RIBs.
The one thing he was sure of: The attack was timed and meant to hit the Shepherd and the RIBs. But were the Bardot and the Shepherd targets of opportunity to guarantee a full-scale naval response in the Mediterranean? Or were the Bardot and the Shepherd part of a bigger plan—one that also required a full response from the US Navy?
The SEAL carried himself in a way that spoke of authority and the tall, broad-shouldered man certainly had no qualms about approaching or speaking openly to Captain Howard and Master Chief Roberts. If as Scott suspected, Captain Howard was the Kearsarge’s executive officer, the SEAL was likely the commander of covert operations. If so, that meant the SEAL was the overall commander of all SEALs aboard the Kearsarge and that would explain a lot.
Scott had given the SEALs who tried to board the Sea Shepherd no shortage of guff. But he didn’t want them aboard the Shepherd . It was one thing if the Navy suspected the Shepherd’s crew were cutting nets and sabotaging Tunisian fishing boats, another if evidence was found that they actually were.
Playing on his hunch, Scott turned to the captain and said, “Executive Commander Howard…” Next, he turned to the SEAL and said, “Operations Commander…” Then, finally he turned back to the chief and said, “Command Master Chief…”
He smiled at each of their subtle nods, then continued, “The situation as I see it is this… Everything is out of control. Someone sank the Bardot III in the early hours. The attack was designed to get a direct response from this strike group. Part of your response was to send two heavily armed NSW RIBs, with full crew and SEAL complements, to the Sea Shepherd .
“When the NSW RIBs arrived, a plan already set in motion was carried out, resulting in the sinking of the Sea Shepherd and the loss of the NSW RIBs. You believe all or nearly all of the crews from the Bardot , the Shepherd and the NSW RIBs are lost. You suspect this is the coordinated effort of a terrorist group, but no terrorist group is stepping forward and claiming responsibility.
“Search and rescue is finding precious little to recover. Seek and destroy fighters are chasing ghosts called out by airborne early warning. The fleet admiral of the carrier strike group has ordered a protective patrol, bringing all the ships back as a safeguard against an attack on the group.”
Scott paused for effect. “How am I doing so far? Close enough to right to call it right?”
The Command Master Chief moved next to the Operations Commander. Executive Commander Howard said, “If you think you have answers, we’re listening.”
“For starters, where were the Mason and San Jacinto? Why weren’t they with the main strike group? I also know that right now you’re finalizing plans to launch a response strike force.”
“Classified,” the Operations Commander said. “And if speculation’s all you have to offer, Tinsdale can show you the way back to the infirmary.” He paused, stared directly at Scott, then called out. “Midshipman?”
Chapter 16
Mediterranean Sea Afternoon, Tuesday, 19 June
Midshipman Meredith Tinsdale heard someone pounding on the door to the women’s lavatory. The tiny room had one private stall with a door that could be closed, a sink, a shower, and a changing area. It also had a lock on the outer door, which she had secured.
She squatted down on the toilet and almost dropped her phone as she shouted, “Just a moment.”
Turning back to the phone, she said to the beautiful little face looking back at her, “Momma’s coming home soon.”
“Promise, momma?” 7-year-old Sarah asked.
Meredith smiled and tried to hold back tears that were welling up in her eyes. “Just like I promised, baby girl. Is Gramma Peg there?”
“She is. Do you want to talk to
The one thing he was sure of: The attack was timed and meant to hit the Shepherd and the RIBs. But were the Bardot and the Shepherd targets of opportunity to guarantee a full-scale naval response in the Mediterranean? Or were the Bardot and the Shepherd part of a bigger plan—one that also required a full response from the US Navy?
The SEAL carried himself in a way that spoke of authority and the tall, broad-shouldered man certainly had no qualms about approaching or speaking openly to Captain Howard and Master Chief Roberts. If as Scott suspected, Captain Howard was the Kearsarge’s executive officer, the SEAL was likely the commander of covert operations. If so, that meant the SEAL was the overall commander of all SEALs aboard the Kearsarge and that would explain a lot.
Scott had given the SEALs who tried to board the Sea Shepherd no shortage of guff. But he didn’t want them aboard the Shepherd . It was one thing if the Navy suspected the Shepherd’s crew were cutting nets and sabotaging Tunisian fishing boats, another if evidence was found that they actually were.
Playing on his hunch, Scott turned to the captain and said, “Executive Commander Howard…” Next, he turned to the SEAL and said, “Operations Commander…” Then, finally he turned back to the chief and said, “Command Master Chief…”
He smiled at each of their subtle nods, then continued, “The situation as I see it is this… Everything is out of control. Someone sank the Bardot III in the early hours. The attack was designed to get a direct response from this strike group. Part of your response was to send two heavily armed NSW RIBs, with full crew and SEAL complements, to the Sea Shepherd .
“When the NSW RIBs arrived, a plan already set in motion was carried out, resulting in the sinking of the Sea Shepherd and the loss of the NSW RIBs. You believe all or nearly all of the crews from the Bardot , the Shepherd and the NSW RIBs are lost. You suspect this is the coordinated effort of a terrorist group, but no terrorist group is stepping forward and claiming responsibility.
“Search and rescue is finding precious little to recover. Seek and destroy fighters are chasing ghosts called out by airborne early warning. The fleet admiral of the carrier strike group has ordered a protective patrol, bringing all the ships back as a safeguard against an attack on the group.”
Scott paused for effect. “How am I doing so far? Close enough to right to call it right?”
The Command Master Chief moved next to the Operations Commander. Executive Commander Howard said, “If you think you have answers, we’re listening.”
“For starters, where were the Mason and San Jacinto? Why weren’t they with the main strike group? I also know that right now you’re finalizing plans to launch a response strike force.”
“Classified,” the Operations Commander said. “And if speculation’s all you have to offer, Tinsdale can show you the way back to the infirmary.” He paused, stared directly at Scott, then called out. “Midshipman?”
Chapter 16
Mediterranean Sea Afternoon, Tuesday, 19 June
Midshipman Meredith Tinsdale heard someone pounding on the door to the women’s lavatory. The tiny room had one private stall with a door that could be closed, a sink, a shower, and a changing area. It also had a lock on the outer door, which she had secured.
She squatted down on the toilet and almost dropped her phone as she shouted, “Just a moment.”
Turning back to the phone, she said to the beautiful little face looking back at her, “Momma’s coming home soon.”
“Promise, momma?” 7-year-old Sarah asked.
Meredith smiled and tried to hold back tears that were welling up in her eyes. “Just like I promised, baby girl. Is Gramma Peg there?”
“She is. Do you want to talk to
Similar Books
