This story takes place sometime in the Season 3 time-line. My apologies ahead of time for my lack of experience maneuvering a submarine. I asked Captain Crane for more practice at the helm, but he denied my request saying something about scratching the paint the last time. : )

The General's Son

by Lynn

Admiral Harriman Nelson rounded the spiral staircase as he descended into the nose of the fantastic exploration submarine. Her name aptly inspired by the huge herculite windows that graced the bow of the submarine. Windows engineered and patented by Admiral Nelson, along with the entire design of the oceanic wonder, the Seaview.

He scanned the control room searching for the Captain of the Boat, Lee Crane. Not seeing him, Harry closed the distance to the chart table where executive officer, Lt. Commander 'Chip' Morton stood looking over charts, his blond head tilted downward as he marked off the course with a straight edge and pencil.

“Chip?” Blue eyes rose to meet the Admiral as he responded.

“Sir?”

He had always appreciated the efficiency of the young man, he was an excellent officer and Harry hoped that Chip's plans for his future would include NIMR for a very long time. Harry already had some ideas going that would help to ensure that, but right now he was looking for his Captain.

“I expected Lee to be here,” he stated not as an accusation, simply and observation.

“He's in the Missile Room Sir, checking over the new directional homing devices on the C7 torpedoes.”

Understanding flooded Harry's face as he recognized Lee's dedication to his job, as well as his boy like curiosity that kept him involved in many aspects of the Boat that other officers would pass down the ranks.

“Playing with his new toys, is he?” Harry quipped as a mischievous smile grew across the Admiral's face.

“Aye Sir, I think you could say that,” Chip deadpanned, but the glimmer in his eyes gave away the shared humor of the situation as Harry reached for the mic still sporting a smile.

“Nelson to Missile Room.”

He didn't have long to wait before a disembodied voice was heard over the intercom, the Coney Island accent instantly revealing the voice as Chief Sharkey.

“Missile Room, Aye.”

“Chief, is Captain Crane there?”

“Aye Sir, I'll get him.”

Sharkey headed over to the torpedoes taking about ten strides to reach his destination. Khaki clad legs hung out of one of the bays as the Chief leaned down to speak inside the tube.

“Skipper, Admiral Nelson is on the horn for you.”

“I'll be right there Chief,” came the hollow metallic reply.

Sharkey stepped back as the Skipper, one Lee Crane, worked his way out of the tight fitting tube handing his screw driver to the waiting COB.

“I think that should do it, Chief. Let me know when all the torpedoes have been fitted.” A sharp, “Aye Sir,” followed along with a string of orders as Sharkey moved the ratings along in their work while Lee walked purposefully over to the mic, answering the hail.

“Crane here.”

“Lee, would you join me in the Control Room please,” the Admiral requested, his familiar baritone voice needing no identification.

“Aye Sir, I'm on my way.”

Harry replaced the mic and glanced at Chip whose grin was no longer restrained.

“I get the feeling he was deep inside a torpedo tube when I called.”

The observation left both men smiling at the thought of the Captain of the most powerful nuclear submarine on earth crawling around inside a torpedo tube.

“Aye Sir, that would be Lee,” Chip replied as their soft chuckles sent a feeling of warmth and comfort throughout the Control Room even though the ratings at the stations couldn't hear their banter.

* * * * *

Lee shipped the mic and headed toward the hatch to meet the Admiral. He walked the familiar route down a long corridor taking the ladder up a deck, when he noticed a red colored hatch ajar; never a good thing on a submarine, and particularly not this hatch. It led to a restricted and little used compartment on the sub housing the circuitry for the vital compartment it flanked; the Reactor Room.

He stepped inside to see if a crew member was present, which shouldn't be the case since all maintenance in this compartment was required to be signed off by the Captain of the Boat. He knew that no maintenance was scheduled and the compartment should be empty. As he rounded the corner of the metal rack dividing the room, he saw a young officer in khaki's working on a panel in front of him.

“Ensign Baker?” Lee called, recognizing the young ensign from his back profile. The ensign didn't turn around, but answered with his back still facing the Captain.

“Aye Sir.”

Lee's sixth sense was sounding off alarms all over the place; a restricted compartment and the young ensign's lack of respect having not turned to face his commanding officer were causing those alarms to sound rather loudly.

“Step away from the panel Ensign.”

“Aye Sir.”

The ensign turned around calmly as Lee barely had a chance to register the gun in his hand before two “whiff” sounds were heard from the sidearm bearing a silencer.

The first shot hit Lee on the right side, while the second shot caught him high on the left shoulder, traveling out through his back and exploding into the bulkhead behind him. The impact sent him flying back to the deck and landing hard. His breathing turned instantly rough as he fought to keep himself conscious.

Lee curled to his side breathing hard and watching as Baker took out a small communication device and hailed someone. He struggled only catching a few words as it seemed his hearing was fading into the same blackness that threatened to take him into unconsciousness.

“...explosives set...small problem...handled...pick me up after boarding...”

Lee registered enough of the conversation to know that Baker had sabotaged Seaview. He still had enough of a handle on the situation to realize that a surface vessel would have shown up on the sonar, and that the contact vessel was likely a submarine, following stealthily in the depths.

A groan escaped as he moved his right hand to his side to try and stem the blood loss. He was losing it fast. He had plenty of experience with gunshot wounds, but the one in his side perplexed him. It felt like spiders of pain spreading all throughout his mid-section.

He heard Baker make his way over to him and lightly moved Lee from his side to his back with the toe of his oxford shoe. Another groan escaped as Baker spoke.

“You're still alive?” Not waiting for an answer, Baker took Lee by the right arm and pulled him unmercifully to lie alongside the bulk head, as Lee groaned with the rough handling. He pulled out a pair of handcuffs and secured Lee's right hand to the floor pipes.

The move left Lee gasping for air as he tried to keep his thread of consciousness. Baker tugged one last time on the cuff to make sure it was secure and then moved around Lee's head and reappeared on his left side, squatting down as he spoke.

“Don't worry Captain, Damage Control will find you...after the explosion,” the last said with a small tight smile.

“Why?” Lee strained to speak, hoping to get some information of value, but Baker ignored his question and rose to his feet as Lee watched him walk away; a few seconds later he heard the hatch wheel securely locking him inside.

He raised his head registering the device that Baker set, seeing red glowing digits counting off minutes to an imminent explosion. Frantically, Lee pulled on the cuff hoping that by some miracle it would release, but he was secured tightly. The digits were down to seconds now. All Lee could do was to strain and turn his body toward the wall to protect himself as a large “boom” filled his ears and he lost his battle to stay awake.

* * * * *

Harry sat at the conference table in the nose looking over the reports he wanted to speak to Lee about. A small frown grew with a crumpled forehead to match, as he glanced down at his watch.

Twenty minutes... where was Lee? He thought, If he's back inside that torpedo tube, I might just blow him out! He was rather irritated with the Captain's tardiness, even though it wasn't like Lee to be late without reporting his whereabouts.

He started to rise from his chair when Seaview began to rock and roll uncontrollably, sending him sprawling across the table holding on for dear life. Seaview completed her rolls from side to side as she finally equalized out, once again taking the depths steadily.

Harry regained his footing and started towards the Control Room hearing Chip already administering orders.

“All stop!” Chip ordered as he reached for the mic dangling at the end of its cord.

“Damage Control, Report!” A short wait was followed by the DC officer.

“Damage Control, Aye. An explosion on C-Deck, Corridor A.” Chip and Harry both raised an eyebrow at the location realizing the vital compartments in that Corridor as the DC officer continued.

“We're tight and dry. Fire detail is on its way.”

“Very well DC, report when the fire is contained.”

Chip clicked the mic to clear the line, but was interrupted by the reports flooding in around the Control Room.

“We're losing trim!”

“Sir, helm is no longer answering!” Was heard as Seaview began dropping her nose heavy into the sea.

“Blow forward ballast, up bubble 10 degrees, bring us to neutral buoyancy”

“Ten degrees up bubble, Aye. Neutral buoyancy Aye, Sir.”

“Sir, we're approaching Red Line in the Reactor,” Riley reported, the tenseness etched up a notch as both Harry and Chip quickly crossed the deck to examine the dial above the Sonar station. They noted the position of the needle still in the safe zone, but definitely showing signs of the Reactor's stress as Chip reached for the mic.

“DC, get someone to the Reactor Room and report!”

“DC Aye.”

For the moment they were stable with the nose having been brought back to neutral buoyancy as Chip and Harry had a chance to take their first look around the Control Room. Almost at once they realized that something was notably missing, Captain Crane.

Chip double clicked the mic again, “Captain Crane, report.” The silence on the line was deafening, nothing would have kept Lee from getting here, or at least reporting in demanding to know what was happening in the Control Room.

“Captain Crane report your position.” Chip hardly waited as he clicked again to hail once more.

“DC, be aware that the Captain is missing.”

The DC officer echoed his acknowledgment as Chip and Harry looked at one another, silently agreeing that this was not good.

* * * * *

Kowalski and Rodriguez made their way to Corridor A of C-Deck carrying fire suppression equipment in hand as they rounded the corridor to see smoke escaping from the warped hatch. They dropped their equipment and spun the wheel opening the hatch as a billow of smoke escaped. Coughing, they placed their breathers over their heads and entered to investigate the compartment following standard operating procedure before turning on the high pressure hoses.

Kowalski made his way past the steel rack and spotted an officer lying on his side against the bulkhead. “The Skipper!” Even from across the smoky room Ski could make out the red tell-tale sign of blood spreading across the Captain's back shoulder.

Kowalski dropped to his knees and turned Captain Crane over, he was met with instant recognition as he heard a soft, “Ski.”

“Easy Skipper, we'll get you out of this.”

Ski pulled off his breather and placed it on Lee's face as he looked him over. Another red spot blossomed even more blood on Lee's right side, only then did Ski spy the handcuff that held the Skipper captive to the floor pipes.

“Get the bolt cutters!” Kowalski yelled over his shoulder as Ron ran out the hatch to comply. Ski retrieved the mask taking a drag of oxygen before returning it to Lee's face as Ron returned quickly. Soon a “click” was heard as the bolt cutters cut the cuff in half easily.

Ski and Ron didn't waste any time as they picked Lee up and pulled him out of the smoky compartment as more DC crew arrived to take up the fire suppression duties. Kowalski laid Lee down on the deck looking over the obvious gunshot wounds.

“Get a stretcher!” He yelled as Lee reached up and pulled the breather off, coughing as he spoke.

“Ski...”

Kowalski leaned close to hear the Skipper's soft voice made rough by the smoke and making eye contact with Lee as he put pressure on the side wound.

“Tell the Admiral...the saboteur is Ensign Baker...” his voice drifted off as he struggled to regain his strength. Ski attempted to reapply the breather as Lee brushed the oxygen mask away and continued.

“Tell him he was communicating with another vessel...” and in a motion that Ski could only describe as “frantic” Lee raised himself pulling Ski close to him.

“...there's another sub out there!” He lowered himself back to the deck and breathed deeply. “Report to the Admiral directly,” he finished closing his eyes as the pain fought to take him to unconsciousness.

“Aye Sir. Anything else?” Ski wanted to make sure he had everything; just one look at the Skipper and he knew he was fading fast. Lee nodded a small but discernible “no” and opened his eyes to view the bulkhead directly above him.

He had done all he could do to protect Seaview... to let the Admiral know what he knew, but now he could feel his life's blood taking his strength away as it flowed out of his wounds. He wasn't sure, but he thought he might not make it this time.

“Don't worry, Skipper, I'll tell him,” Ski offered trying to give the Captain whatever comfort he could as the Skipper's groans accentuated his precarious condition; Captain Crane was in bad shape. The stretcher arrived as Lee was carefully rolled over and then rolled back onto the stretcher.

“Clear the way!” A rating yelled as the men left hastily carrying their Skipper through the corridors towards sickbay as Ski stood up; he had to report to the Admiral.

* * * * *

“Control Room, Damage Control.”

“Control Room Aye, go ahead.” Chip answered, recognizing Ski's voice immediately.

“Mr. Morton, we found Captain Crane.”

“Very well. Is he on his way to the Control Room?” Chip replied assuming that Lee had been trapped somewhere and was now free.

“Negative Sir... he's been shot. He's on the way to sickbay.” The Control Room turned quiet as Harry crossed the deck and sided next to Chip. “I have some information Sir, the Captain ordered me to report directly.”

“Very well, we'll meet you in sickbay.” Ski's “Aye Sir” was lost as Chip and Harry ran out the aft hatch with Chip yelling over his shoulder, “Sparks, you have the Con!”

* * * * *

Harry and Chip reached their destination finding Ski waiting just inside the door as Sickbay became a flurry of activity. Ski turned toward the Admiral's voice as he spoke, slightly winded from their run through Seaview's corridors.

“Report Kowalski.”

“Captain Crane wanted me to tell you that the saboteur is Ensign Baker.”

“Baker?” Harry questioned, his voice betraying his unbelief. “General Baker's son?” General Baker was an old friend of the Admiral's and though his son hadn't joined the same military branch as his father, he was proving to be an adequate officer.

“Yes Sir. He also said that Baker was communicating with another sub out there.” Harry's head turned sharply towards Chip who was already turning to leave.

“I'm on it, Admiral!” He said over his shoulder heading back to the Control Room.

Harry turned his attention back to Ski, “Anything else Kowalski?”

“No Sir.” Ski paused and then sighed in exasperation, “It's just that when we found him he was handcuffed to the floor pipes. Baker shot him and left him there to die in the explosion!” Ski explained, his unbelief and anger apparent in his voice.

Harry's anger was beginning to surface as well; a saboteur aboard, Lee shot, Seaview attacked, and an unfriendly sub to boot! Composing himself, he noticed the blood that was apparent even with Ski's red jump suit.

“Better have Doc check you out Kowalski.” Ski looked down totally unaware of the blood that stained his jumpsuit until now.

“No Sir, I'm fine. It's the Captain's,” Ski's voice was barely under control, as Harry's mouth tightened and stepped completely into Sickbay.

* * * * *

Ensign Leonard T. Baker III sat in a storeroom listening to Kowalski's report over the intercom.

So the Captain's still alive. He had hoped to keep his participation a secret for a while longer, but it really didn't matter anymore, he was in too deep already. It was too bad about the Captain happening along like that. Captain Crane wasn't that bad of a guy, he could have even liked him if he had allowed himself to, but those “sentimental” feelings hadn't kept him from pulling the trigger twice; he had a job to do.

He had placed the explosives in a place that would slow down, but not destroy the Seaview. His instructions were to turn Seaview over intact, putting the fantastic submarine into the hands of the people who thought like he did.

He'd just stay out of sight for a while. Before too long Seaview would be boarded and he could come out of hiding; his friends would treat him like a hero... and he desperately wanted that.

* * * * *

Lee laid on a gurney in the middle of Sickbay with his shirt already discarded. Harry saw two wounds with pressure bandages covering them, the side wound still bleeding through.

He stood back out of the way while Doc Jamieson and the corpsman readied Lee for surgery as Jamie picked up his wrist with half the handcuff still attached.

“Someone get this off the Skipper, I can't go into surgery with it on.”

Harry wasn't used to seeing Seaview's CMO flustered and it was unnerving. Jamie turned to head back into the operating theater as Harry took the opportunity to move closer. Lee's face carried an unhealthy white pallor and he was deeply unconscious. A corpsman arrived unlocking the cuff using a universal handcuff key and placed it on a table out of the way just as Jamie returned checking his patient again, then motioned the corpsmen to wheel Lee into the operating room.

He turned to Harry having only a few moments to spare, “Admiral... two gunshot wounds. The one in the shoulder a straight in and out, we've already stopped the bleeding. We'll clean the wound and sew it up, should heal, but he's still got a bullet in his side. I'll need to get in there and see what kind of damage has been done.”

With that Jamie was gone as Harry was left standing alone. He sighed and turned to leave spotting the half handcuff sitting on the table. Harry reached for it and held it tightly in his hand as his bottom lip pursed tensely. He slid it into his pocket and headed for the Control Room; there was still an enemy sub out there and a dangerous saboteur running around. He'd leave Jamie to do his job and Harry would do his.

* * * * *

Harry entered the Control Room and headed for Chip who was standing over Kowalski, now manning Sonar as Riley had moved to Hydrophones.

“Have you made contact Chip?” Harry asked as he walked closer.

“Aye Sir, we had to widen our search to find it. He's sitting out on the edge there.” Pointing with his pencil to the blip that barely registered on the grid. “He stayed just far enough out of range, we never would have found it without Lee,” the last said with an unvoiced question in Chip's eyes.

“He's in surgery. Jamie will let us know.”

That was all that was said and Chip didn't push it any further, although he wished he could have stayed to check on Lee himself. But he was in command now and he intended to turn Lee's Boat back over to him in one piece.

“How's the search going Chip?” Harry inquired expertly changing the subject.

“He's still at large, Admiral. Sharkey's leading the detail, we'll find him.”

“What kind of damage did he do?” Harry asked as Chip followed him back to the Chart Table.

“He rigged an explosion in the Reactor's self-sustained Circuitry Room. The Reactor is fine, the engineers had to replace a few boards damaged by the explosion, they adjusted the rods and we're running in the green now.” Chip tilted his head for a moment as if thinking. “My guess is the explosion was intended to slow us down, if he had wanted to sink us he could have set the bomb in a better place, or at least used more explosives.”

The Admiral nodded following Chip's reasoning as sound. The restricted compartment's location next to the Reactor Room had dictated extra precautions in the design as it sported double bulkheads separating it from the dangerous and vital room next door. So while the explosion had been messy it hadn't been disastrous; they still had speed and maneuverability.

“I would have liked to have taken her up to scrub the air Sir, but with our 'friends' out there...”

“No, you made the right decision Chip. What I can't figure out is why the sub didn't make its move when the explosion hit? We were at our most vulnerable then.”

“Agreed, Sir.” They both pondered the thought for a moment as an idea came to Chip. “What if they're waiting for reinforcements? One sub against the Seaview is a dangerous match, especially with the new directional homing devices on the torpedoes, but two subs...?”

Chip let the thought drift off, as the Admiral smiled. “You may be right Chip. I think we licked our wounds here long enough. Let's find a place to go stealth and see who else comes to the party.” With that the two bent over the charts and began planning a little surprise of their own.

* * * * *

A couple hours later, Seaview was sitting in a canyon at 1500 feet, the “shadow” sub was still just on the outside of the grid obviously still able to track Seaview. Harry surmised the sub was using a transmitter as he doubted their sonar range matched Seaview's. Similarly, though they could track Seaview, she apparently couldn't follow to the depths as the mystery sub seemed content to stay put.

There was room to maneuver in the canyon, and they could dive deeper still if need be. But right now, the Admiral wanted a safe place to wait for the second sub to arrive. Harry was just about ready to head to the nose for a cup of coffee when a call was heard from Sickbay.

“Admiral, the Captain's out of surgery,” Jamie reported, his voice weary and tired.

“On our way, Doc,” Harry replied as he and Chip left the Control Room anxious to hear how their friend was and both hoping that Jamie had good news to share.

When they arrived in Sickbay Harry noticed that Lee was still on a gurney in the middle of the room, not in a bunk; it wasn't a good sign.

“Admiral... Chip,” Jamie said, calling the two over to one side. “The shoulder is pretty much what we expected it should heal, but the other wound...” Harry's face revealed his concern as Jamie continued. “I got inside and this is what I found,” he reported opening his hand and dropping fragments of deformed metal into the Admiral's palm.

Harry studied it and answered, “Exploding ammunition?” Jamie shook his head and sighed.

“It was a mess inside, shrapnel everywhere. I think I got it all, but he's weak...very weak.”

Chip stepped in closer to the conversation. “What are you saying Jamie?”

“There was a lot of internal bleeding, he lost too much blood...and he hasn't woken yet. He's drifting into a coma. I'm saying I don't know if he'll pull through this time. I just don't know.”

Chip and Harry's shock was palpable as Jamie offered them what encouragement he could.

“But he's breathing on his own, that's a good sign at least, and he's fighting... fighting hard.”

“When will you know Jamie?” Harry asked his voice strained as he spoke.

Jamie took a deep breath, “When he wakes up, Admiral.”

Harry walked retrospectively to the gurney and placed his hand on Lee's good shoulder, his other hand slid into his pocket and wrapped around the handcuff half. He waited a moment, then turned and left Sickbay, his feelings too raw to display in front of others.

Chip didn't follow the Admiral, instead he walked over to the gurney and leaned down to give his Captain and friend a Boat Status Report. He spoke quietly into Lee's ear telling him that Seaview was repaired and safe and waiting for him to return to duty.

“...we're green across the board, and other than air revitalization having to work extra hard since we can't scrub the air, the Boat is good.” Chip paused a moment and then continued, “I've got to go now Lee, one of us has to work you know. You rest as long as you need to buddy, she'll be waiting for you when you wake up.”

Chip turned back toward Seaview's doctor, “The minute he wakes up, Jamie.”

Jamie smiled weakly, understanding Chip's half spoken order to be notified as soon as Lee woke up.

“Aye, Sir.”

Chip nodded and headed back to the Control Room. The one thing Chip hadn't told Lee about was that Baker was still running loose somewhere on the boat. That's one thing that's about ready to change, he thought with determination as strong as steel.

* * * * *

Baker had been hiding in the storage compartment but moved to the ventilator shaft when the search parties got too close. This was the second time they'd been by, so he figured it was safe to move back down into the storeroom.

He slid down the wall and froze, feeling the cold, sharp muzzle of a gun pressing against his back. Sharkey leaned around and relieved Baker of the gun that was slid into the belt of his slacks.

“Keep your hands on the wall, Baker,” Sharkey growled his voice dark and dangerous. Sharkey leaned in close to Baker's ear as he secured his hands behind his back in cuffs, “I ought to let you have it here and now, save the taxpayers a lot of money.”

“How did you know?” Baker asked, curious as to how Sharkey knew to wait for him when the search team left the storeroom. Sharkey pointed to the bulkhead below the ventilator shaft where two small black scuff marks graced the wall.

“Shined your shoes this morning did you?” Sharkey replied, his voice both sarcastic and pleased at the same time. “Come on, you,” he grumbled guiding Baker into the corridor and stopping at a mic hanging on the wall.

“Control Room this is Chief Sharkey.”

“Go ahead Chief,” the XO's voice was heard resounding throughout the corridor.

“I've got our man.”

“Good work Chief. Proceed to the brig we'll meet you there.”

“It won't make any difference you know, once they get here you'll all be dead.”

Baker's threat was completely lost on Sharkey as he turned him toward the corridor leading to the brig.

“Yeah, yeah. Tell it to someone who cares.”

* * * * *

Baker was pacing the small deck in the brig as Harry examined the confiscated transmitter.

“Care to tell us what this is all about?” The Admiral said dispassionately still looking at the transmitter.

“What difference will it make? When they get here you'll all be dead,” Baker replied, repeating the same rhetoric he had given Sharkey.

Harry's eyebrows lifted up and then down. “Perhaps... perhaps not,” with that Harry dropped the transmitter on the floor and stepped on it.

“Let's see how good your friends are out there. You didn't do your job, did you? You set the bomb to go off too soon and the second sub isn't here yet.” Harry pointed to the mess of wires and metal that used to be the transmitter lying on the floor. “And now, they won't be able to piggy back this transmitter signal. I'd say you did a sloppy job all the way around Baker.” Harry added enjoying the jab he was getting off at Baker's expense.

“Not entirely, Admiral Nelson. I managed to take out your golden boy in the process. That might just make up for everything.”

At this point it was a good thing that a cell door separated the two, as Harry lunged forward to grab Baker who had paced too close to the bars to deliver his dig. Chip stepped in and separated the two, just as a boat wide communication was delivered.

“Exec to the Control Room. Repeat, Mr. Morton to the Control Room.”

* * * * *

Chip entered the Control Room in a run, but completely in control as he spoke, “Report Mr. O'Brien.”

“We picked up Alpha 2, Sir,” O'Brien reported using the call sign for the second unknown sub.

Chip followed Harry to the Sonar Station, as Ski pointed out the second sub.

“Where's Alpha 1?” Chip asked as he scanned the sonar screen.

“She drifted off several minutes ago, Sir.” The Admiral and Chip shared a knowing glance, realizing that Alpha 1 was no longer receiving a transmitter signal on Seaview.

“Keep a sharp eye out, report if Alpha 1 returns on the grid. What's Alpha 2's course?”

“She's heading on a course of 1-2-0.”

“Very well, rig for silent running.” Chip wasn't happy with Alpha 2's course. It wasn't an intercept course, but it was too close to ignore and get cocky. They had to be prepared for the worst.

“Hydrophones, do you have a profile?”

“Two screws Sir, a large attack sub, but she doesn't sound familiar.”

The Admiral stepped up behind Riley placing the extra set of earphones to his ear and listening for a moment before handing it to Chip as he spoke.

“Sounds like a new profile.”

Chip listened and nodded his agreement.

“Okay Riley, log this new one; build as best a profile as you can.” Riley's “Aye Sir” was heard as Chip followed Harry back to the Chart Table.

“What do you think Sir?” Chip asked, leaning in close to speak to Harry privately. He might be in command, but he would be a fool to miss taking full advantage of the experience of Admiral Nelson.

“We may have our hands full if Alpha 1 shows back up,” Harry replied. “Our best course of action may be to cut our losses and get moving.”

Chip nodded his understanding, “Let's see if Alpha 2 will give us some breathing room, a little more distance between us, then maybe we can slip out without her knowing it.”

“Very well, these canyon walls should make for some good hiding...” but the rest of the conversation was lost as Kowalski's voice rang out clear.

“Two fish in the water, bearing 140 relative.”

“Evasive maneuvers. Sound General Quarters. Right full rudder!” Chip fired off as his orders were acknowledged and carried out as quickly as he delivered them.

“They're still with us!” Riley said speaking above the elevated sounds of a Control Room in battle.

“Release counter measures!”

“Counter Measures away, Sir.”

“What's happening Riley?” Chip inquired, his normally controlled voice laced with edgy concern.

“They're going after the countermeasures, Sir!” Riley replied, the relief in his voice evident. Just then the torpedoes found the countermeasures as Seaview was rocked by shock waves. Chip fell across the periscope island taking a hard hit in the ribs, but held on tight for the second rock in the opposite direction.

Harry hadn't been quite as fortunate and ended up on the floor as Chip leaned down and gave him a hand up as he continued to bark out orders.

“Kowalski, where's our target?”

“2000 yards off our port stern Sir.”

“Missile Room, load torpedo bays one and two with the directional homing torpedoes.”

“Aye Sir,” Chief Sharkey acknowledged from his battle station, “But we only have the two fitted and ready Sir.”

“It'll have to do Chief.”

“Get ready to fire, on my mark!”

* * * * *

Lee Crane was lying on the gurney in critical condition. He was too weak, his vital signs were low and Jamie thought that if he didn't wake soon he might never. He took Lee's pulse then laid his limp arm back on the gurney as Jamie sadly shook his head.

“Come on Skipper, fight this,” he said, speaking mostly to himself. So far Lee Crane showed no sign of waking up.

Then all hell broke loose. One moment Sickbay was quiet and the next it was a busy expressway as the General Quarters' klaxons put everyone into motion with Jamie and the corpsman preparing for the possible injuries that a battle might bring.

No one noticed the slight twitch on the Captain's face.

The klaxons blared for a few minutes and then succumbed to the blinking red bulb that continued to broadcast the fact that the crew was at battle stations. The red light blinking on and off in Sickbay was hardly registered by the medical staff, but it was like a wake-up call to Seaview's Captain, calling him back to consciousness as the flashes of the emergency lights bathed his face.

Even with his eyes closed, Lee could sense the red light blinking and it meant something. Just like the horn that penetrated his deep sleep earlier. Slowly his eyes fluttered open, but were glazed with confusion for a few moments. His eye lids dropped again, as he concentrated on the sounds around him and wakefulness truly began to return.

Suddenly Lee knew where he was, Sickbay; he'd been here before waking up just as confused. He opened his eyes, now completely aware and very weak. He felt so tired, but now that he was awake he needed to know why Seaview was at General Quarters.

He scanned the room, Sickbay was busy as minor injuries were being reported. Several crew members were being treated by corpsman, while Jamie was busy setting a broken arm. He struggled to speak but his mouth was dry and he felt extremely weak.

“Jamie,” he breathed out, but Seaview's doctor didn't hear him as Lee swallowed hard and tried again.

“Jamie,” this time the doctor's head shot up like a lightning bolt as he looked toward Lee. He called a corpsman over to continue working with his patient and quickly ran to Lee's side.

“Skipper,” he said, his voice filled with relief as he began taking Lee's vitals. “Welcome back!” Jamie greeted, the smile on his face broadcasting his delight at seeing Lee awake.

“Seaview... what's happening?”

Jamie didn't answer but left his side for a moment and returned with a glass of water. He positioned the straw as Lee drank gratefully, when he finished Jamie put the glass down and leaned over Lee.

“Seaview?” Lee repeated his question.

Jamie smiled. “Sorry Skipper, this is one dog fight you're going to have to sit out on.” Lee's eyes registered a complaint, as Jamie continued. “The Admiral and Chip are handling everything. Once GQ is secured I'll let them know you're ready for a report,” he finished as Jamie's smile returned.

“Now, let's raise the head of your bed and see if we can keep you awake for a while.”

* * * * *

Chip waited until Seaview was in a position to maneuver and then ordered, “Fire one. Fire two.”

Seaview had already dodged a pair of fish that exploded into a nearby sea mount causing sparks to fly and steam to vent. The crew was rocked about as minor injuries were sustained, but the highly trained Ratings stood steadily at their posts.

“Torpedoes away,” Riley reported, describing the events from hydrophones.

“1000 yards and closing.”

“She's blowing ballast,” Ski reported.

“750 yards,” Riley continued.

“Alpha 2 is executing an emergency blow,” Ski announced.

“Torpedoes are detonating short of target Sir.”

Chip picked up the mic, “Prepare for shock wave.”

Twenty seconds later the shock wave rolled Seaview from side to side then subsided finding her neutral buoyancy as Chip continued to issue orders.

“Kowalski, where's Alpha 2?”

Ski smiled and looked up at the officers. “She's staying topside and moving away from our present course, Sir.”

Harry smiled as well. “I think Alpha 2 is through playing with the big boys.”

“Shall we pursue, Sir?” Chip asked, his voice registering total control.

“I think not Chip, inform ComSubPac of her present position. Let's set a course for Pearl,” Harry answered wisely, knowing Alpha 1 was still somewhere in the area.

“Aye Sir.” Chip's snappy response was an inspiration to the ratings as the Exec transferred with ease from the life and death situation they had previously been in, to the calm duties of maneuvering the sub.

Harry perused the control room with satisfaction... this incident had sealed it; Chip was too good an officer, he deserved his own boat. It hadn't been an option three years ago after John Phillips was murdered. Chip was an excellent XO, but lacked command and battle experience with nuclear submarines. That's why the Navy had sent him the best nuclear sub commander in the service, Lee Crane.

Lee had been everything he expected and more. But the real surprise came in the Command Team that he and Chip had forged. Lee tended to bring out the best in every man, and Chip's best was shining through.

It had been hard for Harry to think of building another boat after the Polidor,* but slowly as the regret and pain faded he began to think again about adding to NIMR's fleet. He had even started putting his new ideas onto paper. It would take time to design and build, perhaps three or four years, but Harry knew without a doubt who he wanted at the helm. His thoughts were interrupted as the familiar voice of Doc Jamieson rang over the Control Room intercom.

“Control Room, Sickbay”

Chip reached for the mic and answered, “Control Room, go ahead Doc.”

“I have a patient here who's anxious to know what's going on with his Boat.”

Harry and Chip's eyes found each other and danced with a combination of relief and joy.

“Aye Doc, tell the Skipper we'll be right there,” Chip replied with a smile as Harry placed an uncharacteristic hand on his shoulder.

“Well done, Chip. Now let's go see if we can put Jamie's patient at ease.”

* * * * *

Harry and Chip entered Sickbay and noticed that Lee's torso was raised. His eyes were closed, but Jamie's beaming face said all they needed to know. They proceeded straight to Lee's bed, settling in along his left side, while Jamie stood on his right.

“Lee?” Chip's voice was quiet but full of anticipation as Lee's eyes opened immediately, finding both his friends and smiling weakly.

“So, what've you been doing with my Boat?” He asked Chip, the small smile on his face giving away his gentle teasing.

“Well if you weren't goldbricking all day you'd know,” Chip answered returning the banter with his own smile and continued.

“The Boat's fine Lee. We had two Alphas on our tail, but they're both headed home now. We're on our way to Pearl, everything's good.” Chip gave Lee the quick version, looking down on his obviously tired face.

“You always take good care of her,” Lee replied, his voice sounding a bit weaker.

“I'll tell you what. Get some rest and I'll give you a real Status Report later on.”

“Deal.” Chip stepped away and smiled with relief heading back to the Control Room, as Jamie took the opportunity to head to his office, consciously giving the two officers room to talk.

Harry slipped up close and placed his hand on his arm, as Lee's eyes fluttered open.

“How're you feeling Lad?”

“Better, just tired...it was close wasn't it?”

Harry nodded, not quite able to speak at the moment.

“Baker?” Lee asked.

“In the brig, I haven't got his story yet. I hate to make the call to General Baker about this, but I owe it to him.”

Lee registered the regret in Harry's eyes and nodded with understanding.

“I'm sorry for the General's sake, Admiral...but he pulled that trigger twice without even batting an eye.”

Harry shook his head, sadly. “I'm not sure how it happens Lee. General Baker is a good man, he has three other boys who are excellent officers and are fine men themselves. But this...” Harry pulled out the half handcuff still in his pocket, “...this is the work of a man without any moral compass.”

Lee nodded slightly. He remembered well the exquisite pain of being pulled by his arm as well as the total lack of emotion Baker displayed when he discovered that Lee was still alive. He really did feel for the General, but the boy was dangerous and Lee would testify against him when he was strong enough.

Harry shuddered as if to lift the heavy mood and then smiled at Lee. “I'm just glad you're okay Lad.”

Lee returned the smile weakly as he found himself fading fast back into the sleep he needed.

“Rest up, Lee. I'll be back later.”

Lee's eyes closed again as Harry allowed himself the indulgence of speaking his thoughts out loud, albeit very quietly.

“It's good to have you back son,” he patted Lee's arm and walked away with lighter steps.

Lee heard Harry's steps leaving Sickbay and allowed a thin smile to reach his face. It slowly morphed back to a relaxed state as he drifted contently off to sleep.

* * * * *

Harry's thoughts turned retrospective as he walked to the Control Room. He thought about the General's son... how disappointed Leonard would be. Then he thought about his own boys... not of his flesh, but still his family. One dark haired of European descent, one fair hair blue-eyed Nordic, and him an auburn haired Irishman. What a family... What a family indeed!

The End

The General's Son

*The Polidor was Nelson's second submarine that was destroyed in the 1st Season episode, The Fear Makers.

Author's Note regarding 2015 Revisions: In preparation for The General's Son - Part II, I decided to re-edit the original story for better readability improving; grammar, tense, sentence structure and details that added clarity only. The original story line remains intact with only a minor change here or there for story flow. Lynn

Copyright 2013, Revised 2015. All Rights Reserved

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