A New World 10 - Storm (2 page)

“No, maybe not. But you are inside Russian sub, no? So maybe they change more than we know.”

Leonard relaxes a degree. He turns to Franklin and Miller, nodding toward seats at a table nearby. They unshoulder their carbines and fill the small chairs with their large frames, accepting a steaming cup of coffee from the sailor serving them.

“Captain, I’m assuming you know what happened, or at least have an idea of what is going on,” Leonard says.

“Yes, Captain. We are too much aware of the world outside,” Azarov answers.

The Russian captain then tells some of his story. They had been one of three attack subs out from their base on the Kamchatka Peninsula. One was to patrol the area around Guam, another stationed off the coast of Taiwan. Azarov and his crew were to monitor the comings and goings around Pearl Harbor. In the middle of their patrol, they lost all communications. At first, there was a tremendous amount of traffic in and out of Hawaii; then that too came to a stop. Nothing moved.

Cutting their patrol short, they returned to find an empty base. There weren’t any replies to their communication attempts and no response from any of their satellites. Traveling up the Kamchatka Peninsula, they saw only the occasional movement on shore during the day. At night, that changed, and they soon learned that the night belonged to something else entirely. All of the dockyards they checked seemed abandoned except for the night screamers. They learned quickly not to go ashore after dark and lost several of the crew in a warehouse building as they were attempting to gather supplies.

Increasing radiation levels forced them to turn back as they ran across the northern part of Russia in an attempt to reach Polyarny. They were in need of supplies and managed to make it back to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, where they scavenged enough to sustain them for a little while longer.

Determining that the area was lost to them, and with radiation levels increasing, they struck out across the Pacific to see if the same thing had happened to America. That’s when they picked up the
Maine
and
Santa Fe’s
trail.

Leonard listens to the tale, throwing in a question here and there, but mostly hearing Azarov out. Asking about the other two submarines that were out on patrol, Azarov states that he hasn’t heard from them and assumes they are still operational somewhere. Leonard then describes their situation and most of their story, leaving out details about Jack and completely forgoing any mention of the
Jefferson City
. Any tension left between them dissipates as they tell nearly identical tales. Somehow, although once on opposite sides of the board, they feel a bond forming like only sailors can. Their shared experiences forge a kinship of sorts. Leonard, on a whim and going with a gut instinct, informs Azarov that he and the
Maine
are heading to one of their bases on the western seaboard to replenish their supplies.

“We are in need of supply, too,” Azarov comments.

“I will need to check with the captain of the
Maine
, but, given the changes in the world, perhaps you could travel with us,” Leonard offers.

“Maybe we make those first changes together, yes?”

“I hope so, Captain…I hope so.”

Making their way back to the top deck, Leonard has Franklin radio the
Santa Fe
, which is drifting alongside a short distance away. He has the XO send two active pings, hopefully sending a message to the
Maine
and
Jefferson City
that all is okay. Standing on the rolling deck, Leonard observes a disturbance in the choppy seas as the
Maine
surfaces off the rear starboard quarter. Shortly thereafter, the
Jefferson City
breaks the surface a little over a half mile away, directly astern. Both boats had crept close in order to engage the
Gepard
from minimal distance.

“Ah, Captain. Very clever,” Azarov states from near Leonard’s shoulder upon seeing the
Jefferson City
surface. “We never heard them.”

Leonard merely shrugs at his concealment that there were three of them. It doesn’t appear to create any tension though as, if the other captains agree, they are now traveling together. Maybe not as a team just yet, but definitely as survivors in a world with a vastly reduced population and filled with night runners.

The meeting of the three captains is tenser than the tête-á-tête between Leonard and Azarov. They decide to meet on the
Santa Fe
even though the
Maine
has more room, Captain Jorgenson being hesitant about bringing the Russian captain onboard his vessel. After introductions were made, they asked Azarov for some time to talk among themselves, making him and his two escorts as comfortable as possible within the confines of the cramped sub.

“We need to make this as quick as possible. I’m not comfortable with us hanging just below the surface. We’re open to MAD detection,” Jorgenson states, referring to the rogue group out there somewhere. “And without a clue as to their capabilities, we need to conclude this one way or another and get some additional water over our heads.”

“Agreed,” Leonard responds, and proceeds with a quick recap of Azarov’s story.

“What do we do about the two other Russian boats out there, let alone the others? We can’t discount the Chinese, Iranian, and others that may have survived,” Castagne mentions.

“With regards to the other Russians, in my opinion, that would be one reason for having the
Gepard
join us. It will reduce our chances of a violent confrontation should we run into them. If we travel with speed, anyone else we chance upon will pick us up on their passive array. If they identify the
Gepard
in a group with us, hopefully they’ll draw the appropriate conclusion,” Leonard replies.

“That may be, but it will also increase our chances of being found by others. Who knows what that will bring?” Jorgenson says.

Missile boat captains are inherently more cautious
, Leonard thinks.
And with just cause. Against an attack boat, they aren’t as maneuverable and don’t have the firepower
.

“If we motor with the
Jefferson City
and the
Santa Fe
in the rear, anyone we come across will see that we represent a substantial amount of firepower and will be hesitant about engaging. If it comes to a fight, they may get one of us, but against three fast attack boats, they’ll know it will be at a high cost. We have the best boats under the water and the best crews. Any enemy captain will know he’s sunk before the first shot is fired. With a box pattern and with our two attack boats in the rear, we’ll be able to maneuver so that we can bracket anyone approaching,” Castagne comments.

“It’s a risk regardless of which direction we take. It’s a matter of which one is the lesser. We can’t forget about the rogue group either,” Leonard states.

“Exactly why we need to make a decision and get the fuck out of here,” Jorgenson responds.

“It’s not that I don’t trust him,” Jorgenson begins, referring to Azarov. “If they were going to try something, it would already be over except for the groans of bulkheads collapsing. It’s just hard to shake old habits.”

Castagne nods his head in agreement. “We’re definitely dealing with something far outside of what we’re used to. I, for one, am not sure what we should be doing. My thoughts are based on a world that no longer really exists and, if I were to be honest, I’m feeling a little lost.”

“The safety of our crew and boats come first. Even more so now. Our mission has changed. It’s no longer one of protecting our shores, but one of survival. We just need to decide how that is best accomplished,” Leonard says. “If it’s any comfort, I’m feeling a touch lost as well. We’re in a new world with different rules. Our patterns of thought may be based on old habits, but the Russian sitting in the other room is proof that things have changed.”

The room silences as each captain becomes absorbed in his own thoughts. Leonard barely feels the heat from the coffee cup sitting on the table, nestled between his hands. To him, there isn’t any doubt about adding the
Gepard
to their group, but each of them must sort out that out in their own way. Having already made up his mind, his thoughts drift to the group who attempted to communicate some days ago, and sent them orders to destroy Walker’s compound.

He’s not sure exactly what their capabilities might be, other than having the ability to communicate and their being in possession of the codes, albeit older ones. So far, nothing has materialized beyond those initial messages. Like encountering the
Gepard
, he feels that if they were going to do something else, or had the capability to do so, they would have already. That doesn’t mean they won’t, it’s just that, if they had hostile intentions, and could, his feeling is that it would have already come about. However, it’s a variable that is hanging over their heads and one he’s not comfortable with. With this line of thought running through his mind, he wonders briefly how Captain Walker is faring.

“Well, gentlemen. Time’s wasting and we’re just sitting on our asses. We might as well be launching flares so everyone can see us. What’s our decision?” Jorgenson asks, breaking the silence.

Although Leonard technically outranks the other two captains in seniority, the other two have sailed together longer and he feels like the newcomer. However, they are all captains of their respective ships; all basically equal.

In the end, it’s not a difficult choice. They unanimously agree to include
Gepard
and its crew on their expedition. What happens after they resupply is another story altogether. But they’ll decide that when the time arrives. Azarov reenters the room, takes a seat, and is handed a cup of coffee so dark that it’s close to ebony.

“I apologize for the wait,” Leonard says to Azarov.

“Is no matter,” Azarov replies.

Leonard relates their thoughts about the inclusion of the
Gepard
as they make their way to resupply. Azarov nods as if he expected nothing less. The talk turns to their formation and what to do if they encounter a contact. They discuss defensive and attack plans, covering their maneuvers from all angles and depths.

Should they encounter anyone on their journey, they’ll initiate contact in the same manner as they did the
Gepard
. The boat that makes initial contact will depend on what nationality they encounter. If other Russian subs cross their path, the
Gepard
will initiate as the other boats go silent. If the Chinese should be encountered, it is agreed that the
Santa Fe
should initiate, relations between the Chinese and Americans having been marginally better than those with the Russians.

They go through communications and eventually, considering the language differences, agree that one of the signalmen from the
Santa Fe
should accompany the
Gepard
. A sailor appears at the doorway and catches Leonard’s attention. Waving him in, the sailor leans down to Leonard and whispers in his ear. Hearing the message, Leonard’s eyes widen.

“When did this happen?”

“Moments ago, sir. I rushed down as soon as it came in,” the sailor answers.

“Problems?” Jorgenson asks, seeing Leonard’s reaction.

“I don’t know. Excuse me a moment, gentlemen,” Leonard replies, rising.

Leonard makes his way through the narrow passageways, ducking under hatches as he follows the sailor to the small communications center. Picking up the microphone, he asks the sailor on watch, “Are they still on?”

“Aye, sir.”

“This is Captain Leonard,” he says, pressing the transmit button.

Leonard is wary that the rogue group may be monitoring the comm channels, whether coded or not. Walker had mentioned that the satcomms had most likely been shut down by the group and that was why they hadn’t been able to communicate. Hearing that there was someone attempting to call them via that method surprised Leonard, especially seeing that person was Walker himself.

Several seconds pass, due to the nature of satellite communications, before a response is heard. “Leonard, it’s nice to establish contact again. I have what I hope is uplifting news,” Walker begins.

Walker recaps his encounter with the rogue group, confirming the prior information regarding their intents and purposes. He informs Leonard of the escalating threat from the night runners to the north of their compound, ending with his discovery of the satellite and nanobots. “There’s more, but that’s it in a nutshell.”

Leonard, in turn, shares the story of San Diego and ends with the discovery of the other submarines, including their recent encounter with the Alpha.

A longer pause. “I’m sorry,” is Walker’s only reply.

They establish set times to keep in contact, either through the current comm channel or via the sat phone. Wishing each other luck, they end their communication.

Leonard lingers in the small confines of the comm center, digesting the information from Walker. The good news is that there isn’t a need to worry about the rogue group anymore. Leonard feels a release of tension he didn’t even know he was holding. For him, and the others, that was a major threat. He knows the night runners remain a danger to Walker and his compound, but that doesn’t really affect Leonard and his crew as much. It’s not that he doesn’t feel for Walker, it’s just that Leonard has enough worries of his own. Returning to the mess room, Leonard sits with the other captains, who give him questioning looks.