He admonished Brent by listening to his comments then didn’t acknowledge him. He did this when convened in the wardroom to determine how the Alfa got away and nearly killed Denver in the process.
Bostwick opened the meeting. “I don’t need to say how important it is for us to learn from what happened today. If the Soviets have developed a method to counter a 688 then the war could well be lost.” He studied the face of each officer in turn to ensure the gravity of his message had set in then continued, “Dan has assembled all the tactical data recorded during the event. Dan?”
Dan Patrick discussed each data point in painstaking detail. He invited interruptions for clarifications and got many.
When Dan finished, the captain spoke again. “I suspect one or a combination of three things could have happened. One, the Alfa had an escort that detected and attacked us. Two, Alfa used a noise augmenter that he secured when he heard our torpedo. Concurrently, he fired back at us and then began to evade. The third would be a bona fide fluke. We just picked a bad time to shoot, maybe just as he slowed down to clear baffles. Thoughts, anyone?”
Brent considered his predicament but knew nothing he could say or do would damage his career any more than it already was. So what the hell? “I have problems with all three, Captain.”
Tension filled the wardroom. Emotionally drained from the Alfa close call, none wanted another knockdown drag-out session between the Captain and Brent.
Continuing, Brent said, “Most of us have heard Alfas on surveillance missions. He’s much quieter than this guy showed us today. An escort would have to go ahead in order to do the Alfa any good, and he would have to pass right by us. If he didn’t hear us then, he sure wouldn’t have with the Alfa in between.
The trouble with two is securing a noise augmenter does not affect an active acoustic torpedo at close range. With his target strength, our ADCAP should’ve seen him right after enable and that’s the same problem with number three. He did something planned and it worked. We’ve got to think this through more carefully.”
Brent did not raise his eyes to the captain, whose face had become flushed. Bostwick took a deep breath then spoke softly and with self-control, “Take charge of this meeting, Jack. Report to me what you conclude our plan should be,” then he left the wardroom.
No one spoke for several moments.
Brent broke the silence. His stomach churned, but he knew the train had to be set back on the tracks. His voice cracked slightly as he said, “I think they know a lot more about our tactics than we give them credit for. For openers, how would we defend ourselves against a 688 if we knew her attack style? I think that’s the direction we should take.”
Dan added, “We need more data. We can’t throw up our hands based on this tiny sample. We gotta figure out what to do next time.”
“Shoot,” Jack Olsen said. “Start the ball rolling.”
“Attack with a bow aspect. It’ll be completely different and give us more advantage. We’re obviously quieter, ’cause he passed right by and never heard us.”
Brent responded, “Think about what happened today. That tactic would have shortened his torpedo run, reduced the gyro angle, and because he wouldn’t have to reach back into his baffles to find us, would’ve counter fired against our ADCAP much sooner. I don’t think we’d be alive for this meeting had we used that tactic.
“Damn it … guys, listen! This guy is not the submarine school attack trainer out here. If we screw up we’re not just going to hear the voice of our friendly instructor saying ‘Bang, gotcha,’ over the 21MC.”
He turned to Dan who ground his jaws and bowed his head in embarrassment. “Dan, I’m sorry. Maybe we let the pucker factor have too much control. I poke at your idea but have nothing better to offer. And I don’t defend the tactics of this afternoon. They damn near got us killed but did permit us to escape. Let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water.”
Jack Olsen asked, “What’s your suggestion, Brent?”
“I say we stay with the game plan for now, but pay more attention. Next time, have Sonar tape the whole thing and we’ll analyze it from here to kingdom come. In the meantime, let’s study the stuff Dan assembled for us. If anybody sees anything or even thinks he does, speak out.”
Jack asked, “Further comments? Okay everybody, let’s get some rest.”
All rose to leave.
Jack stopped Brent. “Stick around. I’d like to talk a little.”
Brent forced a smile. “Gee. I wonder whatever about?”
After the others left, Olsen said, “The hostility between you and the captain has reached the point where it can no longer be ignored. Letting it get out of control is dangerous for all of us. Because he is the captain, we owe him loyalty. I think you understand that and probably even practice it better than the rest.”
Surprised to hear this, Brent did not interrupt.
“You understand tactics head and shoulders above anyone else in Denver. I think you also recognize the captain’s ego has a tough time handling this. You don’t rub his nose in it, but on the other hand, you don’t let him make any mistakes. This patrol, whether he realizes it or not, assures fulfillment of his lifelong dream of making flag. The nation needs heroes and Denver will provide the first news worth cheering about. Your hand in the success of this mission has been pivotal. The captain might even recognize this, but I doubt he’ll admit it. Keep doing more of the same, however, I want you to do one thing.”
“What’s that, Jack?”
“Be sure there are always some officers around when you give him advice. Me preferably, but anybody will do.”
Brent scoffed, “The captain never talks to me directly so it’ll have to be in a group.”
“I’ve noticed, but just in case.”
“You got it, boss.”
“Brent, I know how much the Navy means to you and how all this must make you feel.”
Brent thought, Damn it! It’s the last time I tell Dan anything.
Jack went on, “Nothing in this life is certain, but I’ve gained a sort of stranglehold on the old man that puts me in a good position to ensure he doesn’t hurt you. I give you my word, Brent, I’ll pull that string as hard as I can and I have reason to believe I’ll be successful.”
A great load had been lifted from Brent’s shoulders; he smiled and said, “Thanks a lot, Jack. Ya know, it’s too damn bad the skipper chose the political route and not the tactical one. Once he settles in, he’s damn good. His problem is he hasn’t given it enough thought so he doesn’t have the self-confidence. And he’s too proud to take advice from us.”
“Well, he took the political path and that’s what we have to live with. At least until we get back and he’s relieved. The situation is survivable for you, at least in my view. Just keep up the good work.”
“I’ll give it my best shot, Jack.”
The executive officer left and Brent indulged himself a few quiet moments to enjoy his rejuvenated spirits. He searched through the box of cassettes and selected a Cleveland Symphony rendition of the Nutcracker. He did not understand the music, but it helped him to recall his first and penance date with Den Mother to thank her for rescuing him and his drunken cohorts.