Chapter 12
"Mr. Morton, I've downloaded all the information from COMSUBLANT," LT Bobby O'Brien said as he approached the acting captain.
"Thanks Bobby. Inform the admiral and provide him a copy, then have the department heads and Chief Sharkey meet me in the nose in one hour," Chip responded as he headed towards the staircase in the nose. "You have the con, Mr. O'Brien. I'll be in my quarters going over this information if you need me."
"Aye sir, I have the con." O'Brien acknowledged.
Chip walked quickly to his cabin, fired up his computer, accessed the new files and began looking over what COMSUBLANT had sent regarding their quarry. According to the Indian Navy it was an old PR barracuda class boat causing all the trouble. It was now suspected of being the boat behind the vessels sunk in the region over the last 10 months. No one knew if it was just one boat or if there were others stalking the waters as well.
Scanning over the reports on the vessel attacks, COMSUBLANT's admonishment to shoot first and ask questions later seemed a very prudent course of action. The attacks were merciless and in most cases resulted in a total loss of all souls on board. To punctuate the wanton disregard for any human life, the drowning of several of their own crew members indicated they would exercise no restraint when encountered.
He immediately opened access to the files to the entire boat so each section would be able to prepare for engagement with their adversary. Luckily for them the Indian frigate had been able to record the rebel sub's sound signature which was included in the files, making sonar's job that much easier to identify and home in on their target. Having completed his prep for the meeting, Chip sat back and sucked in a deep breath then blew it out. "Sure wish you were here, Lee," he said quietly to himself.
He looked up and spied the clock which indicated it was time to head down to the nose and prepare his crew for possible battle. Chip arose from his chair, walked over to the mirror and regarded the man reflected back at him. He straightened his tie, brushed the wrinkles from his uniform, shelved his trepidation, then donned his command face, and headed out the door to brief his staff.
As he exited his quarters he very nearly ran over the admiral as he was heading down the corridor. "Excuse me sir," Chip said.
"Not a problem Chip," Nelson replied. "So have you reviewed all the data from COMSUBLANT?"
"Yes sir. Looks like this bastard really plays for keeps and will sacrifice anyone to get what he wants."
"That's pretty much my assessment as well. Makes it very important we spot him first and get the first shot off."
Chip nodded in agreement. "Well Kowalski and Patterson are the best sonar men in the business so we definitely have that in our pocket. And there's absolutely no doubt who has the better boat."
Nelson smiled and clapped Chip on the shoulder. "Don't forget the exceptional captain at her con."
Chip graced him with a halfhearted smile. "All things considered sir, I wish Lee were here to take care of his own captaining."
"Me too, lad. Me too. Come let's head on down and get everyone up to speed," Nelson replied as he continued on towards the staircase to the control room.
(olooo)
As Nelson and Morton descended the stairs, the assembled men rose to greet them. "Please be seated," Nelson said as he moved to his chair. They all quickly claimed their seats and O'Brien activated the switch closing the crash doors giving them the privacy they required. "If you would Mr. Morton."
"Gentlemen, we have been tasked by the CNO and COMSUBLANT to track down and either capture or destroy a rouge submarine that has been sinking vessel traffic here in the Indian Ocean. They have been credited with sinking at least 15 commercial vessels and severely disabling an Indian Navy frigate that responded to an emergency call from one of the targeted vessels. You should be aware that the Indian frigate was damaged when the sub suddenly fired on the boat while flying a flag of surrender. The captain of the sub had a number of his crew on the deck at the time, then submerged the boat with them still on deck resulting in the deaths of those men. COMSUBLANT has cautioned us to shoot first and ask questions later, which based on the information I've just provided you is sound advice," Chip began.
"COMSUBLANT has forwarded all the information they have on the rouge boat and I've made it available to you on the boat's computer drive. This is an old People's Republic barracuda class submarine. While intelligence doesn't believe the PR is operating the boat, they are probably supplying parts, and safe port. Review the data and get your personnel primed and ready to respond immediately. Sharkey, the Indian frigate was able to record the sub's sound signature, make sure Kowalski and Patterson can sing it in their sleep." Chip ordered.
"Aye sir," Sharkey replied.
"The Indian Navy is currently flying ASW* aircraft trying to locate the sub since the attack on their frigate. Thus far they haven't come up with anything, but when they do we'll be the first to know so we need to be ready to react on a moment's notice to locate and neutralize that boat," Chip continued. He paused for a moment regarding the expressions of the men seated before him, seeing only confidence and a readiness to act he smiled inwardly to himself. He and Lee were always proud of their crew's ability to respond to anything.
"Admiral, do you have anything you'd like to add?" Chip asked.
"Gentlemen, the men on that boat quite obviously have no regard for their crew or anyone else they encounter. It is now our mission to ensure we bring their acts of piracy and terror to an end. We need to ensure that we maintain the utmost vigilance, I don't want this bastard slipping through our fingers once we have him in our sights," Nelson added, then looked to Chip indicating he'd had his say.
"Questions?... All right, let's move like we have a purpose. As I said, familiarize yourselves with the information COMSUBLANT sent, have your men review it as well, and be ready to answer all bells at a moment's notice. That's all, dismissed," Chip concluded. The assembled department heads rose from their seats and immediately dispersed to their stations to make all preparations for their impending hunt.
(olooo)
*ASW - Anti Submarine Warfare
