The Better Part of Valor

 

by Lynn

 

 

The cell was damp and cold.  Very little light illuminated the room as Lee Crane lay on the cot with his right hand splayed over his stomach.  They had roughed him up when he was captured, but it wasn't anything he couldn't work through.  He had been here three days and hadn't seen a soul since they had dumped him off, which was fine with him.  His meals had been pushed through the small opening at the bottom of the cell door, but other than that they hadn't provided anything else, not even a blanket. 

 

He would have been discouraged at the thought of a mission gone bad, except this one was going exactly as planned.  In fact, Lee had to work hard for the bad guys to find him.  Their perimeter guards hadn't been on their toes, and Lee had to purposely break twigs to finally get them to notice him.  He put on a good show fighting it out with several guards, but since he was supposed to be captured he didn't work extra hard on taking the guards out.  The result had been his face and stomach getting a work out with punches and cheap shots while he was held down on the ground.

 

It wasn't unexpected.  From the moment Admiral Johnson asked him to take the assignment he knew it was going to be rough.  There were only three people who knew where he was right now.  Admiral Johnson, Admiral Nelson, and the double agent they were trying to flush out.  Only the double agent hadn't showed up yet.  No one within ONI could be trusted, at least not until the double agent had showed his colors.  Lee had been set up as the bait.  Johnson had hoped that the double agent would come to gloat over one of ONI's best operatives being taken so easily.

 

The fact that he hadn't seen a soul since his incarceration was proof that his captors knew of Lee's abilities.  He was being kept secure for someone, that he was sure of.  The bruises on his mid-section were nice and ripe, but they hadn't busted any ribs and though his face sported a few bruises he wasn't in bad shape.  So it was just a waiting game.  When the double agent showed up, Lee would activate the transponder that was ingeniously hidden under a false scar just above his belt line, where it held the best chance of not being damaged by blows to the gut--which were inevitable when one sets themselves up to be caught by bad guys.

 

All he had to do was peel the false scar away and turn the transponder on, then reattach the “scar” and wait for his extraction team.   Harry was his only backup on this one, not even the crew knew where he was.  His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the cell door lock clanking.  It was the first time he heard that sound in three days, so he figured the double agent had just showed up. 

 

Lee sat up watching as the door swung open revealing a silhouette in the doorway.  His eyes adjusted to the new light that flooded his cell through the open doorway as he recognized the double agent. 

 

“Hello Lee.”   Tom Hatcher stood before him, flanked by two guards with weapons drawn on Lee.  He had been around as long as Lee and was as good an operative as they came.  It was totally unexpected, and Lee rose from his cot allowing his disbelief to show on his face.

 

“Tom, what's this all about?”  He didn't want to give away the fact that he was expecting to be betrayed, and he still had to activate his transponder, so he needed to play this carefully.

 

“I think it should be pretty obvious by now Lee.  I've been working for the other side for some time now.  I must say, I'm a little surprised to see you here.  I didn't know Johnson had an assignment out on this facility.”

 

“Why should you know?”

 

“Because his receptionist gives me all sorts of interesting tidbits,” he smiled as he delivered that bit of news.  “She's partial to tall blond headed guys, but mostly to her bank account.”

 

Lee's anger was growing with every second.  How many operatives had been exposed or even killed because of Tom and his leak? 

 

“Now Lee, I'm posed with a very interesting question here.  What to do with a high level operative like you?” 

 

He stepped closer noting the restraint that Lee was barely holding on to.  “You know, I've always wondered who the better operative was.  I mean, why does Johnson keep pulling you from your boat for these little jobs when he has a staff of full time operatives out there?  This might just be the time to find out how good you are.”

 

“What do you get out of all this Tom?” Lee questioned, ignoring the challenge that Tom was putting out.  “I never figured you for a traitor.”

 

“I get a fat bank account to live off of when ONI is through using me as a pawn.  You think they really care that you've been captured Lee?  You know the drill, you'll be disavowed and the only thing that will mark your service is an unmarked star on a memorial that no-one knows anything about.”

 

“There's more to life than recognition Tom, I thought you knew that.” 

 

“Yeah, well I've been left for dead too many times to take too seriously all that loyalty crap Crane.  ONI's left me out to dry way too many times.  It's time I start looking out for myself.”

 

He stepped closer, “What about you Lee?  Aren't you tired of being drugged, beaten, shot and stabbed just to heal up and do it all again on another day?”

 

Lee let loose a small scoff, “I don't do this for the adventure Tom.  I do it for my country, I thought you did too.”

 

“Don't get patriotic with me Lee.  I've had enough,” Tom took a breath and seemed to refocus, “which leads me back to what to do with you.  You're worth too much to just kill outright, but I can't take a chance on you pulling off one of your little miracle escapes either.”  A smile began to cross his face and Lee was sure that whatever Tom was thinking didn't bode well for him.

 

“I've got some things to check on.  I'll be back later Lee.”

 

With that Tom left followed by the two guards.  He heard the door clank shut and the lock click again.   When Lee was sure they had left, he laid back down on the cot and turned toward the wall.   He hadn't wanted to draw Tom into a physical confrontation, not yet, first he needed to activate the transponder.  But it was also imperative that he get out alive, just taking out Tom wouldn't solve the problem of the second mole at ONI.  Yeah, it's definitely time for a miracle escape.

 

He activated the transponder then sat back up leaning against the cell wall as he contemplated his options.  The cell was escape proof, he had already figured that one out.  His best chance was when they moved him.  He'd have to look for an opening and hope for the best.

 

* * * * *

 

Seaview was sitting 100 miles off shore from where Harry had flown Lee in the Flying Sub, far enough not to be noticed but close enough for FS1 to close the distance quickly.  He was conducting some very unimportant experiments in the area, as he waited for Lee's transponder to activate.   The experiments weren't even interesting enough to keep his mind occupied.  He had dropped Lee off in the middle of a snake pit, and he didn't like it one bit.  Johnson was so concerned with the leak that Harry wasn't even reporting in updates.  It was all up to Harry and his crew to watch Lee's back.

 

Harry had brought Chip in on the details, and other than the extraction team Chief Sharkey, Kowalski, and Patterson, no one else on-board knew about the Captain's mission.  The stakes were high, and Harry had counted himself fortunate that he had been made privy to this plan.  Lee had agreed to the dangerous mission with the terms that he'd pick his own extraction team, and Johnson had agreed.  Dangerous.  What an understatement!  Johnson was counting on the Double Agent wanting to gloat over Lee, but he could just as easily kill Lee outright!  He tossed his pen down on his desk.  Now it was just a waiting game.  Harry nearly jumped out of his seat when the transponder started beeping.  He composed himself and reached for the intercom on his desk.

 

“Mr. Morton, please report to my cabin.”

 

“Aye Sir, be right there.”

 

A few moments later there was a rap on his door, as Harry called Chip in.  Chip could see the transponder beeping right away as he leaned over the desk and Harry handed him the coordinates.

 

“I'll get the extraction team together and meet you at FS1 in fifteen minutes Sir.”

 

“Fine Chip.  Make sure Sparks goes on radio silence until we return.  He answers only to my coded hail or Lee's personal frequency.”

 

“Aye Sir.”  Chip was out the door and on his way to see to all his tasks.  The waiting had been hard, but at least now they could add some real backup to this mission.  Lee wasn't going to be left dangling, he'd make sure of it.

 

* * * * *

 

Lee heard the keys clanking on the door again and readied himself to look for the first possible moment for an escape.  All he needed to do was get to the jungle, Tom would follow.  Lee knew Tom's ego would send him personally looking for him.  Then all he would have to do is evade Tom long enough until the extraction team caught up with the both of them. 

 

He sat up just as the door swung open and Tom Hatcher stepped back into the cell.  He was followed in by a small framed man about 5'2” wearing thick glasses, in his hand was a syringe.  Lee registered the danger right away.

 

“So, you're going to drug me?” he scoffed, “I guess we already know who the better operative is after all,” Lee challenged darkly.

 

“Back off Crane!  It turns out you're worth a lot of money to one of my contacts.”

 

“Yeah, well I think you don't want to even try.  What's the matter Tom?  You worried I'll show you up in front of all your buddies here?” 

 

Lee was throwing everything he could at Hatcher, he needed to stay in control.  He had no idea what was inside that syringe and thought he'd better take his chances with infuriating Tom than being incapacitated or worse from the drug.

 

Lee was standing nearly toe to toe with Tom now, as the guards moved closer keeping control of the confrontation.

 

“Just what do you propose Lee?”

 

“You name it Tom.  You want to go hand to hand?  Or maybe a hunt?  Or are you worried I might just pull off another “miracle escape” right out from under your nose.”

 

Lee had pushed Tom right to the edge as Tom swung back and backhanded Lee with such force that it sent him back into the cot along the wall as he laughed. 

 

“Alright Lee have it your way, but I never said I played fair.”

 

He motioned his men forward and they held him down as the small man with the syringe advanced.

 

“Just a little something to slow down your reflexes Lee.  It starts off slowly, by the time it hits you full force you'll be out for the count.  Let's see what you can do with that,” he said smiling.

 

Lee blinked as the effects of the drug began to make themselves known in his system.  Tom motioned his men to pull Lee up and they walked him up the steps that led outside and to the middle of the courtyard of the small base.  Lee's brain was fuzzy, but he still had his coordination, he'd have to put as much distance between himself and Tom before he shut down.

 

“You said it Lee, a hunt.  I'll give you fifteen minutes.”

 

“Just you Tom?  Or are you gonna rely on your goons to do the job?”  Lee's breathing was giving away some of the distress the drug was causing him.

 

“Yeah.  Just me.  Time starts now.”

 

Lee took off running towards the jungle foliage, already he knew the drug was affecting his speed, but he wasn't incapacitated yet.  He'd give Tom a run for his money.

 

* * * * *

 

“Admiral,” Chip said with concern, “Lee's on the move.  The transponder is putting off intermittent signals.”

 

Harry leaned forward to see the display screen that Chip was reading from the co-pilot's seat. 

 

He nodded, “It’s not moving fast enough for a vehicle, that's why it’s blinking like that,” Harry said as he pointed to the display screen.  “Let's dispense with the covert water landing and get there as fast as we can.  Something tells me that Lee's on the run.”

 

Chip nodded, he had the feeling that the mission had just gone from bad to worse.

 

* * * * *

 

Lee was running hard, but his brain was slowing down.  He nearly tripped a couple of times and he was leaving a trail like an amateur.  Still, he didn't think that he could slow down.  If he hadn't been handicapped like he was, he would have stopped and laid a false trail, or set a bobby trap to slow down the pursuit, but the drug was making his usually sharp brain go fuzzier by the minute.  So he trudged along toward the seashore.  The base camp was only five miles out from where Harry had put him ashore three days ago, and normally he could have crossed that in an hour easy, but he knew it wasn't going to happen today.  The best he could hope for was to run into Harry and the extraction team on the way back.

 

He stopped bent over trying to catch his breath and noticed his hands shaking as they rested on his knees.  He needed to keep going so he pulled himself up and began running again just as he heard a gunshot and felt the bullet whiz by the nearby foliage.  He risked a look back to see if he could spot Tom, but didn't see him and continued on.

 

He only made it a few hundred yards more as his legs gave out on him.  The drug had hit his coordination as he lay on the ground shaking like a leaf.  He tried to crawl under the jungle foliage but found that his body no longer obeyed his will to move and so he rolled onto his back listening for Tom's approach.  He didn't have to wait long as he heard Tom walk up and squat down beside him. 

 

“Now that was fun, wasn't it Lee?  I'm still going to turn you over to my contacts.  They think you'll share some interesting information about the Underwater Defense System.  But for now I think I've proven who the better operative is.”

 

“Not when you had to drug me first,” Lee breathed out.

 

“I stayed alive out here by not being soft Crane, so yeah, even if I drugged you first – I still bested you.”  With that Tom pulled out his radio and called his men, who apparently had been following close behind since they made their appearance only minutes after his call.

 

“Take him back to camp, he won't give you any more trouble.”  Tom's satisfied smile wasn't lost on Lee even though the effects of the drug had him pretty spaced out just now.  Lee's feet dragged behind him as the two guards took his arms on both sides and headed back to the base camp.

 

Tom followed behind, not convinced of a word he had just said to Lee about besting him.  The truth was Lee had gotten nearly three miles in the jungle with enough drugs pumped in him to take down a rhino.  He never should have never gotten as far as he did.  Add to that the fact that Lee had his bearings enough to run in a straight line, without wasting time meandering about as his muddled brain should have.  No, he hadn't settled anything.  Maybe he'd just take his satisfaction knowing that Lee would be out of the picture for good once his contacts got a hold of him.

 

When they reached camp Lee was unceremoniously dumped back in his cell.  He barely heard the door clank shut again, but it didn't really matter, he was done in.  His body wouldn't work anymore, and he could no longer think any thought through to a conclusion.  He remembered Harry was out there somewhere and rested in the hope that he would get to him before Tom could make whatever exchange was going to be made for him.  That was the last thing he could reason out, as he laid there with his eyes open looking up at the ceiling...without seeing anything.

 

* * * * *

 

Harry, Chip and Seaview's extraction team made their way through the jungle as quietly as they could.  They had heard a single rifle shot in the distance ahead and unfortunately, the sound had come from the direction that they were following toward the transponder's beacon.

 

They continued to make their way forward and dropped to their knees short of the clearing ahead.  The enemy base camp from which terrorist activities had been planned out as well as supplied from, lay just ahead of them.

 

“He's in there,” Harry said pointing to a building that was obviously half dug out of the jungle floor in a basement type set-up.  The “basement” had been framed out and sported a roof that was obviously covered in dirt.  There were steps that descended down to the door that had only a few small slats for light.  It would be a dark, damp and most likely, a cold prison cell.

 

“Chip, do a recon run.  I want to know how many in the camp.”

 

Chip nodded and moved stealthily through the jungle to encircle the camp perimeter and count unfriendlies.  About a half hour later he moved back in from the opposite side he had left, and settled in next to Harry.

 

“About a dozen Sir.  Can't be sure of several of the buildings, but the supplies I saw couldn't support much more.”

 

“Alright.  We'll need a diversion.  Chief, lay some canister charges over there,” Harry pointed to a building well away from Lee's cell, “Chip and I will get into position behind the cell.  Kowalski, you and Patterson keep them busy with gunfire.  Watch the crossfire, keep the shots away from the team.”  Ski and Patterson nodded their affirmative and they each moved into position.

 

* * * * *

 

Lee lay in a near catatonic state, he could hear things around him but he couldn't make sense of anything.  A definite explosion caught his attention but all he could do was look straight ahead at the ceiling.  He heard a clanking sound but couldn't connect it to the door opening as he had earlier.

 

“Lee?  Lee!”

 

Something penetrated his foggy mind but the only movement he could manage was his eyes toward the sound of his name.

 

“That's right Lee, it’s me, Nelson.”  

 

He couldn't form any words, but his eyes still carried some expression as somewhere he recognized that Harry had come.  He felt his body being lifted upright and heard Chip on one side.

 

“It’s alright Lee, we'll get you out of here.”

 

He needed to tell Harry about Hatcher and the mole at ONI, but nothing worked.  He felt them drag him out and up the steps and then back into the jungle, and then he lost all awareness.

 

* * * * *

 

Harry and Chip carried Lee out and made the rendezvous with Sharkey, Kowalski and Patterson.  There were too many men in the camp to try and close down the operation, as far as Harry was concerned Johnson would just have to settle for the name of the double agent and the fact that he wouldn't be roaming the halls of ONI any longer. 

 

Harry and his team moved quickly but quietly through the jungle towards FS1.  Harry expected to have pursuers and when they didn't he figured they were making their own hasty retreat.  Once they reached FS1, Ski and Patterson moved Lee into the bunk while Sharkey stowed the gear.  Harry settled in and positioned the throat mic hailing Seaview, as Chip started up the pre-flight.

 

“This is Seaview, go ahead Admiral.”

 

“Patch me through to Admiral Johnson, request a direct link on my personal code.”

 

A few minutes later Johnson was on the line.

 

“What do you have Harriman?”

 

“I'm sending you coordinates.  If you want to get your man you better send assets fast, we barely made it out ourselves.”

 

“What about Crane, did he identify the double agent?”

 

“He must have because he activated the transponder, but when we got there he'd been drugged.  He's totally unresponsive, nearly catatonic.”

 

“Alright, send the coordinates.  We'll try to salvage something out of this.  I want to know the minute Commander Crane can finger our man.”

 

The two Admirals signed off as Chip dove FS1 into the depths to meet up with Seaview.

 

* * * * *

 

Slowly his awareness was beginning to return.  He felt like he had been floating for a long time.  Able to hear things around him, but not able to make a connection to his surroundings, or make sense out of the sounds.  Now slowly, his senses were beginning to return.  He began to smell the scents of sickbay and realized that he knew where he was, even though the noises around him were still not in focus.  Next his hearing returned as he heard his name.

 

“Lee, can you hear me now?  If you can hear me, squeeze my hand.”

 

Lee could hear, but his body wasn't working yet, as a sound of frustration escaped through his breathing.

 

“It’s okay Lee, you're coming out of it.  Be patient.”

 

Lee began to recognize the voice as Jamie's and it seemed as if his eyes started working again just as if someone had turned on a light switch.  It wasn't that he was blind, it was just that nothing made sense.  It was only now that he understood that he was staring up at a bunk overhead. 

 

“Let's try something else.  Lee if you can hear me, blink for me.”

 

Lee willed his eyelids to shut decisively and then to open again.

 

“Good, good Lee.”

 

He could register the relief in Jamie's voice as he felt some control begin to return to his limbs.  He felt someone holding his hand and he squeezed lightly.

 

“I felt that Lee.”  It was Harry.  Lee's face registered a slight smile as Harry squeezed back.  He thought he might be able to speak now and so he tried.

 

“Ad..mir..al,” Lee's voice was airy and slurred.

 

“I'm here Lee.”

 

Lee swallowed, “Hat..cher.”

 

“ONI has him.  Easy now, don't overdo it.”

 

“Some...one...else.”

 

Harry and Chip who had been standing by exchanged glances, “Who Lee?”

 

“Johnson's... receptionist...mole.”

 

Harry squeezed his hand again, “Alright Lee.  I’ll report to Johnson right now.”

 

Harry registered Lee's relief and ran off to make his call as Chip settled down next to him.  Lee still hadn't been able to move even his head, so Chip picked up his hand to let him know he wasn't alone.

 

“Lee, it’s me.”

 

“How...long?”

 

“You've been 'out to lunch' for about fifteen hours,” Chip said with the hint of humor in his voice.

 

“Spaced...out...”

 

“Yeah, I'd say so.  Jamie says it’s wearing off Lee, you're going to be fine.”

 

Lee moved his head slightly and it lolled over toward Chip ungracefully.

 

“Seaview?”

 

“Seaview's fine.”

 

Lee managed a small smile and then his eyes closed as he fell into a much needed natural sleep.

 

* * * * *

 

Lee was sitting up in bed resting against pillows wearing his blue robe and looking much stronger.  Harry was sitting in a chair next to him as they talked.

 

“You had me scared that time Lee,” Harry said with a small smile.

 

“Scared myself,” Lee admitted, “Hatcher said it was only supposed to slow down my reflexes.”

 

“Jamie thinks that the run through the jungle spread the drug through your system too fast.  It may have even interacted with the adrenalin.”

 

Lee nodded his agreement with the supposition.  “Was Johnson able to get the receptionist?”

 

Harry nodded, he had told Lee about this earlier but the drug had still been playing tricks with Lee's system.

 

“She's been taken into custody.  Her bank account is showing some interesting deposit dates that correlate with blown missions.”

 

Lee nodded his head.  He never did understand people like Tom Hatcher or his girlfriend receptionist.  If Tom was so upset with ONI why didn't he just quit?  He couldn't fathom turning traitor, or betraying fellow operatives. 

 

“I spoke with Johnson.  He's requesting your AAR* tomorrow.”

 

“That's fine Admiral.  I'm feeling better, really.  And Admiral...thanks for backing me up on this one.”  Lee's sincerity showed forth in his eyes as he cracked a small smile that Harry knew well. 

 

“I wouldn't have had it any other way Lee.”

 

* * * * *

 

A week later, Lee and Harry were back in Washington for their final debriefing.  It had been a long day, and Lee admittedly felt tired and fatigued even though Jamie had declared him fit for duty, having determined that there were no lingering side effects of the drug.  Lee was glad to finally be able to put a close on this mission.  It was never easy to expose a double agent.  Trust was something that was a luxury out in the field, but if you couldn't trust your fellow operatives then the field was an even more dark and lonely place.

 

Lee and Harry made their way to Admiral Johnson's office, their final stop before leaving.  Both were dressed in their full service dress blue uniforms with jackets and their covers tucked under their arms indoors.  They were escorted into his office immediately and Lee was surprised to see several other flag ranking officers in Johnson's office as well.

 

Admiral Johnson dispensed with the normal introductions and pleasantries to step from behind his desk and approach Harry and Lee.

 

“Front and center Commander.” 

 

Lee moved forward and stood at attention, his naval training taking over his curiosity at the unusual formalness that Johnson was now exhibiting.

 

“Commander Crane, your country wishes to honor the effort of your last mission.  You performed your duty without regard for your personal safety and restored to this office its fine tradition of protecting the United States of America.  I also want to extend my personal gratitude for your part in the mission.  Your willingness to accept the mission was commendable, as was your ability to carry it off.”

 

“Thank you Sir, but it wouldn't have been possible without my extraction team,” Lee offered graciously and within full military decorum.

 

“I understand Commander.  But seeing how they aren't on the payroll, I can only offer you this honor.”  Lee stood at attention staring straight ahead as Admiral Johnson pulled out a service award pin for valor.  “You've been awarded this service decoration.  And as your commanding officer, I'd like to say that I'm proud of you.”

 

Lee was obviously taken by surprise.  He knew how important the mission was, but like he told Hatcher, he didn't do this for recognition.  Still, he knew this was an honor and he truly appreciated Admiral Johnson's faith in him to have gone to bat for him.  These types of awards usually took months   going through the Pentagon’s red tape.  

 

“Thank you Sir.  It's my honor to serve and I accept it gratefully.”

 

Admiral Johnson handed the service award to Lee, as Lee saluted accepting the ribbon bar with a soft smile.  Harry and the other Admirals made their way toward Lee as he shook all their hands. 

 

Hatcher was wrong.  What they did mattered, whether there was recognition or not.  And he was just as sure that although it was still possible he could end up as an unmarked star that he wasn't just a pawn, but a vital part in the effort to keep his country free.  It was Admiral Johnson's tough duty to assign missions, and his tough duty to accept them.

 

Harry stood off with a satisfied smile on his face watching Lee receive the accolades that he deserved.  He took a suicide mission in an effort to save other operatives' lives from the treachery of a double agent.  His service pin would be added to all his other ribbons and would be appropriately lost on his chest with no further fanfare, but he deserved the thanks of his nation.  His smile widened, although Shakespeare's famous and wise quote said that “discretion was the better part of valor”, he knew that in the spy game that wasn't always true.  Discretion was often a luxury for the field operative.  Discretion would have dictated that Lee should have stayed safe and sound on the submarine while another operative played the bait.  No, the better part of valor was what he read many times in another book, “no greater love has a man than to lay down his life for his friends.”**  That's what drove Lee.  That's what they were honoring here today.  As he looked at Lee, Harry was sure that he was now witnessing the better part of valor.

 

 

 

The End

 

The Better Part of Valor  

 

 

 

*AAR – After Action Report

 

**Paraphrased from John 15:13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright 2013, All Rights Reserved

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and her main characters belong to Irwin Allen