| Powder Monkey January 2012 |
Short
Story #4
Story #4
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| The Turn by Roger C. Campbell |
Standing on the aircraft carrier’s flying bridge two men looked back at the two
ships following in their wake.
“Sir, thought the Cold War was over.” The ship’s boatswain mate yelled. It was the
only he could be heard over the roar of the jets on the flight deck below.
“Suppose to be.” The ship’s new commanding officer stared at the Russian bringing
up the rear. He was glad the German in the middle was there. Ready to pick up any
pilots who’s plane was unable to land, her being the plane guard ship was a good
chance for NATO cooperation.
“Then why is that Russian following us? Been years since I’ve seen one back
there.”
“Boats, we’re in a new war. One no one knows anything about. What to do. How to
fight it. Who the enemy is. How to spy on them. Anything. It’s a great time for
procrastinators.”
“Great. Sounds like a fabulous reason for Congress to do nothing.”
“Now, now, now. Remember we signed up for this. Ain’t it time for you to take the
watch?”
“Hey, I’m talking to the CO. What better reason is there for goldbricking?”
“Get in there.”
#
“Lieutenant Reins, how much longer do we have to maintain this course.”
“Captain, just talked to the Air Boss. Got two more birds coming in from Sig, than
we’re free to maneuver.” The Officer Of the Deck poked his head outside for a quick
look back. “Think we can then do some moving around to try to lose that Russian?”
“Once we don’t have to keep heading into the wind we’ll do something. She’s only
been back there an hour and the hair on my neck is standing up. Boats, no wise cracks,
even under your breath. Shut up I know you.”
“Great guy to work for,” The senior enlisted man on watch looked at his fellow
enlisted men., “but what a party pooper.”
“Not cute, you got the first round when we hit port.” The CO smiled as if he
presumed he had won that little discussion.
“Ah, we head for Palma right now, all the drinks are on me.”
“We’ll go where I wan . . . Let me think about that.”
Boats bowed as he accepted a number of thumbs up from the rest of the watch.
Fifteen minutes later
“Skipper, that was Pri-Fly on the phone, All birds are in. We’re free to move
about.”
“Mr. Reins, that’s good news. Now what can we do to our tail.” The Captain put
his head out the door and looked back.” If the Cold War is over, what the hell is that
bitch doing back there?”
“Gentlemen, please note. The Captain is very careful about which four letter words
he uses. I highly recommend ya’ll do likewise.”
“Boats, shut up!” After making sure it was empty, he put it to his lips, the Skipper
threw his coffee mug at the Boatswain. Catching it as if he expected it, Boats gave it to a
runner. “The old man likes two lumps of sugar and a drop of milk in his coffee.”
“I am not an old man!”
“Naval tradition has it that the captain of a vessel has the nick name, Old Man.”
The Boatswain smiled. “And it has stood up at a court marshal.”
The Captain stared at the man he had known since he first stepped onboard a ship.
“If I remember right. Back on the Truman, I ordered you to use Velcro to keep your
stripes on.”
“Ooooooooooh!” Muttered by almost everyone else on the bridge.
“Ah, Sir, if I remember right, Captain Henson said about that order, and I quote,
‘that’s a damn stupid order’.”
“Skipper, glad you and Boats are enjoying old home week.” Reins stepped right in
between the two men. “But I need a course to give to the helm and there’s still the matter
of the Russian.”
“Screw the Russian!” The Captain stared at Boats as if he was shooting mental
darts.
“Ah, I’ve seen several Russians I’d love to. But those bastards back there ain’t my
type.” Took a minute before the entire bridge team stopped laughing.
“Alright guys, we’ve had out laugh. OOD, for right now set a course for Naples.
Lets think about wether there’s any fun we can have with the polar bear.”
Several ideas where mentioned and quickly rejected before the Captain yelled,
“Got it. Let’s do a BAT.”
“Yeah.” Reins turned to the Junior Officer Of the Deck. “Okay, Ensign Miller,
show us what you got. Do a BAT.”
Not even ever having heard of a BAT before, the young man was not expecting that
order on his first watch. He stood with a blank look on his face.
“Mr. Reims, I think you made a mistake. It appears to me that our new officer has
no idea what a BAT is.” Opened mouth, Miller shook his head. “You’ve done one
before, right?”
“Did two as OOD and one as JOOD, Sir. We did them often when Captain Baker
had your seat. Forgot this is Miller’s first time up here.” As he walked over to the helm
Reins continued. “I’m going to give the orders for the BAT. You watch. They’re not
hard, just each step has to be done at the right moment. Boats, make the Log entries.”
“Skipper, should I issued life jackets?”
“Boats, if that wasn’t such a good put down, your ass would be grass. Mr. Reins,
first tell the Ensign the perils of a BAT. I want him to know why BATs won’t be
common while I’m in charge.” “Yes, Sir.” Reins turned to face Miller. “The
extreme danger of doing a BAT is that airplanes have been known to roll off the flight
deck. With each costing the taxpayers millions, the Navy doesn’t look– ”
“Reins, you talk to much. Do the damn BAT. Kid listen to me while Mouth is
setting up the maneuver. He’s right about no one wanting to see a bird roll into the drink.
Watch your level. Keep the lean to under 2.5 degree and you’ll be safe. Best to keep it
under 2. Reins, remember I just want to scare the Russian, not cause a reason for either
of us to get a new paint job.”
“Should I tell everyone about what had to be change the last time you had the deck
and did a BAT?” Boats was smiling.
The Skipper looked back at the German and Russian as he replied. “If I remember
right, your’s were the only ones that actually needed changing.” That causes a lot of
snickering, a smile on the Captain’s face and a frown on Boat’s.
As he walked out onto the flying bridge on the side the turn as going to be made
Reins flipped on his mike. “Pri_Fly, Bridge.”
“Go ahead.”
“About to do a BAT.”
“Like hell you– ”
“Skipper ordered it. He’s right beside me. Want to talk to him?”
“We’ll be ready.”
“Engineering, Bridge.”
“Go ahead.”
“About to do a BAT.”
“Tell that bastard sitting in the left hand seat, if I spill my coffee I’m coming up to
pay him a visit.” The tone was not peaches and cream.
Standing beside the Ensign so he could hear everything, Boats leaned over and
whispered into the officer’s ear. “The Chief Engineer is on the list for promotion to
admiral. He can get away with crap like that.”
“Not on my ship. Boats, sent a runner. I want Cheng standing at that door in ten
minutes. Mr. Reins, why isn’t this ship in the middle of a BAT?”
“Lee helm, new speed, slow all engines to 5 knots.” Reins took a quick look back
at the end of the congo line. “Sir, going to tell the German what we’re about to do.”
“Why? We got gross tonnage and they’re smart. They’ll get out of the way.”
Reins shrugged his shoulders and gave the next command. “Lee helm, all engines
ahead for 25 knots. Helm, left 25 degrees rudder.”
“Aye, sir. Left 25 degrees, no new course given.”
“Sir, I’m following what you’re going. But I still don’t what a BAT is.”
Puzzled Reins looked at Miller. Suddenly a smile popped out. “BAT is short for,
Bad Ass Turn. Watch what happens.”
To the amazement of the new officer the 80,000 ton vessel began a rapid turn while
maintaining a list of less than 2 degrees. The Captain smiled. The OOD smiled. It was
no big deal to the Boatswain.
As the team watched, the carrier moved through the extremely tight turn.
“Looking good, Mr. Reins. No planes moving and it looks like we’ll turn in under
900 yards. Boats, where’s that coffee?”
Presuming the carrier was once again seeking the wind for flight ops the German
and Russian kept their positions in the line. Soon the German realized the massive
vessel was performing a turn. When it became apparent the carrier was maneuvering to
pass between the two smaller ships the German increased speed widening the gap
between her and the Russian.
“The German’s seen a BAT before. Knows what to do. Now lets see what the
Russian does. Boats tell the runner he makes a good cup of coffee and I want another.”
“Sir? You just took your first sip.”
“Seeing how long it took to get this cup I want the next one before I die of
dehydration. That Russian ain’t moving is she? Boats stand by to sound the collision
alarm. Reins, maintain course. It’ll be close, but as long as she doesn’t increase speed
we shouldn’t hit her.”The Captain looked at the Ensign. “This is why I don’t order these
damn things that often. We can handle our part. But not what others do.”
Stepping out onto the flying bridge for a better view of how close the ships were
during the in passing the Captain was able to looked almost straight down on the much
smaller Russian destroyer. Sporting a big smile he waved to his counterpart. The smile
was rewarded with the middle finger award. The American gave a final wave and
stepped back into the confines of the bridge.
“Mr, Reins, I congratulate you. That was an excellent example of a BAT. Passed
close enough to scare them, but not cause a new paint job. Miller, get us back on course
for Naples.”
“Thank you, Sir. I’ll make sure Ensign Miller is prepared to do the next one. That is
once he changes his own pants.”
“Lieutenant, I was told in school that officers are relieved when their ship hits
another.”
“It’s the COs that get relieved.” The Captain chuckled as he spoke. “Relax. No one’
s going to take that little butter bar away from you. Boats, you will not say anything
about no one wanting to touch that bar.”
“Boss, knew you when you were an ensign. You were a party pooper then and still
are.”
“That’s okay, I remember you were always in trouble and still are.” The Skipper
smiled in triumph. Smiling the ship’s commanding officer shook his finger at the senior
enlisted man.
“Cute Captain.” Before passing it on, Boats took a quick look at the piece of paper
the runner from Comms handed him. “Got a real short clear text, unclassified message
from the Russian.”
“Gee, let me guess. Might it be, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?”
“Ah, Sir. How’d you guess?”
As the veteran sailors smiled, the Ensign scratched his head obviously wondering
what they knew that he didn’t.
The Captain calmly sipped on his coffee while he thought of how to reply. Looking
at the Russian he was impressed by its signal flags. A big smile appeared. “Boats, get
the skivvy waver to run up this signal, Welcome to the wonderful world of maneuvering,
American style.”
ships following in their wake.
“Sir, thought the Cold War was over.” The ship’s boatswain mate yelled. It was the
only he could be heard over the roar of the jets on the flight deck below.
“Suppose to be.” The ship’s new commanding officer stared at the Russian bringing
up the rear. He was glad the German in the middle was there. Ready to pick up any
pilots who’s plane was unable to land, her being the plane guard ship was a good
chance for NATO cooperation.
“Then why is that Russian following us? Been years since I’ve seen one back
there.”
“Boats, we’re in a new war. One no one knows anything about. What to do. How to
fight it. Who the enemy is. How to spy on them. Anything. It’s a great time for
procrastinators.”
“Great. Sounds like a fabulous reason for Congress to do nothing.”
“Now, now, now. Remember we signed up for this. Ain’t it time for you to take the
watch?”
“Hey, I’m talking to the CO. What better reason is there for goldbricking?”
“Get in there.”
#
“Lieutenant Reins, how much longer do we have to maintain this course.”
“Captain, just talked to the Air Boss. Got two more birds coming in from Sig, than
we’re free to maneuver.” The Officer Of the Deck poked his head outside for a quick
look back. “Think we can then do some moving around to try to lose that Russian?”
“Once we don’t have to keep heading into the wind we’ll do something. She’s only
been back there an hour and the hair on my neck is standing up. Boats, no wise cracks,
even under your breath. Shut up I know you.”
“Great guy to work for,” The senior enlisted man on watch looked at his fellow
enlisted men., “but what a party pooper.”
“Not cute, you got the first round when we hit port.” The CO smiled as if he
presumed he had won that little discussion.
“Ah, we head for Palma right now, all the drinks are on me.”
“We’ll go where I wan . . . Let me think about that.”
Boats bowed as he accepted a number of thumbs up from the rest of the watch.
Fifteen minutes later
“Skipper, that was Pri-Fly on the phone, All birds are in. We’re free to move
about.”
“Mr. Reins, that’s good news. Now what can we do to our tail.” The Captain put
his head out the door and looked back.” If the Cold War is over, what the hell is that
bitch doing back there?”
“Gentlemen, please note. The Captain is very careful about which four letter words
he uses. I highly recommend ya’ll do likewise.”
“Boats, shut up!” After making sure it was empty, he put it to his lips, the Skipper
threw his coffee mug at the Boatswain. Catching it as if he expected it, Boats gave it to a
runner. “The old man likes two lumps of sugar and a drop of milk in his coffee.”
“I am not an old man!”
“Naval tradition has it that the captain of a vessel has the nick name, Old Man.”
The Boatswain smiled. “And it has stood up at a court marshal.”
The Captain stared at the man he had known since he first stepped onboard a ship.
“If I remember right. Back on the Truman, I ordered you to use Velcro to keep your
stripes on.”
“Ooooooooooh!” Muttered by almost everyone else on the bridge.
“Ah, Sir, if I remember right, Captain Henson said about that order, and I quote,
‘that’s a damn stupid order’.”
“Skipper, glad you and Boats are enjoying old home week.” Reins stepped right in
between the two men. “But I need a course to give to the helm and there’s still the matter
of the Russian.”
“Screw the Russian!” The Captain stared at Boats as if he was shooting mental
darts.
“Ah, I’ve seen several Russians I’d love to. But those bastards back there ain’t my
type.” Took a minute before the entire bridge team stopped laughing.
“Alright guys, we’ve had out laugh. OOD, for right now set a course for Naples.
Lets think about wether there’s any fun we can have with the polar bear.”
Several ideas where mentioned and quickly rejected before the Captain yelled,
“Got it. Let’s do a BAT.”
“Yeah.” Reins turned to the Junior Officer Of the Deck. “Okay, Ensign Miller,
show us what you got. Do a BAT.”
Not even ever having heard of a BAT before, the young man was not expecting that
order on his first watch. He stood with a blank look on his face.
“Mr. Reims, I think you made a mistake. It appears to me that our new officer has
no idea what a BAT is.” Opened mouth, Miller shook his head. “You’ve done one
before, right?”
“Did two as OOD and one as JOOD, Sir. We did them often when Captain Baker
had your seat. Forgot this is Miller’s first time up here.” As he walked over to the helm
Reins continued. “I’m going to give the orders for the BAT. You watch. They’re not
hard, just each step has to be done at the right moment. Boats, make the Log entries.”
“Skipper, should I issued life jackets?”
“Boats, if that wasn’t such a good put down, your ass would be grass. Mr. Reins,
first tell the Ensign the perils of a BAT. I want him to know why BATs won’t be
common while I’m in charge.” “Yes, Sir.” Reins turned to face Miller. “The
extreme danger of doing a BAT is that airplanes have been known to roll off the flight
deck. With each costing the taxpayers millions, the Navy doesn’t look– ”
“Reins, you talk to much. Do the damn BAT. Kid listen to me while Mouth is
setting up the maneuver. He’s right about no one wanting to see a bird roll into the drink.
Watch your level. Keep the lean to under 2.5 degree and you’ll be safe. Best to keep it
under 2. Reins, remember I just want to scare the Russian, not cause a reason for either
of us to get a new paint job.”
“Should I tell everyone about what had to be change the last time you had the deck
and did a BAT?” Boats was smiling.
The Skipper looked back at the German and Russian as he replied. “If I remember
right, your’s were the only ones that actually needed changing.” That causes a lot of
snickering, a smile on the Captain’s face and a frown on Boat’s.
As he walked out onto the flying bridge on the side the turn as going to be made
Reins flipped on his mike. “Pri_Fly, Bridge.”
“Go ahead.”
“About to do a BAT.”
“Like hell you– ”
“Skipper ordered it. He’s right beside me. Want to talk to him?”
“We’ll be ready.”
“Engineering, Bridge.”
“Go ahead.”
“About to do a BAT.”
“Tell that bastard sitting in the left hand seat, if I spill my coffee I’m coming up to
pay him a visit.” The tone was not peaches and cream.
Standing beside the Ensign so he could hear everything, Boats leaned over and
whispered into the officer’s ear. “The Chief Engineer is on the list for promotion to
admiral. He can get away with crap like that.”
“Not on my ship. Boats, sent a runner. I want Cheng standing at that door in ten
minutes. Mr. Reins, why isn’t this ship in the middle of a BAT?”
“Lee helm, new speed, slow all engines to 5 knots.” Reins took a quick look back
at the end of the congo line. “Sir, going to tell the German what we’re about to do.”
“Why? We got gross tonnage and they’re smart. They’ll get out of the way.”
Reins shrugged his shoulders and gave the next command. “Lee helm, all engines
ahead for 25 knots. Helm, left 25 degrees rudder.”
“Aye, sir. Left 25 degrees, no new course given.”
“Sir, I’m following what you’re going. But I still don’t what a BAT is.”
Puzzled Reins looked at Miller. Suddenly a smile popped out. “BAT is short for,
Bad Ass Turn. Watch what happens.”
To the amazement of the new officer the 80,000 ton vessel began a rapid turn while
maintaining a list of less than 2 degrees. The Captain smiled. The OOD smiled. It was
no big deal to the Boatswain.
As the team watched, the carrier moved through the extremely tight turn.
“Looking good, Mr. Reins. No planes moving and it looks like we’ll turn in under
900 yards. Boats, where’s that coffee?”
Presuming the carrier was once again seeking the wind for flight ops the German
and Russian kept their positions in the line. Soon the German realized the massive
vessel was performing a turn. When it became apparent the carrier was maneuvering to
pass between the two smaller ships the German increased speed widening the gap
between her and the Russian.
“The German’s seen a BAT before. Knows what to do. Now lets see what the
Russian does. Boats tell the runner he makes a good cup of coffee and I want another.”
“Sir? You just took your first sip.”
“Seeing how long it took to get this cup I want the next one before I die of
dehydration. That Russian ain’t moving is she? Boats stand by to sound the collision
alarm. Reins, maintain course. It’ll be close, but as long as she doesn’t increase speed
we shouldn’t hit her.”The Captain looked at the Ensign. “This is why I don’t order these
damn things that often. We can handle our part. But not what others do.”
Stepping out onto the flying bridge for a better view of how close the ships were
during the in passing the Captain was able to looked almost straight down on the much
smaller Russian destroyer. Sporting a big smile he waved to his counterpart. The smile
was rewarded with the middle finger award. The American gave a final wave and
stepped back into the confines of the bridge.
“Mr, Reins, I congratulate you. That was an excellent example of a BAT. Passed
close enough to scare them, but not cause a new paint job. Miller, get us back on course
for Naples.”
“Thank you, Sir. I’ll make sure Ensign Miller is prepared to do the next one. That is
once he changes his own pants.”
“Lieutenant, I was told in school that officers are relieved when their ship hits
another.”
“It’s the COs that get relieved.” The Captain chuckled as he spoke. “Relax. No one’
s going to take that little butter bar away from you. Boats, you will not say anything
about no one wanting to touch that bar.”
“Boss, knew you when you were an ensign. You were a party pooper then and still
are.”
“That’s okay, I remember you were always in trouble and still are.” The Skipper
smiled in triumph. Smiling the ship’s commanding officer shook his finger at the senior
enlisted man.
“Cute Captain.” Before passing it on, Boats took a quick look at the piece of paper
the runner from Comms handed him. “Got a real short clear text, unclassified message
from the Russian.”
“Gee, let me guess. Might it be, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?”
“Ah, Sir. How’d you guess?”
As the veteran sailors smiled, the Ensign scratched his head obviously wondering
what they knew that he didn’t.
The Captain calmly sipped on his coffee while he thought of how to reply. Looking
at the Russian he was impressed by its signal flags. A big smile appeared. “Boats, get
the skivvy waver to run up this signal, Welcome to the wonderful world of maneuvering,
American style.”