tc.redstormrising-第75章

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〃Hydrophone　effects…torpedoes　inbound；　bearing　three…five…one！〃
Instantly　the　weapons　officer　ordered　the　launch　of　an　antisubmarine　torpedo　down　the　same　bearing　in　the　hope　that　it　would　disturb　the　attacking　submarine。　If　the　Russian's　torpedoes　were　wire…guided；　he'd　have　to　cut　the　wires　free　to　maneuver　the　sub　clear　of　the　American　return　shot。
Morris　raced　up　the　ladder　to　the　bridge。　Somehow　the　submarine　had　broken　contact　and　maneuvered　into　firing　position。　The　frigate　changed　course　and　speed　in　an　attempt　to　ruin　the　submarine's　fire…control　solution。
〃I　see　one！〃　the　XO　said；　pointing　over　the　bow。　The　Soviet　torpedo　left　a　visible　white　trail　on　the　surface。　Morris　noted　it；　something　he　had　not　expected。　The　frigate　turned　rapidly。
〃Bridge；　I　show　two　torpedoes；　bearing　constant　three…five…zero　and　decreasing　range；〃　the　tactical　action　officer　said　rapidly。　〃Both　are　pinging　at　us。　The　Nixie　is　operating。〃
Morris　lifted　a　phone。　〃Report　the　situation　to　the　escort　mander。〃
〃Done；　skipper。　Two　more　helos　are　heading　this　way。〃
Pharris　was　now　doing　twenty　knots　and　accelerating；　turning　her　stem　to　the　torpedoes。　Her　helicopter　was　now　aft　of　the　beam；　frantically　making　runs　with　its　magnetic　anomaly　detector；　trying　to　locate　the　Soviet　sub。
The　torpedo's　wake　crossed　past　the　frigate's　bow　as　Morris's　ship　kept　her　helm　over。　There　was　an　explosion　aft。　White　water　leaped　a　hundred　feet　into　the　air　as　the　first　Russian　〃fish〃　collided　with　the　nixie　torpedo　decoy。　But　they　had　only　one　nixie　deployed。　There　was　another　torpedo　out　there。
〃Left　full　rudder！''　Morris　told　the　quartermaster。　〃bat；　what　about　the　contact？〃　The　frigate　was　now　doing　twenty…five　knots。
〃Not　sure；　sir。　The　sonobuoys　have　our　torp　but　nothing　else。〃
〃We're　gonna　take　a　hit；〃　the　XO　said。　He　pointed　to　a　white　trail　on　the　water；　less　than　two　hundred　yards　away。　It　must　have　missed　the　frigate　on　its　first　try；　then　turned　for　another。　Homing　torpedoes　kept　looking　until　they　ran　out　of　fuel。
There　was　nothing　Morris　could　do。　The　torpedo　was　approaching　on　his　port　bow。　If　he　turned　right；　it　would　only　give　the　fish　a　larger　target。　Below　him　the　ASROC　launcher　swung　left　toward　the　probable　location　of　the　submarine；　but　without　an　order　to　fire；　all　the　operator　could　do　was　train　it　out。　The　white　wake　kept　getting　closer。　Morris　leaned　over　the　rail；　staring　at　it　with　mute　rage　as　it　extended　like　a　finger　toward　his　bow。　It　couldn't　possibly　miss　now。
〃That's　not　real　smart；　Cap'n。〃　Bosun　Clarke's　hand　grabbed　Morris's　shoulder　and　yanked　him　down　to　the　deck。　He　was　just　grabbing　for　the　executive　officer　when　it　hit。
The　impact　lifted　Morris　a　foot　off　the　steel　deck。　He　didn't　hear　the　explosion；　but　an　instant　after　he　had　bounced　off　the　steel　a　second　time；　he　was　deluged　with　a　sheet　of　white　water　that　washed　him　against　a　stanchion。　His　first　thought　was　that　he'd　been　thrown　overboard。　He　rose　to　see　his　executive　officer…headless；　slumped　against　the　pilothouse　door。　The　bridge　wing　was　torn　apart；　the　stout　metal　shielding　ripped　by　fragments。　The　pilothouse　windows　were　gone。　What　he　saw　next　was　worse。
The　torpedo　had　struck　the　frigate　just　aft　of　the　bow…mounted　sonar。　Already　the　bow　had　collapsed；　the　keel　sundered　by　the　explosion。　The　foc's'l　was　awash；　and　the　horrible　groaning　of　metal　told　him　that　the　bow　was　being　ripped　off　his　ship。　Morris　staggered　into　the　bridge　and　yanked　the　annunciator　handle　to　All　Stop；　failing　to　notice　that　the　engineers　had　already　stopped　engines。　The　ship's　momentum　pushed　her　forward。　As　Morris　watched；　the　bow　twisted　to　starboard；　ten　degrees　off　true；　and　the　forward　gunmount　became　awash；　its　crew　trying　to　head　aft。　Below　the　mount　were　other　men。　Morris　knew　that　they　were　dead；　hoped　that　they　had　died　instantly；　and　were　not　drowning；　trapped　in　a　sinking　steel　cage。　His　men。　How　many　had　their　battle　stations　forward　of　the　ASROC　launcher？
Then　the　bow　tore　away。　A　hundred　feet　of　the　ship　left　the　remainder　to　the　acpaniment　of　screeching　metal。　It　turned　as　he　watched；　colliding　with　the　afterpart　of　the　ship　as　it　rotated　in　the　water　like　a　small　berg。　There　was　movement　at　an　exposed　watertight　door。　He　saw　a　man　try　to　get　free；　and　succeed；　the　figure　jumping　into　the　water　and　swimming　away　from　the　wallowing　bow。
The　bridge　crew　was　alive；　all　cut　by　flying　glass　but　at　their　posts。　Chief　Clarke　took　a　quick　look　at　the　pilothouse；　then　ran　below　to　assist　with　damage　control。　The　damage…control　parties　were　already　racing　forward　with　fire　hoses　and　welding　gear；　and　at　damage…control　central　the　men　examined　the　trouble　board　to　see　how　severe　the　flooding　was。　Morris　lifted　a　sound…powered　phone　and　twisted　the　dial　to　this　partment。
〃Damage…control　report！〃
〃Flooding　aft　to　frame　thirty…six；　but　I　think　she'll　float…for　a　little　while　anyway。　No　fires。　Waiting　for　reports　now。〃
Morris　switched　settings　on　the　phone。　〃bat；　radio　the　screen　mander　that　we've　taken　a　hit　and　need　assistance。〃
〃Done；　sir。　Gallery's　heading　out　this　way。　Looks　like　the　sub　got　away。　They're　still　searching　for　her。　We　have　some　shock　damage　here。　All　the　radars　are　down。　Bow　sonar　is　out。　ASROC　is　out。　The　tail　is　still　working；　though；　and　the　Mark…32　mounts　still　work。　Wait…screen　mander's　sending　us　a　tug；　sir。〃
〃Okay；　you　have　the　conn。　I'm　going　below　to　look　at　the　damage。〃　You　have　the　conn；　Morris　thought。　How　do　you　conn　a　ship　that　ain't　moving？　A　minute　later　he　was　at　a　bulkhead；　watching　men　trying　to　shore　it　up　with　lumber。
〃This　one's　fairly　solid；　sir；　the　next　one　forward's　leaking　like　a　damn　sieve；　no　way　we'll　patch　it　all。　When　the　bow　let　go；　it　must　have　twisted　everything　loose。〃　The　officer　grabbed　a　seaman　by　the　shoulder。　〃Go　to　the　after　D/C　locker　and　get　more　four…by…fours！〃
〃Will　this　one　hold？〃
〃I　don't　know。　Clarke　is　checking　the　bottom　out　now。　We'll　have　to　weld　in　some　patches　and　stiffeners。　Give　me　about　ten　minutes　and　I'll　tell　you　if　she'll　float　or　not。〃
Clarke　appeared。　He　was　breathing　heavily。　〃The　bulkhead's　sprung　at　the　tank　tops；　and　there's　a　small　crack；　too。　Leaking　pretty　good。　The　pumps　are　on；　and　just　about　keeping　even。　I　think　we　can　shore　it　up；　but　we　have　to　hustle。〃
The　damage…control　officer　led　the　welders　below　at　once。　Two　men　appeared　with　a　portable　pump。　Morris　ordered　them　below。
〃How　many　men　missing？〃　Morris　asked　Chief　Clarke。　He　was　holding　his　arm　strangely。
〃All　the　guys　made　it　out　of　the　five…inch　mount；　but　I　haven't　seen　anybody　from　belowdecks。　Shit；　I　think　I　broke　something　myself。〃　Clarke　looked　at　his　right　arm　and　shook　his　head　angrily。　〃I　don't　think　many　guys　made　it　outa　the　bow；　sir。　The　watertight　doors　are　twisted　some；　they　gotta　be　jammed　tight。〃
〃Get　that　arm　looked　at；〃　Morris　ordered。
〃Oh；　fuck　the　arm；　skipper！　You　need　me。〃　The　man　was　right。　Morris　went　back　topside　with　Clarke　behind　him。
On　reaching　the　bridge；　Morris　dialed　up　engineering。　The　noise　on　the　phone　answered　his　first　question。
The　engineer　spoke　over　the　hiss　of　escaping　steam。　〃Shock　damage；　Captain。　We　got　some　ruptured　steam　pipes　on　the　number　one　boiler。　I　think　number　two　will　still　work；　but　I've　popped　the　safeties　on　both　just　in　case。　The　diesel　generators　are　on　line。　I　got　some　hurt　men　here。　I'm　sending　them　out。　I…okay；　okay。　We　just　did　a　check　of　number　two　boiler。　A　few　minor　leaks；　but　we　can　fix　'em　quick。　Otherwise　everything　looks　pretty　tight。　I　can　have　it　back　on　line　in　fifteen　minutes。〃
〃We　need　it。〃　Morris　hung　up。
Pharris　lay　dead　in　the　water。　With　the　safety　valves　opened；　steam　vented　onto　the　massive　stack　structure；　giving　off　a　dreadful　rasping　sound　that　seemed　like　the　ship's　own　cry　of　pain。　The　frigate's　sleek　clipper　bow　had　been　replaced　by　a　flat　face　of　torn　metal　and　hanging　wires。　The　water　around　the　ship　was　foul　with　oil　from　ruptured　fuel　tanks。　For　the　first　time　Morris　noticed　that　the　ship　was　down　by　the　stern；　when　he　stood　straight；　the　ship　was　misaligned。　He　knew　he　had　to　wait　for　another　damage…control　report。　As　with　an　accident　victim；　the　prognosis　depended　on　the　work　of　surgeons；　and　they　could　not　be　rushed　or　disturbed。　He　lifted　the　phone　to　CIC。
〃bat；　Bridge。　What's　the　status　of　that　submarine　contact？〃
〃Gallery's　helo　dropped　on　it；　but　the　torp　ran　dry　without　hitting　anything。　Looks　like　he　ran　northeast；　but　we　haven't　had　anything　for　about　five　minutes。　There's　an　Orion　in　the　area　now。〃
〃Tell　them　to　check　inside　of　us。　This　character　isn't　going　to　run　away　unless　he　has　to。　He　might　be　running　in；　not　out。　Tell　the　screen　mander。〃
〃Aye；　Cap'n。〃
He　hadn't　hung　the　phone　up　when　it　buzzed。
〃Captain　speaking。〃
〃She'll　float；　sir；〃　the　damage…control　officer　said　at　once。　〃We're　patching　the　bulkhead　now。　It　won't　be　tight；　but　the　pumps　can　handle　the　leakage。　Unless　something　else　goes　bad　on　us；　we'll　get　her　home。　They　sending　the　tug　out　to　us？〃
〃Yes。〃
〃If　we　get　a　tow；　sir；　it　better　be　sternfirst。　I　don't　want　to　think　about　trying　to　run　this　one　into　a　seaway。〃
〃Right。〃　Morris　looked　at　Clarke。　〃Get　a　gang　of　men　aft。　We'll　be　taking　the　tow　at　the　stem；　rig　it　up。　Have　them　launch　the　whaleboat　to　look　for　survivors。　I　saw　at　least　one　man　in　the　water。　And　get　a　sling　on　that　arm。〃
〃You　got　it；　Cap'n。〃　Clarke　moved　aft。
Morris　went　to　CIC　and　found　a　working　radio。
〃X…Ray　Alfa；　this　is　Pharris；〃　Morris　called　to　the　screen　mander。
〃State　your　condition。〃
〃We　took　one　hit　forward；　the　bow　is　gone　all　the　way　to　the　ASROC　launcher。　We　cannot　maneuver。　I　can　keep　her　afloat　unless　we　hit　some　bad　weather。　Both　boilers　currently　down；　but　we　should　have　power　back　in　less　than　ten　minutes。　We　have　casualties；　but　I　don't　know　how　many　or　how　bad　yet。
〃modore；　we　got　hit　by　a　nuke　boat；　probably　a　Victor。　Unless　I　miss　my　guess；　he's　headed　your　way。〃
〃We　lost　him；　but　he　was　heading　out；〃　the　modore　said。
〃Start　looking　inside；　sir；〃　Morris　urged。　〃This　fellow　got　to　knifefighting　range　and　pulled　a　beautiful　number　on　us。　This　one　isn't　going　to　run　away　for　long；　he's　too　damned　good　for　that。〃
The　modore　thought　that　one　over　briefly。　〃Okay；　I'll　keep　that　in　mind。　Gallery's　en　route　to　you。　What　other　assistance　do　you　need？〃
〃You　need　Gallery　more　than　we　do。　Just　send　us　the　tug；〃　Morris　answered。　He　knew　that　the　submarine　wouldn't　be　ing　back　to　finish　the　kill。　He'd　acplished　that　part　of　his　mission。　Next；　he'd　try　to　kill　some　merchants。
〃Roger　that。　Let　me　know　if　you　need　anything　else。　Good　luck；　Ed。〃
〃Thank　you；　sir。　Out。〃
Morris　ordered　his　helo　to　drop　a　double　ring　of　sonobuoys　around　his　ship　just　in　case。　Then　the　Sea　Sprite　found　three　men　in　the　water；　one　of　them　dead。　The　whaleboat　recovered　them；　allowing　the　helo　to　rejoin　the　convoy。　It　was　assigned　to　Gallery；　which　took　Pharris's　station　as　the　convoy　angled　south。
Below；　welders　worked　their　gear　in　waist…deep　saltwater　as　they　struggled　to　seal　off　the　breaks　in　the　frigate's　watertight　bulkheads。　The　task　lasted　nine　hours；　then　the　pumps　drained　the　water　from　the　flooded　partments。
Before　they　had　finished；　the　fleet　tug　Papago　pulled　alongside　the　frigate's　square　stem。　Chief　Clarke　supervised　as