position for eighteen hours, and no one has bothered us. We’ve seen nothing, not a ship, nor any plane on our screens.”
“And let me suggest why that may be so,” said Karpov, lowering his voice to a whisper now. “If they hit us, then we surely hit them back. And they most assuredly hit us, Admiral, or we would not be looking for wreckage on the sea floor now.”
“That may be so,” said Volsky, “but yet we may have something else here, a simple accident. As I have said, until I know World War Three is actually underway, I have no intention of starting it myself. Now calm yourself, Captain. Set an example for the men. We will get our report from the submersible soon enough, and then the senior officers will discuss this, and we will decide what to do.”
Yet soon enough was not soon enough.
Tasarov looked over, the light of alarm in his eyes, and spoke.
“Con, Sonar. I have screw noise. Analyzing possible range now, but I’m estimating it is at least 80 kilometers out. Bearing 180 degrees… two distinct contacts, yet they are traveling together.”
“The Fregat system won’t pick them up for some time sir, said Rodenko. My Over the Horizon signal’s processor isn’t returning anything yet. It might still be suffering the effects from that incident with Orel. I can say one thing. I have no long wave IFF data. No recognizable signals emissions at all. They must be running silent.”
“There,” said Karpov. “Don’t tell me that is Slava towing those targeting barges. Two ships creeping up on us like a pair of thieves. They are most likely British destroyers, and if we had a helicopter up we would have seen them long ago. Recommend action stations and rig for missile defense at once!”
Chapter 30
The warning sent Fedorov’s pulse running faster, for he knew this contact would appear to be just what Karpov suggested, ships running up, emissions silent, hoping to appear by stealth. Yet his mind raced to find a way to head off what could soon become a fatal collision. He looked at Admiral Volsky as he considered the situation.
“Mister Nikolin,” said the Admiral. “Hail those ships. Use English please, and request positive identification.”
True to form, Volsky’s instinct was to talk first and shoot later, just the opposite of what Karpov might have done. The Captain looked at him, waiting, and Volsky obliged him by ordering the ship to action stations.
“We will come to level three alert as a precaution, Mister Karpov. Let us see what develops here.”
“Very well. Make it so, Orlov. But think, Admiral. Two ships, with no IFF data and no signals emissions? It is obvious what they are doing, sir.”
“Yes,” said Volsky, “but yet it makes no sense. Our operations here should be no mystery to them. We were overflown by British reconnaissance planes three days ago, so they know we are out here. And they most certainly know our capabilities. Are you suggesting they are planning to attack us?”
“That may have already happened,” said Karpov sharply.
“Yet here we sit, without a scratch. How do they hit Slava and Orel with such precision while missing the main event? If these ships were the culprits they could have launched a missile attack long ago. Why move into visual range, and direct line of sight for our Fregat system? Would you attack in this manner?”
Karpov folded his arms, his face hard, but Volsky’s arguments did make some sense to him. No, he would not attack in so foolish a manner as this. His missiles would have been in the air long ago if this were a wartime scenario. Yet his impatience was obvious.
“Nikolin?” He looked at the communications station, waiting tensely for more information.
“Nothing sir. I get no response to my hails.”
“Not very friendly, Admiral,” said Karpov tersely.
Volsky frowned. “Keep trying, Mister Nikolin.”
“Admiral, sir.” Fedorov was unable to remain silent at the edge of this critical moment. “I suggest we send up helo at once and get eyes and cameras on this contact. I believe I can identify it easily if the helo gets me a profile.”
Karpov gave him a hard look. “If it isn’t shot down first,” he said with a scowl. “Mind your navigation plots, Mister Fedorov.”
Volsky considered, still waiting on Nikolin, but the young Lieutenant just shook his head. “I get no response, Admiral. They are running silent.”
“And yet they obviously know we have detected them… Tasarov, can you give us a fix on their course or speed?”