Free Nemesis by John Schettler Page B

that this word could be known by anyone else. In fact, the
senior officers only learn this word when they receive a coded message from
naval headquarters. Such a message must follow an exact protocol, and contain
words used for that day in our naval code. I have access to all of that
information, and so I was able to format a message Sergei Kirov sent to that
ship this afternoon.”
    “And
that special code sir?”
    “I took
the liberty of ascertaining what it was when I was aboard Kirov. Volsky was
disabled, and I had to take command. So I naturally used my command key to open
the ship’s safe and learn the authentication code. This word must be the final
word used in any message.”
    “I
understand, sir.”
    “Good…
Then you will also understand that when Volsky gets that message, it will seem
as though it has been sent from our own naval headquarters in 2021. The fact
that it concludes with the correct authentication code will be very strong
evidence supporting that conclusion. So they will have a bit of a mystery on
their hands, depending on how much evidence they have uncovered about this
time—1941. Right now, if they have followed the orders I sent in that message,
they should be steaming for Severomorsk, under radio silence. When they get
there, things could get a little more complicated.”
    “How
so?”
    “First
off, the Germans have the North Cape of Norway, do they not?”
    “Yes
sir, they have troops at Petsamo and Kirkenes, and airfields there. There is
also a garrison at Tromso, and they have a destroyer flotilla there.”
    “Petsamo…
That will be Pechenga in our day, about a hundred kilometers east of
Severomorsk. The Germans… This could get very interesting. The first time we
arrived, it was the British Royal Navy that got too curious about us. They
naturally assumed we were some unknown German raider. This time the shoe will
be on the other foot. When the ship approaches Tromso, there is a chance they
might encounter those German destroyers, or aircraft from these bases up there.
That will start things off, if I am not mistaken. Have the Germans been aggressive
up there?”
    “They’ve
been mounting regular air-sea patrols, sparring with trawlers and Soviet subs.”
    “Interesting…
Do you know, the British were planning an attack on those airfields this very
month. I wonder if that will happen? In any case, when the ship gets up north,
things could get difficult. If they determine what has really happened to them,
then the authenticity of that recall order could be called into question. If
necessary, we may have to take other measures.”
    “Other
measures sir?”
    “Well,
if they get spooked, and decide to play it cautious, they may not sail blithely
into the inlet at Kola Bay. Our little reception could be all for naught. In
that instance, if the mountain won’t go to Mohammed…”
    “You
mean to take Tunguska out there and attempt a rendezvous?”
    “I see
no other option. If Volsky won’t come home, we’ll have to go to him and try and
persuade him to let me board. This option will be very dangerous. While we may
be able to beat off attacks from the aircraft of this day, Kirov is another
matter entirely. One missile from that ship could rip Tunguska apart, so
we will be very vulnerable.”
    “Then
what is your plan, Admiral?”
    “If it
comes to this, I’ll have to use my wits. Remember, I have knowledge of all
modern day naval operations procedures and protocols from our time. I can be a
voice of reason, and a tether to certainty in a sea of chaos. This is what I am
counting on. They will be confused, struggling to come to grips with what has
happened to them. I must put the icing on the cake they will have in the oven
there, but to do so, I’ll need to get aboard that ship. To that end, I borrowed
a Soviet Naval Ensign, and we’ll mount that to show the colors of the Soviet
fleet. If nothing else, it may make them hesitate to take any rash action
against us. Then, when