SSN

    Cheyenne was already beneath the first layer. In less than three minutes Cheyenne was at flank speed, on course 175, and at one thousand feet, beneath the second layer. There was a deep sound channel present, something Mack would have known if he'd been able to acquire SSXBT information. As it was, he learned of its existence from the sound-velocity profiler.

    "Unit three has acquired." Then, a moment later, "Unit four has acquired."

    "Cut the wires, shut the outer doors, and reload tubes three and four," ordered the captain, but they didn't have to cut the wires. Cheyenne's speed and course away from the torpedoes caused both wires to break right after acquisition.

    The torpedo's guidance wires had performed beyond all expectations. They would have to inspect Cheyenne's stern area for any signs of the thin wires being entangled in either the screw, sternplanes, or rudder.

    When out of danger from the ET-80 torpedoes. Mack slowed Cheyenne and turned to the west to listen.

    "Conn, sonar, we have two torpedoes in the water, bearings 275 and 209," the sonar supervisor reported.

    Apparently there were more Akulas out there who had picked up Cheyenne as she ran fast and deep. Now that she had slowed, she was able to detect the torpedoes.

    "Conn, sonar, two explosions, bearings 359 and 002, estimate range 20,000 yards."

    The Kilos, Masters 133 and 134, had experienced their first and last battle with Cheyenne.

    Mack once again increased speed to flank, launched two evasion devices, and turned away from the incoming torpedoes. As he did so, he couldn't help wondering how many other hornets' nests there were. He also ordered tubes three and four made ready, so that when he turned back to face the new Akulas, Cheyenne would be ready. He kept the muzzle doors shut, though, until he slowed. Once they were open, he would point the direction in which he expected the Akulas to be. Mack actually didn't care if they were Akulas or Sierras. They had shot first.

    His orders were acknowledged and executed with Cheyenne's usual thoroughness and professionalism. After the torpedo room reported completing the ordered evolution with the torpedo tubes, the executive officer said to Mack, "Captain, tubes three and four are ready in all respects. Both outer doors are open."

    "Very well, fire control," answered the captain. Cheyenne turned to the southwest and immediately gained contact on two Akulas. The contact was on all sonar arrays, and the tonals allowed the certainty of the classification by the sonar supervisor.

    The Akulas had been running at flank toward Cheyenne's last known position. This was simply more stupidity from the new Chinese crews, who were obviously enjoying their high speed submarines-and Mack appreciated it. When the BSY-1 operators and the fire-control coordinator were satisfied with the TMA solution on Masters 135 and 136, he ordered, "Firing point procedures, Master 135, tube three, and Master 136, tube four."

    The combat systems officer reported the course, speed and range of the two targets. "Sonar, conn, stand by." "Conn, sonar, standing by." "Match sonar bearings and shoot, tubes three and four."

    "Match sonar bearings and shoot, tubes three and four, aye, sir."

    "Tubes three and four fired electrically," reported the combat systems officer.

    "Conn, sonar, units from tubes three and four running hot, straight, and normal," came the report from the sonar supervisor as the two torpedoes executed their wire-clearance maneuvers.

    The torpedoes were set to run at medium speed until acquisition, at which time they would increase speed and angle up from their deep search depth beneath the layer. At that point the torpedoes would pitch up and complete their acceleration to attack speed.

    "Very well, sonar," Mack said. "Time to acquisition?"

    "Eight minutes, thirty-five seconds, Captain," answered the combat systems officer.

    A few minutes later Mack heard, "Both units have acquired."

    "Conn, sonar, Masters 135 and 136 are increasing speed, cavitating heavily."

    Sonar reported noisemakers launched by the two Akulas. Mack countered that by ordering, "Steer the weapons." Cheyenne's course was changed to the right by ninety degrees so the bearings to the incoming Akulas and to their stationary noisemakers would diverge. When a bearing spread was obtained, the combat systems officer reported the torpedoes on course for intercept.

    "Cut the wires, shut the outer doors, and reload tubes three and four," ordered the captain. "Make tubes one and two ready in all respects, including opening the outer doors."

    He knew a melee was about to occur, and he wanted Cheyenne ready.

    "Conn, sonar, we have four torpedoes in the water, between bearings 270 and 265. Both Akulas have launched again."

    They're also running nearly side by side, Mack thought. It was time for Cheyenne to clear datum. It was also time for more countermeasures to be launched.

    "Steady as she goes, all ahead flank. Do not cavitate.