Echo Class Read Online Free

he returned. “After all, they are the graders for this exercise.”
    â€œNothing satisfies a surface sailor except more vodka and port calls.”
    Orlov crossed the small space to his position near the helmsman.
    In a soft voice, the XO Vladmiri Ignatova whispered, “The communicators are reporting that an American destroyer has locked its fire control radar on the Reshitelny. ”
    Borcharkov’s heavy eyebrows arched. “Why would they do that?”
    â€œI suspect they suspect our surviellance ship is targeting their carrier.”
    Bocharkov shook his head. “No way they could know. The Reshitelny is using encrypted communications.”
    Ignatova shrugged. “He must have done something to alert them. He says his electronic warfare suite is lighting up all over the place.”
    â€œIs he asking or telling us?”
    â€œI think he is hoping you will tell him that we are finished with the exercise so he can put some over-the-horizon distance between him and the American battle group.”
    Bocharkov shook his head and grunted. “No, we cannot run every time we think the Americans are going to attack us. They have never attacked us yet, so why now?” His eyebrows lifted. “Besides, the Reshitelny is expendable. He knows that. That is his job when he is tailing the Americans. He is to fire his missiles and torpedoes simutaneously with our launch and then die in the name of the Soviet Union.”
    Ignatova’s eyes shifted right and left.
    Bocharkov leaned down and whispered, “The zampolit is in his stateroom preparing for tonight’s Party-political work.” His eyes twinkled. “I hear it’s going to cover the bravery of Khrushchev in exposing the evils of Stalin.”
    â€œSir,” Ignatova said softly, his head lowered. “You must be careful.”
    Bocharkov smiled, and changed the subject. “Have we attacked the Americans? No. Besides, these are international waters. We are exercising our international rights. And both our navies exercise how we are going to sink each other. They would be disappointed if we stopped our exercise now.”
    â€œI think the skipper of the Reshitelny wants to exercise his international rights elsewhere.”
    â€œSurface sailors,” Bocharkov said with a mix of humor and disgust. “I guess if I had to stay in a two-dimensional world like them, I would want to have more fighting room.”
    â€œ Reshitelny reports the American carrier is altering course. Kitty Hawk is in a right-hand turn.”
    Bocharkov and Ignatova looked at Orlov.
    â€œMaybe turning into the wind to launch aircraft?”
    Bocharkov nodded, his lower lip pushing against his upper. “Did Reshitelny report any American aircraft airborne?”
    â€œYes, sir. It is conducting flight operations.” He turned to the sound-powered telephone talker. “Starshina, hit Boyevaya Chast’ 4 and ask the communicators to find out how many aircraft the Americans have up.” Ignatova turned back to Bocharkov. “It should be in the Reshitelny ’s situation report.”
    â€œAnd the rest of the battle group? Are they turning also?”
    â€œI don’t know, sir, but I will find out.” He added the order to the earlier request.
    â€œXO, we are going to surface and go through the checklist of launching our anticarrier missiles. Once we have simulated the launch— without opening the doors —then we are going to submerge and do the evasive part of the exercise plan.”
    â€œDon’t forget the Middle East,” Ignatova cautioned. “The rhetoric between the Jews and the Arabs continues to ramp up, which means Moscow and Washington are having one of their cooler months.”
    â€œBetter cooler than hotter,” Bocharkov mumbled. He looked at Ignatova. “Do you think we should call the exercise off?”
    He shook his head. “No, sir, Captain. I agree with you, but