The Double Agents (Men at War 6)

L’Herminier nodded.

“Most important,” Canidy said, “the Germans don’t get the gas.”

The speaker of the inner-ship radio built into the wall of the office crackled alive.

“Commander, we’ve got her,” the nasally voice of the executive officer said.

When Canidy and L’Herminier came into the control room, the executive officer was at the periscope. The XO heard them enter and stepped back.

“She’s at eleven o’clock, Captain,” he said, gesturing toward the scope.

“Thank you,” L’Herminier said.

He put his face to the periscope.

After a moment, L’Herminier said, “Ninety-, ninety-five footer. A nice-sized target.”

He began turning the tube, making the start of a slow three-sixty scan of the surface. He did it in forty-five-degree segments, stopping to study each segment before moving to the next. When he had come back to the cargo vessel, he said, “Well, well. Looks as though she does have company. Maybe an escort?”

L’Herminier stepped back from the scope and motioned for Canidy to see.

Canidy looked but could not make out anything. He adjusted the optics.

“The cargo vessel is at eleven o’clock, just to the port of our bow,” L’Herminier said.

After a moment, Canidy said, “Got it.”

“Now, look to about two o’clock. Same size as the cargo ship but armed to the teeth.”

“Oh, shit! Another S-boat.”

Canidy stepped back from the periscope. When he looked at L’Herminier, he saw that the commander had his eyes closed and his head down.

What the hell is he doing?

Then L’Herminier brought up his head, and, as he opened his eyes, he crossed himself.

When he saw Canidy’s questioning look, he said softly, “I understand what it is we do and why. But still I say a prayer for the souls of the lives I must take.”

Canidy nodded. Then he quickly closed his eyes and lowered his head.

Merciful Lord,

Bless the souls of these men whose lives we are about to take.

Bless the fish we’re about to fire so that our sword is swift and sure.

And…and bless this boat and crew so it’s only the enemy’s ass and not mine.

Amen.

Canidy opened his eyes. L’Herminier was at the scope, looking in the direction of the S-boat.

Well, that might not be the prayer my father would have chosen.

But it’ll have to do.

“On my mark,” the sub commander said to the XO. “She’s settled in ahead of the cargo vessel and matched her speed. Steer one-zero-six degrees.”