Rogue Enforcer by John R. Monteith

Author:John R. Monteith
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Stealth Books
Published: 2014-05-17T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

Commander Gutierrez pounded his fist on the console.

“Damn!”

“You knew this was a desperation shot, sir,” Fernandez said. “Long range against a target that was already evading at flank speed. You couldn’t have expected a hit.”

Gutierrez agreed with his executive officer, but he had allowed himself to hope.

A week and a half earlier, President Gomez had been clear with him and Commander Martinez during a private conversation in his wardroom. Although the Frenchman had professed a surgical campaign of restraint designed to engender a favorable negotiation with the British, the Argentine military leaders were to deviate from this path.

From the moment the Specter deloused the Santa Cruz, the Frenchman, his plans, and his agents were expendable. From that moment, every British vessel became a target of opportunity, including the Ambush and including every warship that the Royal Navy would send toward the Malvinas.

Gutierrez appreciated his president’s style. Warriors set history’s course by winning campaigns in battle — not politicians by yammering at bargaining tables. Sinking the Ambush would take his nation one step closer to military success, and it would assure his status as a hero.

Fernandez appeared unwilling to support that agenda, his coy smile revealing his complacent approval of the San Juan’s torpedo attack against the Ambush, despite its failure. Bothered by his executive officer’s lack of bloodlust and ambition, Gutierrez responded with a grunt.

“It was a well-placed shot, sir,” Fernandez said. “If not for their speed, it would have hit.”

“That means nothing,” Gutierrez said. “Any British submarine we face will have the speed and endurance of a nuclear power plant.”

“We’ve at least shown that we can track an underwater target and launch a credible shot at one. That’s a strong signal to the British that we’re prepared to fight for our territorial rights. We’ve created a deterrent.”

“Really? We needed the aid of limpets placed by a mercenary. Were we able to hear anything else from the Ambush?”

“High-speed coolant pumps, blade rate, cavitation, and broadband flow noise.”

“No, you imbecile. I mean before it accelerated to evade torpedoes. Were our systems and our sonar operators capable of hearing anything from that ship before it started sprinting for its life?”

“No, sir.”

“Then my only chance against the Ambush is to sink it while it’s hindered by limpets.”

“The latest message traffic says there are two Orion anti-submarine aircraft en route to sink the Ambush. With the British air defenses on the island nullified, our aircraft will have free reign. With our latest targeting data and the sounds of the limpets to guide them, they will have no trouble finding the Ambush and sinking it.”

“They won’t find it if I destroy it before they get there. They are still an hour away. I need to get closer and attack again, before the Ambush can find a way to rid itself of those limpets.”

“That’s impossible, sir. They must be at least thirty nautical miles away by now. And we’re working against a grave speed disadvantage. They can sustain twice our speed.”

Gutierrez looked to his aging monitor.

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