Chapter 25 Summary & Analysis: Defense Protocol
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
The chapter opens in the Combat Information Center (CIC) of the USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) at 2342 local time. A terrorist fast boat has just launched an anti-ship missile at the destroyer. Tactical Action Officer (TAO) Lieutenant Commander Mitch Horrillo realizes this attack removes all ambiguity—the target is not a civilian vessel but an enemy combatant. He immediately recommends engaging with the ship’s five-inch Mark 45 gun. Captain Commander Kreutz authorizes the strike, and the surface warfare coordinator orders a KE-ET round fired. Simultaneously, a second anti-ship missile is detected. The ship’s Phalanx CIWS (close-in weapon system), nicknamed “R2-D2,” engages the first inbound missile and destroys it. The CIWS then tracks and destroys the second missile. Horrillo observes the gun’s effect on the terrorist boat via the electro-optical sensor system (EOSS); it is annihilated. The surface warfare coordinator confirms the threat is neutralized with no survivors.
The captain commends Horrillo for keeping the ship safe. Horrillo asks whether to set Condition Zebra (maximum watertight integrity), but the CO declines, reasoning that any other terrorist captains will be deterred. Horrillo remains alert, expecting further attacks. The captain instructs Horrillo to have the XO contact him in his stateroom, then departs Combat. The bridge reduces speed to seventeen knots. Horrillo orders the Mark 48 25mm gun and LRAD to remain manned. Reflecting on the engagement, Horrillo feels proud of the watch-standers’ performance under pressure, noting this was the second terrorist attack the Dunham has faced in two months. He affirms that whatever mission lies ahead in the South China Sea, the crew will answer the call.
Key Events
- The terrorist fast boat launches a first anti-ship missile against the USS Jason Dunham, removing any doubt about its hostile intent.
- TAO Horrillo orders the Mark 45 gun to engage the target; the gun destroys the boat with a KE-ET round.
- A second anti-ship missile is detected; the ship’s Phalanx CIWS intercepts and destroys both incoming missiles.
- Commander Kreutz praises Horrillo’s performance but declines to set Condition Zebra, confident that the show of force will deter follow-on attacks.
- The bridge slows the ship to seventeen knots; the Mark 48 gun and LRAD remain manned for the remainder of the watch.
- Horrillo commends the CIC watch team for their expert response to an unanticipated threat.
Character Development
- Lieutenant Commander Mitch Horrillo – Demonstrates decisive tactical judgment under extreme stress. He moves from uncertainty about the contact’s identity to aggressive action once fired upon. His adrenaline keeps him hyper-alert after the engagement, contrasting with the captain’s calm. He also shows leadership by congratulating his team and considering the broader threat picture.
- Commander Kreutz – Portrayed as an experienced, unflappable commanding officer. He trusts his TAO’s judgment, authorizes lethal force quickly, and remains measured even after a near-miss. His decision to rest after the incident illustrates his ability to compartmentalize stress, though Horrillo interprets this as both admirable and baffling.
- The CIC Watch Team – The air warfare officer, surface warfare coordinator, and RCS operator perform flawlessly. The RCS operator’s exuberant shout (“Way to go R2-D2!”) captures the crew’s morale and confidence in their equipment.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Technology and Human Judgment – The CIWS functions autonomously, but the chapter emphasizes that human decisions (Horrillo’s engagement order, the RCS watch stander switching from Hold Fire On to Hold Fire Off) are the critical first link in the kill chain.
- Readiness and Surprise – The attack catches the Dunham in a normal readiness posture rather than battle stations. The chapter contrasts the structured, planned response during the Red Sea engagement with the improvisational, but equally effective, reaction here.
- Command Responsibility – Horrillo wrestles with the decision to recommend setting Condition Zebra, while the CO’s refusal reveals different risk appetites. The captain’s “rinse and repeat” advice reinforces the importance of consistent doctrine under fire.
- Deterrence – Kreutz believes the destruction of the terrorist boat will deter other attackers. This reflects a core military principle that overwhelming force can prevent future conflicts.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a pivotal action sequence that validates the crew’s training and systems in a real-world engagement. It showcases the ship’s layered defense—from the Mark 45 gun to the Phalanx CIWS—and underscores the psychological toll of combat on leaders. Horrillo’s growth as a TAO is evident: he adapts instantly, communicates clearly, and maintains tactical awareness even after the immediate threat is neutralized. The chapter also sets up lingering tension: Horrillo’s unease about further attacks and the captain’s decision to reduce readiness hint at potential vulnerabilities. As the Dunham continues toward the South China Sea, this engagement provides both a confidence boost and a warning that the enemy is willing to strike.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Horrillo believe the attack “removed the biggest uncertainty that had been handcuffing” him?
The identity of Track 82342 was ambiguous; it could have been a civilian fishing boat, an Indonesian patrol craft, or a terrorist vessel. Without provocation, sinking any vessel would have created a major political incident. Once the fast boat fired a missile, it clearly identified itself as hostile, freeing Horrillo to use lethal force under the Navy’s rules of engagement for self-defense.
2. What is Condition Zebra, and why does Horrillo suggest it while the captain declines?
Condition Zebra is the highest level of watertight integrity; it seals all compartments to limit damage from a hit. Horrillo suggests it because he fears a follow-on attack. Captain Kreutz declines because he believes the demonstration of force will scare off any other attackers, and he wants to maintain normal operations and crew rest.
3. How does Horrillo’s reaction after the engagement differ from the captain’s, and what does this reveal about each character?
Horrillo is flooded with adrenaline and cannot imagine sleeping; he remains hyper-vigilant. The captain yawns and heads to his stateroom, treating the incident as finished. This contrast highlights Horrillo’s anxiety and inexperience with sustained crisis management, while Kreutz shows the stoicism and emotional compartmentalization expected of a senior commanding officer under fire.