immediate
identification under international protocols as the Captain suggests. Do not ,
give our identification unless I direct you to do so. Is that clear?”
“Aye,
sir.”
The
tension only increased when their message was met with absolute silence. They
waited, while Nikolin repeated his hail, ten times in all, but there was no
response.
“You
are certain they are hearing us?” asked the Admiral.
“I'm
broadcasting across the entire band,” said Nikolin. “They heard us alright,
unless they are also suffering the effects of that explosion.”
“It
did take us several hours before systems returned to normal,” said Orlov.
“I
disagree,” said Karpov, his lips tight with obvious frustration. “Their silence
is just another way to goad us, keep us in the dark.” Once you have told your
lie, Karpov knew, silence was then your best friend. “I recommend stronger
action, Admiral. We should engage missile radars and then see if they are
willing to comply with international law and identify themselves.”
Admiral
Volsky’s features were grave and drawn. He seemed very weary, his eyes closing
for a time as he considered what his volatile captain was suggesting. To paint
the contact with active targeting radars would certainly escalate the
situation, yet if he did so they may have to reply in kind. That, at least, would
give them verifiable ESM signatures on those ships, and they would learn, once
and for all, whether this video feed was valid or some product of NATO
engineering and counterintelligence operations.
Against
his better instincts, he had already broken radio silence himself, clearly
revealing his position. If he escalated it was likely his ship would soon be
lit up with active radars as well. If something had slipped…If this was a war situation, then he could be making a grave mistake by being so accommodating
to the enemy. With political tensions winding ever tighter, discretion was wise
here. He clasped his hands behind his back, rocking his heavy frame back and
forth, shifting his weight as he considered, then stilled himself, turning to
Samsonov.
“Come
to condition one readiness on the number three forward missile array and activate
targeting radars for that system.” He was ordering his CIC Chief to activate
his P-900 cruise missiles, an array of ten subsonic sea-skimmers on the forward
most section of the ship, very near the bow. In effect, he would be calling the
enemies bluff, challenging their silence with a sharp push on the shoulder,
letting them know he was fully prepared to take further action if they did not
comply. Yet something within him whispered extreme caution. The situation was
still a muddle of unanswered questions. Samsonov, like a note played on a well
tuned keyboard, was quick to respond, activating his targeting radars and
engaging the surface contact with an active signal.
“Mr.
Nikolin,” said the Admiral. “Please repeat your hail.”
The
tension was palpable on the bridge of Kirov when Rodenko reported a new
and worrisome development. “Con, radar contact, airborne at 37 kilometers,
south by southwest, and bearing on our position. Multiple contacts now! I read
five…now six contacts, all airborne.”
“They
are launching!” said Karpov. “I warned as much, Admiral. This is a NATO carrier
task force after all. Recommend we come to full battle readiness. Prepare to
oppose incoming air attack.” He turned to Fedorov, eying him darkly. “There’s
your carrier air operations,” he said. “They were lying in wait. Playing
possum!” Karpov was, of course, going to see the goblins he had conjured up in
his own mind. From his point of view, the enemy was doing exactly what he would
have done. They were simply springing a well laid trap, nothing more, nothing
less.
Samsonov
looked over his shoulder and Admiral Volsky noted how his hand was poised over
the alert readiness alarm. The ship was already at action stations, but full
alert would send the crew
identification under international protocols as the Captain suggests. Do not ,
give our identification unless I direct you to do so. Is that clear?”
“Aye,
sir.”
The
tension only increased when their message was met with absolute silence. They
waited, while Nikolin repeated his hail, ten times in all, but there was no
response.
“You
are certain they are hearing us?” asked the Admiral.
“I'm
broadcasting across the entire band,” said Nikolin. “They heard us alright,
unless they are also suffering the effects of that explosion.”
“It
did take us several hours before systems returned to normal,” said Orlov.
“I
disagree,” said Karpov, his lips tight with obvious frustration. “Their silence
is just another way to goad us, keep us in the dark.” Once you have told your
lie, Karpov knew, silence was then your best friend. “I recommend stronger
action, Admiral. We should engage missile radars and then see if they are
willing to comply with international law and identify themselves.”
Admiral
Volsky’s features were grave and drawn. He seemed very weary, his eyes closing
for a time as he considered what his volatile captain was suggesting. To paint
the contact with active targeting radars would certainly escalate the
situation, yet if he did so they may have to reply in kind. That, at least, would
give them verifiable ESM signatures on those ships, and they would learn, once
and for all, whether this video feed was valid or some product of NATO
engineering and counterintelligence operations.
Against
his better instincts, he had already broken radio silence himself, clearly
revealing his position. If he escalated it was likely his ship would soon be
lit up with active radars as well. If something had slipped…If this was a war situation, then he could be making a grave mistake by being so accommodating
to the enemy. With political tensions winding ever tighter, discretion was wise
here. He clasped his hands behind his back, rocking his heavy frame back and
forth, shifting his weight as he considered, then stilled himself, turning to
Samsonov.
“Come
to condition one readiness on the number three forward missile array and activate
targeting radars for that system.” He was ordering his CIC Chief to activate
his P-900 cruise missiles, an array of ten subsonic sea-skimmers on the forward
most section of the ship, very near the bow. In effect, he would be calling the
enemies bluff, challenging their silence with a sharp push on the shoulder,
letting them know he was fully prepared to take further action if they did not
comply. Yet something within him whispered extreme caution. The situation was
still a muddle of unanswered questions. Samsonov, like a note played on a well
tuned keyboard, was quick to respond, activating his targeting radars and
engaging the surface contact with an active signal.
“Mr.
Nikolin,” said the Admiral. “Please repeat your hail.”
The
tension was palpable on the bridge of Kirov when Rodenko reported a new
and worrisome development. “Con, radar contact, airborne at 37 kilometers,
south by southwest, and bearing on our position. Multiple contacts now! I read
five…now six contacts, all airborne.”
“They
are launching!” said Karpov. “I warned as much, Admiral. This is a NATO carrier
task force after all. Recommend we come to full battle readiness. Prepare to
oppose incoming air attack.” He turned to Fedorov, eying him darkly. “There’s
your carrier air operations,” he said. “They were lying in wait. Playing
possum!” Karpov was, of course, going to see the goblins he had conjured up in
his own mind. From his point of view, the enemy was doing exactly what he would
have done. They were simply springing a well laid trap, nothing more, nothing
less.
Samsonov
looked over his shoulder and Admiral Volsky noted how his hand was poised over
the alert readiness alarm. The ship was already at action stations, but full
alert would send the crew
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