Four ASROC missiles, two from forward and two from aft, joined the fire trails that already lit up the night sky. The antisubmarine rockets raced to where Anzio’s computers said the Russian sub should be lurking just beneath the surface. The four missiles arrived over the spot within seconds. Each of them dropped a Mark 46 torpedo from its nose. The torpedos parachuted into the sea as the missile canisters tumbled harmlessly down into the water.

With over a Mach-two speed advantage, it didn’t take long for the SM-2s Anzio had launched to catch up to the two Russian cruise missiles. The first SM-2 dove on its quarry. The radar-activated proximity fuse detonated when the missiles were ten feet apart. The blast shock wave tore the wings off the little cruise missile. A millisecond later, the continuous rod warhead shredded the wreckage as it tumbled toward the sea.

The second SM-2 dove toward its target, but it did not fare as well as its partner. It lost its prey in the radar clutter. There wasn’t enough room for the antiaircraft missile to turn and climb back up to resume the hunt. The SM-2 exploded when it impacted the water. The Russian cruise missile rocketed on and disappeared over the horizon, eastbound toward unsuspecting cities and the people who lived in them.

Ward stared as the cruise missile disappeared from the radar screen. The flight profile was unmistakable. The Russian sub had launched a land-attack cruise missile. It could be nuclear. It was possible that he had just witnessed a nuclear attack against Russia. There was no way to tell. Maybe there was a chance to warn the Russians and save thousands of lives. Maybe millions.

He grabbed a microphone and uttered words he thought he would never have to use. “This is an OPREP-Three Pinnacle Nucflash message. Reporting a possible nuclear attack. Russian submarine launched cruise missile, launched from position zero-two-seven degrees, three-zero minutes east longitude, five-nine degrees, four-seven minutes north latitude. Missile headed east toward Russia.”

The emergency report would be in front of the National Command Authority within seconds.

“Sonar, report any warships!” Captain Anatol Vivilav shouted into the microphone. There was no time to wonder how the Americans had known they were here. Or how far they might have been trailed.

“American warship, probable Aegis-class cruiser, bearing two-four-one. Best guess at range, ten thousand meters. Coming up in speed now. Captain, he came out of nowhere.”

Vivilav turned to Dmolysti and said, “First Officer, finish the cruise missile launch as quickly as possible. I’ll attack the American.”

“Yes, Captain.”

“Open the outer doors on tubes nine and ten,” Vivilav ordered. “Assign both Viyogas to the American cruiser.” The captain hardly stopped to breathe as he barked out commands. He had to attack the American before the American could attack him. “Launch both missiles.”