Tango one, rear is Tango two. Now let’s go back over the plan. We move Scooby out to port away from the package and put another Pointer in the water. Hopefully, Tango two follows Scooby and the second Pointer moves in on Tango two confusing him. Then we shut the trap and stick a Mk 48 up his ass. Tango one will come about to help his colleague. We can’t plan that scenario, we’ll just have to improvise based on what happens. But if we get it right, it’ll be one on one.” Nathan looked them both in the eyes.
“Ok?” They nodded.
“Then let’s get on with it.”
Kaminski and the XO took up their stations.
“Warload weaps?” said Nathan.
“Tubes one through four Mk 48 CBASS, tubes five and six Harpoon, Sir.”
“Get a Pointer in tube six. Designate forward PLAN SSN as Tango one and rear SSN as Tango two. Compute firing solutions on both Tangos.”
“Sir.” A few minutes went by.
“Sir, Deputy Dawg in tube six. Mk 48 solutions laid in.”
“Benson?”
“Both ships holding course upstairs Sir. Tango’s one and two are following. It’s a church parade.”
Nathan said nothing, but he knew the People’s Liberation Army Navy wasn’t to be underestimated. Once they were only good for Goat Fuck Operations. But not now, they’d good boats and weapons that they knew how to use. Nathan picked up the intercom. He’d give the crew what they wanted to hear.
“All hands, this is your Captain. We’re about to take on the opposition in the form of two Chinese SSN’s. I tried to book us a real fight, one that will pay us some real purse. But they got us these two air breathing no loads. Sorry men, I’ll try to do better next time. Let’s show em how a real Navy fights. Captain out.” He replaced the handset.
“Ok XO, what’s the time?”
“Time to fucking rock Sir.” Nathan grinned.
“Weaps, bring Scooby slowly to port, hold him about half a mile from the procession.”
“Aye Sir, he’s moving left Sir.”
“Benson keep that pair glued to Joe Chinaman.” The Pointer moved out away from its track following the forward boat. It reached a position well away from the Roll on Roll off ships. “Sir, Spoopy is a quarter of a mile off now.” Nathan frowned.
“XO?”
“Sir, Joe’s got me scratching my dick.”
“Shit. Sir, active ping from Tango two.”
“What the holy…?” said Nathan.
Sir, rev-counts are up on Tango’s one and two. Wait one… Tango one is turning to our port and coming about. Tango two is turning to starboard and coming about.”
This wasn’t expected at all thought Nathan. They now had two SSN’s running in at them. They must have known they were being followed and were waiting to make their move. Bastards.
“Weaps, flood tubes one and two and six, open outer doors. Get the Dawg out there, send him to the right.”
There was a rushing sound from up front. “Deputy Dawg’s out there and running to starboard Sir.”
“Emergency deep. Benson, range to Tangos?”
“Tango one, range four miles. Tango two range three point six miles, Sir. Depth two hundred, speed eighteen knots.”
“Weaps, run silent mode for Scooby. Move in toward Tango two with Deputy Dawg, simulate tube launch preparation.”
“Aye Sir.”
The Pointer was running in on the closer SSN, Tango two’s port quarter. Deputy Dawg was doing its best to sound like an attacking Stonewall Jackson. By making all the sounds associated with an attack. Flooding and opening torpedo tube doors. Tango two can’t know where the American boat had gone.
“Get Ren in tube six and ready tube for launch,” said Nathan.
“Sir, our depth is now nine hundred feet.”
“Come level Planesman, maintain depth.”
“Sir,” said Benson excitedly, “Tango two is turning to the pointer, he’s opening his tubes.”
“Launch tube two. Target Tango two, go for a belly shot.”
“Aye Sir, tube two ready in all respects, firing solution laid in. Launch.” The hissing rushing noise from forward was unmistakable.
“Fish running and hungry, belly shot laid in,” said Weaps.
“Tango two has launched at the Pointer,” said Benson.
“Range to Tango two point five miles, point two. He’s launched countermeasures, Sir.”
“Fish now terminal, cutting wire,” said Weaps.
“Running in,” said Benson, “running in run… Hot datum on Tango two. Hot datum, belly astern. She’s tearing up, blowing massive gas escape Sir. Must be five or six bulkheads, she’s going down.”
The control room erupted into cheers and fists punched the air.
“Activate Scooby, simulate attack and run in on Tango one.”
“Scooby, running in simulating tube launch,” said Weaps.
“Shit, Sir, Tango one is coming deep, at four hundred feet and dropping,” said Benson.
“Active ping from tango one. He’s detected us Sir. Wait one, wait, wait. He’s flooding a tube and opening the outer door.” He looked to his XO and rubbed his temples. He knew that the Chinese SSN would be preparing to launch a Yu-6 wire guided torpedo, they were fast and lethal. Nathan had to do it; he didn’t want to, but this was it.
Chapter 14
“GO ON SILKY,” SAID Lieutenant T. More rounds ripped into the wall causing concrete splinters to fly.
“You have the jets, the F something Hornets. Call in an airstrike on the tanks or whatever they are.”
“Shit me,” said the Lieutenant, “I’m not used to having top cover. Thanks, Silky. What a dick I am. Graf bring the radio. Start the air mode, I want to speak to top cover.”
“Sir here you are. The radio was handed over.
“Vulture one this is Tadpole. We are a ground call sign. Vulture one this is Tadpole. We are a ground call sign over.”
“Tadpole, Vulture one here, over”
“Vulture one we request air strike to the rear of the jail, grid 6B8 4Y3. Your target is three BMP-2. We will lase the target, repeat we will lase the target we need an accurate strike.”
“Copy Tadpole we are five minutes from target. Five zero minutes. Target BMP-2 rear of the jail, grid 6B8 4Y3. You will lase the target. Over.”
“Confirm details Vulture one, this is Tadpole over and out.”
“Ok, Rickerson get back there, take the laser designator and lase the target,” said the LT.
“No,” said Anupa as he stepped up close to him, “you need all the men you can, to keep the Iranian’s away.” She looked at her boss. “You’re a bloody good shot Silky, stay with them. I’ll go back and lase it for you.”
“Crutch,” said Silky.
“I’m doing it, you know I’m right. Show me what to do.” Rickerson showed her how to use the laser designator. Tosser pressed her head in and watched closely.
Anupa looked into her eyes. “What are you looking at? Use your AK47 and help keep the opposition at bay.” Anupa took the designator from him. “That’s it Rickerson?” He nodded and handed her the radio too. “Ok, I’m off back there.” Anupa ran towards the rear of the jail, she was finally glad to be doing something to hit back at her captors. She saw the rungs on the rear wall and climbed them. She looked out over the yard, there were the BMP-2’s. One fired a blast of 30mm at the rear wall. It was much more fearsome than she’d expected. The punches peppering the wall could be felt not just heard. Anupa knew it was only a matter of time until they’d blasted their way into the jail. The Seals, good though they were would be overwhelmed. She aimed the Designator at the top of the middle BMP-2’s turret, leaned left and set the castellated grip on the activate timer dial to zero. Set the pin to zero, not delayed and switched it on. Then squeezed the radio transmit button.