This story is a follow up
story to one of my favorite 1st Season episodes. It takes place in the 4th Season
Time-line.
Recipe for Revenge
by Lynn
The cool breeze gently lapped against the face of Lee Crane as he and his executive officer, Chip Morton walked leisurely along the sidewalk that paralleled the wharf. Their dinner at the Blue Pelican had been very good, and it was a popular cafe for the crew when they were in port.
They preferred the walk to a cab ride, it was only about two miles from Seaview's berth and the walk in the night air had been refreshing. Both men wore their summer khaki uniforms, including their jackets and covers, and seemed to be oblivious to several female heads that turned their direction as they walked by.
“So how's Monica doing?” Lee asked, shifting their topic of boat business back to their personal lives as they strolled along.
“Great! I tell you Lee, I don't think she's ever been more beautiful. There's something about her face that shines every month we get closer to the baby being born, she just radiates,” It was something extremely personal for Chip to be sharing about his wife, the kind of thing you'd tell your brother, and so it felt perfectly natural for Chip to share this with Lee.
“Yeah, I've heard about that before, your sister was that way when she had Travis.”
“Really? I didn't notice.”
“You wouldn't,” Lee smirked cracking a half smile.
“Anyway...” Chip drawled rolling his eyes in the process, “she wanted me to check and see if you were still going to be able to make the barbeque?”
“Sure, wouldn't miss it. She going to be up to it this close to delivery?”
“Are you kidding? She's so full of energy now I can't keep up, something about nesting.” The two shared a smile and continued walking along, their ease in sharing their personal lives apparent. It had been a slight adjustment when Chip had gotten married two years ago, but Lee was happy for him. Monica was the perfect “military wife”. She kept the home fires burning when Chip was gone, and pampered him when he got home, always there waiting when Seaview docked. She was tough and gentle at the same time, a real lady, and she was exactly what Chip had needed.
They shifted just as easily back into boat business as they reached the half way point in their walk. They weren't in a hurry, they had a few days in port and the entire crew was enjoying rotating liberty. The meal off-boat had been a treat for both of them, but even so Lee was ready to get back to the pile of reports on his desk.
From time to time a car would pass them as they walked, but they ignored them. Activity along the wharf was pretty quiet, especially in the area they were now passing as it was mainly commercial fishing boats with no shops and cafes around. Lee heard a car pulling along side of them and slowing. His attention diverted to the car to check out it's occupants. It was a little paranoid he knew, but it was a by-product of years in undercover espionage. This time, he was right.
The car suddenly veered in front of Chip and Lee, driving up onto the sidewalk blocking their path. Four men disembarked from the dark sedan, their weapons drawn. Lee realized that their options were limited. They were out-manned and most importantly, out-gunned.
Another car drove up slowly and stopped behind them, as Lee and Chip raised their hands in the universal surrender position. The windows were tinted in the black limo, but Lee could still make out a figure in the back seat.
“Captain Crane,” said one of the four men who was holding them at gunpoint, “your presence is requested by my employer.” As he spoke Lee felt his hands being pulled tightly behind his back as two more men stepped out of the limo. Chip started to struggle when he saw Lee being restrained, but Lee called him off.
“Stand down Mr. Morton,” Chip complied immediately. Lee didn't know what they wanted, and he wanted to distance Chip as far from the trouble as possible. Maybe if they got what they wanted in taking him, they'd leave Chip alone.
They walked Lee over to the waiting limo and Chip watched as Lee's cover was taken off, and a black fabric was tied around his eyes rendering him blind to the current situation. The burly man holding Lee's arm opened the back door of the limo and guided Lee's head downward depositing him in the car across from its occupant.
“Welcome Captain Crane.” Lee heard a familiar voice, but couldn't quite place it. It could be anyone from his history with Seaview, ONI, or even the military, but he was sure he knew the voice. Lee said nothing, his bound hands forcing him forward slightly, his vision completely neutralized. With senses of touch and sight being cut off, he focused his attention on what he could learn with his sense of hearing.
That sense was suddenly shocked into awareness as Lee heard a single gun shot as it's report pierced the otherwise quiet night air. Instantly, Lee's head turned toward the sound of the gunshot, toward where he knew Chip had been standing, held by his captors. But the blindfold had done his job and all he could do was to pray that Chip was OK.
Lee missed the smile on the man's face who sat across from him, as he watched Lee's expression of horror pondering his friend's fate.
“Don't worry Captain, a well placed bullet to the shoulder. He's going to be my message boy.” Lee felt the car move into gear and tried to take his mind off Chip as he concentrated on the direction that the car now took. He hoped the man sitting across from him was telling him the truth, but Chip was still out there, maybe bleeding to death. How could a pleasant evening off the boat go so wrong, so fast?
* * * * *
Chip watched as they loaded Lee into the car as he stood there flanked by two gorillas, securely restraining him. He tried to get a fix on the occupant of the limo sitting across from Lee, but the door had blocked his view of the man's face. He could tell by his legs that it was a man, that was something, he had to take as many clues back to the Admiral as possible.
His studious gaze was blocked by a man looking of middle eastern descent standing in front of him with a piece of paper held into Chip's line of sight.
“This is a message for your boss. All you have to do is deliver it to Nelson.” Chip stared his best command face at the goon as he stuffed the paper inside his uniform jacket's breast pocket. Then he took two steps away and turned slowly pointing a gun at Chip. His two captors released him and just as quick he heard the gun explode, just as he registered a fire searing into his shoulder.
The impact of the shot at such close range threw Chip flying into the air and landing hard on his back. He rolled with the pain to one side, looking back toward his assailant. Breathing heavily, he watched the men take a few steps backwards and then pile back into their dark sedan, speeding back into the dark night.
He clutched his shoulder and felt the darkness begin to threaten to over take him. He noticed he felt both cold and sweaty at the same time. No! He thought frantically, realizing that he may very well be going into shock. But he had to stay conscious, he had to report that they had taken Lee, so he fought the darkness at the same time trying to focus and manage the pain.
* * * * *
Ski, Pat, and Riley were making their way back to the boat. Their night out had been short, but they needed to report back to the boat since they had the Watch in the morning. Still, it had felt good to breathe some air that had not been revitalized through machines.
Ski breathed deeply, taking in the fresh air with the smell of the salt water. Up ahead they saw a couple of cars pulled over and parked awkwardly. They crossed the street to avoid the cars as the back car, a limousine pulled away, a few minutes later they heard the distinct sound of a gun shot as it reverberated through the night air.
The three ratings ducked for cover as they watched the dark sedan speed away. They hustled forward, crossing the street and running towards the crumpled figure lying on the sidewalk. Ski had the most field medic training, and moved ahead to lend his aid when he realized that the man lying on the ground was wearing a khaki uniform. His blond hair gave him away and Ski yelled, “Mr. Morton!” as he turned the exec over onto his back.
Patterson and Riley flanked both sides of Chip leaning down as Ski showed Pat where to apply the pressure on his shoulder.
“Stu, go get help. He's bleeding real bad, and I think he's going into shock.” Stu Riley took off in a sprinter's run closing the mile distance to the submarine in about five minutes.
* * * * *
Chip barely registered the gentle hands caring for him as he they turned him over and began applying pressure. The bullet was still lodged, and although he wanted to just let it all slip away into unconsciousness, he fought to stay coherent.
He lifted his bloodied right hand and shakily reached up to his breast pocket retrieving the crumpled piece of paper that had been shoved in.
“Ski,” Chip's voice sounding strained, he swallowed hard feeling like he was going to pass out. “They've got the Skipper...give this to the Admiral...” but anything else he would have said was lost as Chip's arm dropped to his side and he succumbed to the darkness.
* * * * *
Lee tried to keep track of the turns the vehicle was making as they traveled, even as he tried to size up the current situation. He knew that two more men had gotten back into the car, with the occupant in front of him, that made three...plus the driver.
Not good odds when you're blindfolded with hands bound behind one's back. There were four other men in the dark sedan, that made eight so far. Thinking of the dark sedan brought his attention back to Chip. He wondered if anyone had found him yet, they were close to the boat and there would be plenty of crewmen going back and forth. But what if his kidnappers had lied to him, what if Chip lay mortally wounded? He didn't think he could handle that thought just now, so he kept concentrating on his surroundings.
They drove less than a half hour when Lee realized that the car had slowed and stopped. He could hear a metal roll up door being opened, and then the car drove forward parking. The door was closed behind them and Lee heard his car door open. He was pulled from his seat and taken about ten feet as he felt his captor's hands drop. His hands were loosened and he cautiously raised his hands towards the blindfold. Feeling no one restraining him, he finished the motion and pulled the cloth from his eyes.
He blinked as his eyes adjusted to a bright light that shone directly on him, flooding him in a round circle, everything beyond the circle a black darkness.
“Who are you? What do you want with me?” Lee shouted into the darkness, looking toward where he could make out silhouettes gathered. The warehouse lights were suddenly turned up and the brightness caught Lee off guard as he worked to refocus. He was surrounded by unknown men, all but the man who stood smugly before him. This man he'd never forget.
“Amadi?” Lee's unbelief was completely transparent as he took in the dark haired man before him. His unbelief was met by a small, tight smile. Lee regained his composure quickly adding, “So Major Amadi, you're behind this.” It was obvious, Lee knew that, but he hoped he could get Amadi talking. He was pretty sure kidnapping a United States Naval Officer was a high risk venture for the Major. He could have killed Lee outright, so he must need him for something and Lee needed to know what that was.
“Its General Amadi now,” Amadi spoke with a superior tone which Lee noticed had not been affected by the last three and a half years in prison.
“These gorillas don't look like military to me Amadi, more like hired thugs.” Lee purposely avoiding his self-appointed title.
“My men are loyal and they will rise with me when I return to rule my country. But first, I have some unfinished business to attend to.”
It was the “unfinished business” that Lee was worried about. The last time Lee had run into Amadi was over three years ago when Lee infiltrated his country looking for the source of America's downed aircraft. He was looking for the Underground contact, a man named Aziz, when he was captured and taken to General Gamal's secret facility. It was there that he found the Magnus Beam, a powerful machine that pulled the aircraft to its source, crushing them in the process. Lee had been severely beaten in the General's quest for information regarding his Underground contact, but was later rescued by Aziz and his contact Luana. Amadi was trapped aboard Seaview as she was caught in the Beam, his job had been to lure the submarine to be crushed. The Admiral had used his genius to escape with a small commando team. Lee and Aziz's men were able to provide the coverage for the Admiral to lay the explosives and the Magnus Beam was destroyed.
Lee was pretty sure this entire set-up was a recipe for revenge, and he was equally sure that the Admiral was the main target. He and Chip had done their parts, but it was the Admiral's genius that had saved the day. The Admiral had defeated the General, and Harry had denied Amadi political asylum, sending him to be dealt with by the new government ran by the Resistance leaders, where he was sent to prison.
“What do you want with me Amadi?” It was time to get to the point.
“Nothing too difficult Captain. I'm going to give you a message, you'll take it Admiral Nelson, and he'll come here to see me. Simple.” Amadi was demonstrative with his hands as he spoke, his confidence in his plan apparent.
“What makes you think Admiral Nelson will come?” Lee's eyebrows narrowed, watching the men that surrounded him as he talked. Amadi was unstable, Lee had seen it before, there was no way he was going to deliver a message to bring Harry here.
Amadi laughed, and Lee noticed the men around him shift slightly closer to him. “Nelson will come all right. One look at you, and he'll come barreling in here like a raging bull!” Amadi's voice elevated as he enunciated each word, and Lee was sure that this wasn't going to be good.
Amadi's goons advanced and Lee knew he couldn't take all six of them. But he couldn't let them take him without a fight either. As soon as Goon #1 got close enough, Lee grabbed him by the arm and swung him into two other Goons. He started toward a door to the side, but only got a few steps when he was brought down with a rifle butt to his kidneys.
He was hauled up and held tight as Amadi walked closer. “You weren't there Crane, you didn't see how Nelson attacked me when he found out you had been captured.”
Lee's face registered a bit of surprise, he wasn't sure he had been told about that. Then again, after he returned to Seaview and the danger had passed, he hadn't exactly been coherent.
“You didn't know that did you?” Amadi continued, as his hired thugs held Lee securely. “And I saw how worried he was when you passed out in the observation lounge. I knew then, you'd be the perfect Achilles Heel.”
With that he stepped back as Amadi's men began to deliver blow after devastating blow to Lee. They concentrated on his face and head, until Lee was sure that he would pass out. Then they moved to his mid-section delivering blows to his ribs and back over and over again. After awhile, they let him crumble to the ground where Lee lay gasping in pain, trying to fill his lungs with air.
Amadi, walked around him in a circle, “More,” was all he said, and Lee was raised back up and it all started again, by the time they were finished he was a bloody mess.
He was still trying to breathe through the pain when Amadi leaned down close to him, moving his head to examine his men's handiwork. Through the haze, Lee heard Amadi say, “The arm,” and he looked up in time to see one of the men stretch his arm out across the floor and another one land a blow to his forearm with a metal pipe.
He screamed when the bones broke, more than one he was sure and grabbed his arm as they released him. Lee fought for control of the pain, he didn't want Amadi to see him like this. His eyes closed, then became aware of someone leaning close.
“I'm sorry for our crude methods Captain,” Lee knew Amadi wasn't sorry at all as he gloated over him, “but your appearance must be shocking to Admiral Nelson. You're my message to Nelson, my calling card. You don't have to do a thing, just lie there and look miserable.”
Amadi moved from his side, and Lee heard him give his men orders to load him in the van. He was too weak to move and they weren't gentle in throwing him in the back of the van. He finally lost the thread that was keeping him conscious when one of them grabbed his arm viciously. The pain took him over the edge and he passed out.
* * * * *
Harry sat in Jamie's office as he waited for the doctor to finish pulling the bullet out of Chip's shoulder. Chip's condition had been precarious when he was brought on board, having lost a lot of blood and already going into shock. The gun shot wound was high caliber, at close range. Harry stood and began to pace again.
He looked down at the blood stained note that he held in his hands. Ski had delivered the message that Chip had entrusted to him, “They have the Skipper,” but the note he held in his hands didn't give him too many clues to go on.
Your Executive Officer down,
Your Captain missing,
And its all because of you,
But don't worry, I 'll return him to you soon.
Wait for my call, I will contact you.
-A-
Harry's blood was boiling. Someone was after him, and they were using his men...his friends to get to him. Chip was in bad shape, he could tell that when they brought him down strapped to the stretcher. The color on his face was all wrong, and they couldn't wake him. And Lee...he didn't know what was going on with Lee, all he knew was it couldn't be good.
His thoughts were interrupted as Jamie walked in, sitting
heavily into the desk chair.
“He's out of surgery, weak, but he's going to fine. He'll need some physical therapy for the shoulder, it tore a fair amount of muscle before lodging. He's stable now, and we'll be settling him into a bed soon.”
Harry breathed a sigh of gratefulness, “Thank you Jamie. How long before he wakes.”
“An hour or two, but he'll be weak Admiral.”
“I know Jamie, but we've got to know what happened to Lee.” Jamie nodded his understanding, and rose to help the corpsman put Chip to bed.
“Call me as soon as he wakes, Jamie,” Harry heard Jamie's tired affirmative and headed forward to the Seaview's Control Room, his relief over Chip's condition was over ruled by the unknown condition of his Captain and friend.
* * * * *
Harry stood at the chart table, but there really wasn't much to do while berthed in port. Still, he needed to be busy. Lee had been missing for over two hours and every minute that passed put him in more danger. His thoughts were interrupted by Spark's voice over the intercom.
“Admiral, a call for you on the video phone, source is unidentified.”
This was it, the call Harry had been waiting for.
“Send it through up here, Sparks.”
Harry walked over to the console in the nose and turned on the switch. The familiar horizontal transmission lines morphed into the smug smile of Major Amadi. Harry's eyes narrowed as he realized who was behind Chip's injury and Lee's disappearance.
“Admiral Nelson, I just thought you'd like to know where to pick up your boy.”
“What have you done with Captain Crane?” Harry's rage was nearly uncontrollable, but he had to keep it together, he had to get Lee back. Amadi's smile grew more smug, Harry hadn't thought that was possible.
“Just borrowed him for awhile. The message is in his pocket,” Amadi dramatically stopped to look at his watch, “I'd say that he should be showing up any time now.”
The words had barely passed through Amadi's mouth when Spark's voice over the intercom interrupted everything.
“Security detail on deck, this is not a drill. Repeat. This is not a drill.”
“Right on time,” Amadi boasted, “Good-bye Admiral Nelson.”
He ended the transmission before Harry could say anything else, and right now he could care less.
“Report!” Harry bellowed.
“Gun shots on deck, Sir!”
Harry ran through the Control Room following the security detail up the ladder, with Chief Sharkey right behind him.
* * * * *
Lee was disoriented as he woke up. He felt the motion underneath him and realized he was in a vehicle. His pain spiked as he moved his head slightly but instantly felt the unmistakable feel of a automatic gun muzzle in his neck. He swallowed hard and opened his eyes. He was stuffed in the back of a passenger van, with the bench seats removed. His legs were bent at the knees to fit his frame in and he was in exquisite pain.
“Don't worry Crane, we're almost done with you.” The look on Goon #1's face didn't bode well for Lee and he went back to pain management. He notice that he wasn't tied up, but it did him little good, right now he couldn't fight a wet noodle and win. He was done in, he only hoped he'd last long enough to warn Harry.
He breathed hard, listening to the sounds around him, when he suddenly heard the side door of the van slide open and automatic gun fire erupt. The van took a sharp turn, as Goon #1 opened the back double doors and he stood over Lee with his foot ready to push him out the door. He couldn't do anything to stop it, so he held his broken arm close to his body and willed himself not to try and break the fall with that arm.
He was kicked out of the van at high speed, and Lee tucked his arm in his shoulder and rolled. He lost consciousness as he hit the ground and the inertia kept him rolling down toward the dock. Gun shots were blazing around him, but Lee was oblivious to it all as his roll finally ended.
* * * * *
When Harry reached the deck he was in the middle of a fire fight. He was so tuned in to getting to Lee, that he hadn't even brought a sidearm up with him. Chief Sharkey however, was used to taking care of his Admiral. They ran some zig zags across the deck and made their way across the planks to rest behind a piling.
“Here Admiral!” Sharkey handing Harry a sidearm. They returned fire on the van trying to provide cover for the deck watch on duty when Harry spotted a body being dumped out the back of the van. He knew in an instant it was Lee. They continued providing cover until the van sped away, and Harry began running to the lifeless body of Lee Crane as he rolled and rolled down the incline of the road to the dock.
He reached Lee just as he took his final roll, landing on his stomach.
“Lee!” Harry screamed as he gently turned his Captain, friend, and son over resting him on his back. Lee's condition frightened him, even though the night was illuminated poorly by the nearby light poles. He wasn't even sure Lee was alive till he heard his ragged breaths.
Sharkey laid a hand on Harry's shoulder pulling him away so that Jamie and the trauma team could examine Lee. Seaview security now stood guard with rifles in hand as Jamie secured Lee to the back board.
“I've got to get him to sickbay, STAT!” Jamie's normally calm voice was now all concern, as Harry stood by and watched them lower Lee through the conning tower hatch. His battered body was taken straight out the aft hatch and to sickbay, but everyone in the Control Room saw what Amadi did to their Captain.
Harry was very nearly in shock, but Sharkey's familiar voice brought him back, and the fire in Admiral Nelson's eyes returned. He would see to Lee first, THEN he'd see to Amadi.
* * * * *
Sharkey stayed in sickbay watching over the Admiral, “just in case”. They had to wait over an hour before Jamie came out with two corpsman wheeling Lee's gurney to the center of the room. Jamie held Harry's arm back, motioning him further away from Lee.
“Jamie?”
Jamie sighed, where to begin? “Three broken ribs, two cracked, deep bruises and contusions across his chest and back. We're watching his kidney's for possible damage, he's got a couple of deep bruises there, but so far no sign of internal bleeding. His left arm is broken in two places, its air casted now, we'll put on a plaster one in a little while. His left shoulder was dislocated, probably from the fall, its back in place and will heal. His face...bruises, contusions, lacerations. I had to use the new bio-glue, I think it will keep the scars from forming. His right eye is nearly swollen shut, but as far as I can tell, no permanent damage. A moderate concussion. All and all, I would say that Lee is a very fortunate man.”
Harry breathed a sigh of relief and then composed himself to speak. “Can I see him Jamie?”
Jamie nodded, “Yes, I can't give him sedation because of the concussion, but he's heavily medicated for pain, I'm not sure how coherent he'll be.”
Harry nodded and walked toward Lee's gurney in the middle of sickbay's floor. He looked across the room at his Exec, Chip lay there with bandages across his chest, wrapped up to his shoulder. He walked up along the right side of the gurney and laid a gentle hand on Lee's right arm.
“Lee?”
Lee's eyes fluttered open, focused, and found the Admiral. He swallowed once, trying to find his voice.
“Admiral...”
“Lee, everything is going be OK, you're safe now.”
Lee nodded, and closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them frantically.
“Chip?”
Harry moved his hand to Lee's shoulder, “He OK Lee, he took a bullet to the shoulder, but he's OK. He's in the bunk over there,” motioning with his eyes. Lee eyes registered relief, but he didn't turn his attention away from Harry.
“Amadi,” Lee's pain was under control, but his weariness was still apparent.
“I know Lee. He contacted me just before he...dropped you off.” Lee nodded his understanding, his eyes intense with the need to convince Harry to stay, to keep him safe.
“Don't...go because of me Admiral...its what he wants,” Lee's eyes begging Harry to listen. Harry sighed and dipped his head, and then raised it slowly again to meet Lee's waiting eyes.
“Lee, you know I have to go. Look what he did. He shot Chip, nearly killed you. I've got to stop him before he does kill someone trying to get to me.”
Lee understood. He knew what he'd do if he and Harry's places were reversed. He could hardly see out of his right eye, but kept his left focused on Harry, a connection that Harry could feel.
“But not on his terms, Admiral...not alone. Promise me...not alone...” Lee's voice drifted off, but he kept his eyes locked on Harry as he continued.
“He's counting on your emotions overriding your good judgment...depending on it.” It was costing Lee to talk, he was so tired and his eyes began to flutter again.
“Its alright, Lee. I'll be OK, you rest now, will you do that for me?”
A small smile formed on Lee's swollen and bruised face, “Aye, Sir,” and he allowed his eyes to close. Harry took another breath and stepped away from Lee. His rage began to boil again, and he turned walking right past Chief Sharkey without even seeing him.
* * * * *
Chip woke up slowly, registering the feel of the bunk he laid on and the smells of the room. Sickbay. He heard the sounds first, but they were just now beginning to make sense, he heard Jamie and the Admiral, although he couldn't make out what they were saying.
He opened his eyes and focused on the bunk over the top of him. Definitely sickbay. Then it all came back, the car, Lee, he was shot. He breathed deeply to reign in his fear, where was Lee? Then he heard the Admiral calling Lee's name. He turned his head toward the sound and saw Lee laying on the gurney. His left arm had a blue air cast on it, indicating a break. His chest was swathed in bandages, but even from where he lay, he could see the dark angry bruises peeking out from under the bright white bandages. The left side of his face sported an array of purple/black bruises and red scrapes and cuts. Lee had been beaten.
He needed to know what was going on, so he laid quietly not alerting anyone to his wakefulness. He heard the name “Amadi” and instantly remembered three and half years ago and their mission that destroyed the Magnus Beam. He remembered what Lee looked like when they found him after the Beam exploded. They had done a number on him then but now, what he could see from his bed was much worse.
Chip strained to hear the low tones that they were speaking in, but he got the gist of the conversation. He heard the Admiral walk away and followed him with his eyes as he walked past Sharkey. Sharkey turned to leave and Chip called for him.
“Chief.”
Sharkey was by his side in a heartbeat. “Boy Mr. Morton, I'm sure glad to see you awake.”
“Thanks, Chief.” Chip nodded his head toward the gurney on his right, “How's the Skipper.”
“Busted up pretty good, but Doc says he'll pull through,” the Chief's concern evident, his New York, Coney Island accent adding to his sincerity as he spoke.
“You heard the Skipper, don't let the Admiral go alone,” Chip's command voice was strong and Sharkey responded to it.
“Aye, Sir, but how?”
“I have faith in you, Chief. The Admiral will listen to you, I'm sure,” Chip adding confidence to his tone inspiring Sharkey to challenge what he guessed would be a very agitated Admiral. “Also, get Mr. O'Brien here to see me, I need to know what's going on up there.”
Sharkey smiled, the Exec was back, still in sickbay, but back just the same. “Aye, Sir!” and Sharkey left to fulfill both of his orders.
Chip looked around the room, Jamie was in his office and the corpsman were preparing something in the examination room. He worked himself up to a sitting position, hampered by the fact that his left arm was strapped to his side in a sling. He sat waiting for the dizziness to subside, then took another look around the room. Good, no-one noticed. Slowly he stood, at least he was in scrubs and not in a sickbay gown. He moved across the room to Lee's gurney and caught his first look at his best friend. He swallowed back what he would have liked to have said, and concentrated on talking to Lee, before Jamie found out he was out of bed.
“Lee?” Chip spoke in a soft tone, getting no response he tried again. “Lee.” This time Lee's eyes opened as he turned his head toward Chip.
“Chip...I thought they killed you.” His voice betraying his fears made more raw by his weakened physical condition.
“I'm OK Lee, really, just a bum wing.” Lee smiled slightly, but then frowned again.
“Chip, the Admiral...”
“I know, I've got Sharkey on it. We'll take care of it. You just get better.”
Lee surrendered, he was glad Chip was taking care of things...like he always did. His eyes got a little heavy, he was feeling pretty “floaty” right now, but not necessarily sleepy. He opened his eyes again, at least he thought he did, his right eye wasn't cooperating. He found Chip still standing over him.
“Go lay down, Chip, before you fall down.” Lee smiled as much as his bruised face would allow.
“You should talk buddy. You're a mess.”
But their easy banter was interrupted by Jamie's very displeased voice. “Chi-i-i-p!”
Chip looked into Lee's eyes smiling as he mouth, “Busted.” Lee returned the smile, albeit strained for the swelling.
“I'll see you later Lee, Sharkey's going to send O'Brien here and I'll get a boat status report. If you're a good boy, I'll even fill you in.” The twinkle in Chip's eyes was exactly what Lee needed about now.
“Deal.”
Chip was herded back to his bunk, Jamie lecturing him all the way back about moving around with anesthesia and pain medication in his system, breaking stitches, infections... Chip surrendered, he was in Jamie's domain right now, but that didn't mean he didn't know how to work the system. He'd have his status report, make sure that the Admiral had back-up and watch Lee, all at the same time. Multi-tasking is what Execs do best!
Jamie turned his attention back to Lee. “Alright Skipper, since you're awake let's do a neuro check and then we'll take you in and cast that arm.”
Lee's “floaty” feeling had him feeling quite agreeable just now, and so he cooperated making his CMO a very happy doctor as Jamie wheeled him back into the examination room. But even so, Lee had not forgotten the Admiral or Amadi. He was glad that Amadi had used him as the punching bag instead of Harry or Chip, but he desperately wished he could be there to confront Amadi and keep Harry safe.
His thoughts started to fade, and somewhere in the middle of them he fell asleep as Jamie worked on his arm.
* * * * *
Harry was dressed in black slacks and a black pull over knit shirt, checking his side arm when he heard a knock at the door. He had asked not to be disturbed and was slightly annoyed when he answered, “Come in.”
Sharkey came in with Kowalski, Patterson, Riley and Rodriguez following behind him. They were all dressed in similar attire as himself and Harry's eyebrows lifted up asking for an explanation.
“Sir, the Special Detail is assembled and ready.”
“I don't recall asking for a Detail, Chief,” Harry growled, still somewhat agitated. He appreciated what they were trying to do, but he didn't want anyone else involved. Amadi had made it clear that he'd do anything to get to him, and he just assume do this alone.
“No Sir, but Mr. Morton authorized me to take action.”
“I see, Chief. However, this is a personal matter that I have to deal with, it doesn't involve the rest of the crew.”
With that Kowalski spoke up, “Begging the Admiral's pardon, Sir...but after what they did to the Skipper and the Exec, I'd say its all our problem.”
Harry stood stunned for just a moment, but he realized that Ski was right. They were a family, and two of their own had been attacked. His rage subsided enough to remember what Lee said, “He's counting on your emotions overriding your good judgment...depending on it.” Harry blew a silent breath.
“OK men, you're in. Meet me in the Nose and I'll tell you how its going to go down.” A collective “Aye Sir” was heard and the Detail turned to leave. Sharkey was the last to leave, and Harry called him before he left.
“Francis?” Sharkey turned at the sound of his voice and the use of his first name, which nobody used on board except the Admiral. “Thanks.” Sharkey nodded, letting his facial expression say what was in his heart and turned pulling the door behind him as he left.
* * * * *
Harry rounded the spiral staircase and headed to the Nose where the Special Detail was assembled and waiting for him. They checked their weapons and gear and then the Admiral pulled a crumpled note out of his pocket, Amadi's message that he had retrieved from Lee's uniform pocket.
“This is our objective,” laying the note down and pointing to the map of the wharf spread out over the conference table. Harry laid out his plan, as the Detail listened nodding their understanding. Then Sharkey and the Detail headed down the hatch to FS1 as Harry moved toward the chart table.
“Mr. O'Brien, I understand that you've been conferring with the Exec?” Bobby O'Brien's head dipped slightly, Busted! Mr. Morton was on the sick list, and not even technically in the command structure at this very moment, but his fears were put to rest as Harry continued.
“Very well, Mr. O'Brien. Carry on, make sure you brief him on the entire matter.”
“Aye Sir.” Bobby grinned, maybe he'd live to make it to his 25th birthday yet.
Harry walked aft to the conning tower ladder, stopping short at the radio shack. Sparks looked up answering the Admiral's question before it was voiced.
“Your message was sent Sir, here's the reply,” handing Harry the note. Harry smiled a tight, knowing smile moving with ease up the ladder and out onto the deck. It was time to face Amadi.
* * * * *
Amadi paced the warehouse floor in front of him. He had men in look out positions, and several on the floor with him, his patience was wearing thin waiting for Nelson to arrive. He couldn't have sent out a plainer message than he did.
Warehouse on Jenkins and Elmore streets, come alone or
more casualties will follow.
Just then he heard the creak of the heavy metal side door, a whistle confirmed his suspicions and a warped smile spread across his face.
Harry walked across the warehouse floor aware of the men flanking Amadi as well as several in strategic positions on the side. He wanted Amadi to think that he wasn't thinking straight so he began shouting as he approached the men.
“You wanted me here. So here I am, let's settle this, just you and me!” He put a considerable amount of passion in his voice, calling on the emotions that were very real and just under the surface. He had to be careful to not lose himself in this little game, but it was important for Amadi to believe that he had come alone to fight a hand to hand combat with his nemesis.
Amadi smiled, Nelson was enraged, just like that bull he told Crane about. Amadi knew he needed this advantage, he wasn't in his own country and he didn't have a military army to back him up. All he had were these seven men, and they had cost him a pretty penny. Nelson, on the other hand, had 125 men aboard who were no doubt ticked off right now. He had played his cards exactly right, planned it well, now Nelson was here to solve this like a man, “one on one”. Only I don't play fair, never have, thought Amadi.
Harry advanced stopping only a few steps in front of Amadi. He stared him down with all the intimidating power the four star Admiral had acquired.
Nelson's stare momentarily stunned Amadi, but he recovered quickly remembering his own perceived superiority over the Admiral.
One of his men came in through the same side door Harry had come through.
“He came alone,” the burly man reported.
“Of course he did. The great Admiral Nelson wouldn't put his men in danger to solve a personal vendetta.” He paused, smirking as he did, “That is what this is, isn't it Nelson? A personal vendetta?”
“I rather thought it was the other way around Major Amadi, your vendetta.”
“It's General Amadi now!” Amadi's voice giving away the unstableness that Harry suspected was there, he needed to keep him off balance, keep him talking so Amadi wouldn't kill him outright, and most of all he needed the time.
“Then leave my men out of it!” It was chancy to push him, but he needed Amadi to believe that he was still a raging bull looking for revenge.
“What's the matter Nelson? Did your boy Crane come back a little worse for wear?” That did it. Nelson plunged for Amadi's neck in a strange de javu of the moment when he first heard that Lee had been captured by Gamal. It really wasn't acting at this point, but neither was Harry out of control. He simply drew on his emotions to play his hand.
Amadi's men pulled him off, and Harry shook off their restraining hands. They resumed their places beside their boss as Amadi rubbed his neck.
“I knew Crane was your Achilles Heel! I should have killed him outright, but this is so much better....”
Amadi's rantings were cut short by glass breaking and “phifft” sounds coming from several directions. Harry rolled to the ground pulling out a small breathing unit from under his shirt. He had kept Amadi gloating and he had not even been frisked as he came in. He pulled a gun out of the holster on his right leg and waited for the gas to take affect.
Amadi stumbled, cursing as he watched his men falling to the ground. He looked over at Harry right before he succumbed in disbelief. Harry's smile was visible even under the small breather. Kowalski, Patterson and Rodriguez came from three different directions securing the warehouse.
“Outside perimeter secure, Sir,” Kowalski reported, “We've counted seven men plus Amadi.”
“Very well, Kowalski. Have Riley guide Detective Walters here when he arrives.”
“Aye Sir,” Ski replied as he turned toward the sound of sirens headed their way.
* * * * *
Sharkey docked the flying sub and the Detail off loaded, their mission completed. Amadi was in custody, and the Admiral was safe. As Kowalski climbed the rungs he thought about how much he really wanted to take Amadi out of the equation forever, permanently. Seeing Mr. Morton was bad enough, but what they did to the Skipper...he took a deep breath.
No, justice was what they were after, not revenge. The Admiral had made that clear in the briefing before they left. They had gone to stop Amadi and they did. If they had gone for revenge they would have let the Skipper down, and Ski never wanted to do that. As Ski grabbed the last rung, he was met by Mr. O'Brien's “well done”, and a Control Room of relieved ratings. Yep, mission accomplished. It felt good.
* * * * *
Harry had spent several hours with Detective Walters, and a US Consulate representative, all conferenced in via video phone with ONI. The local police would hold Amadi in maximum security, no visitors until the military police arrived. He was glad to wash his hands of the entire matter, at least until the trial. Right now, he needed to see Lee.
He rounded the corner to sickbay and held his hand on the door a moment before entering. Amadi said that Lee was his Achilles Heel, and he guessed he was right. But he'd like to think that he would have done the same for any of his men. Still, to know that Lee was targeted because of him was a hard pill to swallow. He needed to apologize, and he hoped Lee would forgive him.
Harry turned the handle and entered the room. Chip was sitting up in bed, reading over boat reports, he stopped at his bunk first.
“Feeling better Chip?”
“Yes, Sir. I'll be ready to go back on duty tomorrow.” The last was said louder than necessary and directed toward Jamie in the other room, Harry somehow got the impression that it was wishful thinking on behalf of the XO.
“Has Jamie cleared you yet?” Harry knew the answer, but it was fun watching the sparring match that often happened when Jamie had either Lee or Chip in his clutches.
“No Sir, but he will.”
Harry returned the smile that Chip was displaying and started walking over to Lee. Jamie had moved him into a bunk where several machines monitored him, and an IV hung at his bed post. He pulled a chair over, suddenly feeling like a very old man.
As he sat down he looked up into Lee's waiting eyes where he saw relief, maybe Lee had already forgiven him.
“Good to see you Admiral.”
“Thanks, how are you feeling?”
“I'm alright Admiral.” Lee took a shallow breath, even with pain meds broken ribs were...well a pain! “Amadi?”
“In the custody of the local police. ONI is sending an escort to take him to Pearl for trial. I don't think he'll be getting away this time.” Lee sighed a heavy relief. His eyes nearly closed as he thought.
“That's good sir.”
“Lee, I'm sorry. I'm sorry that you were targeted to get to me.” Harry's tone was remorseful and sad.
Lee's eyes popped open, he was tired, dead tired, but he needed to set Harry straight.
“Admiral, you have nothing to be sorry for,” He was quiet for just a second and then continued before Harry could reply. “Amadi said I was your Achilles Heel, like that was a weakness or something. But I consider our friendship an honor, and if someone else recognizes it, so be it.” He finished with a small smile and a sigh. The pain meds were wearing off, and he was beginning to feel the pain of his breaks and bruises.
Harry noticed the pain lines in his face, “Lee, I'll get Jamie.” But before Harry could stand, Lee pulled him down with his right hand. “Admiral, I'm sorry he used me to hurt you.”
“I guess its all part of the deal, Lee. And I wouldn't change our friendship for anything.” Harry paused, “Now...you need your pain meds, and I need my bunk. We'll see you in the morning.”
“Aye Sir.” Lee's face showed contentment, even though it was still pained. Things were as they should be, and Lee knew he would sleep well tonight, at least until Jamie woke him again for the next neuro check.
Harry called Jamie over, and rose. He was amazed that he and Lee had this talk, but it felt good. He realized that they didn't discuss their feelings, whether it was friendship or something more paternal. They didn't talk about these things, they just appreciated them and went on. But every once in awhile things needed to be said, and Harry was glad that it was said today. He left for his cabin feeling much better, and a lot younger.
Chip smiled as the Admiral walked past him heading for the door. His reports were closed and pushed aside as he lay resting. He had heard their conversation, and his smile widened, It's about time, he thought, and drifted off to sleep.
The End
Recipe for Revenge
Copyright 2013, All Rights Reserved
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and her main
characters belong to Irwin Allen