B00BPJL400 EBOK

THE DESTROYERMEN SERIES

Into the Storm

Crusade

Maelstrom

Distant Thunders

Rising Tides

Firestorm

Iron Gray Sea

Published by the Penguin Group

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New York, New York 10014, USA

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First published by Roc, an imprint of New American Library,

a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

Copyright © Taylor Anderson, 2013

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

REGISTERED TRADEMARK—MARCA REGISTRADA

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA:

Anderson, Taylor.

Storm surge/Taylor Anderson.

p. cm.—(Destroyermen)

ISBN 978-1-101-61416-7

1. Imaginary wars and battles—Fiction. 2. Destroyers (Warships)—Fiction. 3. Alternative histories (Fiction) 4. Science fiction. I. Title.

PS3601.N5475S76 2013

813'.6—dc23 2012050859

Set in Minion

Designed by Alissa Amell

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

   The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites or their content.

Again, I must thank my friend and agent, Russell Galen, as well as the utterly delightful Ginjer Buchanan and all the great folks at Roc. Otherwise, I’ll keep this one short since all the “usual suspects” know who they are—as do all those who have joined us on this adventure by now, for better or worse! Ha! I
would
like to throw out a very special thank-you to those who were so steadfast and supportive during a really tough time. They know who they are as well. Adversity does tend to put things in perspective, but it also often reveals the many blessings we take for granted. Since I count my true friends and family among my very greatest blessings, I am a fortunate man indeed. Oh, and for those who crave the usual hint regarding the latest ridiculous thing to “happen” to Jim, propriety must prevail this time. All I can say is that it was, again, wildly—painfully—amusing for most concerned.

(The following does not necessarily reflect initial or even final deployments, but only those most pertinent to the events described.)

See the back of the book for a list of ships and specifications.

Note:

(L)
—Lemurians, or Mi-Anaaka, are bipedal, somewhat felinoid creatures with large eyes, fur, and expressive but nonprehensile tails. They are highly intelligent, social, and dexterous, and inhabit a variety of regions, but are concentrated in and around the Malay Barrier. It has been proposed that they are descended from the giant lemurs of Madagascar.

(G)—
Grik, or Ghaarrichk’k, are bipedal reptilians reminiscent of various Mesozoic dromaeosaurids. Covered with fine downy fur, the males develop bristly crests and tail plumage, and retain formidable teeth and claws. Grik society consists of two distinct classes: the ruling, or industrious, Hij, and the worker-warrior Uul. The basic Grik-like form is ubiquitous, and serves as a foundation for numerous unassociated races and species.

Members of the Grand Alliance

USS
Walker
(DD-163)

Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Patrick Reddy, USNR
—Commanding. CINCAF—(Commander in Chief of All Allied Forces).

Cmdr. Brad “Spanky” McFarlane
—Exec. Minister of Naval Engineering.

Lt. Tab-At (L)
—Engineering Officer.

Courtney Bradford—
Australian “naturalist” and engineer; “Minister of Science” for the Grand Alliance and Plenipotentiary at Large.

Chief Quartermaster Patrick “Paddy” Rosen
—Acting First Officer.

Lt. Sonny Campeti
—Gunnery Officer.

Cmdr. Bernard Sandison
—Torpedo Officer and Minister of Experimental Ordnance.

Lt. Ed Palmer
—Signals.

Chief Bosun Fitzhugh Gray
—Chief Bosun of the Navy and Damage Control Officer. Highest ranking NCO in the Alliance and commander of the Captain’s Guard.

Gunner’s Mate Pak-Ras-Ar, “Pack Rat”
(L)

Jeek (L)
—Flight Crew Chief, Special Air Division.

Earl Lanier
—Cook.

Johnny Parks
—Machinist’s Mate.

Juan Marcos
—Officers’ Steward.

Wallace Fairchild
—Sonarman, Anti-Mountain Fish Countermeasures (AMF-DIC).

Min-Sakir, “Minnie” (L)
—Bridge Talker.

Chief Engineer Isak Rueben
—
One of the “original” Mice.

Cmdr. Simon Herring
—Chief of Strategic Intelligence.

Lance Corporal Ian Miles
—Formerly in Second of the Fourth Marines; assigned to Bernard Sandison.

USS
Mahan
(as rebuilt)

Cmdr. Perry Brister
—Commanding; Minister of Defensive and Industrial Works.

Lt. (jg) Jeff Brooks
—Sonarman, Anti-Mountain Fish Countermeasures (AMF-DIC).

Lt. (jg) Rolando “Ronson” Rodriguez
—Chief Electrician.

Taarba-Kar, “Tabasco” (L)
—Cook.

Chief Bosun’s Mate Carl Bashear

Ensign Johnny Parks
—Engineering Officer.

Ensign Paul Stites
—Gunnery Officer.

USS
Respite Island
(SPD-1)
—Self-Propelled Dry Dock #1.

MTB-Ron-1
(Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron #1) 10xMTB’s (#s 4-14).

Lt. (jg) Winston “Winny” Rominger
—Former carpenter’s mate 3rd; head of the PT project; 1st Allied Raider Brigade.

Chack-Sab-At (L)
—Commanding
;
Bosun’s Mate (Lt. Colonel).

Major Alistair Jindal
—Imperial Marine and Chack’s exec.

Captain Risa Sab-At (L)
—Chack’s sister.

First Fleet

Admiral Keje-Fris-Ar (L)
—(CINCWEST).

Indiaa

Allied Expeditionary Force (North)
—Within “Alden’s Perimeter” around Lake Flynn and in the Rocky Gap.

General of the Army and Marines Pete Alden
—Commanding; former sergeant in USS
Houston
Marine contingent.

I Corps

General Lord Muln-Rolak (L)
—Commanding.

Hij-Geerki
—Rolak’s “pet” Grik, captured at Rangoon.

1ST (GALLA) DIVISION

General Taa-leen (L)
—Commanding.

Colonel Enaak (L) (5th Maa-ni-la Cavalry)
—Exec.

1st Marines, 5th, 6th, 7th, 10th Baalkpan

2ND DIVISION

General Rin-Taaka-Ar (L)
—Commanding.

Major Simon (Simy) Gutfeld (3rd Marines)
—Exec.

1st, 2nd Maa-ni-la, 4th, 6th, 7th Aryaal

II Corps

General Queen Safir Maraan (L)
—Commanding.

3RD DIVISION

General Daanis (L)
—Commanding.

Colonel Mersaak
(L)
—“The 600” (B’mbaado regiment composed of Silver and Black Battalions)—Exec 3rd Baalkpan, 3rd , 10th B’mbaado, 5th Sular.

5TH DIVISION

Captain Saachic (L)
—Commanding.

Includes remnants of First Amalgamated (Flynn’s Rangers), 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, 6th Maa-ni-la Cavalry, 1st Sular (about 140 total effectives).

6TH DIVISION

General Grisa
—Commanding.

5th, 6th B’mbaado, 1st, 2nd, 9th Aryaal, 3rd Sular*, 3rd Maa-ni-la Cavalry

III Corps

General Faan-Ma-Mar (L)
—Commanding
.

9TH & 11TH DIVISIONS COMPOSED OF THE 2ND, 3RD MAA-NI-LA, 8TH BAALKPAN, 7TH & 8TH
MAA-NI-LA, 10TH ARYAAL

Lt. Mark Leedom
—COFO, 5th & 8th Bomb Squadrons and 6th Pursuit Squadron from
Humfra-Dar
(remains of Second Naval Air Wing) attached; also 1st and 3rd Bomb Squadrons and 2nd Pursuit Squadron from
Salissa
(CV-1).

Ceylon

Mackey Field
—Near Trin-con-lee. 3rd Pursuit Squadron (P-40E’s) Army Air Corps.

Colonel Ben Mallory
—Commanding.

Lt. (jg) Suaak-Pas-Ra “Soupy” (L)

Lt. Conrad Diebel

2nd Lt. Niaa-Saa “Shirley” (L)

Staff Sergeant Cecil Dixon

Off Madras

Salissa
Battlegroup

USNRS
Salissa “Big Sal”
(CV-1)

Admiral Keje-Fris-Ar (L)—
(CINCWEST)

Adar (L)
—COTGA (Chairman of the Grand Alliance) and High Chief and Sky Priest of Baalkpan.

Atlaan-Fas (L)
—Commanding.

Lt. Sandy Newman
—Exec.

Nurse Lt. Sandra Tucker Reddy
—Minister of Medicine and wife of Captain Reddy.

Diania
—Steward’s Assistant.

General Linnaa-Fas-Ra
—12th Division.

First Naval Air Wing

Captain Jis-Tikkar “Tikker” (L)
—COFO (Commander of Flight Operations);
2nd Bomb Squadron and 1st Pursuit Squadron remain on
Salissa
(CV-1) after damage.

Arracca
Battlegroup

USNRS
Arracca
(CV-3)

Captain Tassana-Ay-Arracca (L)
—Commanding; High Chief.

Fifth Naval Air Wing

Frigates (DDs)
attached:
(Des-Ron 9)

USS
Kas-Ra-Ar
**

Captain Mescus Ricum (L)
—Commanding.

USS
Ramic-Sa-Ar
*

USS
Felts
**

USS
Naga
***

USS
Bowles
***

USS
Saak-Fas
***

USS
Clark
**

TF (Task Force) Ellis

Commodore Jim Ellis

USS
Santa Catalina
(CAP-1)

Lt. Cmdr. Russ Chapelle
—Commanding.

Lt. Michael “Mikey” Monk
—Exec.

Lt. (jg) Dean Laney
—Engineering Officer.

Surgeon Cmdr. Kathy McCoy

Stanley “Dobbin” Dobson
—Chief Bosun’s Mate.

S-19

Lt. Irvin Laumer
—Commanding.

Midshipman Nathaniel Hardee

Danny Porter
—Chief of the Boat.

Motor Machinist’s Mate Sandy Whitcomb

Frigates
(DDs)
attached:
(Des-Ron 6)

USS
Haakar-Faask
**

Lt. Cmdr. Niaal-Ras-Kavaat (L)
—Commanding.

USS
Nakja-Mur
*

Captain Jarrik-Fas (L)
—Commanding.

USS
Tassat
**

Cmdr. Muraak-Saanga (L)
—Commanding; former
Donaghey
exec. and sailing master.

USS
Scott
***

Cmdr. Cablaas-Rag-Lan (L)
—Commanding.

TFG-2

TF (Task Force) Garrett-2

(Long Range Reconnaissance and Exploration)

USS
Donaghey
(DD-2)

Cmdr. Greg Garrett
—Commanding.

Lt. Saama-Kera “Sammy” (L)
—Exec.

Lt. (jg) Wendel “Smitty” Smith
—Gunnery Officer.

Captain Bekiaa-Sab-At
—Commanding Marines.

Baalkpan

Cmdr. Alan Letts
—Chief of Staff, Minister of Industry and the Division of Strategic Logistics; acting Chairman of the Grand Alliance.

Cmdr. Steve “Sparks” Riggs
—Minister of Communications and Electrical Contrivances.

Lord Bolton Forester
—Imperial Ambassador.

Lt. Bachman
—Forester’s aide.

Surgeon Cmdr. Karen Theimer Letts
—Assistant Minister of Medicine.

Pepper (L)
—Black-and-white Lemurian keeper of the Castaway Cook (Busted Screw).

Leading Seaman Henry Stokes, HMAS
Perth
—Assistant Director of Office of Strategic Intelligence.

Army and Naval Air Corps Training Center (Kaufman Field) Baalkpan

Lt. Walt “Jumbo” Fisher
—Commanding.

4th & 7th Bomb Squadrons, and 4th & 5th Pursuit in extra training

Corps of Discovery

Ensign Abel Cook
—Commanding.

Chief Gunner’s Mate Dennis Silva

Lawrence “Larry the Lizard”
—Orange-and-brown tiger-striped Grik-like ex-Tagranesi (Sa’aaran).

Surgeon Lt. Pam Cross

Imperial Midshipman Stuart Brassey

Gunnery Sgt. Arnold Horn
—USMC; formerly of the 4th Marines (US).

Moe the Hunter

Pokey
—“Pet” Grik brass-picker.

Also 6 Lemurian Marines and 2 more “tame” Grik.

Fil-pin Lands

Saan-Kakja (L)
—High Chief of Maa-ni-la and all the Fil-pin Lands.

Meksnaak (L)
—High Sky Priest of Maa-ni-la.

Chinakru
—Ex-Tagranesi, now colonial governor of Samaar.

General Ansik-Talaa (L)
—Fil-pin Scouts.

Colonel Busaa (L)
—Coastal artillery; commanding Advanced Training Center (ATC).

Respite Island

Governor Radcliff

Emelia Radcliff

Lt. Busbee
—Cutter pilot.

Bishop Akin Todd

New Britain Isles

Governor-Empress Rebecca Anne McDonald

Sean “O’Casey” Bates
—Prime Factor and Chief of Staff for G-E.

Lt. Ezekial Krish
—Assistant to Mr. Bates.

Lord High Admiral James Silas McLain III (relieved)

HIMS
Ulysses
,
Euripides
,
Tacitus
—Completing repairs.

Allied Assets/New Britain Isles

Sister Audry
—Benedictine nun, and new Allied Ambassador.

“Lord” Sgt. Koratin (L)
—Marine protector and advisor to Sister Audry.

USS
Simms
***
—Fil-pin-built; under repair.

Lt. Ruik-Sor-Raa (L)
—Commanding.

USS
Pinaa-Tubo
—Ammunition ship.

Lt. Radaa-Nin (L)
—Commanding.

Eastern Sea Campaign

High Admiral Harvey Jenks—
(CINCEAST)

Enchanted Isles:

Sir Thomas Humphries
—Imperial Governor of Albermarl.

Colonel Alexander
—Garrison commander.

Second Fleet

USS
Maaka-Kakja
(CV-4)

Admiral Lelaa-Tal-Cleraan (L)
—Commanding.