Under Water Secret

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  Billy was on the computer doing what he did best. His friends were hard at work too. They had all said the same thing: block the harbor into San Francisco with submarine nets. One problem with that idea was our own subs couldn't get in or out. In addition, someone pointed out; a large container ship has a draft of over thirty feet or about twelve meters. A Romeo sub could theoretically follow a large ship through the submarine net and then be free to do what they intended.

  After a hard look at the Bay Area their attention went down to the coastal area of Los Angeles. The port area stuck out like a sore thumb as a premium terrorist target. A sea wall protected the harbor area. The opening was large enough for any ship to pass through easily.

  Billy had a long yardstick in his hand. He placed it on a line from the sea wall opening to the oil terminal off loading area. Nobody said much, but the implication was evident: a sub could sit outside the entrance to the port and fire a torpedo directly to the oil terminal where tankers off loaded their oil.

  General Pratt asked, "What does anyone suggest we do here about the potential target being a supertanker off loading its crude oil?"

  "This is one of the busiest ports on the coast. If we had a submarine net that would be a pain in the rear end," Wade said.

  "Not to mention that a surface torpedo would skin right over top of it," said Billy.

  All of this was being observed by Park. He asked, "Excuse me please, but would a submarine have to surface to fire a torpedo that is just a meter or so under the water?"

  "Why yes it would," replied Wade. "Where are you going with this thought of yours Mr. Park?"

  "I'm not familiar with all the latest weapons and stuff like that, but what about a SAM from a tower erected neat the entrance to the harbor?"

  The room went a silent while each person digested what was suggested.

  Wade said, "A Command of-sight missile would work. The operator would guide the weapon by radio control. Using night vision glasses, he could successfully guide a missile into the conning tower of a sub."

  Nancy added, "Would that scare off a terrorist seeing a guard tower where a tower never existed before?"

  General Pratt said, "I think not Nancy. I'm beginning to like this idea from our new friend from North Korea Mr. Park."

  Park grinned from ear to ear happy he had contributed to the team. Sadly he was worried about his garden, but Sujin had told him not to worry she would take care of it.

  Two days later, after a complete hashing over the guard tower suggestion, a surplus of towers were found in a steel yard. Some modifications were taking place to make them look like lighthouses, but in fact manned by the military. Two towers were placed at the entrance to the port.

  General Pratt had a team of SEALs practice at Edwards Air Base. After that they had a submarine surface at about the site where a sub might obtain the best angle for a torpedo attack. The guards weren't told when or where they might surface. The exact time of the surfacing of the sub and the sighting were recorded. It was within seconds of each other. A few high fives went around the war room when the results came in.

  Chapter Ten

  The two Romeo subs that were east bound to North America passed between Australia and New Zealand. They were to rendezvous just north of the Cook Islands with a tanker for refueling. If they conserved fuel they could make the remainder of the trip to the west coast of America.

  The lead sub captain looked at the calendar to observe they were very close to being on schedule. It would be tomorrow the first of April. They'd been at sea for almost three weeks. In another three weeks they'd be off the coast of Oregon. The men were getting cabin fever. Be that as it may, they must endure.

  On the Atlantic side of world, the two Romeo subs were approaching the east coast of America. Maine was their target. They would hug the coast and slowly move south to New York City.

  About half way across the Atlantic, they had to surface and recharge the batteries. The timing was perfect. Their sonar picked up an old tramp steamer plodding along at about the same rate as they were. If any America subs were listening all they would hear was the sounds of the old ship; which included the diesel motor of the Romeo.

  Aboard the USS Oregon the captain asked his XO if they had picked up any sound or sign of the Romeo sub. His answer was, "I don't think so sir. We are on course and the sub should be along anytime. Right now we have an old freighter going to the west at about the same rate of speed as the sub."

  Captain Relm was not happy. He thought they should have picked up the sounds of the sub recharging his batteries about now. He said, "Jim, I've a bad feeling about this sub and just maybe, maybe, the captain is very clever. What if he surfaced trailing that old freighter started his diesel and charged his batteries. Check with sonar to see if the sound of the freighter are consistent or was there an increase in sound at anytime."

  "Aye sir. Be right back."

  Captain Relm paced back forth waiting for the sonar report. The XO came back and said, "Sir, indeed we have an increase in sound from the freighter."

  "Surface slowly Jim. Let's see if we can get a look at the sub," said the captain.

  They came to periscope depth and Relm took a look. He could see the freighter, but all was dark behind it. He told the XO to surface and have the lookouts use night vision glasses to improve their vision.

  Captain Relm wanted to see for himself. He put on a heavy coat and went topside. A lookout gave him some night vision goggles. Relm could see the freighter and then he saw not one dark blob following, but two objects.

  The lookouts were higher up than he was so he waited until he could get a report. It didn't take long and one lookout came down to report that two objects were following the freighter. It appeared they were submarines. He cleared the deck and after taking off his coat told his XO to have sonar confirm the two for size.

  A few minutes later Jim Crow came back and said, "Sir, sonar confirms the two subs are Romeo class."

  "Send a message to base telling them not one but two subs are west bound," said Relm. Relm thought this was not an easy mission. Now would be the time to blow them out of the water. However, he was under orders to not attack until told to. Now he realized the subs would hug the coast and slowly move south to their targets.

  Where the best place would be to catch sight or sound of the two subs, he thought. He motioned Jim over and they both looked at the detailed map of the east coast of America.

  At about the same time, in the bowels of the White House, the President was having a serious meeting with his military chief of staff. President Bates said, "General, we just got news that there're two Romeo subs coming our way. What or how do you suggest we follow or tract the subs. I'm convinced New York is their first target area."

  "Mr. President, let me put some people on this very question and I'll be back to you with some answers."

  "Spoken like a true general," he answered sarcastically. "Meanwhile I want some helicopters in the air; men on the ground with high powered glasses; people walking the beach; anything you can think I want something to happen.

  Steve called Brad to report two subs instead of one were coming. Brad said, "Well, after many days of poking our noses here and there we are coming to see you with a report. We'll be in the X office tomorrow at around 2 pm. See you then Steve."

  Earlier Brad had called Nancy and told her that she and Billy needed to fly to DC. Tell my father it's up to him whether or not to come. Park has done a good job. Tell him to go home and keep one eye on the garden and the other one on the skyline over the ocean. Wade hangs around with my father. We do need a contact there at the SEAL Command Center. So make sure we have a contact person there."

  Brad, Mike, Wendy and Agent Jones met back at the same hotel as before. They were having dinner discussing the different ideas each had about a target. The tunnel target was an unknown. Brad had asked for some demolition engineers to see what damage a torpedo might do to the entrance or exit of tunnel. A report was still forth
coming.

  Brad said, "Okay guys, we go to DC tomorrow and make our report. The west coast team will meet us tomorrow as well. We need to outline our best guess and the why we think it could be a target."

  Mike said, "We can do our best guessing which a target is and which a target isn't. But we really don't know. It's up to the military to track and destroy. I really don't see a lot of reason for us to be here after tomorrow. I think we ought to go home and get ready to take on the bad guys when they storm the dunes."

  "I hear what you say Mike. There's nothing more I would like than to go home. Let's see what happens tomorrow."

  Tomorrow was anything but normal for the east coast of America. While Brad and company were in a sit down in their office, a guard burst through the door with some terrible news. The first report was that a refinery on or near Staten blew up. A raging fire was shooting flames high into the sky.

  Nancy rushed to turn of the big screen wall TV. A news helicopter was hovering a mile or so away stay clear of a giant fireball engulfing the terminal and refinery.

  Brad said, "Be cool folks. Look off to the side and see if anything is out of the normal. Like a conning tower sticking out of the water. Apparently we either missed a sub or one slipped through without our noticing it. I'm sure the President will have a few words to say about this very shortly."

  That shortly because almost instantaneous as the 'hotline' phone rang. This landline was a direct link to the Presidents' office. Brad picked it up on the third ring. He identified himself and then listened. After a few minutes Brad said, "Yes sir. Situation Room in 30 minutes."

  Brad turned back to the TV and all he could see was black smoke rising blocking any real view of what was in fact really happening. He said, "Let's go team. We're being called to the Situation Room."

  Brad noticed the usual assortment of agency heads sitting staring into space waiting for the President to arrive. A few leaned and whispered into an ear nearby. However, for the most part the room was mostly silent.

  Then in walked the President with his every present shadow the Chief of Staff. The President did his usual scanning of the room, like a teacher, doing roll call, making eye contact with everyone present. He sat down as did everyone else.

  He first went to Homeland Security and said, "Eric, what can you tell us at this point in time?"

  A large oil terminal is located just south of SR 440 and High Street. A tanker was off loading. Witnesses say multi-explosions were heard and then one large explosion occurred. Traffic is stopped on 440 and as the wind is an on shore flow, the fire is spreading to the west where a residential area is threatened. The fire departments are on the scene as well as fire boats. We just don't know how severe this catastrophe really is at the present time."

  "What's the militaries response at the time? Is this a terrorist attack or just an accident? I need answers folks and I need them quickly."

  The Joint Chief of staff, General Abbott said, "We've no report of an enemy sub at this time. We had two of our subs nearby, but there's no report of any enemy at this juncture."

  "Phil can you tell us if any faction has claimed responsibility at this time?"

  The CIA Director Phil Addie said, "Nothing yet, Mr. President. It's a little early yet."

  The President turned to Brad and said, "Brad any thoughts or is there something we missed here?"

  Brad took a breath and said, "It would appear that this is a terrorist attack. I suggest we verify it by sending down a team of divers to see what the damage is on the tanker; if any."

  The President turned to the military who sat in a line looking like they just ate a frog. An aid behind the generals rushed out of the room. He returned his attention back to Brad.

  Brad said, "As you know, Mr. President, a diesel electric submarine is very quiet when running on electricity. Ever our sophisticated sonar has trouble hearing and identifying a Romeo class sub. It would be very easy for a Romeo sub to hug the coast down to Maryland and then head out to deep water. Or, find another target. Also our GPS unit must have failed."

  Silence greeted every ear in the place. The President was fuming inside; Brad could tell. He said, "If I'm not mistaken at first there were two subs, then it went to three subs. After that we found out there were four subs. Now, if my count is correct we have five subs attacking us?"

  "Mr. President," Brad said, "maybe we need to rethink this whole thing. What if this is more than a terrorist attack, but made to appear as such. One of those subs cost around two hundred million and that would make the total close to one billion dollars. Even for a rich Arab that is a lot of money."

  Now a low buzz was heard; everyone was talking to his neighbor. The implication the USA was being attacked was unfathomable. Military aids were scuttling for the door taking orders to the outside military awaiting orders. The President saw all of this and he said, rapping his knuckles on the table, "Let's consider what Brad said and meet back here in one hour. I'll have to release a public statement very soon. I want facts not speculation ladies and gentlemen."

  Brad and team sat where they were. Steve said, "Brad, have you more things to say about what you implied in the meeting?"

  "Well Steve, who has that kind of money to start a small war with the USA. The first one that comes to mind is the Venezuela President Hugo Chavez. Secondly would be Pakistan. This hit on an oil terminal will shake up the price of crude. If a second one is struck, well, I've no idea about the economic and political fallout that would happen."

  Steve said, "Let's see what happens in a little while when the meeting resumes. Meanwhile, let's drop down to the cafeteria and have snack." Sandy woofed her vote to go.

  A large screen TV was on as the Batt Team sat down. The screen was filled with the video of the oil terminal belching out black smoke. The news announcer was babbling on about speculation not facts. One thing that was visible was a multitude of fireboats spraying the tanker. To Brad it looked like the stern of the tanker was lower than the rest of the ship.

  Nobody had any real appetite, but Steve wolfed down a couple donuts and a strong cup of coffee. Sandy had a ham sandwich. Soon, they went back to the Situation Room.

  The Situation Room was empty save the Batt Team. The Chief of Staff came in to announce that the meeting would resume at 6pm. Brad and team left for the X Office.

  Nancy turned the TV on without the sound. Steve said, after all had sat down, "Brad you raised some interesting ideas. Do you have any foundation for what you espoused?"

  "I'm not sure I accept it, but when this first began, that is, the submarines and terrorism, I asked who was financing this effort. Nobody heard me. Then we sent two men to Egypt and found two subs. The next thing we know two more are setting course for North America. Now, possibly a fifth sub is suspected. Where did the other three come from? Did someone purchase these subs, hire mercenaries to strike targets in the US. Both Pakistan and Hugh Chavez of Venezuela are drug producing nations."

  "Okay, let's assume they both are involved in this combined attack on our coasts. I suppose the number one purpose is to bring the USA to its knees. Oil would skyrocket in price; that's a given as of today. Now if the ports are hit trade would be in dire straits. Overall the world economy would take a hit that we might never recover from."

  Mike said, "This is way too much for me to comprehend. I'm not an economist and politics are way beyond my pea brain, but the price of gas I totally understand. We are a commuting country. We can't change that overnight. We must stop these guys now before the real shit hits the fan."

  "Do you have any suggestions Mike how we might stop these guys?"

  "I sure do Brad. Let's find them and blow the bastards out of the water?"

  Steve said, "Our last report from the USS Oregon is they lost the two subs after spotting them recharging their batteries behind an old tramp steamer. The Oregon thinks both subs set course for Maine. After that they could hug the coast down to wherever they are going."

  "Somewhere along the line
the Navy dropped the ball. Our west coast team is flying in later tonight. Let's see what happens at 6 pm." The 'hotline' phone rang again. This time Nancy answered it. She listened and said,

  "I'll tell him now."

  She turned and said to Brad, "The President wants to see you and Steve at 5:30 sharp."

  Steve and Brad, along with Sandy entered the Oval Office at precisely 5:30. The President looked a bit haggard. Without any preamble he said, "Brad give me your thinking again about Chavez and Pakistan.

  Brad went through the same story he'd said at the X Office leaving nothing out. Then he said, "I've no basis for my theory Mr. President."

  "I realize that Brad. However, we've come to trust in your intuition. The problem is how we can verify it."

  "We'd have to capture the Captain of the sub sir," said Brad. "He's the only one that knows who hired him and then it could be a go-between and the real source is not discovered."

  "Brad I have to address the nation in a few minutes. Your idea about scuba men was a good one. They found a large hole in the stern of the tanker. The first torpedo opened up the hole and the others passed on in starting the fire. Our two subs saw and heard nothing. I think the sub commanders are damn good at what they do."

  Brad said, "My father and team are flying as we talk sir. We'll leave you now and wait for word from you after your talk to the nation."

  Chapter Eleven

  It wasn't until the next day when the President wanted to see the Batt Team. The west coast team was a bit jet lagged but ready to meet the challenge of the day. An early morning meeting between father and son took place before all joined them for breakfast.