The USS Salem was termed a Heavy Cruiser. At 717 feet in length with a beam of 76 feet, she was an impressive sight. Getting her ready to go back to sea was complicated even further due to the increased water level that had flooded a good portion of the seaboard. Everything had to be brought in by barge.
Chief Sorenson and his machinist mates had three of the four massive General Electric steam turbines working, but the forth one refused to budge when the jacking gear was engaged. One of the main bearings had seized.
The four Babcock & Wilcox boilers had given them little trouble as they were tested. They reached the 600 psi operating pressure with no real problems. A few gaskets blew out but were quickly repaired.
“Once we get the top casing off I want everyone to stand back until we have it shored up. I don’t want anyone to lose an arm. I’ll do the shoring, the rest of you just stand by. Everyone understand?”
“Aye, Chief,” most of the military men replied.
There were several others that were helping out in the engine room but had never been on a ship before. Chief Sorenson had retired from the Navy but was one of the survivors that had made his way to Colorado Springs. When the plans to resurrect the Salem were discussed he offered to help. He had more working knowledge than anyone else in the engine room.
He was fortunate to have three other ex-Machinist Mates along. MM1 Frank Thornton, MM3 Billy Harris and MM3 James Fellows had all been aboard various types of ships.
Between the four of them they were pretty much able to fix anything that cropped up. Just lighting-off the engine room is a complex process. Each piece of equipment must be brought on-line in a certain order. If it is not done correctly you can seriously destroy equipment or even kill someone.
It was a hot and dangerous place to work. Underway, engine rooms could easily run one hundred and ten plus degrees, especially when operating in the Caribbean.
* * * *
Captain Earl Taylor was also a retired thirty year Navy man. He had served aboard several ships during his stint in the Navy but mostly on DLG class ships. They are smaller and more agile than the Heavy Cruiser but he was the only one of the survivors who had ever actually been the Captain of a ship.
His XO, Executive Officer, was Lieutenant Sam Dawson. Sam had served four years in the service but had never been the XO before. He was going to learn by OJT. On the job training is not necessarily the best way when your first deployment is crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
Captain Taylor was sitting in one of the chairs on the Flag Bridge when Lieutenant Dawson came up the ladder.
“Captain, they are going to have to pull the casing off the number four screw shaft. The Chief says it is scored.”
“How long will that take?”
“A couple of days if all goes well.”
“Could we do it on three engines?” Taylor asked.
“I suppose. I guess I would have to ask the Chief. I’m not sure we want to try that considering we don’t know how well the other three will perform.”
“I agree. I was just thinking that it’s a big job. What if they couldn’t get the parts they need? Could we go ahead with just the three?”
“I’ll ask the Chief when I go down there again.”
“Have the Engineer Officer, what’s his name again?”
“Phillips.”
“Have him check it out. That’s not your job,” the Captain said.
“You have to remember, Phillips is a civilian. He wasn’t in the Navy. He worked on commercial power plants. He pretty much defers to the Chief.”
“Still, he should be the one going down to the engine room. You have enough to do up here. Are you comfortable with the navigation bridge and the steering controls?”
“I’m pretty comfortable. I mean, I know what everything does and how it works. Actually doing it? I don’t know and guess I won’t until we head out to sea.”
“You’ll do fine. I was just going over my checklist one more time. I would like to shoot for getting underway for a trial run early next week. Most of the provisions are already on board. The fuel tanks are topped off and we can fill the water tanks just before we head out. Everything else seems to check out. We could do a quick shake down run and then make a punch list from that.”
“Are you worried about not having any tugs to help us out of here?” Dawson asked.
“Absolutely. I would be lying if I said that wasn’t a major concern. I’ve never moved anything this big so it is going to be a real challenge.”
“I guess we could use the two barges that we have working. I mean they would be better than nothing.”
“I’ve already talked to the barge operators. They are willing to give it a try but they have never done anything like this before either.”
“This should prove to be a damned exciting deployment.”
* * * *
“What do you think Captain?” the XO asked.
“I think we are all crazy. Every time I walk the 717 feet of this thing I think to myself, what in the world makes me think I can get this thing out of here and into deep water?”
“Well I guess we are about to find out.”
“I guess so. The engine room is ready and we are on our own power. Everyone is going through the final checklist. Once I get the ready reports we can single up lines.”
“It won’t be long now.”
“Radar ready,” was followed by, “navigation and engine room ready”.
“Looks like this is it. No more stalling,” the captain said looking out the bridge windows.
He gave the signal to single up the lines. Within a few minutes all that was holding the ship to the dock were the single hawsers waiting to be removed from the cleats.
“Barges ready,” the XO said.
“Cast off all lines,” the Captain replied after saying a quick prayer.
Finally the ship was free. The two barges were pulling the cruiser away from the pier. The Captain watched as it inched further and further from the pilings.
“Signal them to stop.”
Slowly the ship lost way and sat dead in the water.
“Helmsman, port back slow, starboard ahead one third,” he ordered.
The helmsman rang down the orders to the engine room and they answered immediately. Down in the engine room, the Chief was on the throttles. He sent steam to the two starboard engines in the ahead position and the other two he cracked open the throttles for reverse. The giant shafts slowly started to turn.
He was listening carefully to the number four engine. So far, so good, but they had a long way to go before he would rest easy. He watched the revolution counters to make sure all engines were turning at the proper speed.
‘All stop’ came the command and the Chief quickly closed the throttle wheel. The next command was ‘All back one third’ and he quickly reversed all four engines.
The maneuvering went on for a half hour before the order ‘all ahead slow’ was rang up. They were actually underway at last.
On the bridge the XO was saying, “Damn, I thought we were going to run right over that one barge.”
“It was a little closer that I would have liked. I’m sure he thought he was going to be crushed.”
“Well, a miss is as good as a mile,” the XO said.
“That works for me. Once we clear the end of the break wall we will head north for an hour or so. Have everyone check in with any problems no matter how small,” the Captain said.
“Aye, Aye Captain.”
“Aw crap, don’t get all nautical on me.”
“Ye be a landlubber too long, me thinks.”
“Any more of that and you’ll be walking the plank.”
“You’re no fun.”
“Make yourself useful and plot a course up the coast for us.”
“Got it boss man.”
“Christ. It’s going to be a long voyage,” the Captain said shaking his head.
CHAPTER EIGHT
- FüSSEN GERMANY –
General Schenck had slipped out of Berlin under the pretense of going to check on the Germans currently in Munich. He did make a quick tour but he also clandestinely moved the more than 700 men he had under his command to the small town of Füssen only a few kilometers from the Austrian border.
Regardless of what Herr Ramsden had said, now was the time for Germany to take back what was rightfully hers.
He had made his headquarters in the famous Château de Neuschwanstein Castle. The castle was built for King Ludwig II and was the model for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle in America. Schenck had moved his office to the throne room where he had a huge table brought in that served as his desk.
“Hauptmann Fiedler you will take four hundred men and proceed first to Reutte and sweep the area. Then move down to Bichlback. You will then swing toward Telfs and then Zirl. There you will wait until Oberleutnant Faust arrives.”
“Yes Sir,” Captain Fiedler replied, studying the map closely.
It was going to be a long journey, mostly on foot. They only had a dozen trucks running and those were not very dependable. He would have to devise a plan that would let the enlisted men alternate walking with riding. Obviously his journey would start in Füssen. Second Lieutenant Eisenberg would have to start from some place further east.
“Second Lieutenant Eisenberg, you will move the remaining troops to this point,” the General said pointing to Mittenwald, “As you can see there is no easy direct route. You will have to go north to this crossroad and then swing back south. Finding a place to cross the rivers may prove to be a challenge. Most have flooded their banks and many of the bridges are under water.”
“General we will need a great deal of time if we are to make it without wearing the men out. It will be a hard journey,” Eisenberg said.
“Lieutenant Eisenberg I do not want to hear any whining. These men will do as you direct. Of course it will take some time but I expect you and them to carry out my orders. Is that understood?”
“Yes General.”
“Now since you have the furthest to travel I will assign seven trucks for you to use. Captain Fiedler will have five. I will, of course, ride in the only serviceable car.”
‘Of course you will, you fat pig,’ both Eisenberg and Fiedler thought.
“General, I would like clarification on what we should do if we run across any Austrian citizens,” Hauptmann Fiedler asked.
“You are to take them along to Innsbruck.”
“Yes, I mean if they refuse to leave.”
“Hauptmann, I am being clear. They are to go with you. They do not have a choice in the matter. Drag them if necessary or whatever it takes. Do you understand?”
“Yes General. Thank you.”
“Sir,” Eisenberg said, “When do you want my company to leave?”
“You are to leave for Mittenwald tomorrow. Stay there until you are contacted by courier to cross the border. At that time you will head directly to Zirl and link up with the Captain.”
“Is there anything you want us to do while we are waiting in Mittenwald?”
“Training. Keep the men busy. Don’t let them sit around drinking and getting fat. I want them ready to move swiftly into Innsbruck. Once you arrive in Innsbruck, the Captain will split his men up and take the west and south sides,” the General said showing them on the map.
“Lieutenant, you will place your men on the north and east sides. I want to circle the city as much as possible. You are to move toward the center of the town until you meet. All survivors are to be rounded up moved to the Stadion Tivoli. They are to be kept there until I arrive. I will address them at the appropriate time.”
* * * *
“What do you intend to do about General Schenck?” Anneke asked.
“He is off in Munich. Hopefully he will stay there and not come back until after the conference is over. I have no intention of taking him under any circumstances,” Ramsden said.
“Are you concerned about what he may attempt?”
“The General is all wind. He has always shouted at the dark. He still thinks Germany will rise to rule the world. I doubt he learned anything from World Wars one and two.”
“Still. I think letting him go unchecked could be dangerous.”
“I understand your concerns but he wouldn’t dare do anything against orders. He is a military man and is trained to do as told even if he doesn’t like it.”
“Edward, the world has changed. He is the highest ranking military soldier left. He may see himself as above civilian rule.”
“He scares you that much?” Ramsden asked.
“Scare is not the right word. He worries me in that he seems to think this is the time for Germany to strike while the other nations are at reduced capacity. I just feel he is devious enough to try to pull something off.”
“I just don’t know. It would be a dangerous step for him to take and I don’t see him as stupid.”
“Not stupid but impulsive. There is a difference,” Anneke insisted.
“Maybe you are right. I will have Colonel Rinested keep an eye on the General. He is a good man and I trust him to be honest with me.”
“I agree. Is there any way to make him equal rank with the General?”
“I honestly have no idea. Maybe Minister Hersch would know,” Ramsden said.
“Do you want me to go get him? He is just across the street.”
“Yes, Please. As Minister of the Interior maybe he has some insight.”
“Good. I’ll be back as quickly as I can. I am tired of all this intrigue talk. I think we should do something a little more strenuous but with less talk,” Anneke said demurely.
“Excellent, I think I have just the thing,” Ramsden said, smiling.
“I’m sure you do,” Anneke said as she went out the door.
Ramsden rubbed his eyes. With everything that needed attention, why was he even having to concern himself with the General? Would he really go so far as to disobey orders? Surly not.
CHAPTER NINE
- COLORADO SPRINGS –
Randy took his usual seat at the head of the table. Around it were seated the full nine members that made up what was now being called the Guidance League.
“I would like to start today’s meeting with the introduction of the full League. I’ll start with our newest member. Carl Langford is a survivor from Carlsbad Caverns. He was there replacing some of the foot lights that help visitors along the paths throughout the cave. Now Carl, I expect you to remember each member. There will be a test at the end of the meeting.”
It brought a quick chuckle and eased everyone's tension.
“Going from your left is Dan Pierson, Margaret Olson, and Captain Larry Sims. To your right is Captain Miller, Captain Rosen, Kevin Shore, and last, but certainly not least, Angie Dunn. Angie just joined us a few months ago. Our mission sounds rather simple but believe me many decisions that we make are very difficult. We are trying to make good choices that are not only right for today, but will continue to be so five and ten years down the road,” Randy told him.
“Do we vote or how do you come to a consensus?” Carl asked.
“It's pretty simple. Everyone gets one vote. We just tally them up and go with the decision or start over and try to work it out. It’s not very formal. I generally don’t vote unless it is a tie. So far that has not happened. We really try to look at the problem from all angles before we decide to vote,” Randy told him.
“And the agenda?”
“Typically I have one ready but it is by no means fixed in stone. If someone has a hot item we get to it. Several times we have had to suspend what we thought we were going to discuss and cover another more pressing topic. Any time someone has a critical topic we want to hear about it.”
“Wow. I’m anxious to get started.”
“Then let’s get to it,” Randy said passing out the agendas and asking, “Does anyone have something that needs to be looked into immediately?”
He looked around the table b
ut no one had anything so he started it.
“First up is the European Conference. So far almost every nation we have been in touch with is sending representatives. Right now we have Russia, France, Germany, Spain, Austria, Italy, and us attending. There has been no word from China. Either they are not aware of our broadcasts or they are ignoring them. It doesn’t mean they won’t show up, but honestly I doubt they are going to attend.”
“Why would they deliberately stay away? They are in the same boat as the rest of us,” Dan Pierson asked.
“I asked the Russian leader, Major General Yegor Nitikin, if he had any thoughts. He said he thought they were just being the usual Chinese, not wanting to go the same direction as the rest of the world. He suspected the military is in control and doesn’t want to let China come under the influence of the other nations. He seemed somewhat concerned that they may think they could pull off a preemptive strike while all the nations are weak.”
“Are you serious? They would want to start a war at this time?”
“Who knows? I’m pretty sure they are receiving our messages. They are ignoring them for some reason only known to them.”
“Should we be thinking about a war with them?”
“Honestly? It would be a waste of time. If I was their next door neighbor I might be concerned, but as it is I’m not in the least worried about it. If they want to stay away, that’s fine with me,” Randy said, “Now, who to send? First of all, it will be no joy ride. It will be risky on several levels. The USS Salem is essentially untested in heavy seas. It has no computers, no modern guidance systems and little in the way of communications. I propose we send no more than three or four people as our delegates. That seems to be how many the rest are sending except for France. What do you guys think?”
Pretty much everyone agreed that no more than four should go. Of course all of them wanted to go, dangers or not.
“Okay then, let’s do a quick show of hands for four delegates,” Randy said.
Nine hands went up immediately.
THE REVELATION - Book 3 (THE EVENT) Page 4
