Ice Station Nautilus

PROLOGUE

“Torpedo in the water, bearing two-five-zero!”

Captain Murray Wilson acknowledged Sonar’s report, then examined the geographic display on the nearest combat control console. A red bearing line appeared, radiating from Sierra eight-five, forty degrees off the port bow. He needed to turn away.

“Helm, ahead flank. Right full rudder, steady course three-four-zero. Launch countermeasure.”

The Helm rang up ahead flank and twisted his yoke to right full, and the Officer of the Deck launched one of Michigan’s decoys. Wilson turned his attention to getting a torpedo into the water. His crew was still at Firing Point Procedures, but his Executive Officer hadn’t determined an adequate target solution. With Michigan increasing to ahead flank, they would likely lose Sierra eight-five due to the turbulent flow of water across Michigan’s sensors. They needed to launch a torpedo soon.

Wilson stepped from the Conn and stopped beside his Executive Officer, examining all three consoles. With the frequent maneuvering by both submarines, the target solutions were all over the place, failing to converge on a similar course, speed, and range. As Wilson evaluated his options, he was interrupted by another announcement by the Sonar Supervisor.

“Torpedo in the water, bearing two-four-five!”

A purple bearing line appeared on the geographic display. Their adversary had launched a second torpedo. Wilson responded immediately.

“Check fire. Quick Reaction Firing, Sierra eight-five, tube One.”

Wilson canceled their normal torpedo firing process, implementing a more urgent version that forced his Executive Officer to send his best solution to the torpedo immediately.

Lieutenant Commander Sparks shifted his gaze between the three consoles, then tapped one of the fire control technicians on the shoulder. “Promote to Master.”

Sparks announced, “Solution ready.”

The Weapons Officer followed up, “Weapon ready.”

“Ship ready,” the Officer of the Deck reported.

“Shoot on generated bearings,” Wilson ordered.

Wilson listened to the whirr of the submarine’s ejection pump impulsing the torpedo from the tube. Inside the sonar shack, the sonar techs monitored the status of their outgoing weapon.

“Own ship’s unit is in the water, running normally.”

“Fuel crossover achieved.”

“Turning to preset gyro course.”

Michigan’s torpedo was headed toward its target.

Wilson examined the red and purple lines on the geographic display, with new lines appearing every ten seconds. The red torpedo bearings were marching slowly forward, which eased Wilson’s concern until he evaluated the purple lines. The bearing to the second torpedo remained constant. The Russian captain had fired a torpedo salvo, with a lead torpedo fired slightly ahead of Michigan and a lag torpedo fired behind. When Wilson turned away, he had unwittingly put Michigan on an intercept course with the second torpedo.

“Helm, right standard rudder, steady course zero-seven-zero. Launch countermeasure.”

Michigan turned toward the east as the Officer of the Deck launched another torpedo decoy. Wilson watched intently as the second torpedo closed on Michigan.