Sea of Shadows eBook - Navy Thriller.com

86 JEFF EDWARDS
“We should wake up the captain on this,” Kensington said.
“Nobody’s waking the captain over a fishing boat,” Bryce said.
The Operations Room Officer’s voice rumbled the speaker again.
“Bridge—Operations Room. We have six inbound Bogies. I repeat, we
have six unidentified aircraft inbound! We are initiating Level One
challenges at this time. Recommend we take the ship to Action Stations.”
Before his First Watch Officer could object, Kensington shouted,
“Bo’sun of the Watch! Sound the general alarm! Take the ship to Action
Stations.”
The raucous alarm whooped instantly in response, blaring out of
speakers all over the ship, rousting sleeping Sailors from their bunks—as it
was designed to do. Then the alarm was replaced by the bo’sun’s voice.
“All hands to Action Stations! All hands to Action Stations!”
“Damn it, Kensington,” Lieutenant Bryce half shouted. “That was not
your order to give!”
“Sorry, sir,” said Kensington, who was not even a little bit sorry. “I
was trying to anticipate your next command. Quick reaction, and all that!”
“Nothing to be done for it now, sir,” Sub Lieutenant Lavelle added
helpfully.
“I suppose not,” said Bryce. “Kensington, call down to Main
Engineering and tell them we’ll be needing all engines on line. Lavelle,
you call up the Chatham. Tell them we’re going to Action Stations and
advise them to do the same.” He snapped his fingers three times. “Step
lively. The captain is going to be up here in about two shakes, and I want
him to see us doing it right.”
“Bridge—Operations Room,” the overhead speaker said. “Sonar is
reporting three more active contacts!”
“That would be the rest of those submarines that aren’t going to show
up,” Kensington said.
“Shut your mouth,” Bryce hissed.
Kensington started to say something, but the overhead speaker
interrupted him. “Bridge—Operations Room,” the Operations Room
Officer’s voice said. “Bogies have ignored our Level One challenges.
Issuing Level Two challenges now. Gun and missile stations reporting
ready for combat.”
“Very well,” Lieutenant Bryce said. “Stand by for orders.”
A watertight door banged open at the back of the bridge, and the bo’sun
called out, “Captain is on the bridge!”
The captain crossed the bridge with a few long strides, his movements
in the darkness carrying a confidence that only years of familiarity can