The Gray Ship by Russell Moran

Author:Russell Moran
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 44

Chief Ray knocked on Bradley's office door. "Enter," Bradley said. Ray walked into the office, closing the door behind him. He hadn't noticed how small the office was before, about nine feet by twelve. This was another thing that preyed on Bradley's nerves. Dashing Ashley had an expansive office while his couldn't be a quarter the size of hers. "Have a seat, Chief," said Bradley, "if you can find the room."

"The Captain sure has given you some cozy quarters, Commander." Bradley just waved his hand dismissively.

"Chief, I've come up with an idea to make our weapons moving plan a lot easier. Not only easier, but it will kill two birds with one stone. The SEALs are going to move the weapons for us." Ray's eyes widened. He couldn't believe what he just heard.

"I don't get it, Commander."

"Here's the idea Chief. I've already spoken to Conroy, the SEAL honcho, and he agrees. I told him that I worried about the riskiness of moving two Zodiacs and two rafts full of weapons on the eve of battle. I said that we don't know what sea conditions will be like and the danger of losing the cache of weapons is too great. I convinced him that we should move the weapons way in advance of the battle, and set up a defensive perimeter around them."

"But if the SEALs are in charge of the weapons what happens to the big plan, the plan to join the Confederacy?"

Bradley stared into Ray's eyes. "The SEALs will only look like they're in charge. We need to have at least six of our people with them."

The Chief smiled. "Our people, Commander?"

"Yes, our people. Chief, we have to expand our strength to accomplish our mission. We need at least 10 sailors who will want to join us in the Confederacy."

"Commander, you'll be happy to know your old friend has been thinking down the road. There's a group of good ole' boys aboard, rebels to the soles of their feet. There are twelve of them, four first class and eight second class petty officers. These are tough dudes, Commander. They even have a name they call themselves, although they keep it quiet: the Confederate Navy. Maybe they'd like to make that name official."

"You haven't said anything to them have you?" asked Bradley, concerned about the security of their plan.

"Of course not, Sir. I've just asked a simple question of each of them. I wanted to see where their minds are on our upcoming operations." Ray leaned closer and said, "I just asked each of 'em how they felt about our upcoming war against the South?"

"And what were their responses?"

"Commander, these ole' boys are spittin' mad. I got the clear impression that they're fixing on doing something. What it is I don't know, but it's something. I guess you're thinking, like I am, that we can give these boys something to do, something for Ole Dixie."

"Tell me a little more about these guys, Chief."

"Well Sir, six of them are gunners mates and work directly for me.

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