Sea of Shadows eBook - Navy Thriller.com

246 JEFF EDWARDS
Per the chief ’s recommendations and the captain’s orders, the TAO got
on Navy Red and directed Benfold to target both submarines with
ASROCs.
“USWE—UB. I hold excellent firing solutions on both contacts.”
“UB—USWE. Stand by. Break. TAO—USWE. Request batteries
released.”
The TAO looked at the captain, who nodded. “USWE—TAO. You
have batteries released.”
“USWE, aye. Break. UB—USWE. Kill Gremlin Zero Two and
Gremlin Zero Three with Vertical Launch Anvils.”
“UB, aye. Going to launch standby on weapon one. Launch ordered.
Weapon away—now, now, NOW!” On the third now, the entire ship
shuddered as the first ASROC missile blasted its way out of the forward
vertical launch system. “Anvil one is away, no apparent casualties. Going
to launch standby on weapon two. Launch ordered. Weapon away—now,
now, NOW!” The ship shuddered again as another ASROC missile
rocketed out of its cell. “Anvil two is away, no apparent casualties.”
The second ASROC hadn’t even pitched over into its ballistic arc when
the Officer of the Deck’s voice came over the net. “TAO—Bridge.
Lookouts are reporting two bright flashes, bearing three-four-four. We’re
getting confirmed infrared signatures from the mast-mounted sight
cameras. Flight profiles consistent with small missiles.”
“TAO, aye.”
“TAO—Surface. Three-four-four is the bearing to that motorboat.
Recommend we re-designate that contact as hostile.”
“TAO, aye. Break. All Stations—TAO, we have in-bound Vipers! I
say again, we have missiles in-bound! Weapons Control, shift to Aegis
ready-auto. Set CIWS to auto-engage. Break. EW, give me your best
course for minimized radar cross-section. Stand by to launch chaff!”
The Electronics Warfare Technician responded a half-second later.
“TAO—EW, standing by to launch chaff, but I don’t think it’ll do any
good, sir. I’m showing negative active missile seekers at this time. These
Vipers are possible heat seekers, or maybe they’re laser-guided.”
“EW—TAO. Understood. Stand by to launch torch rounds, just in
case they’re heat seekers.”
“EW, aye.”
The TAO keyed the net again. “Air—TAO. Where are these missiles
heading?”