[Gargamel]

We waited. The TDC said it was just over 2 minutes till the eel hit, but it felt like a year. I had to remind myself to breathe. If this went wrong, we would be in deep trouble.

Kessler counted down the time until the estimated impact, “5... 4... 3... “

A large plume of water erupted around the middle of the destroyer. Then a large flash, and the ship was lifted from the water, bending in two. She settled back onto the water, her two halves slowly drifting apart as they sank. We felt, almost immediately, the rumble of the detonation, followed by a sharp crack.

“Impact!” I hissed, muted cheers were exclaimed throughout the boat, “We broke her back, she’s going down!”

I stared at the crippled ship for a few moments more. I could see crew desperately trying to reach life boats, or even just the safety of not being on the dying ship. I panned the scope around towards our next target, the battleship. The ships in the convoy were starting to turn sharply, they had begun to perform zig-zag maneuvers in hopes of avoiding the next torpedo. I could almost hear the klaxon alarms going off. I knew exactly how they sounded from my years on the merchant ships I cut my teeth on before joining the Kriegsmarine.

“New course, two zero zero,” I called out, not bothering to whisper anymore, “Engines ahead standard, secure from silent running!”

“Aye Kaleun!” came multiple replies.

The big warship was drawing nearer, it’s crew frantically searching the seas, trying to spot us. We hoped they wouldn’t. Those big main guns, even the smaller secondary guns, would be the same as a bomb going off right next to us if they managed to fire at us.

“Open tubes two and four!” I called out.

I continued to wait, plotting our intercept in my head. I panned around to the sides, the lead elements of the convoy had already passed our position. I turned back to the Revenge, I couldn’t quite make out exactly which one it was, but the camouflage pattern painted on the side was very distinct. I should be able to identify it later. I panned along the length of the ship, picking out my target points.

“Tube 2.... match bearing..... Los! Tube 4..... match bearing..... Los! Open tube 3!” I called out, “Hard to starboard!New course two five zero!”

We felt the thumps as the torpedoes raced from their tubes, and the doors closed behind them. They would have to see the trails the gas torpedoes left behind. There’s no way they could miss them, I thought.

A few moments passed before a large plume of water erupted under the forward gun battery, soon followed by another one midships. The great battleship lifted and rolled some with the explosions, but continued along her path. The large secondary explosions I had hoped for, ripping her apart, never happened.

“Hard to port!” I screamed, trying to get the boat in line for another shot.

Crew were running frantically along the battleship’s deck. I couldn’t tell if they were running to battle stations, or trying to abandon. She still looked in too good of shape to abandon.

“Rudder amidships!” I yelled out, paused a moment, followed by “Tube 3, match bearing! Los!”

I then noticed sailors on the ship pointing in our direction. The were indicating to others farther down the deck, trying to get the attention of an officer it seemed. Apparently they were successful, as I saw the first aft main gun turret start to traverse towards our position.

“Scheibe! Scheibe!" I yelled, "Ahead Flank! Hard to starboard! Full Dive!"

I should have lowered the scope, but I was mesmerized by those huge barrels swinging towards us. I even raised the scope higher, so it would stay above water longer as we dove. I could hear men yelling orders and running behind me, but I was fixated on those huge guns. They were almost right at us now, we were so close I could actually see right down them, I could even see the rifling on the inside of the barrel. If they fired with any accuracy, we didn’t stand a chance.

Another huge water plume erupted right below the turret. The barrels sticking out through the cloud of water looked like a giant dragon poking the tip of it’s nose through a waterfall.

Then the dragon breathed.