To Kill a Nightingale by Matt Hardman

Author:Matt Hardman [Hardman, Matt]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-06-07T16:00:00+00:00

18

K-561 Kazan

07 December 2022 | 0845 Local Time

Black Sea

Captain Ivan Sergeyevich Korov stood in the dim light of the attack center and folded the most recent message form into a pocket. He walked the few paces to a nearby chart table and let his eyes dance around it for a few moments before picking up a handset.

“Sonar. Report contacts,” Korov ordered.

“No subsurface or air contacts, Captain,” Lieutenant Belyaev announced. “Tracking five surface contacts. Three commercial tankers to the east. Makarov to the west. The American destroyer is also there, but faint. It is not moving and has decreased plant and propulsion noises.”

“Last known location for the Makarov and the American?”

Belyaev provided the information and Korov’s eyes found the approximate spots on the chart. “Nothing else, Belyaev?”

“No, Captain.”

Korov hung up the handset and turned to the Kazan’s navigator. “Dima, we are to take up station…” Korov ran his finger along the chart. “Here. Close to both, but not in the way.”

“Yes, Captain.” Lieutenant Dima Igorovich Antonov began plotting the course. After a few moments he lifted his head. “Something change, Captain?”

Korov smiled grimly and pulled the message from his pocket. “Remember that mechanical transient Sonar reported. It would seem that our brothers on the Makarov got themselves run over by the American.”

Dima shuddered. “What’s the size difference?”

Korov thought for a moment, trying to recall the specifications for American destroyers. “Four and a half thousand tons. Plus or minus.”

Dima nodded and finished his plot. “And we’re the bodyguard now?”

“It would seem so,” Korov agreed. He didn’t particularly relish being in the general area on the off chance that the two surface ships began shooting. With that thought, he checked the navigator’s work, suggested a minor change, and gave the order to execute the move. “Notify me when we are on station, Dima.”

“Yes, Captain.”

“Captain,” a voice said, the tone almost an admonishment. “You disagree with our orders?”

Korov closed his eyes briefly. The voice was easily recognizable.

No, you arrogant pig. They’re just fine. Using a cruise missile submarine as a bodyguard is exactly what we should be doing.

Korov forced a smile and turned. “No, Mikhail Gregorovich. I do not disagree with our orders. I am merely concerned about the capabilities of this ship against the possibility of an American hunter submarine. They have advantages in speed and maneuverability.”

“Rubbish.” Alexandrov waved his hand around. “Look at these fine boys. In their hands, the Americans are no match for us.”

“As you say.” Korov bit off his honest response and picked up the handset again. “Sonar, Captain. No submerged contacts? You are certain?” Korov said.

“Yes, Captain.”

“Very well.” Korov hung up and turned back to the navigator while Alexandrov looked on with a smug smile. “Get us on station quietly, Dima.”

USS Key West

07 December 2022 | 0848 Local Time

Black Sea

“Conn, Sonar. Submerged contact. Bearing zero-three-two.”

“Conn, aye,” Commander Reynes answered. He replaced the mic and walked forward to Sonar. “What have you got, Chief?”

“The Kazan, Skipper. We lost him for a bit when he went up near the surface. Probably getting message traffic.

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