Deadly Shores Read online

  THE DESTROYERMEN SERIES

  Into the Storm

  Crusade

  Maelstrom

  Distant Thunders

  Rising Tides

  Firestorm

  Iron Gray Sea

  Storm Surge

  ROC

  Published by the Penguin Group

  Penguin Group (USA) LLC, 375 Hudson Street,

  New York, New York 10014

  USA | Canada | UK | Ireland | Australia | New Zealand | India | South Africa | China

  penguin.com

  A Penguin Random House Company

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

  a division of Penguin Group (USA) LLC

  Copyright © Taylor Anderson, 2014

  Penguin supports copyright. Copyright fuels creativity, encourages diverse voices, promotes free speech, and creates a vibrant culture. Thank you for buying an authorized edition of this book and for complying with copyright laws by not reproducing, scanning, or distributing any part of it in any form without permission. You are supporting writers and allowing Penguin to continue to publish books for every reader.

  REGISTERED TRADEMARK—MARCA REGISTRADA

  LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA:

  Anderson, Taylor, 1963–

  Deadly shores/Taylor Anderson.

  pages cm.—(Destroyermen)

  ISBN 978-0-698-14558-0

  1. Imaginary wars and battles—Fiction. 2. World War, 1939–1945—Fiction. 3. Destroyers (Warships)—Fiction. I. Title.

  PS3601.N5475D43 2014

  813'.6—dc23 2013042557

  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.

  Version_1

  To the “Doolittle Raiders.”

  The final toast has come, and most of them have now passed into history, but theirs was a feat that will continue to inspire countless generations to stand up and act when all the chips are down.

  And yet, they didn’t do it alone.

  All the officers and men aboard USS Hornet (CV-8), and indeed each ship that constituted Task Force 16 were “Raiders” as well. And we must never forget the Chinese peasants and guerrilla bands who risked so much to rescue, harbor, and ultimately save so many of the downed aircrews, despite the appalling retribution that ensued—and they had to have expected.

  Finally, though I never met him, I must also mention the personal inspiration that I have taken all my life from Lieutenant Kenneth E. Reddy, copilot of Plane #11 (Hari Carrier).

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Thanks again to Russell Galen, the best agent in the business, and Ginjer Buchanan, who has got to be the most supportive, gracious, and forgiving editor in the cosmos. I couldn’t do it without them, period. Thanks to all my friends and family who—cheerfully and otherwise—stick with me, even when I sequester myself on a writing binge to the exclusion of all other activities and considerations. An awful lot of distracting stuff happened this last year, and I particularly want to thank Fred Fiedler for his painstaking assistance in keeping things straight in the manuscript, and spotting a few really glaring goofs. Like so many of my friends, Fred is a little . . . odd (yep, another former submariner), and has an amazing eye for detail. Kind of like Courtney Bradford in one respect, he’s always either staring at the sky or the ground, studying the heavens—or a bug.

  Otherwise, my darling daughter Rebecca, now CO of her MCJROTC Battalion and captain of her Rifle, Color Guard, and PT teams (while still getting tolerable grades), remains the inspiration for several of the strong female characters in this story. She’s at that age when she can be a different girl every time I talk to her, but her character and commitment to things she believes in are steadfast.

  Finally, always remember that, no matter how weird this story gets at times, a great deal of it is at least vaguely inspired by real events. The old adage that truth is stranger than fiction finds no greater traction than in combat. Try to find a detailed account of a particular action involving the old four-stacker USS Borie sometime when you have the chance. . . .

  CAST OF CHARACTERS

  (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 details of ships and specifications.

  Note:

  (L)—Lemurians, or Mi-Anakka (People) are bipedal, somewhat felinoid folk with large eyes, fur, and expressive but nonprehensile tails. They are highly intelligent, social, and dexterous. 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, 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

  First Fleet South

  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.

  Chief Gunner’s Mate Dennis Silva

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

  Surgeon Lieutenant Pam Cross

  Gunnery Sergeant Arnold Horn—USMC, formerly of the 4th Marines (US).

  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 Reuben—One of the original Mice.

  Cmdr. Simon Herring—Chief of Strategic Intelligence (ONI).

  Lance Corporal Ian Miles—Formerly in 2nd of the 4th Marines—assigned to Bernard Sandison.

  Salissa Battle Group

  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.

  Surgeon Commander Sandra Tucker Reddy—Minister of Medicine and wife of Captain Reddy.

  Diania—Steward’s Assistant.

  1st Naval Air Wing

  Captain Jis-Tikkar
, “Tikker” (L)—COFO (Commander of Flight Operations). 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Bomb Squadrons, and 1st and 2nd Pursuit Squadrons remain or have been reconstituted aboard Salissa (CV-1).

  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-Laan (L)—Commanding.

  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.

  6th Division

  General Grisa—Commanding.

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

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

  MTB-Ron-1—Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron #1, 12 x MTBs (#s 4–16).

  Lt. (jg) Winston “Winny” Rominger—Former carpenter’s mate 3rd. Head of the “PT” project.

  Lt. Cmdr. Irvin Laumer—Exec.

  Ensign Nathaniel Hardee—PT-7.

  1st Allied Raider “Commando” Brigade

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

  21st (combined) Allied Regiment

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

  1st and 2nd Battalions of the 9th Maa-ni-la, 2nd Battalion of the 1st Respite

  7th (combined) Allied Regiment

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

  2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 19th Baalkpan, 1st Battalion of the 11th Imperial Marines

  First Fleet North

  Indiaa

  Allied Expeditionary Force (North)

  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

  III Corps

  General Faan-Ma-Mar (L)—Commanding.

  9th and 11th Divisions composed of the 2nd, 3rd Maa-ni-la, 8th Baalkpan, 7th and 8th Maa-ni-la, 10th Aryaal

  VI Corps

  General Linnaa-Fas-Ra—Commanding.

  Lt. Cmdr. Mark Leedom—COFO—5th and 8th Bomb Squadrons and 6th Pursuit Squadron from Humfra-Dar (remains of 2nd Naval Air Wing) attached.

  Ceylon

  “Mackey” Field—near Trin-com-lee.

  3rd Pursuit Squadron (P-40Es) Army Air Corps.

  Colonel Ben Mallory—Commanding.

  Lt. (jg) Suaak-Pas-Ra, “Soupy” (L)

  Lt. Conrad Diebel

  2nd Lt. Niaa-Saa, “Shirley” (L)

  S. Sergeant Cecil Dixon

  At Madras

  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.

  USS Mahan

  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-Kaar, “Tobasco” (L)—Cook.

  Chief Bosun’s Mate Carl Bashear

  Ensign Johnny Parks—Engineering Officer.

  Ensign Paul Stites—Gunnery Officer.

  Arracca Battle Group

  USNRS Arracca (CV-3)

  Tassanna-Ay-Arracca (L), High Chief—Commanding.

  5th 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**

  TFG-2 (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 (L)—Commanding Marines.

  Chief Bosun’s Mate Jenaar-Laan (L)

  USS Sineaa (DE-48) Captured Grik “Indiaman,” of the earlier (lighter) design. “Razeed” to the gun deck, these are swift, agile, dedicated sailors with three masts and a square rig. 130' x 32'. About 900 tons. 12 x 18 pdrs. Y gun and depth charges.

  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—(OSI).

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

  Lt. Walt “Jumbo” Fisher—Commanding.

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

  Khonashi

  “King” Tony Scott

  “Captain” I’joorka—Respected warrior and Scott’s friend.

  Among the Khonashi

  Ensign Abel Cook—Commanding Allied Mission. Imperial Midshipman Stuart Brassey.

  Moe the Hunter

  Pokey—“Pet” Grik brass-picker.

  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 on 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.

  HIMS Ulysses, Euripides, Tacitus—Completing repairs.

  Allied Assets/New Brit
ain Isles

  Sister Audry—Benedictine nun, and new Allied Ambassador.

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

  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.

  Lieutenant Tex Sheider (Sparks)—Exec.

  Gilbert Yeager—Engineer (one of the original Mice).

  3rd Naval Air Wing

  9th, 11th, 12th Bomb Squadrons and 7th, 10th Pursuit Squadrons (58 planes available).

  2nd Lieutenant Orrin Reddy—COFO.

  Sgt. Kuaar-Ran-Taak “Seepy” (L)—Reddy’s backseater.

  Second Fleet DDs (of note)

  USS Mertz***

  USS Tindal***

  USS Finir-Pel***

  Lt. Haan-Sor Plaar (L)—Commanding.

  HIMS Achilles

  Lt. Grimsley—Commanding.

  HIMS Icarus

  Lt. Parr—Commanding.

  USS Simms***

  Lt. Ruik-Sor-Raa (L)—Commanding.

  USS Pinaa-Tubo—Ammunition ship.

  Lt. Radaa-Nin (L)—Commanding.

  USS Pecos—Fleet oiler.

  USS Pucot—Fleet oiler.

  Second Fleet Expeditionary Force (X Corps)

  4 regiments Lemurian Army and Marines, 2 regiments “Frontier” troops, 5 regiments Imperial Marines—(3 Divisions) with artillery train.

  General Tomatsu Shinya—Commanding.

  Colonel James Blair

  Major Dao Iverson—Commanding 2nd Battalion, 6th Imperial Marines.

  Nurse Cmdr. Selass-Fris-Ar (L)—“Doc’Selass”; daughter of Keje-Fris-Ar.

  Capt. Blas-Ma-Ar “Blossom” (L)—Commanding 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines.

  Spon-Ar-Aak “Spook” (L)—Gunner’s Mate, and First Sgt of A Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines.

  Lt. Staas-Fin “Finny” (L)—C Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Maa-ni-la.

  Lt. Faal-Pel “Stumpy” (L)—A Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Maa-ni-la. Former ordnance striker.

  Lt. (jg) Fred Reynolds—Formerly Special Air Division—USS Walker.

  Ensign Kari-Faask (L)—Reynolds’s friend and backseater.