The Rear Admiral

By Trevor Lloyd

Rear Admiral Geoff Terry becomes the captain of HMS Churchill after the previous commander succumbs to a nervous breakdown.  On pirate patrol the Churchill encounters an alien vessel whilst dealing with emergencies on his ship.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trevor Lloyd
• Release date: Apr 21, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533788368

Book preview

By the same author:

The Traveller

The Abductee

T.S. LLOYD

THE REAR ADMIRAL

Admirals all, for England's sake,

Honour be yours and fame!

SIR HENRY NEWBOLT

To Kay, David and Richard

––––––––

Autumn 2013

List of Characters in Alphabetic Order

Admiral Blare

Margaret Bearne Home Office Minister

Bosun Eric Stevens

Captain Tim Mills

Communications Officer Emma Jones

Earl Simmons Somalian Ambassador

Earnest Price Ship’s Steward

Eric Payne Systems Officer

First Sea Lord Keith Butcher KSD & Bar

Flying Officer Bamville Helicopter Pilot

Jack Stanton NAFFI Manager

James Cross Radio Officer Global Empire

Jamil Pirate

John Morris Radio Officer

Lee Roberts NAFFI Assistant

Louis the ship’s cat

Marine Ensign Blake

Marine Major Perry

Marine Private Hollis

Marine Sergeant Ross

Michael Ridgeley Medical Officer

Paul Remmington Tokomak Scientist

Prime Minister Hector Foster

Prime Minister Simon Greaves

Prosum Barr Delvan Spokesman

Raymond Flowers First Officer

Rear Admiral Geoffrey Terry

Robert Hacket Fusion Technician

Simon Lewis Weapons Officer

Sue Beckman Government Scientist

Thomas Bond British Ambassador

Thomas Pollock Section Leader (Midland Crew)

Ursula Terry

Wren Shirley Butcher

2045

CHAPTER 1

The rear admiral’s retirement was inevitable within the next four weeks, just twenty eight days that would end as mere seconds in his memory, flyaway thoughts and errant contemplations would inevitably be spent in an armchair after a meal or during a convivial drink whilst staring into the hypnotic flames of a hearth fire during an autumn evening soiree.

His flagship HMS Churchill was the last of three Courageous or C class Compact flat tops that the government had managed to authorise for rapid construction despite having originally planned for five. The Queen Elizabeth class of aircraft carriers including HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales had both been used as joint venture support between France and the United States navies but were underpowered with old gas turbine technology and had never matched the Nimitz class of American carriers which were both larger and nuclear powered.  Ensuing cutbacks had shelved the contracts for the remaining two aircraft carriers yet the political boardroom committees had thankfully not interfered beyond any further subtractions.

He remembered being tantalised at the computer design stage and being told that these ships were the last word in sea craft creativity; the three-dimensional printers produced a one eightieth scaled down model and he was presented with his personal replica in its tangible form within the day.  She measured 2100 feet in length or 640.24 metres and a sleek 50 feet or 15.24 metres wide, a length to breadth ratio of 42, from deck to keel she measured 300 feet or 91.44 metres. Her helm was centrally placed, not offset like conventional aircraft carriers because it allowed for side launches and precise hover landings.

He had been a young commander then and he was to learn that each ship had its own personality, its own strengths and flaws, most of the ship’s strength was contained in its structure and its flaws happened to be in human form via its crew, no matter how professional its operators were the ships systems were much faster in interpreting data than its human teams, they had to be.  The ship’s complement would be less than a hundred which was precisely ninety eight people allowing for the odd trainee.

He recalled the massive cradle and the automatic construction robots which were managed by their human overseers, in the efficiency of production the stratagem had cut down the timetable by two thirds so that the compact carrier was paint dry by the end of three months.  Private Eye had them labelled as the ‘ninety day wonders’ harking back to an earlier century of war when American army lieutenants were graduated in ninety days, green and lacking significant battlefield experience. He remembered well that he had suffered from a crick in his neck from constantly looking up at his ship while he was trying to study the design characteristics and he was encouraged by the implementation of next generation technology.  When the gigantic pontoon lock’s valves finally opened a siren sounded a warning to clear the employees from the work area.  A hush enveloped the ship yard as a small trickle of seawater seeped from the regulator, the operator was savouring his moment no doubt biding his time like a presenter on a quiz show milking the expectation of their audience as an audible crescendo heralded the arrival of a maelstrom of high pressure water’s eddy’s and turbulence.  Within minutes a measurable level of fluid climbed imperceptibly higher and kissed the lowest extremity of the vessel, its keel.  It was remarkable to witness.  Commander Terry stood spellbound waiting for his ship to float off from its cradle and enable it to move into its natural element, the ocean.  Quite suddenly the compact carrier majestically rose from its cradle and became a vessel resolute and autonomous from its previous home on land. 

Stealth technology was a given as HMS Churchill’s radar signature was akin to a flock of seagulls resting on the water or flying in a tight flock.  Its own detection suite was augmented by aerial drones which were able to stay in the air for up to forty days per mission due to their solar cell impregnated plane form, its telemetry and triangulation was much wider than a conventional ship and consequently its accuracy was so much the greater.

The sniper epithet ‘one shot one kill’ was not an idle boast, the rail guns systematically targeted threats and their augmented kinetic energy pellets were deadly to any vessel near or far.  As a Rapid Interdiction Vessel HMS Churchill’s nuclear fusion power plant meant that the lights would never go out and there would be inexhaustible energy on hand. As an electrically powered ship on cruise, drag was eliminated, there would be no tell tale eddy’s in the water because the hull skin of the vessel was protected by a plasma force field making the carrier fluid at sea and able to deter barnacle and other crustaceans from adhering to it, a much newer version of the Royal Navy’s copper bottom frigates in Nelson’s era. It was capable of forty five knots and even faster patrol speeds when plasma aerofoils were extended.  Silent helicopters and invisible cloaked commandos completed its interdiction capabilities and the latest unmanned air planes or UAV’s were supplied by Boeing, these were the mainstay of the air defence replacing manned airplanes.  They were capable of outmanoeuvring any would be challenger and served equally well as fighters and in ground support roles.  Bombing operations and rocket attacks were literally controlled by drones in the air for targeting and human augmented computer guidance on the Churchill.

There was also a satellite launch capability.  The QIFF airborne package Quick Intelligence Fire and Forget system was initiated from a UAV at 100,000 feet altitude removing the need for a first stage lift off, its ram jet capacity used the scarce molecules of air at such a height that its impetus was enough to push the package into near space where a conventional rocket with an oxygen/hydrogen fuel mix would place the satellite into a synchronous orbit at 3,600 miles altitude that conveniently positioned it over the same place of the planet to observe and facilitate communications of a single combat zone or a multi action theatre of war on the ground thus obviating the fog of war.

Consequently the carrier was reduced in size and consequently able to be more compact yet more militarily effective, in fact serving fewer needs in terms of the numbers of crew and aircraft maintenance, making it faster on water and instant in response.

   

In 2024 a think tank of mature apolitical academics was invited to a conference at Sandhurst Academy.  Military historians, columnists and academy tacticians provided objective points of view and had concluded that the continued threat from Muslim zealots had only ever been checked by the Pax Britannica during the centuries of benign rule under the British Empire.  Therefore under this sphere of influence the United Kingdom would keep a lid on its likely areas of concern and maintain the peace, a kind of maritime policing concept rather than gun boat diplomacy.  Keeping sea lanes free of incursion by pirates, rapid response to trouble spots and keeping a low but responsible profile were its prime capabilities.

Historically the European invasions over millennia by Muslim armies were detectable in all communities through past historical wars and genetic fingerprinting. World shattering events such as the assassination of the heirs to the Austro-Hungarian throne Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Princess Sophie of Hohenberg carried out by Gavrilo Princip on June 28th 1914 leading to the Great War, the New York twin towers tragedy on 9/11/ 2001 and the sinking of the ocean going liner RMS Titanic II on her maiden voyage one hundred and ten years after her predecessor on 14th April 2022 had been brokered by Muslim terrorists who perpetrated mass murder based on their evil doctrines and blood feuds which originated centuries ago and was developing into a simmering war on the West.

Commander Geoffrey Terry had been the first to command ‘the Winston’ as the officers and crew affectionately nicknamed HMS Churchill and he had enjoyed his celebrity status before claiming his other prize Ursula Crompton. A Kings College, Cambridge University scholar and his dance partner throughout the ‘growling twenties’ of hedonism in the twenty first century.  Like many female pseudo sophisticates she had an eye for a man in uniform but unlike her friends she could see the big picture, the strategic imperative of his role.

Their marriage appeared in the 2025 hot autumn season pages of the Hello magazine and Ursula cried openly with the other wives and sweethearts on the quay at Portsmouth when Commander Terry and his crew finally embarked on the first of their many cruises in HMS Churchill.

CHAPTER 2

As a sea wife Ursula was ideally suited to the marriage.  Their relationship would never dull through his enforced absence as long as they were able to share a series of honeymoons throughout their married life.  In this way the expectant tingle of rendezvous would never falter.

Messages in letter form, texts and e-mails would suffice to keep the each other linked and somehow the partnership endured.

Even parenthood had been achieved, first Marcus and eighteen months later Philipa who was affectionately known as ‘Pippa’.

After several failed jobs Marcus Terry shone as a naval cadet and enrolled in officer training immediately reaching the rank of Lieutenant at the age of twenty one.  ‘Pippa’ Terry had gained a first like her mother and was fascinated by the world of advertising achieving early success with a blue-chip firm of consultants based in Leicester Square.

The young naval commander’s compact carrier had performed flawlessly in all theatres of conflict and having outperformed Geoff Terry’s friendly rivals. She was the pride of the fleet, the showcase emissary of the seven seas carrying presidents of short tenure and long standing members of the British Royal Family, former republican countries had found sentimental room for monarchy once again and the newly reinstated Rudolf, Prince of Prussia and his attractive Princess Freda had been frequent guests. 

His promotion to captain had taken longer than his rise to rear admiral and he had been grateful for that.  Now he felt that he was only along for the ride, he was a passenger in all respects and only tolerated for his elevated rank. Younger men and women were replacing the older members of the crew and though he considered himself a fit and healthy forty five year old with few strands of grey hair to his locks he expected that the admiralty would determine his future use in the fleet in the fullness of time.

He had noticed with a wry sense of humour that new crew members visibly quaked when he walked by, nervously snapping off smart salutes in acknowledgement, engineers, defence suite operatives and helm officers flexed their shoulders even after he stated, As you were, during his courtesy inspection of the ship yesterday.

Something was affecting them and it wasn’t too hard to imagine who was responsible.  The Churchill had been his home for twenty years and he had been privy to its conception and launching.  Under his guidance she had been a happy and proud ship and he would miss her company dreadfully. 

As HMS Churchill glided south east down the corridor of the Red Sea he peered through the morning mist and tasted the sea air on his lips. Standing to port to witness a beautiful day break he noticed the rapid burn off of haze by the strengthening sun which revealed the coasts of Saudi Arabia to his blue eyes and Ethiopia to his back; the contrasting rich and poor countries of the region.  He noticed with a weather eye that the sea surface was a deep azure hue and choppy with wavelets encouraged by the morning winds and tide.  Terry barely felt the ship move beneath his feet and he knew that if he wanted to he could still balance a coin on its deck and watch it remain at rest as the makers had first demonstrated to prove the efficiency of the solid state power train decades ago.  He recalled yesterday evening’s celebration, when he had been expected to attend for drinks and an honorary lunch in the officer’s wardroom, some of the officers had served with him in the past and he was secretly delighted to be in their company once again. His invitation had been at the top of the list which he supposed was de rigueur. It was typical of his modest nature to be unaware that he was hugely liked.  The dinner had turned into a walk down memory lane for most of his closest circle of friends in the wardroom but still something in one or two of his former officers’ body language and the odd comment betrayed the overall bonhomie signifying that such times were at an end.  They would clear the bottleneck between South Yemen and Somalia by Monday only three days hence.  And so far the drones had nothing to report in their role as aerial sentinels.

After finishing his stroll around the deck he ate a light breakfast in his wardroom before dealing with any outstanding paperwork.

The uniform helped to keep his self doubts at bay separating himself from his subordinates he felt that he could delegate some control but not all of them listened.  If he kept his mind on his work he could keep his personal misgivings at bay. 

The new captain, Tim Mills had been a man for all seasons to his superiors and a devout Christian in all things, particularly in strict ethics.  He would pull rank on wardroom comment with overriding biblical commentary much to the chagrin of his staff. 

Taking advantage of his rank he would harangue slackers on ship’s inspection with, God gave us each two hands to work with.

Defying evolution and Darwinian logic he twisted discussions into religious imperatives citing increasing biblical metaphors to prop up his weak leadership.  His thirty one year old wife had been an assistant librarian and was approaching her third nervous breakdown in this dogmatic matrimonial climate, a circumstance that Mills tried to improve by starting a family.

The news that she had lost the baby before her first trimester had made him worse and he transferred his anger onto the crew, not trusting his number one to carry out his duty he micromanaged subordinates and generally intruded between decks leaving crew members in puzzlement and calumny.

Professional career officers and highly trained technicians at the top of their game were singled out and rearranged to suit the captain’s eccentricities.

One of his new directives was that Sunday should be observed as a day of rest which was at odds with the workings of the ship.

But that shouldn’t reduce our military efficiency or our awareness of the defensive measures sir, pointed out the Weapons Officer as he extended his arm to take in the readiness of the defensive suite with impeccable logic.

The captain fixed him with an affronted stare and in a knee jerk reaction spat out, See me in my ready room this instant. turning around he left the calm order of the suite like an automaton.

Simon Lewis followed the captain in single file hoping for a reasonable explanation as to why he was to leave the ship open to attack. 

Closing the ready room door behind him he looked up to see the captain’s rigid features. Officer Lewis sit down, he nodded his head at a chair opposite.

The captain was already seated behind his desk and laid down his cap and opened an A4 book of lined pages carefully wrote down Simon Lewis’ name and rank together with the date and headlined a title.

Simon barely made it out until the captain underlined it.

NATURE OF OFFENCE

Officer Lewis please explain yourself, chivvied the captain.

I don’t follow you sir, the weapons officer looked unbelievably at his commanding officer.

He looked like a pantomime character in an ancient assizes sketch; judge and jury, we are weapons oriented as per standing orders we always have been. Lewis knew he shouldn’t have to explain that.

Yes that is so but isn’t the suite automated, you can attend a morning assembly and lookouts will be at their usual altitude.

‘This will end up worse than Titanic on her maiden voyage, thought Lewis as he tried to explain, That’s not the point