Larry Bond - Cold Choices

Wright broke in. “One other matter, sir. Dr. Patterson is asking permission to contact the Russian government directly, without passing her messages through the State Department here in Washington. She does have someone from the Moscow embassy with her on Churchill.”

Huber looked a little puzzled. “Why would Joanna want to cut State out of the loop?”

“She says it’s interfering with the timely passing of communications. She still hasn’t been able to talk to anyone on the Russian side.”

“That’s probably more the Russians’ fault than State’s,” Rain observed.

Huber shook his head. “I’m glad one of my people is out there, but we’ve got precious little control over events. I’m not ready to give that up. I want to know what Joanna is saying to the Russians before the Russians do.”

Wright looked ready to discuss it further, but Huber cut him off. “Tell her we’ll keep State honest — and Jeff, you tell me the moment they’re not.”

After a moment’s pause, he added, “And tell her to get Seawolf out of there as soon as we legally can.”

Northern Fleet Headquarters

Vice Admiral Kokurin read through the intelligence report, looking for anything he didn’t already know. He’d gotten copies of Rudel’s conversation with his commanders from the Navy Ministry, the Foreign Ministry, and he’d seen news reports about it on the television as well. Now his intelligence specialists sent him the same thing, copied almost verbatim, with “probably” and “possibly” added here and there to cover their bureaucratic behinds. Stamp something secret and they think they own it.

Direction finders had also confirmed the Americans’ location during his last transmission. He was sitting right on top of Severodvinsk’s supposed location.

The Foreign Ministry had received communications from the U.S. government asking for the movements of the rescue ships and for details of Severodvinsk’s construction. The latter request was supposedly on behalf of the Norwegians, but they were still two days away. And why was the request coming from an American warship?

The Foreign Ministry had asked the Main Navy Staff, and they had asked him. Why were they asking these questions? How should they be answered?

Kokurin could imagine many reasons for wanting to know Petr Velikiy s movements. Some of them were reasonable, others were not. As long as it was the Americans asking, he had to assume the worst. As for details of Severodvinsk’s hatches and emergency equipment, that information could be sent to the Norwegians, when it became absolutely necessary.

Both ministries had also asked for his estimate of the destroyer’s intentions. Intelligence said an American front-line Flight IIA Burke- class destroyer was heading north at high speed, loaded with parts to repair Seawolf’s radios and civilian experts as passengers.

They were probably telling the truth about the radio parts. Kokurin smiled. Having to surface and use that idiot satellite phone was probably making the submarine captain and half the U.S. Navy insane. Getting his radios repaired would indeed be a high priority. But after that?

Having a surface ship in the area able to observe and communicate freely would give the American government a big advantage. Seawolf’s sensors and her remote vehicles gave her a good picture of what was happening underwater, but even an undamaged submarine was severely limited in what it could see above the surface.

Seawolf was damaged. Would she go home when the destroyer arrived? He didn’t think so. She’d stayed there so far, and together they made a powerful team. Kokurin didn’t like the idea of the two of them observing and recording.

But if the reports were true, the Americans had bought three days of life for Severodvinsk’s crew. The U.S. submarine captain was resourceful. It was possible they would need the Americans’ help to rescue Petrov and his crew.

The thought was bitter in his mind. The Navy had already lost its newest submarine and eighteen lives. They might still lose the whole crew. But the thought of outsiders being involved in any way almost revolted him. Even if they could help, that help would disgrace them all.

Interfax Press Release

“The Russian Naval Ministry has declared a maritime exclusion zone, effective at 1500 hours Greenwich Mean Time (1800 Moscow Daylight Savings Time) today. Centered on Latitude 73° 10’ North and Longitude 047° 50’ East, it is a circular area fifty nautical miles in diameter. All aircraft and vessels are required to remain clear of this area so that units of the Russian

Navy can conduct submarine rescue operations. The ministry said that the zone will remain in effect until further notice.

“Ministry spokesman Captain Second Rank Aleksandr Perchov was asked about the presence of foreign naval units in the exclusion area. Will they be asked to join the rescue? He stated that foreign naval units would be asked to leave, since they would be unfamiliar with Russian rescue procedures.

“All vessels and aircraft are required to obtain permission from the Naval Ministry before moving through the exclusion area, and the ministry has already stated that permission will only be granted in cases of demonstrated need.”

USS Winston S. Churchill

Parker had been after Patterson for an interview, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. Public media could be an unreliable channel, but this time she knew the Russians would get her message.

They’d decided to use the wardroom as the venue. Her stateroom looked more like a college dorm room, and with Baker pushing Churchill at twenty knots, the wind made the weather decks impossible.

Adams had his own small video rig. The small light next to the camera cast an unusual glow over her, but she focused her attention on the reporter, almost shadowed in comparison. She fought the impression that he was an inquisitor. She wanted her story to be told.

“Dr. Patterson, what effect will the Russians’ exclusion zone have on U.S. operations?

“USS Churchill will of course remain outside the zone. We still intend to launch our helicopter tomorrow morning, which will be picking up injured men from USS Seawolf. We have notified the Russian Naval Ministry, through official channels, of our intentions.” She smiled, carefully, just a little, trying to think friendly thoughts. “We are sure they won’t object to a mission of mercy.”

“What about Seawolf herself? She’s right in the center of the exclusion zone. The Russians said she must leave.”

“We disagree. Seawolf has to remain there. According to international convention, the first vessel arriving at a maritime incident is the on-scene commander. International law, as well as common sense, requires that Seawolf remain with Severodvinsk until Captain Rudel can transfer command of the rescue to another, more capable vessel.”

That was a long speech. Patterson was sure none of it would be in the sound byte on the evening news. But she also knew a full transcript would be on the web within hours. She waited for Adams’s next, obvious question.

“What will Seawolf do once Commander Rudel does turn over command? Will she go home? Will there be an investigation?”

Patterson ignored the last question, and focused on her message. “ Seawolf was carrying three, now two, advanced unmanned underwater vehicles. They have obviously been very useful. Besides transferring carbon-dioxide-absorbing chemicals to help keep the Russian sailors alive, they have made a detailed survey of Severodvinsk’s damage and position on the seabed. This information would be invaluable to any rescue effort. Seawolf needs to give this information to the Russians.”