Sea of Shadows eBook - Navy Thriller.com

SEA OF SHADOWS 337
Chief McPherson careened across the deck of CIC, her speed
increasing as the slant became even steeper. Her shoulder slammed into
the base of an Aegis radar console, and she screamed as she felt her bones
shatter with horribly audible crunches.
The ship hung there for what seemed an eternity, wallowing on her
starboard side, as though considering whether or not to complete the death
roll and give herself up to the waves.
Someone screamed, “We’re going under!”
But then, with agonizing slowness, the wounded ship began to right
herself. She finally settled, with a heavy list to port—where the water was
still pouring in.
Captain Bowie tried to claw his way to his feet. His left knee was
badly wrenched, broken maybe, and every movement brought nauseating
waves of pain.
“The nets are down,” he hissed. “TAO, get a messenger to CCS! I
want damage control teams down there now!”
He turned to the XO, who was just beginning to try to stand. “You all
right, Pete?”
The XO’s face was a mask of pain. His arms were wrapped tightly
around his chest. He staggered but managed to stand. “Broken … ribs …
I think.” He gritted his teeth and stood up a little straighter. “Yes, sir,
Captain. I’m okay.”
The captain stared at him for several long seconds before speaking.
“Good. See what you can do to put this place back together; the Sirajis
might not be done shooting at us.” He took a painful step and his knee
nearly collapsed. His vision narrowed, and he had to grab a console to
steady himself. “I’m going up to the bridge and see if I can still get some
fight out of this old girl.”
The XO nodded. “Yes, sir.”
Chief McPherson lay on the deck, a fetal ball of pain and dizziness.
Her comm-set was missing. She tried to turn her head to look for it, and
the pain came down on her like an ax. She squeezed her eyes shut, and hot
tears ran down her cheeks. She blinked them away.