The first and second torpedo lost contact as the great submarine dived beneath the thermal layer. They went for the bubbling and frothing canisters that were ejected from the stern of Leviathan. However, unbeknownst to the men and women onboard the giant submarine, the last two American weapons had driven underneath a large section of one of the destroyed Chinese Akulas as it sank fast to the bottom. The first Mark 48 turned downward to the deck of Leviathan, slamming into her vertical launch tubes just aft of the conning tower. The second hit a glancing blow off her port side, then went straight down after its rebound and exploded just below the engineering compartment at the aft portion of Leviathan. The great submarine was rocked, first downward and then up, actually bending almost five degrees at her midsection.
The crew was thrown around in their seats. Water leaks sprang up in a thousand places. Her thermal-dynamic drive went offline, sending out a screeching alarm throughout the ship. The four nuclear power plants scrammed and shut down.
As her life's work shuddered around her, Alexandria's eyes fluttered open. She tried lifting herself off the carpeted deck. She failed, then tried again, finally gaining her feet. She slowly wiped blood from her lip and knew she had blood coming from her ears. She staggered to her chair and hit the intercom.
"Report, Mr. Samuels."
"We're still getting information, Captain. Power plants are offline and we have already switched to battery power. We have preliminary reports of casualties in engineering and three out of the six weapons rooms. We have a hull breach in engineering — no report as to the extent of damage. The hull has sustained damage from the strike and from our own ramming to the point we must be heard by enemy sonar. We cannot repair the bow planes or the damage to the vertical tube hatches until we can dry dock."
"Very well — get Leviathan moving out past the Strait, then take us deep; three thousand feet will do. For now, plot us a course for Saboo. We'll use the deep thermal cline to hide our noise."
"Aye, Captain — Saboo."
Alexandria steadied herself, then decided it was time to go and see how Compton and the others were, and congratulate them on a surprise move that she would have never guessed them capable of. As she wiped the blood that streamed from her left ear off the side of her face, she knew deep down she was grateful for her, and Leviathan's, first-ever failure.
USS MISSOURI (SSN-780)
Captain Jefferson was in sonar listening on a set of headphones. He shook his head.
"I'm not sure, Captain, until I run the tapes back, but I think we hit her. The detonations were too far away for our fish to have struck any debris from the Akulas. After that we picked up a high-speed whine heading due south out of the Straights. We may not have caused that boat to sink, but we caused some kind of damage to her hull. We hurt her," the supervisor in sonar said. "The Mark forty-eights had to have picked up on some previous damage to her hull after the guidewires broke. That and the damage we caused are what we heard."
Jefferson removed his headphones, looked at First Officer Izzeringhausen, then back at the three sonar technicians. "Once the sonar recording is examined, can you find her again?"
"Unless they can dry dock whatever that thing is, yes, Captain, we can find her."
"Look, Izzy, there's been nothing for the past twenty minutes. Get to the surface and sweep for survivors. I want to get out of this valley of death as soon as we can go with a clear conscience. When we are up top, we need to call home and report this mess. And hopefully they'll send us some help."
Missouri had won a shortened fight because she threw a sucker punch just before they themselves were about to go down. Jefferson figured they had stretched their luck just about as far as they could.
PART THREE
THE BLACK QUEEN
The sea is the greatest magician of all — it hides the truth beneath miles and miles of water — it covers its real meaning with layers of depth and pressure, and will only reveal what it needs to draw men close, closer to the depths, then suddenly it wraps its cold arms around you and the real truth is finally revealed.
— Captain Octavian Heirthall
13
Sarah, Lee, Alice, Virginia, and Niles waited outside of Leviathan's sickbay. They had been there for the past hour as the ship's surgeon, Dr. Warren Trevor, worked on Farbeaux. The bullet had hit the Frenchman in the lower right hip, hitting nothing vital.
"I am having the hardest time figuring out Colonel Farbeaux," Niles said, looking at his hands.
"I think it's time I tell you something." Sarah hesitated, and then decided just to say it outright. "The colonel is almost as insane as our good Captain Heirthall," she said, slowly standing up and pacing in front of the small group. "He saw an opportunity when Leviathan's assault team attacked, and came into the complex behind them to kill Jack. He's under the illusion that Jack killed his wife, and Farbeaux, at least I suspect, really looked at himself for the first time as an accomplice in her death. When he found out Jack was already dead, something drained from him — like he lost his only reason in life for living."
"He focused on Jack because—?"
Sarah stopped pacing and looked at Niles. "The only thing I can figure is that he blamed Jack for making him feel human back in the Amazon, saving those students and the rest of us from that nuclear detonation. His actions since being onboard Leviathan are bordering on — well, like he's looking to get killed. Maybe a death wish. His move on the sergeant, his open hostility to every member of the Leviathan's crew… it all adds up."
The Group was silent as they thought about the intricacies of the Frenchman.
"I congratulate you on your ability to endanger Leviathan for the first time in her long existence."
They all looked up and saw Alexandria Heirthall standing in the open doorway. Four of her security men, including Sergeant Tyler, who was sporting a white bandage around his head, flanked her. They could see the bloodstained handkerchief knotted tightly around her right hand, and the traces of blood at her left ear.
"Captain, I think it's time we understood each other," Niles said with dark anger edging his voice. "We are not, as you so euphemistically state it, your 'guests.' We are held here against our will to answer for our knowledge on just who you are. Since you have declared war on the world, must I remind you that as prisoners of that war, we have the right to attempt escape when the opportunity presents itself?"
Tyler started toward Niles with rage etched on his features, but Heirthall reached out and stayed him with just her delicate hand.
"Fair enough, Doctor, prisoners of war it is. Sergeant Tyler, please escort the prisoners to the forward observation lounge and secure them there."
Tyler turned on Heirthall. "Captain, these people are an extreme hazard to our mission. I warned of the consequences of bringing them onboard in the first place. I must insist they either be executed or placed adrift at sea. They are—"
Heirthall turned on Tyler, placed a hand on his chest, and slammed him against the bulkhead — her actions startling everyone watching.
"You insist?" she hissed with a low menacing tone as more blood started flowing from her left ear. "Onboard Leviathan you insist on nothing! You follow command, for not only my sake but the higher order we fight for. Am I understood, Sergeant?"
Lee nodded at the flow of blood from Alexandria's left ear, and Niles decided to use that as a reason for ending the confrontation. As crazy as Heirthall was, he knew Tyler, in his cold and calculating way, would likely be a far less merciful captor.
"Captain, you're bleeding rather severely," Niles said.
Heirthall ignored Compton, keeping her eyes on Tyler until the large man nodded his head just once. Alexandria released him and then took a hesitant step back.
"What is going on here?" Dr. Trevor demanded as he stepped from his sickbay. Then he saw the condition of the captain and quickly stepped forward.
"Sergeant, do as you were ordered," Heirthall said as she allowed the doctor to take her by the arm. "Dr
. Compton, Colonel Farbeaux will no longer be tolerated. As soon as the doctor finishes with him and we come close to shore, he will be released."
"Released or thrown into the sea?" Niles asked.
Alexandria wiped some of the blood from the side of her face and then turned to Compton. She looked as if she wanted to say something but only frowned, then left the waiting room with the assistance of the doctor.
Sergeant Tyler looked at the gathered group and with his cold gray eyes gave an unvoiced command. The six security men led the group out of sickbay.
"That man not only means us harm, but anyone with eyes can see he has an agenda," Alice said.
Before they could file out of the waiting area, Dr. Trevor turned and called out. "Your friend — he will recover nicely. I removed the bullet and he's resting comfortably," the doctor said in his soft English accent. "Very little damage, no muscle or bone was struck."
"Thank you — Doctor—?" Niles heard but could not say anything as a security man shoved him through the hatch.
* * *
Farbeaux looked up at Sarah and a thin smile crossed his lips. He swallowed and grimaced in pain. An hour before, Tyler had entered the observation lounge, taken Sarah by the arm, and without explanation brought her here to sickbay, telling her she had an hour with Farbeaux to explain to him his predicament. He warned that if the Frenchman gave them any more trouble, Sarah would be the one to reap the punishment. With a cold stare and menacing smile, Tyler had left her alone in sickbay with Farbeaux.
"You are one strange and confusing man, Colonel."
"An enigma, wrapped in a puzzle," he whispered, and smiled. "One that has very many missing pieces, eh?"
"Yeah… but listen, if you want to commit suicide, there are a lot less painful ways of going about it, so knock it off."
"Such harsh… words for a man who is just learning to be… a hero," Farbeaux said haltingly as his eyes closed.
"Better than a swift kick in the ass—" Sarah started, but saw that Farbeaux was sleeping.
"He's quite tired," Trevor said, checking the monitor at the bedside. "When I examined him, he showed acute exhaustion. I doubt he slept more than a few hours in the last month or two."
"He's had a rough go lately," Sarah said looking at the Frenchman's softened features.
"Well, he needs his rest now, Miss…?"
"Just Sarah, that's good enough," she said, patting Farbeaux's hand.
"Sarah… Sarah," the doctor mumbled twice. "That name has been muttered more than just a few times in this sickbay."
Sarah looked up from the bed with a questioning look.
"As a matter of fact, the last man to occupy this very bed was also a colonel — an American, though."
Sarah didn't respond. She only waited out of politeness.
"This one called out for Sarah over and over again. In addition, a funny little name… what was it? Oh, yes… ' Short Stuff.' He would call out 'Short Stuff' in his sleep. It was—"
Sarah had turned completely white. The words had slammed into her like a punch to her stomach. Her voice was caught somewhere between her esophagus and her lips.
"The Mediterranean?" It came out as a whisper.
"Excuse me, young lady?"
"Was Leviathan in the Med lately?" she said, her voice cracking.
"Why… yes, the captain was studying a recent disturbance in the sea there and we were attempting to save… well, the event was seismic in nature, I believe. That was where we recovered my most recent patient, the American colonel."
Sarah leaned over and was suddenly short of breath. "Is… is… he here… alive?"
"Very much alive… at least upon his release. I can't say beyond—" The doctor suddenly realized to whom he was speaking. "Oh, my… you are that Sarah?… Colonel Collins's Sarah?"
Sarah didn't hear the question. She lost her balance and almost fell.
"Here, here, are you all right?" the doctor asked as he helped Sarah regain her balance.
"Where is he?" she asked as she was led to a chair in the corner.
"Why, the captain released him. I imagine he is wherever your people are."
Sarah closed her eyes. She didn't know what to do; she looked around like she was trapped in a place with no exit. She started to stand, then she sat back heavily into the chair. She wanted to laugh, to cry, to jump up. She wanted all of these things until she saw Farbeaux looking at her. He had awakened and their eyes locked, and Sarah saw the Frenchman for who he had become. The man was now renewed and his sense of purpose had returned, just as surely as Sarah's life had just been returned to her.
"I am happy for you, Sarah McIntire. Very happy."
The smile never reached Henri's eyes.
EVENT GROUP COMPLEX,
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, NEVADA
With a real-time projection of Saboo Island on the main viewing screen in the director's office, Pete, Jack, Everett, and Dr. Robbins sat and listened to the phone briefing on Saboo's present condition by one of Pete's computer techs.
"There are several structures on the atoll, Colonel, but upon examination, they look as if they have been abandoned since the end of World War Two. No indigenous animal life and no fresh water. It's basically a coral rock sitting at the end of the island chain."
"Thank you," Pete said, and terminated the call with the comp center. He looked from the map to Collins, who waited for Pete to give him his cue. The temporary director nodded, then stood up and walked toward the large monitor and pretended to study the map.
"You think Charlie Ellenshaw's theory about this being the original Heirthall's home is viable?" Pete asked without turning. "It's a large gamble, Colonel. We could be sending the only asset we have in the area to the wrong spot. They could lose the only advantage they have — that submarine may be anywhere but Saboo."
"Since the president informed us of the report received from Missouri, if Saboo is friendly turf for these people, the possibility of them going there for repairs, while a long shot, is the only chance we have."
Everett pushed his chair back and stood. He paced around the table and came to the chair where Gene Robbins was sitting. He stood still, then placed both hands on the computer man's shoulders.
"What are your thoughts, Doctor?" he asked.
Robbins moved his shoulders until Everett released his hold. He half-turned and looked at the captain.
"You already know my opinion on Professor Ellenshaw's theory. Unlike most of you in this complex, I refuse to take at face value a theory concocted by a man who believes in Nessie and the Abominable Snowman."
Pete turned away from the map and looked at his young protege.
"You know, Gene, Charlie Ellenshaw advanced more than one theory during his time in the Leviathan vault. I don't know if you heard that one. Well, my apologies, it was he, the Colonel, and Captain Everett here who thought it up."
Robbins again turned back and looked at Carl, who remained behind him. He then frowned and looked back at Pete.
"I wasn't aware of another theory," he said.
"It seems they believe that Virginia — while brilliant in physics, and while she could very well be very knowledgeable in exotic explosives and accelerant — the assistant director is like most of the personnel in this complex. She doesn't know her way around a computer save to sign in and out, and maybe access Europa for her research. Security protocols are far beyond her."
"Anyone is capable, especially someone as brilliant as Ms. Pollock, at learning Europa's protocols. Besides, wasn't it you, Pete, and the esteemed Professor Ellenshaw, who advanced the idea of the assistant director's culpability in the sabotage?"
"Yes, indeed. What they call a rush to judgment." Pete strode toward the table where Robbins sat, then placed his hands on the polished surface. Collins just swiveled in his chair, and Everett remained irritatingly close behind the computer genius. "However, as great a mind as Charlie Ellenshaw is, I was perplexed as to how he thought to run a check on any correlation betwe
en Alexandria Heirthall and Virginia Pollock through Europa, especially with all he had on his plate."
Robbins swallowed but said nothing. Everett cleared his throat and then tossed a plastic bag in front of him. When it landed, Robbins flinched. He could see the glove inside.
"I found that in the clean room, Dr. Robbins," Jack said, looking right at him. "Since only you, the director, and Dr. Golding are authorized inside that high-security area without escort, we have to assume that that glove, brimming with what is called magnesium particulate, used in the burning of hazardous materials, belongs to you."
Everett again leaned over and whispered in Robbins's ear. "And guess what? Forensics found a fingerprint inside the index finger of said glove. It didn't match Dr. Golding, so I'll give you three guesses who it did match, and the first two don't count."
The three men had to hand it to Robbins — the man was fast thinking.
"Come on, I visited the Leviathan vault myself after the attack. I may have gotten the accelerant on my glove when there." He turned and faced Everett. "Let me get this straight. You're accusing me of sabotage, and with that, murder and kidnapping?"
"You bet," Carl said, leaning further in to Robbins.
"Prove it," he said, turning once more away from Everett.
"Dr. Robbins, you are misunderstanding your situation," Jack said as he stood and made his way around the table. "You are assuming we're in a court of law, where there are rules."
Everett smiled, spun the doctor around in his chair, and then went nose to nose.
"No rules."
Robbins shied away from the captain. They could all see the fear this man had of Everett.
"Colonel Collins, Captain Everett, I know I agreed that anything goes as far as getting truthful answers, but you cannot subliminally threaten one of my people with violence," Pete said, much to the visible relief of Gene Robbins. "I think you should come right out and say it." He smiled for the first time since the attack on the complex. "Subliminal be damned."
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