by M. L. Maki
“Finish eating, Thud. They’re playing our song.”
“Hang on, just a few more bites,” and stuffs omelet into his mouth. Then he walks the tray to the scullery and pulls the biscuits off, as he sets it down.
ADMIRAL’S PASSAGEWAY
They meet Hughes and Richardson outside the conference room. Hughes pauses before knocking, and Richardson says, “Come on, Hughes, the altitude doesn’t have you light-headed, does it?”
“Nope, the brass. I feel like I’m going to the principal’s office.”
As the other members of the trust show up, Richardson opens the door, “You haven’t been throwing spit wads again, I have you?”
Sam says, “Shawn, you’ll be fine.”
Walking in, Hughes says, “Admirals eat petty officers for lunch.” Sam grins.
Admiral Nimitz, at the conference table with his staff, Admiral Ren, Captain Klindt, and Captain Johnson, says, “You’re wrong, petty officer, my diet goes more to beef and beans.”
Hughes face goes red, “Um, un, yes, sir,” and Sam lightly touches his arm. They gather on one side of the room, and Nimitz says, “Please, get a cup of joe and sit down.” When they’ve settled down at the table, Nimitz continues, “I’ve had an opportunity to review your work, so I have some questions. First, do I have secure communications?”
CT1 Barr answers, “In a way, sir, yours are more secure than ours. Books and records discuss the principles used in WWII, but not the actual codes. Any German or Japanese that came back, if they did, might be able to steal our codes from co-located American units. I can make our current system more secure, though, without too much disruption once we are making circuit boards.”
“Thank you. I know jet fuel is your most pressing need. Beyond that, what is most urgent?”
ETCS Richardson says, “A thousand things at once. Most of it hinges on creating the electronic industry. However, many items can be built concurrently.”
“What do you mean?”
Lt. Hunt says, “What he is saying, Admiral, is nearly every system on this boat; weapons, planes, communications, radar, and propulsion uses electronics and computers. Even the missiles carried by the planes.”
Richardson adds, “Exactly. What I meant about concurrent manufacture is, what we will be doing is reverse engineering. We already know what will work and how it is designed. We could build parts and have them waiting for the circuit boards to be made.”
Nimitz nods, “I see, but how can you know that everything will fit?”
Richardson smiles, “It isn’t really hard to do, a card is shaped how we want it to be.”
“So, how many cards are we talking about?”
“I’ve been working on that. There are three thousand six hundred and seventy-two cards used by the battle group. Of them, about two thousand are critical to war fighting tasks. Some are irrelevant now.”
“Irrelevant?”
“Yes, sir, global positioning system card make no sense when we do not have the geosynchronous satellites we need to make the system work.”
Ren asks, “Is there any way we could cut down that number?”
Richardson replies, “Yes, we’ve been looking at that. We could reduce the number of different platforms. If we don’t replace the A-6 and the EA-6B, we could replace them with F-14 platforms capable of performing their functions. That would cut about two hundred. There are other weapon and radar systems that could be designed with commonality. By using the same card for different functions, all that would be necessary is to build the card with multiple functions and arrange pin connectors to make them work in each system. It would make each card a little more complicated and expensive, but would cut the number to, maybe, one thousand, or so. We couldn’t do that with aviation cards, though, weight and size are too critical.”
Nimitz asks, “You’re talking about manufacturing new aircraft. I understand the F/A-18 is the newest, why not copy it instead of the F-14?”
Lt. Jackson answers, “The problem with building new F/A-18s is the carbon fiber wings. To build them, we would need to create quality carbon fiber and binders, as well as the software and computers to design and build the wings. Each wing has the fiber mesh laid down precisely. It’s what makes it strong. The F-14 is aluminum and titanium, and you’re already working with these materials in 1942.”
“I see. Which of your aircraft should be produced?”
Lt. Mohr says, “F/A-14, E/A-14, S-3, K-3, C-2, E-2, and the SH-60. That’s three airframes and one helicopter. We could also use a dedicated ground support aircraft that can fly low and slow. Even the A-6 is a little fast for the job. The A-6 is a good aircraft, but it’s subsonic and an attack 14 could carry as much ordinance and defend itself.”
Jackson adds, “We could build a navalized A-10 using S-3 engines.”
Hunt looks at Jackson, “Yes, the A-10 is the best ground support aircraft made. Marines love it.”
Ren asks, “How fast could we get all this going?”
Richardson replies, “Like I said earlier, the integrated circuit is the limiting technology. At a guess, in the neighborhood of a year before we are making the types and numbers of circuit cards we need. In a year, everything else should be ready.”
Jackson says, “We will also need to upgrade the Army. The Sherman tank was worse than worthless, they need the M-60’s or the new M-1 Abrams.”
Johnson says, “We could find a smart marine to help there.”
Mohr says, “Now there’s a contradiction in terms.”
Klindt sighs, “Behave, Mohr,” and they all chuckle.
Nimitz asks, “What is this A-10?”
Jackson pulls out a picture, “Sir, it’s a tank killer designed during the cold war. The whole plane is armored and it uses a 30mm Gatling gun that fires depleted uranium rounds. It eats armor like a fire breathing dragon.”
“Do we have any plans or schematics?”
Jackson replies, “I found a couple of books on the A-10. We don’t have exact schematics, but it should be producible. The 30mm gun is basically an upsized 20mm, and we have the plans for that. The engines we use for the S-3 are basically the same. They are both GE TF-34s. The books have the wing loading, shape, and size.”
“Yes, I want it. Rick, I see why you value these people. You know I will be taking most of them with me to Washington?”
Ren answers, “Yes, sir, I only ask to keep the pilots. We really need them.”
“We’ll talk about that in a bit. First, though, we have the matter of enlisted experts.”
Ren says, “I had considered field commissions, but I felt it would be pushing my luck.”
“I understand, let’s push our luck, shall we? Captain Klindt, please, they are your people.”
Lt. Grant says, “Field promotions, sir? Won’t congress have your hide?”
“The first thing the congress will know is their promoted rank. By the time this detail is sorted out, these folks will be indispensable. Besides, Emerson, we’re fighting a war, field promotions happen. Go ahead, Captain Klindt.”
Klindt stands and says, “Attention to promotion.” They all stand and he continues, “RM1 Denton, CT1 Barr, MM1 Hughes, ETCS Richardson, please raise your right hand and repeat after me:
I, state your name, having been appointed an Ensign in the Navy of the United States, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to same. That I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter, so help me God.”
The men repeat the oath, Richardson choking a bit over the line about it being freely. Klindt steps up to them, “We’ll sort out the uniforms later. Congratulations, Ensign Barr.”
“Thank you sir,” and they shake hands.
He shakes Denton’s hand, “Ensign Denton, congratulations, we’re
expecting great things from you.”
“Thank you, I’ll do my best.”
Klindt shakes Hughes hand, “Ensign Hughes, congratulations. We will have your EOOW boards this afternoon. You will be a nuclear officer.”
“Sir, is this really necessary? I’ve never even been to college.”
“You know things books can’t teach, and you don’t take crap off anyone. We need you out there.”
“Yes, sir.”
Klindt shakes Richardson’s hand, “Ensign Richardson, congratulations, you have a lot of work ahead of you.”
“Thank you, sir, but I didn’t want to be an officer.”
“I know, but we need you. You’re the only one who can do this.”
“Yes, sir.”
Klindt turns to Admiral Ren, “Can I send someone for ensign bars?”
Nimitz and Ren had been quietly talking during the commissioning ceremony, and Nimitz says, “Let’s hold off on that a bit, we have a new problem. No one really listens to ensigns, everyone knows they’re brand new. I need all the first classes to be lieutenants.”
Grants eyes about bug out, “Sir?”
“Now, Emerson, would you be so good as to ask Admiral Ren’s staff for three sets of lieutenant’s bars, and,” he looks at Richardson and the rest of the brain trust, and whispers in the Grant’s ear.
Grant stands stiffly, “Yes, sir,” and leaves the room.
Nimitz turns to Johnson, “Now, it is going to be a difficulty to outfit these three blue jackets with the correct uniforms?”
“We can set them up with a few uniforms, but we can’t get them a full sea bag. Most of those items are not carried on board.”
“I just need them to arrive in Pearl in proper uniform.”
Hunt raises her hand, “Sir? That brings up another problem we’ve been talking about, inflation of the dollar.”
Nimitz looks at her, “What do you mean?”
She continues, “Well, in 1942 a seaman makes about $40.00 per month. In 1990, the same seaman makes $800.00 per month base pay. That’s worth about the same in buying power as the $40.00 paid now. The thing is, some on the ship are carrying a great deal of money in 1941 terms, just to have spending money during the deployment. All the currency minted after 1942 isn’t legal.”
Ren says, “Her figures are about correct across the board.”
“How are they paid? Is it in cash?”
Johnson says, “No, sir, their checks were directly deposited into their banks back home, minus an amount of hold back that is sent to the ship. The ship maintains accounts for all sailors that they can draw upon like a bank. We have about forty million in cash aboard to support the system and about one hundred eighty-five million for the other ships functions, paying for food, and such.”
Burbank asks, “In cash? Incredible!”
Johnson smiles, “In 1990 terms, it costs about one million dollars a day to operate this ship, nearly two million for the whole battle group.”
Hunt says a soft, ‘Wow.”
Nimitz turns to Burbank, “Lewis, let’s get some case out here. We’ll set up an exchange at twenty 1990 dollars for one of ours, and give these folks some money. Oh, and also, pay them for the work they’ve done for the past few weeks.”
Burbank asks, “Do we withhold like Captain Johnson described, or pay them in full?”
Klindt says, “Withhold for whom? We all lost our families when we came back in time.”
Nimitz and his officers go very quiet, and Burbank says, “I’m sorry, Captain, I meant no offense.”
Nimitz says, “That’s something that had not crossed my mind. It isn’t unusual for the occasional sailor to lose someone back home, but you’ve lost everyone and everything. You don’t even have friends or a home town to go to. We need to attach all of you to your families, if they can be found. Admiral Ren, do you have a home of record and next of kin for everyone?”
Ren replies, “Yes, of course, it’s all part of their jackets. I can have the personnel department compile a list.”
“Good, I want it as soon as possible. American fighting men, fight for their country, but more than that, they fight for the folks back home. They fight for mom and dad and sister Sally. As long as this group is disconnected from home, they are disconnected from the community that needs them. We need to fix that.”
Grant comes back in with a box and hands it to Nimitz, and he opens it, “Good, let us get back to the promotions.” He stands, and the rest stand as well. He walks over to the brain trust, “Lieutenant Denton, congratulations,” and hands him his lieutenant bars, shaking his hand. “Lieutenant Barr, congratulations,” and hands him his bars and shakes his hand. “Lieutenant Hughes, congratulations,” handing him his bars and shaking his hand. Then he stops in front of Richardson, “Commander Richardson, congratulations,” handing him commander silver oak leaves, and shakes his hand.
Richardson croaks out, “Full commander, sir?”
Nimitz smiles, “Sorry, Commander, I just don’t think you’re ready for captain.”
“I don’t think so, either, sir.”
Nimitz moves on to each of the members of the brain trust, “Lieutenant Jackson, congratulations,” handing him his bars, and shaking his hand.
“Thank you, sir.”
“Lieutenant Commander Severn, congratulations,” handing her LCDR gold oak leaves and shaking her hand.
She squeaks, “Thank you, sir.”
“Commander Warren, congratulations,” handing him silver oak leaves and shaking his hand.
“Thank you, sir.”
“Lieutenant Commander Mohr, congratulations,” handing him gold oak leaves and shaking his hand.
“Thank you, sir,” with a twinkle in his eye.
“Lieutenant Commander Hunt, congratulations,” handing her gold oak leaves and shaking her hand.
“Thank you, sir.”
Then the officers get in line to shake hands and offer congratulations. Nimitz says, “I like doing this, but we need to get back to business. But one more item, we need someone to lead this technical team. It makes sense that Captain Klindt, who has ably led them so far, should continue to do so. A captain can do so, but an admiral can do it better.” He turns to Klindt, “Congratulations, Rear Admiral. Now Admiral, you will have to wait until you turn over your department before we pin you. Admirals can’t be department heads.”
Klindt says, “Of course, sir. Thank you.”
Hunt says, “All of us?”
Nimitz says, “All of you. Now back to business. I’m going to bring this team back with me to Hawaii, then on to Washington. The President, his staff, and Admiral King need to hear the story from the horse’s mouth, so to speak, Also, we need to order you some fuel, immediately.”
Ren says, “Sir, I need my pilots here. I only have what I have, and until we can put together a training pipeline, sir, they are it.”
Captain Duncan asks, “How long does it take to train jet pilots?”
Ren says, “Two years, sir, and even in war time not much can be shaved off that time. They have to be able to land on a moving deck in foul weather, at night, flying 140 knots. It takes time to learn how. Also, all of our jet pilots have engineering or mathematics degrees.
Nimitz says, “I need one pilot. I need someone smart, with experience in command, and high enough rank that he can get the job done. I like what your team has done, but I don’t see that pilot here. I met your CAG, Captain Lee, earlier, I want him. Can I have your air group commander, Admiral?”
Ren says, Yes, sir, I’ll need to assign someone else to his spot.”
“Who is your highest ranking commander?”
“Commander Holtz, commander of the Black Knight, is the senior squadron commander. He’s Jackson and Hunt’s skipper.”
“Good, you already have a lieutenant commander in the squadron to take his place. Having a woman commander will cool some of the objections in congress. Well, that’s settled.”
Hunt listens to the admirals
in shock, the room dimming around her. Hughes touches her elbow, “You okay?” Not trusting her voice, she just nods.
Nimitz says, “That done, I need to talk with my staff. Thank you all.”
Klindt says, “Okay, guys, I think a celebration is in order. Meet you all in the RT classroom at 0900.”
CHAPTER 37
15 MILES SOUTH OF DIAMOND HEAD HAWAII
FLAG BRIDGE, USS ENTERPRISE, CV-6, 4 JANUARY, 1942
Captain Murray walks into the bridge, “So, Admiral, are you going to let me in on the secret? Why did we sortie this task force?” Admiral William ‘Bull’ Halsey grabs a message envelope and hands it to the Enterprise’s captain: To Commander Carrier Group 2/Task Force 8. From Commander Pacific Fleet: Sortie Enterprise Task Force as soon as able. Meet with Task Force 72, USS Carl Vinson ‘Gold Eagle’ group at north 27 degrees 37 minutes 30 seconds by west 156 degrees 7 minutes 30 seconds. Provision for two months.”
Murray says, “USS Carl Vinson? What the hell is the Carl Vinson?”
Halsey looks at him with a grim smile, “Do you remember the ruckus about two weeks ago down in the Philippines?”
“Oh, the phantom group, so McArthur isn’t touched in the head?”
“Well, I won’t say he isn’t, but Admiral Nimitz disappeared yesterday morning. He didn’t fly out of any field and no ships got underway. Early this morning this comes in with his code. Don’t know what is going on, George, but I do know we will find out this afternoon. You might want to get your command squared away. You may be hosting the fleet commander soon. By the way, George, he likes his steak medium.”
“Yes, sir, isn’t Carl Vinson a congressman?”
“Yep, get with it, George.”
CARL VINSON RT CLASSROOM, 0900 4 JANUARY, 1942
Knowing his people were going to be promoted, Klindt arranged cake and ice cream. It was the first thing they all say when they entered the now familiar room. Klindt says, “Commander Severn, would you do the honors of cutting the cake? I brought my cake slicer down,” and hands her his dress uniform sword. “You know all of you are going to need one of these.”
