Silent Running (Crash Dive Book 2) by Craig DiLouie

Author:Craig DiLouie [DiLouie, Craig]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ZING Communications, Inc.
Published: 2016-02-15T07:00:00+00:00

FOR SABERTOOTH X WAIT 3 DAYS AND REATTEMPT X COMSUBPAC SENDS X

CHAPTER TWENTY

FERTIG’S GUERILLAS

Sabertooth kept her distance while Japanese patrol boats steamed along the coast for two days and then left, no doubt puzzled by the strange invasion.

On the third day, she crept closer to the shore and raised her periscopes. After some searching, the captain found two sheets strung between coconut palms.

“We’re still in the game,” Hunter said. “Now we wait for sunset. Harrison, take first watch. Don’t raise the scope more than once per hour.”

“Aye, aye, Captain,” Charlie said.

“I’ll take first watch,” a voice rasped.

Walt Lewis entered the control room, moving slowly. The man looked terrible. His face was still bruised, and he squinted as if his head still hurt. Scrawny to begin with, he’d lost some weight, and he looked pale even for a submariner.

Even so, the men grinned at the sight of him.

Hunter said, “Great to see you back on your feet, Walt. You all right?”

“I’m fit for duty, Skipper. Short of a direct order, I’m doing my job.”

“It’s good to have you back.”

“It’s good to be back.” The exec eyed Charlie. “I hear I missed a ruckus.”

“You did. Mr. Harrison invaded the Philippines single-handed.”

“What did I say about buccaneering, young Charles?”

Charlie said glumly, “No buccaneering on Sabertooth.”

Lewis snorted. “You appear to enjoy killing Japs. I’ll give you that.” He switched his gaze to the captain. “What about you? Are you all right?”

Hunter frowned and looked away. “I’m fine.”

Charlie felt relieved to have the captain and the exec back. They’d taken the burden of command and, with it, the intense pressure. Though he already missed it.

The captain called a meeting with Charlie, Liebold, and Bryant in the wardroom. They planned the operation. Lewis would remain in the control room. Bryant would lead the security detail in case the guerillas turned out to be Japanese soldiers attempting a boarding. Liebold would run the gun crew.

And Charlie? Charlie would manage the supplies offload and the refugee boarding. “Aye, aye, sir,” he said, though he didn’t relish the prospect of babysitting civilians.

“Everybody, keep a sharp eye,” Hunter told them. “We could be attacked from the boats, by sea, and by air. We’ll be a sitting duck until it’s over.”

The men nodded.

“That’s why your job is so important, Harrison,” the captain continued. “Get those civilians aboard as fast as you can. Think you can handle it?”

“Aye, Captain.”

“Captain to Control,” Gibson’s voice blared over the 1MC.

Hunter glanced at his watch and stood. “It’s show time. Let’s do it right.”

The officers rushed to the control room.

“Activity on the beach, Skipper,” the exec reported. “Men putting out boats. Bancas and outriggers. Some of them are armed.”

“Let’s take a look, Walt.” The captain took over the scope. “One boat’s got what appears to be a little American flag flying from the mast.”

“That’s a good sign,” Lewis said.

“We’re not taking any chances. Security detail, stand by. Gun crew, stand by. Lookouts to the conning tower. All compartments, rig to surface.”

The general alarm blared. Across the boat, sailors hustled to action stations.

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