John Schettler - Kirov

That was not all. With FDR safely ashore, the Americans were now free to reinforce their fleet with the addition of the battleships New York, Arkansas, three or four fast cruisers and double that number of destroyers in Desron 7. Admiral Starke convinced King that this was, indeed, a job for the cruisers.

“Leave the battleships behind,” he suggested. We can use their AA guns to beef up air defense in the bay here in the event the Germans try lobbing some of these new glide bombs and rockets our way.” He also wanted FDR in the best armored ships he had, and the cruisers and destroyers had the speed required for a hunt at sea. He put it in terms King quickly understood and embraced. “Release the hounds, Rey. Let’s get the dogs out after this bastard and run it down. The old battleships will just get in the way and, if need be, you’ve got Mississippi out there already, though I suggest you make her the goalie in this game.”

King agreed that this was a much better plan, and so the venerable WWI battleships New York, the “Lady Broadway,” and Arkansas, “Old Arky,” hove to in Argentia Bay, with FDR and all the remaining brass eagerly awaiting the arrival of Churchill. The fast cruisers left hours later, Brooklyn, Nashville, Augusta, and Tuscaloosa, all eager to get out to sea and into the hunt. There was an empty berth back home where Vincennes once anchored, and they had a score to settle.

When Marshall brought up the fact that the US was still technically neutral King bristled at the notion. “You tell that to John Reeves and the rest of his crew on Wasp,” he said.

An hour later Roosevelt had drafted and issued a Presidential Order for the U.S. Navy to find and sink any and all hostile ships within 300 miles of the coast of Newfoundland. The Americans were edging ever closer to an open declaration of war, which was nothing more than a formality now. All FDR had to do was make sure Admiral King realized the British were out there as well, and that they were not hostile ships, in spite of the Admiral’s distaste for the ‘conniving limeys’ as he called them.

As the clock ticked off the time, an unspoken Zero Hour loomed in the minds of every man involved, and that same clock was ticking aboard Kirov as well.

Just as Karpov was pressing Orlov for his support, Zolkin and the Admiral were finishing up their conversation in the sick bay. “Don’t worry about Karpov,” he said. “If he starts another battle I’ll carry you up to the bridge myself.”

“That man is dangerous,” said Volsky. “He claims to have only the interests of the ship and crew at heart, yet I feel there is something more there.”

“I agree,” said Zolkin. “There is more to the man than meets the eye. He is brooding on something, scheming. You can see it in his body language, Leonid. But understand his situation. He is captain of the ship, but yet not captain as long as you are aboard.”

“Professional jealousy?”

“More than that. It is a kind of adverse reaction to higher authority. In my opinion he regards his own judgment as unassailable, and resents any interference. He may accord you the respect your rank deserves, but I think it is mere lip service and that he views you as an obstacle, or worse, as an interloper aboard a ship that is rightfully his. I have seen a thousand men like him over the years. It seems our Mother Russia breeds them in batches. Do you notice how he closes up physically whenever questioned? He folds his arms defensively. His eyes narrow, and his expressions clearly register impatience, resentment and even annoyance.”

“The man has an ego, most certainly.”

“You must be cautious with such a man. He can become a dangerous and unpredictable enemy.”

“What are you suggesting, that Karpov might attempt to subvert my authority?”

“Possibly. We are not operating under normal circumstances, my friend. Severomorsk is not a radio message away any longer. The entire chain of command aboard this ship derives from authority vested in men by a world that no longer even exists! The men are performing their duties. They say, yes sir; no sir; if I may, sir, but this is mere protocol, reflexive behavior on one level.”

“I think I have earned the respect of these men many times over,” said Volsky.

“That you have, and this is your strongest asset at the moment. Take off the stripes and uniforms and we are all just men, Leonid, and men do odd things in situations of extreme pressure. In Karpov’s case, they salute the rank, but I do not think they salute or admire the man. In your case I think the men genuinely love and respect you, and would follow you irrespective of your rank. You are “Papa Volsky,” the Grand Admiral of the Fleet. Some still hold you in awe, others see you as a father figure. Yet sometimes a father has a wayward and rebellious son, yes? This is Karpov. And when a man like Karpov feels threatened, he will seek allies before he acts.”

“Aboard this ship?”

“Where else? And you can make a very short list of the men most likely to see things his way.”

Volsky was silent for a time, his face pained under those thick brows, eyes furrowed, distant, as if seeing some inward thing in a far off corner of his mind. “I’m getting old, Dmitri,” he said sullenly. “I thought I would finish out my days at home with my grandchildren on my knee and a nice garden. Now here I am with the fate of the world on my shoulders, and that home I imagine no longer even exists, just as you say. This is somewhere in the mind and soul of every man aboard this ship, and younger men are adventurous. They are hungry. They see the days ahead as something to be discovered, something gained, and not as something to be settled and given a proper balance, not as a place to find rest and ease of mind. They have not yet lived, and they are reaching, planning. Me? I am tired. I want to sit down under a palm tree with a good glass of wine and read. Yet I do not think any of us will find that island you spoke of once, with all the pretty Polynesian girls. Things are coming to a boiling point soon. We cannot sail about taking shots at any ship that comes near us. At some point this must resolve. It has to be settled.”

“Resolve to what, Leonid? What are you going to do?”

“This business at Argentia Bay-the Atlantic Charter. Perhaps I can put some jam and honey on the table for the Russia that emerges from this war.”

“How? You mean you intend to go there yourself and speak your mind with Roosevelt and Churchill after what Karpov has done?”

“I considered it. Stalin was not invited, but they are bringing all their admirals and generals. I am Grand Admiral of the Russian Northern Fleet, or so you tell me.”

“Yes, I tell you that, but can you tell that to Churchill and Roosevelt? This is risky, Leonid. Assuming you convince them of who and what we are; where we have come from-assuming they believe what you tell them, then would they not see you as a valuable asset?”

“Of course, that was my hope.”

“But think…If you were at war in our day, and had a man here who knew the history yet to come, every battle, every mistake made, would you not keep him close?”

“You are suggesting I would be taken prisoner?”

“That is a likely outcome should you place yourself in a situation where you cannot easily regain your freedom.”

The Admiral considered this, nodding. “I had come to this reasoning myself some time ago,” he confessed. “But I just wanted to see what you might think of the prospect and I think you are correct. A visit with Churchill and Roosevelt sounds appealing, even exciting. But it would be most unwise. I gave it some thought, for a long time, perhaps too long.”

“Is this why you have allowed the ship to remain on this course?” Zolkin questioned him further. “You were thinking of joining this meeting? I’m afraid that Karpov may have other thoughts about this situation. Mark my words-he intends a show of force, and if the Allies gather in strength, he will meet fire with fire. And so, old man, if you ever do want to sit under that palm tree and read, you had better get yourself back up to the bridge. I certify you as healthy and fit for duty. It’s Orlov’s watch now. Karpov has been prowling around below decks, but I think you should get there soon.”