To keep the conversation about actionable results, the colonel countered. “Susceptible, but capable of fighting.”
The commander sounded cynical. “Perhaps if we ever have the luxury of shooting at something that’s not right on top of us.”
“That will be our status as soon as we reach our Iranian supporters.”
The submarine commander walked to the central plotting table, leaned his long torso over it, and pressed his weight into his palms. “If you can keep the five MESMA plants up—”
Instilling confidence, the colonel clarified his trust in his technical team. “I’ll give you the five.”
“With the five MESMA plants up, we’ll hold eight point two knots. That puts us nine hours from Iranian waters.”
Garbled watery tones clicked through the overhead speakers and reminded the colonel of extraterrestrial aliens. “What was that?”
The solitary sonar technician turned from his seat. “That’s the Specter talking to the Wraith, sir.”
A similar sound filled the room.
“And that was the Wraith answering the Specter. I’ve heard it a couple times an hour ever since the Wraith went deep. It’s an encrypted audio signal.”
The colonel moved to the submarine commander at the table. “They can talk in real time and in code?”
“Yes.”
“Can that code be broken?”
“Any code can be broken. It’s a matter of time and resources. We happen to lack the resources.”
“I can’t argue that.”
“As a submarine sailor, I’m bothered knowing that two superior undersea hunting vessels hold me at such a disadvantage. I still believe in your cause, but I must be candid. If our Iranian support fails us, there’s no undersea combat tactic I can dream of that would rid us of this twin Wraith-Specter menace.”
“Don’t worry. I still have several options to overcome Renard. You know most of them, but not all. Have faith.”
Unwilling to wait for a possible retort, he ushered his bulldog towards the stern. In MESMA plant five, he followed the sergeant through the hatch into the tunnel connecting the catamarans.
After a claustrophobic crawl, he contorted himself into the aftermost port-side plant, MESMA six. Finding the humming compartment void of life, he led the bulldog forward.
In MESMA plant four, he found his air-independent-propulsion expert glaring at a heat exchanger. “How’s the plant holding up?”
“Not bad, sir. Not good, either, really. This one needs constant watching and adjusting.”
“Is it any worse than plant one?”
“No. They have about the same temperament.”
“You speak as if they’re alive.”
The technician cocked his head and shrugged. “Well, aren’t they?”
“You have a point. They’re keeping us alive.”
“Yeah, but for how much longer?”
The colonel seized the opening. “Until you’re wealthy beyond your wildest dreams. We’re going to rally and fend off the airborne threat.”
“But it was horrible last time. They fought back, and they dodged our missile.”
“They won’t again. When we defeat them, it will be with two Stinger launchers and one railgun. We will overpower them.”
The technician glanced at a dancing display and grunted. He then darted to a throttling valve and dialed down the cooling water’s flow. When he returned to his leader, he accelerated his cathartic outpouring of doubt. “But even so, the submarines. The limpets. They’re a constant reminder that we’re a wounded fox within snapping distance of the hounds.”
Needing to instill confidence, the colonel pushed his position. “You’re aware that I’ve created a contingency plan for our Iranian clients to assist us?”
“I know of a plan. Everyone does. But none of us understand it. You’ve never explained the details.”
“That’s because I didn’t want to focus on it. There was no need to confuse our first steps by focusing on the downstream events. Now that it’s coming closer, I’ll share more as the time approaches. But trust me, it’s going to be our deliverance.”
The man seemed to grope through final objections. “But if not, sir. Then what?”
“Then remember, always remember, I have something in my possession of immeasurable value to Renard. I can always use that to my advantage.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Let me remind you of our ultimate safety net. If it comes down to it, I’ll call him directly and arrange to give his ship back to him in exchange for our freedom. I’d beach this thing, leave it for him, and walk you home before I’d let you perish.”
“Even with how badly you’ve wanted this?”
“I would give it up to save our lives. I’m no monster.”
The technician’s shoulders lowered as his stress receded. “Well, I can keep five plants running for you. Four of them are behaving, and I’ll keep on top of this one.”
“Good enough. Keep it up.”
Retreating to MESMA plant six with the sergeant, the colonel stopped and addressed his bulldog. “I may need to hold a few more conversations like that.”
“Maybe, sir. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s calling the others now and sharing his newfound hopes. Your confidence will spread. You did great. That’s why you’re the boss.”
“And you’re my right arm.”
“You say it, and I make it happen.”
“Get them ready to fight with the port railgun and two Stinger teams, one from each hull. Within two and a half hours, I want them ready to bring down the helicopter.”
CHAPTER 12
Olivia McDonald examined the man in his mid-thirties seated across her desk. He seemed unsure of his purpose but excited to serve the CIA’s most powerful woman. “Thanks for coming in.”
“My pleasure, ma’am.”
“Call me ‘Olivia’.”
“Thank you, Olivia. What can I do for you?”
She recognized his improved confidence since she’d last needed him years earlier. “You’ve probably heard rumors about my involvement with the new mercenary navy that’s been handling unique missions.”
His eyes lit up. “Yeah. Of course. The one that’s been handling surgical strikes against some of our allies. Russia, Greece, and Israel?”
“That’s the one.”
“So, it’s true. You do have your own navy.”
“Don’t rush to conclusions.”
“Sorry, ma’am, Olivia. It’s just… the rumors are practically legendary.”
“And exaggerated. If you believe half of them, you’d think I was Poseidon’s daughter.”
He nodded and crossed his ankle over his leg. “Okay. There’s always exaggerations in rumors. The human imagination fills in the gaps. But there’s also usually some element of truth behind most rumors.”
“Let’s just say I have an interest in that fleet. I watch it.”
“And I’m here because it’s tangling with the Iranian navy, or it’s getting ready to do so?”
“They’re heading towards Iranian waters.”
“I’m no naval expert. Are you looking for an assessment of Iran’s motivation for state-driven action against your… excuse me, the mercenary fleet?”
“That’s right.”
“Is there any evidence you’ve seen suggesting hostile action, other than your fleet’s movement?”
She offered her half-lie, a type of misleading and conditional half-truth her monster created to manipulate people while easing the inner girl’s guilt. Though powerbrokers abused such linguistic sins on instinct, Olivia despised the practice, and she despised herself for succumbing to it. “Of course, if I had anything useful I could share with you, I would. But you’re going to have to speculate for now.”