The Type E Nuclear Powered Fast Sealift ship Cradoc heaved like mad in billowing seas somewhere in the southern Atlantic. Outside temperature was close to zero Celsius. The ship was completely battened down, a virtual submarine executing a surface maneuver.

Captain Ian Marder sat strapped in the commander’s seat, its multi-function control array at his fingertips. The men of the watch all stood at their stations suspended from their special rough sea harnesses like live dolls swaying in a slow ominous dance.

For days now there was no communication with national command authorities. All links had gone silent and satellite images dark. The signals officer had even tried the ultra secret Z-Day Uplink with no results whatsoever.

Loaded with vital fleet supplies, and ordered to rendezvous with Sixth Flotilla on October 11, Cradoc had made good way at an average 26 knots per hour as Fleet Command had finally sent out Signal Red, indicating global conflict.

The captain, silent, touched the touch screen.