Battlecraft (2006) Read Online Free PDF Page A

We'll be there in twenty minutes."
    Brannigan hung up, then dialed up Cruiser's and Dawkins's rooms to roust them out.
    .
    1030 H0URS LOCAL
    AFTER arriving at the DuBose compound, the SEALs parked and went around the house to the dock. Brannigan and his two companions were surprised to see that a dozen people were crawling all over the ACV installing instrumentation and other equipment. But they were particularly unnerved by the sight of a beautiful young lady clad in the khaki uniform of a lieutenant junior grade. She was slim with honey-blond hair and blue eyes that had a slight Oriental cast to them.
    "Good morning!" she said brightly to the arrivals who were dressed in civilian clothing. "I'm Lieutenant Rivers, the engineering officer assigned to this project."
    Jim Cruiser had a silly grin on his face. "I'm Jim. Jim Cruiser, that is. Also a lieutenant JG."
    "Veronica Rivers," the young woman said, giving her first name.
    "I'm Lieutenant Brannigan," the skipper interjected. "And this is Senior Chief Dawkins."
    "I understand you are SEALs," Veronica said. "And that this ACV will be going on a mission."
    "You're a few steps ahead of us at this moment," Brannigan said. "We haven't made our report yet."
    "I called mine in last night with my complete approval," Veronica said. "I was told to inform you that you wouldn't be going back to Coronado. Orders are being cut assigning you to this ACV. Your whole detachment is included."
    Senior Chief Dawkins glanced at Brannigan. 'They must have a mission lined up for us, sir."
    "That's a fact," Veronica said. "When I came into the Navy I never thought I'd be going on a real live SEAL operation."
    The senior chief scowled. "What do you mean, going on a SEAL operation?"
    "I've been assigned as the navigations and weapons systems officer," Veronica said.
    Cruiser's grin grew slightly sillier. "Well! Welcome aboard!"
    "Thank you," she replied.
    Brannigan nodded toward the other people working on the vehicle. "I didn't think the crew was going to be this large. And it doesn't look there's room for that many people. Especially if a SEAL detachment has to be aboard too."
    "Don't worry, sir," Veronica Rivers said. "Only two of them--the helmsman and the turbine technician--will stay as crewmen. The others were sent down to take care of their particular equipment. The two DuBose brothers are also lending a hand."
    "I see," Brannigan said. "Let's go over to the ACV and you can give us the Cook's tour so we can see what you've done so far."
    They crossed the dock and stepped onto the Waterflyer. The busy people paid them no mind as Veronica led the SEALs into the cabin. They saw a cramped but efficient design that included four bunks and one head for nature's calls. However, it was obviously not designed to be lived aboard for any great length of time. A small refrigerator and microwave oven were situated on the port side that served as a tiny galley. Just to the front of that was a table with benches bolted to the deck.
    "That would be our wardroom, would it not?" Jim Cruiser asked.
    "Yes," Veronica answered. "Such as it is. That door on the stern bulkhead leads to the engine room. It's a very tight, compact space ."
    Brannigan turned his attention forward. He noted three leather chairs located in front of the instruments on the small bridge forward of the galley and bunks. One, a leather swivel model, was to the rear and slightly higher than the others. Veronica walked over and patted it. 'This is your position, Captain," she informed him, following the custom that the skipper of a vessel always be addressed in that manner even if he actually ranked lower. She next touched the starboard seat. 'This is where I sit to do my navigational-and-weapons-officer duties. I also man the chain gun during combat operations. The weapon is aimed by radar and fires 30-millimeter rounds at six hundred twenty-five rounds a minute."
    Brannigan nodded. "It's obvious the port chair is for the helmsman." He noted