Finally, Brown let go and the colonel collapsed in a heap on the deck, massaging his throat. Brown delivered a vicious kick to his ribs, spat on him and walked away.
“You should see him when he gets mad,” said Taylor.
Crewmen drug the trussed men to the back of the control room and then carried Bud Unger’s body to the dispensary. When they returned from their somber task, they settled into the control room with a new man in Unger’s position. The mood was heavy. It was as if the crew had been dealt a mortal blow.
Taylor stood in the center of the room and coughed. “I’m not as good with words as the skipper is, so I’ll keep this brief. Bud was a guy we all loved. He played a mean harmonica, he knew some pretty good jokes, he was a good poker player and we’re going to miss him. But we’ll carry him in our hearts always. I think we owe it to Bud to avenge his death.” Taylor paused and looked at the trussed up men in the back of the room. The colonel suddenly began to squirm. “And the best way to do that is to deny these sons of bitches what they want…this ship. Let’s make ready to get underway.”
“But, sir,” sniffled Guerrero, “we’re not going to leave the skipper and half our crewmates behind, are we?”
“Only temporarily. Castillo and I are a team. We can practically read each other’s thoughts. Right now, he is depending on me to get this ship out of here, and I’m depending on him to watch over the rest of our crew and keep them safe until we can mount a rescue.” Taylor picked up the receiver, dialed and said:
Set the maneuvering watch! Now, set the maneuvering watch!
“With what, sir?” asked Guerrero. “I don’t think we have enough people to cover the maneuvering watch.”
“Some are going to have to perform double duty,” said Taylor. “Pilot, is there enough room in this waterway to swing us 180?”
“I think so, sir,” replied the pilot. “Executing a stationery 180.”
Taylor began flipping switches and all the viewing screens came to life. It was still dark out, but the sky was starting to lighten in the east. As soon as Kansas began its 180 degree pirouette, the men on the shore became excited. Taylor could see them shouting, pointing and scrambling. Some of them carried and stacked cannon balls next to the cannon. Crews rammed bagged charges down the barrels of the cannon, followed by cannon balls.
“Uh, chief?” said Taylor. “About those cannon.”
“Oh, you don’t have to worry about them, sir.”
“I don’t?”
“No. We took them out of commission.”
Taylor watched nervously as the crews inserted fuses in the breech of each cannon and fired up torches. “You’re sure?”
“Yes, sir.”
The gun crews were sighting the guns now, elevating the butt of each gun, drawing a bead on Kansas.
• • •
“Something’s amiss,” said Howard, looking through his spy glass. “They’ve a distress flag at Jessup’s Cove. There’s a problem.”
Howard approached Castillo. “I hope your people are cooperating, commander. If they try to escape, the gunnery crews are under orders to destroy your ship. We brought in the biggest guns we could find.”
“I don’t think you’d do that, admiral. You want my ship.”
“It’s not your ship any longer, commander. And we will destroy it, no mistake. We can’t let it escape and fall into the wrong hands. The possibility we might oppose it some day on the high seas can not be allowed.”
“So, if you can’t have it, no one can!” snapped Castillo.
“You take my meaning,” said Howard, oozing confidence.
Castillo stormed off, and when he was out of earshot, Howard turned to his aide and said, “Send someone to see what matters at the cove.” The man turned to go, but Howard stopped him and added, “And take the tall wench to my quarters. You know the one, long tresses and fair of face. I want to give her my personal attention.”
Chapter 18
“Maneuvering, make turns for 4 knots,” ordered Taylor.
“Aye, sir. Making turns for 4 knots.”
Taylor watched the gun crews with angst. They were standing at the ready beside their guns, obviously awaiting orders to fire. As the submarine began to move, the guns were retrained to track its progress. Chief Brown had said that the guns had been taken out, but they looked fully functional to Taylor. Just before they got to the mouth of the estuary, the crews were ordered to fire. The torch men stepped forward and touched off the fuses. The fuses sparked to life. Taylor’s face tensed. The fuses burned down to the breech and…nothing. The gun crews looked to each other in askance. There was some shrugging and some head scratching. What the hell? They touched the torches to the flash holes. Nothing. They hurriedly cleared the flash holes in the breech and reinserted fuses, thinking the first fuses were bad. But they got the same result the second time.
“I told you,” said Chief Brown. “I got your back, sir.”
Taylor smiled and said, “What did you do?”
“Well, we were watching them, see, and…”
“Oh no!” said Guerrero. “What’s that?”
Taylor looked at the screen and saw…a net? “When did they string a net across?”
“I don’t know,” said Guerrero.
“I wonder how strong it is,” wondered Taylor. “See if you can break through it, pilot.”
“Aye, sir.”
They couldn’t. Kansas contacted the net at the narrow mouth of the estuary and stretched it, but couldn’t break it.
“Must be some kind of anti-shipping thing,” said Chief Brown. “It looks pretty strong.”
“Probably hemp,” said Guerrero.
Taylor studied the screen, ran a hand over the thin carpet of hair on his scalp and said, “Well, we’re too close to use a fish. Let’s try MP-5’s from the sail. You and me, chief.”
“Sounds good, sir. I’m on it.”
“Oh…and the colonel has the key to the weapons locker.”
Chief Brown approached the colonel on the floor and grinned evilly.
Kansas had a conning tower that sat far forward, like all Virginia class submarines. It was so far forward, it was less than sixty feet from the bow.
When Brown returned with two assault rifles, Taylor made a sketch on an edit screen at one of the work stations. “I think we should concentrate our fire here and here. If we can break through that top hawser, I think the net will collapse. It looks to be about 4 inches in diameter and is providing the strength and most of the support for the thing.” He indicated the two anchoring points of the net at each end. “Try to get all your shots into the same spot. The distance is going to be about 90 feet. We want to do this fast to eliminate exposure. Their rifles aren’t very good, but they could get lucky.”
“Piece of cake, sir,” said Brown, displaying white teeth.
They climbed up the access ladder with the rifles into the sail and emerged into the bridge well. Kansas was still straining against the heavy net. Taylor crouched down and briefly popped up to scout the banks on both sides of the narrow mouth. On their right about 100 feet away was a line of trees, but on their left on an elevation even with the top of the sail were about ten soldiers. Taylor counted five rifles. They were about 150 feet away.
“Okay, chief. Pick your spot.”
Brown popped his head up, took a look and said, “Got it.”
“On three.” Taylor tucked his lower lip, then said, “One…two…three…”
POP!POP!POP! POP!POP!POP! POP!POP!POP! POP!POP!POP! POP!POP!POP! POP!
POP!POP!POP! POP!POP!POP! POP!POP!POP! POP!POP!POP! POP!POP!POP! POP!
They hammered at both ends of the net until their clips were empty. Then they ducked back down, ejected their empties and inserted fresh clips. They repeated the procedure.
POP!POP!POP! POP!POP!POP! POP!POP!POP! POP!POP!POP! POP!POP!POP! POP!
POP!POP!POP! POP!POP!POP! POP!POP!POP! POP!POP!POP! POP!POP!POP! POP!
Taylor could see his end of the n
et fraying. Loose strands were hanging out of it. One more time should do it. They ducked down and replaced clips again. “Doing any good, chief?”
“Yeh, let’s hit it one more time.”
They popped up again
POP!POP!POP! POP!POP!POP!
POW!
A bullet careened off the edge of the bridge well. Someone had taken a shot at them.
POP!POP!POP! POP!POP!POP! POP!POP!POP! POP!POP!POP!
POW! POW!
Taylor heard Brown grunt and he knew he had been hit. “Chief!”
“Keep going, sir,” said Brown. The bullet had struck him in the upper left arm.
POP!POP!POP! POP!POP!POP!
The net on Taylor’s side parted. The net on Brown’s side looked ragged but was still holding together. Taylor slung both rifles and supported the grimacing chief down the ladder. He got him to the infirmary and Doc Aultman.
Taylor returned to the control room, sat in the command chair and said, “Maneuvering, give me turns for 35 knots!”
“Aye, sir. Making turns for 35 knots.”
Taylor watched all the camera screens both in front and behind. The water behind Kansas began to froth and foam violently. Four foot waves fanned out across the estuary and lapped up onto the shore. At first the boiling water was white, then it became the color of mud. The net was under tremendous strain, stretching taut. The left side of the net had collapsed, but there were enough lines still holding across the opening to stop Kansas from moving. The place where the chief had shot the hawser was frayed but still holding together.
“Pilot, give it a little left rudder.”
“Aye, sir. Left rudder.”
Kansas’s tail slowly shifted to the right.
“Give it a little right rudder.”
“Aye, sir. Right rudder.”
Kansas’s tail shifted to the left. More frayed strands unraveled from the hawser.
“Left rudder.”
“Aye, sir. Left rudder.”
Kansas’s tail shifted to the right again.
They repeated this slow fish-tailing procedure two more times putting pressure on the net until abruptly it collapsed, and Kansas shot through the narrow mouth of the estuary and into the open channel. The control room crew cheered, pumped fists and gave high fives.
Taylor turned the control room over to Guerrero and went to check on Chief Brown.
• • •
Crystal McConnell was fast asleep on a pew. She used her folded hands as a pillow. Many others of the Kansas crew were also sleeping. They’d had a long night. She was awakened by two men wearing brown leather waistcoats. They looked like soldiers or guards. They had daggers, swords and flat black hats with badges on them.
“Could you come with us, milady,” said the one with the short cropped sandy hair and beard.
“Wh-What? Why?” she asked sleepily.
“Admiral Howard would like to see you.”
“But why?” she repeated. Her thin eyebrows formed a peak.
“What’s going on?” asked Tanaka, sitting nearby. He saw the guards looming over McConnell, and he leaped to his feet and walked up to them.
“Official business,” said the darker one. He put a hand on the handle of his sword.
“What official business does the admiral have with her?” Tanaka crossed his arms in challenge.
“Don’t know. We just ‘ave to fetch ’er. Do ye mean ta stop us?”
Tanaka took a step forward with his lower jaw jutting out. “I just might.”
“No,” said McConnell. “I’ll go.”
“What’s happening here?” inquired Lambert, approaching the group. Sleep was still in her eyes. She massaged them gently with her fingertips.
“These guys are taking Crystal to meet the admiral,” said Tanaka. “It doesn’t sound right to me. Something’s fishy.”
“I’ll go,” said McConnell. “I don’t want any trouble.”
“I’ll go with you,” said Lambert.
“Me too!” Tanaka gave the closest guard a steely-eyed squint.
“No,” said the darker guard. “Just the lady comes. Orders!”
“Crystal, are you sure about this?” asked Lambert.
“Yes. If you try to fight these guys, someone’s going to get hurt.” She turned to the two guards. “Come on. Let’s go see the admiral.”
They watched McConnell and the two guards depart. “I don’t like this,” said Lambert.
“Something’s not right,” said Tanaka.
• • •
Castillo was sitting behind the church under a large elm tree, staring at the morning sun coming up over the cemetery. The sun threw a fan of peach colored rays through the spotty cloud cover over the rolling green hills. It was quite a striking landscape, but Castillo’s mood was black. He wanted to talk to Taylor. And he wanted to check on his people. He’d been cut off from everyone. His head was full of questions. How do they intend to force us to do their bidding? It was madness. Has Taylor taken the ship and crew to safety? He was jolted out of his thoughts by someone approaching. It was Admirals Howard and Drake.
“Commander Castillo!” Howard thundered. “You’d better get your ship back here or it will go very badly for you and your people.”
Castillo searched their faces. They were furious. He smiled and said, “I told you he was good. He got away, didn’t he?”
“The penalty for mutiny is hanging, commander,” snapped Howard. “And I’m going to start hanging your people one at a time until that ship returns.”
Drake handed Castillo the communicator. “Talk to your man Taylor. Tell him to return with the ship or your lives will be forfeited.”
Castillo made no move to take the communicator. He only glowered at both men.
“I’m warning you, commander,” said Howard. “I’m not to be trifled with.”
Castillo finally sighed deeply and said, “There’s a big problem here, admiral.”
Howard tilted his head, questioning.
“You said we were going to meet the queen. That was a lie, wasn’t it? Then you said if I told Taylor to admit your people to my ship, you’d let me see my people. That was a lie too, wasn’t it?” There was accusation in his voice. He waited for a response, but getting none, he went on. “Now, you tell me if my ship returns, you won’t execute my people. Can you see the problem yet, admiral?”
“Commander…” said Drake.
“The problem is,” roared Castillo, “you’re word is worthless, admiral! It doesn’t matter what I do! You’re going to do what you want. Go ahead, admiral. Execute us all! It won’t change a damn thing!”
Castillo snatched the communicator out of Drake’s hand, turned it on and put it in his ear. “Kansas, this is Castillo…Kansas, this is Castillo…how do you read?” He looked at Drake. “Kansas may be out of range. I don’t know how far…” Then he heard a voice in his ear.
“Sir! Is that you?” It was Maria Guerrero.
“Yes, Maria. Is Mason there?”
“Yes, sir. He’s coming. We had a problem here with some men who boarded us, sir. Bud Unger is dead!”
The words hit him like a blow to the stomach. Bud Unger is dead! “How?”
“He was shot. Chief Brown was shot too, but the doc thinks he’s going to be okay.”
He repeated the news for the benefit of the two eavesdropping admirals. “So Lieutenant Unger has been killed and Chief Brown is wounded.”
Admiral Drake looked at his shoes.
“Yes…oh…Here’s Commander Taylor.”
Howard leaned forward and said, “Just tell him to return the ship. If he does not, I will kill your people one at a time, no mistake.”
“Don, is that you?” It was Taylor.
“Yes, Mase. Maria said Unger’s dead.”
“Yes.” There was sadness in Taylor’s voice. “We had to disable our boarders and…well…it was an accident. Unger got in the way of a bullet.” He cleared his throat. “Is Howard standing there?”
&n
bsp; “Yes.”
“How about Drake. Is he there?”
“Yes.”
“Commander,” insisted Howard hotly. “Tell your man to return the ship!”
“We’ve done some research on Drake and Howard. I want you to say the following loudly.”
“Okay.” Taylor had a plan. He was up to something.
“Say, ‘targets’ and then say ‘Effingham in Surrey’.”
What was he up to? “Targets!” said Castillo loudly, then “Effingham in Surrey!”
At this Howard snapped around and locked eyes with Castillo.
“Did you get a reaction?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I’m running a bluff here. That’s where Admiral Howard’s primary residence is and his family. Now say, ‘Buckland Abbey in Devon’. That’s Drake’s family residence.”
“Buckland Abbey in Devon. Okay.” At this Drake looked up and glared at Castillo.
“Tell them the countdown clock is running. They have until nightfall to release you.”
“Okay. And whatever you do. Do not bring the ship back here.” Castillo removed the communicator from his ear, switched it off and handed it back to Drake.
“He’s getting ready to hit two targets, gentlemen. You heard me name them. He’s set the machinery into motion. The only way to stop it is to release us. You have until nightfall.”
“I don’t believe you have such a weapon!” said Howard.
“Oh but we do! Tomahawks! Admiral Drake here has heard us talk of them. With a Tomahawk we can reach out and completely destroy a small village hundreds of miles away. But don’t take my word for it. Ask any of my crew.”
Howard’s mouth opened, then closed again. He was at a loss for words.
“Even if you do have such a weapon,” said Drake, “I doubt that you would have the resolve to use it so savagely.”
“Your right. I wouldn’t, but Taylor would. He’s one of those emotional Africans, you know. And he’s mad! You killed one of his crew!” He paused and watched his words sink in.
The admirals exchanged a look and Castillo could see fear there.
“You gentlemen are very powerful, but not untouchable.” Castillo looked toward the church and said, “I think I’ll go see my people now.” He began walking away.
Deadly Apparition Page 24
