The James was within ten miles of the supply stop when the crew discovered a completely destroyed containment ship.
Kara and Slattery moved out of the bridge to take a closer look. Haven yelled out to them, almost immediately, "We have a bulldog incoming!"
Kara was back inside, "Start evasive maneuvers. Man your battle stations!"
Haven picked up the red phone to the CIC, "Guys, you have to shoot that down." She hung up and watched the incoming threat.
Slattery stepped back in just as Kara and Haven were breathing a sigh of relief thanks to the CIWS. Burk walked into the bridge right after.
"We've spotted a corvette class warship from our stern," Burk announced.
Slattery and Haven made eye contact, speaking at the same time, "We're outgunned."
"Then, we'll have to outrun it," Kara replied before giving the order to move ahead at Flank 3. She turned to Burk, Slattery, and Haven, "Let's go to the CIC and figure out what our next move is because we can't outrun this ship forever."
The four exited the bridge and went below deck.
"Gustavo is targeting any ship in the sea to let everyone know that he owns this ocean now," Mike announced one they reached the charts and Kara began marking the spots where they could faintly hear the warship.
Haven jumped into one of the seats and placed her headphones on to assist.
After listening repeatedly, Haven pulled off her headset and stood back up to join the others at the charts, laying over what would normally be their radar. "They're moving in a routine search pattern. They didn't intend to find us and from the distance, it may not realize who we are," she explained.
Mike shook his head, astonished, "You got all that from a few minutes at your old station? Why did we ever move you out of this room?"
"Because you wanted me closer," Haven replied with a wink before looking back down at the map just as Kara began to speak.
"They may not know who we are, but we used CIWS and didn't utilize fire control radar. We tipped our hand," she began, "The corvette may not know we're the Nathan James, but they do know we're a part of the US Navy."
Burk nodded, "What if we could make it look like there were more then one ship like us out here? And, we can only hide behind this island for so long."
Slattery crossed his arms and began to pace while Kara, Burk, and Haven continued to stare at the charts to find a solution to their current problem.
"Slattery, we have our EMATT on board that would look like a submarine if we deployed it," Haven stated, optimistically.
Kara replied before Mike could, "That's brilliant. After we send it out to drive the corvette away from our path, we can deploy the rubber ducks to act as a third ship."
"Our 'fleet' chases the loan corvette here," Slattery pointed to the spot on the map, "where our stationary five-inch is waiting."
Haven nodded, "We can use the ship itself to aim the five-inch. If this all goes to plan then we'll have a clear path again. We can get our supplies and fuel without obstacle."
Burk looked at Slattery, "We need to mark the window in the bridge as an aiming tool for our navigator and help him steer to ensure we get the corvette. We're only going to get one chance."
Mike nodded, "You're right." He looked at Haven, placing his hands on her upper arms, "I want you in your station here. You've got the best set of ears we've ever had so you can tell us if the corvette shifts away from our path, in any way. Even the smallest turn matters in this scenario," he instructed before giving Kara a glance, looking for approval.
Kara nodded, "I'll stay down here as well to map what Jackson hears. We can do this."
Mike and Burk left the CIC, designated teams deployed their 'fellow fleet ships', while Haven and Kara went back in time to their early years to map out the enemy's path.
"The corvette is moving toward the EMATT's position," Haven announced.
Kara nodded, "Activate Eddie," causing Haven to laugh, forgetting they'd named it.
Once Eddie was on, the corvette turned away from it. Haven smiled to herself, in her station, "The corvette is moving away. Our plan is working."
After the announcement, Haven continued listening as the corvette was nearing the position of the rubber ducks. The sound indicated that the warship was no longer moving toward the decoy and their planned position.
Haven told Kara and then picked up her phone to the bridge and Slattery, "Admiral, the corvette turned away from our planned course. She will not be in position for our five-inch to work, not stationary anyway," she shared.
Slattery couldn't help but lower his voice at first to respond, "I always love it when you call me by my title." He resumed his normal tone, "Keep listening and we'll be back in touch," he hung up the phone.
Haven looked to Kara, "They are deciding what to do next and will call back, Captain."
Kara shook her head, "Call me Kara, Jackson. You and I have been friends and colleagues for too long for that."
Haven gave her a nod just as the phone rang, "CIC, Jackson." Haven answered.
"We're going out into open water to face the corvette," Slattery shared, "We have one chance. I know you can hear, even when we're at full speed. Tell me if that warship makes any adjustments to their course," he requested.
Haven nodded, "Yes sir," she hung up the phone and put her headphones back on as Kara took the same call.
Haven listened closely, focusing harder to distinguish from the louder noise the James was now making and the corvette.
A new noise caught Haven's attention, "Ma'am, a torpedo is on its way."
Kara nodded, "Reactivate the EMATT to confuse the torpedo."
Haven listened again and heard the torpedo detonate, pulling off her headset once again, "It worked. Our EMATT is gone, but we avoided the hit." She picked up the phone to the bridge.
"Slattery." she heard Mike's voice, which still sent shivers down her spine even in this situation.
Haven refocused, "Sir, you need to aim ahead of the ship to offset the delay."
She heard him agree at the same time he began yelling, "Brace!" and ending the call. Haven didn't grab her console quick enough before impact and the hit sent her down to the floor, landing on her side.
Kara grunted from her own slide, but she was using the table and stayed upright, but she saw Haven fall. "Jackson, are you alright?"
Haven got up slowly, feeling fine though being pregnant she couldn't answer one hundred percent, "I think I'm good," as she sat back down, just in time for her suggestion to allow success as the corvette was breaking down the middle from the James.
Haven stayed at her current post until the supply run and refuel was complete. She knew Kara must have told Mike she fell because once things were settled, he appeared in CIC.
"Jackson, may I see you for a moment?" Mike asked, only leaning into the room.
Haven nodded as she put up her headset and stood to follow him. He lead her to Tom's quarters where he pulled Moby Dick off Tom's shelf.
"Did you need something, Babe?" she asked, after a considerable about of silence.
Mike looked up after opening the book, "I just needed you by my side again. It feels strange to be on the James and not right next to each other," he confessed before adding, "Kara told me you fell when we were hit, are you alright?" he asked, his eyes focused on her swollen abdomen.
"I believe I'm fine," Haven replied, "And, I am more then happy to be near you again. Did you finally decide to read Tom's favorite?" she changed the subject.
Mike grinned, letting out a guttural laugh, "I plan on skimming it. I'm using it as a code to tell Fleet Command that we're ready to fight."
"That's brilliant," she replied, her voice awe struck, "Can I help?"
Mike shook his head, "I wish you could but there's only one copy. You can keep me company while you rest," he instructed, looking up from the pages of the book to make eye contact with her.
Haven shook her head, taking a seat just to ease his mind, "If you're going to force me to sit over here on the bed, will you at least sit with me? I just started being able to feel the baby move, maybe you could help me look for movement to ease your mind," she ran her hand over her stomach, catching his head shake and grin at the way she was trying to play him.
Slattery nodded, giving in easily since they had been apart for so long, and stood to move to the bed, climbing on beside her. He had one hand looking through Moby Dick for a passage to send his message and the other on her stomach, genuinely hoping to feel their baby move.
Until Next Week….