Last Checkmate

The U.S. missile submarine, the John Hancock, is suddenly and unexpectedly attacked by a Russian hunter/killer submarine. After a series of attacks, the Hancock is able to evade the assault but is damaged, trapped on the bottom below crush depth, and unable to communicate with her base. As a prelude to a surgical nuclear strike on U.S. military targets, the Russians have attacked the U.S. missile submarine fleet. The majority of the missile boats have been sunk including, the Russians believe, the Hancock. In the second phase of the attack, the Russians are holding U.S. cities hostage to force surrender. The resurgent Russian Empire has struck the West after the rekindling of the Cold War.

After a nuclear exchange with the Russians on military targets, the U. S. is on the brink of defeat, her nuclear forces destroyed. Both the Russians and Americans believe that all the American missile submarines are sunk, including the Hancock. The surrender of the U.S. is being negotiated with the Russians.

The Hancock manages to get off the bottom and escape but has no communications. Her Captain knows there is a war on but is unaware of its scope. The Russian Naval Command now knows the Hancock has survived but does not inform their Central Leadership. The Russian Chief of Internal Security knows and plots a coup.

The Hancock and the Russians continue the cat and mouse game with the Russians finally allocating all their resources to destroying the Hancock. The coup fails and the Russians, now convinced the Hancock is sunk, demand the surrender of the U.S. The Americans are left with little choice but to surrender but the tables turn again . . .