Commander, this is Lieutenant Burke, he is solid." Danny says entering the meeting room.
Nice to see you again, Burke apologies but we must get this running quick. Green targets, Burke, you and Seiver will form the tactical teams and train them to move efficiently even in their sleep. I have to check the inventory on weapons and supplies for the teams but I'll drop by when I'm done. You have your assignments now, go." Clay says.
Yes sir." They say.
That night's talking group.
Clay listened from the higher deck.
This is my father, Paul, my brothers Nate and Ronnie. Couldn't get through to them, so I don't know where they are. Like most of us, I guess. But, um… what keeps me going is the idea that we might be able to help them somehow. You know, maybe there was a reason we were out there in the Arctic all that time. Maybe this is God's plan for us." A sailor says.
Amen to that." Jeter says.
Amen." Everyone responsed
Amen." Clay whispers.
Meeting room later.
The rules of the virus are these… it's airborne, which means you can get it from anyone who's a carrier… anyone manifesting the disease, even a recently deceased corpse. Typical symptoms are lethargy and a cough, followed by bleeding sores and hemorrhaging, ending in dementia and total blood loss." Rachael says.
How long is the incubation period?" Doctor Rios asks.
Three to five days. At least, that's what I understood from my last contact with the CDC." Rachael says.
And when was that?" Mike asks.
Three weeks ago, when we were still up in the Arctic." Rachael says.
A-are you saying the incubation period can change?" Rios asks.
The virus has been mutating for some time, although I believe that now that it's been artificially altered, it's been stabilized." Rachael says.
You "believe"?" Mike says.
What about animals?" Danny asks.
If you're concerned about Halsey, dogs happen to be immune. Other animals can contract the disease. They just can't transmit it to humans." Rachael says.
Thought the birds from the Arctic were the original carriers." Mike says.
The birds were the original carriers. The virus jumped, probably from their feces to a mammal before mutating and landing on us. After several mutations, it was artificially altered. It is that version of the mutated strain that is currently devastating our planet. So, CBR gear at all times, except outside in open spaces, masks can be off to preserve your oxygen." Rachael says.
And inside?" Clay asks.
One infected person could jeopardize this entire ship… simply by breathing." Rachael says.
Question... Before we send our men into a hot zone, if the virus keeps mutating and you haven't heard from homeland in almost a month, how could you be sure of what you're so sure of?" Mike says.
If I had any doubt about what I was saying… I would tell you." Rachael says.
I would hope so." Mike says.
Walking through the hull
Remember when told you can be a passive aggressive bastard at times, well I would like to reiterate that statement now, to always." Clay says.
Clay." Tom says.
I'm fine." Mike says.
Then what was that?" Tom says entering his office.
Just asking questions." Mike says.
You were undermining her in front of the officers. I know, Mike. She lied to us for four months." Tom says.
Yeah, and while she was talking to home every week, we didn't even get a chance to warn our families. We're just supposed to get over that?" Mike says.
Yeah, we are." Tom says.
Well, she's got a long way to go before she earns my trust. That's all." Mike says.
What about me and Clay? There's no Navy or Special Operation Command, no infrastructure, no food or fuel supply. We don't know what we're gonna find anywhere we go, and we're gonna have to improvise every step of the way. Now, I'm gonna need my XO…" Tom says.
To fall in line?" Mike says.
To execute… whether or not he agrees with the decisions. Now, I'm gonna ask you one time and one time only… Are you with me?" Tom says.
I took an oath, and I still respect the chain of command." Mike says.
That wasn't my question." Tom says.
I'm with you. You really think she can do this?" Mike says.
She's the only hope we got. Mike the ship command if I die goes to you. But Mission Command will be Clay, he is the ranking officer after me and his mission now aligns with ours completely, so we have been Co commanding. Will you be able to accept that?" Tom says.
Yes." Mike says.
Clay, I'm naming you TSCO, you will stay at Special Ops Commander." Tom says.
Alright I'll name an assistant to S Ops soon hopefully, and that will make it easier to help around the ship as well." Clay says.
Next on the bridge.
Helicopter: Coming over Gitmo now. Negative visual contact. Negative movement. Same on thermals. We have zero, copy, zero ground movement.
There were 9,000 people stationed there." Cara says.
The food warehouse and the hospital are pretty spread out. Fuel rig's all the way up there." Mike says.
That's why we could go with three teams. Captain, since you're going, take the food warehouse. Green gets to the hospital and switches to the predesignated channel after you get in there so you guys can talk without crowding up our line, the others will be able to tell if anything happens. And Garnett fuel. We'll have Rios and a team on standby for medical support and team 2 ready for support." Clay says.
Good go with that. Fuel team ready?" Tom says.
We are, sir." Garnett says.
Stay frosty. Something about this doesn't feel right." Mike says.
Yes, sir." Green says.
Seiver I'll be on the bridge. I need to see what is going on out there ." Clay says.
On the bridge
CHANDLER: Vulture Team is feet dry on the east beach.
SEIVER: Proceed to first objective.
CHANDLER: Approaching the south gate.
SAILOR: Cobra Team is approaching the hospital.
GREEN: Masks on. Masks on. We got 60 minutes of air, max conserve.
Chief Lynn, XO... Fuel Team's approaching the rigs. Expect to receive fuel within 15 minutes." Mike says.
Roger, XO.
GARNETT: We need to find the valve wheel. Couldn't have gone far.
CHANDLER: Vulture Team heading through the south sector. All's quiet.
GREEN: Eyes in front of you. You do not puke in your mask.
CARA: Is that what it was like on the cruise ship? None of them want to talk about it.
RACHAEL: That's because there are no words.
GREEN: Switching to separate channel.
GARNETT: Nathan James, Tiger Team… we're all set.
Copy that. We are ready to receive. CCS, Bridge… your Martini is on its way." Mike says.
Bridge, CCS… fueling commenced.
CHANDLER: No apparent activity in sector Charlie 5. Vulture Team proceeding directly to objective.
Copy that, Vulture 1." Clay says.
Seconds later
CHANDLER: This is Vulture 1, under attack by unknown number of hostiles. Stand by for fire mission and possible support.
Copy. Seiver go prepare encase they need support." Clay says.
Set general quarters! Threat warning red! Weapons tight!" Mike says.
General quarters! General quarters! All hands, man your battle stations!
Vulture 1, TOC… do we have a target?" Clay says.
Negative. There was an IED. Set FIPCOM Delta." Tom says.
Cobra Team, Tiger Team… be advised… hostiles operating on base. IEDs are being employed." Clay says.
GARNETT: Copy TOC.
GREEN: This is Cobra Team. We're a half-mile south-southeast from their port ops. Say the word and we will provide backup.
No. I don't want you walking into an ambush. We have other teams ready to support when they call for it. Stay on mission." Clay says.
GREEN: Yes, sir.
CHANDLER: Nathan James, Vulture 1… be advised, hostiles are armed with RPGs and appear to be en route to your whiskey.
Tiger 1, TOC… cease pumping. Shut it down now." Clay says.
GARNETT: Secure fueling.
Bridge, CCS… We're still taking on fuel. Tiger Team, what's going on down there?" Mike says.
GARNETT: The valve is frozen! We're working on it, sir!
XO, recommend disengaging the fuel hose on our end." Granderson says.
And spill the oil into the harbor while they have RPGs? Hell, no. TAO, Bridge… We have hostiles incoming. Find me a target." Mike says.
GARNETT: Nathan James, the valve stem is shot, sir. We cannot stop the fuel.
Explosion
Nathan James, this is MPA. The Chief Engineer's been hit. We need the doc up here, ASAP!
Mike!" Clay says.
I know, TAO, give me a targeting solution on that fuel-maintenance terminal."
Aye, sir.
OS 1, range and bearing to the terminal?
Rough bearing 220, approximately 1,500 yards.
GARNETT: They're going for the fuel tank. They're gonna blow the whole ship!
CIC, Bridge… Where's my target acquisition?" Mike says.
Slew left 30.
Roger that. 30 degrees.
CARA: Bridge, Surface… Target acquired.
Fire." Mike says.
All enemy targets clear of the fuel terminal."
Tiger Team, TOC… Doc Rios is en route. ETA five minutes. Vulture, Cobra, Nathan James… all known hostiles neutralized in the vicinity of the fuel pier." Clay says.
CARA: Sir, Cobra Team's trapped inside the hospital! They're running out of air.
Let's go." Clay says heading for CIC.
CIC
You located the shooters outside the hospital? Do we have a target?" Mike asks.
Negative, sir.
Patch us into Green.
Cobra, talk to me, do I need to give you reinforcements?" Clay says.
GREEN: No, it's a negative, sir, too far away. They will never get here in time. But I got an idea."
CHANDLER: Vulture Team preparing to hit the warehouse.
GREEN: Cruz, what's your status?
CRUZ: We're on the stairs approaching the roof. 10 seconds out.
GREEN: Check. We got this, boy. No worries.
CRUZ: Troops are on the ropes. Extracting now. We're in position. Stand by to engage.
GREEN: Get them!
Shots fired
GREEN: Man down! Man down! Damn it! We need the doc out here!
Sir, he's still with Tiger 1 by the fueling station." Cara says.
Commander… I worked a year in a trauma ward in Mogadishu." Rachael says.
Mike." Clay says.
Gear up." Mike says.
Minutes later
You get him stabilized, you get the hell off the beach. First whiff of hostilities, you are out of there. You got it?" Clay says.
I read you loud and clear, Commander." Rachael says.
TAO, I want 5-inch and CIWS in surface mode all focused on that beach." Mike says.
Aye, sir.
GREEN: He's gonna bleed out. Just wait! Somebody get the doc!
RACHAEL Don't have time to wait! There's nothing a medic can do for this man that we cannot, so if you want to help your friend, just hold him still and listen to every word that I say.
Green, shut up and listen unless you have a Doctorate we need to know about. Seiver." Clay says.
Vulture just got out of combat waiting for the all clear." Seiver says.
Vulture Team, TOC … I need a status update." Clay says
Vulture Team, Nathan James...What is your status?" Clay repeats.
CHANDLER: TOC, Walter 1… We're at the food warehouse. Just, uh... trying to deal with a little hostage situation over here.
Who are you talking to?!
CHANDLER: I'm answering my ship's call. Otherwise, they'll panic, start shelling the whole place.
He wants a diversion." Mike says.
CHANDLER: That's all we're doing is talking. Let's not get anybody else killed here.
No more talking to them! You talk to me!
Prepare the 5-inch. Focus fire on Building 35. Stand by for exact coordinates." Mike says.
Nishioka, eyes on.
You will leave all food on this side of the building.
Ain't enough of you bastards left to eat that much in 10 lifetimes.
CHANDLER: Look. Amir, it's a new world now. There's no good guys and bad guys. Doesn't matter which side we thought we were on. We're all just trying to survive. We don't want to hurt you any more than you want to hurt us, but you know I'm not leaving here without my man, so… When you let Tex go...
If I let him go!
CHANDLER: When you let him go, we'll be on our way. I'll decide how much food we leave you with.
No! Enough of this!
CHANDLER: Listen to me, Amir. You want the entire southwest corner of the warehouse.
Focus fire at Building 35, southwest corner." Mike says.
CHANDLER: That's almost half the food in the entire place. Is that gonna make you happy?
No! You will leave all the food on this side of the building or he dies!
CHANDLER: Well, now, see, we got a bit of a problem with that. Because there's one thing from the old world that still applies today, something that will never change.
Target acquired.
Fire!" Mike says.
CHANDLER: We don't negotiate with terrorists.
Gun fire
CHANDLER: Clear!
Nice.
Yes.
Good work, good work." Mike says.
CHANDLER: TOC, Nathan James, Vulture 1… Hostage situation resolved. Thank you for the close shave. We are inbound.
Later the bridge
Captain's on the bridge.
Hey. We're loading up the RHIBs and the SDV subs. Trucks are bringing over all the food. Suppo thinks it's gonna last us five, six weeks." Mike says.
And fuel?" Tom asks.
We lost suction on the tank at 96%. Oh, and the Chief Engineer took some Shrapnel. She's gonna be okay, though. Tough as nails, that one." Mike says.
Well, push comes to shove, they all are." Tom says.
Gentlemen, apparently, one of the machines in the lab somehow got tipped over. Dr. Tophet is insisting he needs time to secure and recalibrate the machines before we move the ship." Granderson says.
How long?" Tom asks.
He says three to four hours.
Where's Dr. Scott?
Still in medical." Clay says.
Was a tough call." Mike says.
We did good today." Tom says.
Captain, I'm picking up a contact headed for the harbor. Negative electronic signature. They're not operating their radar. Cannot make a positive ID." Navigator says.
Vessel 21 miles southeast, Guantanamo Bay, this is US Navy Warship 151 hailing you on channel 16. Identify yourself, over." Tom says.
This is British Naval Vessel HMS Suffolk…" A woman says
Confirm that." Mike says.
...hull number 525, IMO call sign Whiskey Echo Bravo 236. None of us have been infected, but we're running low on food. We've been searching for weeks for a place to replenish and repair our radar.
Confirmed, sir." Granderson says.
This is Commander Tom Chandler, Commanding Officer, USS Nathan James. We welcome you to Guantanamo Bay, although we wish you would've been here a few hours ago. We could've used the help." Tom says.
I assure you that next time, we will be there for you, should you choose to accept an association." The woman says.
Well, we'll put some pot pies in the oven and some fish and chips in the fryer. Come on in." Tom says putting down the radio.
We can't go anywhere till the lab's fixed. Let's prepare to greet our new friends. XO has the lead." Tom says.
Medic bay
Word?" Tom says.
I know… Don't do it again." Rachael says.
You don't have anything to prove… if that's what it was about. And don't do it again." Tom says leaving.
What he really means is. Good job out there." Clay says smirking.
Bridge
Captain's on the bridge.
They in sight?" Tom asks.
Yeah. I hear they serve Guinness on board." Mike says.
Commander on deck.
They do." Clay says.
Sir, E-Dub can't confirm the signature on that vessel, but they don't think it's British." Granderson says.
Ship now in clear sight.
It's the Russians. Set general quarters now!" Tom says.
General quarters! General quarters! All hands, man your battle stations!
Bridge, TAO… SCUNK Alpha just energized fire control radar. We're in their cross hairs.
Captain Tom Chandler?
This is Commander Chandler. Identify yourself immediately." Tom says.
I am sorry to have made such a rude introduction, but I believe you have something that I want.
CIC, Bridge, what are we dealing with here?" Tom says.
EW reports it's an old version of a Kirov-class guided-missile cruiser. Nuclear powered and possibly carrying warheads.
I thought those were mothballed in the '90s." Gator says.
They're old and ugly, but dangerous." Mike says.
With whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?" Tom to the Russian commander.
I am Konstantin Nicolayevitch Ruskov… a former vice admiral of the Red Banner Northern fleet of the Russian Federation." Ruskov says.
Tom put down the center radio, and headed for the one above his seat.
Messenger of the Watch, please go to my at-sea cabin and grab me a book off the shelf. The one in Russian." Tom says to a sailor.
Aye, captain.
Admiral, I need to advise you… that you are in United States territorial waters and are standing into danger. Withdraw seaward or you will be subject to defensive action." Tom says.
Commander Chandler, I have pursued you across the globe… but I wish no further conflict. After you have met my demands… you and your crew will be free to leave the harbor and travel the Earth as you please." Ruskov says.
And what would those demands be?" Tom says.
Oh, let's not be coy. You have the primordial strain of the virus that is killing the world. You will hand it over to me, along with Dr. Rachel Scott and all of her research." Ruskov says.
Sorry, admiral, but I don't know what you're talking about… and the thing is, I don't take orders from you. Now, I'm gonna ask you one more time, move your ship." Tom says.
As your Navy and your country no longer exist… there is no higher authority but me. If you don't do as I say… you and your crew will leave this harbor atop a mushroom cloud. You saw what happened to France. You know what my ship is capable of." Ruskov says.
Admiral Ruskov… I suggest we meet somewhere face-to-face, negotiate a peaceful solution to our problem." Tom says.
It will be my pleasure." Ruskov says.
Later
There's no way to convince you not to go." Mike says.
Konstantin Ruskov's a military genius. Literally wrote the book on modern naval warfare." Tom says.
Maybe you can ask him to sign your copy. There's only one way out of this harbor. Every minute we sit here gives that asshole time to dig in." Mike says.
He's already dug in. Meeting him is the only way. I need to look him in the eyes." Tom says.
And you." Mike says, looking at Clay.
I want to see his men, get a feel for how good they in certain situations." Clay says.
At the bar
Clay stop at the door.
You needn't bother with the 're not infected.
CHANDLER: Well, we'll test you just the same.
The Russians drew guns on Tophet
TOPHET: I'm unarmed. Make a fist.
RUSKOV: Hm. How can you wear those costumes in this heat? Still, better than the Arctic, no?
CHANDLER: The Arctic was bad for both of us, admiral. As I recall, you lost five airships.
RUSKOV: Helicopters are easy to replace. Look around you. The world is ours for the taking.
[DEVICE BEEPS]
QUINCY: He's clean.
RUSKOV CHUCKLING: You see? Clean.
Stepping back so they couldn't Clay switched back to the ship feed.
SLATTERY: TAO, Bridge. Get the hunter in the water. Find me a clear route out of this harbor. And spin tomahawks one through six. If I don't hear from the captain in one hour, we're unloading on that Russian son of a bitch.
I told Moscow it was suicide and that we must remain at sea… if we're to survive this plague, but they insisted. All ships must return to homeport. And so I took matters into my own hands. You're looking at the last admiral of the last ship of the once great Russian navy. So the uniform we wear matters no more." Ruskov says.
Well, it matters to me. Whether mine is one of a dozen or the last ship to survive. We're all sailors of the United States Navy." Tom says.
Of course you are. Still, that we're here is cause to rejoice, no?" Ruskov
You got a funny way of celebrating. Firing a nuclear weapon at France. How many people do you think you killed? Five, 10 million?
France was already dead. That missile was meant to stop you… to keep you from refueling and sneaking home with a vaccine in your pocket.
We have no interest in keeping the vaccine to ourselves. It's for the world.
Do you know what was going on in the world… while you were playing your war games in the Arctic? The virus spread like an invisible fire, destroying everything in its path… bodies piled up sky-high. The fear spread even quicker than the virus itself. Turned country against country, brother against brother… governments against their own people. Sixty million Chinese were murdered in three days… like they were culling so many piglets. The world is not worth saving.
So, what, you wanna keep the vaccine for yourself?
What I want is of no concern to you.
Well, I don't have it. Not yet, at least. And you won't, because you're missing an ingredient only I possess. Now, you will give me what you have… the primordial sample, your research and Dr. Scott… or you die in Cuba.
You won't fire on my ship as long as we have what you want. This little game of chicken you're playing now will only cause millions more to die. So why don't I lead with my best offer?
Tom reaches for his pocket but they a gun on him, so he slow puts a metal container.
A sample of the primordial virus. With my compliments.
I'm sorry. That will not do, not at all.
You heard the captain, Boris. You ain't getting our scientist." Tex says.
Don't be foolish, captain. You cannot win." Ruskov says.
I'll go. I'll go with him. I can do what's needed, I'm capable…" Tophet says.
No. Not him. Dr. Rachel Scott, she's the one I want." Ruskov says
Well, that's not gonna happen." Tom says.
I can outlast you and your band of cowboys. My ship has enough nuclear fuel to patrol this harbor for the next 25 years.
Then you get nothing, admiral. And while you're sitting out there… you can wonder how I'm gonna feed my men… when the Americans have all the food on the island.
Viktor.
[SPEAKS IN RUSSIAN]
Then Ruskov shots the man.
One mouth less to feed.
That night
RMS picked up over a dozen mines blocking the only channel out of here. We can kill the ones we need, but not without making a lot of noise." Gator says.
You were right. Ruskov was using the extra time to strengthen his position." Tom says.
It's not like we could just sneak out of the harbor. Even under the cover of night, we're glowing big and bright on his radar." Mike says.
We've got the world's best fighting machine and an entire naval base. Gator find us a way out of here." Tom says.
Green, I want a tactical plan. Work with Tex. He's not Navy or Ops, but he knows the island and he can fight." Clay finishes.
Yes, sir.
They leave and Rachael enters meeting room.
Doctor, Admiral Ruskov said he had something you don't… something you can't make the vaccine without. Any idea what he was talking about?" Tom asks.
He's bluffing. So, what would you like me to do now?" Rachael says.
You said you were close to a breakthrough in the vaccine. Keep working. That's all that matters." Tom says.
Later
Everyone was looking at a map.
I think I found a way out of here. The Navy used to send frigates through this canal all the time." Gator says.
They stopped dredging that a while back. From what I heard, it's all gunked up with coral and rock." Tex says.
That's why the Russians didn't bother mining it. It's too shallow for us to get through. For a DDG." TOC says.
I could mount some GLMs on a RHIB… sneak up on their 180 and launch a few HE grenades over their stern." Danny says.
It's gonna take more than that. Tex, what kind of assets are available at Gitmo?" Clay says.
Army's facility has mortars, vehicle-mounted weapons. I got the keys. I'll get y'all a Bradley tank." Tex responses.
You get us in, we'll do the rest." Danny says.
Before we do anything, I want that canal scouted. Ruskov's no fool. He knows we're gonna be looking for another way out." Tom says.
Aye, sir. If we start here...
Next day they were watching Berchem and Smith scout the canel while busting their balls when the Russian and killed them. So Chandler pressed Ruskov to leave the bay with his small boat as bait to prove if he would put his men's life before his ambition.
That night after a relatively calm afternoon considering what happened before. Doctor Tophet tried to kidnap Dr Rachael and failed.
I'll do the talking and don't say anything." Clay says.
I'll be.." Mike started.
This isn't about your ability to do or not do something Mike. Honestly I'm just better suited to get answers out of him if we are going to before the captain arrives." Clay walking into the bay.
6 minutes later
I told you, I hadn't met him, not until yesterday." Tophet says.
So, what, were you two like Facebook friends?" Mike says.
Mike." Clay says sharply.
I need to see the captain. My family is in grave danger." Tophet says.
Okay. We'll get to that. First you're gonna tell me about your full relationship with the admiral." Clay says.
There is no relationship. There never was a relationship. Please, my daughter is a prisoner on his ship." Tophet says.
You almost killed the entire crew, so I recommend you start explain quicker." Clay says.
It wasn't supposed to happen like this.
[DOOR OPENS]
Chandler walks in.
During the hysteria of the outbreak… governments were pressuring their biologists to withhold vital information… research that could possibly contribute to a vaccine. I disagreed. And I began sharing information with another scientist, Sergei Yumanov." Tophet says.
Sharing? You mean leaking." Mike says.
You don't understand. While governments bickered amongst themselves...the virus was winning. I couldn't let that happen." Tophet says.
Ruskov suggested he had someone or something on his ship… to help him make a vaccine. Is that your friend?" Clay says.
Sergei's dead. I'd been communicating with him on the sat phone. Then two weeks before the Russians attacked us on the ice… I called Sergei and it was Ruskov on the end of the line. He'd murdered Sergei… and he'd taken my family, my daughter and my wife." Tophet says.
It was a Brit that kept us in the harbor, pretending to be CO of that UK destroyer. Quite a performance by your wife." Mike says.
Kelly had nothing to do with this. Ruskov is using her to get to me and more importantly, Rachel. Listen. I did a stupid, stupid thing. Do what you want with me, but please don't make my family pay for my mistakes. Ruskov'll kill them if I don't do as he says.
What exactly was the plan tonight?" Clay asks.
I was supposed to take Rachel and the samples to the other side of the beach. There's a boat I can use to get us to the Vyerni." Tophet says.
Captain, Commander, let's talk." Clay says leaving.
Half hour later
The Russians are expecting Quincy to show up with Dr. Scott on a civilian vessel… some time tonight while there's no moon. The meeting will go off as planned with a few differences." Clay says.
Unless we completely cripple the Vyerni, he'll still have retaliatory capability." Gator says.
By then we'll be safely out of the harbor. Smith and Berchem didn't die in vain. They showed us we can make our escape through the old canal." Tom says.
Forgive me, but it's one thing to send a RHIB through. This is a destroyer. The water's not deep enough. It's not possible." Gator.
Exactly why the Russians won't expect it." Mike says.
At high tide we'll have 2, 3 feet clearance." Tom
That canal is so narrow we won't have any margin for error. Then there's the coral growth, it'll rip our hull apart." Gator says.
We blast ourselves a hole." Mike says
But, sir, the minute we move the ship, Ruskov will see us on his radar. He's staring right at us." Granderson says.
He's not. He's looking at a red dot on a radar screen. On that screen, we can be any ship in this port." Tom says.
Let's prepare the Bridge team." Mike says.
Lieutenant Foster. We need a female for this mission. You grew up on a farm. Can you still handle a rifle?" Clay says.
Qualified as expert marksman last year. I can knock the nipples off a chicken from a thousand yards, sir." Foster says.
Okay, you're on Alpha Team with Rowler." Clay says.
Yes, sir." Foster says.
Sir? I don't feel comfortable having Lieutenant Foster on this mission. She's never seen action like this before." Green says.
Objection noted, lieutenant. She's going." Clay says.
Then I'm riding Alpha. Sir, I've… I've already lost two men while standing on the sidelines. Search team couldn't even recover their bodies. I need to be out there this time." Green says.
Clay nods yes.
Thank you, sir." Green says.
Clay looks at Tom and Mike with calculating eyes.
Not long later.
High tide in exactly two hours and 48 minutes. We're gonna take this ship through the eye of the needle. To avoid Russian radar… we're gonna do it at EMCON Alpha One, no sonar, no radar. But we're up to the challenge." Mike says.
Yes, sir. Let's get the low-vis watch team on the bow." Gator says.
Sir, without radar… we're gonna be awfully close to that coral in order to hit the mark. We won't get a second chance." Granderson says.
We'll just have to get it right the first time." Tom says.
Aye, sir." Granderson says.
RADIO CLICKS]
We're good to go. Next radio click comes when they're 500 yards from impact zone." Clay says.
Single up. When the master chief's back on board, take in all lines. Everyone watch the clock. We're timing this down to the second." Tom says.
Aye, sir.
Master chief, you about ready?" Mike asks.
Yes, sir. On your order.
Prepare to go EMCON Alpha One. I say again… all radar and radio transmissions go down on my count. Three, two… one, Now." Mike says.
Sir, all crew back on board." Granderson says.
Lieutenant Granderson, all ahead one-third, 3 knots. Make your course 1-3-5. Engage prairie masker." Tom says.
Aye, sir. Helmsman, come to course 1-3-5… all ahead one-third for 3 knots." Granderson says.
Course 1-3-5, all ahead one-third for 3 knots. Aye.
Time to disappear." Clay says.
Minutes later.
If we're on track, we should be hearing from them." Clay says.
[RADIO CLICKS]
That's it. They're in open water, 500 yards out, 10 knots." Mike says.
Calculated impact in five minutes." Granderson says.
We don't blast the coral until Green and Foster have reached their target. We wait until we see their blast. Is that clear?" Tom says.
Aye, sir.
More minutes later.
Impact is overdue, sir." Granderson says.
Why aren't we seeing anything?" Mike says.
Hang on." Clay says.
After successfully blasting a hole in the enemy ship and canel.
Bridge, DC Central. Initial report." Tom says.
No apparent hull damage.
OOD, let's pick up our cargo and get the hell out of here." Tom says.
Aye, sir. All engines ahead two-thirds." Granderson says.
Clay watched Danny and Cara talking, when they noticed him they nodded, which he returned before heading below deck. Then watched Tom and Tophet get into a shouting match.
The answer to your questions is he wouldn't have to, because there are people here who are trained to make it if he can't. Help." Clay says leaving.