tc.redstormrising-第124章

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　soon　as　raid　warning　had　been　received　an　hour　earlier；　all　of　his　boat　crews　had　set　to　lighting　off　the　smoke　pots　set　on　the　rocks　in　this　so…called　anchorage。　That　was　his　best　defense；　he　knew；　hardly　believing　it　himself。　The　point…defense　guns　at　the　ers　of　the　flight　deck　were　in　automatic　mode。　Called　R2D2s　for　their　shape；　the　Close…In…Weapons…System　Gatling　guns　were　elevated　twenty　degrees；　pointing　off　to　the　threat　axis。　That　was　all　he　could　do。　It　had　been　decided　by　the　air…defense　experts　that　even　firing　off　their　chaff　rockets　would　do　more　harm　than　good。　The　captain　shrugged。　One　way　or　another；　he'd　know　in　five　minutes。
He　watched　the　cruiser　Vincennes　to　the　east；　steaming　in　slow　circles。　Suddenly　four　smoke…trails　erupted　from　her　missile　launchers；　and　the　missile　firing　cycle　began。　Soon　the　northeastern　sky　was　a　solid　mass　of　gray　smoke。　Through　his　binoculars　he　began　to　pick　out　the　sudden　black　puffs　of　successful　intercepts。　They　seemed　to　be　ing　closer；　and　he　noticed　that　the　missiles　were；　too。　And　the　Aegis　cruiser　could　not　get　them　all。　Vincennes　emptied　her　magazines　in　four　minutes；　then　bent　on　full　speed　to　race　between　a　pair　of　rocky　islands。　The　captain　was　amazed　to　see　it。　Someone　was　taking　a　billion…dollar　cruiser　into　a　rock　garden　at　twenty…five　knots！　Even　off　Guadalcanal…
An　explosion　rocked　the　island　of　Hrappsey；　four　miles　away。　Then　another　on　Seley。　It　was　working！
Ten　miles　up；　the　Russian　missiles　switched　on　their　radar　seeker　heads　and　found　their　target　windows　crammed　with　blips。　Overloaded；　they　automatically　scanned　the　largest　for　infrared　signatures。　Many　of　the　blips　gave　off　heat；　and　the　missiles　automatically　selected　the　largest　for　their　attention　as　they　made　their　final　Mach　3　dives。　They　had　no　way　of　knowing　that　they　were　attacking　volcanic　rocks。　Thirty　missiles　got　through　the　SAM　defenses。　Only　five　of　them　actually　aimed　themselves　at　ships。
Two　of　Nassau's　R2D2s　swiveled　together　and　fired　at　a　missile　traveling　too　fast　too　see。　The　captain　looked　in　the　direction　of　the　barrels　just　in　time　to　see　a　white　flash　a　thousand　feet　overhead。　The　sound　that　followed　nearly　deafened　him；　and　he　realized　how　foolish　it　was　to　be　exposed　when　fragments　dinged　off　the　pilothouse　next　to　him。　Two　more　missiles　fell　into　the　town　to　his　west。　Then　the　sky　cleared。　A　fireball　to　the　west　told　him　that　at　least　one　ship　had　been　hit。　But　not　mine！
〃Son　of　a　bitch。〃　He　lifted　the　phone　to　the　bat　Information　Center。　〃bat；　Bridge；　two　missiles　fell　into　Stykkisholmur。　Let's　get　a　helo　over　there；　there's　gonna　be　some　casualties。〃
As　Toland　watched；　the　tapes　of　the　air　engagement　were　replayed　at　fast　speed。　A　puter　tallied　the　kills。　Everything　was　automated　now。
〃Wow；〃　the　intelligence　officer　said　to　himself
〃Not　like　before；　was　it；　son？〃　Jacobsen　observed。　〃Spaulding；　I　want　word　on　the　'phibs！〃
〃Just　ing　in　now；　sir。　Charleston　took　a　hit　and　broke　in　half。　We　have　minor　damage　to　Guam　and　Ponceand　that's　it；　Admiral！〃
〃Plus　Wainwright。〃　Jacobsen　took　a　deep　breath。　Two　valuable　ships　and　fifteen　hundred　men　were　gone；　yet　he　had　to　call　it　a　success。

KEFLAVIK；　ICELAND
〃The　attack　should　be　over　by　now。〃
Andreyev　didn't　expect　rapid　information。　The　Americans　had　finally　succeeded　in　damaging　his　last　radar；　and　he　had　no　way　of　tracking　the　air　battle。　His　radio…intercept　crews　had　copied　numerous　voice　transmissions；　but　they'd　been　too　faint　and　too　fast　for　any　conclusion　other　than　that　a　battle　had　in　fact　been　fought。
〃The　last　time　we　caught　a　NATO　carrier　force；　we　smashed　it；〃　the　operations　officer　said　hopefully。
〃Our　troops　above　Bogarnes　are　still　under　heavy　fire；〃　another　reported。　The　American　battleships　had　been　hitting　them　for　over　an　hour。　〃They　are　taking　serious　losses。〃
〃rade　General；　I　have　a…you'd　better　listen　to　this；　it's　on　our　mand　circuit。〃
The　message　repeated　four　times；　in　Russian：　〃mander　Soviet　Forces　Iceland；　this　is　mander　Strike　Fleet　Atlantic。　If　you　don't　get　this；　somebody　will　get　it　to　you。　Tell　your　bombers　better　luck　next　time。　We'll　be　seeing　you　soon。　Out。〃

SACK；　FEDERAL　REPUBLIC　OF　GERMANY
Sergetov　staggered　up　to　the　traffic…control　point　in　time　to　see　a　battalion　of　tanks　move　down　the　road　toward　Alfeld。　He　stood　slumped　over；　hands　on　his　knees；　as　he　watched　the　tanks　roll　off。
〃Identify　yourself！〃　It　was　a　KGB　lieutenant。　The　KGB　had　taken　over　traffic　management。　The　authority　to　shoot　violators　came　easy　to　the　KGB。
〃Major　Sergetov。　I　must　see　the　area　mander　at　once。〃
〃Attached　to　what　unit；　Sergetov？〃
Ivan　stood　up　straight。　Not　rade　Major；　not　rade；　just　Sergetov。
〃I　am　personal　aide　to　General　Alekseyev；　Deputy　mander　West。　Now　get　me　the　hell　to　your　mander！〃
〃Papers。〃　The　lieutenant　held　out　his　hand；　a　coldly　arrogant　look　on　his　face。
Sergetov　smiled　thinly。　His　identification　documents　were　in　a　waterproof　plastic　envelope。　He　handed　the　top　card　over　to　the　KGB　officer。　It　was　something　his　father　had　managed　to　get　for　him　before　mobilization。
〃And　what　might　you　be　doing　with　a　Class…1…Priority　pass？〃　The　lieutenant　was　wary　now。
〃And　who　the　fuck　are　you　to　ask？〃　The　son　of　a　Politburo　member　brought　his　face　to　within　a　centimeter　of　the　other　man's。　〃Get　me　to　your　mander　now　or　we'll　see　who　gets　shot　here　today！〃
The　chekist　deflated　abruptly　and　led　him　to　a　farm　cottage。　The　mander　of　the　traffic…control　station　was　a　major。　Good。
〃I　need　a　radio　on　the　Army　mand　circuit；〃　Sergetov　snapped。
〃All　I　have　is　regimental　and　division；〃　the　major　answered。
〃Nearest　division　headquarters？〃
〃Fortieth　Tanks　at…〃
〃It's　destroyed。　Damn；　I　need　a　vehicle。　Now！　There　is　an　American　force　at　Alfeld。〃
〃We　just　sent　off　a　battalion…〃
〃I　know。　Call　them　back。〃
〃I　have　no　such　authority。〃
〃You　damned　fool；　they're　heading　into　a　trap！　Call　them　now！''
〃I　don't　have　the　auth…〃
〃Are　you　a　German　agent？　Haven't　you　seen　what's　going　on　there？〃　〃It　was　an　air　attack；　wasn't　it？〃
〃There　are　American　tanks　in　Alfeld；　you　idiot。　We　must　launch　a　counterattack；　but　one　battalion　isn't　enough。　We…〃　The　first　explosions　started；　six　kilometers　away。　〃Major；　I　want　one　of　two　things。　Either　you　give　me　transport　right　now　or　you　give　me　your　name　and　service　number　so　that　I　can　denounce　you　properly。〃
The　two　KGB　officers　shared　a　look　of　incredulity。　Nobody　talked　that　way　to　them；　but　anyone　who　did　。　。　。　Sergetov　got　his　vehicle　and　raced　off。　Half　an　hour　later　he　was　in　the　supply　base　at　Holle。　There　he　found　a　radio。
〃Where　are　you；　Major？〃　Alekseyev　demanded。
〃Holle。　The　Americans　got　through　our　lines。　They　have　at　least　one　battalion　of　tanks　at　Alfeld。〃
〃What？〃　The　radio　was　silent　for　a　moment。　〃Are　you　certain？〃
〃rade　General；　I　had　to　swim　the　damned　river　to　get　here。　I　counted　a　column　of　twenty…five　armored　vehicles　a　few　kilometers　north　of　the　town。　They　shot　up　the　tank…repair　station　and　massacred　a　column　of　trucks。　I　repeat；　General；　there　is　an　American　force　at　Alfeld　in　at　least　battalion　strength。〃

〃Get　transport　to　Stendal　and　report　personally　to　mander…in…Chief　West。〃

USS　INDEPENDENCE
〃Good　evening；　Major　Chapayev。　How's　the　leg？〃　Toland　asked；　sitting　down　beside　the　hospital　bunk。　〃Are　you　being　treated　properly。？〃
〃I　have　no　plaints。　Your　Russian　is…fair。〃
〃I　do　not　often　get　to　practice　with　a　Soviet　citizen。　Perhaps　you　can　help　me　somewhat。〃　Major　Alexandr　Georgiveyich　Chapayev；　the　puter　printout　read。　Age　30。　Second　son　of　General　Georgiy　Konstantinovich　Chapayev；　mander　of　the　Moscow　Air　Defense　District。　Married　to　the　youngest　daughter　of　a　Central　mittee　member；　Ilya　Nikolayevich　Govorov。　And　therefore　probably　a　young　man　with　access　to　lots　of　under…the…counter　information　。　。　。
〃With　your　grammar？〃　Chapayev　snorted。
〃You　were　the　mander　of　the　MiGs？　Be　at　ease；　Major；　they're　all　finished　now。　You　know　that。〃
〃I　was　the　senior　flying　officer；　yes。〃
〃I've　been　told　to　pliment　you。　I　am　not　a　flyer　myself；　but　they　tell　me　your　tactics　over　Keflavik　were　excellent。　I　believe　you　had　five　MiGs。　We　lost　a　total　of　seven　aircraft　yesterday；　three　to　MiGs；　two　to　missiles；　and　two　to　ground　fire。　Considering　the　odds；　we　were　disagreeably　surprised。〃
〃I　had　my　duty。〃
〃Da。　We　all　have　our　duty；〃　Toland　agreed。　〃If　you　are　concerned　at　how　we　will　treat　you；　you　should　not　be。　You　will　be　treated　properly　in　all　respects。　I　don't　know　what　you　have　been　told　to　expect；　but　probably　you　have　noticed　once　or　twice　that　not　everything　the　Party　says　is　pletely　true。　I　see　from　your　identification　papers　that　you　have　a　wife　and　two　children。　I　have　a　family；　too。　We'll　both　live　to　see　them　again；　Major。　Well；　probably。〃
〃And　when　our　bombers　attack　you？'
〃That　happened　three　hours　ago。　Didn't　anyone　tell　you？〃
〃Ha！　The　first　time…〃
〃I　was　on　Nimitz　We　took　two　hits。〃　Toland　described　the　attack　briefly。　〃This　time　things　worked　out　differently。　We're　conducting　rescue　operations　now。　You'll　know　for　sure　when　we　bring　some　survivors　in。　Your　air　force　is　no　longer　a　threat　to　us。　Submarines　are　another　matter；　but　there　is　no　sense　asking　a　fighter　pilot　about　that。　In　fact；　this　isn't　really　an　interrogation。〃
〃So　why　are　you　here？〃
〃I　will　be　asking　you　some　questions　later。　I　just　wanted　to　e　down　and　say　hello。　Is　there　anything　I　can　get　you；　anything　you　need？〃
Chapayev　did　not　know　what　to　make　of　this。　Aside　from　the　possibility　the　Americans　would　shoot　him　outright；　he　didn't　know　what　to　expect。　He'd　had　the　usual　lectures　about　trying　to　escape；　but　clearly　these　did　not　apply　to　being　aboard　a　ship　in　the　middle　of　the　ocean。
〃I　do　not　believe　you；〃　he　said　finally。
〃rade　Major；　there　is　no　point　in　asking　you　about　the　MiG…29；　because　none　are　left　on　Iceland。　All　the　others　in　the　Soviet　Air　Force　are　in　Central　Europe；　but　we're　not　going　there。　There　is　no　point　in　asking　you　about　ground…defense　positions　on　Iceland；　you're　a　pilot　and　you　don't　know　anything　about　that。　The　same　is　true　of　the　remaining　threat　against　us：　submarines。　What　do　you　know　about　submarines；　eh？　Think；　Major；　you　are　an　educated　man。　Do　you　think　you　have　information　that　we　need？　I　doubt　it。　You　will　be　exchanged　in　due　course　for　our　prisoners…a　political　question；　for　our　political　masters。　Until　then　we　will　treat　you　properly。〃　Toland　paused。　Talk　to　me；　Major　。　。　。
〃I'm　hungry；〃　Chapayev　said　after　a　moment。
〃Dinner　should　be　in　about　thirty　minutes。〃
〃You　will　just　send　me　home；　after…〃
〃We　don't　have　labor　camps　and　we　don't　kill　prisoners。　If　we　were　going　to　mistreat　you；　why　did　the　surgeon　sew　up　your　leg　and　prescribe　pain　medications？〃
〃The　pictures　I　had　with　me？〃
〃Almost　forgot。〃　Toland　handed　the　Russian's　wallet　over。　〃Isn't　it　against　the　rules　to　take　this　up　with　you？〃
〃I　carry　it　for　luck；〃　he　said。　Chapayev　pulled　out　the　black…and…white　shot　of　his　wife　and　twin　daughters。　I　will　see　you　again　It　may　be　some　months；　but　I　will　see　you　again。
Bob　chuckled。　〃It　worked；　rade　Major。　Here　are　mine。〃
〃Your　wife　is　too　skinny；　but　you　are　a　lucky　man　also。〃　Chapayev　paused　as　his　eyes　teared　up　for　a　moment。　He　blinked　them　away。　〃I　would　like　a　drink；〃　he　said　hopefully。
〃Me；　too。　Not　a