June 15th 0700
White House
“He what? That fool said he would support NATO! How can he declare neutrality now? Why did we funnel cash to his campaign for this?”
‘Mr. President , Sir, the Prime Minister elect Tzannis Tzannetakis is a just reformer, their country is a mess, he is holding together Communists, Liberals and Conservatives. They just revoked Parliamentary immunity, and he is seeking trial for many current and former office holders….Sir, he can’t see the big picture, just yet. ”
The Sec. Def chimed in; ‘without tension on his border with Bulgaria he wont act. We can still fly thru, but we cannot use ports, or rail. It’s a problem. The Russians just hit port in Northern Bulgaria with a full detachment of Marines and equipment. The Turks are screaming for help. They say our Missiles on their land will lead to war. We promised them support and we cant do that from Naples. We need to release the Sixth Fleet Task Force 62 and 69, TF69 can go sub hunting to see if the Russkies really are harassing the Northern Shores of Turkey. But they may end up in harms way so we need to know how measured our response is going to be?”
Regan says “None of this makes sense, they are dismantling the Eastern Bloc. Why Turkey? Why now? Leave Saratoga in port. But send the subs in to monitor only, and fire only when attacked.”
June 15th 1400
Somewhere in the Black Sea – SSN USS Omaha & USS Alaska
On the Omaha :
“Vessel heading 201 speed 7 knots, range 35000 yards. She is coming about! Full Speed afore, We are taking ping!”
“Emergency silent run, Action Stations! drop us like a stone coxswain NOW! And get me a firing solution.”
‘Firing Solution already done Captain!’
“Ready tubes 1 & 4, but wait and see if she lights up! Set passive homing on 2x MK-48’s. Program target search at 8000 yards – Minutes pass.
“Range 18000 yards”
“Range 16,000 yards – 2 fish in the water! She is on us! Type 53’s sir tracking 2 in bound.”
‘Prepare counter measure – CAT, Dead stop! – FIRE TUBES 1 & 4.” FIRE CAT.” [Counter measure – Anti Torpedo..torpedoes]
… Silence in the centre.
“Load tubes 2 & 3.”
“Aye aye, loading 2&3”
“Counter measure active! 2 dead fish sir we got theirs!! Ours are homing, and re acquiring, they are taking evasive. ”
“One fish gone.”
“1 Hit! Center line, minor damage estimated Cap.”
“Silence on the deck! Fire 2&3, and lets see what Alaska does” -said the Capt’n calmly. “Damage report”.
“Holy shit Alaska has 2 away! The Russian bucket is firing again sir. 4 inbound – it’s a hail mary.” …SPLASH enemy SSN! She is gone.” They felt even from this distance the rumble of catastrophic failure of the enemies hull.
” Compose men…prep CAT, and hit Auxiliary power, bear 115. We got four fish to survive.”
The First Naval Battle of the Black Sea had started.
