Deadly Apparition: A modern nuclear submarine crew meets the 16th century Spanish Armada in this alternate reality thriller by G. Ernest Smith

Author:G. Ernest Smith [Smith, G. Ernest]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: porkchop publishing
Published: 2014-07-22T07:00:00+00:00

“Aw, what the hell!” said Castillo.

Chapter 13

“I was half expecting something like this,” said Castillo.

Taylor read the note. “You know who it’s from, don’t you?”

“Sure. Look at the spelling of the word honourable and bold and decisive. Who do we know talks that way?”

“What are you going to do?”

“About him, I don’t know. But I’ve had the ship checked.”

“Do you think he really has a bomb on board?”

“No, Tanaka couldn’t find anything. I think it’s a bluff.” Castillo flexed the remaining fingers on his left hand and inspected them. “I don’t think Simms has it in him to kill all of us, but this just shows how desperate he is to save his mother country.”

“I think I’d better lay it on the line for Captain Simms. He needs an ass kicking,” said Taylor.

“No, Mase. Let me talk to him first. Let’s try honey before we use a hammer.”

Taylor looked disappointed. “Okay.”

“Could you find Mr. Simms and send him to me, please?”

“Sure,” replied Taylor.

Soon there was a rap at the door. It was a serious-looking Captain Simms.

“Come in, Miles. Have a seat. Is it okay if I call you Miles?”

Simms nodded and sat. Castillo handed Simms the note and studied him carefully for a reaction.

“What’s this?” asked Simms. His bushy eyebrows rose innocently.

“Something I found on the floor about an hour ago.”

“Well, this sounds serious. Very serious indeed!”

“Think so? I don’t.”

“Why not?” Simms blinked.

“I think it’s a bluff. I don’t think anyone on this boat would do such a thing.”

“Oh really?”

“Yes, you need to look at the big picture. A year from now I can envision a community with elected leaders and a bright future. Anyone who threatened that society. Anyone who, let’s say, tried to kill people of that society would be an outcast. There are many things we need to fear in this world, but we can’t fear each other. We would not want someone in our midst we couldn’t turn our back on. Someone we couldn’t trust.”

Simms said nothing. He only stared ominously.

“And I’ve already had the places checked where a saboteur would logically place a bomb to destroy us all: torpedo room, launch tubes, engine room, command and control. They were clean.” Castillo sat back and sighed. “I think I’m going to let you keep that note, Miles. Let’s just pretend I never saw it. Okay?”

Simms’s face looked hateful. “Damn it, Castillo,” he bellowed. “I’m a captain and you’re only a commander. I outrank you and I know about things like this. I’ve had more experience than you!”

“Well, with all due respect, Captain Simms. The navies that commissioned us no longer exist, so I think ranks don’t matter anymore.”

“Your navy doesn’t exist,” snapped Simms. “But mine does. Two weeks ago I served an English monarch named Elizabeth. Remember?”

“A different queen, a different time, Miles!” thundered Castillo. “And I’m still the commander of this ship!” Castillo stopped and took a slow breath to get control of his emotions. “Can we level with each other?”

Simms said nothing. He eyed Castillo suspiciously.

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