Submarine Warriors: The Enemy Beneath by Rob Tiffany Page B

Petty Officer. “Our only chance to survive is to open the bridge and hope the torpedo will pass through the opening.”
    “ Hurry! Do it before we get blown to bits,” Michelle shouted.
    The Petty Officer turned his back on the sub and ran to the control panel. He hammered his fist on the large red button, opening the bridge.
    Meanwhile, panicked people on the bridge ran for the shore, leaving their cars behind.
    “ There’s a torpedo coming right at us!” screamed a woman, as she ran from her car carrying her baby.
    On the Alaska, Admiral Connery looked through the periscope and could see the bridge begin to open.
    “ Helm, all-ahead flank, cavitate,” commanded the Admiral. We’ve got to catch up to the torpedo and get through the open bridge before they change their minds.
    Back in Maneuvering, the Eng spun the wheel as fast as he could to apply all of the power of the reactor’s steam to the turbines.
    “ Admiral, the torpedo has made it to the bridge opening,” Nick called out to Admiral Connery. “Do you want me to detonate it?”
    “ Negative,” replied the Admiral. “Let the fish pass through the opening and then deactivate it. I want it on the bottom of the Hood Canal where it won’t hurt anyone.”
    Back in the bridge control tower, the Petty Officer remained almost frozen in terror as he watched the torpedo pass through the bridge opening. Almost another minute passed before he snapped back to reality.
    “ We’re still alive,” exclaimed the relieved Petty Officer. “I wonder why they didn’t blow us up?”
    He got his answer when he heard Alaska’s fog horn blow as it passed through the open bridge trailing 500 yards behind the torpedo. The Petty Officer spun around and pushed the button to close the bridge - but it was too late; the Alaska had made it past its last physical barrier.
    Once the bridge reconnected, Marine Humvees made their way across to the tower. Moments later, the door busted open and Marines armed with M16s flooded the room.
    “ Both of you put your hands on your heads and get on your knees.” A large Marine motioned to Michelle and Ashley. “Petty Officer, you’re under arrest for disobeying a direct order. And you two,” he said pointing the machine gun towards the women,” you’re under arrest for conspiracy to steal a submarine. We’re well within our rights to shoot you both right here and now for committing treason. Take them away.”
    The Marines led the three of them out of the tower and into one of the Humvees at gunpoint.
    Meanwhile, people who had been on the bridge and watched everything transpire began to open their cell phones and make calls. The situation was no longer contained - the Navy’s secret was out!

    The White House
    “ Mr. President, someone has stolen one of our submarines,” the National Security Advisor said as he barged into the Oval Office. “A Trident, no less.”
    “ NSA, take us to DEFCON three while we try to figure this out,” responded the President. “Where is this happening? Kings Bay or Bangor?”
    “ Bangor, sir,” the NSA replied.
    “ Put me in contact with whoever’s in charge at the scene,” ordered the President.
    “ I’ve got COMSUBRON 17 on the line for you right now.” The NSA pointed to a flashing light on the President’s desk phone. The Commander in Chief quickly picked up the phone.
    “ Admiral, how could something like this happen?” the President asked sternly.
    “ We don’t know, sir,” replied Admiral Cunningham. “Our information is still very sketchy at the moment.”
    “ Well then, tell me what information you do have!” The President’s voice grew impatient.
    “ Right after the Alaska returned home, it was hijacked while most of the crew was on the pier,” stammered the Admiral.
    “ The Alaska?” the President said with a curious tone.
    “ Mr. President, retired Admiral Connery and the children of the deceased Alaska Captain and crewmembers went onboard the sub for a tour