The USCGC Stratton also carried two high speed patrol boats on an aft ramp deck, one of them a Short Range Prosecutor and the other a Long Range Interceptor. They could be launched towards suspected smugglers, pirates, or terrorists while the ship was underway and carried their own machine guns and grenade launchers. Scott was certain that there were plenty of armed Coast Guardsmen to man them too.
“Sovereign Spirit, this is Captain McCloud on the Stratton,” was the radio call they were expecting. “Please prepare to change course and follow us to San Diego. What is the best speed you and your convoy can make?”
Scott and Captain Fisher exchanged glances before the captain replied, “Normally we could all make fifteen knots, but one of our engines is down for repairs and we would prefer not to arrive before dawn. We can make ten knots. Is that acceptable, Captain McCloud?”
“Affirmative, Sovereign Spirit, make it ten knots and prepare to take a course of zero three zero true. Over.”
“Yes, sir,” replied Captain Fisher, “Sovereign Spirit and convoy will comply.” They had not been able to communicate their plan to George and the rest of their followers. Scott actually thought it best that they were kept out of the information loop anyway. The people on those yachts could play their parts in his plan best if they simply reacted with natural indignity and thoughts of self preservation when – no, still if – the authorities chose to commandeer the Sovereign Spirit, or turn the other boats away.
“So,” said the captain, “what should we do now?”
“Well, we’re not going to sail right into San Diego Bay,” replied Scott. “I need to get more confirmation of their intentions. And I won’t get that here. Tell Mick to prep the chopper for a flight to San Diego. We might stop on the cutter first, but I need to meet the new head honchos before this ship enters that harbor. And we need to be able to provide a live video feed of those engines, in case I need to order you to execute phase one of the plan. You okay with that, Captain?”
“Yes, Commodore,” replied Fisher with a determined tone. “Just give the word. I’ll talk to the boys about setting up a live feed to the helicopter. I think we can relay it from there to your laptop, or iPad, as long as you are within Wi-Fi range of the chopper.”
“We can also put a live feed online at the sovereignspirit.net website,” added Marty Larson, the communications technician. “We still have internet access, so the Navy must have it too, I guess. Even if major nodes and servers are falling off the net every hour, we have our own server here. Satellite bandwidth is limited and declining, but it should play video over the net even if it takes some buffering. So we can still provide a streaming video from the engine room cameras online, if you want us to.”
“Sounds good,” said Scott. “But add a pass code to view it.”
“Aye aye, commodore,” said Captain Fisher with a smile. “Make it so, Marty.”
*****
Scott told Mick, Mark and Clint to get ready for another flight in the helicopter after confirming that Sam had replaced the damaged hydraulic line. Then he got on the radio to set the stage for the next act in his passion play.
“Captain McCloud,” Scott said into the radio, ignoring normal call sign procedures. “This is Scott Allen again. Do you read me?” There was close to a minute of dead air space after that transmission.
“Yes, Mr. Allen, this is Captain McCloud on the Stratton. What can I do for you now?” The tone of voice conveyed a note of impatience.
“Captain McCloud,” said Scott carefully. “I’m afraid I can’t order my ship and the boats following us to sail right into San Diego Bay without knowing what awaits us there. I have a serious responsibility to my passengers, my crew, and the people on the boats of this flotilla to ensure that I don’t take them into worse danger than they are already in. Since I have the capability to launch aerial reconnaissance, I have decided to do so. Over.”
“Now wait a minute, Mr. Allen. That was not part of the deal. What are you up to?”
“I’m sure you can understand, Captain. We need to get better intelligence on the conditions in San Diego before I can even consider taking my ship into that harbor. We have been monitoring the news and we understand that the Navy and Marines are concentrated on Point Loma and Coronado Island. It sounds like the rest of the city has been overrun. Over.”
“I am not at liberty to confirm or deny any of that, Mr. Allen,” Captain McCloud replied in a tone ripe with tension. “But I can assure you that my orders are to escort you and the boats following you into San Diego Bay, and that is exactly what I am going to do. Over.”
“Captain McCloud,” Scott responded smoothly. “You are starting to sound a little upset. Please don’t take this the wrong way. I’m perfectly happy to go to San Diego to meet with the commanders there and discuss our plans. But that doesn’t mean that I will bring this ship with me. Not until I know your intentions and those of your commanders. From what I am hearing on the radio and television, the Navy is turning away refugees who try to make it out to their ships, even firing on uninfected survivors in some cases. You can’t expect me to take my ship into that kind of chaos, can you?”
“Mr. Allen,” the Coast Guard officer answered, “you will bring your ship into San Diego Bay if I order you to do so. And you will not launch your helicopter without permission, unless you want me to blow it out of the sky. Is that clear?”
“Clear as day, Captain,” said Scott. “But I can’t agree to your terms without additional assurances.” With the transmit button still pressed on the radio microphone he turned to the bridge crew and said, “Order all stop.” Then, to the Coast Guard, “I think we need to meet in person to discuss this situation, Captain McCloud. Do you want to come aboard my ship? Or will you invite me aboard yours?”
“Damn it, Mr. Allen,” McCloud said with brimming anger. “I’ll come aboard your vessel, all right, with an armed boarding party to take command if necessary!”
“That would be a serious mistake, Captain McCloud,” Scott replied calmly. “Under no circumstances will I, or my captain, relinquish command of this ship. We have already placed explosives to disable the engines, as well as scuttling charges to sink the ship if necessary.”
“You what?!” McCloud shouted. “Don’t even think about doing that!”
“Then don’t even think about commandeering my ship. That’s a no-win scenario,” replied Scott firmly. “My invitation stands for you to inspect this ship and discuss our intentions in person, or I can come over to see you. But please do not attempt to seize control of this vessel. That will not help anyone. Do you copy?”
There was a brief pause before McCloud answered.
“Alright, Mr. Allen,” Captain McCloud said. “I’ll come over with a minimal escort to inspect your ship. We can address all of your concerns when I arrive. Hold your position.”
“Thank you, sir,” replied Scott, trying to keep the sound of relief out of his voice. “We’ll be standing by for your arrival and we’ll lower the aft vehicle ramp for boarding.” Scott replaced the microphone and turned towards Captain Fisher. “Well, Captain? What are your thoughts?”
“I think you are one ballsy son of a bitch,” replied Captain Fisher. “I sure hope you know what you’re doing, Commodore. That’s a real live Coast Guard captain who’s not used to taking any lip from rich yachtsmen. His ship could blow us out of the water too, if you don’t do it to us first. So I think this is a very risky situation. What do you think?”
“I think I agree with everything you just said, Jordie,” Scott said. “And that means we need to be very careful and very impressive when he comes aboard. I want to arm some of the crew and a few of my friends, as a modest show of force. But I want them assembled as an honor guard when Captain McCloud comes aboard. No overt threats, but a clear display of strength by a disciplined, determined and well armed crew. I think it’s time to break out some assault rifles and ammo in the hidden cache.”
“You think that’s wise, Scott?” asked
Captain Fisher. “Won’t it increase the chances of hostilities?”
“No,” Scott disagreed. “I don’t think so. If we weren’t armed, they would be tempted to try to take the ship by force at any time. But, if they think we will fight to defend her, they will have to at least stop and think about their options.”
“Okay,” Captain Fisher conceded. “I can see that way of looking at it too. But you better be damned careful not to let your display of force turn into a firefight aboard this ship. Well, if we’re going to do this, we better haul ass down to the vehicle deck and get organized fast. Sounds like Captain McCloud will be here pretty soon.”
“By all means, Jordie, lead the way and call out the honor guard,” Scott said with a smile. They turned and walked quickly towards the elevator that would take them down to the massive vehicle deck. Captain Fisher was using his hand held radio to call members of the crew down to meet them. Scott used the local push-to-talk feature on his cell phone to direct Mark and Clint down there too. The priority now was to open the weapons cache in the old sewer tank and get the crew decked out as an honor guard. This had come sooner than Scott had expected and the clock was ticking.
*****
When Scott was informed that the USCGC Stratton had launched a patrol boat that was headed towards the Sovereign Spirit, he looked around the vehicle deck and decided they were almost ready. He walked over to his Hummer H2 parked near the rear ramp and leaned in to turn on the accessory power, turned the CB radio to PA, and picked up the microphone. His amplified voice filled the cavernous vehicle deck.
“May I have your attention please? I have an important announcement. Continue getting geared up, but listen to me. There’s a Coast Guard boarding party on their way here now. I want you all to be polite and cooperative. But I need to warn you that we have reason to believe that they might be planning to commandeer this ship. If they do, we’ll all probably end up in a refugee camp on Coronado Island in San Diego Bay.” Scott could see heads turn and eyes widen as he defined the danger they faced from their own government.
“Don’t worry yet. I’m just telling you this so you will understand the stakes in this game. We do have a plan to prevent them from taking over this ship. Part of it involves your participation as an armed honor guard. They need to see that we are armed and organized, but it is vital that you don’t make any hostile moves or threats of any kind. Keep your rifles strapped over your shoulder unless the captain or I tell you otherwise. Is that clear?” The chorus of affirmation was almost as loud as the H2’s PA. “Good. Please finish preparing to receive guests and form up along the center lane markers. Captain Fisher, please lower the aft ramp. We will be welcoming VIPs aboard.”
“Aye aye, sir!” came a chorus of replies. The elevator doors opened halfway down the vehicle deck and another crewman appeared from the upper decks waving a file folder.
“Captain Fisher! Sir,” he called, “This just arrived via email. It’s the letter from the CDC that you requested. Mr. Jenkins printed it out and told me to bring it to you right away, sir.”
“Talk about perfect timing,” commented Scott. “This could be our ace in the hole. What does it say?”
Captain Fisher opened the folder and read the message out loud.
To all US Military and Civilian Law Enforcement Authorities:
This letter is to certify that the SS Sovereign Spirit, commanded by Captain Jordan Fisher and Commodore Scott Allen, is authorized to engage in independent actions that are potentially vital to American National Security.
The Sovereign Spirit has already provided valuable foreign intelligence on the spread and effects of the Super Rabies virus beyond our borders and has rescued American citizens abroad. With this letter we authorize the Sovereign Spirit to conduct high priority rescue operations along the coast of California which may have significant impact on our nation’s chances to combat the Super Rabies virus.
It is imperative that the Sovereign Spirit be given safe passage within US territorial waters and full cooperation for any necessary operations ashore, including provisioning and refueling, as well as armed assistance – if requested – in accomplishing their mission.
This Letter of Authorization and Safe Passage has been issued by the Centers for Disease Control and endorsed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security, by authority of the Office of the President of the United States of America.
“Below that,” said, Captain Fisher, “are three official looking stamps with names and signatures. Jesus, Scott, listen to who signed it! Doctor Arnold Frost, Deputy Director of the CDC for Control of Infectious Diseases; Doctor Fred Dawson, Director of Quarantine and Containment for FEMA; and Daniel Reston, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security for Counterterrorism! We really hit the jackpot!”
“Dear God,” said Scott. “That scientist in Malibu must be very important to them. And that could mean he’s important to everyone, so we can’t waste much time here. This letter might be our salvation today, but it’s also a confirmation of a vital mission entrusted to us. This has to work. We can’t blow up the engines, even if I have to bluff a little. And once we get past the Coast Guard we have to make best speed to rescue that scientist. The rest of the boats will have to follow as fast as they can, unless they want to stay in San Diego. Now get that honor guard ready and open the ramp. We have VIP visitors to impress.”
*****
Captain Kevin McCloud was silently seething as he rode towards the Sovereign Spirit in the smaller of the two fast patrol boats carried by the Stratton. He had brought six armed Coast Guardsmen and put the cutter at general quarters before he left. There were a dozen more armed Guardsmen waiting to launch the larger patrol boat and board the Sovereign Spirit, if that proved necessary. He was not worried about his own safety or ability to overcome resistance on this old cruise ship, but he was concerned by their threat to disable or destroy the ship. Damn it, he thought. How did this guy figure out that the Navy would want to take over his ship for their own use? Could he really have planted explosives? Would he really blow up some or all of his own ship to keep the Navy from getting it? This so-called commodore might be as crazy as the damned zombies ashore!
The Prosecutor patrol boat moved quickly down the port side of the old ship. Captain McCloud observed the ship closely. It was slightly longer than his big national security cutter and much higher in profile. There were no port holes within twenty feet of the water line and indications of only a few doors about six feet above the water line. Although obviously aging, her hull was remarkably well maintained. The ship was brightly lit on the upper decks and McCloud could see at least a few signs of activity up there. His attention focused on the boat deck davits. He could see one normal life boat and two vessels on the other davits that he quickly identified as a Cigarette speedboat and some sort of landing craft.
Shit. That Allen guy wasn’t kidding. This ship really can conduct rescue operations. He was ready to assume that the boat davits on the other side would include an amphibious tour bus too!
As the Prosecutor approached the ship’s stern, Captain McCloud became even more impressed. Looking up, he saw an amphibious airplane suspended over the fantail. Returning his gaze to sea level he watched the aft vehicle ramp deploy. It was a wide section of the stern that folded down to allow vehicles to drive on and off of the big ship when docked. When it was fully lowered it was still about six feet above the water line. The Prosecutor could almost pass underneath it. But then he saw men run out and deploy cargo nets over the side of the ramp. Boarding would not be a problem.
Captain McCloud sent two of his armed Guardsmen up onto the ramp before climbing aboard. His first glimpse of the interior of the vehicle deck was even more impressive than the exterior view. It was a cavernous space with vehicles and equipment parked in neat rows and plenty of extra room to move and rearrange them as necessary. He glimpsed expensive Italian and German sports cars nestled under the upper vehicle dec
ks and lots of SUVs, along with some larger trucks and RVs, lined up in the center of the deck. He did a double-take when he recognized a Deep Flight mini-submarine off to the side of the stern ramp. Next to it was what looked like a decompression chamber and a full dive shop with racks and lockers full of scuba gear. Beyond that there were racks of windsurfers and surfboards. On the other side of the ramp sat at least a dozen jet skis and personal water craft lined up and apparently ready for use. Behind them were parked a long-reach forklift and a Bobcat. Two zodiac inflatable boats were stacked next to them. There was even a trailer holding a 26 foot MacGregor sailboat with its mast folded down for storage. This was easily the most extensive collection of practical “toys” that Captain McCloud had ever seen. Now it was really obvious that Mr. Allen hadn’t been kidding when he said his ship was fully equipped to conduct rescue operations!
What really grabbed Captain McCloud’s attention, of course, was the reception committee waiting to meet him at the head of the ramp. Eight crewmen were doing a reasonable impression of standing at attention, four on either side of the ramp, with M-16 or AR-15 assault rifles slung over their shoulders. Four other men were waiting at the center of the ramp. The one wearing a hat appeared to be the ship’s captain. The man next to him looked to be in his mid-to-late 40s, with prematurely graying hair, blue eyes, and the look of a confident man who was used to exercising authority. The other two men were also in their 40s. One was wearing camouflaged BDUs of a style that was unfamiliar to McCloud. The other wore blue jeans and a US Army BDU jacket with an 82nd Airborne patch on it. Both of them had M-203 combination grenade launcher and assault rifles slung on their shoulders.
01 Voyage of the Dead Page 17