Quantum Time (Quantum Series Book 3) by Phillips Douglas

Author:Phillips, Douglas [Phillips, Douglas]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-02-26T16:00:00+00:00

24

Readiness

USS Nevada

North Pacific, 12 nautical miles southeast of Adak Island

October 9, 2023 16:07 Pacific Time

Lieutenant Commander Helen Tierney lowered her binoculars and stiffened as a cold gust of Alaskan wind blasted the bridge of the USS Nevada . Though well above the spray coming off ocean waves, the bridge on a ballistic missile submarine was no more than an indentation at the leading edge of the sail. Not much of a wind break.

“Visual is clear,” she told Captain Cory Lundstrom, who stood by her side. The lack of nearby vessels confirmed what radar had already told them. They were alone, hidden below a thick cloud layer just south of the Aleutian Islands, exactly as planned.

Another blast of cold air raked across the bridge, and the submarine’s executive officer grabbed her cap before it flew into the Pacific. “Nippy,” she yelled in the wind.

“Let’s get below,” Lundstrom said. “Bring her down to launch depth.”

“Aye, Captain.”

Down several ladders and into warmer air, they entered the Command Center, where a dozen sailors manned multiple computer workstations surrounded by switches and glowing lights. Two of the sailors sat at control wheels like a pilot and copilot, ready to guide the eighteen-thousand-ton boat wherever the officers pointed.

“XO has command,” the captain called as he walked in.

Tierney took over, barking out orders, and the room came alive with activity. A minute later, the deck tilted, forcing everyone standing to grab the nearest handrail. Launch depth was forty meters at the keel, enough to submerge the massive ship while leaving only the tip of a single antenna above the water.

Captain Lundstrom pulled a microphone from its hook on the bulkhead, his voice broadcasting from bow to stern. “All hands. Prepare for TRE, commencing in five minutes. This is a readiness exercise. Exercise only.”

The TRE, or Tactical Readiness Examination, was standard procedure for the world’s most deadly machine. A ballistic missile submarine was a weapon that no one expected to use, but to ensure that it could be used, regular drills were required. The TRE would bring every system online, walk through every step of launching their twenty-four Trident II D5 missiles, and ensure that every crewmember was ready to perform as required.

There were subtle differences between an exercise and the real thing. Targeting computers would use simulated authorizations, and the live fire control trigger would remain locked away in a safe, accessible only to the weapons control officer. Instead, they would use a simulation trigger whose signal to launch went only as far as the computer.

Weapons Control Officer Lieutenant Randall Kline tapped Tierney on the shoulder as he walked past. “Heading below. Let me know when you have the sim codes.”

“Should be just a few minutes.” She watched as Kline dropped through a hatch to the Fire Control Room, one deck below.

“Launch depth,” a sailor called out.

“Steady as she goes,” Tierney replied. “Compensate for ballast.”

“Aye, ballast is nominal. Even keel.”

“Very good.” Tierney glanced toward the captain. “The boat is ready, sir. ”

Lundstrom nodded and spoke once more into his microphone.

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