Nemesis (20 page)

Karpov
must have offered all that to Kirov, and to get one thing—the ship that bore
his name. Now he was pretending he was the Captain they had argued with just
hours ago on the ship, perhaps as a way of facilitating what he now feared was
happening here. He knew what was coming in that message from Moscow, and yet
the sadness of the moment, and a feeling they had been betrayed by the General
Secretary, lay heavily upon him.

Volsky
read the message quietly. “I see…” he said at last. “I am being asked to relinquish
command of my ship to you, Captain. Do you realize how preposterous that
sounds? First I’m asked to believe my entire ship has slipped in time to the
year 1941. Now I’m supposed to believe that Sergei Kirov is in charge, knew
about all this, and for some reason, he’s decided to relieve me of command.
Preposterous! How can I comply with such a request?”

“How
can you comply?” Karpov knew Volsky would not go easily, and so he applied a
little more pressure now. “Well let me explain that to you, one preposterous
thing after another. The world around you is exactly as it seems, a backward,
struggling nation beset with war from a bygone era. Russia is struggling for
its very existence now, and Moscow needs all the support it can get.”

“You
mean they want this ship—for the war?”

“What
else? They have no Northern Fleet to speak of here. Fedorov could tell you
that. But with
Kirov
, all that changes. Now they have real power here,
and they want someone willing to use it on their behalf. I’m sorry sir, but I
told them you would refuse. Was I wrong in that? Perhaps, but you know it is
true. They asked me if I would fight for Mother Russia here, and I said yes.
That’s the whole of it, and now that message relieves you of command. I am now
the lawful commander of that battlecruiser. In fact, I always was. You were
merely an interloper when you came aboard for those live fire exercises, and
believe me, it was never pleasant to stand in your shadow. But none of that
matters now. You will comply and relinquish command to me, and I hope you will
do so willingly, for the good of the nation you are sworn to serve. Or do you
wear that uniform for self-aggrandizement?”

“Relinquish
command? Don’t be a fool! Moscow knew we were here? That’s ridiculous! How
would they know such a thing? Relinquish command? To these men of this time? They
would not have the slightest knowledge of how that ship operates. There is
technology there that will not be developed for decades. You do not hand an
infant a revolver and expect him to know what it is capable of doing.”

“They
will not command the ship, Admiral,” said Karpov coldly. “I will. I know only
too well how to use such a weapon.”

“You
say Moscow was aware of our predicament? Then they had to learn of our presence
here somehow, yes?” The Admiral looked at Fedorov now. “How would that be
possible?” Now a look of sudden realization glimmered in the Admiral’s eyes.
“Your history books, Fedorov! That’s how they learned what happened to us! Now
I see what is really going on here. Fedorov?”

Volsky
had started up this stairway, and now he wanted Fedorov to come along. He
quickly surmised the Admiral’s ploy, and moved to reinforce him.

“That
must be it, Admiral. The moment we arrived here, in the past, we became part of
this history. Yes. That’s how they knew about us. What if they found out how we
shifted here, sir. Clearly none of this could have been arranged before we left
Severomorsk for those live fire exercises. They could not know what happened to
us until after the accident occurred.”

Karpov
saw an opening here, and he also followed suit, knowing he had a trump card in
that envelope. “Yes,” he said. “They knew. You were history the moment you
arrived here, and they found a way to get a message through—to this time.” That
was a lie, of course, but it served Karpov’s purpose perfectly. He knew there
was one last stumbling block they had to get over—the recall order. He had
formatted that message himself, knowing the authentication code as Fedorov had
suspected, but how to explain this away to convince the Admiral?

“I’m
sorry, Admiral, but they managed to get a message through, and that explains
the recall order. This is what I was told.”

“You
mean to secure the ship?” said Volsky. “To try and get us home? Is that what
this is all about?”

“Correct,
but Moscow presently has business for your ship. At the moment, the Soviet
State needs it’s services. You should know why, Fedorov. You know the history. And
we all know that Russia’s future is bleak. Knowing we are here, they want to
try and change that. Apparently Suchkov, or someone else there, has no faith
that you could accomplish that, Admiral. So they have chosen me. Sergei Kirov
has agreed, and that order is final.”

“He has
no authority over me!”

Karpov
smiled. “I should not have to argue that the present government is one and the
same with the nation you served in 2021—a different form of government,
perhaps, but still the law of the land here. That letter is the will of the
Soviet State, for yes, your coming was long anticipated. You have it exactly
right, Fedorov.” He smiled looking Fedorov’s way.

“You
are here, are you not?” Karpov continued. “And the ship is here with you,
sitting right out there in Kola Bay for Admiral Golovko to gawk at, let alone
anyone else with eyes to see. So your presence here has indeed become part of
the history of this time. Then do not be surprised to learn that other men in
2021 might have known this was going to happen. I will leave it at that for you
to ponder, and you may read that letter again, for here you are, and here you
will stay. We may never reach our own time again. In that instance, the
authority of the nation is now vested in the hands of Sergei Kirov, and you
will see there his true signature. So either you will comply with that order
willingly, for the good of the nation, or I will have to take other measures to
secure your cooperation, and they may not be so warm and pleasant as I have
been in this little conversation.”

“Just
a moment,” said Volsky.
“
You think you can just walk in here, wave an
envelope before my nose, and sail off with the flagship of the Northern Fleet?
I wish to see the General Secretary!” Volsky knew all along that this was their
only chance. Fedorov had told him they had met Sergei Kirov here, and that
meeting was very harmonious. He was the only real authority now, and the only
man they could appeal to. Could he hold the ship long enough for that appeal?

Karpov
smiled. “Well at least you’ve finally accepted the reality of where you are
now. So you must also accept your fate here, Admiral. I’m afraid the General
Secretary is somewhat preoccupied at the moment. You see, the Germans have
overrun most of the Ukraine, and in the north they are hammering at Smolensk! I
suppose you could get him on the radio, though it would only be a voice on the
other end, no more evidence than the document before you. I assure you, that
signature is authentic. So now you get to make your final decision as Commander
of the Northern Fleet. Will you relinquish command voluntarily, or make this
difficult? The outcome will be the same either way, though I hope nobody gets
killed if we have to force the issue.”

Volsky
gave Fedorov an exasperated look. What could he do here? They couldn’t bolt for
the door and make a run for the launch through the muddy streets. The presence
of those security men told him they would not get thirty feet. No. He had to
take another angle.

“So
much for the nice warm welcome we received as we landed,” he said, inwardly
angry at himself now for not taking more precautions. Yet who could have
foreseen that a dead ringer for his own Captain would stride in here with such
a demand?

“The
men on that ship know me well,” he said. “I would dare say they love me, and I
would hate to think what they might do should they learn I have come to harm,
and at the hands of my own countrymen. That loyalty was well earned.”

“Yes, I
will grant you that you have the affection and loyalty of the men, but let’s
face it, Admiral, your time has passed. You can’t measure what is happening
here now, not even with all the history books Fedorov can pile on your desk.
Events are running on. Japan will be entering the war in due course, and you
have no idea what has been going on in the far east—largely because of your own
foolish meddling.” That was a slip, but Karpov decided it would be one last
test of the Admiral.

“My
meddling? I left this port not but five days ago! Everything that has happened
to us was an accident! What are you talking about?”

“Never
mind,” said Karpov, for Volsky’s response seemed convincing. “I realize this
must seem very hard. Yes, the world has gone crazy.” He gestured to the world
beyond, the town that was barely there, once a small settlement called Vayenga,
now a slowly growing naval base and airfield, but not the bustling modern city
it was in 2021.

“This
is a nightmare,” said Volsky. “I simply must be dreaming, and hopefully I will
wake up on the couch in my office here and sigh with relief.”

“No
Admiral, I’m afraid this is all too real. Very well, enough of this. I have
full authorization from the existing government of our nation to proceed here,
and a substantial security force is present and now assigned to my command to
enforce that order, should it be necessary. I would hope to avoid that, and you
can see that this happens smoothly. If it is any comfort to you, I will assure
you the men will be respected and treated well. Yes, I know you worry about
them. But now I must see to my new command.”

Karpov
turned to Tyrenkov, who had been watching silently, looking for any clue or
sign that these men were other than they seemed—unknowing flies caught in
Karpov’s well spun web. He gestured, taking his Intelligence Chief aside for a
private moment out of earshot of the others.

“Notice
anything?”

“No
sir, they seem harmless enough. You clearly surprised them appearing here, but
they seem to have accepted that you just came over from the ship. You were
clever to play along.”

“Yes, I
was. Then we will proceed. What about the launch?”

“There
are three Marines there, and we have 120 men. I foresee no difficulties.”

“Three
Marines? That will be Sergeant Troyak…. Be cautious, this is a most capable
man. In fact, I will need him when we sail.”

“What
do we do with these two, sir?”

Karpov
considered. “Volsky is useless. Let him sit here and stir the borscht with
Admiral Golovko.”

“But
what if he does make an appeal to Sergei Kirov?”

“ We
have men here, yes?”

“Of
course, sir.”

“Good.
Then they can see that he stays out of mischief. Besides, once I get aboard the
ship, Volsky can moan and groan all he wishes. The ship will be mine, and that
will be that. As for Fedorov… He is quite clever, and he has a head full of
very useful information, not to mention the fact that he knows his job at
navigation very well. I will take him with me on the ship, where I can keep a
close eye on him. What I want to do now is see to this little revelation concerning
their Captain.”

“You
believe he is… another version of your own self?”

“Well,
there is clearly another version of Volsky sitting there. He knows nothing of
what has happened earlier. Fedorov seems clueless as well. I’m convinced of
that. And the prospect of meeting myself sounds particularly interesting—but I
will not do this on the ship. Send a boat over and make a request that the
Captain join us ashore. I have plans for him.”

Indeed,
thought Tyrenkov, Karpov had plans within plans… and now there would be two of
them! He nodded, and rendered a salute, starting for the door. Karpov walked
back to the tea table where Volsky was slumped dejectedly in his chair.

“Don’t
look so glum, Admiral. See the opportunity before you. Now that you are
relieved, I think it best that you remain here with Admiral Golovko. After all,
the two of you are both experienced fleet commanders, and he will have his
hands full in the months ahead. In fact, the Germans are about to make their
bid to take this place, are they not, Fedorov? As for you, I will need you at
your post on the ship.”

Fedorov
said nothing, realizing that silence was his only friend here. There was no way
he could prevent what was happening, but a sudden thought occurred to him, and
he hoped he could find a few minutes alone with Admiral Volsky before these
events ran their course. Thankfully, Karpov was very eager to claim his prize.

“Admiral,”
he said. “I will soon board the ship to take formal command. Should we have any
difficulty, I will contact you by radio, and I will expect you would have the
good sense to save lives and facilitate the transition. The last thing we need
now is bloodshed between brothers.”

“You
are certainly not my brother, Karpov. How can you do this?”

“Orders
are orders, Admiral. It is that simple. And I suppose you are correct. You and
I are men of a different stripe. That is why I was chosen to lead now. Well
then… I hope the tea is still warm. Enjoy the lemon cakes, and don’t get any
silly ideas about leaving. I have twenty men outside, and a hundred more
surrounding the pier.” Karpov said nothing more, and strode off in Tyrenkov’s
wake.

When
they had gone, Fedorov finally spoke. “I’m sorry sir, this is truly shocking.
We should have taken precautions, or at least come with our service jackets.
They had communications inlays. These dress uniforms look nice and official,
but they are not very functional.”

“God
help us now, Fedorov. Who was that man? Was it Karpov from the ship as I was
pretending, or was that the man from Siberia you told me about?”

“I
don’t think he was the man you left on
Kirov
. He looks like Karpov, but
also different—that wound was suspicious, and more. His eyes….”

“Yes,
the resemblance was amazing, but those eyes…” Volsky shook his head with a
shudder. “How can I allow this ship to be taken like this? The weaponry and
technology aboard are unheard of in this time.”

“Yes
sir, we discussed all this the first time around, and you came to the hard
decision that we should destroy the ship rather than allow it to be taken. Yet,
from my experience, our presence here will make its mark, no matter who
commands
Kirov
. Yes, Karpov is dangerous, but there is blood on the
hands of every man who has Captained that ship, including me.”

“That
may be so, but this man disturbs me. He would rattle off a list of the ship’s
weaponry like they were old friends.”

“We
have all made their acquaintance sir. On our last engagement it was your avowed
aim to destroy the entire German battle fleet! Yes, we started with caution,
but way leads on to way, and soon the missiles fly. As to who I think this man
is, it is too complicated for me to explain how, but I think that was the
Siberian Karpov. He may have survived! And now we must look to our own
survival. This situation is very dangerous. You were quite correct to pose as
if you had no knowledge of anything I told you. You must hold to that, though
there may be a few awkward moments. You must be very cautious. Look… I have a
plan.”

“A
plan?”

“Here
sir, take this.” Fedorov reached into his pocket and pulled out the key he had
found on Kamenski’s nightstand, pressing it into the Admiral’s hand.

“What
is this?”

“I
cannot explain, sir, but it is very important. Now listen carefully. It is very
likely that the British will have two submarines operating up here, the
Trident
and
Tigris
. If not those exact boats, then there will be some other, and
you must find a way to get to one. You must use it to get back to the Royal
Navy, and Admiral Tovey. Give him that key. Understand? This is essential. You must
not lose it, by any means. Keep it on your person at all times, and you must
get it safely to Tovey. Do you think you can do this, sir?”

Volsky
nodded, though he was still very perplexed.

“Good
sir. That is your mission, given to you by a once Captain and now Senior
Lieutenant!” He smiled. “As for me, it was a stroke of luck that Karpov wishes
to take me aboard the ship. I must continue to pose as you did, appearing to
know nothing of the events that brought that man before us. Yes sir, believe it
or not, that
was
the Captain, not some look alike sent here from our own
time to check in on us. One day I will try to explain. For my part, I will see
to the safety of the ship and crew, you can trust me on that.”

Volsky
smiled, seeing the fervor and sincerity in Fedorov’s eyes, and realizing this
young man had fought many battles before this. Yet now the odds were doubled
down.

“Fedorov…
If this man goes aboard, will there be
two
Karpovs on the ship? My God, I
simply cannot believe this is happening. How will the crew take to such a
thing?”

“I’ll
have to see what Karpov has planned… both of them I suppose. Trust me, sir.
I’ll be alright. I can help explain things to the crew if this happens—make
them understand.”

The
Admiral took heart, staring at the object Fedorov had pressed into his hand.

“Keep
it safe, sir.”

“Rely
on me, Mister Fedorov. This particular jacket has a nifty secret pocket that
will do nicely.” He gave Fedorov a wink, wondering what this was all about, but
determined to do his part, already thinking how he would make contact with the
British submarines here. Knowing or not, he was still Admiral Volsky, a most
experienced and resourceful man.

And
knowing or not, the Admiral was now a Keyholder.

*

Karpov’s
plan was unfolding nicely. Thus far he had managed to get
within a hair’s breadth of his objective, and as he stood near a small
unfinished building at the edge of the harbor, he thought how this area would
one day be the wide berthing quay for the
Ivan Rogov
Amphibious ships of
the 121st Brigade, yet now the land was bare and empty. He wondered if it would
ever be the same, Severomorsk, the home of so many fighting ships over the
decades. But now his mind was fixed on only one, as he looked at the shadowy
form of
Kirov
out in Kola Bay. There it was, the most powerful ship in
the world, its tall battlements rising like a fortress through the low hanging
mist, where he could dimly see the Fregat radar system spinning in its endless
round.

He was
here with
Tunguska
, and also the
Narva
and
Riga
had come
north, as Sergei Kirov had agreed to turn those airships over to Karpov to
augment his fleet. They were all close by, hovering low over a large inland
lake just three miles to the southeast of the place where he stood, protected
from the searching rays of the Fregat by a high green hill.

Soon I
will once again be back in my rightful post as Captain of that ship, and I
suppose I had best make myself an Admiral now. We will head east, taking the
northern route through the Arctic Sea before it closes, and I will be just
where I need to be when the Japanese get restless in a few months time. The
three airships will be a nice escort along the way, and I have a few other
irons in the fire when we get out east.