“Sir, passing three hundred fifty feet, bow down nine degrees, she is not responding at all sir.”
The XO again, with a calmness he does not feel, contacts the reactor room. “Reactor room, what is your status?”
“Sir, we are getting back online, power at ten percent and climbing.” The voice has a tinge of unease to it.
Sinking by the bow, she passes the four hundred feet mark, her bow down angle of eleven degrees. This adds to the difficulties for all on board. The Louisiana rolls more and more to port at the same time. She is out of control, under the arctic ice pack, and going down.
The con operator suddenly gets animated as his controls again respond to his commands. “Sir, she is answering her helm. Arresting bow down angle, stabilizing her trim.” His voice resonates with excitement.
Collectively, the bridge crew breathes a sigh of relief.
“Sonar contact, aft sir, one thousand yards and closing at, sir, closing at fifty- five knots.” The sonar operator can’t help but almost shout the words out.
“Launch counter measures, flank speed, put her to the ice, load rear torpedo tubes.” Orders Captain Dylan orders, with a steadfastness that belies the situation.
“Sir, the contact is not a torpedo.” The sonar operator manipulates his equipment, then with a look of hopelessness, turns to the Captain and XO as he continues. “The contact has vanished, but for a second it was there right behind us, and huge!”
“Launch all rear torpedoes, get one hundred ten percent on the reactor, evasive maneuvers, launch counter measures.” Captain Dylan's voice is tinged with fear, though he tries not to show it.
“Torpedoes away captain, impact imminent, countermeasures away.”
“Depth two hundred fifty feet, and rising, speed twenty-two knots, and increasing.”
The sonar operator removes his headphones, as the con manages to get twenty-five knots out of the fleeing submarine. The Louisiana levels out at seventy feet, just below the ice pack. The expected explosions from their torpedoes fail to happen.
“Con, set revolutions for station keeping. Sonar, report.”
“No contacts sir, whatever it was, it looks like we lost them.” He wipes his sweat covered brow.
The Louisiana is free and clear. The bridge crew breathes another sigh of relief.
Suddenly the worse sound possible is heard throughout the entire submarine, an implosion from inside. All aboard brace for death, surely no submarine can survive such an implosion. The sound of tearing metal, and water rushing in is inescapable. The bow of the submarine dips down almost immediately.
The XO's voice finally shows a hint of stress as he slams an intercom button down. “Damage report.”
The con operator, sweat beads rolling down his face, his chest soaked with sweat, fights his controls yet again.
“Sir, going down by the bow, twelve degrees, passing one hundred fifty feet, ten knots and accelerating”
“Blow bow ballast tanks.” Captain Dylan's voice is loud but steady.
The sound of hissing air can be heard throughout the submarine, but the desired effect is not achieved. The bow dips forward even more, putting the sub into its second free fall of the day.
The XO takes a call at his console, then looking at the captain repeats, what he has heard. “Sir, damage control team reports that the missile bay has been compromised. They can’t get to the damaged area to assess it properly, or affect repairs.”
The Captain looks at his bridge crew. “Con, full reverse, load rear torpedoes, aim at the ice pack overhead, go to one hundred fifteen percent on the reactor.”
“Torpedoes loaded and ready, Captain.”
“Sir, she is holding at two hundred seventy-five feet, bow angle fourteen degrees.” The Louisiana holds her own, momentarily.
“Fire rear torpedoes.” The torpedoes leave the stricken submarine, moments later they strike the ice pack above, creating massive explosions. The ice overhead cracks, then breaks up, creating an area with a crushed ice appearance.
“Sir, we are losing her, two hundred eighty feet, bow angle now fifteen degrees, sir reactor overheating, speed four knots.”
Being too deep to even attempt escaping, the crew can only lament at their fate.
“Sir, three hundred feet, bow down eighteen degrees, speed seven knots.”
“Launch the rescue buoy.” The Captain’s voice calm, there is nothing that can be done now.
“Three hundred fifty feet, four hundred feet, four hundred fifty feet.” The con operator, knowing his fate is sealed, continues to perform his duties. “Passing five hundred feet, bow down angle now twenty-three degrees, sir.”
The hull of the Louisiana already compromised, is in no condition to cope with another deep dive. All aboard know that any second, the final crushing implosion will come. The seconds tick by into minutes. The bow dips over even more, the submarine almost feels as though she is aiming at the ocean floor far beneath them.
“Seven hundred fifty feet sir. Eight hundred feet, bow angle twenty-seven degrees”
More popping can be heard all around the submarine as she far exceeds her published crush depth. The seconds tick by, the sail overhead suddenly gushes forth water again, earlier repairs now failing. With water filling the bridge, the Captain presses his hand to the internal intercom button once again.
“This is your Captain speaking. The Louisiana is lost. I am proud to have served with you all. Your efforts of the day have been exemplary.”
On the bridge, the Captain does his best to stand on the now thirty degrees bow down deck. He salutes the bridge crew as he awaits the end, one hand pressed firmly to his chair.
“Sir, passing nine hundred fifty feet.” The con operator stoically continues his reports.
The last thing the crew sees is a freakish blue light dancing all over the interior of the submarine just as the lights go out. The hull is making a ton of noise, as it creaks and groans under the immense pressure. Collapsing to the deck, Captain Dylan finds that along with the blue dancing lights, he notices that the creaking has stopped. He has little time to ponder this oddity as he loses consciousness.
Location:
North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)
Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado Springs, Colorado
The President comes to a decision, and with that he calls his Russian counterpart. “I hear that your Chinese neighbors have received a fully functioning power plant.”
The Russian President is also extremely unhappy with the turn of events. “Yes they did, and for what? For all the damage and loss of life to our two countries, we have been given the privilege of providing a never ending supply of raw materials to these, ugh, visitors.”
Knowing that all communications are run through the Gamin's satellites, neither party speaks with direct hostility, merely with disappointment.
Fishing to see if the Russians actually received the technology as well, he changes tact. “Well, we did both get schematics on how to make them, however. I hear the one in China can meet one quarter of their power needs.”
“Yes we did, and it is amazing how much power that building generates. But even your country will have trouble coming up with the money needed to build them.” Recalling an emergency meeting that very morning, he can still see the dizzying array of numbers as they escalated into the trillions of rubles.
Deflecting the issue of the dollars needed, he continues on. “I am actually surprised the Gamin gave us this information, even though it will take us years to develop it.” Wanting to see what the Russians know about the Korean situation, he switches tactics again. “The Chinese are also mediating the unification accord for Korea. Do you have any idea why we have not heard from the North Korean leadership?”
Without even pausing, the Russian President responds. “We know nothing of the situation in Korea. It would seem however, that the Chinese are taking a great deal of interest in the area. Anyway, there is nothing either of our countries can do about this development, exc
ept to sit back and watch.”
The American President sighs. “Yes you are right of course, our hands are tied. Back to the power plants, we should work together to realize this new technology as quickly as we can.”
The Russian leader responds. “I agree. We should start working out the details as soon as we can. I am not sure how much we can commit though, thanks to the heavy demand for raw materials being made by our visitors.”
With thousands of tons of raw material being sent daily to New York he wonders about his own country’s ability to tackle this endeavor. “I shall leave NORAD and start the process, at least.”
“Very well, I too shall make preparations. All the best.” Putting down the phone, he realizes that the Americans are probably in no better shape than his country. The alien demands are quite high, even for these two heavy producers of raw materials.
With the conversation ended, the American President ponders the situation in his country, as well as that in Russia. He makes another tough decision as he ponders the discussion. He will work with the Russians to escalate construction of these power plants.
With a sigh he signals for his aide. “Convene a meeting.”
The meeting is short, and though many object, the result is firm. With a media blitz telling all Americans to resume life as normal, the President makes plans to head back to Washington DC. The press takes this and has a proverbial field day. Newscasts have titles such as 'Even the President feels safe' to 'Finally the President exits his cave'.
Neither leader is aware that the submarine fleets of both nations have been compromised.
NORAD opens up its blast doors, and in a gesture of peace, or futility, the President orders the alert status be reduced all the way to DEFCON four. While the President of the United States of America makes plans to depart, other events finally catch up with him.
Location:
Planetary Orbit
Earth
Regent Voknor smiles as he watches one particular news story from Earth. ‘The American President announcing his departure from his mountain retreat.’ Now is the time to act, thinks the Regent. He smiles inwardly at what is to come.
Sharz, again finds himself dispatched to collect George and bring him to face Regent Voknor. Sharz finds George instructing a small group of people in the finer intricacies of the bodysuit’s workings.
“George, come with me.” Sharz leads George inside the large spacecraft.
“Any idea what this is about?” Asks George nervously, as he gets out of his bodysuit.
“I was not informed as to what this is about. But had the Regent intended any harm to you, he would not have me collect you in a shuttle.” Sharz does not mean the words to be callous, just the truth.
George hesitates as the meaning of the words sink in. A reminder of his true status to these alien visitors.
Sharz however, would be displeased if anything should happen to his new found associate. “Mind yourself with the Regent, respect him as always.”
George enters the shuttle and sits down pondering what this could be about. Sharz looks over to see George fidgeting nervously. “You will be fine. Follow the Regents instructions and answer any questions truthfully.” George is a good creature, thinks Sharz, and there are too few of those around.
The flight into space is once again an awe inspiring trip. George wonders if he would ever tire of it, as the blue skies transition to the blackness of space. The sheer size of the Regent’s space vessel once again sends his mind reeling. The massive spaceship seems to go on forever. He can even see that the ship appears less damaged than his last visit.
Once onboard, the familiar thick atmosphere with its pungent odor again assaults his nose. Nearby Sharz takes long deep breaths, clearly relishing it. George takes special care as he walks in the heavier gravity.
Again they make the lengthy trek to the bridge, but this time the trip seems shorter, quicker.
Stepping onto the bridge, George is again awed by the beauty of his planet. As instructed, he walks toward the Regent, bows his head, and says in a solemn tone. “Regent Voknor of the Gamin, I present myself at your request.”
The Regent is seated, his hands, with their three claws tap the arms on his throne. George, with his head bowed can only wonder why he is here. The silence is soon broken by Regent Voknor.
“George, your leaders lie, and play games with me, a dangerous thing to do.”
With a wave of his hand the front window again changes what is displayed. George is dumbfounded, there before him is the President of the United States of America. What on Earth is he doing here?, Wonders George. A whimsical thought does cross his mind, he is not on Earth.
“You are the leader of your country’s citizens and military?” The Regent speaks quite firmly.
The President nods as he replies, with an air of authority “Yes, I am. What is this about?”
“Your military units did not comply with my instructions. What do you have to say to this?”
The President, with many years in politics, begins his long winded answer. As the President speaks, claiming no such knowledge, another section of the viewing area changes to display holding areas with sailors from at least two navies. It would seem that the President is able to see this as well, as he falters in his tirade until finally he has no choice but to stop. George almost feels sorry for the man, now trapped by his own words.
“George what would you have me do?” Regent Voknor turns his head to look at George.
The President looks confused as he is suddenly made aware of another's presence. Regent Voknor walks toward George as he awaits an answer.
The President speaks up with an annoyed tone. “Whoever that man is, he is not authorized to speak for my government.”
The Regent quickly spins around to face the President of the United State of America. The Regent makes a series of hand gestures as he says with a matter of fact tone. “I have destroyed worlds for such insolence. You exist to serve me, do not forget that. I will dictate who is worthy to speak for your people. This human convinced me once to intervene, with moderation. Would you stand here before me and speak truthfully even as your life depended upon it? I think not, and you call yourself a leader. You are too weak to truly lead.” The disdain in his voice even comes through the translators.
With a simple hand motion from the Regent, George understands that he is to speak.
“Regent Voknor of the Gamin, I once again implore you not to punish those that did as their leaders demanded of them. The people you have shown to me are victims, pawns if you will, in this incident.”
The Regent looks at George, Sharz, then the man on the screen before him, almost willing the President to again insult him by speaking. The Regent stares at the President and waits. Finally he points at the screen as he says in a rather disquieting tone.
“You and your Russian friend shall be my guest. It is time to for me to eat.” The Regent lets a lot of his teeth show as he stands with his arms at his sides. The bone ridges seem to be flexing as he steps forward toward the screen. The President visibly blanches, as the color fades from his fear filled face.
With that, the screen blanks out. The Regent suddenly roars in what George knows to be laughter. Had he not previously witnessed Sharz laughing, he would have been extremely terrified at the spectacle before him. As it is, he is perplexed by what he is witnessing.
“I am sure he thinks I am going to eat them both.” The Regent roars in laughter louder and harder as he rocks back and forth on his feet.
Sharz starts to laugh too, as does the rest of the bridge crew. George is not sure of this and looks about a little fearfully now. Sharz notices George, and being more familiar with humans can see George does not understand.
“George, we are civilized and would not eat another intelligent being, ever. Such a thought is as foreign to us as, well, as it is to you. However, we have crushed worlds in the past for what your leaders have done, and they must learn from their mistakes.”
The Regent sits in his throne and it seems to George as if he were actually smiling. This is almost a game to him, realizes George suddenly. His jaw drops a little in shock, a mere distraction keeping him occupied, but occupied from what? George is not sure if he is unsettled by this, or if he feels comforted knowing that these beings are not too unlike people.
“Sharz, well said.” Regent Voknor is still looking at Sharz, quite intently.
“You are now Prime. Assume the duties as soon as the new craft is ready. George, go with Sharz and collect those two idiots that call themselves leaders. Did they really think that a layer of frozen water was going to disguise those clumsy vessels? Collect that one from the place called China as well, it is time to prepare them all for their duties ahead.”
Sharz bows his head low as he says. “By your order, Regent.”
George, not sure what to do, timidly speaks with his head bowed down. “Regent Voknor of the Gamin, please permit me to ask of the sailors your have captured.”
Regent Voknor glares at George as he leans forward, his vertical eyelids narrowing. “Even now, you ask of another's safety, at the cost of bringing my attention directly upon yourself.” George is feeling a little uncomfortable now, he gulps as he continues to gaze downward.
The Regent pauses, reflects, then continues. “You are fortunate that I like you George, most fortunate. They will be freed in good time. I have yet to make your leaders nervous so they do not try to deceive me again. Politics is such an entertaining distraction from other concerns.”
George, not sure if he should answer, merely bows lower, then retires with Sharz who is already leaving the bridge area.
Sharz seems very quiet, but those they pass have already heard something as they lower their heads when Sharz passes and say nothing in his presence. George stays quiet once again until they get on board the smaller craft. Departing the Regent’s massive ship, George can’t stay quiet any longer.
“Sharz, can you tell me what happened, was that a good thing or a bad thing?” George is quite perplexed as to what has transpired.
First Contact (Terran Chronicles) Page 18