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SEA OF SHADOWS 251
was just a hell of a time to lose Aegis, the heart of the destroyer’s combat
system.
Culkins shook his head and keyed into Navy Red. “SAU Commander,
this is Ingraham. Request permission to break formation and close
Benfold’s position. We can provide missile defense coverage until Benfold
gets her Aegis system back on line, over.”
“Ingraham, this is SAU Commander. Roger. You are cleared to break
formation. Keep an ear in the water, though. Those subs are still out
there.”
“You don’t hear that every day,” Ingraham’s Tactical Action Officer
said. “A frigate providing missile coverage for a destroyer. My, my, how
the mighty have fallen.”
“Don’t enjoy it too much,” Captain Culkins said. “Those are our
people dying over there.”
“Of course, sir,” the TAO said. All traces of mockery were gone from
his voice. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean …”
“Don’t sweat it,” the captain said. “It’s an honest mistake. I went
down that road myself, for a couple of seconds.”
“Yes, sir.”
USS Towers:
“USWE—Sonar. Hostile torpedo number one has broken acquisition.
Looks like we fooled it.”
On the CDRT, Chief McPherson watched the symbol for one of the
enemy torpedoes go astray. She keyed her mike. “Sonar—USWE.
What’s the status of the second torpedo?”
“Still closing, Chief. It’s sticking to us like peanut butter sticks to the
roof of your mouth.”
“USWE, aye. Break. TAO—USWE. We have evaded the first
torpedo, but the second torpedo is still locked on. We’re not going to
shake this one, sir.”
“TAO, aye.” Lieutenant Nylander looked at the captain. “Any ideas,
sir?”
“One,” the captain said. “A crazy idea that one of my academy buddies
came up with about a hundred years ago. I have no idea if it’ll work, but
it’s not like we’ve got a lot to lose.” He looked up at the Aegis display
screens. “The torpedo is coming dead up our stern, right?”
“Yes, sir.”