Submarine Warriors: The Enemy Beneath by Rob Tiffany Read Free Book Online

they streamed out of the tree house toward an uncertain future.

Chapter 4 > Stealing the Sub

    Subase Bangor
    After cruising southward through the Hood Canal, the USS Alaska pulled up alongside the Delta Pier with the assistance of a tug boat.
    “ Helm, all stop,” ordered the XO.
    “ All stop helm, aye,” the young Helmsman replied.
    With that command, a Petty Officer back in Maneuvering spun the giant wheel to the fully closed position and the Alaska’s propeller stopped. Auxiliarymen securely tied the sub to the pier.
    “ Secure the Maneuvering Watch,” the Chief of the Boat announced over the 1MC.
    This is the moment submariners looked forward to more than any other. Only this time, they didn’t have to wait until the end of a 70-day patrol. Almost the entire crew poured out of the sub and onto the pier to reunite with their loved ones after this short, strange trip.
    Admiral Connery and the kids made their way through the crowd of sailors and families. Recognized by the crewmembers as the children of their lost shipmates, they were overwhelmed by hugs and words of condolence by this extended Navy family. When they crossed the gangplank onto the flat missile deck of the sub, they were greeted by the XO.
    “ Uncle Charley!” Caroline yelled out, as she embraced the Executive Officer.
    “ Caroline, this ship belonged to your father, and now I’m giving it to you,” the XO whispered in her ear. “It’s your job to make sure he gets it back.”
    The XO saluted the Admiral and then shook his hands to secretly pass a folded piece of paper he’d been hiding.
    “ Enjoy the tour of the sub,” the XO said aloud so that everyone in the area could hear. “I’ve got a debriefing to attend so I won’t be able to join you.” With that, the XO crossed the gangplank and walked into the crowd of people on the pier.
    The Petty Officer of the Watch gave a sharp salute to the famous retired Admiral and proceeded to assist the group through the hatch. The sub was a ghost town. Once everyone was safely below, they were greeted by the Chief of the Boat.
    “ Welcome aboard the Alaska, everyone,” the Chief proclaimed. “The Skipper informed me that this tour might run a little longer than usual. Excuse me while I climb up and secure the hatch above you. We wouldn’t want anyone to drop in unexpectedly.”
    The Chief slammed the missile deck hatch shut and spun the wheel to seal and lock it. Upon climbing back down, he picked up a sound-powered phone.
    “ Control, this is the Chief of the Boat,” he spoke. “Secure all hatches.”
    “ Secure all hatches, Control, Chief of the Boat, aye,” a voice replied.
    With that, hatches on the sub’s hull and sail were closed and locked so that no one from the outside could enter the giant steel cylinder.
    Annie jumped at the sound of the hatches slamming shut. “I feel trapped!”
    “ I’m feeling claustrophobic,” Mike chimed-in.
    “ Admiral, the crew of the Alaska awaits your orders,” the Chief announced, as he stood at attention before Admiral Connery.
    “ Thank you, Chief,” replied the Admiral. “I wasn’t actually sure how this was going to play out.”
    “ You’re among friends,” the Chief of the Boat said to the Admiral and kids. “The XO hand-picked those of us who would remain aboard once we docked. We are loyal to him, and your dads are like brothers to us. While the officers and men on the pier would be sympathetic to your plight, they don’t know anything about this and therefore have plausible deniability. I guess the XO wanted to make sure that only a few of us end up serving jail time in Leavenworth. Since I don’t have a full section of men onboard, you kids will have to help out with some of the watch stations.”
    “ I’m officially a junior Fire Control technician,” Nick interrupted the Chief’s speech. “I can plot solutions and fire torpedoes.”
    “ Yeah, and Chrissie and I can drive this thing anywhere you want to go.” Annie