Page 105 of Ripple Effect

“Throw them up on screen,” the captain barks.

“Sir…” Sam’s voice is choked.

“What are you waiting for, Sam. Just do it,” he orders.

“Yes, sir,” comes his weak reply. Within seconds, we see the reason for his hesitation.

“Oh, sweet God. Have mercy on their souls,” I whisper.

“I…I need to call this in. How many…?”

“Everyone,” Thorn says grimly. “Anyone we can’t see in the bar or on the bridge is dead.”

We wanted to know how bad it was, and now we know. It’s worse than we could imagine, and it still isn’t over yet.

75

Calhoun

Year Six - Five Years Ago from Present Day October 23 2340 Hours GMT

“How many do you think…” Iris can’t even get the question out.

I shake my head. Turning to Thorn, I ask, “What does this do for your plan?”

“I never expected…” Even Thorn is at a loss for words as the cameras display a virtual bloodbath. “This has gone right to hell. We’ve got to call this into SecNav so the president can be briefed, sir,” he addresses the captain respectfully, all of his military training still in check even at a moment when his face is finally demonstrating the horror that’s been on mine ever since I learned Libby’s on theSea Force.

“I’ll worry about that; your only concern is how to get the remaining people off that ship. Alive,” the captain adds firmly. “Using whatever means possible.” Everyone in the room understands what’s being left unsaid; we no longer care about taking the hijackers alive. Not since we have the visual proof they’ve just become terrorists of not just our nation, but of those of any of the dead passengers and crew.

Thorn claps his hands together. “Let’s get to work. We have to assume the hostages have been without food and water for at least thirty hours…”

As if his words release all of us from the wretched images on the screens, which look like someone took a snapshot of a house of horrors and has it playing over and over on a loop, we jump back into action.

Making my way over to Sam, I ask simply, “What do you need?”

“Unfettered access to every mainframe I want, when I ask for it. Get those motherfuckers on the line, Cal, and tell them to stop dicking me around.” His fingers pause for the briefest moment. “Every moment I spend arguing with someone, we’re risking…there’s a chance…” He swallows hard to check his emotions. “Just get me what I need.”

I’m already pulling my phone out to call Yarborough before Sam finishes, and step out of sight. He answers before the line can ring on my side. “How bad is it?” His voice is the Admiral that any man on this ship would cower under.

Except me. Beneath it, I hear the worry for my wife, for me, for Sam and Iris. Because Rick knows none of us are coming out of this mission the same as when we went in it, no matter the outcome.

“It’s worse than anything we could have ever imagined, and that’s without Libby being on board.” I don’t measure my words. The luxury of doing that flew out the window the minute we saw the true state of the ship. “Rick, we have eyes, and it’s worse than anything I’ve ever seen. It’s worse than anythingyou’veever seen. Even Thorn’s in shock,” I tack on, knowing he’ll get the full magnitude of what we’re facing without my going into explicit details.

“Dear God. What do you need, son?” Shaking off the shock, he becomes exactly what I need in this moment.

The former Admiral who’s ready to knock heads together.

“Sam needs unfettered access to assist Thorn. There’s no plan without it.”

“You’ll have it within the hour,” Yarborough assures me.

“Make it thirty.” I punch the Off button on the SAT phone and go back onto the bridge to wait.

Twenty minutes later, I get a call back. “Tell Sam to call this number.” Yarborough rattles off a string of numbers to me which I immediately memorize. “The president made a call.”

Not giving myself time to react, I turn to Sam and give him the information. “I’m heading down to see what Thorn needs.”

“Copy,” Sam mutters as he dials. I hear him declare, “This is the USSLassen. I have eyes on theSea Force. I need access, now,” just as I turn the corner and head down the ladder to the floor below me to see what kind of party Thorn’s planning.