Sea of Shadows eBook - Navy Thriller.com

242 JEFF EDWARDS
Seats were filling all around CIC, as watchstanders in various stages of
battle-dress took their stations. Over the 1-MC, the Damage Control
Assistant’s voice said, “This is the DCA from CCS. General Quarters
time—plus four minutes. All stations expedite setting Zebra.”
The captain looked up at the battle clock. It read 21:31. “Well, Chief,
we’ll know if you’re right in the next fifteen minutes or so.”
CCS reported that all stations were manned with material condition
Zebra set at 2135. The TAO nodded. Eight minutes was not bad,
considering the circumstances.
A couple of minutes later, Benfold reported ready for battle, followed
by Ingraham a minute or so after that.
The critical moment, 2145, came and went with no sign of the
submarines. By 2155, everyone was stealing glances at the clock. At
2158, Chief McPherson said, “Come on … I know you’re out there …”
Another minute passed. The chief was about to say something when a
message came in over Navy Red. “SAU Commander, this is Ingraham.
Contact report to follow. Time, twenty-one fifty-nine Zulu. My unit holds
passive broadband contact, bearing three-one-five. Initial classification:
POSS-SUB, confidence level low, over.”
Chief McPherson looked at the CDRT. “Three-one-five? That’s on the
other side of the formation. How in the hell did they slip past us?”
The TAO keyed up Navy Red. “SAU Commander, aye. Your contact
designated Gremlin Zero One. My unit standing by to launch Firewalker
Two-Six when contact is localized. Request you confirm your Gremlin is
northwest of formation, over.”
“SAU Commander, this is Ingraham. Affirmative. Gremlin Zero One
is behind the formation and outside the straits. Believe contact has
penetrated our barrier. Request permission to break formation to pursue,
over.”
“Ingraham, this is SAU Commander. Stand by, over.”
The TAO looked at Captain Bowie. “What do you think, sir? Do we
let Ingraham break formation?”