Vengeance

60 K-571 KRASNOYARSK

“Scope clear!” the Watch Officer announced as Krasnoyarsk’s forward periscope pierced the water’s surface.

Captain Lieutenant Petr Dolinski turned the scope swiftly, completing several sweeps in search of nearby contacts. A moment later, he declared, “No close contacts!”

Conversation resumed in the Central Command Post, now that the hazardous ascent to periscope depth had been safely conducted. The crew shifted its focus to executing the tasks directed by their commanding officer: obtain a satellite fix, and more important, download the latest satellite reconnaissance on the American carrier strike group.

While Captain Second Rank Gavriil Novikov awaited the update, he reviewed the Russian submarine task force’s plan to hunt down and sink the American carrier strike group. Thus far, three of the six strike group escort ships had been sunk, leaving only two destroyers and a lone submarine. However, the most potent American ASW asset, the remaining submarine, had abandoned the carrier strike group for some reason. Not that it would matter.

The three Akulas were pursuing the carrier strike group, while the more heavily armed Krasnoyarsk had headed in a different direction. Based on the pending satellite recon, Novikov’s decision to head south instead of east, abandoning his initial chase of the strike group, would prove either foolish or brilliant.

As expected, the speedy aircraft carrier was proving a challenge to catch and sink. As fast as the Akulas were, the American aircraft carrier could outrun them. It might have to leave its surface warship escorts behind — and Novikov didn’t doubt that it would if necessary — making them easy prey for the Akulas. Novikov knew that to achieve success, he needed a plan that somehow countered the American aircraft carrier’s speed.

“Command Post, Communication. Message broadcast download is complete. Satellite intel message has been received.”

The Watch Officer acknowledged the report, then Novikov ordered his submarine down from periscope depth.

As Krasnoyarsk settled out at fifty meters, Communication followed up. “Command Post, Communication. Intel update has been transferred to fire control.”

Novikov stopped behind one of the michmen at his fire control console. “Load the latest satellite recon,” he directed.

The michman did as directed, and his display populated with numerous symbols and markers. The American carrier strike was to the east as expected, but it had turned south, still a short distance ahead of the pursuing Akulas. The strike group was headed toward the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet’s main base in Bahrain. Additionally, American ASW resources were being repositioned to Bahrain.

The American strategy seemed clear. The plan was to create a formidable ASW screen across the entrance to the Gulf of Bahrain, behind which the American aircraft carrier and other surface warships would be safe.

Novikov smiled. The Americans were reacting as he had expected.

He turned to his Watch Officer. “Come to course one-eight-five. Increase speed to flank.”