An early Second Season Story...

 

 

Eye of the Beholder

 

by Lynn

 

 

“Welcome aboard Dr. Armstrong,” Captain Lee Crane greeted with a warm smile as he welcomed his guest topside on Seaview's deck.  Dr. Terrell Armstrong and his assistant John Price crossed the gangplank and offered a handshake mixed with a familiar excitement Lee saw often when guests first boarded Harriman Nelson's wonder boat, the Seaview.

 

“Thank you Captain Crane,” Dr. Armstrong replied as he sighed in pure delight taking in the sleek, graceful, yet overpowering conning tower rising above the deck majestically.  Seaview was currently docked in San Diego specifically to take on their guests.

 

“Tell me Captain, is Admiral Nelson aboard?” Armstrong asked perusing the deck as he spoke.

 

“The Admiral had some last minute details to attend to, he'll be aboard shortly,” Lee assured his guest as he motioned a crewman over to escort the pair below.

 

“Now if you'll follow Seaman Riley he'll guide you to your assigned quarters.  Our departure is scheduled in an hour, you're welcome to watch from the Nose,” Lee offered graciously.  His khaki uniform sat sharply on his lean frame, the service jacket tailored for his broad shoulders and tapered appropriately for his slender waist.  His dark hair was contrasted by the khaki service cap that he wore smartly, the whole uniform worn confidently and full of decorum by the able captain.

 

“Thank you Captain Crane.  I can assure you I've been looking forward to this for a long time.”

 

Lee returned Armstrong's excitement with a pleasant smile as Stu Riley escorted Seaview's guests below.  Lee lingered on deck watching his efficient crew and checking his watch casually, only a few minutes passed before he was rewarded with a dark sedan arriving at the dock.  He smiled easily as Admiral Harriman Nelson deboarded from the backseat carrying a briefcase.

 

“Good morning Admiral,” Lee greeted.

 

“Good morning Lee.  Have our guests arrived?”

 

“Aye Sir, they're being escorted to their quarters now.”

 

“Good, good,” Harry answered in a tone that reflected his excitement for Seaview's latest mission.  The morning air was pleasant, the approaching heat of the day tempered by the gentle sea breeze as Harry and Lee crossed the deck for the conning tower hatch.

 

“Care to join me on the bridge Admiral?” Lee asked as he reached for the rung inside the tower.

 

“I think I better check on our guests, Lee,” Harry returned taking the rungs downward to the Control Room.

 

Lee ascended the ladder where the look-out on watch was waiting.

 

“You're relieved Weldon,” he ordered in an easy tone.

 

“Aye Sir,” the Rating returned, surrendering his glasses as Lee reached for the mic.

 

“Mr. Morton I have the Con, inform me when our departure clearance has been secured.”

 

“Aye Sir,” was heard as Lee looked over his boat with pride.  He glanced at his watch, noting the time and intending to stay perched in the sail to oversee the launching, rendering orders for the tricky departure from the Bridge.

 

* * * * *

 

Seaview launched an hour later sailing majestically as the waters broke across her bow.

 

“All ahead standard; prepare to dive,” he ordered from the Bridge as he secured the mic and descended down the sail with a seaman dogging the hatches behind him.  Lee hopped to the Control Room deck and headed straight for the Chart Table.  He noticed Dr. Armstrong and Mr. Price positioned in the nose with the Admiral, but ignored them as he made ready to dive the boat.

 

“All green.  The boat is secure and awaiting your orders, Sir,” Chip reported as Lee made a quick sweep with his eyes of the situation boards across the Control Room.

 

“Very well, Mr. Morton.  Dive the boat, make her depth ninety feet,” he ordered, reaching for the log book.

 

“Aye, Aye Skipper.  Dive, dive, dive,” he ordered as the klaxons rang loudly three times.  Subsequent orders were given to flood the ballast tanks and lower the planes as Seaview sunk effortlessly into the depths of the Pacific Ocean.

 

“Sir, the boat is at ninety feet, trim satisfactory.”

 

“Very well.  Turn to heading zero-eight-five and proceed at standard,” Lee ordered as he signed off the log and turned to his guests.  Chip's efficient orders were heard in the background as Lee made his way forward to the nose.

 

“Very impressive, Captain Crane,” Dr. Armstrong complimented.  “Not only this fantastic submarine, but your able seamanship is just as remarkable,” he finished paying high praise indeed to Seaview's Master and Commander.

 

“Thank you, Dr. Armstrong.  Seaview's a fine boat with a fine crew, together they make any Captain look good,” Lee added, deflecting the praise to the men around him, something that wasn't missed by the crewmen within earshot.

 

“Ah yes, but a boat and a crew in the hands of an able captain makes quite a combination,” Armstrong continued as Lee nodded and smiled politely, accepting the compliment graciously.

 

“I hope you found your accommodations suitable, sometimes our guests are surprised at the tight quarters on board,” Lee added as he moved toward the carafe and poured himself a cup of coffee, joining the scientists and Harry at the conference table.

 

“Oh I'm no stranger to the tight quarters on many seafaring vessels, Captain.  I found our quarters quite roomy.”

 

The atmosphere was pleasant and the conversation easy as Lee silently decided that Seaview's guests were a welcome change from some of the egotistical scientists Seaview had previously hosted.  His satisfaction was duly noted by Harry who passed his own tight lipped smile of contentment Lee's way, pleased with both the Boat and her Captain's performance.

 

* * * * *

 

Seaview's nose was transformed into a dining room in honor of reaching their week long journey's destination.  They were currently station-keeping for the evening on the edge of a deep trench as Seaview sat trimmed at 2,500 feet, just 500 feet above the ocean floor some 1,000 yards off the trench.  Her position, while still well within crush depth was a wonder as there were very few subs able to dive this deep and even fewer that could follow Seaview down further.

 

“Gentlemen, here's to exploration!”  Admiral Nelson toasted with a raised glass.  All the dinner guests raised their glasses in agreements as “Hear, Hear,” was repeated with equal enthusiasm.  The Command Team; Harry, Lee, Chip and Dr. Will Jamieson were joined by the two visiting scientists as the excitement of the next day's experiments dictated the change in view from the usual meals taken in the Wardroom. 

 

The experiments consisted of making observations at depth, the excitement stemmed from the opportunities to categorize a new species of nautilus pompilius, more commonly known as the chambered nautilus, a mollusk and part of the cephalopod family.  What made this exploration so exciting was the recent blurry picture of such a mollusk swimming and propelling itself quite happily at 3,500 feet, some 900 feet below the shelled creature's known “crush depth”.  The blurry picture was a still snapped off the film of an unmanned deep sea submersible exploring the depths last year.  The researchers didn't know what they had at the time, as the nautilus was only visible for 1.3 seconds on the film before it moved out of the view of the unmanned vehicle.  The discovery had taken the marine scientific community by storm and the fact that NIMR had been chosen to investigate had underscored the Institute's standing in the world of oceanography.  The chance of cataloging new life was thrilling, but the opportunity to document the cephalopod's shell to withstand the tremendous pressures opened up a whole new set of possibilities; including the prospect of engineering submarines to dive even deeper than Seaview.  It was all too much for Harry to pass up and Lee was presently enjoying the boy-like excitement oozing out of the Admiral and his two guests.

 

The floodlights on Seaview's nose lit up both an eerie and beautiful world seen by very few humans.  The creatures at this depth were uncommonly strange as if they came from another world all together. 

 

“Is Apple One ready for launching?” Harry asked Seaview's Captain in easy conversation.  Harry and Dr. Armstrong would make the dive with Chief Sharkey serving as their pilot, allowing the two scientists to focus their attention on the exploration.

 

“Chip?” Lee deferred to Seaview's first officer for the update even though he was fully briefed on the readiness of the Bell.

 

“Aye Sir.  The Bell is in ship-shape condition and ready to dive,” Chip answered.

 

“How about FS1?” Harry asked, mentally going through an informal check list before the excitement began the next morning.

 

“Aye Sir, the Flying Sub is fit and ready for action,” Lee answered with a gleam in his eye.  The flying submersible had emerged as Lee's “baby” almost from the moment he began training.  He was a certified multi-engine pilot and had accumulated jet experience having been trained for various contingencies as an ONI Operative.  So when Harry rolled out the plans for FS1 shortly after he signed onto Seaview a year ago, he nearly salivated at the opportunity to fly her.  He was even more surprised to find out that the flying sub was already in manufacturing and nearing her trials.  Now, just a year later along with Seaview's retrofit to house FS1, Lee had managed to rack up a considerable amount of “flight” time in the flying sub.

 

“And your co-pilot?” Harry continued.

 

“I'm taking Stu Riley,” Lee returned easily as Harry smiled trying to suppress the humorous picture in his mind of the two thrill-seekers drawing off each other's excitement for flying FS1.  He could almost imagine the two trying to out-do the other in maneuvers meant to push the envelope of the submersible's intended use.  All joking aside, both Lee and Stu were responsible pilots, even if Lee did push FS1's performance to the max on occasion.

 

The flying sub's mission was just as important as the diving bell, as the cephalopods divided their time between the deep depths during their “daytime” and shallower depths at “night” to feed among the coral.  The expectation of finding the new chambered nautilus was heightened as the area hosted a cold-water coral reef.  The deep-sea corals housed the type of food the nautilus found tasty and hence the excitement of a find had built.  John Price would accompany Lee and Stu on the expedition. 

 

Though FS1's expeditions weren't limited, the Bell's dives were.  A maximum of three dives would be allowed over the next three days and Jamie had the authority to end the dives at any point.  This limitation only added to the intrigue of the exploration and fueled the necessity to make every dive count.

 

“Very well, Gentlemen.  I propose we all turn in, get a good night's sleep and be ready to explore the depths in the morning,” Harry proposed in a rather good mood that had nothing to do with the wine they had just toasted with.

 

“Of course, Admiral,” Dr. Armstrong replied as he and Price rose from their seats.  “And may I say, that we are about to embark upon a great discovery... I can just feel it!”

 

Lee watched as the nose emptied and then opened the crash doors, making it easier for the stewards to clear the remains of dinner away.  Chip followed him into the Control Room as they both checked the duty stations and conferred with the Watch Officer.  Finding everything in order Lee snuck out the aft hatch to walk his boat before turning in.  Tomorrow would be a big day and walking the boat right now was just the thing he needed to unwind.

 

* * * * *

 

FS1 was launched first with the Bell following, being lowered into the trench as Seaview hovered 1,000 feet over the abyss. 

 

“Have a good dive, Sir,” Chip said as Harry boarded the diving bell with a satisfied grin.

 

“Thank you, Chip.  See you in four hours.”

 

“Aye Sir,” Chip added as he closed the hatch, dogging it firmly for the launch.

 

“Lower away, Ski,” He ordered, supervising the dive personally with Chief Sharkey piloting the Bell. 

 

Harry sat back for the descent, aiding Sharkey with the pilot duties which had little to do with “steering” the Bell as it was dropped from a tether line, but the constant monitoring of the environmental controls and situation lights required someone whose attention was not divided by the scientific endeavor.   In addition, once at their target depth Sharkey would be able to use small thrusters to slightly turn the Bell for better observations. 

 

The Bell reached its target depth as the floodlights lit up a world not accustomed to light.  Unusually bright, luminescent fish swam by as both Harry and Dr. Armstrong exchanged delighted glances.  Each noted every species as they swam by while the Bell's mounted video camera recorded the sea life within view of the floodlights. 

 

* * * * *

 

Lee guided FS1 to the sea mount, a deep sea coral reef with a plethora of sea life even at their current depth of 3,000 feet.  Seaview was positioned a half mile away at 2,000 feet, hovering over the trench with the Bell dangling below, so the only lights illuminating the reef was what FS1 was providing.  They moved into position as John Price unbuckled his seat belt and moved forward, resting both hands on the backs of the pilots' chairs for support.  His vantage gave him an opportunity to guide Lee to where he thought the shelled creature might most likely frequent.  Their observations were being recorded by Riley who held the portable camera in position manually from his co-pilot's chair.

 

After several hours of observations it was time to head back to Seaview.

 

“Just a few minutes more, Captain?” Price asked, barely avoiding begging.  His enthusiasm was almost humorous as Lee kept a straight face and nodded.

 

“Sorry Mr. Price.  We're on a schedule.  FS1 needs to dock before we start hauling the Bell up.”

 

Price sighed in resignation and took his seat, looking longingly at the mount in front of him.

 

“Don't worry, Price.  We'll be back tomorrow,” Lee assured him as he turned his attention to his co-pilot who was stowing the camera away.

 

“Riley, how about you take us in.  We can use the opportunity to get your 'dock time' in.”

 

Stu smiled widely.  “Aye, aye Sir,” excited for the opportunity to pilot the craft and docking was half the fun.  Staying current required three dockings every six months and as usual, the Skipper was thinking ahead.

 

Lee responded to Stu's enthusiasm with a slight grin as he released the controls and reached for his throat mic to contact Seaview.

 

* * * * *

 

The docking went smoothly, Lee's decision to allow Riley to dock a testament to his confidence in the young pilot as the tricky procedure was executed with the Bell still engaged at depth.  Nonetheless, Lee remained vigilant to assume command if the situation warranted.  He wasn't disappointed in Stu's skills as the flying sub settled smoothly into her berth.  Both he and Riley quickly flipped switches as Riley ran skillfully through the shut-down checklist.  In a few minutes they were climbing the ladder up to Seaview's Nose.

 

“Report Mr. O'Brien,” Lee said barely clearing the hatch as a seaman took his flight jacket and secured the hatch behind him.

 

“Seaview is secure at 2,000 feet, trim satisfactory.  Mr. Morton is waiting your word to retrieve the Bell, Sir.”

 

“Very well, inform Mr. Morton that FS1 is docked and the word is given to retrieve the Bell.  If you need me, I'll be in the Missile Room,” he fired off as he turned and laid a friendly hand on Stu's shoulder.

 

“Good work, Riley.  Nice smooth dock,” he added with an easy smile and headed aft.

 

“Thank you Skipper,” Riley replied taking over his assigned duty station at hydrophones.

 

* * * * *

 

“How's it going?”  Lee asked, siding up next to Chip as Kowalski worked the winch while Price settled out of the way, observing the Bell's retrieval.

 

“Everything's A-OK, it was a smooth dive,” Chip reported as Lee offered a satisfying nod and headed to the mic.

 

“Admiral this is Crane.”

 

“Go ahead Lee.”

 

“We're back on board, Sir.  No contact but plenty of film for you to examine.”

 

“Very well Lee.  No contact here, but we're not empty handed.  We've got plenty of observations to catalog,” Harry replied and then signed off.

 

Lee could hear Harry's satisfied tone, but he couldn't fully relax yet, not until the Bell was safely aboard. 

 

“Inform me when the Bell is secure, Chip.  I'll be in the Control Room.”

 

“Aye Sir.  Should be back within the hour.”

 

“May I wait here, Captain?” Price asked respectfully.

 

“Of course Mr. Price,” Lee answered and headed back to the Control Room.

 

* * * * *

 

Apple One was retrieved without a hitch as Lee returned to the Missile Room to greet the occupants of the Bell.

 

“Welcome back, Admiral,” Lee offered as Harry deboarded.

 

“Thank you Lee.  I'd be interested in seeing the film right away,” Harry noted.

 

“Aye Sir.  I've already sent it to the lab.”

 

“Good.  Well Dr. Armstrong, let's say we meet in the Wardroom, debrief over lunch and then we can start cataloging our observations,” Harry said turning toward Armstrong who was conversing quietly with Price.

 

“Very good Admiral Nelson.  If you don't mind I'll freshen up in my cabin first and meet you there in say, thirty minutes?”

 

“Fine.  Lee will you join us?  I'm interested in hearing about your expedition as well.”

 

“Aye Sir.  I'll be there in half an hour,” Lee replied as he and Chip headed to the Control Room to maneuver Seaview away from the trench and station-keep for the evening.

 

* * * * *

 

Price followed Dr. Armstrong into his cabin and closed the door behind him, locking it quietly.

 

“What did you find out?” Armstrong whispered as Price closed the distance, speaking in hushed tones.

 

“It's still intact.  I could feel our comrades, their awareness was just returning as we had to leave.  I couldn't make contact.”

 

“But you felt their presence?” Armstrong asked in relief.

 

“Yes, if we had only stayed a little longer...”

 

“Tomorrow then,” Armstrong interrupted, as Price smiled and nodded in agreement.

 

* * * * *

 

“Lower away,” Chip ordered as the bay doors were opened and the Bell was positioned for her descent for day two of the trench exploration.  FS1 had already launched and Chip was being kept apprised of her position via reports from Lt. O'Brien.

 

“Aye Sir, lower away,” Ski repeated as he manned the winch once again.  He would have loved to have been tagged to ride shot-gun in the flying sub, but everyone had been placed in their critical duty stations for the dive based on their skills.  The winch could be tricky and the Skipper wasn't taking anything for granted, besides it was good for Riley to stay current in FS1.  The kid had come a long way from the carefree surfer dude who signed onto Seaview only four months ago.  He and his surfer friends had saved the Skipper when an ONI mission followed the Captain back home and he was subsequently beaten and drugged in a quest for information.*  The Admiral had been impressed with the young man and offered him a coveted spot on Seaview's crew.  Ski and Pat had taken him under their wings and helped him to shed his surfer lingo.  Well almost, he still slid into it from time to time, something no one seemed to mind except Chief Sharkey. 

 

Ski put his full attention on monitoring the Bell's descent.  It was going to be a smooth ride if he had anything to say about it.

 

* * * * *

 

Lee navigated FS1 back to the sea mount where the deep sea coral reef was found.  Price had indicated a position that he thought would produce the best chance of spotting the so far elusive mollusk.  This type of research might seem trivial to some, but he had to admit, a shelled sea creature that could withstand the depths of the trench was fascinating.  The chambered nautilus was so named for the chambered shells that surrounded their bodies.  The sea creature in question hatched from an egg and was only about an inch in diameter at birth, their life span was believed to be twenty years at which point they would have grown to a length of about eight inches.  Each growth spurt was accompanied by a new chamber added to the shell, thus the nautilus was so named.  But the most important part of the discovery as far as Lee was concerned, was the study of how the beautiful, thin and delicate shells were able to withstand the pressures of the deep.  This study could lead to an engineering breakthrough to produce boats with deeper diving capabilities, and that possibility fueled Lee's interest tremendously.

 

“How's this, Mr. Price?” Lee asked, at ease with the dive and efficiently handling the flying sub.

 

“This is good,” Price answered, a bit distractedly.

 

Lee placed FS1 in neutral buoyancy and powered down as he laid-to Price's specified observation point as Riley reached for the camera once again.  Price again stood behind the pilot's with both hands on the backs of their chairs to steady himself.  Neither Lee nor Riley noticed Price's eyes close in an almost meditative gesture as each busied themselves with their current duties.

 

* * * * *

 

Price closed his eyes and reached out to his comrades deep within the sea mount.  One by one they began calling back to him as their awareness returned from over 3,500 years of sonic sleep; aware of their existence but unaware of the passage of time.  They held in their beings the knowledge that their Commander and Science Officer had jettisoned after the crash landing in order to seek the fuel they needed to raise their star cruiser and continue their journey back to their home planet.  They were a whole civilization by now, though they started as a colonial outpost, but their host planet had to be abandoned as their Star approached a super nova.  The thriving community began preparing for their journey back to their home planet and now the entire population of the colonial outpost was awakening to the stimuli of the Science Officer's beckon.

 

Price's mouth twitched with a half-smile; they were awakening, slowly at first but one by one they added their voices to their comrade's as Price began to absorb the energy of their thoughts.  It was both gratifying and stimulating, as the life force of the colonials charged through his body in a symbiotic relationship where Price's awareness fed them and called them out of their sleep.  In return, the charge of their awareness built until Price was in near ecstasy.  He needed to release some of the power their contact was producing as his human frame couldn't continue to host the large influx of energy wielding through his body.  He expelled a breath as a green light shot first through his eyes and then pierced his skin as it rapidly moved downward, dividing at the base of his neck to his shoulders and moving rapidly down his arms finally shooting out through his fingertips.  The energy dispersed with great force into the pilots' chairs just as Stu Riley leaned back, his body making contact with Price's right hand.  Expelling the energy was as charging to Price's existence as making contact as he reveled in the power coursing through his human body.  He wasn't draining energy from his comrades, just experiencing their life force through their mind's connection.  As he expelled the energy more Colonials greeted him until his grip on the pilots' chairs was accompanied with a fierce shaking as the tremendous energy absorbed into the seat and its occupants.  Price's whole body began to shake until the human confines of his being could stand the connection no longer as he fell unconscious and the Colonials instinctively withdrew.  Price crumbled to the deck, unaware that the pilots were also unconscious, slumped forward in their seats.

 

* * * * *

(In the flying sub, just before Price makes contact...)

 

Lee was busy placing the flying sub in position for Price to make his observations.  He checked in with Seaview, establishing their position and making the first of several scheduled radio checks.  He powered down the thrusters and adjusted trim for neutral buoyancy as Riley reached for the portable camera once again.

 

Lee was aware of Price as he stood slightly behind both chairs and figured he was concentrating as the scientist had said very few words since pointing out their target location for observations.  The floodlights lit the reef directly in front of them as the deep sea anenomies danced with the underwater currents and the sea life swimming around it.  Suddenly the lighting within FS1 took on a strange green hue as Lee responded in concern.

 

“What is that?” He barely got out, not even having time to turn around as Riley slightly lowered the camera and leaned back into his chair in response to the Captain's tone.  Almost immediately Lee began feeling the sensation of an electric shock as his body was frozen in place, unable to move as the current ran through his body producing exquisite pain.  Even his vocal chords were frozen as his body began to shake violently with the shock.  The seconds dragged out until his awareness let go and his eyes rolled to the back of his head, he was already unconscious even before Price fell to the deck, releasing the energy for good. 

 

The power dispersed throughout FS1 as sparks shot out over the master console, the electronics not capable of receiving the load of energy.  The lights blinked off as the emergency red lights flickered on, even as FS1 lost trim heading nose first into the soft sand below them.  A thud accompanied her hard landing on the ocean floor, but all three occupants of the flying sub were unaware of her current predicament.  Each was out soundly, with Lee slumped forward and the strawberry blond head of Stu Riley hanging limply.  His body had made direct contact with the energy when he inadvertently leaned back against Price's hand, the subsequent shock he took more powerful and dangerous than Crane's, which had been partially absorbed through his chair. 

 

The occupants of the yellow manta like submarine were unaware of the passing of time as the eerie silence of the dark sea, no longer illuminated by FS1's floodlights, was interrupted by the crackling of the submersible's radio and the faint sounds of Seaview's desperate calls to hail her.

 

* * * * *

 

“Seaview to FS1, come in FS1.”  Sparks' hails were becoming more insistent as Lt. Robert O'Brien, Bobby to his friends, crossed the deck to inquire what the Senior Communication's Officer was dealing with.

 

“FS1 is ten minutes late for her check-in and she's not responding to communications,” Sparks answered, even before Bobby could ask.

 

“Keep trying, I'll inform Mr. Morton.”

 

He moved behind the plexiglas situation board walking toward sonar where Pat was turning dials and sharpening the fix on his contact.

 

“Do you still have FS1 on sonar?” Bobby asked, wanting all relevant information before he contacted the XO.

 

“Aye Sir, she's right where she's supposed to be, except now she's on the bottom,” Pat answered.  The fact that FS1 was on the bottom wasn't of any major concern as the Skipper may have put her there to collect samples.

 

Bobby nodded and reached for the mic.

 

“Control Room to Missile Room.”

 

“Missile Room aye.  What do you have Mr. O'Brien?” Chip answered quickly.

 

“Sir, FS1 missed her radio check and is not responding to our hails.  She's still positioned at the sea mount, but on the bottom Sir.”

 

“How long has she been out of radio contact?”

 

“Sparks just reported it.   He's been trying to raise FS1 for the last ten minutes; she missed her thirty minute radio check so it's been forty minutes since our last contact.”

 

“Have him stay on it, I'll contact the Admiral.”

 

“Aye Sir,” Bobby answered, shipping the mic and leaning over Pat's shoulders to verify FS1's position.

 

“Keep a good watch Pat.”

 

“Aye Sir,” was heard as Bobby headed back to the radio shack.

 

* * * * *

 

Harry and Dr. Armstrong were deeply engrossed in their observations as a familiar shelled creature with nearly a hundred small tentacles propelled across the port hole.

 

“There!” Harry exclaimed.  “Are cameras rolling Sharkey?”

 

“Aye Sir,” Sharkey said after checking the on-board time and date stamp happily clicking away her recording.

 

“There it is again!” Dr. Armstrong joined in, just as excited.

 

“No, it's not the same one.  See!  There are two!” Harry said in a barely controlled tone as the scientific exploration had produced a payload with the two sightings, on film no less!

 

“We're fortunate to make these observations,” Armstrong noted.  “The chambered nautilus can propel itself up to two knots in speed.”

 

“Yes, that's why the original film was so blurry and inconclusive,” Harry responded, dividing his attention between his conversation and his observations.  He was totally immersed in his work and subsequently paid no attention to the radio call coming in.  Sharkey was handling all radio checks and transmissions and the hail would be routine and not requiring of his attention anyway. 

 

“Seaview to Bell, come in Bell.”

 

“This is Apple One, go ahead Mr. Morton.”

 

“Chief, I need to speak to Admiral Nelson at once.  Top priority,” Chip added.

 

Sharkey raised an eyebrow as his forehead furled.  He was sure glad it was the XO doing the asking to interrupt the Admiral, 'cause he sure wasn't brave enough to get in between the man and his current scientific discovery just now.

 

“Ah Sir?” He called to Harry sheepishly to which Harry responded with an “I'm in the middle of something important” look.

 

“Yes Chief,” Harry answered, responding as the professional he was even though Seaview's COB was interrupting one of the most fascinating discoveries of modern oceanography.

 

“Mr. Morton wants to speak with you, Sir.  Top priority,” Sharkey reported holding the mic out for Harry to take.

 

Harry took the mic but kept his attention focused outside for the opportunity to see the cephalopods once again.

 

“Admiral, it looks like FS1 has run into some trouble.”

 

Harry's eyebrows tightened.  “What kind of trouble?”

 

“Unknown Sir.  She missed her last radio check and Sparks is unable to raise her.  She's currently sitting on the bottom near the sea mount.”

 

Dr. Armstrong sat back with concern etched across his face as Harry nodded. 

 

“Very well, Chip.  Start hauling us up.  Notify me immediately if communications are restored.”

 

“Aye Sir.”

 

Harry sighed, the excitement of their discovery tempered by FS1's current unknown predicament.

 

“I'm sorry Dr. Armstrong, but we'll have to cut this dive short,” Harry said turning toward his scientific counterpart, expecting a mini tantrum for the aborted dive.

 

“I understand Admiral.  Exploration is one thing, but our people are much more important,” he answered as Harry pursed his lips and nodded his agreement.  A moment later the upward tug of the Bell was felt as Seaview hauled up the highly sophisticated bathysphere.

 

* * * * *

 

The Bell's ascent took an hour as she was finally brought aboard and placed gently on the missile room deck.  The bay doors were secured as Ski opened the hatch with the Admiral the first to deboard.

 

“Any contact?” Harry asked as he and Chip walked quickly for the hatch.

 

“No Sir, but something's definitely wrong.  Even if it was just a radio failure, Lee would have abandoned the exploration and returned to Seaview.”

 

Harry nodded, well aware of the protocol.  “Let's get Seaview in place for an emergency retrieval,” Harry ordered.

 

Chip had already anticipated such a move and had issued orders for O'Brien and the Control Room to stand-by as they anxiously awaited orders to intercept FS1.

 

* * * * *

 

Lee was unconscious but his awareness was beginning to return as tendrils of pain screamed across his body.  He was remotely aware of his body being lifted from the hatch and placed on the deck, the surrounding sounds around him began to hone in from indiscernible noises to distinctive voices as he realized an oxygen mask was being held over his face. 

 

“...And there was an electrical short of some kind... the panels starting sparking... and that's the last I remember.”

 

Lee heard the voice of John Price reciting something that sounded important.  For his part, he really didn't know why he was lying on the deck in pain.  His eyes fluttered open as he turned one direction to see Jamie hovering over Stu Riley who was getting the full attention of the medical staff at present.  He didn't look too good as Lee raised his hand to brush the oxygen away.

 

“Easy Lee,” Chip's concerned voice was heard as Lee's head lolled toward his voice.  Chip was currently holding the oxygen mask to his face but let off as Seaview's Captain seemed to be coming around.  Lee caught the auburn red hair of Harry standing behind him as he questioned Price, who was standing just out of view with Dr. Armstrong beside him.

 

“What happened?” Lee asked, straining through the pain as he spoke.  Harry turned immediately towards Lee's voice and dropped to take a knee beside the downed Captain.

 

“Admiral?” Lee asked dazed as his eyes swept around the room.  Suddenly his countenance changed as Lee lunged forward.

 

“Admiral!” He yelled looking straight at Seaview's visiting scientists with concern, shock, and even fear running across his face as both Harry and Chip restrained Lee's shoulders to keep him in place.

 

“Admiral,” Lee pleaded, needing for Harry to understand, but the physical exertion on top of his recent ordeal and the accompanying pain took its toll as he blacked out falling back heavily, his head barely avoiding painful contact with the deck had Chip not caught him in time.  As he lost consciousness he struggled to understand the orange faces with piercing green eyes that glared back at him as he looked into the anything-but-human faces of John Price and Dr. Terrell Armstrong.

 

“Jamie?” Harry called as Seaview's CMO motioned a corpsman over to Lee.

 

“He's stable Sir,” Frank reported having quickly examined Lee's vitals as Jamie nodded, still focusing his attention on Riley.

 

“Alright.  Let's get them to Sickbay,” Jamie ordered concerned for both his patients, but focusing his care on young Stu Riley who was lying too close to death at present.

 

* * * * *

 

“What happened?” Armstrong demanded in hushed tones as he spoke with his Science Officer.

 

“Our Comrades' awareness peaked and I had to discharge some of the energy.  I'm sorry Sir, they were just too excited to temper their greetings and I just couldn't ignore them,” Price offered as Armstrong sighed and nodded.

 

“I understand, but we now have several new problems,” Armstrong said, running a hand through his thick brown hair, worn barbered on the sides but sporting ample locks on top.

 

“The young one is precariously ill.  With the flying sub damaged, Admiral Nelson may scrap the expedition if he perceives the young one's life is in danger,” Armstrong continued.  “Then there's the problem with Captain Crane...”

 

“Yes, he obviously saw through our Semblance to our true features,” Price interrupted.

 

“Possibly.  I want to verify this, perhaps the electric shock immuned him to the Semblance, negating our disguises.  I will position myself in Sickbay to test his awareness of our true being.” He suggested as Price nodded in agreement.

 

“Very well Commander.”

 

Armstrong placed a reassuring hand on Price's shoulder.  “We are close my friend,” he said retrospectively.  After more than 3,500 years and waiting for multiple life times within their human restraints, technology had finally caught up with the earth's inhabitants as the deep diving capabilities of Seaview and her nuclear reactor provided the pair with the means by which they could free their people from their underwater prison. 

 

“Very close,” he repeated.

 

* * * * *

 

Jamie watched as Stu Riley lay deeply unconscious and completely still, but thankfully breathing on his own.  He was attached to several machines monitoring various functions, including his heart.  An oxygen cannula had been employed and the burn on his left shoulder had been treated.  Jamie could only conclude that he had come in contact with one of the sparking consoles, although he wondered just how it happened as he was found strapped into his chair.  He took Riley's latest vitals and marked it on his chart, stopping for just a moment to place his hand on the forehead of his baby face, even though he had already taken his temperature.

 

“Jamie?”  Harry called quietly as Seaview's doctor turned toward his voice.

 

“He's critical but stable, Admiral.”

 

“FS1 is going to need a complete overhaul.  Chip has a DC Team on it now.  Can he hold out?”

 

Jamie nodded tiredly.  “Yes, I think so.”

 

“Can Seaview stay in the area until we finish conducting an investigation into the incident?”

 

“I'm doing all that can be done for him at this point, whether it's here or in a hospital.  I think we need to know what caused this,” Jamie added, balancing the needs of his patients with the need to know if a major malfunction or mis-engineering in FS1 could have caused this catastrophic event.

 

“What about Captain Crane?” Harry said turning his attention to the dark haired man lying in the next bunk.

 

“He's coming out of it nicely.  He doesn't seem to be affected to the same degree as Riley here.”

 

Harry's relief was barely visible, but Jamie knew it was there.  He had watched the growing relationship between Seaview's creator and her Captain.  At first he'd say they were as close as brothers, but recently he had privately upgraded that thought as he recognized an almost paternal element emerge among the two.  It was very subtle, with both being as stubborn as ever in their respective resolves where the Boat was concerned, but it was there nonetheless.  Jamie also recognized that he and the Skipper had developed a strong, if not strange friendship of their own.  Almost a friendly antagonism, with Jamie emerging as Lee's medical nemesis as Seaview's Captain opposed most treatment that kept him in bed.  Their usual banter really a game of wits and stubbornness, mixed with the realities of Lee's medical conditions that often required Jamie to pull medical rank on his Skipper.  For all the conflict, however, their trust and friendship was growing with each unfortunate visit Lee made to Sickbay.

 

“Hello Admiral Nelson.  I was quite concerned with your men and wondered if I might be of assistance to your doctor?” Armstrong inquired politely, just entering Sickbay.

 

Harry deferred to Jamie's judgment, nodding the conversation over to Seaview's doctor.

 

“Thank you Dr. Armstrong, but there really isn't much we can do but wait.  Seaman Riley is stable at this point, but much too weak.  Even if FS1 was able to launch, I'm afraid the transfer would be too much for him.  Captain Crane is recovering quite well.  His vitals are strong and his awareness is returning, I expect he'll be waking soon,” Jamie answered efficiently.

 

“I'm so glad to hear that about your Captain.  You're aware that my doctorate is in Oceanography but I was Pre-Med before choosing this course in my life and if I can be of any assistance I would deem it an honor to help,” Armstrong offered.

 

Jamie nodded graciously and then noted Lee's breathing shift with an airy breath out.

 

“I think the Skipper may be waking now,” he observed as Harry followed him to Lee's bunk.  Armstrong followed but stayed in the background, wanting to observe Crane's reaction to the other two men before showing himself.

 

* * * * *

 

Lee's wakefulness was preceded by a banging in his head as he realized he was sporting a tremendous headache.  His body felt like it had been through the ringer as every muscle protested its impending use.  He heard his name being called as a comforting feeling and the smell of Sickbay greeted him, despite his aches and pains.  He struggled to remember even before he opened his eyes what accident landed him in this particular part of the Boat.  Quickly his mind ran through the earlier events of the day, like the high speed rewind button on his Beta video player at home.  He remembered launching FS1, moving into position, a strange light... and then pain...  that was all.  After that he woke up on the deck of the Control Room... his eyes opened as he remembered the strange faces he saw.  Other worldly, the bone structure was all wrong and even if they hadn't been a strange orange color he would have known they weren't human.  Then there were those green eyes.  Not green pupils, but green eyes.  No whites at all, eerie... almost like a reptile's. 

 

“Skipper?”

 

Jamie called again as Lee focused on Seaview's doctor. 

 

“The Admiral?”  Lee asked in a two word question as to Harry's whereabouts.  He needed to talk to Harry about Armstrong and Price since the alien heads seemed to be fixated on their bodies. 

 

“He's right here,” Jamie answered calmly and stepped away as Harry moved forward and Dr. Armstrong came into view.

 

Perhaps he was confused, maybe it was all a dream... Lee thought, realizing that Dr. Armstrong seemed perfectly fine at present.

 

“Admiral, I need to talk to you...” Lee started when Dr. Armstrong's face began to distort sickeningly.  It was still Armstrong, his distinctive style of clothes a dead giveaway to the alien's identity as the scientist wore nothing but leisure suits in various colors of powder blue, green and even red.  The polyester suits had gone out of vogue several years ago which did little to deter the good doctor from his style of clothes. 

 

Lee's eyes widened as the high over-developed cheek bones protruded outward sharply and the three ridges on his orange forehead came to a sharp point, almost rivaling small horns.  The alien face faded back into the human face of Armstrong and then blinked back to the alien.

 

“Admiral, don't you see him?” Lee yelled trying to keep his cool, but desperate to understand what was going on.

 

Harry turned to see who Lee was referring to and turned back to Seaview's Captain confused as to his escalating emotions.

 

“Admiral, don't you see him?  An alien, orange face...”  Lee tried to sit up as Jamie stepped in.

 

“Easy Skipper.  There's no alien here,” he said calmly holding Lee's shoulder down.

 

“Over there!  Doesn't anyone see him?” Lee tried again getting agitated at their lack of concern for the being who had smuggled aboard Seaview masquerading as Dr. Armstrong.

 

“What do you want?” Lee addressed Armstrong directly.  “Why don't you show yourself to them?” He inquired loudly. 

 

It was at that point that he realized that no one believed him, even as the needle hit his arm and he fell backwards to the bed.  He breathed heavily trying to slow down his fight or flight instinct and just reason with Harry, who obviously wasn't seeing what he was seeing.

 

“Admiral,” he said calmly and making strong eye contact.  “You've got believe me...”  Lee lost the battle as the sedative took control of his body and dictated a sleep he didn't want.

 

“Jamie?” Harry asked as Armstrong stepped forward feigning disbelief and ignorance as to what Captain Crane was referring to.

 

“Some kind of hysteria brought on by the electric shock.  Sleep is the best thing for him right now, we'll see how he reacts when he wakes again,” Jamie announced as he checked Lee's vitals and stepped away. 

 

“I want to know when he wakes up,” Harry ordered, taking one last look back at his friend and feeling quite concerned for the unusual outburst Lee had engaged in.  He hoped that this hysteria induced reaction was indeed temporary and that Lee's brain hadn't been damaged by the significant shock he had received.

 

“Aye Sir.  I'll call you as soon as he shows signs of waking, though I expect him to be out for the next four hours.”

 

Harry nodded.  “Well Dr. Armstrong, let's see how the investigation is moving along.  Then I'll make a decision about how to proceed with this voyage.”

 

Armstrong nodded in agreement, taking one last look at the sedated Captain and pondering his next course of action should Crane wake again in like fashion.

 

* * * * *

 

“Every electrical panel on the main board is fried,” Chip reported as Harry shook his head in disbelief.

 

“That just can't be, Chip.  There are contingencies to prevent such an eventuality,” Harry finished pacing across the Nose as he thought through the problems.

 

“I know Sir, but that's what DC reports.  They have to rewire every connection and replace circuit boards as well.”

 

Harry responded by running a frustrated hand across the back of his neck.  “It just doesn't make sense,” he reasoned out loud.  “What could have affected the controls so catastrophically?” He asked rhetorically as he was well aware that no one at present had that answer.

 

Chip nodded, adding his own frustration to Harry's.  “I don't know Sir, but whatever it was it was powerful enough to knock out all electronics and disable two crewmen in the process.  Three if you count Mr. Price,” he amended as they had already surmised that the physical connection with the main console was most likely the reason that Lee and Riley had sustained a more powerful blow than Price.

 

“Very well.  Anything else?” Harry asked.

 

“DC says they're looking at several days before she's ready to fly again,” Chip reported.

 

“I'm not inclined to take her out again until we know what happened,” Harry added. 

 

“Perhaps just a freak accident?” Armstrong offered.

 

“I don't believe in them,” Harry countered.  “There's got to be an explanation,” he finished determinedly.

 

“Perhaps an electro-magnetic layer near the sea mount?” Armstrong offered.

 

“Hmmm, that's something to think about.  I doubt it though, I've heard of disruptions in electronics but nothing this drastic,” Harry replied, thinking through the problem as he reached for the coffee carafe.

 

“But what if we've discovered something truly unprecedented?  Perhaps this accident is truly a catalyst for a great discovery?” Armstrong chimed in.

 

Harry's interest was piqued.  “In what way Dr. Armstrong?”

 

“If it is a new previously unknown electro-magnetic layer, it could very well signal a new energy catalyst, something even better than carnotite!” Armstrong added with enthusiasm.

 

Harry nodded, clearly seeing the logic behind Armstrong's suggestion to investigate further.  Carnotite had been located around electro-magnetic fields and the ore was invaluable to the country's nuclear program.**  Perhaps there was another ore, or possibly a purer load of carnotite.  Harry made up his mind.

 

“You're right Dr. Armstrong.  We can't leave this possibility without investigating the sea mount closer.”

 

“May I ask how you will proceed investigating the sea mount without the Flying Sub?” Armstrong asked cautiously.

 

“We'll make a very careful and methodical approach with Seaview,” Harry started as Chip's eyebrows rose in question to which Harry replied by raising a hand to dispel his XO's concerns before he voiced them.  “We'll take it slow and easy, taking readings in increments,” Harry proposed.  “If there is an electro-magnetic layer, we should be able to identify it before committing the submarine directly over its location.”

 

Armstrong smiled, clearly pleased.  “I would be most pleased to assist in this venture, Admiral Nelson.”

 

“Of course Dr. Armstrong,” Harry acquiesced graciously.  “Your knowledge will be most helpful, I'm sure.”

 

“Thank you Admiral Nelson.  If you don't mind, I'll retire to my cabin for a few minutes before dinner.”

 

Harry nodded his agreement as Armstrong left via the spiral stairs while Nelson and Morton conferred over the safety precautions they would take to ensure a safe investigation into the sea mount.

 

* * * * *

 

“I have convinced Nelson to investigate the sea mount for an electro-magnetic layer and possibly an energy source ore to explain the electrical disturbance the flying sub endured,” Armstrong explained, bringing his Science Officer up to speed.

 

“Excellent, Commander.  What about Crane?”

 

“Crane can definitely see past our Semblance, though he didn't seem to be affected initially.   Perhaps our true appearance is bleeding through the Semblance; he has already deduced we are aliens to this world.”

 

“How will that affect our objective?”

 

Armstrong paced to his rack and then turned around.  “I have noted the strong personal relationship between Crane and Nelson.  Nelson is very open-minded, I believe Crane would be able to convince him that we are not what we seem.”

 

“What do you propose?” Price asked folding his arms in front of him with a furled forehead.

 

“Dr. Jamieson has surmised that the Captain's outburst in Sickbay was brought on by hysteria caused by the shock,” Armstrong explained.  “We will discredit Captain Crane, make his accusations so ludicrous that even Admiral Nelson will be convinced he is delusional,” Armstrong finished with a small smile that widened.

 

“We project Semblance properties onto others?” Price asked, having already concluded what the Commander was attempting to do.

 

“Yes.  Then his accusations against us will be lost in his ravings concerning the other images he is seeing.”

 

“That will require one of us in close proximity.”

 

“True, but it doesn't have to be continual.  Just enough to convince the Doctor and the Admiral that Crane's judgment cannot be trusted.”

 

Price nodded with satisfaction.  “Then our comrades will be free soon,” he stated longingly.

 

“Yes.  Then we'll all be free,” Armstrong finished as he stopped and checked his watch.

 

“Now, I have offered my assistance to the Admiral.  That should provide me admittance into Sickbay when Crane wakes up.  You will take up the duty when I leave and make every effort to ensure that the Captain is amply confused.”

 

* * * * *

 

Lee's wakefulness arrived even before he opened his eyes.  It was an old habit he had developed from years of ONI work.  He lay quietly thinking through what had happened earlier.  No one else saw the aliens in either the Control Room or Sickbay, for whatever reason he alone could see through the guise that rendered their faces as humans.  He needed to find out what they wanted and he couldn't do it sedated in Sickbay; or worse, restrained for “hysteria” as he heard Jamie's explanation before the drug knocked him out.  He would have to do this carefully; convince Jamie he was well and not react to the aliens walking around his Boat.  Once he had the proof he needed he would bring Harry in, but not until he had enough proof to keep them from restraining him with the straight jacket he knew Jamie had tucked away under lock and key.

 

The sounds of the Sickbay got louder as Lee recognized the door opening and heard Harry's baritone voice speaking softly.  Time to put on the performance of your life, Crane.  Don't react... no matter what you see, he admonished himself silently and then made ready to “wake up”.

 

“How is he, Jamie?” Harry asked, effectively masking his concern with Armstrong in tow.

 

“Resting quietly,” Jamie answered with a small reassuring “doctor's” smile.

 

Just then Harry heard Lee sigh as Seaview's Captain reached for his head.

 

“Jamie?” Lee called as Jamie returned to his side.

 

“How are you feeling Skipper?”

 

“Tired.  What happened?”

 

“I'll let the Admiral answer that,” Jamie replied, pleased with Lee's calm demeanor and the fact that he was apparently in complete control of his faculties.

 

“You and Riley sustained a significant electrical shock aboard FS1,” Harry explained.

 

“From what?” Lee asked, truly interested in what had hit him.

 

“We think an electro-magnetic layer,” Armstrong added, stepping into Lee's view.

 

Lee kept his face even, the shock of seeing the alien no longer driving his actions as he acted like nothing was wrong, even though Armstrong's human face would periodically fade back to alien.

 

“I've never heard of one doing that before,” Lee countered, directing his conversation back to Harry, who hadn't missed Lee's acceptance of Dr. Armstrong.

 

“No, we're looking at the possibility of an undiscovered radioactive ore that could possibly produce such a catastrophic event,” Harry answered.

 

“What about Riley, is he alright?” Lee asked in concern. 

 

“He's critical, but stable,” Harry said pointing behind Lee to Riley's bunk.  Lee turned to catch the sight of the young rating in a deep sleep, surrounded by monitors.

 

“Uh... Lee.  Last time you woke you were adamant that we had orange faced aliens aboard,” Harry approached cautiously.

 

Lee cracked a smile, “You're joking right?”

 

“No.  You were in near hysterics, Jamie had to sedate you.”

 

“I don't remember a thing.  I remember coming-to briefly in the Control Room, but this is the first time I remember waking in Sickbay,” he said looking slightly confused as Jamie stepped up to give his opinion.

 

“No need for concern, Captain.  I'm inclined to chalk this up to something more akin to night terrors.  Night terrors are powerful dreams that are distinguished in the fact that the sleeper wakes with the dream still before their eyes and in great distress, but in the morning they are completely unaware that the event occurred at all,” Jamie explained, his smile widening at the Skipper's apparent wellness.

 

Lee nodded keeping up the ruse and ignoring Armstrong, just as a long tentacle began to protrude from the top of Jamie's skull.  Lee blinked and then wiped his facial expression clean even as the tentacle reached up as if searching for something and then turned to reveal a human eye blinking back at Lee. 

 

“So when do I get out of here?” Lee said with a grin, ignoring the tentacle and staying in character with his usual Sickbay negotiations for early release.

 

“You're here for dinner and observations afterward.  If everything works as I expect it to, you'll be released to your cabin for the rest of the evening.  Which means just that... in your cabin – no walks about the Boat,” Jamie admonished as Lee rolled his eyes.  He looked over at Armstrong and smiled pleasantly and then back toward Jamie, whose tentacle-eye was leaning over to inspect something on the Admiral's head.

 

“Well Lee, it's good to have you back,” Harry said in pure relief and moved toward the door just before the tentacle opened a mouth that appeared out of nowhere, revealing razor sharp teeth.  Lee swallowed and realized that he was either being messed with royally or he really was cracking up.  He wasn't ready to give in to the latter supposition and continued to ignore Jamie's tentacle as Armstrong followed Harry toward the door.

 

“I'm glad you're feeling better, Captain Crane,” Armstrong said as his high cheek bones moved oddly, his jaw bone hinged noticeably different than humans.

 

“Thank you Dr. Armstrong,” Lee said with a smile, plastered on for everyone else's sake.  Harry and Armstrong stepped out of Sickbay as the tentacle retreated back into Jamie's skull and disappeared.

 

“Okay Skipper, do you feel like sitting up?” Jamie asked as Lee let out a breath, expelling the tension he couldn't reveal to anyone at this point.

 

“Sure Jamie.”

 

“Good, I'll order up dinner...”

 

The rest of Jamie's words were barely heard as Lee pondered the strange encounter he had just experienced. 

 

* * * * *

 

“Did Crane react to your presence?”

 

“No, he claims he doesn't remember waking up,” Armstrong answered, pacing once again.

 

“Do you believe him?”

 

“Nelson did.  He was pretty convincing.  I even projected a Semblance on the doctor, he didn't react.”

 

“Should I bother to project further Semblances on him?” Price asked as Armstrong rubbed his chin.

 

“Yes, let's not take any chances, this is too important... too many are counting on us,” Armstrong decided.

 

“Very well, Commander.”

 

* * * * *

 

Lee was out of the bunk and dressed, waiting to be sprung from Sickbay.  He was currently sitting beside Stu Riley's bed reading the report on the progress of FS1's repair.

 

“Alright Skipper.  I'll release you to your cabin.”

 

“Thanks Jamie,” Lee said rising as he spoke.  “How's Riley?”

 

“Still the same.”

 

“What about the burn on his shoulder?”

 

“Second degree, it will heal,” Jamie assured him.

 

“I want to be informed when he wakes,” Lee said, transitioning from Sickbay patient to Captain.

 

“Aye Sir.”

 

The door to Sickbay opened revealing Chip standing in the threshold with a slight grin as Lee rolled his eyes at Jamie's attempt to make sure the Skipper didn't make a detour to the Control Room.  Lee's disgusted look morphed to a smirk, accepting his “escort” as a chance to catch up with Boat business.  Jamie shook his head; somehow he knew he could never quite get the upper hand where Lee Crane was concerned.

 

Lee and Chip walked the corridors toward Officer's Country as the XO briefed him along the way.  As they walked they met Mr. Price coming from a different direction.

 

“Captain, good to see you up and about,” he said a few feet from them as his alien features briefly overtook his face.

 

“Thank you Mr. Price.  I'm feeling much better,” he replied casually as they passed. 

 

A crewman performing maintenance on an electrical panel in the corridor took the opportunity to turn and greet the Captain. 

 

“Good evening Skipper,” Phil greeted with a smile.  The tall wiry blond didn't talk much, but was an able and trusted crewman aboard Seaview.

 

“Evening Phil,” Lee replied as a long snake like tongue shot out from Phil's mouth twirling in the air as if searching for food.  Lee's shocked gasp was covered by a feigned cough when he realized that Chip was completely unaffected by Phil's long split tongue reaching for them as they passed.  Chip continued on with the Boat Status Report as if nothing was wrong as Lee pasted his command face on, still slightly shaken by the offensive if not shocking image he had just witnessed.

 

They reached Officer's Country as Lee reached for the door knob.  “Check back later tonight, Chip.  I'd like to know how FS1 is progressing,” Lee asked as Chip nodded.

 

“Sure Lee, see you later,” he replied in a tone reflecting less naval decorum and more the easy friendship they shared.

 

Lee entered his cabin, closing the door and leaning back heavily as he blew out a breath.  His confidence was a bit shaken as he moved towards his desk and sunk into the chair.  He leaned forward resting his forehead on his hands, folded in a point and resting with his elbows on the desk.

 

First he saw alien heads on Armstrong and Price; then a long tentacle protruding from Jamie's head; now a snake tongue on a Rating... maybe he was cracking up, he thought silently and then leaned back with his head resting heavily on the chair.  He blew out a breath as the lost expression on his face was replaced with his familiar confidence.  He wasn't ready to commit himself to the funny farm, not yet anyway.  He would continue to ignore the strange images he saw until he discovered what was going on.  If he had been mentally compromised by the accident he would relinquish command, but not until he knew for sure, he resolved mentally and moved toward his rack to rest.

 

* * * * *

 

Breakfast had been a horrible experience as Lee witnessed a swarm of bees attached to O'Brien's body, like some B-movie horror flick.  Bobby ate his breakfast without the slightest hint of agitation as Harry, Chip and their scientist guests ate completely unaffected by the sight.  Lee managed to eat his breakfast by looking away, something that wasn't easy as Bobby was sitting directly in his line of sight. 

 

He moved onto the Control Room as Harry, Armstrong and Price retreated to the lab and settled into his command position with ease.  The gentle beeps of the consoles and the hum of the computers acted like a balm to his confused mind.  He settled in at the Chart Table feeling almost normal, despite the hallucinations, illusions, delusions... whatever it was that was plaguing him, he really didn't know at this point.  He moved to FS1 and supervised the DC Team satisfied with their progress. 

 

It had been a good morning with no disturbing images, something he was grateful for.

 

“Lee,” Harry greeted, speaking even as he approached the Chart Table.  “I think we have a plan worked out to methodically investigate the sea mount,” Harry finished as Lee raised his head sporting a pleasant countenance watching Harry and Armstrong approached.  He continued to ignore Armstrong's flicker back from human to alien and then back again, but he found it difficult to keep his edge as he watched a dark spot appear on Harry's face that morphed into a sick disease spreading and overtaking Harry's facial features.  No one else seemed to notice so Lee dropped his head to sign off the Log Book in order to compose himself.

 

He raised his head again when Harry finished speaking, poised in self-assurance and acting as if the oozing open sores weren't utterly disgusting him.

 

“I'm still not sure we should proceed closer Admiral,” Lee answered addressing a safety issue, regardless of the unsightly face of Harriman Nelson that appeared to be rotting away in front of his eyes.

 

“Nonsense, Lee.  Seaview will be completely safe,” Harry replied, as his face flickered back to normal for a brief moment before returning to the grotesque diseased face fast deteriorating before him.

 

Lee lowered his head as if to scratch his nose, not something an officer and a gentleman should be doing he knew, but he needed to break contact with Harry's face. 

 

“Why don't we talk about it over lunch,” Harry finished, the excitement of the expedition beginning to fuel him once again.

 

Lee's head shot up, there was no way he could eat lunch sitting across from Harry.  He feigned a forced smile.

 

“I need to take a rain check on lunch Sir.  Perhaps we can discuss this in the Nose at say 1400 hours?” Lee offered as Harry's forehead furled slightly but then relented as his current excitement couldn't be squashed quite so easily.

 

“Fine Lee.  We'll bring you up to speed at 1400 hours,” Harry said as he turned inviting Armstrong to join him in the Wardroom.

 

Lee watched them exit through the aft hatch and then dropped his pencil on the Chart Table. 

 

“Chip you have the Con.  I'll be in my cabin if you need me,” he said taking the spiral staircase without waiting for Chip's response.  Lee entered his cabin and headed straight for the head to rinse cold water on his face.  He took deep cleansing breaths in and then raised himself to look into the mirror as he examined his eyes, searching for something that told him he wasn't crazy.  He grabbed the hand towel and dried his face as he walked back to his desk and sunk into the chair with serious thoughts of whether or not he should be taking the Con running through his head.  He couldn't give into that yet, instead he thought through the events of the morning.  His eyes brightened in understanding as he realized an important fact. 

 

Lee stood and started pacing as he contemplated that each hallucination had a common element: the presence of either Armstrong or Price.  He let out a slight chuckle in relief.  The common thread to each episode had been with Seaview's guests in close proximity.  It all went back to the scientists, but there had been no hint of trouble the entire week long voyage to the trench.  Lee's pacing picked up speed as he honed in on their exploration of the sea mount yesterday.  Whatever shock he had received had left him unconscious and weak; Riley was still critical and yet Price was walking around seemingly unaffected by the experience.

 

He retreated back to his chair.  Okay, Crane.  It's pretty obvious that something happened at the sea mount, but what?  And if Armstrong and Price really are aliens, just what do they want with Seaview? 

 

He had a lot of questions just now, but no answers.  He didn't think it was time to bring Harry in on his suspicions just yet, especially with the enthusiasm Harry was currently exhibiting for the expedition.  He'd been up against that stubborn will where exploration was concerned before, and right now he wasn't convinced he'd win the battle. 

 

He pushed off the chair determined to solve the mystery of the two scientists on board and decided he'd better make an appearance in the Wardroom.  He needed to appear normal and strong if he was to convince Harry later that Seaview was currently hosting two aliens.

 

* * * * *

 

Lee arrived in the Wardroom sporting a smile, greeting the Admiral, Chip and Jamie as well as the two orange faced aliens.  The hallucinations were easier to ignore now that he knew who was responsible as he engaged in a bit of his own game reaching over and landing a good natured pat on Chip's back, even though it currently had an extra appendage attached on the side.  The third arm moved in synch with Chip's movements as he ate; Lee was sure it was going to reach over and grab a cookie from his own plate.

 

He smiled warmly, unaffected by the alien's attempt to intimidate him with fear and finished his lunch barely holding back a satisfied smirk at meeting them at their own game. 

 

“See you at 1400 hours Sir,” Lee said as he and Chip headed forward while Harry and the scientists headed the opposite direction to the lab.

 

 

* * * * *

 

“We will approach the sea mount in slow increments, stopping at prearranged coordinates to take readings and samples if appropriate.  If an electro-magnetic layer doesn't register, we'll continue forward until we reach the coordinates where we found FS1,” Harry explained.

 

“When do you propose we conduct these tests?” Lee asked, inwardly concerned as it seemed Dr. Armstrong was particularly keen on moving forward.  Both he and Price had an extreme interest in the sea mount that was becoming harder and harder for them to mask.

 

“Tomorrow,” Harry answered, leaning back and feeling as if they had a viable plan accounting for Seaview's safety.

 

“Why not wait two days?  FS1 will be ready by then and we won't have to risk Seaview to whatever happened out there,” Lee proposed.

 

“You're assuming of course, that an electro-magnetic field caused the malfunction and it wasn't an inherent engineering problem,” Harry noted.

 

“Actually, I don't know what caused the electrical short of the entire main console.  It just seems that committing FS1 to the danger limits the potential for disaster,” Lee returned as he noticed Armstrong shifting in his seat, his red polyester leisure suit clashing terribly with the orange face that bled through his human features from time to time.

 

Harry blew out a breath, as if Lee had thrown cold water on his plans.  “Lee...”

 

“One day Admiral.  Surely we're not in that much of a hurry?” Lee bargained.

 

Harry thought through Lee's suggestion, a sound one he knew and nodded in agreement.

 

“Very well, Captain.  We'll lay-to these coordinates for the next day and continue the investigation with FS1 in two days,” Harry relented.

 

Armstrong and Price exchanged glances as Lee was bombarded all at once with every distortion he had witnessed since waking.  Harry's face turned grotesque, Chip's extra appendage returned, O'Brien stood at the Chart Table completely covered with a swarm of bees climbing sickeningly over his body and Phil's snake tongue shot out from his mouth as he sat at the helm.  Lee was sure that if Jamie had been in the Nose his tentacle would have made an appearance as well.

 

Lee managed to keep a straight face and rose calmly.

 

“Very well Admiral.  I'll make sure FS1 is ready for departure by then.  Gentlemen, if you'll excuse me,” he said with a nod and headed over to the Chart Table, resisting the urge to brush an errant bee from his chart.

 

He was relieved when the swarm of bees disappeared and turned to see that the scientists had left the nose via the spiral stairs.

 

“Chip, I'm going to catch up on reports in my cabin if you need me,” Lee said leaving the Con in O'Brien's able hands.

 

“Aye Skipper,” Chip added easily as Lee headed toward his cabin.  Once he arrived he bypassed his desk and the stack of reports and headed straight for the air vent.  The scientists had left via the spiral stairs, while Harry had left through the aft hatch, obviously returning to the lab.  A sly smile crossed Lee's face as he headed for Armstrong's cabin via his secret passage.

 

* * * * *

 

“What do you think, Commander?” Price asked as Armstrong leaned against his bunk.

 

“I don't know.  I'm sure the projections are working, I tested the procedure on two crewmen.  One I shielded from the effects of the projection, the other thought Kowalski was sporting a head of bright red hair.  I think Crane's on to us,” Armstrong concluded, “but he's not unaffected by the projections.  I've noted a rise in his bodily functions; his blood pressure reveals he is affected, though he does a good job of hiding his anxieties.  Other times he seems unaffected.  I've concluded that the shock he received has short circuited the Semblance we are projecting, he is at times seeing us as human and other times in our true form.”

 

“But he isn't blocking the expedition,” Price interposed.

 

“No, but he has managed to postpone it for a day.”

 

“I suppose our comrades have waited this long, another day shouldn't make any difference,” Price concluded.

 

Armstrong let out a breath and shook his head in the negative.  “They've waited multiple life-times, and now they're awake.  Every day they wait must be excruciating,” Armstrong added.

 

“Then what do you propose?”

 

“I will appeal to Admiral Nelson, he has been most reasonable up until now.  If that effort is fruitless we may consider taking stronger measures,” Armstrong decided as Lee backed off the vent.  He needed to get to Harry first.

 

He returned to his cabin and pressed the intercom.

 

“Sparks, this is Captain Crane,” he said, speaking directly to the radio shack and avoiding the Boat's Com system.

 

“Aye Skipper.”

 

“I need a direct connection to the lab, no Boat broadcast,” he added.

 

“Aye Sir... go ahead Captain.”

 

Lee thanked his efficient Communication's Officer and hailed Harry.

 

“Admiral this is Crane.”

 

“Nelson here,” Harry answered rather distractedly.

 

“Sir there is a matter of utmost importance that I need to discuss with you privately.”

 

There was a short delay, “Very well.  I'll meet you in my cabin.”

 

“Thank you, Sir.”

 

Lee sat back and wondered if he could pull this off.  He realized he would have to tell Harry everything and wondered if their friendship was strong enough to convince the Admiral he wasn't crazy.

 

* * * * *

 

Harry sat at his desk with his hands folded in front of him.  “Now Lee.  What's this all about?” He asked pointedly as Lee bypassed his perch on the corner of the desk and paced in front of him.

 

“Admiral, I need to tell you something important and I need you to listen and keep an open mind,” he said turning directly toward the Admiral as Harry pursed his bottom lip.

 

“Alright, go on,” Harry agreed.

 

“I uh... haven't been honest with you Sir.”  Lee didn't stop for Harry's reaction but continued on.

 

“You asked about the orange faced aliens I saw the first time I woke in Sickbay.  It wasn't a night terror Sir, I did see the aliens.  Both times in Sickbay and when I woke in the Control Room, but that's not all,” Lee plunged ahead.  “Ever since I woke up I've been seeing distortions; gross and disturbing images of you and others on this Boat,” he confessed as Harry's eyebrows creased sharply.

 

“What kind of images, Lee?”

 

“Tentacles, Chip had a third arm, Phil had a snake's tongue, a swarm of bees and...,” Lee paused but continued, “Your face was diseased to the point of rotting before my eyes.”  Lee said as his pacing picked up speed.

 

“I'm not crazy,” Lee said stopping to look Harry directly in his eyes, “and I need you to do more than give me the benefit of the doubt... I need you to trust me Sir.”

 

Harry nodded and motioned for him to proceed, but Lee could tell he was riding a fine line at present.

 

“It all started after the malfunction in FS1.  When I woke in the Control Room I saw Armstrong and Price's faces blinking back and forth from human to... something alien.  Their faces are orange, the bone structure is all wrong and they have three horns on their foreheads.  I don't see it all the time, it just seems to blink back and forth.  When I woke up in Sickbay I saw it again, I wasn't coherent enough to deal with it properly, I understand that, but when Jamie spiked me with a sleep cocktail I had to come up with a plan to find out what was going on.”

 

“So you lied?”

 

“Yes Sir, I'm sorry about that but I wasn't convinced you or Jamie would believe me and there wasn't anything I could do about it if I was lying in Sickbay sedated,” Lee sighed but continued. 

 

“The third time I woke up, Armstrong was there again and that's when I started seeing the strange images on the crew.  It's been going on since yesterday.”

 

“Lee, didn't you realize how dangerous it was for you to be in command of Seaview when you're compromised in this way?”

 

“I took that into consideration and I would have stepped down but I wasn't convinced I was delusional, crazy... or hysterical,” he let out in almost disgust for Jamie's misdiagnosis.  “Believe me Admiral, I would have loved for someone to help me bear the burden of these images, these last twenty-four hours haven't been easy,” he finished, running a frustrated hand through his dark hair.

 

“And just what do you propose accounts for these hallucinations?” Harry asked cautiously.

 

Lee stepped up to the corner of Harry's desk and sat down.  “I finally realized that the images only occurred when either Armstrong or Price were around.  I uh... spent some time in the ducts and overheard them talking a while ago.”

 

Harry rolled his eyes and let loose an audible sigh.  “And...?” He inquired.

 

“Armstrong believes that the electric shock I sustained has short circuited what he calls 'Semblance Projections'.”

 

“Then they are projecting these guises on all of us?” Harry deduced leaning forward.

 

“Aye Sir, it seems that my experience on FS1 affected me in such a way that the Semblance has been faulty.  They have apparently been trying to discredit me with the projections on the crew, only...”

 

“Only you decided to ignore the images you were seeing in order to get to the bottom of the mystery,” Harry finished for Lee.

 

“Aye Sir.”

 

Harry sat back.  “So we have two aliens on board?” Harry asked, wondering if there were any more aliens walking around in human form.

 

“Yes Sir.  I haven't seen anymore, and they haven't referenced any other crew as alien.”

 

“Alright.  We have aliens aboard, what do they want?” Harry asked attacking the problem methodically.

 

“All I know is it has something to do with the sea mount and Armstrong's crew.  He says they've been waiting 'multiple life-times' to be free.  He's not willing to wait even two more days, he's going to make an appeal to move tomorrow.”

 

“We need more information,” Harry said standing up and taking up the pacing where Lee left off.

 

“I agree.  I wasn't exactly forthright in the nose Admiral,” Lee admitted.  “FS1 can be ready to launch tomorrow if I work a DC crew through the night.  I propose we get both aliens off Seaview to the confines of FS1.  Once I'm away I'll confront them with their plans.”

 

“We'll confront them Lee,” Harry corrected as Lee rose from his perch to protest but was met with Harry's hands raised in a fashion that stifled his objections.

 

“No arguments Captain,” Harry said pulling rank.  “You're right, you shouldn't have had to bear this alone, we'll do it together,” Harry said softening his approach for a moment and then continued.  “I'll acquiesce to Armstrong's appeal and make it look as if it's my idea to ready FS1 and we'll launch tomorrow.”

 

“Aye Sir, and thank you,” Lee offered sincerely, grateful that Harry believed him.

 

“Get some rest Lee.  Let's try and keep you out of their influence for the evening, you can oversee the repairs at dinner and skip the Wardroom this evening,” Harry offered as Lee nodded his appreciation.

 

“Thank you, Sir.  I also want to keep them away from Sickbay.  I expect the Semblance projections have been short circuited in Riley as well and I don't want him to go through the same thing.”

 

“I agree.  I'll keep them busy in the lab, we still have plenty of observations from our deep dives in the Bell.  They'll want to keep up appearances as far as the project is concerned and I'll make sure they have plenty to do between now and then.  I'll bring Chip in on the plan, together we'll run interference and give you a reprieve.”

 

“Thanks Sir,” Lee chuckled.  “I really could use a break from Chip's extra arm,” he finished with a grin as Harry smiled back.

 

“Alright Lee.  Let's get to it,” Harry said as they left to put their plan into action.

 

* * * * * *

 

“...And I must appeal to your good judgment in the matter Admiral Nelson.  Surely our plan to proceed is sound and addresses all of Captain Crane's safety concerns.  Frankly, he just doesn't seem to be the same man as before the accident.  Perhaps there's been some residual anxiety from his hysteria attack that has clouded his judgment?” Armstrong offered, laying it on thick and adding the accusation upon reading Harry's facial expressions that seemed to lean his way.

 

“Perhaps...” Harry pondered.  “He has been a bit 'off' these last few days, but his safety concerns are legitimate regardless of his over protectiveness of the Boat,” Harry finished. 

 

Armstrong almost deflated at Harry's last statement, but perked up as the Admiral paced in front of the large aquarium tank in the lab and then turned around to face the scientists.

 

“I'll light a fire under the DC Team, we'll work them through the night and take FS1 out in the morning.  The possibility of a new energy catalyst is just too important to delay due the Captain's unfounded fears,” Harry said, adding his own “opinion” of Lee's objections to Armstrong's.

 

“That is most satisfactory,” Armstrong said exchanging a relieved glance with Price.

 

“Good, good.  Now, we still have observations to catalog and if Mr. Price would be so kind as to begin creating still pictures of our film; we have several hours for both days and the film should produce photos at every half second interval,” Harry added, creating enough work to keep Armstrong and Price working throughout the evening.

 

* * * * *

 

Lee kept with the plan and personally supervised FS1's repairs, feigning some indignation at Harry over-riding his decision to explore the sea mount in two days.  Harry had brought Chip in on the situation in an effort to run interference and keep the aliens from projecting more images on Lee, which he found himself appreciating greatly.  In fact, his evening of wrenching with the Ratings had been most pleasant and avoiding the disturbing images of the last few days had proven equally refreshing.  He hit the rack that evening feeling normal and grateful that his friends had stood by him, even through the most outlandish of tales.

 

* * * * *

 

Lee and Harry donned their leather flight jackets as they bluffed a bit of irritation with one another over the entire matter.  Armstrong and Price didn't seem to mind and were keen to get underway as FS1 launched perfectly, dropping easily from her berth.

 

“FS1 has cleared the bay doors,” Chip reported over the radio.

 

“Very well, we'll report upon arriving at the sea mount,” Lee replied.  “Admiral, I'm going to take FS1 for a test run.”

 

“Captain...” Harry returned with slight irritation for Lee's “over cautiousness.”

 

“Admiral she's just been through a complete electronic overhaul, it's not unreasonable to test her responsiveness,” Lee countered.

 

“Oh, very well Captain,” Harry said rolling his eyes for effect.

 

Lee maneuvered FS1 two thousand yards off Seaview's starboard side and turned the craft, reducing power and allowing her to sink easily to the sandy bottom of the ocean floor. 

 

“What are we doing?” Armstrong asked from the passenger seat in the rear of the flying sub.

 

Both Harry and Lee removed their throat mics and turned their swivel chairs to face the scientists as they unbuckled.

 

“Gentlemen, this craft will remain here until we get some answers,” Harry stated as Armstrong's eyebrows tightened in response.

 

“All the answers we need are at the sea mount, Admiral Nelson,” Armstrong replied.

 

“I expect they are, however I would like to be enlightened before we proceed,” Harry demanded calmly.  “Let's start with the basics.  I assume by Lee's description that you are alien to our world and by his account seem to project some sort of disguise to render yourself in human form,” Harry continued.  “Now, how about you start filling in some details,” Harry finished leaning back into his chair for their reply.

 

“Surely, you don't believe that, why it's... ludicrous!” Armstrong announced pretending disbelief.

 

“Dr. Armstrong, we can sit here for some time, but I can assure you that this craft will not make any movement toward either Seaview or the sea mount until I have answers.”

 

Armstrong's countenance changed as he took a sideways glance at Price.  Without any fanfare the human projections faded off to reveal the aliens in their true form.  Harry didn't react to their strange appearance having already been briefed by Lee on their orange faces and strange facial bone structures that contrasted sharply the powder blue plaid leisure suit Armstrong wore.

 

“You played the game well, Captain Crane.  I could almost swear you weren't affected by the projections,” Armstrong complimented as Lee felt internal relief that they had finally revealed themselves to someone else. 

 

“So you projected images...”

 

“Semblances,” Armstrong corrected.

 

“Semblances,” Harry repeated.  “You projected these Semblances in an effort to discredit Crane.”

 

“Or to make him doubt his own judgment.  Yes,” Armstrong replied.

 

“I'd like to know who you are and just what your interest in the sea mount is,” Harry said.

 

Armstrong nodded.  “Very well Admiral Nelson,” he relented.   “I am Commander Mardoc.  We are colonists from a distant world on the edge of this galaxy.  We evacuated our new world when our star approached an imminent supernova.  We moved our entire civilization, every colonist, onto our space ship and attempted to return home, but our star exploded before we reached a safe margin away.  We were hit by the shock waves damaging our vessel and crash landed in your ocean.  We made repairs to our vessel but our power supply was damaged, so we placed all the Colonists in a Sonic Sleep so they wouldn't have to endure the passage of time and jettisoned ourselves in the escape pods to find the power source we needed to free ourselves from this world.”

 

Armstrong let out a sigh and projected his human form once again.  “We took on human form to walk among you but your civilizations were not advanced enough.  We have been here for over 3,500 years waiting for your technology to catch up to our need.”

 

“You need nuclear power?” Harry surmised.

 

“Yes, and a craft that could dive deep enough to return us to our ship.  Our people were awakened on the second day of the expedition.  My Comrade was not able to sustain the life forces of so many trying to greet him...”

“Life forces?”

 

“Like echoes of their existence projected in a real and tangible way.  It is our way of communicating,” Armstrong answered.  “The resulting electric shock was an unfortunate necessity as Patrux was not able to bear their combined life forces in his human form.  He dispersed the energy resulting in injury to you and the young one,” he said addressing Lee.  “It was quite unintentional, but now that my people have awakened they must be set free.”

 

Armstrong's countenance changed, his determination clearly visible.

 

“Now Admiral, if you would be so kind as to return us to the sea mount.  We need only a dampening rod from Seaview to be on our way,” he demanded.

 

“I'm afraid that's quite impossible,” Harry replied.

 

“Admiral Nelson, you have witnessed our ability to project Semblances, what you are unaware of is our ability to project more than a visual disguise.  I can surround Captain Crane in a wall of fire, and I assure you he will feel every sensation of the burning flame; or I can project a spike and run him through.  Believe me, I have lived among you humans long enough to have plenty of techniques to choose from,” he threatened darkly as Lee kept an even face.

 

Harry pondered Mardoc's threat.  “But I don't think you will,” he said calmly.  “You could have killed the Captain the moment you realized he saw through your Semblance, but you didn't.  I'm willing to bet this kind of violence is not a part of who you are.  I'm right, aren't I?”

 

Mardoc returned to his alien form and nodded in agreement as he sighed.  “I have lived through every major civilization on your planet for almost 4,000 years.  I watched the pyramids being built with slave labor; I watched the Babylonian empire fall to the Persians and saw the rise of the Greeks; each civilization was quite skilled in its means of providing pain to those they subjugated, I can assure you.  I watched the Romans build their cities, cisterns and roads and thought that surely the barbarism of the past would surely give way to progress, but I was wrong.  Then my Comrade and I endured the Dark Ages, where even the Holy Book was forbidden.  We waited for your wooden sailing ships to give way to steel and finally for your submarines to be built.  We had to endure two world wars and were present in Germany as that mad human attempted to genocide an entire people,” he said sadly.  “We could not intervene in the natural progression of your technology, we had to be patient.  Once nuclear power was harnessed we had to wait for a vessel such as yours to negotiate the depths.”

 

His countenance changed softening even more as the protruding bones in his forehead furled in conjunction with his sadness.

 

“I have both enjoyed the presence of your people and have loathed it at the same time,” he admitted.  “You have such potential and yet I have witnessed the cruelty of humanity.”

 

“You've witness 3,500 years and have seen more than a man should,” Harry advised, “but surely you have seen something else in humans?”

 

“Yes,” Mardoc answered with an expression across his alien face that Harry thought was a smile.  “I have seen the human spirit thriving in times of trouble, rising above the wicked and growing to reach new potentials.  I've seen the joy of exploration in both a child's face... and in yours.  I've seen the power of love overcoming great odds to flourish and the strength of man-kind driven by a just cause, prevailing above the status quo.  Yes, I have seen this too...  Now Admiral Nelson, as you have already guessed neither I nor my people are violent beings, but I must advice you, that I am a Leader of my people and I will do what I must to free them from this watery prison.  Captain,” Mardoc said appealing to Lee as he spoke, “Would you not do the same?”

 

Lee nodded slowly in agreement.  “I would do whatever I could to free my crew, but not at the expense of harming innocents.”

 

Mardoc smiled again.  “You and I are more alike than you know,” the alien said and then turned his attention back to Harry and speaking frankly.  “A whole civilization is now your hands Admiral.  I could take over this craft and return to my space ship, but it would be pointless without a rod from Seaview.  I implore you for mercy; mercy for my people.  They are awake, and they are homesick,” he finished.

 

“I'm afraid I can't spare a rod from Seaview's reactor,” Harry started as Mardoc's hope seemed to drop from his alien face in sheer disappointment.  “But... FS1 is also powered in the same fashion.  It would render the flying sub inoperable until another rod is secured, but I'm willing to do that if the power source is adequate,” he finished looking over at Lee for his confirmation, which he received with a nod of the Captain's head.

 

“You would do that for me... for my people, even though we are not human?”

 

“We have an old saying, 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.'  For me truth is beauty, and in you I have seen a gentle soul, whether cloaked in your human form or your alien being has not changed that observation.  Yes, we will provide you with the power you need.”

 

Mardoc's face changed back to his human Semblance as a long tear streaked down his cheek in unbridled relief and gratefulness.

 

“Thank you Admiral Nelson.  Our power conductor is quite compact and very efficient.  A rod from this craft will more than power our release to the stars.”

 

“Very well, Commander Mardoc.  Lee, let's take our friends to the sea mount and let them greet their people,” Harry added with a satisfied tight lipped smile that Lee returned, despite his own ordeal of the last few days.

 

* * * * *

 

FS1 sat on the bottom, her guests having already deboarded with a nuclear rod.  Harry and Lee both watched with wonder as Mardoc projected a long tube of water connecting FS1 to the sea mount providing a pressurized bubble for them to travel.  Afterward Seaview executed an emergency retrieval with her magnetic arms as the flying sub was collected into her berth.  They climbed the ladder and looked back at the sea mount.

 

“All back full, Mr. Morton,” Lee ordered.

 

“Aye Sir,” he replied picking up the mic and ordering Engineering to reverse engines.  Seaview backed off the sea mount to a distance of 1,000 yards.

 

“All stop,” Lee ordered as the sea mount sat over a half mile away, though it was too dark to see.

 

Within moments the entire ocean lit up in unprecedented brilliance for their depth as the large sea mount became visible.  Light shot out in all directions as dirt, coral and sea life fell off and a huge ten story space craft shaped like a cone rose from the depths and hovered momentarily then powered to full and shot out of the sea penetrating the ocean's surface in seconds as Ski called out her position using sonar.  Almost immediately he lost her readings as the Alien Colonials greeted the heavens and began their journey home.

 

Harry and Lee's satisfying moment was short lived as the inevitable shock wave approached.

 

“All hands, prepare for shock wave,” Lee announced in the mic and then grabbed a handhold on the periscope island to ride out the extreme rock and rolls which knocked out the power as the emergency generator kicked on.  The Boat stabilized as Lee raised the mic to his mouth, even as the red emergency lights flickered off and full power was restored.

 

“Damage Control report.”

 

“Damage Control Aye, she's tight and dry Sir.  All power restored and ready to answer bells.”

 

The excitement of the Control Room returned to calm as the duty stations reported their readiness for action.  Harry and Lee exchanged satisfied smiles as a hail from Sickbay interrupted the moment.

 

“Sickbay to Captain Crane.”

 

“Go ahead Doc,” Lee answered.

 

“Sir, I'm happy to report that Seaman Riley is awake and showing significant improvement.  He uh... is telling me that an orange faced alien had something to do with his recovery...”

 

“Very well Doc, I'll be down shortly,” he said with a grin as he and Harry headed to Sickbay to explain to the CMO that Stu Riley wasn't suffering from “hysteria”.

 

A full explanation of the last few days followed Jamie's report on Riley as Seaview's doctor insisted on giving Lee an exam.  Finding his Skipper in tip top condition he released him to full duty with a hearty apology for spiking him with a sedative.  It was a matter of trust that was easily rebuilt as Jamie assured the Captain he would be less ready to administer the sleep juice in the future.  

 

* * * * *

 

Dinner was served in the Nose as Seaview's Command Crew enjoyed the view in an attempt to decompress after the mission.  Seaview was on course for Santa Barbara as Lee hadn't felt the deep dives in the Bell should proceed without FS1 functional.  The search for the chambered nautilus would be picked up again as there were other sea mounts nearby providing possible feeding grounds for the shelled creature.  For now, the film of the cephalopods swimming with its natural jet propulsion in 3,500 feet of water would provide oceanographers with enough information to justify an extensive study.

 

The nose emptied as Lee stretched out in front of Seaview's windows, content to enjoy the peace of the sea surrounding him.  Harry started to leave and then returned to take a seat next to Seaview's Captain.

 

“Are you alright, Lee?” He asked noticing Lee's retrospective moment and slightly concerned that he possibly hadn't fully recovered from the frightening images that had been projected upon him.

 

“Aye Sir.  I was just thinking of the trust we witnessed.  I mean we took quite a chance and if we had been wrong... if Mardoc wasn't what he seemed...?”

 

“Perhaps, but despite the emotional stress he inflicted on you he proved his “humanity” for lack of a better word,” Harry conceded.  “No I don't believe it was a chance at all, and I feel this voyage has been a great success.  We came looking for a new species and discovered an entire civilization.  Someday we'll join them in the stars and explore out there as well, and it's good to know that such a race of people exists,” Harry answered philosophically.

 

“Aye Sir, but I'm still having trouble getting some of those images out of my mind,” Lee admitted as Harry's forehead furled in controlled concern until Lee's face broke into a devious grin.

 

“I mean the thought of Chip Morton sporting a third arm out his back was bad enough, but the fact that he could swipe chocolate chip cookies from my plate is just plain sadistic,” he finished with a wide grin as Harry chuckled with him.

 

The two sat for a moment longer as Lee's smile faded and he turned retrospective once again.

 

“Sir, I want to thank you for trusting me... believing in me...” Lee said in a sincere and emotion-felt moment.

 

Harry nodded, finding a lump in his throat for a slight second and then answered.  “We make quite a team, you and I, Captain,” he replied as Lee's smile returned.

 

“Aye Sir,” Lee replied as the two sat in comfortable silence, relishing their growing friendship and pondering Seaview's next great voyage to the bottom of the sea.

 

 

The End

 

Eye of the Beholder

 

 

Credits:

* See my story, The Surfers

 

** See the First Season Episode, Mutiny for carnotite used in Voyage lore.  It is actually a mineral and does indeed contain a high uranium content which is radioactive. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnotite

 

Chambered Nautilus:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chambered_Nautilus

http://www.seasky.org/deep-sea/chambered-nautilus.html

 

Deep-Sea Coral Reefs:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_water_coral

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright 2015, All Rights Reserved

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