The Soviet watch officer filed his report of the routine action and went on with his duties.
In late afternoon the next day, Captain Marty Baker’s phone rang.
Crypto analyst Pete Ryan said, “Hi, Marty, that’s a neat piece of junk your buddy sent us. Giving us all kinds of good dope, like this one, REYDNY TRAISHCHIK ZERO ONE SIX REQUESTS NEW STOCK OF VODKA ON NEXT REPROVISIONING. How can we lose with this kind of inside dope?”
“All of it like that?”
“Worse. Wanna hear some more?”
“Spare me, Pete. I’m heading out. I’ll be home for most of the weekend if you need me.”
Marty had already left and locked his office when the phone rang again. He hesitated a moment, unlocked the door, stepped inside and took the call. “Captain Baker here.”
Pete Ryan answered in an uncharacteristic staccato voice, “Get your ass down here, Marty, on the double! Your aviator submarine buddy found the second Rosetta Stone. I’ve activated the emergency recall. I want every cleared and qualified analyst in here immediately … government, consultants, beltway bandits … the whole damn lot.”
Marty whistled. “That big?”
“You bet your ass it’s that big. And get somebody from the White House over here, right now!”
Chapter 17
Commodore Danis despised Bostwick’s condescending manner as the two conducted a private conference in the commodore’s office. They discussed turning over command of Denver to Jim Buchanan.
Bostwick opened, “Jack Olsen’s on top of administrative matters so no problem there. We’re a little out of date on registered publications and code lists, but I’m sure we can fix that over the next few days.”
Smiling, Danis said, “That’s good, Hal. What about personnel?”
“Pretty good shape there too, I’d say.”
On a more serious note, Danis said. “I notice everyone except Lieutenant Maddock has been nominated for a decoration. Is there any particular reason for that?”
“Lieutenant Maddock has just not measured up, sir. We discussed his case after the overhaul, and with your advice, I gave him a second chance. He blew it, pure and simple.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Hal. When your crew was debriefed about unscrambling the Soviet’s new evasion maneuver, I heard his name mentioned frequently and favorably.”
Not budging off his original assessment, Bostwick said, “Maddock is good at some things, but fails to round out in other important areas.”
“Specifically?”
“Specifically by not adhering to priorities set by the commanding officer. Maddock marches to his own drum and is not a team player. He’s a master at opening arguments that end up undermining the crew’s morale.”
“How do you plan to deal with this, Hal?”
“I won’t drop that sack on Jim Buchanan, Commodore. I’ll get Maddock replaced and surface him before I’m relieved.”
“Have you written Maddock’s fitness report yet?”
“I have, sir. It’s adverse. I’ll give it to him for comment as soon as he gets back. I’m told he’s on a social mission and not expected back until tomorrow.”
“Hmm? Too bad you have to take that measure, Hal.”
“Why? If you’ll pardon my language, sir, it’s exactly what the wise bastard deserves.”
“I didn’t mean too bad for him. I meant you.”
Bostwick’s startled expression revealed where his true priorities lay as he asked, “Me?”
This’ll be a piece of cake, Danis thought. “Yes. Two items. First, we have an appointment with the President to hang a Congressional Medal of Honor on you at the White House on Tuesday morning. Now we’ll just have to send somebody else. SUBPAC regs require a full investigation into adverse fitness reports prior to the reporting senior’s transfer. As you know, insubordination in the face of the enemy is a serious charge and we’ll need you around to substantiate that.
“Fortunately, Butte’s back at a Pitstop near San Francisco. They had a good patrol so maybe her skipper can keep the White House appointment.
“Second reason, the investigation puts you under tight scrutiny. We’ll need all the details. I’m sure you’re clean as a whistle, Hal, or you wouldn’t be doing this so I don’t see a problem. You’re aware flag infighting gets awfully tough and the number of good people always exceeds available promotions. You gotta consider possible effects of perceptions generated, even if they’re erroneous ones. The weight of a feather could tip the balance.”
Bostwick thought, This Goddam lame duck is fitting me on again.
The war had eliminated Bostwick’s end-run routes. Additionally, getting the Pitstop up and running so quickly may well have tossed Danis’s hat back in the ring for promotion to flag rank. In any case, Bostwick felt a tilt with Danis at this time could be the kiss of death. He paused for a moment.
The commodore correctly construed Bostwick’s silence to mean he had no good response. “We’re at war, Hal. This changes things.” Then Danis gave Bostwick a graceful out. “You’re badly needed back in Washington, and quite frankly, the country requires a hero. Success of your patrol, particularly the strike against Vlad, puts you in great shape to take an essential bow for the country. Your decision must be driven by what’s in the best interest of the service.”
“You shed a light I hadn’t considered, Commodore. I wasn’t taking the global view. For the good of the service then, I’ll withdraw the adverse.”
“Good, Hal. In order for this to look right, toss in a nomination for a Silver Star for Maddock. Just sign the letter and a blank fitness report. I’ll have Olsen take care of the citation and fitness report details. I’ll be sure he does right by you.”
“Thank you, Commodore.”
Danis again showed Bostwick how easily he could be pushed over, but took no delight in this. It would likely be a long war, and Bostwick could contribute much before it ended.
Wanting to part on the best note possible, Danis said, “Hal, you’ve done a marvelous job with your command. Bottom line, with the country at low ebb, Denver pulled off a spectacular military feat and restored national self-confidence. You’re the officer who prepared the ship and crew for this and I’m proud to have had you in my squadron.
“My fitness report will reflect this, along with my strongest recommendation for promotion to rear admiral. I wish you every success in your next assignment and the increased responsibilities that are sure to follow. I leave you with this thought, Hal. Combat brings out the best and worst in military officers. Those who recognized the need for transition when the country moved from peace to war and adapted went far. Grant, Pershing and Eisenhower to name a few.”
“Thanks, again, sir. I appreciate the advice.”
As he left the office, Bostwick’s smile did not reflect the anger that burned in his chest.
On the other side of the country, Captain Marty Baker waited in the anteroom outside the Oval Office in the White House. He did not fret over the delay, for he had already set machinery in motion to provide military commands with the material his staff had uncovered so no valuable time was lost. He’d never been in the White House and had yet to meet face to face with a sitting President, an overwhelming concept for Marty.
Gerry Carter, he thought, gets me into more damn trouble.
The naval aide emerged and ushered Marty into the office. “Mr. President, Captain Baker of Naval Intelligence, sir.”
“Good evening, Captain. I hear you have some news for us.” Andrew Dempsey recognized the usual signs of stage fright and lightened the atmosphere.” What you’ve turned up couldn’t come at a better time.” President Dempsey nodded toward the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Chief of Naval Operations seated at a conference table. “As you can see, I’ve assembled all the king’s men, but we don’t have horses anymore.”