Sea of Shadows eBook - Navy Thriller.com

316 JEFF EDWARDS
seconds, the converging array of symbols made a confusing knot on the
screen, and then they began to disappear as the Aegis computers sorted out
which missiles had been destroyed and which were still providing valid
radar returns. When the display finished updating itself, only two missile
symbols remained—both shown in flashing red.
“TAO—Air. Two of the Vipers have gotten past our first salvo of
interceptors.” There was another quick series of shudders, followed by the
thunder of launching missiles. “Four more birds away, no apparent
casualties. Targeted two each on the inbound Vipers.”
“TAO, aye.”
Twenty seconds later, the interceptors merged with the inbound Vipers
on the tactical display, and—when the display updated itself—one of the
Viper symbols remained, still closing rapidly.
“Shit!” the Weapons Control Officer shouted. “TAO—Weapons
Control, one of the Vipers got through. It’s kicked into terminal homing
phase, and it’s too close to re-engage with missiles.”
“It’s up to CIWS, now,” the XO said.
As if in answer, the forward Close-In Weapon System locked onto the
incoming missile and opened fire. The six-barreled Gatling gun rapped
out a burst of 20mm tungsten rounds. Somewhere out in the darkness, a
brief flash of exploding fuel announced the destruction of the Viper.
“TAO—Weapons Control. Got the bastard!”
“Good job,” the TAO said. “Break. Air—TAO, what’s the status of
our Bogies?”
“They’re just inside our missile range, sir. And still circling.”
“Don’t lose track of them,” the TAO said. “And watch for more
Vipers.”
The next missile attack wasn’t long in coming. “TAO—EW, I’ve got
five more inbounds! Make that ten; they’re all getting off a second bird!”
“God damn it!” the Radar Supervisor shouted. “I’ve got ’em too!
Confirm, ten inbound Vipers! How many are they going to throw at us?”