This story fits in the Second Season time-line.

The Professor's Notes

by Lynn

Lee Crane flashed a mischievous smile across at Harry as the pretty young blond waitress stood going on about having read all about the Admiral in the papers. She was younger than Lee, but favored her attention on the blue eyed auburn haired Admiral. Harry looked over at Lee, catching his amusement and giving him an I'll get you later look, as he politely listened and appropriately responded to her obvious excitement in meeting him.

Somewhere in the middle of her long dialog she had managed to take their order. Lee's eyes twinkled as she left and he opened his mouth to say something when Harry cut him off, “Don't bother to say it Lee.” His tone feigned a dark, angry mood, but Lee knew better. Then he cut loose a smile and the two of them laughed together.

The lunch was a nice touch to the hours of meetings they had been in earlier that morning. The small tropical Pacific island offered mostly tourism, but it did have a nice oceanography lab that Harry was considering a project for. The meetings had went well, and Harry thought that their plankton study was worthy of further investigation.

The pretty young waitress, whose name tag read “Sara”, came back with water and coffee. “Admiral Nelson, I just can't believe I've finally got to meet you,” she said as she placed the water down in front of him and then Lee, “my father used to read the journals and I always enjoyed your papers the most.”

“Why thank you, Sara. Its not often a young person like yourself reads scientific journals.” Harry was always polite even though he never really enjoyed the limelight his accomplishments seemed to bring.

“Well, I read them, I didn't say that I understood them...Oh, I'm sorry, here's your coffee, and I'll be right back with your order.” With that she floated off through the double doors to the kitchen.

Lee smiled, but he went on with their normal conversations. He wasn't out to embarrass the girl, it was just that the meetings had been long and tedious. That, coupled with the fact that he had his fill of plankton experiments when one last year went awry nearly sinking Seaview. So, the gentle teasing with the Admiral had been a nice release of tension. As it turned out, Sara was a good waitress after getting over her shock of seeing Harry.

Their meal had been good, and they tipped Sara well for her service and her smile which in the end, helped them to leave quite relaxed. They left the restaurant and began their walk on the quaint sidewalks of the tourist town. They had not gone more than half a block when four doors opened on a large sedan parked along side the curb. Two men stepped in front of Lee and Harry and two men moved behind them, in their hands were guns that were barely visible to others on the street, but were not missed by the two officers.

“Admiral Nelson, we are here to extend an invitation to join our employer and enjoy his kind hospitality.” The big man in the dark suit with sunglasses spoke as if they were going to take tea with friends.

“I don't suppose we have a choice in the matter?” Harry said as he looked down the barrel of the semi-automatic handguns pointed their way.

“No, Sir. You do not.”

Harry gave Lee an unspoken order with his eyes, Lee understood and nodded, they had worked closely together for the last year and Lee could read Harry well. They were outgunned, and there were too many civilians on the street who might get hurt. They would take this fight somewhere else where innocent people wouldn't suffer.

Lee was loaded between guards in the front seat, while Harry was placed between guards in the back seat as they drove further inland.

Their departure was not missed as Sara stood outside the restaurant holding a white silk scarf that Harriman Nelson had dropped on the way out. She followed them outside as soon as she had spotted the scarf and saw the abduction. There was no doubt who was behind this, she recognized Bronson as Mr. McGuire's heavy man. But what could she do? The police would be no help, they had been bought out a long time ago. Sara thought about it and came to a decision. She went back inside, got her purse and left to go find the huge submarine, Seaview.

* * * * *

They had driven about 45 minutes further inland and up a mountain until they reached an estate bordered with a tall, black rod ironed fence. Both Harry and Lee had spent the entire ride with a gun in their sides, so they could do little but watch where they were being taken. The large gates opened by remote control and they traveled up a long winding driveway to the main house. There were several other buildings on the grounds as well.

Harry and Lee were unloaded and they walked, each one flanked by their guards, into the mansion. Once inside, they were allowed to stand together as their guards stepped away with their weapons still drawn.

“Admiral Nelson, how good of you to accept my invitation.” Both Harry and Lee turned to see a browned haired man in his late fifties, a few inches shorter than Lee. He wore a smoker's jacket with velvet lapels and walked up to them as if greeting old friends.

“Who are you, and what's this about!” The Admiral demanded in a loud voice as he stared down their “host” with his steel blue eyes.

“I am Devin McGuire, the master of this house, and you are the great Harriman Nelson, whom I've heard so much about. And this...this must be your young protege, Captain Crane?” He held out his hand as if to offer a handshake, but Lee did not respond in kind and kept his hand by his side.

“You'll excuse me if I don't feel too friendly right now Mr. McGuire. I believe the Admiral asked you what this is all about.” Lee kept his tone dark, but was careful since the guns were still trained on them.

McGuire looked at Lee as if he was absolutely of no consequence, and answered addressing the Admiral only.

“You Admiral, are here at my invitation to work on a wonderful project. I just know that you're going to enjoy it. You,” he stopped and turned his attention to Lee, “are here at my pleasure, and since you serve no valuable purpose, I suggest that you do not cause me any irritation.”

His dark threat was met by equally dark eyes as Lee moved ever so slightly towards McGuire. Harry stepped up to stop the impending confrontation, “Lee,” his one word holding all the order Lee needed, and he immediately stood down.

“Mr. McGuire, I'm not accustomed to being kidnapped and I rather prefer to choose my own projects. So, if you'll excuse us, we'll find our way back into town.” Harry turned to go and Lee followed suit, only to be met with the sound of four distinctive “clicks”, that stopped them in their tracks.

“Come, come, Admiral. You haven't even seen my project, now if you'll follow me I'm sure you'll be most interested.”

Lee and Harry looked at one another, and having no other choice, followed their “host” as he led them through a long hallway. They turned and went down another long hallway, to another wing of the mansion it appeared. Finally, they stopped and entered a door that opened to a large drawing room. The room was full of opulence with furniture of the highest quality decorating the room. One side of the room looked like an elaborate library, while the other side housed a more traditional lab look. There was a large drawing table, and a long chalk board standing against the wall on wheels.

To the side, sat a large luxurious Victorian style sofa, and Harry had no doubt that it was an original piece, even though the antique looked in mint condition. One wall had an elaborate wood paneling on it, framed by a magnificent wooden frieze.

McGuire moved further into the room, drawing Harry and Lee closer to the lab area. On the great table before them lied a large, well worn notebook. McGuire's hand came to rest on the notebook as he looked up to address Harry.

“This, Admiral Nelson, will be your magnum opus. It was started by another talented scientist, but his untimely death has placed the project on hold. Then I was informed of your great submarine's arrival to our island and decided to allow you to finish this great work.”

McGuire seemed rather convinced that he had offered the Admiral the work of a lifetime. Harry stepped forward seemingly to examine the notebook.

“Mr. McGuire, while this appears to be a great offer on your part, I'm afraid that my current responsibilities will not allow another project at this time.” Harry hoped that if he kept the matter civil, he might be able to persuade McGuire to let them go.

“I'm afraid that is quite unacceptable Admiral.” With his quiet statement he heard a loud grunt and a thump and turned to see Lee crumbling to the ground, his hand reaching to the back of his head. The large man still wearing sunglasses stood over Lee with a heavy walking stick in his hand, it was poised to strike again on the defenseless Captain who was now out cold, when Harry stepped up to stop him.

“Bronson,” McGuire calmly called his henchman off, but he stayed nearby with the walking stick drawn in a menacing way.

McGuire had already made his intentions toward Lee known, he was of no value to him. Harry needed to buy time, so he looked up at McGuire and asked, “What do you want McGuire?”

Devon McGuire smiled victoriously, “First of all, you will contact your submarine and inform them that you have accepted an invitation to investigate a great scientific opportunity. You are the Admiral, I know you will make it convincing.”

With that Bronson moved the walking stick to rest on Lee's throat, leaving an indenture in his skin to make McGuire's point.

“Where do I make this call?” Harry had no doubt of McGuire's insanity, and his antipathy toward Lee was equally apparent.

McGuire made a sweeping motion with his hands toward the wooden paneled wall. He pulled out a remote control operating the buttons as he talked. “You will make a video call from here. Any attempt on your part to warn your men, and Captain Crane will bear the consequences.” Bronson squatted down beside the prone captain and placed his automatic weapon against Lee's temple.

“Very well, McGuire. Just keep your men away from my captain.”

McGuire spoke into a hand-held walkie talkie directing someone to hail Seaview, and to put them through on this monitor. In a few minutes, the video screen came to life, as the face of Seaview's Executive Officer filled the screen.

“Hello Admiral, this is a...surprise.”

“Commander Morton, Captain Crane and I have run across an interesting scientific opportunity and have accepted the gracious invitation of our host to stay a few days to investigate. I will contact you when we're ready to leave.”

“Aye Sir, but what about...” Chip's sentence was cut off by Harry.

“Yes, yes. You may continue the Watson experiment without me, it doesn't require my direct attention.”

“Aye, Sir. Is the Captain available, I have a matter of the boat to discuss with him.”

“No, Captain Crane is not available at this time. You have your orders Commander Morton. Nelson out.”

The screen was cut off, and Harry immediately dropped to his knees to Lee. He reached to the back of Lee's head and pulled his bloodied hand away, pulling out his handkerchief and applying the folded cloth to Lee's head.

“Very good Admiral Nelson. Now, you will find all you need to know in Professor Hood's notes on the table. You will study them, and begin making the necessary corrections to the formula. McGuire and his men started to leave when Harry stood up calling after them.

“Wait. Help me move Captain Crane to the sofa.” A nod from McGuire put the men in motion as one lifted his legs and the other one took him under the shoulder blades and deposited him on the sofa.

“Do not disappoint me Admiral Nelson,” McGuire's voice promised consequences for doing so and Harry just glared at him as he left with his entourage of men.

Harry applied pressure and was relieved to see that the bleeding had stopped. As he did, a small moan emitted from Lee as his eyes fluttered open and found the Admiral. Harry watched them turn from a glossy lost look into a sharp focus.

“What...happened?”

“You got clocked in the back of the head by McGuire's goon.”

A soft grunt was heard as Lee began to rise and sit up. Harry helped him to a full sitting position as Lee sat back into the sofa.

“I'm alright Admiral,” Lee smiled a small half smile trying to offer Harry confidence to his statement. Harry returned the smile as he rose and walked to the table where the notebook sat.

“What happened while I was out?” Lee followed Harry over, and sat with his hip on the table, his head hurt, but it wasn't anything he couldn't ignore.

“They had me contact Chip and tell him we would be unavailable for the next few days.” Lee's eyebrows creased as he spoke, and Harry raised a hand to dispel his concerns.

“Don't worry, Lee. I gave him enough clues to question the orders.” Lee's half smile returned as he moved around the room, looking for a possible escape. Harry opened the notebook and began reading Professor Hood's detailed and complex writings.

Lee returned to the sofa finding bars on the windows, and a door that locked from the outside. Finding no sources of possible weapons he sat down to rest his aching head. Harry looked over and nodded approvingly as he spoke.

“Lee, this is amazing,” Lee looked up with interest, “Professor Hood has the makings of an extremely small compact nuclear device.”

Lee's eyebrows shot up, “How small?”

“It will fit inside a standard suitcase, everything...from the bomb to the detonator.”

“Admiral, that could change everything in the world right now, totally upsetting the current political situation.”

“I know Lee, one small country, or even a terrorist group could hold the entire world at ransom.”

“What are we going to do?” Lee's concern was palpable, and Harry shared his troubled state.

“I'll play along and buy Chip some time to find us.” Lee started to nod his head, but the headache he had prevented him from finishing the process. Instead he leaned his head back and closed his eyes for a few minutes.

* * * * *

The video screen went black as Chip stood in front of it not moving as he thought. While it was proper to address him by his Naval rank off boat, Admiral Nelson never did so on Seaview, preferring the generic officer's title of Mister, and most often as Chip. But the biggest clue he had, other than the unusual and unorthodox invitation they accepted, was the fact that the Watson experiments were completed last month in the Arctic Ocean. He turned to face the visitor who was off to his left, and out of range of the video.

“Now tell me again, Miss Hood, what you know about this compound?”

Sara nodded, and offered what information she had again, “My father worked at Mr. McGuire's compound on a highly sensitive project. I was allowed to visit with him on a few occasions when he needed my help to organize his notes. My father was unhappy with his work, but he wouldn't tell me what it was. The notes I helped with were always bits and pieces of a much larger formula. One day, my father had an accident on the way home from the mansion. He died, and I never returned to the compound.”

“How long ago was this?” Chip was gentle in his approach, but he could smell foul play a mile away.

“About six months ago. The police said his car ran off the incline, they said he likely fell asleep at the wheel.”

“But you doubt that?” Chip was careful as he probed, but he felt Sara was letting on her own misgivings about the information she had received.

“Everyone knows that Mr. McGuire is safe from any police investigations, so there was no point in questioning the police report. But yes, he was unhappy with his work and wanted to be released.”

Chip nodded his head in understanding, “But you've been to the compound, you can tell us where it's located?”

“Yes, I brought a map of the island.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a folded map and laid it on the conference table in front of her. She moved her finger inland to follow a mountain road to a spot that overlooked the ocean.

“Here,” she said pointing. “There are high security gates that are difficult to climb, and security cameras that run along the outside of the fences, this area borders the cliff where there is no need for a fence.” Chip studied the map before him, and then picked up the mic.

“Sparks, I need a satellite picture on the radio phone.”

“Aye Sir, do you have the coordinates?”

“I'll be right there.” Chip took the map over to the chart table, and scribbled the coordinates out on a piece of paper and walked it to the radio shack. “Let me know when you get them Sparks, the sooner the better.”

He walked back toward the nose to where Miss Hood stood looking out Seaview's windows. He needed more information about where she thought the Admiral and Lee would be held. He only hoped that they wouldn't meet with any “accidents” while he worked out a way to get to them.

* * * * *

Lee sat forward, he hadn't planned on it, but had fallen asleep on the sofa. He got up and walked toward the table, sitting on the edge in a familiar stance looking over at the Admiral as he studied.

“Anything Sir?”

“Yes, it would appear that Professor Hood has hidden mistakes in his formula, very purposely I might add. I think I have found a pattern to the ones I have detected.” Lee nodded but their conversation was cut short when the door to their room was opened.

McGuire entered with his men following. Lee stood up and stared at the men as McGuire advanced.

“Aw, I see that you are hard at work Admiral Nelson. And Captain Crane, so good to see you up, I appreciate a man built of good sturdy stock. Now, Admiral Nelson, what can you tell me to show your progress?”

“These are very complex notes McGuire. I'm still wading through them.” Harry watched as several of McGuire's men walked behind Lee. He knew that Lee registered their presence, but made no indication of the move to intimidate him.

“Come now, Admiral. You designed a nuclear submarine from the keel up, you know exactly what you're looking at!” His voice was elevated as he fought to keep control. The men stepped up to Lee and moved him forward to the center of the room, turning him around to face Harry. Harry stood up, not liking where this was going. But before he could respond, two of McGuire's men held Lee while Bronson pounded on him unmercifully.

Lee's grunts were being drowned out by Harry's insistence that they stop, but he was prohibited from helping Lee as McGuire's fourth man stood with a gun to his side. Bronson worked Lee over until they let him fall to the ground. Then he continued delivering blow after blow to Lee's midsection and back. Harry's guard held out the walking stick to McGuire and Lee was pulled back up leaning heavily on his attackers.

His face was bloodied, but still held the fire of a man undefeated. McGuire delivered several blows to Lee's midsection with the walking stick as he swung with vigor. He doubled over, and the men let him fall to his knees with his head hanging forward gasping for air. McGuire swung again catching Lee on the jaw and he fell over in a sickening thud as his attacker held the walking stick over his head poised to strike again.

“Wait, McGuire! Wait!” Harry's pleas finally broke through the rampage that Devin McGuire had erupted in. McGuire stopped, composed himself and turned to walk toward Harry, his once meticulous hair falling into his eyes.

“I want progress Nelson. While you are essential to this work, Crane is not. His life is in my hands, how I spend it is totally up to you.” He turned to walk away, as two of his men deposited Lee back onto the sofa.

Harry went into the lavatory and took a hand towel, rinsing it with cool water. He took it back to Lee and began to blot away the abundant blood on his face. His breathing was haggardly and Harry knew that he had at least crack ribs, and he showed no sign of regaining consciousness. This worried Harry, since he had already sustained a blow to the head earlier.

He did all he could to help Lee, but decided he needed to go back to the notebook. He needed to give McGuire something, or the next time he might just kill Lee.

A couple of hours later, Harry heard groans from the sofa, as Lee struggled to bring himself around. His head moved slightly which initiated more groans as Harry watched Lee's eyes slowly open. He laid there looking up at the ceiling as Harry called his name.

“Lee, can you hear me?” He saw Lee swallow but he was unable to answer yet, “It's OK Lee, don't try to push it, you have a concussion.”

Lee swallowed again and this time he was able to speak, “How...long?”

“You've been out for about two hours Lee.” Lee nodded and closed his eyes to ward off the dizziness the motion caused.

“I felt a couple of cracks, and one broken rib.”

“Yeah, feels like it. What's been going on?” Lee needed to know what he missed, although now he wasn't sure he was going to be any help to the Admiral. Everything hurt, and one of his broken ribs was pushing on his lung, which was evident by the traces of blood when he coughed. Harry noticed and brought him a clean wash cloth from the bathroom, speaking to him as he wiped the new blood from the corner of Lee's mouth.

“I've made a few corrections...” Lee's eyes widened in protest, “not enough to solve McGuire's problem but enough to keep him off you until Chip arrives.”

“Admiral, I'm expendable here. You can't let that madman have the formula.” Lee's pleas were met by Harry's understanding eyes.

“I know Lee, and I won't believe me. But we're going to have to buy Chip some time. I don't know how he'll find us, I just know he will.”

Another cough silenced the conversation as Lee rode out the pain. The Admiral stayed by his side until Lee was breathing more normal, albeit shallow breaths. He squeezed his shoulder and returned to his the table speaking as he did so.

“Hood put intentional errors into this formula, I've found twelve so far. But there is a definite pattern, and so I am being careful which errors to expose. He had a brilliant mind, its a shame that he had to work in the presence of the likes of McGuire.”

Lee's breathing changed slightly and Harry stopped to look over at him watching him with a discriminate eye.

Lee smiled, as much as his sore jaw would allow, “I'm OK Admiral, really.” Harry responded with a disbelieving smile but turned his head back to the notebook. Lee closed his eyes, how am I going to protect the Admiral when I can't see straight and I'm dizzy lying down?

* * * * *

Chip had his team assembled and ready. Soon is would be dusk and they would leave in the flying sub. It would be a daring rescue landing right in the compound, their options limited by the terrain around them. The grounds surrounding the compound were big enough, he had seen that on the satellite photos, he just hoped that the element of surprise would also be enough.

Sara waited in the nose watching the preparations take place. She had shown Chip where the room was located where her father had worked. She had also realized that all her ties to the island had now come to an end, her father was dead and now she was working against McGuire. She wasn't safe here anymore so she asked Chip for asylum, which he granted as the acting captain of the boat.

Chip looked around, everything was ready, now all they had to do was go and get their commanding officers.

* * * * *

Lee's eyes opened at once when the door to the study opened, but he couldn't lift his head. He heard the men approach with McGuire in his usual boisterous voice.

“Have you made any progress Admiral Nelson?” Bronson had moved over to where Lee was laying on the sofa and placed the heavy walking stick on his chest point down. Lee looked up at him glaring but didn't speak.

Harry returned his question with hard eyes, and turned his papers to McGuire to inspect. McGuire studied the notes and the changes Harry noted and smiled.

“Yes, I see you have. You see Nelson, when you cooperate then I will return the favor.” He motioned to Bronson who stepped away from Lee and turned to leave. McGuire also turned to leave, “I will check on your progress again Admiral Nelson, I expect it will be considerable.” The door closed and they were alone again.

“Admiral?” Lee's voice was weak, and he seemed to cock his head to hear better. Harry stopped and listened as well, then smiled.

“I hear it Lee, looks like Chip found us.” A small smile creased Lee's face, but then faded into a small gasp escaped when he breathed. “Hold on Lee, we'll be out of this soon.”

* * * * *

Chip only had one chance at this, he couldn't do a flyby and check the landing zone out. It had to be a straight in approach. He guided the flying sub down on the skids that the Admiral had designed for non water landings. The lawn was well manicured and easy to set down on. He left Riley with FS1 and took off with Sharkey, Kowalski and Patterson, his Go-To Team. These guys were his most experienced and trustworthy crewman, together they would get the Admiral and the Skipper.

They ran toward the back side of the building that Sara had pointed out, and placed the explosive charge at the wall. Chip rapped on the window through the bars, and soon Harry was there. Chip showed him the explosives and Harry nodded. The wall about to be destroyed was adjacent to the sofa where Lee was lying. Harry ran over and threw himself over Lee's face and waited for the explosion. Only a minute passed and the explosion blew the wall. Harry looked up to see his crew pouring in through the newly formed hole in the wall.

“Over here!” He yelled, “Help the Captain.”

Ski and Patterson each took an arm and wrapped it around their shoulders as Lee moved his feet trying to help as much as possible. Sharkey was on his knees in a defensive position holding a rifle at the door. Harry picked up the notebook and went to the chalkboard erasing what he could.

“We've got to go Admiral!” Chip's urging registered and they left, with Sharkey in the rear covering the retreat. As they headed back to FS1 the firefight started with McGuire's men. Sharkey stopped and put down effective cover and then ran a zig zag pattern to the aft hatch of the craft. As soon as he was in, Riley began the take-off procedure and soon FS1 was airborne.

Lee was settled in the bunk with Ski beginning first aid. The run hadn't been good for him, and he was expelling more blood as he coughed. Harry noticed that they weren't headed to the harbor, and looked down at Seaview's vector signal. He smiled when he realized that Chip had taken Seaview from the dock out to sea. He had a lot of questions for Chip, most notably how he found them, but right now his main concern was getting Lee back to Jamie.

Soon, FS1 submerged and Riley guided the craft to Seaview's bow, docking her easily.

“Nice job, Riley. All you men, very nice job.” Harry was proud of his crew and what they had accomplished on such little information. The deck hatch was opened and Jamie descended to check his patient as Ski, Patterson and Sharkey ascended to the nose.

Jamie leaned over the top of Lee, taking vitals and getting a fix on his condition. Lee's eyes opened and he cracked a half smile, “Hi Jamie,” his voice was weak and was followed by a cough.

“Lacerated lung?”

“Yeah, hurts to breath.” Lee's honesty sent sparks of concern up Jamieson's back, with Lee's pat answer of “fine” having been avoided. Jamie turned to the corpsman, “I need a stretcher, looks like the Skipper's taking a ride to sickbay.”

* * * * *

Harry stood in the main sickbay area as Jamie and the corpsman wheeled Lee out from surgery. He looked a bit better, having been cleaned up with a white sickbay issue blanket covering his lower body. His chest however, sported various colors of purple, blue, and black bruises, mostly covered by a white bandage that wrapped around his midsection.

The corpsman helped Jamie move their unconscious captain into a lower bunk. Jamie adjusted the IV fluids, checked Lee's monitors and walked toward Harry satisfied that Lee was comfortable.

Chip and Sara, Miss Sara Hood, stood beside Harry watching as well.

Harry had been surprised when he had reached the top of the hatch to find her in the nose looking very worried, and then relieved as she spotted him. Chip intercepted the Admiral as he walked toward Sara knowing that he would want an explanation.

“Let's do it on the way to sickbay, Chip,” Harry already knowing that a debrief was coming.

“Aye Sir. Miss Hood?” Chip moved his arm in a swinging motion to indicate that she should follow the Admiral. At her full name, Harry stopped dead in his tracks and turned around.

“You said 'Hood'?”

“Yes Sir...” and Chip went on to explain how Sara had come to the gangplank with his white silken scarf and the incredible story of their abduction. It was too incredulous for Chip to totally ignore so he invited her aboard until he could sort out the details, or until Harry and Lee had showed up. As it turned out, her information was more than instrumental in their rescue. Indeed, it was solely because of her information that they knew where to look.

When Harry added to the story the fact the project he was forced to work on was her father's, it added to the incredibility of the situation. But then, that would explain the “pattern” he had found in Professor Hood's notes, two constant numbers had been substituted by two seemingly arbitrary letters, s & h, since letters normally represent variables it was quite a surprise to note that each s actually corresponded to the number 19, and each h corresponded to 8, indicating the 19^th and 8^th letters of the alphabet. Sara Hood.

Harry realized that Jamie had settled Lee in and was now walking toward them, speaking as he approached.

“Admiral, anything I need to know about?” raising an eyebrow as he spoke.

“No, no, I'm fine Jamie. Its Lee who was used as a punching bag. Speaking of...”

“He's going to be fine Sir. He'll be flat on his back for the next three days to make sure the lacerated lung and his ribs have a chance to begin to heal. He's got a moderate concussion, I'm afraid you know the drill, it will be several weeks before the headaches, dizziness, and vision problems clear up. The rest of his injuries are painful, but not life threatening, although we will be watching for the effects of the deep bruising on his midsection and back. But I don't think we'll see any surprises by the looks of the x-rays.”

“Good Jamie, I expect he'll be out for awhile?”

“A couple of hours, and then only awake for short periods to give his body a chance to heal.”

“I understand, call me when he begins to show signs of waking up.”

“Aye Sir.”

Chip looked relieved, as he listened to Jamie's long laundry list of Lee's injuries. He'd been boiling mad when he had gotten a look at Lee, he needed to get the Admiral to the nose and sit down to hammer out the entire story. He was pretty sure the kidnapping of two high ranking Naval personnel, coupled with assault would place this McGuire guy in a precarious position. He wasn't sure they were out of danger yet.

Harry and Chip turned to leave, but Sara reached to stop the Admiral with a hand to his forearm.

“Would it be alright if I stayed with Captain Crane for awhile?”

Harry cocked his head at Jamie in an unspoken question to which Jamie replied, “Sure. But he won't even know you're here for some time now.” She nodded her understanding and Jamie guided her over to Lee's bedside, moving a chair over for her.

Harry nodded his thanks to Jamie, and he and Chip left to run the boat. It was just a hunch, but Harry thought that they should be making fast tracks to get out of these waters.

* * * * *

Harry and Chip walked back to the Control Room as Harry brought Chip up to date on Professor Hood's notes, the suitcase size nuclear bombs and the danger involved with the technology falling into the wrong hands.

Chip blew a long whistle out in response, “It sounds like perhaps McGuire already had a buyer on the line, since he was pushing you so hard, Admiral.”

Harry stopped in his tracks, “I think you may be right Chip, the question is, was it terrorists or a country he was working for?”

Harry and Chip's eyes both registered the danger immediately, if the buyer was an unknown country they could very well have a naval contingency to deal with. They hastened their pace and hurried to the Control Room to put Seaview on a safe course out of these waters.

Once in the Control Room they headed to the chart table as Harry began looking over possible routes and the best hiding places in them. He decided that heading straight for Santa Barbara would not be wise, and that they would make their way to an undisclosed but deep part of the ocean to see what might transpire.

With coordinates in hand, Chip began issuing the orders to the coordinates that Harry provided. Although they normally traveled at 90 feet, periscope depth, Chip ordered the boat to dive to 200 ft. Both Chip and Harry felt an ominous feeling that this wasn't over yet, Professor Hood's notes, now in Harry's custody had the power to change the political power structure of the world. It was unlikely that that it would be dismissed so easily.

Harry decided to risk a transmission to ONI, to tell them of his discovery, and to find out what information they might have on a possible buyer. ONI's intelligence gathering had emerged as one of the best of the alphabet soups, and Harry was sure that the threat was not unknown to them.

Sparks completed the video call to Admiral Johnson, the head of ONI, as Harry and Chip stood before the monitor. Soon, Admiral Johnson's face appeared on the screen, “Harriman, what's so important that you got me out of bed ?” Harry seriously doubted Johnson had been in bed as he was dressed in his uniform complete with all his ribbons and awards.

“Does the name Theodore Hood mean anything to you?” Harry thought he'd go for the gusto, throw out a big bone and see what bit.

“Where did you hear that name, Harriman?” His eyes narrowing as he spoke.

“Professor Hood is dead, but Lee and I ran across someone who was very interested in seeing his work continue.” Harry had him hooked, and went on to explain how they had been abducted, and forced to work on the project. He informed Johnson of the intentional errors and that he was now in possession of the notebook.

“I'm sorry to hear about Crane, you say he'll recover?”

“Yes, yes. But Gerald, what about the possible buyers?” Harry's patience was running thin, this was supposed to be an exchange of information but so far he was the only one doing the exchanging.

“Harriman, I can't give you specifics without a go ahead from the top, but I'll tell you this much. The buyers are well connected, and well funded. They're not a country, but a faction within a currently politically unstable one. They are nothing more than terrorists, but they're portraying themselves as patriots. I wouldn't count out a naval threat.”

Harry and Chip looked at each other, their fears having just been confirmed. Harry started to speak, but Johnson continued.

“Where are you Harriman, we'll get an escort out to meet you.” Johnson picked up a pencil ready to write coordinates down.

“Negative Gerald. If this is as hot as you say, then let's not broadcast it, even over a secure line. Let me get Seaview to a defensible position then I'll contact you.”

Johnson was clearly not happy with the idea, but complied, “Alright Harriman, have it your way. Tell Crane I want an After Action Report as soon as he's able.”

“This wasn't an ONI assignment, Gerald.”

“It is now. What you've got there is hot, and the sooner we get it secured the better.”

“Alright Gerald, I'll contact you in twenty-four hours. You can send the entire Pacific Fleet to meet us.”

“Be there Harriman, I'm putting my neck out on this one. Johnson out.”

Harry and Chip exchanged their looks of unbelief. The whole thing was absurd. They started out visiting a nondescript island in the middle of the Pacific and were now running from an unknown enemy with unknown assets.

They were on course, running at two thirds, and everything was green so far, so Harry picked up the notebook that had caused all this trouble and headed for the spiral stairs. “I'll be in my cabin Chip.”

Chip responded and looked wistfully out Seaview's windows, this was a lousy time for Lee to be flat on his back in sickbay, but he'd hold it together as best as he could. He hoped it would be enough.

* * * * *

Lee breathed deeply, at least he tried to breath deeply. Big mistake. The breath he took immediately got caught in a spike of pain followed by a groan. He was aware of someone holding his hand, and understood it to be a female one. He was curious about this since he had already determined that he was on Seaview, and the boat was running at two thirds speed.

He opened his eyes and let them focus, he recognized the after effects of anesthesia and unhappily, a concussion to go with it. He felt the nausea began to heighten and called for Jamie as he started to turn on his side to deal with the impending sickness threatening to make itself known.

“Don't move Lee, just turn you head, I'm prepared.”

Lee was grateful for Jamie just now because he was losing the battle with the nausea. He was violently ill for a few minutes and felt the soft female hand squeeze his in support. He felt Jamie take a cool cloth to his face and wipe his mouth.

“Here, take some water and then we'll talk.”

He felt a straw to his mouth and rinsed, spitting back into the container Jamie had produced. He took a drink and finally opened his eyes to see Jamie, he smiled that “I'm back” look and Jamie responded in kind. Then he looked down to see who was holding his hand, his eyes focused enough to recognize the waitress from the restaurant.

“Sara? How...” a cough interrupted his inquiry as Jamie held his shoulder down.

“Lee, listen to me, you need to stay as flat as possible, I've repaired the lacerated lung but we can't risk a re-injury.” Lee nodded slightly in understanding.

“Now, before you ask, Admiral Nelson is OK, your crew is fine, and so is Seaview. I'll call the Admiral and Chip down in a moment, but I need you to promise me to stay flat on your back.”

“Promise Jamie...not going anywhere.” Lee added a small smile, and Jamie got up to call Harry.

Sara had let go of Lee's hand, feeling a little embarrassed at having been caught. He just seemed so vulnerable lying there, and she felt he needed encouragement, to know he wasn't alone. And when he got sick, well she just wanted to help.

“Sara,” Lee's voice brought her back from her thinking and she smiled at Lee. “Don't take this wrong but, what are you doing here?” He knew he wasn't getting points for his etiquette right now, but the anesthetics and the concussion, and the fact that he couldn't take a full breath was leaving him a little deficient in his normally charming decorum.

“I saw them take you, the only thing I could think of was to get to your submarine for help. I told Mr. Morton about Devin McGuire and his compound on the cliff side.”

“There's more Lee,” this was Harry's voice, “she's Professor Hood's daughter.”

Lee looked in unbelief, well it was sort of unbelief, his brain was also feeling like it was getting a little more information that he could handle right now. Somehow he was able to articulate it and understood that McGuire had said that Hood was dead. He looked at Sara with genuine sympathy, “I'm sorry Sara.”

“It's OK, I'm sorry that all this happened. Its my fault you know?” Sara dropped her eyes to her lap and looked at her hands. Harry spoke up as he pulled a chair over to sit beside her, so that Lee could see them both.

“Sara, how could this possibly be your fault?”

“Devin McGuire had an interest in me, I don't know what it was but he kept me under watch. He found you because he was already watching me.”

Harry's voice was gentle and kind as he answered, “Sara, he very well may have spotted us in the cafe as he watched you, but McGuire himself told us that he knew that Seaview was in port. Its not your fault.” He smiled to emphasize his point. “As for why he was watching you, I suspect because you helped your father with some of the notes,” Chip had relayed this information to Harry earlier and it all seemed to be falling into place now. “McGuire wanted to make sure that you weren't a possible source to decode the errors your father placed in the formula.”

Lee was glad that Harry had it all figured out, because right now he was just a bystander in the conversation. Maybe later he'd be able to really grasp what was going on, but right now he wasn't quite there. Harry seemed to recognize this, and so he asked Chip to help Sara to her quarters and find some suitable clothes for her to change into since she was still wearing her waitress uniform.

When they left, Harry moved into the chair closest to him. “How are you feeling Lee?”

“Pretty jumbled Admiral,” Lee smiled, “How's the boat?”

“I'll send Chip back for a status report after you get some rest, you look like you could use it.”

There wasn't any point in arguing, Lee knew he was barely holding on, so he decided to just let it go and be a model patient, at least until the white spots stopped dancing before his eyes. A small, “Aye Sir” followed and Harry watched as Lee went to sleep without any transition.

Harry rose to leave, meeting Jamie on the way out. “He seems rather confused Jamie?”

“Its the concussion, Admiral, but his neural checks are good so far, he just needs rest.”

Harry smiled and turned to leave, now all he had to do was get Seaview to the safety of the trench and wait for the Pacific Fleet to show up.

* * * * *

They arrived at the series of trenches that spidered off the Mariana’s Trench. The depths of the Marianas made it impossible to hide there, but the many trenches that converged here held suitable canyons and depth. Harry picked one to wait it out, and settled Seaview at 2,000 feet with room to go deeper if he needed.

He put in the call to a very relieved Johnson who promised to have the Fleet there as soon as possible.

“How's Crane? Has he got my AAR yet?” Johnson asked just as they were about ready to finish up the call.

“Captain Crane is suffering from a moderate concussion and a lacerated lung among a long list of other injuries, Gerald. You'll get it when he can think clearly, until then let it be.”

Johnson smiled to himself, Nelson sure is protective of Lee, but then again, under the false indifference he displayed he knew he felt the same way, its just that he also needed Lee's skills. “Alright, fine. But you tell him just the same. Johnson out.”

Harry smiled, he was a four star admiral himself, and wasn't intimidated in the least by Johnson's abruptness. He also wasn't fooled by Gerald's feelings for Lee, he just wished he would stop calling on him for assignments.

He had actually just seen Lee before making the video call, his confusion had settled down quite a bit, and Lee was much more coherent today. He and Sara had been there after breakfast. It seemed that Sara had gotten over her star stuckness with him, because she had opted to stay in sickbay again. She was a good kid, and Harry knew that something was going to have to be done to protect her as well as Hood's notes.

He also needed to know, what if anything, she understood in the notes. She said she enjoyed reading the scientific journals, and that just didn't sound like someone who didn't understand what she read. Come to think of it...he decided he needed to have a talk with Sara and get some straight answers.

Harry left the Control Room in the apt hands of the Exec and headed for the spiral stairs, first he had to make a stop to his cabin.

* * * * *

Lee was still lying, mostly, Jamie had permitted him a few pillows to raise him into a slight sitting position. He couldn't imagine what he looked like having not seen the damage done by Bronson, but he knew it wasn't pretty.

What was pretty was the young lady sitting at the bunk trying to think of something to say. She was in her early twenties and more a contemporary of Riley's age. He thought maybe she might like to meet Stu, he was a surfing bum, but only off duty. Otherwise, he was a good crewman who had joined the inner circle of his go-to crew members for special assignments. He was also a good pilot, and Lee enjoyed the training sessions in the flying sub when he had taken Riley to get his wings.

Lee was about to ask Sara if she would like to meet Riley when the Admiral came into sickbay. Sara started to rise out of her chair for the Admiral but he waved her down and pulled over another one from the other side of the room.

“Johnson sends his greetings.”

“Meaning, when I'm up to it he wants his report?” Lee smiled as he delivered the line. Harry returned the smile, Lee was definitely feeling better.

“Miss Hood, I think its time you told us everything you know about this,” Harry held up her father's notebook, “right now we're on high alert, sitting in a trench, waiting for the entire Pacific Fleet to arrive to get this, and I can't keep you safe unless I know what I'm dealing with.”

Lee's eyebrow's creased as he looked at the Admiral, and Sara noticed it.

“You do understand what he wrote, don't you?”

Sara sighed as she sat in dungarees that were too big for her, and rolled up to her elbows, “It was Father's idea. Working for McGuire seemed to be a dream come true, he'd have the facilities and the time to complete the project. But the longer he worked for him, the easier it was to see that McGuire was a power hungry madman. He distanced me as far as he could from the project, and stopped bringing me along to help him.”

“But you're so young to understand such complex ideas. Have you been to a university?” Harry's question brought a smile to Sara.

“My father was a professor, why wouldn't he also impart his knowledge to his own child?” Her smile softened her words as she spoke, “Yes, I understand the notes. I don't need letters after my name to know what I know.”

Harry nodded, acknowledging her point, “But you do realize, that you're at risk because of your father's work?” She nodded as Harry continued, “You can actually reproduce the formula, can't you?”

“No. No, the heart of the formula was my father's, but I understand it and I can apply it.”

“Sara, I need to turn this notebook over to the US Government. What is it that you want? Do you want to be part of the team that will someday develop it?” Harry was sure that without her help the team would be studying for years to develop an actual prototype, and maybe that's what was best. Was it really necessary to have such portable nuclear weapons at our disposal? What would be the purpose? Would we really send an operative in with a suitcase to take out a target when there was no way to prevent collateral damage? Harry couldn't think of a strategic reason to do so.

“My father's work is too dangerous, he came to know that in the end. He tried to leave McGuire and that's why he died, to protect the project from reaching evil hands. But the project still has value, not to place in suitcases to move covertly among innocents, but my father's idea was to compact the weapon and lessen the payload requirements for the thrusters in missiles and rockets. He saw them as deterrence, not preemptive first strikes. But I don't see this as my life's work either.”

“Then you want me to keep your knowledge a secret?” Harry exchanged glances with Lee, although he wasn't participating in the conversation, he was fully grasping the entire matter today.

“Yes, I would be more or less forced to further the project, and I have other plans for my life.”

Harry nodded, he would respect Sara's desires. If his country wanted to advance the project they could call upon their many resources to do so, he only hoped that they would have their priorities as straight as this young lady's.

* * * * *

Chip was at the Chart Table working out possible coordinates if they had to move deeper when Kowalski called out from Sonar.

“I've got a bogey just entering the grid.”

Chip closed the distance to Sonar and waited as Ski listened for the profile.

“She's a Russian built, Class B.”

Chip thought about the possibilities, the Bolshaya Class were large submarines, but many had been decommissioned as of late, and were being sold off in an effort to keep pace with the latest subs from America. So her class did little to identify the country, it did however identify her capabilities. She had heavy armament and was capable of bringing Seaview down, although Seaview had greater maneuverability, speed and a deeper crush depth. Still, she was a force to be reckoned with, and Chip knew he needed to stay on top of things.

“Rig for silent running,” he said leaning over to Ron Rodriguez, the hefty Latino that had been on board since the first plank was laid, “and inform the Admiral that his presence is requested in the Control Room.” Silent running meant no com communications, and Ron left to take care of both orders that Mr. Morton had just given him.

Seaview was sitting at 2000 feet and she would stay here unless the Class B found them.

“She's pinging, Sir.” Kowalski's voice kept soft. Chip could hear the pings, but he also knew that the canyon walls were effectively bouncing off the pings shielding their current location.

“Everyone steady, she's looking but she doesn't know where we are.” Chip reassured the crew as he spoke softly. A few moments later soft steps descended down the spiral staircase and Chip looked up to see the Admiral, addressing him softly as he neared the console.

“A Russian Class B, she's looking for us,” Harry could hear the pings and knew that, “but we're well hidden in the canyon.”

Harry nodded his acknowledgment as he picked up the extra hydrophones to listen, “It's number 23, she's been decommissioned and resold, but I know her profile.” Harry's soft voice adding confidence to the crew.

“Very well, Kowalski, log the bogey as Bolshaya 23.” Chip's reply was quiet as they tracked B23.

They listened as B23's pings moved away. “Keep her in your sights Ski, let me know if she so much as sneezes in our direction.”

But B23 kept moving away from them and soon her pings were lost on the ocean around her. The rest of the watch was quiet, but those few moments of activity kept everyone alert. Their hiding place was secure, and the only battle they faced was the one being waged in sickbay at that moment.

* * * * *

Lee laid in his bunk having fallen asleep again, but his eyes opened on the first “ping” he heard. He listened again, another one. He started to sit up when he was restrained by Jamie's hand against his shoulders. Both being sailors and professionals, they didn't break silent running, but spoke in low tones. Tones that were accentuated by Lee's command glare.

“Captain, I fail to see how your passing out in the Control Room could add to the confidence of the crew or the safety of the boat.” Jamie was quick and to the point.

“Jamie, I'm not asking to be released to duty, but I need to be there to know what's going on.” It all seemed rather reasonable to him.

“Its not going to happen Lee, so let's just stop pretending you can even get out of bed without falling over and putting that rib right through your lung. You know how much longer your recovery will be if that happens?” Jamie was pulling the big punches, but it was for Lee's own good.

“But if its just information you want, I'll send a runner for you.” Jamie's concession seemed reasonable to him and he watched as Lee thought about it, “No, everyone has their battle stations...I'll wait.”

Jamie nodded and walked away. He wondered if his sound reasoning had won out, or if the fact that their little exchange had completely worn Lee out, but either way he was being reasonable...for now.

Lee laid in his bed and listened to the pings, they were heading away on a tangent line to their port side. The trench that the Admiral had found had done its job, and the unknown submarine was moving away. He smiled as he heard the pings move off until he couldn't make them out anymore. He had the best sub, the best crew, and the best boss in the world. It was a pleasant thought to rest by, and he found himself drifting off to sleep again.

The next time he woke he had company, Harry and Sara. He smiled at them both and found that he was feeling much better, relatively speaking of course.

“How long have you been there?” Curious to know if they had just been watching him sleep.

“We just sat down Lee. Actually, I'm getting ready to take Miss Hood up to the Alabama and we thought you might like to say goodbye.”

“Where will go you now, Sara?”

“I have family in Wisconsin, I'll start there.” She spoke with confidence and he thought that she had carried herself rather well throughout this traumatic event.

“I wish you well...and thank you for everything you did. I'm quite sure you saved my life.” His smile was infectious and she returned it.

“You're very welcome.” She turned to include the Admiral into the conversation, “Thank you both for the hospitality of your boat. I never thought that I'd have the opportunity to take a voyage on Seaview, and now a ride on the flying sub. My father would have loved it.”

“If you find yourself in Santa Barbara please come by to see us. I'd be interested in knowing how things turned out for you.” Harry's warm smile was genuine, he reminded her so much of her father, and she returned the smile as she rose.

“I'll do that. Goodbye Captain Crane.”

“Goodbye Miss Hood.”

They turned to leave, and Lee thought again about Riley. Somehow he didn't think they were quite the match. Patterson was married but someone like him, calm, loyal, quiet.. maybe Pat has a brother...

He wasn't sure why, but he had some definite big brother feelings for the young woman, and he truly hoped that she would decide to keep in touch. He thought about what McGuire had said, that the professor's project would be Harry's magnum opus. How ironic that the Professor's notes was not his greatest achievement at all, even though it was an incredible idea. No, the Professor's magnum opus, his greatest achievement and his chief work, was the young lady who was now leaving Seaview.

Lee let that thought rest for awhile in his mind, and drifted off to sleep as he felt the bay doors open and FS1 slide out into the depths.

The End

The Professor's Notes

Note: The Russian built Bolshaya Class are real, but as far as I know the part about decommissioning and being sold to other navies is just part of my fiction world. But since B39 was decommissioned in 1994 and now sits as a museum in San Diego, I thought I'd explore it as a possibility. :-)

Copyright 2013, All Rights Reserved

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