Cold is the Sea Read Free Page A

Brighting’s eyes remained on his loose-leaf binder. “Why don’t you ask your friends at BuPers? They write the orders. They can send you to any university they want.”
    â€œYour training is the only one that can qualify me in nuclear power, sir. I’m to be responsible for administration, training and operations of the nuclear subs in the Thames River. It’s going to be a big and tricky job, and that’s why I want to know something about your submarines and your program, sir.”
    â€œWhy aren’t you wearing your Medal of Honor, Richardson? Are you trying to impress me with your modesty? Or are you ashamed of it?” The soft, monotonous voice had not changed. The admiral’s eyes flickered, then once more fell to the notebook in his hand. The pink sheets were all carbon copies, Rich noted. Brighting picked up a pencil, absently began to make little marks in the corner of the turned-over, left-hand sheet.
    It had not occurred to either Rich or Laura that Brighting might make reference to the wartime decoration which was part of his uniform. Richardson nearly stuttered. “I’m not ashamed of it, sir,” he finally said. “I just thought I’d come in civilian clothes today.” His voice reflected his sudden defensiveness. He was trying to keep all emotion out of it, not quite succeeding.
    Admiral Brighting made more marks on the paper. “You’re a hero, Richardson. We don’t need heroes in nuclear power. Whatwe need is dedication, and workers who are willing to use their brains. We don’t have any room for lazy naval officers. You go and be a hero in your new squadron. You won’t have any trouble riding on your reputation there.”
    â€œI’ve never been afraid of work, Admiral,” said Rich, fighting the urge to raise his voice. “All I’m asking is the same opportunity you are giving to others. I want to do a good job in New London, and it will be better for all the nuclear boats up there if I can talk to the skippers from knowledge instead of ignorance.”
    â€œDo you read any books? What books have you read recently?”
    Rich was ready for the sudden shift in subject. “I’ve been interested in Napoleon lately,” he said, “beginning a year ago with War and Peace . I’ve just finished General J. F. C. Fuller’s Military History of the Western World , which I started mainly because he gives so much time to Napoleon.”
    â€œI’ve read Fuller, but his history is principally about battles. Have you studied Victor Hugo and Emil Ludwig? Ludwig is the recognized authority on Napoleon.” Brighting looked up at last. “Do you think Maitland was right to induce Napoleon to come aboard the Bellerophon with a promise of asylum?”
    â€œFuller says he only promised to bring him to England unharmed,” Richardson said steadily. “Napoleon was lucky to get the protection of the British Navy at that point. The Germans would have killed him if they’d caught him, and the French royalists might have done the same if he’d not got aboard a big British warship.”
    Brighting’s eyes dropped again to the notebook. He made another tiny pencil mark in the upper left corner. “You’re wasting your time reading about Napoleon, Richardson. Nothing about him is relevant to 1960. He died nearly a century and a half ago. If you’re so interested in nuclear power, why haven’t you been studying some of the books on the subject? You’re like all the others. You’re not interested in nuclear power; you’re only interested in furthering your career.” He looked up. The pale gray eyes were now bleak. “No squadron commander is going to tell my skippers how to run my submarines, Richardson,” he said, still speaking softly. “You operators have no idea of what’s required, and you’re not willing to