Three Kings

“We’ve got clear electronics signatures on the one ship, Fregat 3D radar system as we read it. Now we’re just coming into better range and it appears there’s quite an armada out there. I’m not sure what to make if it. None of the other ships are emitting electronic signatures that can reach us, but they could be running dark and leaving that work to the flagship.”

“You think this is an entire Russian battlegroup? That can’t be possible.”

“Then our wolf is out there cavorting with the sheep, mum. It might have been attacking a convoy, and then up we come, the unexpected sheep dog.”

“Any sign of that? Could we tell if there was combat underway out there?”

“Aye, we’d see it on radar, but there’s no indication of any missile fires underway. It looks to be one big happy family out there.”

Elena rubbed her hands together, always cold, even in temperate climes. Kirov, Geronimo, steaming with a group of many ships that had to be from this era. What was this about?

“Identify us as Argos Fire, Royal Navy. Then confirm parley request,” she said. “Ask identification on those other ships. Let’s see what we can find out.”

“Aye mum,” said Thomas, and he returned the message.

“Senior Lieutenant Nikolin here, speaking for Admiral Volsky. We have patched in a third party. Standby.”

The wait seemed interminable, then a voice came, quiet but firm, and the sound of it seemed to strike a tone of reason and authority. Her heart leapt when she heard the name.

“HMS Argos Fire, this is Admiral John Tovey aboard HMS Invincible, fleet flagship. I am now commanding His Majesty’s Mediterranean Fleet. Sorry to say we haven’t made your acquaintance, Argos Fire. But we request an immediate rendezvous. Over.”

My god, thought Elena. John Tovey! He was here, now, at this very moment. Then this was why this date and time had been chosen. But what was Tovey doing cruising with Geronimo?

“That’s the man who signed off on the message in that box?”

“It appears so,” said Elena taking a deep breath, and feeling like the weight of the entire world had just been taken off her shoulders. Tovey was the legendary founder of the Watch, but that was in 1942. It was 1941 now, and none of that may have happened. But it was Tovey’s order that sent her here, so she would wait to find out what had happened, elated, a feeling of great relief sweeping over her.

“Give my name and indicate my present post as Watchstander G1, code Geronimo. Then ask them if we are to consider the Russian ship as friend or foe.” She waited while the message was sent.

Far to the west, Tovey heard the voice and smiled, though he did not know why. Watchstander G1? The words struck some deep inner chord in him, but he could not quite hear it, a distant memory, stubbornly just beyond his reach. But that other word, Geronimo… This he knew quite well. It was boldly labeled on that strange hidden file box Turing had found, and typewritten all through the contents. Admiral Volsky had just told him that this was another ship from his time, from the future. My God, he thought. King Arthur has come back from Avalon, and in the nick of time.

Argos Fire soon received his message. “All is well, Argos Fire. All friends here. We request a rendezvous in the Gulf ofChania. Over.”

Mack Morgan had come up, and he was listening in, amazed. “All well and good, mum,” he said. “But I must tell you that the Royal Navy had no ship by that name active in 1941. The last ship to bear that name was sunk at the Battle of Jutland in 1916.”

“Oh? Well, then we’re in for a surprise, and I suppose they are as well. Signal confirmation on that rendezvous request. Tell them we’ll be waiting for them… with bells on!”

Chapter 35

The man was getting his Arabs and Indians mixed up, thought Popski. What was all this rubbish about an Apache Sultan? What was all that about guard towers and oil rigs? He gave Fedorov a frustrated look.

“Well I’ve told him the whole lot, but you’ve completely lost me with all of this. They’re no Indians or oil rigs out here. Why would you tell him that? How would that rubbish solve anything?”

“Bear with me, Popski. What does he say?”

“Alright,” said Kinlan. “Mister Simpson. Send to the back of the column and have three vehicles from the rear guard troop return and report on the condition of the Sultan Apache facility. I’ll meet this Russian Captain half way. At the moment I have business to attend to, but I’ll continue this when I get my report.” The General left to consult with his staff, and they were left alone, watched by a pair of helmeted British soldiers.

“He’s given the order to check on that Sultan Indian fellow, whoever that might be. What are you two talking about here?”