"Sonar, conn, aye. Match sonar bearings and shoot, tube three, Master 63 and tube four, Master 64."

"Match sonar bearings and shoot, tube three, Master 63, and tube four, Master 64, aye, sir."

Mack walked to his stool and sat down to wait as the torpedoes raced toward their destination. With the escorts busy attacking one of their own submarines, there would be less warning than ever of the approaching doom. Not that the convoy itself had ever reacted to their ship's being torpedoed.

Mack's attention shifted as a new report came in.

"Conn, sonar. Explosions on the bearings of Masters 63 and 64. They're going down, Captain."

"Sonar, conn, aye. Any reaction from the escorts?"

"Conn, sonar. Affirmative. They're drawing left, turning north. No, wait, sir. The convoy is changing course. Coming starboard. The convoy is changing course to their right."

"Captain," the combat systems officer said, "the BSY- 1 computer shows the convoy is turning to the north as well. Ranges to the contacts indicate the escorts are settling in behind the limping convoy."

Cheers swept through Cheyenne Cheyenne as crew members congratulated one another. They had done it! The convoy was turning and heading for home. as crew members congratulated one another. They had done it! The convoy was turning and heading for home.

But when the executive officer suggested standing down from battle stations, Mack shook his head. They would remain at their stations while Cheyenne Cheyenne was repositioning to finish that tanker. Mack thought that it might try to get back under way and slip into the Spratlys during the night, if it had not spilled all its tanks' contents. was repositioning to finish that tanker. Mack thought that it might try to get back under way and slip into the Spratlys during the night, if it had not spilled all its tanks' contents.

As Cheyenne Cheyenne closed on the wounded tanker, Master 60, Mack's hunch proved correct. The ship was back under way and headed for the Spratly Islands. An Mk 48 from tube one finished the job, however, and soon closed on the wounded tanker, Master 60, Mack's hunch proved correct. The ship was back under way and headed for the Spratly Islands. An Mk 48 from tube one finished the job, however, and soon Cheyenne Cheyenne was headed back towards was headed back towards McKee. McKee. It was time to rearm and resupply, and to take a deep breath before it started all over again. It was time to rearm and resupply, and to take a deep breath before it started all over again.

Patrol It was still dark when Cheyenne Cheyenne completed reloading her torpedo tubes and vertical launchers from completed reloading her torpedo tubes and vertical launchers from McKee. McKee. The submarine tender was still anchored off the coast of Brunei under the protection of the The submarine tender was still anchored off the coast of Brunei under the protection of the Independence Independence carrier air cover. carrier air cover.

As in their previous refit, on the final day Captain Mackey, his combat systems and operations officers, navigator and communicator, and sonar officer, proceeded to McKee McKee's war room for their pre-underway briefing, but this time the other officers from Cheyenne Cheyenne also would attend the meeting. also would attend the meeting.

Now that Cheyenne Cheyenne and and McKee McKee had established a smooth mini-refit routine, Mack wanted all his officers present. Besides, CTF 74 had requested the remaining officers' presence at this briefing. Partly because of that, Mack expected this upcoming Patrol 3 to be of more significance, if that were possible, than the previous two. had established a smooth mini-refit routine, Mack wanted all his officers present. Besides, CTF 74 had requested the remaining officers' presence at this briefing. Partly because of that, Mack expected this upcoming Patrol 3 to be of more significance, if that were possible, than the previous two.

Mack and his group rendezvoused with the executive officer, engineer officer, and the remaining junior officers outside the war room. He knew the younger officers were all excited and beaming with curiosity, but he also knew he could count on them to maintain a professional decorum during the briefing itself. Nodding at them, he led the way into the war room.

CTF 74, the briefing officer, and McKee's McKee's captain were already seated. When Mack and his group entered, and after they had all exchanged the normal greetings and taken their seats, the briefing began. captain were already seated. When Mack and his group entered, and after they had all exchanged the normal greetings and taken their seats, the briefing began.

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Normally, these briefings were a mix of old information and new orders, but this time there was an added element: intel that could not be passed to Cheyenne Cheyenne via flash traffic. This intel-and this briefing-was based on information that involved the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). via flash traffic. This intel-and this briefing-was based on information that involved the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Operatives in Vladivostok and Beijing had determined that the commander-in-chief of the Chinese navy was personally concerned about losses inflicted by Cheyenne Cheyenne on his forces. But that wasn't the only tidbit the Agency had turned up. They had also learned that, somehow, the Chinese had determined that on his forces. But that wasn't the only tidbit the Agency had turned up. They had also learned that, somehow, the Chinese had determined that Cheyenne Cheyenne was the sole SSN responsible. Their best guess was that the Chinese had probably gotten this information through the loose lips of other SSN sailors in port at Yokosuka, but NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) was still working on that. was the sole SSN responsible. Their best guess was that the Chinese had probably gotten this information through the loose lips of other SSN sailors in port at Yokosuka, but NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) was still working on that.

That changed the situation for Cheyenne, Cheyenne, but it didn't change her orders. but it didn't change her orders. Cheyenne Cheyenne had another war patrol to undertake before any other U.S. SSNs would be assigned to the same arena as had another war patrol to undertake before any other U.S. SSNs would be assigned to the same arena as Cheyenne. Cheyenne.

Mack didn't react to the news, but it didn't really bother him. On the one hand, he was just as happy not to have other U.S. SSNs in the area. It certainly made things simpler, without the need for measures to prevent mutual interference with his fellow commanding officers. Besides, the Chinese had already been gunning for Cheyenne. Cheyenne. The only thing that had really changed was that until now the Chinese had believed that there were three SSNs operating nearby. Now they knew there was only one- The only thing that had really changed was that until now the Chinese had believed that there were three SSNs operating nearby. Now they knew there was only one-Cheyenne-and they would focus their efforts on hunting her.

The only real downside to Cheyenne Cheyenne operating solo was that she could use help in tracking down just where and how the seemingly never-ending supply of Russian Kilos and Alfas were getting into the hands of the Chinese. Mack couldn't help thinking that it was almost like the old story that if the Chinese population were to start walking into the sea, the trail of people would be endless, as the reproduction rate far exceeded the destruction rate. Mack grimaced, remembering the story. He knew it was old because for decades the Chinese had been controlling the birth rate, often through inhumane processes. operating solo was that she could use help in tracking down just where and how the seemingly never-ending supply of Russian Kilos and Alfas were getting into the hands of the Chinese. Mack couldn't help thinking that it was almost like the old story that if the Chinese population were to start walking into the sea, the trail of people would be endless, as the reproduction rate far exceeded the destruction rate. Mack grimaced, remembering the story. He knew it was old because for decades the Chinese had been controlling the birth rate, often through inhumane processes.

The briefing officer, continuing on with his report, said that USCINCPAC and CINCPACFLT were not taking the Chinese commander-in-chief's comments lightly, especially since he had found out that the losses inflicted by Cheyenne Cheyenne had not, in fact, been the work of three SSNs, but could all be blamed on a single boat. Still, Mack's superiors were more than pleased with had not, in fact, been the work of three SSNs, but could all be blamed on a single boat. Still, Mack's superiors were more than pleased with Cheyenne's Cheyenne's successes, and were not intimidated by the Chinese commander-in-chief. successes, and were not intimidated by the Chinese commander-in-chief.

With that in mind, and with the utmost faith in Cheyenne, Cheyenne, her officers, and her crew, the Oahu admirals' directives were for her officers, and her crew, the Oahu admirals' directives were for Cheyenne Cheyenne to proceed back to the north of the Spratly Islands and establish a patrol routine, shifting per the operations order from one area to another. Soon, maybe in a few weeks, to proceed back to the north of the Spratly Islands and establish a patrol routine, shifting per the operations order from one area to another. Soon, maybe in a few weeks, Cheyenne's Cheyenne's sister 688s, USS sister 688s, USS Columbia Columbia and USS and USS Bremerton, Bremerton, would arrive on station. Before then, however, they would have to finish their own surveillance assignments in the Sea of Japan and in the northwest Pacific off Petropavlosk, respectively. would arrive on station. Before then, however, they would have to finish their own surveillance assignments in the Sea of Japan and in the northwest Pacific off Petropavlosk, respectively.

The combat systems officer had earlier briefed the captain that the mix of Tomahawks in the vertical-launch tubes had been changed to a mixture of land-attack missiles only, both TLAM-C and TLAM-D. The TASMs had been removed and replaced with the TLAM-Ds. That was Mack's first hint about possible action concerning airfields and runways. The TLAM-D version contained bomblets for creating craters, a real nightmare for aircraft trying to take off.

The briefing officer confirmed Mack's guess. This type of action would be an option once the location of the runways had been confirmed and the imagery processed. Once that happened, Cheyenne Cheyenne would be notified via VLF message traffic over the floating wire and directed to periscope depth where targeting data would be downloaded by satellite directly to would be notified via VLF message traffic over the floating wire and directed to periscope depth where targeting data would be downloaded by satellite directly to Cheyenne's Cheyenne's CCS Mk 2 console. This data would come from the theater mission planning center, located at the IPAC intelligence center in the USCINCPAC compound on Red Hill, Oahu. CCS Mk 2 console. This data would come from the theater mission planning center, located at the IPAC intelligence center in the USCINCPAC compound on Red Hill, Oahu.

Mack kept his face impassive, but he didn't like that. He would have preferred to have the information added to Cheyenne's Cheyenne's onboard tape library prior to her getting under way, but there simply wasn't time for that. onboard tape library prior to her getting under way, but there simply wasn't time for that.

Once they reached that point in the operation, the Philippine Island of Palawan would again be used for its TERCOM and DSMAC data, but Cheyenne Cheyenne would have to establish the initial waypoints for the missile flights to Palawan, which would vary depending on her location at the time. That shouldn't be a problem, however. It was part of the capabilities of the CCS Mk 2 console, a self-contained, onboard mission-planning center. would have to establish the initial waypoints for the missile flights to Palawan, which would vary depending on her location at the time. That shouldn't be a problem, however. It was part of the capabilities of the CCS Mk 2 console, a self-contained, onboard mission-planning center.

So far, with the exception of the intel about the Chinese commander-in-chief, the briefing had gone pretty much as Mack had expected, but the briefing officer's next comments caught him off guard. According to the briefing officer, by the time Cheyenne Cheyenne completed Patrol 3 and returned for reload, the floating drydock completed Patrol 3 and returned for reload, the floating drydock Arco Arco would be available as needed. would be available as needed.

Mack didn't like hearing that. He didn't like entertaining the notion that Cheyenne Cheyenne would suffer sufficient damage to require a floating drydock for repairs. But this was war, he knew, and with the Chinese navy focused on hunting would suffer sufficient damage to require a floating drydock for repairs. But this was war, he knew, and with the Chinese navy focused on hunting Cheyenne, Cheyenne, he just might be all too glad of he just might be all too glad of Arco's Arco's presence. presence.

He was still thinking about that when the executive officer slipped the captain a note with the letters ASDS on it.

Mack nodded, liking the news of Arco even less. He looked over at the briefing officer and asked, "Are there any intentions for Arco Arco to bring the advanced SEAL delivery system, ASDS, out here?" to bring the advanced SEAL delivery system, ASDS, out here?"

The CTF 74 admiral answered the question before the briefing officer could speak: "That option has been discussed, Captain. The concern is that although Cheyenne Cheyenne completed the ship alterations for the ASDS and the interface pylon fit checks in San Diego prior to your deployment, the vehicle and your ship have not seen each other." completed the ship alterations for the ASDS and the interface pylon fit checks in San Diego prior to your deployment, the vehicle and your ship have not seen each other."

Mack nodded. "So the chances are slim for Cheyenne Cheyenne to demonstrate this newest war-fighting capability?" he asked. to demonstrate this newest war-fighting capability?" he asked.

"I would say yes," the admiral replied. "For the time being."

"That's a relief, Admiral," Mack said. "As you know, operations with that vehicle seem to be extremely intricate-especially the landing on my back. We would need some serious training before any prudent submariner would take that on for the first time in the uncontrolled nature of war."

"I agree, Captain," the admiral said. "And that concern is precisely what I passed to COMSUBPAC." He paused briefly before adding, "If the SEALs get involved in this war, and their movements are very tightly secreted by SOCOM (Special Operations Command), we'll probably find out about it after it has happened-unless the intention is to use Cheyenne." Cheyenne."

Mack was relieved to hear that. Partially, anyway. Losing control of Cheyenne Cheyenne was not part of his destiny-not if he had anything to say about it. was not part of his destiny-not if he had anything to say about it.

The briefing ended soon after, and when they were back on Cheyenne Cheyenne Mack expressed his concern about the floating drydock to the executive officer. The executive officer agreed. He pointed out that it was the only way for Mack expressed his concern about the floating drydock to the executive officer. The executive officer agreed. He pointed out that it was the only way for Cheyenne Cheyenne to get dry for removal of fixed ballast-which would be necessary if the heavy ASDS vehicle were to be installed in its planned location. Installing it over the aft escape trunk, which led to the engine room, would put more weight aft than the variable ballast tanks could compensate for. to get dry for removal of fixed ballast-which would be necessary if the heavy ASDS vehicle were to be installed in its planned location. Installing it over the aft escape trunk, which led to the engine room, would put more weight aft than the variable ballast tanks could compensate for.

"Attention on deck and on McKee," McKee," the OOD announced over the bullhorn from the bridge. "Single all lines." This order was repeated by the bridge phone talker over the sound-powered phones to the phone talkers on deck, one forward and one aft of the sail. the OOD announced over the bullhorn from the bridge. "Single all lines." This order was repeated by the bridge phone talker over the sound-powered phones to the phone talkers on deck, one forward and one aft of the sail.

Within minutes, the bow, stern, and spring lines were singled. When the ordered actions had been completed and the reports had been relayed to the OOD by his phone talker, he ordered, "Cast off the spring lines, lines three and four."

In peacetime, and under other circumstances, Cheyenne Cheyenne would use her own lines. But this was war. During their very first reload alongside would use her own lines. But this was war. During their very first reload alongside McKee, McKee, Mack had ordered that Mack had ordered that Cheyenne's Cheyenne's line lockers be welded shut. This would prevent any possible noise sources from captive bolts loosening, especially since the chances of encountering torpedo and even depth charge explosions were increasing. line lockers be welded shut. This would prevent any possible noise sources from captive bolts loosening, especially since the chances of encountering torpedo and even depth charge explosions were increasing.

As with the last two war patrols, all lines would be left with McKee, McKee, where they would be dried and stored with care until where they would be dried and stored with care until Cheyenne Cheyenne once again returned from her patrol. once again returned from her patrol.

"Check the stern line. Keep the slack out of the bow line," ordered the OOD. He was concerned about maintaining positive control of Cheyenne's Cheyenne's position until the stern was safely clear of the after anchor lines, especially those on position until the stern was safely clear of the after anchor lines, especially those on McKee's McKee's starboard side. He would not back the main engines until she was clear. starboard side. He would not back the main engines until she was clear.

In preparation for this next evolution, the OOD had already extended the secondary propulsion motor (SPM), tested it locally in the engineering spaces and from the ship-control console, and trained it to 090 degrees (relative).

"Helm, conn, start the SPM." That order came from conn on the sound-powered phones.

When the SPM started, Cheyenne's Cheyenne's stern swung slowly to starboard. Pivoting around the camel between the two ships, the bow moved slowly toward stern swung slowly to starboard. Pivoting around the camel between the two ships, the bow moved slowly toward McKee. McKee. With the momentum of the 6,900-ton submarine now swinging the stern nicely, the OOD ordered the SPM stopped, trained to 000 degrees, and housed. As the ship continued to swing slowly, the OOD backed the main engines at one-third speed long enough to gain sternway, and just enough to keep the sonar dome from coming too close to With the momentum of the 6,900-ton submarine now swinging the stern nicely, the OOD ordered the SPM stopped, trained to 000 degrees, and housed. As the ship continued to swing slowly, the OOD backed the main engines at one-third speed long enough to gain sternway, and just enough to keep the sonar dome from coming too close to McKee's McKee's hull. hull.

At his command, the two remaining lines were cast off, snaking through the water as the McKee McKee line handlers pulled them on board. With the stern line clear of the stern planes, line handlers pulled them on board. With the stern line clear of the stern planes, Cheyenne Cheyenne backed safely away from the submarine tender and her after anchors. backed safely away from the submarine tender and her after anchors.

Patrol 3 had commenced.

Cheyenne's first patrol area was centered on a line drawn directly between the Spratly Islands and Cam Ranh Bay. Intel suspected that this was the route that Chinese supply ships were using in keeping the Spratly Islands' forces supplied and making the new airfield construction possible. first patrol area was centered on a line drawn directly between the Spratly Islands and Cam Ranh Bay. Intel suspected that this was the route that Chinese supply ships were using in keeping the Spratly Islands' forces supplied and making the new airfield construction possible. Cheyenne Cheyenne was not authorized to attack these supply ships, just to collect intelligence on them. Washington could then use this information against the Vietnamese government for their collaboration with China. was not authorized to attack these supply ships, just to collect intelligence on them. Washington could then use this information against the Vietnamese government for their collaboration with China.

Just to the north of the patrol area, the bottom sloped steadily downward from 1,000 fathoms to over 2,200 fathoms. Mack welcomed this deep water, which would help Cheyenne Cheyenne and her Mk 48s. This would allow them to approach a target from deep below the layer without fear of detection by the shallower-running Alfa, which Mack suspected was lurking to the west of Cuarteron Reef. and her Mk 48s. This would allow them to approach a target from deep below the layer without fear of detection by the shallower-running Alfa, which Mack suspected was lurking to the west of Cuarteron Reef.

Although the Alfa's titanium hull would actually allow it to dive deeper than Cheyenne, Cheyenne, Mack didn't expect it to do so. The Russians did not typically run deep, and he expected the Chinese, who were learning their Alfa handling techniques from the Russians that built her, to follow the same practices. Mack didn't expect it to do so. The Russians did not typically run deep, and he expected the Chinese, who were learning their Alfa handling techniques from the Russians that built her, to follow the same practices.

Mack hoped that he was right. If he was, Cheyenne Cheyenne would be able to maintain the tactical advantage as long as possible. If he wasn't... well, then things could get very interesting very fast. would be able to maintain the tactical advantage as long as possible. If he wasn't... well, then things could get very interesting very fast.

It was nearing midnight. The captain had been relieved of his command duty officer responsibilities by the executive officer. The new section fire control tracking party had just settled in when the TB-23 thin line towed array gained tonal contact. These tonals were the same as those Cheyenne Cheyenne had recorded during her earlier encounter with the Chinese Alfa before he was lost in the shallow shoal water. had recorded during her earlier encounter with the Chinese Alfa before he was lost in the shallow shoal water.

As towed-array bearing ambiguity was being resolved, more tonals were detected, on different beams, to the east. These tonals were also the same as the Chinese Alfa.

The executive officer knew that there was only one way to interpret the situation: clearly, there were two Alfas. As more data came in, he could tell that the easterly one was closer and was maintaining his distance, but the other Alfa was closing on Cheyenne's Cheyenne's position. The fact that neither the conformal nor the spherical arrays had contact as of yet meant that both were easily beyond 60,000 yards away. position. The fact that neither the conformal nor the spherical arrays had contact as of yet meant that both were easily beyond 60,000 yards away.

The executive officer called the captain to the conn.

Mack, as he always did, made his decisions quickly. In battle, he simply didn't have the luxury of mulling things over for long.

Cheyenne would close on the Alfa to the west. Mack chose that option because he knew the first Alfa might have recorded some of would close on the Alfa to the west. Mack chose that option because he knew the first Alfa might have recorded some of Cheyenne's Cheyenne's signature, and by closing on the other Alfa first he would place the easterly Alfa in signature, and by closing on the other Alfa first he would place the easterly Alfa in Cheyenne's Cheyenne's baffles. This was, perhaps, not the best place for it to be, but it was the best option available to him. And it had the added benefit of allowing baffles. This was, perhaps, not the best place for it to be, but it was the best option available to him. And it had the added benefit of allowing Cheyenne Cheyenne to take on the unsuspecting Alfa first. to take on the unsuspecting Alfa first.

Battle stations were manned as soon as contact was gained on the conformal array at 40,000 yards.

"Torpedo room, fire control, make tubes one and two ready in all respects, including opening the outer doors." As was Mack's habit, he instructed the executive officer to order the tubes readied before the range was so close that the Alfa would hear the evolution.

Acknowledgment, as always, was immediate. "Make tubes one and two ready in all respects, including opening the outer doors, fire control, torpedo room, aye."

The executive officer, acting in his role as fire-control officer, passed the acknowledgment on to Mack. "Captain, tubes one and two are ready in all respects. Both outer doors are open."

"Very well, fire control," Mack answered.

The Alfa was drawing right now, with contact on all sonar arrays. When the BSY-1 operator and the fire-control coordinator were satisfied with the TMA solution on Master 69, the Chinese Alfa class attack submarine, the captain ordered, "Firing point procedures, Master 69."

His command was acknowledged and the combat systems officer at the BSY-1 reported the target course, speed, and range.

"Sonar, conn, stand by."

"Conn, sonar, standing by."

"Match sonar bearings and shoot, tubes one and two."

"Match sonar bearings and shoot, tubes one and two, aye."

There was a short delay, and then the combat systems officer reported, "Tubes one and two fired electrically."

"Conn, sonar, units from tubes one and two running hot, straight, and normal," said the sonar supervisor as the two torpedoes executed their wire-clearance maneuvers. They were running at a slower speed for now. Once they had acquired they would increase speed and come up from their deep search depth. When they breached the layer, the torpedoes would pitch up and complete their acceleration to attack speed.

"Very well, sonar," Mack replied. "Time to acquisition?" he asked the combat systems officer.

"Fifteen minutes, twenty seconds, Captain."

Hunting two Alfas, with every passing moment increasing the odds that Cheyenne Cheyenne would be discovered, fifteen minutes had never seemed so long to Mack. After another eternity had passed, he heard, "Both units have acquired." would be discovered, fifteen minutes had never seemed so long to Mack. After another eternity had passed, he heard, "Both units have acquired."

"Conn, sonar, Master 69 is turning toward and increasing speed, cavitating heavily."

Mack didn't have a chance to acknowledge the information. Before he could say anything sonar reported noisemakers launched by the Alfa.

Mack nodded and ordered "steer the weapons." That would keep them from being tricked into attacking the decoys. He also ordered Cheyenne's Cheyenne's course changed to the right by ninety degrees. He wanted accurate targeting information for the torpedoes, and for that he needed the bearings to the incoming Alfa and to the stationary noisemakers to diverge. course changed to the right by ninety degrees. He wanted accurate targeting information for the torpedoes, and for that he needed the bearings to the incoming Alfa and to the stationary noisemakers to diverge.

It didn't take long to obtain a bearing spread. But Mack didn't have any chance to relax. The combat systems officer had just reported the torpedoes on course for intercept of Master 69, when out of the baffles came sonar contact on the second Alfa.

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

A melee situation was rapidly developing.

"Conn, sonar, we have torpedoes in the water, bearings 285, 290, 110, and 105. Both Alfas have launched weapons at us!"

"Match sonar bearings and shoot, Master 70, as soon as tubes three and four are ready."

It was time for Cheyenne Cheyenne to clear datum. It was also time for their own countermeasures to be launched. As soon as Mack received the report of tubes three and four being fired electrically, he ordered the outer doors shut and the tubes reloaded. The torpedoes they'd just fired would have to do their own thing. to clear datum. It was also time for their own countermeasures to be launched. As soon as Mack received the report of tubes three and four being fired electrically, he ordered the outer doors shut and the tubes reloaded. The torpedoes they'd just fired would have to do their own thing.

"Steady as she goes, all ahead flank. Do not cavitate. Make your depth one thousand feet." When those orders had been acknowledged, Mack added, "Rig ship for depth charge." It didn't matter that those were torpedoes coming at Cheyenne, Cheyenne, not depth charges. The phrase had originated in the early days of the Silent Service, and it had stuck. not depth charges. The phrase had originated in the early days of the Silent Service, and it had stuck.

Mack had done all he could for the moment. His plan now was to let the countermeasures do their own work and to try and slip away from the scene.

Cheyenne reached flank speed, on course 015, and at one thousand feet, as the Chinese-launched, Russian-made torpedoes were entering the baffles. The countermeasures, launched from the dispensers at the stern planes' vertical struts, had worked, decoying the fish and buying time for reached flank speed, on course 015, and at one thousand feet, as the Chinese-launched, Russian-made torpedoes were entering the baffles. The countermeasures, launched from the dispensers at the stern planes' vertical struts, had worked, decoying the fish and buying time for Cheyenne. Cheyenne.

That was the good news. The bad news was that sonar couldn't hear Cheyenne's Cheyenne's last two torpedoes, and couldn't tell whether they had entered their terminal homing mode at Master 70. With the guidance wires cut, the BSY-1 had no knowledge of it, either. last two torpedoes, and couldn't tell whether they had entered their terminal homing mode at Master 70. With the guidance wires cut, the BSY-1 had no knowledge of it, either.

The next few minutes were tense and silent. Then the sonar supervisor spoke up. "Conn, sonar, two explosions, one bearing 175 and the other coming from the baffles."

Sonar didn't have enough bearing information to get both direct path and bottom bounce, so the sonar supervisor couldn't report range. Sonar also couldn't tell exactly what the torpedoes had impacted against. It could have been one or both of the Chinese Alfas, but it could also have been Chinese noisemakers, or even Cheyenne's Cheyenne's own countermeasures. To top it off, own countermeasures. To top it off, Cheyenne Cheyenne had lost contact on both Alfas in the baffles. had lost contact on both Alfas in the baffles.

In short, Mack had no idea whether one or both of the Alfas were still there-and he wanted to know. That information was important to Cheyenne's Cheyenne's survival, and to the success of her mission. survival, and to the success of her mission.

On his orders, Cheyenne Cheyenne slowed and, after proceeding above the layer, cleared her baffles to port. There was no sign of the Alfas, only reverberations from the explosions. slowed and, after proceeding above the layer, cleared her baffles to port. There was no sign of the Alfas, only reverberations from the explosions.

The data did show, however, that there had been three explosions, not two. The one they'd picked up in their baffles had actually been two separate explosions.

Mack didn't have many different ways to read this situation. The Alfas could either have surfaced or have gone to the bottom-and he didn't think they'd gone down. There had been eight separate torpedoes in the area, he knew, four from Cheyenne Cheyenne and two each from the Alfas. With only three explosions, it was doubtful that both Chinese submarines had been killed. and two each from the Alfas. With only three explosions, it was doubtful that both Chinese submarines had been killed.

But there just wasn't any way to tell from the available data. Not yet, anyway. The sonar tapes would have to be analyzed, a process that would take some time, and then maybe they'd have a better idea.

Cheyenne continued on course toward the second patrol area, at seven hundred feet to keep beneath the layer, while battle stations and the rig for depth charge were secured. The usual all-officer meeting was delayed for at least thirty minutes while the captain and executive officer talked in his stateroom and the melee was reconstructed by the battle stations fire-control party. continued on course toward the second patrol area, at seven hundred feet to keep beneath the layer, while battle stations and the rig for depth charge were secured. The usual all-officer meeting was delayed for at least thirty minutes while the captain and executive officer talked in his stateroom and the melee was reconstructed by the battle stations fire-control party.