The Gotland Deception полностью

Dahl felt his jaw tighten. The fiber-optic lifeline connected Gotland to Sweden and mainland Europe, carrying everything from civilian internet traffic to military communications. Damaging it could cripple the island’s digital infrastructure for weeks.

“Pull up her history,” Dahl directed.

Lindström’s fingers flew across the haptic interface. “Chinese registry, home port Shanghai. This is her fourth Baltic transit in eighteen months. She always travels along the same route — picks up cargo in Saint Petersburg, usually grain or timber, then returns to China.” He paused, highlighting a section of data. “Sir, she was in the vicinity during the Estonia-Finland cable incident last October. One of three vessels that could have been responsible.”

“Never proven,” Algotsson added quietly.

“No,” Dahl agreed. “But suspicious enough.” He moved to the large tactical display dominating the bridge’s forward section. The Baltic stretched before them in three-dimensional representation — shipping lanes marked in blue, territorial waters in various shades, critical infrastructure pulsing red. The Hai Qing appeared as a yellow icon, plodding steadily toward their cable.

“Range?” asked Dahl.

“Thirty-eight kilometers, sir. She’s approaching Fårö Island to our north.”

Dahl studied the geometry of the intercept. The Lulea-class’s powerful MTU diesels could close the distance in under an hour — but doing so would light them up on every sensor in the Baltic. Stealth took priority. That meant the Chinese freighter would have time to finish whatever it was doing and cover its tracks.

“Helm, come to course two-seven-zero. Increase to fifteen knots on electric drive only. Let’s position ourselves for a closer look without lighting up our heat signature.”

“Two-seven-zero, fifteen knots electric, aye, sir.”

The corvette’s advanced electric motors increased power smoothly, her hull cutting through the calm seas with minimal noise. Through the bridge’s panoramic windows, Dahl could see the first hints of dawn painting the eastern horizon deep purple. The morning twilight would help — that gray zone between night and day when visual identification became difficult.

“Sir,” the electronic warfare officer called out from her station. “I’m picking up intermittent signals from the Hai Qing’s bearing. Same characteristics as the MARCOM report. Seven-second bursts at irregular intervals.”

“Can you classify them?”

“Running them through our database now, sir. Preliminary analysis suggests fire control radar. Specifically matching Chinese Type 366-2 characteristics — that’s their latest maritime targeting system.”

Fire control radar on a cargo vessel returning from a routine grain pickup. Dahl felt the pieces falling into place. This wasn’t just intelligence gathering — someone was testing targeting solutions on every naval vessel, platform, and critical infrastructure node they passed.

“XO, what’s our rules of engagement regarding suspected threats to critical infrastructure?”

Algotsson had already pulled up the relevant orders on his tablet. “Under NATO Baltic protocols and Swedish maritime law, we’re authorized to investigate any vessel demonstrating hostile intent toward undersea cables. Visual inspection, query, and if necessary, boarding for inspection.”

“But only if we can establish probable cause,” Dahl added. He knew the game — international waters meant international law. One wrong move and Sweden would face a diplomatic nightmare with China.

“Captain,” Lindström interrupted. “Recommend we maneuver to position ourselves along her port side as she approaches the cable. Best angle for visual inspection of her hull and any deployed equipment.”

Dahl nodded. “Make it so. But maintain EMCON — no active sensors until I give the word. I want to see what she’s doing before she knows we’re watching.”

“Understood, sir. Computing intercept course for visual range at first light.”

The bridge settled into focused efficiency, each officer bent to their task. The Lulea-class’s advanced automation meant a smaller crew could fight the ship, but it also meant each person carried greater responsibility. Outside, the Baltic began to lighten, revealing scattered fog banks that would provide perfect cover for their approach.

“One more thing,” Dahl said quietly to Algotsson. “Have the boarding team prep their gear. Full tactical loadout. If this goes sideways, I want options.”

The XO nodded and reached for the intercom. Below decks, six of Sweden’s best maritime interdiction specialists would soon be checking weapons and rehearsing procedures they’d practiced a thousand times.

Dahl returned to the tactical display, watching the gap between hunter and prey slowly shrink. The Chinese freighter continued her steady advance toward home, her crew likely thinking of families waiting in Shanghai, unaware that Swedish eyes now tracked their every move.

In ninety minutes, they’d have visual confirmation of whatever the Hai Qing was really doing out here.