The ambassador didn’t know what to think. Recent events made it hard to trust the president. If he ignored the president’s warning, and a military clash between the United States and China occurred, his life would be over. Not to mention the lives of many Chinese and Americans. He decided it was best to kick this problem upstairs, as the Americans would say.
“I need some privacy to make a call, Mr. President.”
“Certainly. Do you need a private room?”
“No, I can call from my limousine. It’s very secure and very close.”
The Ambassador called Beijing and requested that he be put through to his cousin, the Chinese president. He described the situation and the proof as provided by President Jordan. The Chinese president said he’d call him back.
Twenty minutes later the Chinese president called Ambassador Yang and said, “The Koreans denied it. I also talked to our National Minister of Defense, who acknowledged that one of our submarines was in the area of the exercise. I think the Koreans are lying. They seemed very nervous and evasive when I asked them about the Kilo. Ask President Meredith what he proposes to do and call me back.”
The ambassador returned to his meeting with the president and asked some additional questions.
“Mr. President, how do you propose we handle this delicate situation?”
“I suggest we disable the Kilo so that it can’t sink one of your ships.”
“How do you propose we do that? Our submarine hasn’t been able to find the Kilo.”
“We know exactly where it is, Mr. Ambassador, and we’ve been monitoring it for almost forty-eight hours. We could provide you with its location, or we could handle it ourselves. The decision is yours, but I need to know as soon as possible.”
“I need to make another call, Mr. President.”
The president nodded.
The ambassador called the Chinese president and relayed the president’s offer.
“Let me talk with the Koreans one last time. If they deny the situation again, you can tell the president to go ahead. I’ll call you back.”
In ten minutes the Chinese president called.
“They’re lying to us again. It’s time to teach them a lesson. Tell the president to go ahead with his plan, but tell him we need some time to contact our ships, so they know what’s happening. I’ll call back when I know it’s been taken care of.”
Three hours had passed since the Washington had transmitted its information to COMSUBPAC, and there had been no response. Captain Ortega and his executive officer were drinking coffee in the control room.
“I’m getting tired of this waiting, Smitty. But at least they’re considering the information we sent. We would’ve known by now if they weren’t.”
“What do you think we should do, sir?”
“I think we need to ready in case they want us to take out the Kilo. Load two Mk 48 torpedoes and prepare for launch. Maintain distance to target at one thousand yards.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Several minutes later the sonar officer updated Captain Ortega on a change in the current situation.
“Captain, the Chinese ships are using their active sonar. With all that pinging we can’t hear a damn thing, sir.”
“Okay, Lieutenant, take us out of range of the sonar and try to maintain our track on the Kilo.”
“Yes, sir, I’ve still got him. He’s also moving away.”
“What about the Chinese boat?”
“He took off before they started pinging. He was probably warned and was expecting it. I have no idea where he is.”
“Okay, maintain our distance from the Kilo.”
“Captain, we have a VLF message coming in from COMSUBPAC,” the executive officer said.
“Thanks, Smitty, validate the message and bring it to me when you have it all.”
“Yes, sir. It’ll take a few minutes.”
Several minutes later the message was received and validated.
“Here it is, Captain. It says the Chinese forces are aware of the Kilo and its probable intentions. We’ve been ordered to destroy it if it takes any hostile actions against the allied fleet.”
“Does it say anything about taking action against the Kilo if it takes hostile actions against the Chinese fleet?”
“No, sir.”
“Captain, the Kilo is moving toward the allied fleet at about ten knots.”
“He’s probably trying to avoid detection by the Chinese active sonar. Follow him and maintain distance, Lieutenant.”
“I found the Chinese boat, Captain. It’s moving toward the Chinese fleet at about twenty-five knots.”
“It’s probably joining their surface fleet to protect them from the Kilo.”
“The Kilo stopped when the Chinese boat passed it, Captain.”
“What was the Kilo’s distance from the Chinese boat when it passed?”
“About eight hundred yards, sir.”
James approached Captain Ortega.
“The Kilo had to have detected the Chinese boat as it went by. At the speed it was moving, the Chinese boat wouldn’t detect the Kilo or the Washington as it passed.”
“My thoughts exactly, James. Is the Kilo still stationary, Lieutenant?”
“Yes, sir, it seems like it’s confused.”
“I’m sure it is, Lieutenant.”
“Captain, it just turned 180 degrees and is following the Chinese boat at a distance of about 1500 yards.”
“Thanks, Lieutenant. Continue to maintain distance on the Kilo. Can I see you for a minute, Admiral? I need some information.”
The admiral walked over and said, “What do you need, Captain?”
“Are the sonar-detection systems on the Kilos sophisticated enough to determine the type of sub it’s tracking?”
“Not beyond whether it’s a diesel-electric or a nuclear boat and the approximate size. The Kilo commander wouldn’t know if it was an American 688 or a Chinese nuclear attack boat. I assume that’s the information you’re looking for, Captain?”
“Yes, it is, thank you. I think the Kilo misidentified the Chinese boat as an American 688 class attack boat. They’re very similar in size and acoustic characteristics, and that’s not by accident. My guess is that the Kilo captain assumed that the Chinese surface fleet had detected an American boat and were using their active sonar to find it.”
“I agree,” James said. “The Kilo may be reverting to the original plan to sink an American ship or, in this case, what he believes is an American submarine.”
“Yes, Commander. The Kilo captain believes it’s an American sub that’s approaching the Chinese surface fleet. I’m sure he believes that if he sinks it, the destruction of the sub will be blamed on the nearby Chinese fleet. The North Koreans will erroneously believe that they have achieved their goal. I assume you see the irony in this situation, Commander Jordan.”
“I do, Captain. The North Koreans will sink a Chinese submarine, while thinking it was an American submarine. The Chinese will know why they did it, having already been warned about the North Korean plan by the US government. The North Koreans would think they’d succeeded. Instead, they would’ve actually triggered a potentially catastrophic response from China, their only ally and benefactor.”
“Exactly, and to make it even worse, the sinking of the Chinese submarine would’ve been done by a Kilo submarine that was provided to North Korea by China. That would make the Chinese furious. It might almost be worth letting them do it, but I can’t let that happen.”
“I admire your humanity, Captain.”
“Thanks, James, but my humanity could get me court-martialed. I have no orders to sink the Kilo if it tries to sink a Chinese ship.”
Captain Ortega knew what he had to do. He called over his executive officer.
“I need you to send a message to COMSUBPAC on the VLF, Smitty. We need permission to sink the Kilo before it sinks that Chinese submarine.”
“The SATCOM would be faster, sir.”
&nbs
p; “No, we could lose the Kilo if we came up to a depth that would allow us to use the SATCOM.”
“Okay, I’ll send it immediately, Captain.”
Captain Ortega walked over to the admiral.
“Admiral, can you give me a quick briefing on North Korean torpedoes?”
“Yes, Captain. The torpedo used on the Kilo has a speed of about thirty-five knots and uses both active and passive acoustic homing. It’s only effective at ranges less than five miles. This torpedo is more accurate when the submarine is stationary, so the Kilo will probably come to a complete stop before firing.”
“Thanks, Admiral. Let me know if the Kilo reduces its speed, Lieutenant.”
“Will you shoot if he stops, Captain?”
“No, James. But if he opens his torpedo doors I will. The Kilo is not my main concern. I’m more worried about the reaction of the Chinese fleet after we sink the Kilo. If they assume their own submarine was sunk, they might go into an all-out attack mode against any underwater targets. That could make both the Washington and the Chinese attack boat potential targets. I just hope the Chinese boat quickly identifies itself to the Chinese fleet after the Kilo is sunk.”
“So do I, Captain. But we both know that in panic situations, even well-trained personnel will shoot first and ask questions later.”
“Yes, and if that happens, I’ll be concerned about the Chinese Yu-7 ASW torpedo on their surface ships. It’s based on our Mk 46 torpedoes that the Chinese purchased from us back in ’85. This model has been deployed on their destroyers and frigates right above us, and it’s very good. It’s deadly at distances up to ten miles. The only defense we have against it are our acoustic countermeasures.”
“Captain, the Kilo is reducing its speed as it approaches the Chinese fleet.”
“Maintain our distance to target at one thousand yards, and generate a target solution on the Kilo. What’s the status of the Chinese boat?”
“It seems to be changing course and is moving toward us and the Kilo.”
“Was the turn slow or sudden and has its speed changed?”
“No change in speed, and the turn was wide and slow. The Kilo is slowing down and is opening its torpedo doors, Captain.”
“You’re right about your officers, Admiral. The captain on the Kilo thinks it was discovered by the Chinese boat. An experienced officer would know that the slow, wide turn is not an attack maneuver. The Chinese boat was just moving back toward the allied fleet.”
“The Chinese boat must’ve heard the sound of the opening torpedo doors. It’s transitioning to active sonar. He’ll find the Kilo and us, sir.”
“I know, Lieutenant. Fire one!”
“The Chinese submarine just fired one of its torpedoes at the Kilo too, sir.”
“Shit!” the captain shouted. “Let’s get out of here. All ahead flank. Come left to course one six zero and ten degrees down bubble.”
“You’re heading toward that deep trough we passed over yesterday?” James asked.
“Yes, Commander. I intend to get this sub to some dark blue water.”
“Lieutenant, has our torpedo hit home?”
“Five more seconds, Captain . . . yes! Scratch one Kilo, sir.”
“Thanks, Lieutenant.”
“I just picked up a second explosion, sir. It was definitely an impact from a torpedo.”
“Thanks, Lieutenant. If we’re lucky, that was the Chinese Yu-7 torpedo impacting with the wreckage of the Kilo as it was sinking.”
“Captain, I just picked up three sonar bogeys. The ASW identifies the biggest one as the Chinese submarine. The two following it are torpedoes, sir!”
“Are we in their path, lieutenant?”
“No, sir, but they’re heading to that same trough that we’re moving toward.”
“Damn! Sometimes I hate being right, James. The Chinese surface fleet just fired two torpedoes at their own submarine.”
“How far are the torpedoes from the Chinese boat, Lieutenant?”
“It’s about six thousand yards ahead of the closest torpedo, Captain.”
“Can the Chinese boat make it to the torpedo’s maximum operational depth in the trough before the first torpedo catches it?”
“No, sir.”
“I want a firing solution on the Yu-7 torpedoes chasing that Chinese boat, Lieutenant. Launch two Mk 48s when you have it.”
“Yes, sir.”
“What are you planning on doing, Captain?” James asked.
“Have you ever heard of a torpedo being used to destroy another torpedo?”
“No.”
“Neither have I, but I know it’s theoretically possible. It would require an extremely fast torpedo with a proximity fuse and a warhead large enough so that it could destroy the target torpedo without having to hit it. Luckily we have such a torpedo. The Mk 48 has a speed of almost sixty knots, a proximity fuse, and a 650-pound high-explosive warhead. It was recently upgraded with a new sonar tracking capability to make it effective against smaller and more agile submerged targets such as torpedoes, but it’s never been tested. I plan to test it now.”
“Launching now, sir.”
“Thanks Lieutenant, keep me updated.”
“You realize that if you take out either Yu-7 torpedo and miss the second, the one that survives could go into search mode and possibly target the Washington.”
“Yes, I know that Commander Jordan.”
“The Chinese boat is approaching the trough, but the first Yu-7 torpedo is only a thousand yards behind and closing at a rate of 550 yards per minute, sir.”
“If this doesn’t work, that Chinese boat has less than two minutes to live, Captain.”
“Let’s hope it does work, Commander.”
“The first Mk 48 is closing on the first Yu-7 torpedo, sir. It’s about a thousand yards behind. Nine hundred, seven hundred, five hundred, two hundred . . . it’s going to be close. Son of a bitch, I think it worked! It did, the Mk 48 annihilated it!” the sonar officer shouted.
Captain Ortega smiled and then ordered, “All ahead flank, let’s follow the Chinese sub to the deep end of the pool.”
“I just picked up another explosion, Captain.”
“Was it the second Mk 48?”
“Yes, sir, but it’s too soon for it to have caught the second Yu-7 torpedo. It must have triggered on the explosion and wreckage of the first Yu-7 torpedo.”
“Is the second Yu-7 torpedo still tracking, Lieutenant?”
“No, Captain, it seems to have broken its lock on the Chinese sub, which is beneath the Yu-7’s maximum operating depth. Oh my God, it’s now tracking us.”
“All ahead flank. Twenty-five degrees down bubble. That’s one persistent SOB. What’s the distance, Lieutenant?”
“About a thousand yards, and closing at about 370 yards per minute.”
“That’s too close to launch another torpedo. How long before we get past the Yu-7’s maximum depth?”
“Two and a half minutes, sir. But that’s based on the capabilities of our current Mk 46. If the Chinese version is faster, we could have a problem.”
“Let’s pray it isn’t.”
“This is a hell of a way to analyze the capabilities of their weapons, Captain.”
“I agree, Commander Jordan.”
The tension on the boat was thick as the sonar officer ticked off the distance to the Yu-7.
“How soon before we’re at the torpedo’s maximum depth, Lieutenant?”
“A little over a minute, Captain, and the torpedo is less than a minute and a half behind us and closing.”
Captain Ortega grabbed the microphone for the 1MC to talk to the crew. “This is the Captain, ready the countermeasures and rig for impact.”
“We’re at its maximum depth, Captain, and there’s no sign of it slowing down.”
“Thanks, Lieutenant. Sound the collision alarm!”
“We’re at five hundred yards and I believe, yes it’s definitely slowing. The speed has dropped to about ei
ghty percent, but it’s still closing. We’re now at four hundred yards and its speed is dropping, but it’s still closing, sir.”
“Deploy the countermeasures.”
“Three hundred, 200, 150 yards! It seems to be moving away from the boat, Captain. I think it’s tracking the countermeasures, sir.”
“Great, let’s hope it’s moving far enough away.”
Suddenly there was an explosion and the entire boat shook.
“The torpedo missed, Captain!” James shouted. “The son of a bitch missed!”
Captain Ortega was silent as the rest of the crew cheered. He looked down and wiped his brow as he slowly grabbed the 1MC.
“This is the captain. It looks like we live to fight another day. Okay, Smitty, let’s take this boat back to Yokosuka and to a depth where I can use the SATCOM to make a phone call. I’m going to my quarters to write my report, and I don’t want to be disturbed unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
Captain Ortega was exhausted and exhilarated at the same time. The only thing he was concerned about was the sinking of the North Korean submarine without authorization. About thirty minutes later, the executive officer called his quarters.
“Sorry to bother you, Captain, but we just got a message from COMSUBPAC.”
“Read it to me, Smitty.”
“It says that the USS Washington is authorized to take any measures necessary to protect any ships participating in or legally monitoring the naval exercise in the Senkaku Islands. I think you’re off the hook, Captain.”
“Well, I guess I get to keep my stripes. Thanks, Smitty.”
That evening Captain Ortega invited the admiral, James, and Kim to have dinner with him in his quarters.
“What do you plan to do when you get to America, Admiral?”
“I plan to go fishing. I may even start a fishing charter business.”
“How about you, Kim?”
“I’m going to find my fiancée and celebrate our new life in America. But first I need to visit my mother in the hospital in Busan to make sure she’s okay.”
“Is there anything you need to make this journey easier?” the captain asked.
Kim smiled. “There’s one thing, Captain. Do you have any American adventure movies?”
The captain laughed. “Haven’t you had enough adventure, Kim?”
Cyber Countdown Page 42