"We've got what now?" says Bowser to Slide in his office.

"Explosives sir. Attached to our keel and propellars, all over the bottom of the ship."

"How do you know this?"

"When I was bringing McCoy's team back I noticed things attached to the hull. I went back out and confirmed it."

"We're in trouble."

"How's that sir?"

"We don't have any divers. Namib's gang doesn't have any."

"Hmm, well I seem to remember hearing that one of McCoy's squad is an underwater specialist."

"Thank you Slide, dismissed."

As she leaves, Bowser tapes a control on his desk.

"Emerald, we do not get under way unless I say so. We have things attached to our hull bottom. Get McCoy up here quick."

*Yes sir.*

"Blasted Kaychers!"

Later...

"Lieutenant McCoy reporting as ordered sir."

"Do you have any underwater specialists in your squad?"

"Yes sir; Kruger, a jackal-sapien. Is it true about the explosives?"

"Yes."

"With your permission sir, I'll see to it that Kruger gets it done. I've done some underwater operations myself, and doing this sort of thing solo is not recomended."

"Granted. And please hurry, I don't want to stay idle for long."

"Yes sir."

****

Mini-sub dock.

"What do you mean I can't go?" says Tex

"Think about it Tex!" says Cobalt "There's only one diving suit that fits you, but it was made for a human, and your not a human anymore."

"Kruger is not going out there alone!"

"Of course not." says Slide "Which is why I'll go with him inside the mini-sub."

"Very well. But be careful out there."

"Always." says Kruger.

Kruger places the air hose in his mouth and goes over. Slide closes the hatch on the mini-sub and it goes under. Tex sighs.

"Good luck."

****

"Wow Slide, you weren't kidding. It's going to take a while."

"Take your time Kruger, we got all day."

"All right, we'll start at the bow."

****

Bridge, Bowser is pacing the room.

"Sir, please sit down. Your making us all nervous." says Emerald

"I can't help it. It's been 4 hours since they started."

*Slide to bridge.*

"Go ahead."

*Kruger's nearly done. We've got the propellars and the rudder to deal with.*

"Tell him good work for me. Bridge out."

****

"How you holding up Kruger?"

"Nearly done, just three more to go."

"You sound a little tired."

"A little, I just need to disconect---oh crap!"

"What?"

"Slide, get out of here quick!" shouts Kruger

"What's wrong?"

"DO IT!"

Slide backs the mini-sub away just as an explosion rips through the water. Slide shoved out of her chair and the mini-sub goes wild.

"Sli----can yo----happeni----ide----ort!"

Slide groans and gets up off the deck. She looks out and is horrified.

****

Mini-sub dock, the mini-sub surfaces and Slide gets out.

"What the hell happened out there?!" shouts McCoy.

****

Bridge

"Rusty report!"

*I've lost three engineers down here captain! 5 more are hurting bad, we're taking on water like mad!*

"Get your people out of there, we're closing the watertight doors!"

*Aye sir.*

****

Bowser's office, several hours later. Slide, McCoy, Rusty, Namib and Bandage are here.

"What happened out there Slide?"

"My only warning was of Kruger to get away. I was knocked out of my seat when the explosion hit."

"Namib?"

"Severe hull breach sir. The rudder is bent beyond our repair, one prop is gone, the other is slag."

"Bandage?"

"Five confirmed dead, including Kruger. One of Rusty's men was killed before we could help him, the other two are in serious condition in sickbay. Minor bumps and bruiser reported as well."

"How soon can the engine room be operational?"

"Not a snowball chance in the Sahara." says Rusty "We're cut off from the main engine room. I'm ashamed to say it sir, but we need to be towed to port."

"Pearl Harbor is sending several sea going tugs to bring us home." says Namib "The yard manager needs to see the damage before he can estimate how long it will take. In the meantime we can have the Reugger and the Mills tow us until the tugs get here."

"Good, see to it."

"Little party favors from our friends in the KH Military." mumbles Tex.

"Exactly." says Bowser "This will not happen again."

"I dare them to try and take over this ship." says Rusty

"Knock on wood." says Tex.

"Get in tough with Captain's Denali and Nick and we'll get started. Dismissed."

to be continued.....