Tiger's Claw

ABOARD THE TAIWANESE SUBMARINE AVENGER

A SHORT TIME LATER

The search for the Zheng He did not take long: “Got him!” Yao whispered excitedly. The profile of the carrier was unmistakable through his periscope even at this range. “Bearing one-nine-one.” He hit the laser rangefinder. “Range twelve kilometers, speed twenty, heading zero-eight-zero. Transmit target position and the periscope photo of the second engagement to fleet headquarters.”

“Transmission sent, sir,” came the response a few moments later.

“Very well.” He made a fast 360-degree scan of the horizon. There was one escort ship to the west. Yao got a photograph and a position on it. “Periscope down.” Twelve kilometers was right at the edge of the torpedo’s envelope, and it was perpendicular to their course so it was an even more difficult shot—they had to close in. “Steer one-seven-zero, make fifteen knots, set your depth one hundred meters.” He estimated the carrier battle group was probably making no more than twelve knots, so he could close in slowly without going to full underwater speed. The Zheng He could probably sail at almost thirty knots when launching aircraft, which was far faster than the Avenger’s top underwater speed, but within its protective cocoon of ships it had to slow down so the others could keep up. “Let us get this one, men. I want a picture of a dead Communist carrier on the admiral’s wall by tomorrow morning.”

“Sir,” Chein said, “we are nearing our maximum submerged speed. We are exceeding ultraquiet parameters.”

“I do not want to lose this one, Exec,” Yao said. “We ‘torpedoed’ a destroyer with ease—I think the carrier will be just as easy. Proceed.”