"Simon Hawke - Time Wars 05 - The Nautilus Sanction" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hawke Simon)

capable of temporal translocation. We can’t exactly put satellites in orbit in every conceivable period of
time where the submarine might show up. It simply isn’t practical. Moreover, even if we had the logistics
to accomplish such a task, there exist certain insurmountable problems. While Beam Particle Weaponry
might well neutralize a ballistic missile threat, there are certain scenarios in which we would not be able to
employ BPWs. For example, suppose the submarine was clocked into the 20th century. Its advanced
design would still enable it to avoid detection by the world powers of that time. However, keep in mind
the technological capabilities of the governments of the 20th century. It’s extremely doubtful we’d be able
to deploy surveillance satellites and BPWs without their being alerted. The United States had their space
shuttle already operational by the early 1980’s. The Soviets also had orbital vehicles of their own. If we
put up so much as one orbital satellite, chances are it would be discovered fairly quickly and orbital
missions would be launched to investigate. Do you really want either the 20th-century Americans or
Russians to find a Beam Particle Weapon in orbit?”
Andre grimaced and nodded. “Yes, sir. I see your point. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. What we need now are ideas. If anyone has a brainstorm, fire away. The worst that will
happen is your idea will be shot down. Meanwhile, we will proceed with the only other option currently
available to us. Several teams are going to be held in reserve, in case any temporal adjustment missions
come up that require immediate action while all this is going on. The rest of you are going to be clocked
to various locales in Minus Time to investigate reports of sightings that could be the submarine. It’ll be
like looking for a needle in a haystack, people, but there isn’t much else we can do at the moment. We
have to locate the sub first. Then it has to be destroyed. I have here a list of assignments which I will give
to Major Priest. Immediately upon receiving your assignment, you will report for mission programming,
then draw your equipment and clock out to your designated time periods. You will have full Observer
Corps and IAA support. In the meantime, there is already an extensive effort under way to locate the
ERG these people are drawing on for power. If it can be located, then it can be destroyed or taken
off-line, and at least then the submarine will no longer be capable of time travel or teleportation within any
specific time period. However, I don’t need to remind you of the odds for locating their ERG. The
trouble with an Einstein-Rosen Bridge is that it’s trans-temporal. It could be in our time period or in
Minus Time. For that matter, it could be on another planet or on an asteroid or even aboard a ship
somewhere in space. Don’t hold your breath waiting for it to be found. It ain’t very damn likely.”
Finn raised his hand. “Yes, Delaney?” Forrester said. “What happens if these people start issuing
demands before we’re able to do anything about them?”
“In that case,” said Forrester, grimly, “we’re going to do exactly what they tell us to. The situation’s
just too damn scary to attempt calling their bluff.”
Another soldier raised his hand. “Captain Sullivan?” said Forrester.
Sullivan stood up. “What about clocking a warp grenade out to Jan Mayan Island and blowing it off
the face of the map before the hijacking could occur? Then the hijackers would wind up materializing in
the middle of the Arctic Ocean. They wouldn’t survive more than a few minutes, at the very most.”
“The trouble with that suggestion is it would also kill the personnel at the meteorological station
there,” said Forrester. “The question of whether or not that could be justified under the circumstances is
highly debatable. It would entail some risk, in any case. However, what makes the point moot is the
presence of the Soviet sub just off Jan Mayan. The last thing we want to do is set off any large explosions
in the vicinity of a strategic missile carrier. It could have unfortunate consequences. Besides, any
interference with the hijackers before the fact would raise the possibility of creating a timestream split.
We already have proof they’ve managed to bring off the hijacking successfully. If we go back and
prevent it, we’d be creating a temporal disruption and risking the creation of a parallel timeline in which
there was a nuclear sub on the loose.”
Sullivan made a wry face. “I’m sorry, sir, I should have thought of that.”
“Nothing to be sorry about, Captain. You have a few things to learn yet about this unit. When you
transferred in from Ordnance, you left the regular corps behind. In the First, no one’s going to jump on
you for making mistakes. Here in Plus Time, it’ll only help you learn. In Minus Time, it’ll cost you. Don’t