Engage at Dawn: First Contact by Edward Hochsmann

Author:Edward Hochsmann [Hochsmann, Edward]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Edward Hochsmann
Published: 2020-09-14T16:00:00+00:00

14

Parting

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kauai, Gulf of Mexico, 24 nautical miles east-northeast of Key West, Florida

1812 EST, 17 January

Having wrapped up the brief, Ben had started his usual mental preparation for the ship-handling effort to come in two hours when Sam beckoned him over. “Our guest has requested a confidential meeting to discuss the next steps. Meet you in the cabin in five minutes?”

“Yes, sir.”

A few minutes later, Sam, Ben, and Simmons were sitting in their usual places in Sam’s cabin with the door closed. Sam looked at Simmons and said, “OK, Doctor, you have the floor.”

Simmons nodded. “Thank you, Captain. Image processing is continuing, but we have done about all the seaborne reconnaissance we can. I need to get with my people to coordinate some deeper dives on land. If you don’t object, I’ll be moving ashore when we return to Key West.”

Sam glanced at Ben, then back to Simmons. “Am I to infer that our role in this mission is ending?”

“No, sir. We know that craft landed in the water, although not where yet and that it hasn’t moved ashore. Until we are sure they have left, there’s still an important maritime part to this effort. I have to ask you to stay nearby and available.”

“Very well, Doctor. Until our orders change, we’ll continue on the mission. What do you envision us doing?”

“I need you to be the maritime response force in the event we locate the target. It’ll mean being underway in a standby position north of the Keys. We can work out a geographic point that would allow the best average response time.”

Sam nodded. “That’s doable, provided you remember this is a patrol boat, not a large cutter and that after three days underway, I need to go in for a fuel break.”

“Understood. This should be resolved by then. There’s one more thing.” He looked at Ben. “I’d like to take Ben with me to serve as an advisor.”

“You’re joking!” Sam said with astonishment. “Do you realize what you’re asking? What if we end up tangling with your visitors or the TCO thugs? You want me to risk going into a fight without my GQ OOD?”

“Hear me out.” Simmons held up his hand. “It’s a lot to ask, but consider the risks if I have to decide about your role without your knowledge or experience. No one on my team understands Kauai’s capabilities and limitations. I could easily put your guys, my guys, or both in unnecessary risk through sheer ignorance. Wouldn’t it be better to avoid a jam than fight our way out of one?”

Sam shook his head. “Even if I were to agree to that view, even if I believed I could assume that risk for my crew and ship, what about Ben? He’s not trained for this kind of work. You cavalierly hung his ass out before without a by-your-leave or apology.”

“Captain, I take exception to your characterization of that event. We had the risk under control. Now we have three teams available in support instead of one.

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