Free Submarine Warriors: The Enemy Beneath by Rob Tiffany Page A

hunt down the rogue submarine.

    USS Alaska
    After an hour of running shallow at 200 feet, the Alaska finally left behind the Strait of Juan de Fuca and entered the Pacific Ocean. At such a shallow depth and high rate of speed, US Naval forces would be able to track it with ease.
    “ It’s time to turn this sub into a black hole in the water,” Admiral Connery announced. “I’m sure every ship and sub within a thousand nautical miles has been contacted by the Commander of the Pacific Fleet and is now making best speed toward our location. Dive, make your depth 800 feet, zero bubble.”
    “ Make my depth 800 feet, zero bubble, aye,” replied Caroline. “Take her down nice and easy.”
    Annie pushed on the yoke ever so gently and the Trident began its smooth descent to 800 feet below the surface.
    “ Mind your planes,” Caroline said curtly to Chrissie as the sub began to angle downward. “Keep us level.”
    “ I got this,” Chrissie snapped. “Stop telling me what to do!”
    “ I’m doing my job, Chrissie.” Caroline walked around to face her. “You need to get used to this whole military chain of command thing if we want to succeed as a team. The Officer of the Deck tells me what to do and I tell you what to do. It’s not personal.”

    Naval Undersea Warfare Center
    The Marine Humvee carrying Mike’s and Chrissie’s moms arrived in Keyport, Washington, at the main gate of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center. After being waved through, the vehicle made its way to the base brig. Exiting the Humvee, Ashley and Michelle were led inside to a makeshift interrogation room. The Marines forced them to sit down on two metal chairs and handcuffed them to the legs of a table that was bolted to the floor.
    “ Welcome to Torpedo Town, USA, ladies,” sneered a dark-suited man, wearing dark sunglasses.
    “ You don’t look like someone from the Navy.” Michelle spoke up.
    “ That’s okay, you don’t look like terrorists or spies from a hostile government,” the man retorted. “That doesn’t mean you’re not.”
    “ Are you from the CIA?” asked Ashley.
    “ No, NCIS,” the man replied. “Based on the sound of your voices, I can deduce that you were born and raised on American soil; that tells me you’re part of a sleeper cell that’s been operating in this country since at least the 1960s. Because that predates the Jihad against America, I can only assume that you’re of the Cold War variety. I’m surprised you didn’t return to Rodina back in the 90s.”
    “ Rodina?” questioned Michelle. “What does a monster from Godzilla movies have to do with anything?”
    “ You’re Russian spies.” The NCIS agent snapped back at them, unamused.
    “ We’re not Russians,” Ashley protested. “We’re Americans.”
    “ Then why did you conspire to help the USS Alaska escape by taking control of the Hood Canal Bridge?” asked the agent.
    “ Listen, we’re Navy wives.” Michelle’s voice became louder. “We’re not conspirators and we want to see a lawyer.”
    “ I’m afraid this isn’t one of your TV crime dramas,” the agent replied. “You’ve committed treason against the United States by aiding in the theft of one of our most powerful military weapons. No lawyers are coming and no one knows you’re here. Now tell me who you work for and where that submarine is headed or things will become very uncomfortable for you.”
    “ Our kids are on the Alaska.” Ashley offered up this information quickly. “They’re trying to rescue their fathers who disappeared in some kind of science and research vessel. We know our husbands are still alive out there. You’re not going to torture us are you?”
    The NCIS agent responded with a quizzical look on his face, “Do I look like Jack Bauer to you? Excuse me for a moment,” he said, leaving the room to make a phone call.

    USS Abraham Lincoln
    The USS Abraham Lincoln and its battle group was returning to Everett, Washington, after spending nine