tc.redstormrising-第83章

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〃Not　easy　to　tell　from　this　far；〃　Edwards　observed。　〃But　probably　they　have　some　Russians。〃　He　unfolded　his　big　map。　This　part　of　the　island　showed　lots　of　roads；　but　the　information　had　to　be　taken　with　a　grain　of　salt。　Only　two　of　the　roads　had　decent　surfaces。　The　rest　were　called　〃seasonal〃　on　the　map…meaning　exactly　what？　Edwards　wondered。　Of　these；　some　were　well　maintained；　others　were　not。　The　map　didn't　say　which　was　which。　All　of　the　Soviet　troops　they'd　seen　on　the　ground　were　driving　jeep…type　vehicles；　not　the　tracked　infantry…carriers　they'd　observed　on　the　invasion　day。　A　good　driver　in　a　four…by…four　could　go　almost　anywhere；　however。　How　good　were　the　Soviets　at　driving　jeeps　over　broken　ground　。　。　。　so　many　things　to　worry　about；　Edwards　thought。
Edwards　tracked　his　field　glasses　over　the　area　to　his　west。　He　saw　a　twin…prop　airliner　lift　off　from　a　small　airfield。　You　forgot　about　that；　didn't　you？　The　Russians　are　using　those　puddle…jumpers　to　ferry　troops　around　。　。　。
〃Sarge；　what　do　you　think？〃　Might　as　well　get　a　professional　decision。
Smith　grimaced。　The　choice　was　between　physical　danger　and　physical　exhaustion。　Some　choice；　he　thought。　That's　supposed　to　be　why　we　have　officers。
〃I'd　at　least　have　some　patrols　down　there；　Lieutenant。　Lots　of　roads；　figure　some　checkpoints　so　they　can　keep　an　eye　on　the　local　folks。　Let's　say　that　radio's　a　navigation　beacon。　It'll　be　guarded。　Regular　radio　station'll　be　guarded；　too。　All　these　farms…what　kinda　farms；　Miss　Vigdis？〃
〃Sheep；　some　milk　cows；　potatoes；〃　she　answered。
〃So　when　the　Russkies　are　off　duty；　there'll　be　some　wandering　around　to　get　some　fresh　food　instead　of　their　canned　crap。　We　would；　too。　I　don't　much　like　it；　Lieutenant。〃
Edwards　nodded　agreement。　〃Okay；　we　head　east。　Just　about　out　of　food。〃
〃There's　always　fish。〃

FASLANE；　SCOTLAND
Chicago　led　the　procession。　A　Royal　Navy　fleet　tug　had　helped　her　away　from　the　quay；　and　the　American　sub　was　heading　out　the　channel　at　six　knots。　They　were　taking　advantage　of　a　〃window〃　in　Soviet　satellite　coverage。　It　would　be　at　least　six　hours　before　another　Russian　reconnaissance　satellite　came　overhead。　Behind　McCafferty　came　Boston；　Pittsburgh；　Providence；　Key　West；　and　Groton；　at　two…mile　intervals。
〃What's　the　sounding？〃　McCafferty　asked　over　the　inter。
〃Five　hundred　seventy　feet。〃
Time。　McCafferty　ordered　the　lookouts　below。　The　only　ships　in　sight　were　aft。　Boston　was　clearly　visible；　her　black　sail　and　twin　diving　planes　gliding　over　the　water　like　the　angel　of　death。　That　was　apt　enough；　he　thought。　The　captain　of　USS　Chicago　made　a　final　check　of　the　control　station　atop　the　sail；　then　dropped　down　the　ladder；　pulling　the　hatch　closed　behind　him。　Another　twenty…five　feet　and　he　was　in　the　attack　center；　where　he　closed　another　hatch；　turning　the　locking　wheel　as　far　as　it　would　go。
〃Straight　board　shut；〃　the　executive　officer　reported；　going　through　the　official　litany　that　signified　that　the　submarine　was　rigged　for　dive。　Submariners　evolved　check　fists　long　before　aviators　discovered　them。　McCafferty　checked　the　status　boards　himself…and　so；　furtively；　did　several　others　of　the　attack　center　crew。　Everything　was　as　it　should　be。
〃Dive。　Make　your　depth　two　hundred　feet；〃　McCafferty　ordered。
The　submarine　filled　with　the　sound　of　rushing　air　and　water；　and　the　sleek　black　hull　began　her　descent。
McCafferty　reviewed　the　chart　in　his　head。　Seventy…four　hours　to　the　icepack；　and　turn　east。　Forty…three　hours　to　Svyatana　and　turn　south。　Then　came　the　really　hard　part。

STENDAL；　GERMAN　DEMOCRATIC　REPUBLIC
The　Battle　of　Alfeld　was　turning　into　a　living　thing　that　ate　men　and　tanks　like　a　wolf　eats　rabbits。　Alekseyev　chafed　at　being　two　hundred　kilometers　distant　from　the　tank　division　he　now　regarded　as　his　own。　He　could　not　plain　about　his　relief…which　only　made　things　worse。　The　new　mander　had　staged　a　successful　forced　river　crossing；　putting　another　two　regiments　of　mechanized　infantry　on　the　far　bank；　and　now　three　ribbon　bridges　were　being　built　across　the　Leine…or　at　least　a　spirited　attempt　was　under　way　to　build　them；　despite　murderous　artillery　fire　from　NATO　units。
〃We　have　created　a　'meeting　engagement'　Pasha；〃　CINC…West　said；　staring　down　at　the　map。
Alekseyev　nodded　agreement。　What　had　begun　as　a　limited　attack　was　fast　being　the　focal　point　of　the　whole　fighting　front。　Two　more　Soviet　tank　divisions　were　now　near　the　battle　area；　racing　to　the　Leine。　Three　NATO　brigades　were　known　to　be　heading　the　same　way；　along　with　artillery。　Both　sides　were　pulling　tactical　fighters　from　other　sectors；　one　to　smash　the　bridgehead；　the　other　to　support　it。　The　terrain　at　the　front　didn't　give　the　SAM　crews　enough　time　to　discriminate　friend　from　foe。　The　Russians　had　many　more　surface…to…air　missiles；　and　so　a　freefire　zone　had　been　established　at　Alfeld。　Anything　that　flew　was　automatically　a　target　for　the　Russian　missiles；　while　Soviet　aircraft　kept　clear；　working　instead　to　locate　and　kill　NATO　artillery　and　reinforcements。　That　ran　contrary　to　pre…war　doctrine…another　gamble；　but　a　favorable　one；　Alekseyev　judged；　given　his　experiences　at　the　front。　That　was　an　important　lesson　not　stressed　enough　in　pre…war　training：　senior　manders　had　to　see　what　was　happening　with　their　own　eyes。　How　did　we　ever　forget　that？　Pasha　wondered。
He　fingered　the　bandage　on　his　forehead。　Alekseyev　was　suffering　from　a　murderous　headache；　and　a　doctor　had　used　twelve　stitches　to　close　the　wound。　Crude　stitches；　the　doctor　had　told　him…they　would　leave　a　scar。　His　father　had　had　several　such　scars；　all　worn　with　pride。　He'd　accepted　the　decoration　for　this　one。
〃We　have　the　ridge　north　of　the　town！〃　20th　Tanks；　mander　called　in。　〃We've　pushed　the　Americans　off。〃
Alekseyev　took　the　phone。　〃How　soon　on　the　bridges？〃
〃We　ought　to　have　one　ready　in　another　half　hour。　Their　artillery　support　is　slackening　off。　They　blew　one　bridging　unit　to　hell；　but　this　one　will　be　pleted。　I　have　a　battalion　of　tanks　lined　up　already。　The　SAMs　are　doing　well。　I　can　see　the　wreckage　of　five　aircraft　from　where　I'm　standing。　I　see…〃　The　General　was　interrupted　by　man…made　thunder。
Alekseyev　could　do　nothing　but　stare　at　the　telephone　receiver。　His　fist　tightened　in　anger　around　the　handset。
〃Excuse　me。　That　was　close。　The　final　section　of　bridge　is　rolling　out　now。　Those　engineers　have　taken　terrible　losses；　rade　General。　They　deserve　particular　attention。　The　major　in　mand　of　the　unit　has　been　exposed　for　three　hours　now。　I　want　the　gold　star　for　him。〃
〃Then　he'll　get　it。〃
〃Good；　good…the　bridge　section　is　off　the　truck　and　in　the　water。　If　they　give　us　ten　minutes　to　anchor　the　far　end；　I'll　get　those　dammed　tanks　across　for　you。　How　long　on　my　reinforcements？〃
〃The　lead　elements　will　arrive　just　after　sunset。〃

〃Excellent！　I　must　leave　now。　I'll　be　back　when　we　start　rolling　tanks。〃
Alekseyev　handed　the　phone　back　to　a　junior　officer。　It　was　like　listening　to　a　hockey　game　on　the　radio！
〃The　next　objective；　Pasha？〃
〃Northwest　to　Hameln　and　beyond。　We　might　be　able　to　cut　off　NATO's　northern　army　groups。　If　they　start　to　disengage　their　forces　around　Hamburg；　we　go　to　a　general　attack　and　chase　them　all　the　way　to　the　English　Channel！　I　think　we　have　the　situation　we've　been　hoping　for。〃

BRUSSELS；　BELGIUM
At　NATO　headquarters；　staff　officers　looked　at　the　same　maps　and　reached　the　same　conclusions　with　less　enthusiasm。　Reserves　were　dangerously　low…yet　there　was　no　choice。　Men　and　guns　converged　on　Alfeld　in　ever　increasing　numbers。

PANAMA
It　was　the　biggest　transit　of　U。S。　Navy　ships　in　years。　The　gray　hulls　used　both　sides　of　each　lock　system；　preventing　westbound　traffic　from　moving。　They　were　in　a　hurry。　Helicopters　moved　the　Canal　pilots　to　and　from　ships；　speed　restrictions　were　broken；　regardless　of　the　erosion　problems　at　the　Gaillard　Cut。　Those　ships　needing　refueling　had　it　done　as　soon　as　they　exited　the　Canal　at　the　Gatun　Locks；　then　formed　an　antisubmarine　barrier　outside　Lim￠n　Bay。　The　formation's　transit　from　Pacific　to　Atlantic　lasted　twelve　hours　under　ruthless　security。　Finished；　they　departed　north　at　a　fleet　speed　of　twenty…two　knots。　They　had　to　go　through　the　Windward　Passage　at　night。

30　…　Approaches

BOSTON；　MASSACHUSETTS
They　call　it　the　smell　of　the　sea；　Morris　thought；　but　really　it's　not。　It's　the　smell　of　land　It　came　from　the　tidal　marshes…all　the　things　that　lived　and　died　and　rotted　at　the　water's　edge；　all　the　smells　that　fermented　in　the　marginal　wetlands　and　when　released　blew　out　to　sea。　Sailors　considered　it　a　friendly　odor　because　it　meant　that　land；　port；　home；　family　were　near。　Otherwise　it　was　something　to　be　neutralized　with　Lysol。
As　Morris　watched；　the　tug　Papago　shortened　her　towline　for　better　control　in　the　restricted　waters。　Three　harbor　tugs　came　alongside；　their　crews　throwing　messenger　lines　to　the　frigate's　sailors。　When　they　were　secured；　Papago　cast　off　and　proceeded　up　the　river　to　refuel。
〃Good　afternoon；　Captain。〃　The　harbor　pilot　had　e　out　on　one　of　the　tugs。　He　looked　to　have　been　bringing　ships　in　and　out　of　Boston　for　fifty　years。
〃And　to　you；　Captain；〃　Morris　acknowledged。
〃I　see　you　killed　three　Russian　subs？〃
〃Only　one　by　ourselves。　The　others　are　assists。〃
〃How　much　water　are　you　drawing　forward？〃
〃Just　under　twenty…five　feet…no；〃　Morris　had　to　correct　himself。　The　sonar　dome　was　at　the　bottom　of　the　Atlantic　now。
〃You　did　well　to　bring　her　back；　Captain；〃　the　pilot　said；　looking　forward。　〃My　'can　didn't　survive。　Before　you　were　born；　I　guess。　Callaghan；　seven　ninety…two。　Assistant　gunnery　officer；　I'd　just　made　j。g。　We　got　twelve　Jap　planes；　but　just　after　midnight　the　thirteenth　kamikaze　got　through　on　us。　Forty…seven　men…well。〃　The　pilot　took　the　walkie…talkie　from　Ins　pocket　and　started　giving　directions　to　the　tugs。　Pharris　began　to　move　sideways　toward　a　pier。　A　medium…sized　drydock　was　straight　ahead；　but　they　were　not　moving　that　way。
〃Not　the　drydock？〃　Morris　asked；　surprised　and　angry　that　his　ship　was　being　moved　to　an　ordinary　pier。
〃Mechanical　problems　in　the　dock。　They're　not　ready　for　you　yet。　Tomorrow；　day　after　for　sure。　I　know　how　you　feel；　Captain。　Like　your　kid's　hurt　and　they　won't　let　her　in　the　hospital。　Cheer　up；　I　watched　mine　sink。〃
It　made　no　sense　to　grumble；　Morris　knew。　The　man　was　right。　If　Pharris　hadn't　sunk　during　the　tow；　she　was　safe　enough　alongside　the　pier　for　a　day　or　two。　The　pilot　was　an　expert。　His　trained　eye　measured　the　wind　and　the　tide；　and　he　gave　the　proper　orders　to　the　tug　captains。　Within　thirty　minutes　the　frigate　was　secured　to　the　cargo　pier。　Three　TV　news　crews　were　waiting　for　them　behind　a　screen　of　sailors　in　shore　patrol　livery。　As　soon　as　the　brow　was　rigged；　an　officer　hurried　aboard　and　came　right　to　the　bridge。
〃Captain；　I'm　Lieutenant　mander　Anders。　I　have　this　for　you；　sir。〃　He　handed　over　an　official…looking　envelope。
Morris　tore　it　open　and　found　a　standard　Navy　dispatch　form。　The　message　ordered　him　in　terse　Navy　prose　to　Norfolk　by　the　quickest　available　transport。
〃I　have　a　car　waiting。　You　can　catch　the　shuttle　to　D。C。；　then　hop　a　short…hauler　to　Norfolk。〃
〃What　about　my　ship？〃
〃That's　my　job；　Captain。　I'll　take　good　care　of　her　for　you。〃
Just　like　that；