text: “ALL HANDS BRACE, BRACE, BRACE!” The Officer of the Deck shouted into the ship wide intercom as the destroyer plunged through another towering wave. The polar low-pressure system was tossing us about like a child’s bathtub toy, and visibility was atrocious. The southern Barents Sea wasn’t doing us any favors while we traded comfort for survival. I tried to remember that as I stared at the holo-map table. Tightening my grip on the railing, I reviewed all the pieces and prior moves once more. North Africa was under URE control and we had landed massive joint amphibious invasions in Italy, Greece, and Portugal. Sweeping North at speed with the aid of thousands of militia fighters across Western and Central Europe. In an effort to cut off the Scandinavian Peninsula, and form a united Eastern Front, the hastily assembled Arctic fleet had landed successfully and taken Murmansk in the north. Providing a foot hold for an Army airlift and ground assault to the South. The operation had been months in the making and I myself had been proud to be part of it. “Sir, army rear command is reporting that both Southern and Northern advances have stalled. They are bunkering down. Multiple forward units are reporting effective missile artillery throughout their positions. Currently setting up anti-missile emplacements.” I grimaced, watching what the lieutenant was saying, reflect on my map. The army had to keep moving or the whole effort would fail, the enemy would hold Helsinki and St. Petersburg, then resupply. Dragging this out even longer. Where were those missiles coming from? I snatched the satcom handheld, “Captain Tutor are you receiving this net?” My counterpart in the Norwegian Sea was sparring with our adversary in the Gulf of Finland, waiting for an opening. “Go ahead Captain,” I spoke quickly, “My best guess is the heavy missile support we’re seeing is coming from ships in the White Sea and deeper in the Gulf, your thoughts?” “I agree, but I can’t close at the moment. Undersea recon indicates a heavy submarine presence,” his voice crackled through the speaker. My eyes bore into the map. The water was *shallow,* not a lot of room to maneuver. “HELM, COME HARD RIGHT, ICE BEARING 3-5-0 relative, 500 METERS!” The Officer of the Deck shouted again and we lurched as I tried to focus. Then it came to me. Hurriedly I brought up UAV imagery from that morning, there was snow-covered ice across significant portions of both the Gulf of Finland and the White Sea. Orders flew from my mouth as a plan continued to form in my mind, “Captain,” I could hear Tutor’s hesitation through the spotty connection, “We stand a fair chance of losing the *Carthage,* not to mention some of your own.” I was ready with my rebuttal, “We need those missiles gone, to do that we need those subs gone, and quickly. We don’t have time for reluctance.” “Very well, submit your plan. You have my endorsement. Standing by for your signal.” I finished outlining the actions that needed to happen in the next hour and submitted it via the Command Net, who was undoubtedly watching the entire evolution in real time. Captain Tutor’s encrypted key was soon attached. My heart pounded along with my ship through the sea, until my answer appeared in my inbox: EXECUTE AUTHORITY GRANTED, IMMEDIATE ACTION AUTHORIZED. Within seconds, long range hypersonic missiles from the heavy missile cruiser *Carthage,* currently patrolling the English Channel were in the air and headed for grids in both the Gulf of Finland and the White Sea. Though the missiles may be intercepted, it showed her presence, and made her a worthy target, hopefully. “Sir, army forward UAV recon reports multiple submarine missile launches. They are passing grids as per your request.” I watched them appear on the table, the subs had run out from under the ice to take their shots. “Load grids into targeting and fire three undersea concussion missiles per grid in spreads, leading back to the ice. XO, put the squadron at flank into the White Sea. We will engage the enemy at close range and clear out their surface ships in close quarters while the subs are defensive.” “But sir, the ice between us and the coast?” Genuine concern crossed his face. “Damn the ice! If we don’t eliminate their surface force, the subs will stay! We need to make this a knife fight *now*. We must put them on their heels.” “Aye sir, Lieutenant, you heard the Captain. Take us in. Weapons, begin powering all railgun batteries.” In the next few hours, the gamble paid for itself. The enemy’s naval-based missile artillery was destroyed by our high-capacity railguns, while their subs dodged underwater concussion detonations, a shallow sea floor, and ice. All of which prevented them from providing coordinated and effective defensive support. The army resumed its march, linking up, taking St. Petersburg, and beginning the Siege of Helsinki. The *Carthage* was destroyed, along with two of my destroyer squadron. One due to a collision with ice and subsequent capsize in the sub-zero water. Another was lost to a submarine as it made a hasty retreat, but the day was ours. Months later, when Helsinki fell, I was summoned to the Admiralty board for promotion. My name is Tai Mei, and that was the day I learned the cost of taking victory.