Later, Brent reckoned the range to the fisherman had opened sufficiently and its noise reduced to the point that Denver could no longer hide in its shadow so he reported this to the captain. “We’ve resumed stealth tactics, Captain,” then continued, “I’ll shorten the legs. This breach track is too restrictive for north-south run options if we encounter trouble. Costs us time, but if somebody’s out there, this’ll improve chances of detecting him before he reaches attack range.”
“Do it, Brent,” replied Bostwick over the 21MC.
As Brent and Henri huddled over the plotting table to layout new projected tracks, an ear-shattering explosion rocked the ship. The force of the blast knocked both men to the deck and the compartment plunged first into darkness and then silence.
Chapter 8
Captain Igor Sherensky congratulated the young communications officer on the thoroughness of his pre-sail briefing. Zhukov officers had been bombarded with volumes of intelligence information and the time had now come to put it into action.
Following the Zhukov commander, the navigation officer began his presentation. He taped a large chart of the Western Pacific onto a bulkhead in Zhukov’s wardroom. A tracking line began at Vladivostok winding its way seaward through the Kurils and then via the southwest Pacific to the approaches at Fremantle, Australia.
The navigation officer began his briefing with, “Visual aids to shipping navigation end at Vladivostok. Thereafter, shallow water presents a problem only at the Kurils.”
Lieutenant Vasiliy Baknov asked, “Why not proceed via the South China Sea? The shorter run will give us more time on station.”
Captain Sherensky answered the question. “We have lost track of three American SSNs in the Western Pacific. Best guess by our intelligence people places them in the South China Sea area. Better we go around them.”
Vasiliy added, “If they are 688 class, Comrades, we’ll not find them. We go deeper and faster, but they are much quieter. To find them, we must be able to hear them and that is unlikely.”
Zampolit Poplavich, leapt upon every occasion to remind Zhukov’s officers and crew that he would tolerate no faultfinding with any segment of the Communist System. “We must have confidence in our Comrades of the intelligence division. Their information thus far has led us to victory.”
Sherensky replied, “And we have confidence, Comrade Zampolit.”
Problems enough with day-to-day management of a warship left the Captain with no desire to agitate Poplavich. Sherensky considered the zampolit system a detriment at any time, but particularly in time of war. Placating the zampolit was the best hope of silencing him.
Sherensky said to the navigation officer, “Please continue.”
Directing his comments mainly at Vasiliy, the navigation officer proceeded, “For most of the track, we’re free to operate at maximum speed, but not while we’re in the South China Sea. It’s too shallow to accommodate the depths we need to suppress propeller cavitation at high speed.”
Being a step ahead of the dynamic Baknov pleased the navigation officer as he continued with, “Once on station, runs between merchant ship attacks will lengthen as we systematically destroy them and shut down the flow of materials to the Americans. This obviously changes if the allies cooperate and put their ships in convoys. In this case, we’ll finish them off quickly and get home early.”
Laughter erupted among the Zhukov officers, confident after their victory over Savo Island.
The navigation officer asked, “Questions? None then? If you please, I yield the floor to our distinguished weapons officer,” he said, making a mock bow and removing his chart.
Vasiliy gave his mates a rare smile. “It is good to see Zhukov louts give the respect due to the best among them,” he quipped.
Others laughed and hissed their protest.
Normally deadpan, the junior Russian’s bright mood surprised all, but the levity dissolved as he refocused attention on business at hand. “Our principal weapon against merchantmen is the missile. America made a major investment in missile defense for aircraft carriers so we used torpedoes. Merchant ships will be spread out and difficult to defend. The long range of our SS-N 21s shortens the distance we must run between targets.”
Next, he explained Zhukov’s defense against U.S. submarines. “An escorting 688 comprises our greatest obstacle in attacking a widely dispersed convoy. They have sonar sensitivity and stealth needed to breach our track as we preoccupy ourselves with targets. An ADCAP Torpedo could bring our mission to an abrupt end.”
Again, the zampolit interrupted, “Comrade Baknov, apparently you attach no significance to the findings of our comrades in intelligence.”
“I do, Comrade Zampolit. I want only to be certain we have a plan if—”
The zampolit became irate and interrupted. “There are no ifs. The probability we will encounter a 688 is inconsequential and unworthy of our attention. I would thank you to not waste our time preparing for action that will not occur.”
Vasiliy felt deflated. He wished to explain his planned evasion tactics devised by him and implemented throughout the Pacific flotilla.
Captain Sherensky gave the young officer an understanding wink and Vasiliy sat down.
The captain concluded the briefing. “Comrades, we come to the end of our refit and prepare to sail again. The days ashore have been good ones and the honors given to us for past successes taken with gratitude and humility. Past victories have meaning only in history books. Let us be mindful of Japan’s failure in the Great Patriotic War.
“We must prevent the wounded warriors from rising again and taking victory from us. You have done your work well and our ship has been expertly serviced. We are ready for combat, Comrades, so I now enjoin you to pass these final days in happiness with family and friends.”
Sherensky thought, I must defuse this growing hostility between Vasiliy and our learned zampolit. But how? Both are so obstinate.
Quartermaster Henri looked at Brent, his hand already on the collision alarm switch. Brent’s nod gave the needed order and the alarm wailed its warning throughout the ship.
Taking the 1MC mike Brent ordered, “All compartments report your condition, forward-aft. Flooding reports immediately on the nearest intercom.”
Henri picked up the sound-powered handset to receive reports.
Brent ordered, “Ahead standard, make your depth one-three-zero feet,” then demanded over the 21MC, “Sonar, Conn, what’ve you got?”
Gary Hansen replied, “Nothing, sir … nothing before the bang. Reverberations from the explosion blocking out everything. ”
Turning to the quartermaster, Brent asked, “How we doing, Henri?”
“Good so far. All compartments reporting normal. No flooding.” At that instant lights flickered throughout the ship. “Only Maneuvering to go and the noise definitely came from forward.”
Brent said, “We hit a mine. We’d have heard the inbound noise of a torpedo. Sonar, Conn, reversing course to starboard. Conduct active, repeat, active search of sector east of north south, max range five thousand. Report all contacts immediately.”
The captain shouted over the 21MC, “Belay that order! Sonar, do not … repeat … do not go active. Brent, I’m on the way to the Attack Center.”