Read Kirov Saga: Darkest Hour: Altered States - Volume II (Kirov Series) for Free Online

was nearly thrown from his feet. At the same time he could see what
looked to be an explosion on Repulse ahead. The Germans had quickly
found the range again, but the voice of 1st Gunnery Officer Lieutenant
Commander Colin MacMullen was reassuring him that they were still in the fight.
    “Down 200 and steady on bearing.
Four guns ready. Fire!” MacMullen had been adjusting his fire using down-ladder
corrections in 200 yard increments, and this time he was spot on. Hood’s mainmast soon called out a hit amidships on the lead German ship, presumed to
be Bismarck , and Warrand took heart. A yeoman came running with more bad
news, however, and he knew that a clock was ticking on the ship’s prospects for
survival.
    “Sir! That last hit amidships has
slipped our armor and we have damage in the number four boiler room!”
    Two guns down, speed off a third,
fires amidships, a hull breach that will mean we’ll be taking water, all the
senior officers wounded or killed but me, and now Repulse takes a hit
for good measure. The question in Warrand’s mind now was whether he could risk
further damage to the ship by holding to this course and trying to stay in the battle,
or whether he should attempt to break off and live to fight another day.
    We’re wounded and down on one
knee, but we can still hold a sword, he thought. Then came the news he had
longed to hear. It was shouted from the mainmast top watch, clear and high
through the voice pipe and relayed to him by a Yeoman.
    “Sir! Ships sighted on the
horizon off the port bow!”
    Anything on his port side was
likely to be British, he thought. Dear God, let it be Tovey. Let it be HMS Invincible and then let’s get on with it!
     
    * * *
     
    John Warrand’s prayer
would be answered that day. It was, indeed, Admiral John Tovey on Invincible ,
and with him, running like hounds to either side of the big battlecruiser, were
the destroyers Fortune and Firedrake .
    “Signal destroyers to swing round
to zero-two-zero and make a run at the enemy,” Tovey said coolly. “Gunnery
officer, what do you make the range to that big fellow second in line?”
    Lt. Cdr. Edward Connors answered,
clear and confident. “I make it 23,400, sir. Right in our wheelhouse after that
hit on the Twins, with all guns training on target now.”
    “Very well…” Tovey clasped his
hands behind his back, even as his signalman runner Wells returned, breathless
from his running climb back up to the Admiral’s Bridge. “Hoist battle ensign. Good
of you to rejoin us, Mister Wells. Please take up a post at the signal room
voice pipe and let’s give you a chance to catch your breath. Kindly call down
and advise the W/T room to signal Hood and ascertain the condition of
Admiral Holland’s squadron.”
    Wells was quick to reply, his
high voice echoing the Admiral’s mannerly order, which prompted Tovey to smile
again.
    “You may reserve that octave for
the order to abandon ship, should it ever come, Mister Wells. Otherwise a clear
and calm order is best served to your purpose.”
    “Yes sir, of course.” Wells had
the heat and excitement of going unto his first combat at sea aboard a real
battleship, but he took a deep breath after his climb, calming himself, yet
alert and ready to execute any order that came his way. Somehow Tovey’s cool
was infectious, and he noted that every man on the Admiral’s Bridge seemed to
be standing his post with a steady, calm professionalism. He raised his chin,
proud to be there, and waited.
    “Gentlemen, it may interest you
to know that a locket of hair from Lord Nelson himself has been sewn into the
battle ensign we raise this hour,” said Tovey, “and we’re all the better for
it.” He gave Wells a reassuring nod, which did much to bring a measure of
confidence to the younger officer.
    “All guns trained and ready sir,”
came the call.
    “Then let them know we are here. We’ll
see how they like our sixteen inch guns. Hoist Blue Five. You may begin,