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  THE DESTROYERMEN SERIES

  Into the Storm

  Crusade

  Maelstrom

  Distant Thunders

  Rising Tides

  Firestorm

  Iron Gray Sea

  ROC

  Published by the Penguin Group

  Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street,

  New York, New York 10014, USA

  USA | Canada | UK | Ireland | Australia | New Zealand | India | South Africa | China

  Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

  For more information about the Penguin Group visit penguin.com.

  First published by Roc, an imprint of New American Library,

  a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  Copyright © Taylor Anderson, 2013

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

  REGISTERED TRADEMARK—MARCA REGISTRADA

  LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA:

  Anderson, Taylor.

  Storm surge/Taylor Anderson.

  p. cm.—(Destroyermen)

  ISBN 978-1-101-61416-7

  1. Imaginary wars and battles—Fiction. 2. Destroyers (Warships)—Fiction. 3. Alternative histories (Fiction) 4. Science fiction. I. Title.

  PS3601.N5475S76 2013

  813'.6—dc23 2012050859

  Set in Minion

  Designed by Alissa Amell

  PUBLISHER’S NOTE

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites or their content.

  Contents

  Also By Taylor Anderson

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Cast of Characters

  Maps

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  Map

  CHAPTER 27

  CHAPTER 28

  CHAPTER 29

  CHAPTER 30

  CHAPTER 31

  CHAPTER 32

  CHAPTER 33

  Map

  CHAPTER 34

  CHAPTER 35

  CHAPTER 36

  CHAPTER 37

  CHAPTER 38

  EPILOGUE

  Specifications

  To: My mother, Jeanette Anderson

  A swell dame

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Again, I must thank my friend and agent, Russell Galen, as well as the utterly delightful Ginjer Buchanan and all the great folks at Roc. Otherwise, I’ll keep this one short since all the “usual suspects” know who they are—as do all those who have joined us on this adventure by now, for better or worse! Ha! I would like to throw out a very special thank-you to those who were so steadfast and supportive during a really tough time. They know who they are as well. Adversity does tend to put things in perspective, but it also often reveals the many blessings we take for granted. Since I count my true friends and family among my very greatest blessings, I am a fortunate man indeed. Oh, and for those who crave the usual hint regarding the latest ridiculous thing to “happen” to Jim, propriety must prevail this time. All I can say is that it was, again, wildly—painfully—amusing for most concerned.

  CAST OF CHARACTERS

  (The following does not necessarily reflect initial or even final deployments, but only those most pertinent to the events described.)

  See the back of the book for a list of ships and specifications.

  Note:

  (L)—Lemurians, or Mi-Anaaka, are bipedal, somewhat felinoid creatures with large eyes, fur, and expressive but nonprehensile tails. They are highly intelligent, social, and dexterous, and inhabit a variety of regions, but are concentrated in and around the Malay Barrier. It has been proposed that they are descended from the giant lemurs of Madagascar.

  (G)—Grik, or Ghaarrichk’k, are bipedal reptilians reminiscent of various Mesozoic dromaeosaurids. Covered with fine downy fur, the males develop bristly crests and tail plumage, and retain formidable teeth and claws. Grik society consists of two distinct classes: the ruling, or industrious, Hij, and the worker-warrior Uul. The basic Grik-like form is ubiquitous, and serves as a foundation for numerous unassociated races and species.

  Members of the Grand Alliance

  USS Walker (DD-163)

  Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Patrick Reddy, USNR—Commanding. CINCAF—(Commander in Chief of All Allied Forces).

  Cmdr. Brad “Spanky” McFarlane—Exec. Minister of Naval Engineering.

  Lt. Tab-At (L)—Engineering Officer.

  Courtney Bradford—Australian “naturalist” and engineer; “Minister of Science” for the Grand Alliance and Plenipotentiary at Large.

  Chief Quartermaster Patrick “Paddy” Rosen—Acting First Officer.

  Lt. Sonny Campeti—Gunnery Officer.

  Cmdr. Bernard Sandison—Torpedo Officer and Minister of Experimental Ordnance.

  Lt. Ed Palmer—Signals.

  Chief Bosun Fitzhugh Gray—Chief Bosun of the Navy and Damage Control Officer. Highest ranking NCO in the Alliance and commander of the Captain’s Guard.

  Gunner’s Mate Pak-Ras-Ar, “Pack Rat” (L)

  Jeek (L)—Flight Crew Chief, Special Air Division.

  Earl Lanier—Cook.

  Johnny Parks—Machinist’s Mate.

  Juan Marcos—Officers’ Steward.

  Wallace Fairchild—Sonarman, Anti-Mountain Fish Countermeasures (AMF-DIC).

  Min-Sakir, “Minnie” (L)—Bridge Talker.

  Chief Engineer Isak Rueben—One of the “original” Mice.

  Cmdr. Simon Herring—Chief of Strategic Intelligence.

  Lance Corporal Ian Miles—Formerly in Second of the Fourth Marines; assigned to Bernard Sandison.

  USS Mahan (as rebuilt)

  Cmdr. Perry Brister—Commanding; Minister of Defensive and Industrial Works.

  Lt. (jg) Jeff Brooks—Sonarman, Anti-Mountain Fish Countermeasures (AMF-DIC).

  Lt. (jg) Rolando “Ronson” Rodriguez—Chief Electrician.

  Taarba-Kar, “Tabasco” (L)—Cook.

  Chief Bosun’s Mate Carl Bashear

  Ensign Johnny Parks—Engineering Officer.

  Ensign Paul Stites—Gunnery Officer.

  USS Respite Island (SPD-1)—Self-Propelled Dry Dock #1.

  MTB-Ron-1 (Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron #1) 10xMTB’s (#s 4-14).

  Lt. (jg) Winston “Winny” Rominger—Former carpenter’s
mate 3rd; head of the PT project; 1st Allied Raider Brigade.

  Chack-Sab-At (L)—Commanding; Bosun’s Mate (Lt. Colonel).

  Major Alistair Jindal—Imperial Marine and Chack’s exec.

  Captain Risa Sab-At (L)—Chack’s sister.

  First Fleet

  Admiral Keje-Fris-Ar (L)—(CINCWEST).

  Indiaa

  Allied Expeditionary Force (North)—Within “Alden’s Perimeter” around Lake Flynn and in the Rocky Gap.

  General of the Army and Marines Pete Alden—Commanding; former sergeant in USS Houston Marine contingent.

  I Corps

  General Lord Muln-Rolak (L)—Commanding.

  Hij-Geerki—Rolak’s “pet” Grik, captured at Rangoon.

  1ST (GALLA) DIVISION

  General Taa-leen (L)—Commanding.

  Colonel Enaak (L) (5th Maa-ni-la Cavalry)—Exec.

  1st Marines, 5th, 6th, 7th, 10th Baalkpan

  2ND DIVISION

  General Rin-Taaka-Ar (L)—Commanding.

  Major Simon (Simy) Gutfeld (3rd Marines)—Exec.

  1st, 2nd Maa-ni-la, 4th, 6th, 7th Aryaal

  II Corps

  General Queen Safir Maraan (L)—Commanding.

  3RD DIVISION

  General Daanis (L)—Commanding.

  Colonel Mersaak (L)—“The 600” (B’mbaado regiment composed of Silver and Black Battalions)—Exec 3rd Baalkpan, 3rd , 10th B’mbaado, 5th Sular.

  5TH DIVISION

  Captain Saachic (L)—Commanding.

  Includes remnants of First Amalgamated (Flynn’s Rangers), 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, 6th Maa-ni-la Cavalry, 1st Sular (about 140 total effectives).

  6TH DIVISION

  General Grisa—Commanding.

  5th, 6th B’mbaado, 1st, 2nd, 9th Aryaal, 3rd Sular*, 3rd Maa-ni-la Cavalry

  III Corps

  General Faan-Ma-Mar (L)—Commanding.

  9TH & 11TH DIVISIONS COMPOSED OF THE 2ND, 3RD MAA-NI-LA, 8TH BAALKPAN, 7TH & 8TH MAA-NI-LA, 10TH ARYAAL

  Lt. Mark Leedom—COFO, 5th & 8th Bomb Squadrons and 6th Pursuit Squadron from Humfra-Dar (remains of Second Naval Air Wing) attached; also 1st and 3rd Bomb Squadrons and 2nd Pursuit Squadron from Salissa (CV-1).

  Ceylon

  Mackey Field—Near Trin-con-lee. 3rd Pursuit Squadron (P-40E’s) Army Air Corps.

  Colonel Ben Mallory—Commanding.

  Lt. (jg) Suaak-Pas-Ra “Soupy” (L)

  Lt. Conrad Diebel

  2nd Lt. Niaa-Saa “Shirley” (L)

  Staff Sergeant Cecil Dixon

  Off Madras

  Salissa Battlegroup

  USNRS Salissa “Big Sal” (CV-1)

  Admiral Keje-Fris-Ar (L)—(CINCWEST)

  Adar (L)—COTGA (Chairman of the Grand Alliance) and High Chief and Sky Priest of Baalkpan.

  Atlaan-Fas (L)—Commanding.

  Lt. Sandy Newman—Exec.

  Nurse Lt. Sandra Tucker Reddy—Minister of Medicine and wife of Captain Reddy.

  Diania—Steward’s Assistant.

  General Linnaa-Fas-Ra—12th Division.

  First Naval Air Wing

  Captain Jis-Tikkar “Tikker” (L)—COFO (Commander of Flight Operations); 2nd Bomb Squadron and 1st Pursuit Squadron remain on Salissa (CV-1) after damage.

  Arracca Battlegroup

  USNRS Arracca (CV-3)

  Captain Tassana-Ay-Arracca (L)—Commanding; High Chief.

  Fifth Naval Air Wing

  Frigates (DDs) attached: (Des-Ron 9)

  USS Kas-Ra-Ar**

  Captain Mescus Ricum (L)—Commanding.

  USS Ramic-Sa-Ar*

  USS Felts**

  USS Naga***

  USS Bowles***

  USS Saak-Fas***

  USS Clark**

  TF (Task Force) Ellis

  Commodore Jim Ellis

  USS Santa Catalina (CAP-1)

  Lt. Cmdr. Russ Chapelle—Commanding.

  Lt. Michael “Mikey” Monk—Exec.

  Lt. (jg) Dean Laney—Engineering Officer.

  Surgeon Cmdr. Kathy McCoy

  Stanley “Dobbin” Dobson—Chief Bosun’s Mate.

  S-19

  Lt. Irvin Laumer—Commanding.

  Midshipman Nathaniel Hardee

  Danny Porter—Chief of the Boat.

  Motor Machinist’s Mate Sandy Whitcomb

  Frigates (DDs) attached: (Des-Ron 6)

  USS Haakar-Faask**

  Lt. Cmdr. Niaal-Ras-Kavaat (L)—Commanding.

  USS Nakja-Mur*

  Captain Jarrik-Fas (L)—Commanding.

  USS Tassat**

  Cmdr. Muraak-Saanga (L)—Commanding; former Donaghey exec. and sailing master.

  USS Scott***

  Cmdr. Cablaas-Rag-Lan (L)—Commanding.

  TFG-2

  TF (Task Force) Garrett-2

  (Long Range Reconnaissance and Exploration)

  USS Donaghey (DD-2)

  Cmdr. Greg Garrett—Commanding.

  Lt. Saama-Kera “Sammy” (L)—Exec.

  Lt. (jg) Wendel “Smitty” Smith—Gunnery Officer.

  Captain Bekiaa-Sab-At—Commanding Marines.

  Baalkpan

  Cmdr. Alan Letts—Chief of Staff, Minister of Industry and the Division of Strategic Logistics; acting Chairman of the Grand Alliance.

  Cmdr. Steve “Sparks” Riggs—Minister of Communications and Electrical Contrivances.

  Lord Bolton Forester—Imperial Ambassador.

  Lt. Bachman—Forester’s aide.

  Surgeon Cmdr. Karen Theimer Letts—Assistant Minister of Medicine.

  Pepper (L)—Black-and-white Lemurian keeper of the Castaway Cook (Busted Screw).

  Leading Seaman Henry Stokes, HMAS Perth—Assistant Director of Office of Strategic Intelligence.

  Army and Naval Air Corps Training Center (Kaufman Field) Baalkpan

  Lt. Walt “Jumbo” Fisher—Commanding.

  4th & 7th Bomb Squadrons, and 4th & 5th Pursuit in extra training

  Corps of Discovery

  Ensign Abel Cook—Commanding.

  Chief Gunner’s Mate Dennis Silva

  Lawrence “Larry the Lizard”—Orange-and-brown tiger-striped Grik-like ex-Tagranesi (Sa’aaran).

  Surgeon Lt. Pam Cross

  Imperial Midshipman Stuart Brassey

  Gunnery Sgt. Arnold Horn—USMC; formerly of the 4th Marines (US).

  Moe the Hunter

  Pokey—“Pet” Grik brass-picker.

  Also 6 Lemurian Marines and 2 more “tame” Grik.

  Fil-pin Lands

  Saan-Kakja (L)—High Chief of Maa-ni-la and all the Fil-pin Lands.

  Meksnaak (L)—High Sky Priest of Maa-ni-la.

  Chinakru—Ex-Tagranesi, now colonial governor of Samaar.

  General Ansik-Talaa (L)—Fil-pin Scouts.

  Colonel Busaa (L)—Coastal artillery; commanding Advanced Training Center (ATC).

  Respite Island

  Governor Radcliff

  Emelia Radcliff

  Lt. Busbee—Cutter pilot.

  Bishop Akin Todd

  New Britain Isles

  Governor-Empress Rebecca Anne McDonald

  Sean “O’Casey” Bates—Prime Factor and Chief of Staff for G-E.

  Lt. Ezekial Krish—Assistant to Mr. Bates.

  Lord High Admiral James Silas McLain III (relieved)

  HIMS Ulysses, Euripides, Tacitus—Completing repairs.

  Allied Assets/New Britain Isles

  Sister Audry—Benedictine nun, and new Allied Ambassador.

  “Lord” Sgt. Koratin (L)—Marine protector and advisor to Sister Audry.

  USS Simms***—Fil-pin-built; under repair.
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  Lt. Ruik-Sor-Raa (L)—Commanding.

  USS Pinaa-Tubo—Ammunition ship.

  Lt. Radaa-Nin (L)—Commanding.

  Eastern Sea Campaign

  High Admiral Harvey Jenks—(CINCEAST)

  Enchanted Isles:

  Sir Thomas Humphries—Imperial Governor of Albermarl.

  Colonel Alexander—Garrison commander.

  Second Fleet

  USS Maaka-Kakja (CV-4)

  Admiral Lelaa-Tal-Cleraan (L)—Commanding.

  Lt. Tex “Sparks” Sheider—Exec.

  Gilbert Yeager—Engineer (one of the original Mice).

  3rd Naval Air Wing

  (9th, 11th, 12th Bomb Squadrons, and 7th, 10th Pursuit Squadrons (30 planes assembled, 30 unassembled).

  2nd Lt. Orrin Reddy—COFO.

  Sgt. Kuaar-Ran-Taak “Seepy” (L)—Reddy’s backseater.

  2nd Fleet DDs (of note)

  USS Mertz***

  USS Tindal***

  USS Finir-Pel***

  Lt. Haan-Sor-Plaar (L)—Commanding.

  HIMS Achilles

  Lt. Grimsley—Commanding.

  HIMS Icarus

  Lt. Parr—Commanding.

  USS Pecos—Fleet oiler.

  USS Pucot—Fleet oiler.

  2nd Fleet Expeditionary Force: (X Corps) 4 regiments Lemurian Army and Marines, 2 regiments Frontier troops, 5 regiments Imperial Marines (3 Divisions) w/artillery train.

  General Tamatsu Shinya—Commanding.

  Colonel James Blair

  Major Dao Iverson—Commanding Second Battalion, 6th Imperial Marines.

  Nurse Cmdr. Selass-Fris-Ar (L)—“Doc’Selass”; daughter of Keje-Fris-Ar.

  Captain Blas-Ma-Ar “Blossom” (L)—Commanding 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines.

  Spon-Ar-Aak “Spook” (L)—Gunner’s Mate, and 1st Sergeant of A Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines.

  Lt. Staas-Fin “Finny” (L)—C Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Maa-ni-la.

  Lt. Faal-Pel “Stumpy” (L)—A Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Maa-ni-la; former ordnance striker.

  Allied Fugitives in the Dominion

  Lt. (jg) Fred Reynolds—Special Air Division, USS Walker.

  Ensign Kari-Faask (L)—Reynolds’s friend and backseater.

  Characters in and from the Republic of Real People

  Emperor (Kaiser) Nig-Taak

  Kapitan Adler Von Melhausen—Commanding SMS Amerika.

  General Marcus Kim—Military High Command.

  Inquisitor Kon-Choon—Director of Spies.