Big Diomede Island
February 5th
"Three minutes," Leytenant Elena Borisova reported, her eye on her watch.
"No response?" Podpolkovnik Volkova said in surprise. "Certainly we have woken them up, but can they be so surprised? Very well - batteries, prepare to fire on the target v-"
"Incoming radio transmission from the target ship," Volkova's radio officer reported, leaning out from behind the curtain that separated the communication room from the rest of the command bunker.
"That's more like it," Volkova said. "Hold. Let's see what excuses these intruders have to offer for themselves." She waited impatiently as the radio officers finished jotting down the message and brought it to her, where she scanned it with criticial eye. "...'Stop firing immediately - will hold position until further notice'... They say they're stopping? Fire control, what is the target ship currently doing? Course and speed!"
"Target vessel currently slowing quickly; speed dropping below five knots. Their course appears to be... zero-four-five. Range one-six-five-five-zero meters. Speed three knots, still slowing."
Volkova seated herself and put her hands together in an expression of deep thought. After a few moments, she roused herself again. "Battery Gangut, can you lead the target vessel by a kilometer without firing into the American side of the line? To make another warning shot?"
The girl who served as a telephone talker to Battery Gangut relayed the message. Twenty seconds later, she replied "Kapitan Dimitrova says the target ship is already too close to the international date line. We cannot fire any more shots across his bow without firing into the American sector."
"Very well," Volkova said. The only limitation she had been given was to avoid firing into the American sector - waters that, even though the Americans did not directly claim, were attributed to their control.
Before she could make a final decision, Leytenant Borisova spoke up. "Podpolkovnik, a radio intercept indicates an American ship is in the area; we are detecting their radio-location set. The range is still too long for positive radio-detection contact of our own, however."
"Probably one of the American coast guard vessels," Volkova said. "Coming to investigate... I think the
Bear is in the region. We should probably inform them what's going on. In the meantime - Battery Gangut will prepare to fire further warning shots. Increase the range so we fire overhead the target vessel, not hitting under any circumstance. Await my command." She quickly scribbled out two different radio messages, and handed them to the waiting radio officer. "First message is to
Senyavin; send in fleet code. Second message to Chinese vessel, open channel."
"Yes ma'am."
<Ostrov Ratmanova Central Command to Cruiser Senyavin: identify whether unknown vessel approaching from SE is American guardship. Once positively identified, advise them of situation. Provide periodic updates.>
<Ostrov Ratmanova Central Command to Chinese Warship: your presence represents an aggressive challenge to the security interests of the Russian Federation. Your government and your ship have received and ignored multiple warnings. If you attempt to pass this fortification, we will sink you. If you pass this fortification, our cruiser will sink you. If you evade our cruiser, our aircraft will sink you. Turn around immediately. No further warnings will be provided.>
"Battery Gangut, fire your warning shots," Volkova ordered. "Do not reload the guns until he shows us his intentions."
* * * * *
USCGC Bear, the Bering Strait
February 5th
Captain Edward H. Smith glassed the northwestern horizon and his ship
Bear - the most modern icebreaker in American service - crunched her way through the sea ice toward the Bering Strait.
Bear's deployment was unexpected: she'd been ordered to drop her expedition to assess seal and otter stocks in the Bering Sea, and dispatched only a day prior to make all speed to the strait, with no reasons given. However, only moments before, the community on Little Diomede Island had reported gunfire - quote - 'the Russians are shooting at a ship.'
Perhaps that might help us figure out what the big problem is... or perhaps not. Smith mentally reviewed everything he remembered about the area. Big Diomede Island lay on the Russian side of the strait, and the Ruskies - in the manner that they always did - had fortified it with old battleship guns. A lot of firepower, although Smith didn't remember all of the specifics. That didn't even take into account the maritime patrol aircraft on the island's air base.
"Radio message incoming," an ensign reported.
"Read it."
"Message says: "Russian cruiser 'Admiral Senyavin' to American ship bearing to our southeast. Please identify.' That's all."
"Send this response," Smith ordered. "'United States Coast Guard Cutter
Bear responding to Russian cruiser
Admiral Senyavin: we have received reports from Little Diomede Island of gunfire and have been ordered to investigate. Please advise at once. Over.'"
A few minutes went by before the Russian cruiser responded. "'Coast Defense batteries have fired warning shots on Chinese warship attempting to pass Bering Strait. 'Senyavin' and icebreaker are operating in area to assist in diverting Chinese incursion. Request your presence and assistance at once.'"
"Assistance?" Smith asked, dumbfounded. "What do they expect us to do?"
The
Bear's XO frowned. "I'm more interested in this Chinese warship. What are the Chinese doing this far north?"
"No idea," Smith said. "But they obviously flipped off the Russians. You ever heard of them doing something like this, XO?"
"Never, sir." The XO considered. "Normally they're pretty friendly anytime I've been on a ship passing through to the Arctic. Didn't they garrison Big Diomede with a mostly female coast defense unit?"
"Think so," Smith said, vaguely remembering that the Russians did that. He thought it was a recipe for trouble, himself.
"Maybe," the XO said slyly, "it's just the wrong time in the month?"
"XO, you are a terrible person," Smith said with a weary sigh. "Another joke like that and I'll make sure you're assigned to count seals in Alaska."
"Already too late for that, sir," the XO grinned.