Chapter 31

Captain's log, USS Missouri

I have responded to a status and location request from the Joint Chiefs directly. It was not coded for Fleet Pac Command.

We have been under the thermocline in the East China Sea for over 9 hours, operating at half speed. This is 170 feet below our normal maximum operating depth, at 970 feet. We are still 10% above our emergency operating depth.

Our zigzag course has added quite some distance to our true course, but I think we have finally evaded the Chinese submarine that dogged us coming out of the Yangtze River. Likely it was a Yuan class Type 041 attack sub. We haven't been pinged by him for over an hour.

It has been a good exercise of the evasive capabilities of Mo; normally we are tasked with being the hunter. Being the hunted has sharpened our skills. But I will be glad to honor the President's request to bring us back to port safely.

Lt. Dr. Carruthers has advised that his patient is doing well, and that he would have been in a medical coma even if he were at the hospital at Pearl.

He further advises that Ms Chesterfield is pregnant. This boat has no capabilities for dealing with a pregnancy, and fortunately Dr. Carruthers advises that it is early days for the pregnancy still. She has been advised not to go into or near the reactor rooms. I understand that she has been self-limited to the mess hall, the wardroom where the patient is under anesthesia, and her quarters.

Over the next three hours we will be resuming normal speed and will be heading for an offshore rendezvous with elements of the SEAL unit we originally contacted. As a nuclear vessel, we are officially barred from entering Japanese waters. Further updates will be posted when we have attained satisfactory radio contact.

I have forwarded a further status 'OK' and current location to JC Command, per their request.