Novo Cetus

Chapter Seven

Chapter 7

As soon as the group of whales containing the UIC entered United States territory, the US Navy deployed three attack-grade submarines to confront an unidentified craft, imbedded into a sperm whale pod, on the move along the Pacific Rim. These submarines, their bulbous hulls cloaked in black paint, knifed through the water like bullets aimed at the whale pod.

The captain of the Edison, Gil Rogers, coordinated the confrontation. His resume included decades of military experience, active warfare duty during Operation Desert Storm and the conflict in Kosovo. Newly appointed Captain of the George Washington, Donny Winger, would follow closely behind Gil. Gil knew Donny and was confident with him at his flank. Mike Sloan, Captain of The Custer, would make a surprise approach from the rear. Gil and Mike attended the Naval Academy together and their families were friends. If the craft failed to surrender, they had the authorization to fire.

During strategic planning for this assignment, Gil favored a "mine laying" expedition. He recommended his crew bury a strip of explosives, retreat to a safe distance and detonated when the craft moved over it. Decisions were made based on collateral damage to the environment, and therefore the more targeted attack was settled on.

The subs moved into position and sent out "surrender or prepare to be fired upon" in several languages.

The nanos intercepted the message – the attack submarines were going to fire. The nano craft was a perfectly tuned, biomechanical, weaponized vessel with each system working in harmony.

Nanos detected three submarines approaching: attack grade; capable of high speed, unlimited endurance and maneuverability; currently using the protective cloak of stealth. Conclusion: A lethal opponent.

The emotional response to the threat from the submarines activated the defense system.

The unidentified craft failed to respond to their signal and the submarines cued up in a classic military-strike stance. Gil commanded the Edison to fire a torpedo. Immediately after launching their missle, the Edison swung to the left and allowed The George Washington to take center stage; Donny took aim and fired a torpedo as well. Dislodged fragments from the unidentified craft floated to the surface.

The nanos' newly acquired mindfulness reached a conclusion: the fragile makeup of the biological fleet – the clan – was in danger. Employ sonic cannon.

The first sonic wave hit The George Washington from below. As the wall of energy penetrated the sub's hard metal exterior, every screw, bulkhead and brace came apart. Gil looked on in horror as the Washington exploded. The Custer swung into place in the battle zone as the menacing craft emerged from the falling debris of the shattered ship. Before The Custer could respond, a soundwave rippled through the submarine. This time the pressure killed the crew as the wave crushed their organs. The crew was dead, and all systems shorted out within seconds of the wave sweeping through the ship. Without power or people directing it, The Custer drifted to the bottom of the sea.

The Edison held its position at the left wing of the battle zone, exposed and vulnerable. A young midshipman fired two torpedoes; Gil watched as they ricocheted off the craft.

The UIC fired a third sonic blast. All electrical systems flashed and crashed as the soundwave rumbled through the Edison. Waves of nausea rolled through the crew; noses bled and small blood vessels popped as the weakened blast coursed through the submarine.

Bile rose from Gil's gut. He wrestled the waves of nausea that threatened to make him wretch. Visual assessment of his crew showed some were puking, others were weaving from the effects of the invisible blast that had slammed through their sub. Auxiliary systems powered up and the submarine retreated.

Nanos assessed the situation: All danger crippled or destroyed.

State of mind no longer hobble the vessel. As emotions emerged, the system sorted, processed and interpreted them. The nanos acknowledged the regret generated by the hypothalamus in response to the destruction it had caused.

The Leader relied on his echo-location system to track his pod. He monitored their safety from a distance.

A cleanup crew salvaged a piece of the unidentified craft floating at the surface and sent it to Brasco.