Ohio Class

Начало книги

Once, she had been the most powerful, the most terrifying weapon on Earth.

She rested at her berth at the Puget Sound Naval Yard, quiescent now, but still conveying a somewhat ominous, even sinister feeling through her dark-gray hull plating, her sheer size, and the knowledge of what she once had been.

Commander Keith H. Stewart approached the head of the pier. A Marine sentry snapped to port arms in front of him. "Halt! Who goes there?"

"Captain Stewart, son," he replied. He nodded toward the bulk of the huge vessel, silhouetted against a glorious orange sunset. "I'm her skipper."

"Sir! Advance and be recognized."

Stewart stepped closer.

"Sir! May I see your papers, sir!"

It was not a question, but a demand. Stewart studied the Marine as he handed over his ID and the authorization that permitted him to be on this highly sensitive and restricted bit of boardwalk. Since 9/11, over six years before, security at all U.S. military installations had been tight… and the security for nukes was tighter still.

Читать дальше →