Hail to the Foam

by X3nith

The seas will rage as the crew of the USS McCampbell enter the forefront of an expedition to an unknown land. What will transpire will shape history across the Gate and define the world back home.

1. Prologue

Hail to the Foam

A watery adventure through the Special Region

PROLOGUE

Excerpt of Personnel Report #44589291

Date: 8/8/18

Subject: Harris Cromwell

Rank: CDR (O-5)

Command: USS McCampbell (DDG-85)

Harris Cromwell (Commander, USS McCampbell) is a notable officer of the US Navy with a distinguished service record. He served initially as an ensign of the USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53) as a navigator. He made quickly through the ranks, becoming a lieutenant within 2 years of his first posting. He is at the current rank of a commander, commanding officer the USS McCampbell (DDG-85), attained 10 years after his first enlistment. Cromwell has been credited to be an effective leader and inspirational to his crew both officers and enlisted. His notable actions have included the rescue of a stranded fishing trawler off the coast of Japan in October of 2015, seizing of narcotics being transported from a Burmese smuggling vessel in June of 2016 and led his vessel and crew expertly in the KAKADU 2018 military exercises in conjunction with Australian, United States and Chinese air and naval assets. This has been an effective demonstration of the impressive of CDR Cromwell's abilities to both command his vessel and crew.

However, it must be brought to attention that Cromwell has been noted to be brash in his command of his vessel. He has had frequent incidents of insubordination to superior officers and a persistent insistence of achieving goals in his own method. Notably during rescue operations in Typhoon Haiyan, Cromwell sailed his vessel through extreme weather conditions defying orders to rescue stranded fishermen, causing damage to his vessel. Most importantly, DDG-85 struck a Japanese fishing vessel off the coast of Okinawa. Preliminary reports indicate Cromwell's inability to follow orders as the primary source of the collision. Destroyer Squadron FIFTHTEEN CDR has issued disciplinary action against CDR Harris Cromwell and he has been suspended from duty and DDG-85 has been moored at USFA Yokosuka for repairs.

"Great, exactly what I needed…"