Nightwatch

Chapter 23

The first hint that something extraordinary was occurring outside the hull was a slight flutter on the BQ-7’s waterfall display. Jaffers immediately pointed it out to Brad Bodzin, who hesitated only long enough to confirm that it wasn’t an anomaly, before grabbing the overhead handset to warn the control room.

“Conn, Sonar. We have a submerged contact, bearing zero four-three.

Designate Sierra Twelve, possible hostile submarine!”

As Control acknowledged this warning, Bodzin readjusted the fit of his headphones, and hurriedly addressed the auxiliary keyboard to isolate the narrowband processor. He filtered out the static as best he could, and had to increase the volume tenfold to hear a barely audible throbbing sound that caused his pulse to suddenly quicken.

“It appears to be headed on a direct collision course with the Rhode Island!” he shouted.

The unexpected, earsplitting ping of an active sonar pulse filled his headphones, and Bodzin reached forward to turn down the volume, all the while cursing in pain.

“Who the fuck lashed us?”

“I believe that was Sierra One’s collision-avoidance sonar, Sup,” offered Jaffers, also a victim of the excruciating lashing.

This observation was confirmed when an extended series of sonorous pings sounded from the direction of the Rhode Island. Bodzin dared to turn up the volume again, and he breathlessly listened as the active scan continuously quickened to such a degree that the hollow succession of individual pings sounded like a single entity.

“Damn it, they’re gonna hit!” Bodzin exclaimed.

The raw, grinding sound of metal on metal filled the seas, and Bodzin yanked back his headphones and addressed the intercom.

“Conn, Sonar. Sierra One has collided with Sierra Twelve! Initiating damage control, signature analysis.”