by M L Maki
“Yes. I don’t know how many we have, but I do know Germany is working on a similar project. They could have the bomb at any time. Only our having it, and not using it, can deter other combatant nations from using theirs. It’s called mutually assured destruction, or MAD.”
“One bomb can level a city? Can you be more precise?”
“Yes. Basically, from ground zero, the spot immediately below the detonation, a radius of five to fifteen miles will be completely destroyed. Almost total destruction and nearly every person dead. Only strongly built concrete structures and only those people underground have a chance of survival.
“A further radius of five to twenty-five miles will have more people survive, in the short term. Many of these will die of radiation sickness. Also, a cloud of radioactive debris will spread downwind, causing more deaths. If it were detonated over Berlin, eighty to ninety-five percent of the population would be killed. How many millions of people that would be depends more on the population density than the device. The ranges vary because the yield, meaning explosive power, is adjustable.”
“How…How can one weapon cause such destruction?”
“It is the power of the atom. I’m not the best person to explain it, but basically a helium atom weighs less than two hydrogen atoms. The difference in weight becomes energy using Einstein’s equation: E equals MC squared.”
“Do you understand what the equation means?”
“Again, I’m not the best, but the speed of light is 186,000 miles per second. That means a very small change in mass, the ‘M’ is multiplied by the speed of light times itself. It’s a function of very big numbers. A couple of pounds of matter could lift an aircraft carrier into orbit.”
“Who invented this bomb?”
“Your generation. There are a group of scientists in New Mexico right now designing it. One was dropped on Hiroshima in Japan, and another one on Nagasaki. Hundreds of thousands were killed. It ended the war with Japan.”
“You have control of this weapon?”
“The president has control. If we receive an order from him, or Churchill, to launch the mission, we will man up, and go. Only the President can authorize dropping it.”
“What happened on the 23rd?”
“We received the order from Churchill to launch the mission. We manned up and took off. In the air, the mission was aborted. That was when we discovered the invasion fleet.”
“Who ordered the launch?”
“Churchill.”
“May I see this thing?”
“If the President approves it. We keep it surrounded with armed guards who are authorized to use deadly force. Altman tried to force his way in.”
“Altman was an ass. He’s been removed from military service. Could you get me permission to see it?”
“I’ll ask. Also, we have the materials we used to brief Churchill.”
“Thank you, Commodore. The battle in front of us takes priority, of course. Another question?”
“Yes, sir?”
“What would prevent you from dropping it without authorization?”
“First, I and two other officers have to decode the authorization code for the mission to be legitimate. Also, the technicians loading it need to know it’s a legitimate order in order to arm the device and set the yield. Most importantly, I don’t want to have to live with the murder of millions of people.”
“So, in the end, it rests on yours and your people’s integrity.”
“Sir, have you ever killed someone?”
“I’m ordering young men to death right now, Commodore.”
“That is different. Your ordering people to chance their lives and some will die. I mean, personally kill another person.”
“I haven’t.”
“I have. I’ve killed hundreds. I don’t want to kill even one more person than I must to end this fucking war. If I’m ordered, I will drop that terrifying weapon. But I hope and pray I never receive that order.”
A moment of silence, then, “Thank you, Commodore, I believe we are in agreement. You may go.”
CHAPTER 11
USS COLUMBIA CLG-56, WEST OF GUADALCANAL
0430, 26 September, 1942 (1830, 25 September GMT)
The Columbia, her advanced radar and missile suite the best available, leads a battle line of gunships into the Slot. LCDR Shawn Hughes studies the night sky with binoculars, hoping to catch a glint, just in case the radar fails. He’s also scanning for breaking waves on the island beaches to port and starboard. Behind them sail the battleships Washington and North Carolina, and behind them are the heavy cruisers Astoria, Minneapolis, and the Australian heavy cruiser, Canberra. Four destroyers are steaming in line on their port side.
The conning officer, LT Weston says, “I miss the Carl Vinson, sir.”
“We all do. We got what we got. We have to cover until the Blue Diamonds can night fly. Focus on what you can do and get it right.”
The XO, Commander Allister French walks onto the bridge, “A word, Commander.”
“Yes, sir?”
“Word from the Commodore, there are no allied vessels or aircraft ahead. Any target, sea or air is hostile.”
“Yes, sir.”
The Captain wants us to maneuver to give the battle wagons room to fire. Because of our missiles, we are not to engage unless ordered, or we come under fire.”
“I understand, sir.”
“You said our missiles can be used against ships?”
“Yes, sir, they can. The missile will follow the beam wherever it points. The warhead is small, and I doubt it would do much damage to a battleship, but it would mess up a destroyer.”
“How are you adjusting to the deck department?”
“Actually, better than I thought. We’ve a good bunch in the forecastle. I know I needed the First Lieutenant rotation and I’m thankful to have a good team. Snipes love to pick on boatswains mates; but this snipe is learning otherwise.” During the conversation, he watches the sea and shore, “Conn, left standard rudder, come to new course 345.”
“Left standard rudder, new course 345. Rudder is left standard.”
Shawn says, “Very well.”
The XO asks, “Did you see something?”
“Not yet. I just want to keep us in the shore clutter, if they’re out there.”
On the squawk box they hear the Captain, “Bridge, Combat, enemy spotted 34 miles at 310. Come to new course 025. Make speed 30 knots.”
Shawn pushes the button, “025 at 30 knots. Surface contact to port, aye.” He releases the button, “Helm, right standard rudder, new course 030. Lee helm make turns for 30 knots.”
He receives verbatim repeat backs, and the ship begins to pick up speed. Shawn, “Boatswain of the watch, sound General Quarters, surface action port.”
“General Quarters, surface action port, aye.” The GQ horn sounds and the announcement is made on the 1MC ship wide circuit.
The motion changes as the light cruiser cuts through the waves. The XO says, “It feels wrong running from the fight. I understand why, but it just feels wrong.”
BRIDGE, IJN NAGATO, ESCORTING SUPPLIES IN THE SLOT NORTH WEST OF GUADALCANAL
Captain Hideo Yano studies the waters ahead of his battleship. To his starboard steams the light cruiser Nachi, in front of four destroyers. Behind him is the battleship Mutsu and heavy cruiser Ashigara. Approaching from the north is the heavy cruiser Kinugasa, light cruiser Naka, and four more destroyers. Behind his group, six transports follow with supplies and troops for Guadalcanal. He smiles. It’s an opportunity to hammer the Americans on Guadalcanal and destroy any American ships he finds.
A rating approaches, “Captain, radar has picked up a group of ships approaching from the east.”
“Perhaps it’s our North Group. Send the blinker signal.”
BRIDGE, COLUMBIA
Hughes studies the waters ahead, “Boatswain, remind lookouts there are shoal waters ahead at approximately 350 relative.” He walks over to the chart,
updated by the quartermaster, and studies it. Then goes out to the port bridge wing with his binoculars. The XO joins him, looking aft toward the battle. Shawn is looking forward. Then minutes later, they hear the firecracker booms of a battleship salvo.
The XO, “We got off the first salvo. Damn, we missed.”
Shawn sees a sliver of white in the distance and pushes the squawk box button, “Combat, bridge, what do you have at 005 relative?”
They hear the Captain on the 1MC, “Action forward. Engage with all mounts that can bear. Take evasive.”
Shawn looks astern. The gun fire from the Allied and Japanese ships is lighting up the horizon. He steps into the bridge, “Helm, right full rudder.”
“Right full rudder, no course given. Rudder is right full.”
“Very well.” Shawn picks up a phone, “Captain, we’re silhouetted by the action astern.”
The ship shakes with a near miss. “Good call. High speed zig zag.”
Mount 1 and 2 fire their guns, shaking the ship. “Yes, sir.” The 6-inch guns on Mount 1 and 2 fire every six seconds, vibrating the whole ship.
The helm, over the roar of the guns firing, “Passing 030, no course given.”
Shawn, “Steady as she goes.”
Helm, “Steady as she goes. She goes 036.”
As it comes to bear, Mount 3 adds to the din. Shawn, “Left full rudder.”
“Left full rudder. Rudder is left full, nor course…”
“Right full rudder.”
“Right full rudder. Rudder is right full, no course, um given.”
Shawn looks at the helm, the man is visibly sweating and growing pale, “Boatswain, relieve the helm!”
Shawn studies the fall of shot raining all around them. He sees two SM-1 missiles launch from the Mark 10 launcher and race toward the distant Japanese war ships. Both hit. “Rudder amidships.”
The Boatswain of the watch on the helm, “Rudder amidships, aye.”
The relieved helm grabs Shawn’s arm, “Sir, I was okay.”
Without looking at the man, “Right full rudder. Petty Officer Balls take the Boatswain’s watch.”
The young man is motionless, holding onto Shawn’s arm. Shawn looks at him, “Now, Balls. Take the watch. Left full rudder.” He picks up the phone, “Captain, we’re coming about.”
Balls releases Shawn’s arm and goes to his watch station. They make it three quarters into the turn when they’re hit in the aft superstructure. The ship staggers, but keep moving. He dares a glance at the fight and sees three Japanese ships burning, but more are still firing. Two are closing at high speed, “Right full rudder. Boatswain, announce torpedoes in the water.”
As the ship straightens and begins to turn back to the right, he says, “Steady as she goes. Counter steer quickly.” Two torpedoes pass to port and three to starboard. When the torpedoes pass, the secondary battery opens up on the destroyers. The three main gun mounts continue their withering rate of fire and because of the digital fire control, most shots have been hitting their targets. The Japanese are silhouetted by their own flames.
Shawn on the phone, “Combat, bridge, forward target is an Aoba-class heavy cruiser.” Hanging up the phone, “Left full rudder, back full on one and two main engines.”
He studies the sea away from the fight, “We’re getting close to Buena Vista Island. Boatswain, remind the lookout to focus on navigation, not the battle.”
The ship shakes in the turn. The burning Japanese cruiser fires a broad side from its two remaining turrets. A shell hits, and the deck jumps, throwing Shawn into the air.
His eyes snap open as he comes to, and he pushes off the floor. The bridge is illuminated by battle lanterns and the reflection from the flames forward. The helmsman is struggling to the wheel and most of the watch standers are getting to their feet. “Mind the helm!” The Quartermaster of the watch lays, a crumpled heap, his head nearly severed.
Shawn picks up a phone, “Combat, bridge.” He smells the rusty, hot odor of steam and bile rises in his throat. He fights it down. The guns continue to fire, but the noise is muted and sounds remote. “Combat, bridge.”
He faintly hears, “Bridge, Captain, it’s time for us to retire.”
“Retire, aye sir. One fatality on the bridge, sir.” The wind whips his shirt as the ship turns. He looks out the bridge windows, then it dawns on him, most of the bridge windows are blown out.
BRIDGE, IJN NAGATO
Captain Hideo Yano stands on his starboard bridge wing. The guns are silent and his ship is down at the bow, listing heavily to port. The light cruiser Nachi is done, only its stern rising out of the water. The heavy cruiser Ashigara is burning stem to stern only a mile ahead of his own ship. A destroyer comes alongside his own ship, spraying water on the flames. The firefighting water just sinks his battleship deeper into the sea.
His engineer approaches and bows, “Captain, the flooding in 1 boiler room, 1 engine room, and 1 generator room is uncontrollable. I’m afraid our ship is lost.”
“Very well, direct the crew to abandon ship. I must speak to the Admiral.”
Admiral Gato stands on his flag bridge calmly observing the remnants of the battle. A rating announces the captain as he enters. Then, they hear “All hands abandon ship. All hands abandon ship.”
Captain Hideo Yano bows, “My apologies, Admiral. The engineer has informed me that we cannot save the ship.”
The Admiral turns, “And, what will you do, Captain?”
“My duty, sir. For you, sir, there is a destroyer alongside.”
“I shall do my duty, as well. We faced two battleships and they fought well. I’ve directed the transports to flee with the remainder of our fleet. You see the damage we inflicted on the Americans. At worst, it is a draw.”
BRIDGE, USS COLUMBIA
The XO calmly steps onto the bridge. His khaki uniform is torn and smoke damaged. Blood covers half of his face from a head wound. “First Lieutenant, you’re bleeding.”
“As are you, sir. One casualty, sir,” and motions to the quartermaster.
XO, “We’re lucky.”
They smile grimly and nod, then look out the bridge windows. Shawn, “Helm, steady as she goes.”
“Steady as she goes. She goes 132.”
A medical team enters, assess the situation, and head for the quartermaster. Shawn, “Very well. Lee helm, what is our best speed?”
“We’re down to 19 knots on two shafts, sir.”
“Very well.” He steps out on the port bridge wing and looks back. He sees the Japanese heavy cruiser and two of their destroyers settling in the water, flame and smoke rising into the tropical skies. Suddenly, there’s an explosion on the heavy cruiser. The shock wave hits him hard in the chest, causing him to step back. He steps forward and surveys the Columbia. There is little left of the RIM-7 launcher ahead of the bridge. The shell impacted just ahead of the launcher creating a smoking crater. The shell’s impact caused the missiles in the launcher to detonate, blowing out the bridge.
The XO comes to his side, “You’ve done well, Hughes. We all have.”
“Thank you, sir. Do you know just how bad it is?”
“They hit forward, Mount 54, the aft superstructure and fantail, and 1 boiler room. We’re fighting fires.”
“Damn.”
“I need to report back to the Captain on the status of the bridge.”
“Roger that, sir.” Shawn salutes and the XO walks down the bridge wing and heads aft. Shawn goes back into the bridge.
The starboard lookout shouts, “Sail, ho!”
Hughes answers in the age-old tradition, “Where away?”
“Five points abaft the starboard beam, sir.”
Hughes picks up a phone, “Combat, Bridge. Surface contact five points aft the starboard beam.”
“Bridge, Combat. Contact is American. We can’t raise them on radio. Using blinker.”
Hughes directs his binoculars to the contact and reads it reply. The code is for the USS Waller, the
flagship of Captain Arleigh Burke. On phone, “Combat, Bridge. It’s the Waller. They’re asking for assistance. The rest of the fleet was hammered by the Japanese.” The signal station relays the message to the bridge and combat.
“Bridge, Combat. Con us alongside the North Carolina. According to the Commodore, it’s the worst off.”
Hughes, “Combat, Bridge. Aye.” He consults the chart. It hasn’t been updated, but he works out their approximate position, “Helm, right standard rudder. Come to new course 320.”
The ship heels a bit as they come about, and the acrid smell of steam, burning fuel, and burning flesh wafts through the bridge. BM2 Balls vomits in a waste can, but stays at his post. Another quartermaster enters the bridge and mans the watch.
HURWORTH ON THE TEES, UK
2045, 25 September, 1942
LT Urland runs down Strait Lane with his platoon. Another explosion hits behind them. The rat-a-tat of machine gun fire echoes between the buildings. Urland spots an old man loading a bundle into a Model T truck and stops, “Can we help you, sir?”
“I’m thinking, young man, it’s the army that needs help.”
“This fight is lost, sir, but if we could ride with you, we’ll help you get south.”
“I’ve my daughter and grandson to load. This way.”
SGT Rodriguez asks, “What are you doing? There’s no time.”
Wingnut shakes him off and enters the house. The bottom floor looks like a locksmith’s shop. A pretty red-haired woman hands Wingnut a baby and turns back up the stairs. He walks outside, fascinated by the tiny, calm baby looking up at him. The baby’s mother runs up behind him, tosses a bag in the bed of the truck, and climbs into the passenger seat. “Thank you, please give William to me.”
Tommy hands her the baby, “Here Willy. Here’s your mama.”
They all climb into the bed of the truck and Johnny slaps the roof and the old truck starts toward the bridge. As they approach the one lane bridge, they see a squad of German soldiers running toward it from the east. Rodriguez opens up with his BAR and Germans fall like mown grass. They start onto the narrow metal bridge and Wingnut spots a large German tank behind them and to the east. It’s one of the new ones. He unlimbers his radio, “Any Alpha 10 over Hurworth, this is Wingnut.”