This story fits in the Second Season Time-line.

The Conference

by Lynn

The bullets whizzed past Lee Crane's ears as he guided his charge to where the flying sub was waiting. He had been sent to retrieve Dr. Marissa Post and bring her safely to Seaview for the Conference, but the enemy had been systematically tracking the whereabouts of the scientists on the conference invite list and they had barely stayed ahead of their pursuers.

Lee brought Dr. Post through the forest to the huge lake that was actually a crater, and once an active volcano. As they cleared the trees they lost their cover, Lee pulled Dr. Post in front of him and motioned her to the flying sub. They ran through the water, and Lee helped her to use the rungs to climb, following up closely behind her. Another bullet whizzed by, and Lee opened his body up holding onto the ladder with his left hand and firing with his right. He silenced one of the guns, but instantly heard the report and felt the impact of a bullet as it sliced through his side. He held on tightly and fired back, keeping his pursuers busy with his gun fire.

Dr. Post was safely inside now, so Lee made the rest of the way up the ladder and dogged the hatch, ordering Stu Riley as he did so, “Get us out of here, Riley!”

Riley complied immediately and soon Lee felt FS1 skim the water for its take-off. He could hear the pings of gunfire hitting the hull, but so far everything looked good. The titanium metal was strong, as long as the control surfaces weren't damaged they would be alright. Lee made his way over to the pilot's chair after helping Dr. Post strap in. He settled down into the chair, and only then felt the familiar fiery pain in his side.

He reached inside his leather jacket and pulled out his handkerchief, placing it on his side and applying pressure. He noticed Riley's sideways glances at him but ignored the “are you OK” look. Instead, he positioned his throat mic around his neck with one hand.

“FS1 to Seaview, come in Seaview.”

“This is Seaview, Go ahead FS1.”

“Inform Mr. Morton that I have Dr. Post, our ETA is forty-five minutes....”

“Skipper, the controls are handling sluggishly.” Riley interrupted, fighting the control sticks. It appeared that he was having to overcompensate the right stick.

Lee took the right control stick in his hands in an effort to help Riley, keeping his left hand on his side.

“Feels like we've got a problem with fluids, I'd say the hydraulic controls. Let's dive and take the rest of the way in submerged.” Lee replied, working the problem with ease.

“Are we going to make it to Seaview?” The voice from the back passenger chair barely held a note of fear.

“We'll be fine Dr. Post, it will just take us a little longer to reach Seaview, that's all.” Lee turned to speak to the scientist, but the twisting was definitely not a good idea. He settled back into his chair, concentrating on helping Riley control the craft.

He leaned heavily back into his seat, trying to use the pressure of the seat to stop the bleeding from his back. It wasn't a bad wound as gunshot wounds go, but it hurt and he needed the bleeding stopped.

Traveling submerged had added twenty minutes to their ETA, and Lee was relieved to see the great Herculite windows of Seaview's bow before him.

“Take her in, Riley.”

“Aye Sir.” Riley was a good pilot, and Lee appreciated his skills, but they both knew it was unusual for the Skipper not to dock the flying sub if he was on board. They heard the docking doors shut, and the sound of the water being pumped out of the bay. Riley was busy shutting down FS1, and looked over at the Captain. He was having trouble with the harness, so Riley got up and unstrapped it for him. Lee looked up and nodded appreciatively.

“Riley, help Dr. Post find her way to the Control Room.”

Riley complied instantly and helped the doctor climb the ladder up to the nose. He looked back at the Skipper, he was just sitting there. He climbed up the ladder and waited for Dr. Post to move out of earshot.

“Mr. Morton, the Skipper's been hit.”

Chip looked down the hatch to see Lee making his way up. Lee's left bloody hand was the first thing Chip saw as he reached the top. Chip reached down and helped to pull Lee up the hatch to safety.

“How bad?” Chip asked, as Lee replaced his left hand over his side.

“A straight through and through, missed my rib cage.”

“Let's get you to sickbay, Lee.”

“Belay that.” Chip glared at Lee, but he ignored it and went on. “FS1 is damaged, hydraulic lines I think. We're going to need DC to get it fixed ASAP. If the Admiral meets half the resistance we did, he's in for a rough time.”

Chip answered with an “Aye Sir,” and tried to move Lee along to the aft hatch, but Lee wasn't finished yet.

“Plot a course to the rendezvous point, we'll close the distance as much as we can until FS1 is repaired.”

“Aye Sir, anything else, Sir?” Chip's sarcastic tone was completely lost on Lee, it wasn't disrespect, it was just Chip trying to get Lee to give it up and get to sickbay.

“Yeah, how are the guests?”

“All three are settled into guest quarters, the boat is all secure, and would you please go to sickbay? You're bleeding on the deck.” Lee looked up and smiled a half smile, and “Aye Sir'd” his second in command.

“You have the con Chip, I'll be back up after Jamie sews me up.” Lee turned to leave and Chip nodded to Riley to accompany the Skipper to sickbay. Immediately, Riley was walking along side the Skipper telling him about his last shore leave and the killer waves he rode in Hawaii.

* * * * *

Jamie stood over Lee Crane finishing the last stitch in his side. He had already taken care of the exit wound, which required more work. He looked down at the young Captain who lay sleeping as he applied the gauze and bandage. He had used only a local anesthetic on Lee, at his patient's request, but the trauma to the body and the blood loss was enough to put Lee out for most of his ministrations.

He walked over to the medical counter putting supplies back on the shelf. Why did he let Lee talk him into these things? He needed a bed and rest, not to be gallivanting about the Control Room as if no one else could steer the boat to it's destination. No, that wasn't right either. Jamie understood the importance of this mission. Just one look at the Captain lying on his exam table wrapped in gauze would tell you that.

No, the mission was too important. Five of the top scientists in the field of nuclear physics were gathering on-board to solve a problem and prevent a nuclear disaster with an old nuclear power plant in Russia. The Russians had asked for help, the ice having been broken between the two nations when Seaview helped two Russian scientists disarm a destructive satellite gone bad last year. The only problem was that an Eco-terrorist group within Russia was fighting against them. They planned to use the disaster to “prove their point” about nuclear power. Will wasn't sure he could figure that one out.

Three of the five scientists were on board, Lee having safely retrieved all of them. The fourth would only be extracted by Harriman Nelson, the fifth scientist of the Conference. It would take all five of these minds to come up with a plausible way to overt the disaster. A melt down was not imminent at this point, they still had time, albeit time was short.

Will's thoughts were interrupted as he heard a soft voice from the gurney.

“You done Jamie?” Lee's right leg was now bent at the knee and his head was turned toward Will.

“Yeah, I'm done. But I had a good mind to let you keep sleeping.”

Lee started to rise, and Jamie closed the distance to help him into a sitting position. “We have a deal, Jamie.”

“I know, but I'm already regretting it. You lost a lot of blood Lee, your body needs the rest...”

“And I will, believe me it sounds good, but right now I've got to get the last two scientists on board.”

Jamie knew that Lee was driven by duty, but when one of the two scientists was Harriman Nelson, well that sealed the deal for Lee. He wouldn't rest until the Admiral was safe, so Jamie had struck a deal with Lee. As soon as the mission was completed, and all five scientists were on board, Lee was going to stand down for 48 hours.

“I know, Skipper. But remember, you owe me 48 hours.”.

“That's our deal.”

Lee stood up and put on a clean shirt that Jamie had a steward bring. Lee was still wearing the black jeans that he favored for his field work, and he was just finishing tucking in his dark blue button up oxford shirt when Jamie handed him two small envelopes.

Lee looked at it suspiciously, “What's this?”

“This one is little more than aspirin, when the local wears off you're going to be sore.” Lee nodded his understanding and put the envelop in his shirt pocket.

“This one is for when the mission is complete. By then you're going to need a heavy duty pain reliever, and since you're going to bed anyway it won't matter that it will put you to sleep.” Lee took the envelop and smiled at Jamie.

“Thanks Jamie.” Lee nodded appreciatively, Jamie was right and he knew it. The way he felt now, he knew that when the mission was over he'd be happy to sack out in his cabin for a couple of days. He wished he could hit the rack right now, but not until the Admiral was safely aboard.

* * * * *

Chip heard the familiar clicking sound of oxfords on the spiral staircase and looked up to see Lee, now in a uniform. He had hoped that Lee would have stayed in his cabin for a rest after leaving sickbay, but he knew that was just wishful thinking. Lee moved a little slower than usual, but otherwise he still held himself straight and proper.

“Status, Mr. Morton?”

“Boat is secure and on course for the Admiral's extraction point. DC is having to lay a complete new hydraulic line, that means that the machine shop has to bend tubing for several lines that were damaged. They're working on it now, they estimate a couple hours to manufacture and install the new lines. The guests are in the Admiral's lab going over the existing information and evidence. I have Patterson assigned to them.”

Lee listened with his head bent over the chart table. As usual, Chip was on top of things, but two hours till repairs were done was pushing it. The rendezvous was set for five hours from now. He preferred to be sitting and waiting for the Admiral, not the other way around.

“Very well, Chip, if there's anyway to speed up the repairs make it happen.”

“Aye, Sir.”

Lee walked to the Nav computer to check their course, tearing out the small print out and then reading it, confirming that they were indeed on course. He walked over to the radio shack as he scanned the readout and looked up at Sparks.

“Any unusual transmissions coming from the extraction point?”

“No Sir, everything's been quiet.”

“OK Sparks, let me know if any shows up, even if its just an increase in communications, I want to know.” Spark's affirmative registered in Lee's ears as he turned and left, but now his attention was on the seas around him.

He walked toward the nose and crossed the floor before reaching the periscope island to end up at Sonar and Hydrophones. Lee leaned over Kowalski's shoulder studying the radar.

“What do you have Ski?” Lee asked noting a blip just inside the radar grid.

“That's a fishing boat, everything's all clear Sir.”

Lee nodded and squeezed his shoulder, “Stay on top of it Ski, this mission has been hot from the get-go.”

The retrieval of each of the scientists had been progressively harder, with the last being the crescendo. He wasn't sure how a small Eco-terrorist group could manage the type of resistance he had seen, along with the intelligence that would be involved in tracking the scientists down. Lee wondered if there was something else involved, perhaps more than one terrorist group banding together, or even an unknown country involved. The last option was the one he was worried about, because if that was the case, they might have a naval force to deal with.

Chip watched as Lee had made the circuit around the Control Room, he looked dead tired. Finally, Lee headed back to the Chart Table looking like he was thinking through a problem. Chip kept his eyes down on the maps before him and spoke in a low tone that could not be overheard.

“Lee, we're on course, the maintenance crew is making headway on FS1, why don't you go and get a little rack time. Even a couple of hours would do you good. You look done in.” Chip's matter of fact tone punctuated his point nicely.

Lee sighed, thinking about his response. He normally didn't like to be “mother henned” but he knew Chip was right. He dropped his pencil on the Chart Table and looked up at Chip.

“Maybe you're right Chip. But I want to know if anything unusual comes up.”

“Aye, Skipper.” Chip was feeling pretty good just about now, it wasn't that many times that he won this particular argument. Lee turned toward the spiral stairs when everything broke loose at once.

“Skipper, we've got two fish in the water, bearing 180, 2000 yards and closing.” Riley's voice was calling from hydrophones.

Lee raced to the mic, “Evasive maneuvers, hard right rudder.”

“Battle stations, all hands battle stations.” Chip's voice rang loudly through the com.

“Chip what's the depth keel to bottom?”

“1,200 ft.” Chip's reply was quick and sharp.

“Very well, dive to 800 feet.”

“Ski where did those fish come from?”

“Out of nowhere Sir, must have been hiding in our baffles, unknown sub class, designate as Alpha 1.”

Lee turned his attention back to the torpedoes in the water. “Riley, report.”

“They're still with us, Sir. Closing at 1,500 yards off the port bow.”

“Hard left rudder,” Lee's order resounded in the Control Room and he felt the boat obeying even as he picked up the mic, “Missile Room, load counter measures in bays 3 & 4, load directional torpedoes in 1 & 2.”

“Aye Sir...Counter measures loaded in 3 and 4, directional torpedoes in 1 & 2.”

“Fire counter measures!”

“Counter measures away.”

Lee moved over to stand behind Riley, with Chip following him.

“They're still on us, Sir. 1,000 yards and closing.”

Lee picked up the the mic, “Missile Room, fire torpedoes 1 and 2.”

“Directional torpedoes are locked on target, closing fast...” Riley removed his headphones in anticipation of the imminent explosion as Seaview's torpedoes closed to take out the enemy torpedoes. Lee brought the mic that was still in his hands up to his face, “All hands brace for shock wave.”

Lee turned and held fast on the periscope island, and noticed that Chip settled in next to him. When the shock wave hit, Lee felt Chip reach over and secure him in place. They rolled several directions and then the boat equalized out.

“Ski where's Alpha 1?” Lee turned back around and addressed the best sonar man on the boat.

“Alpha 1 has cavitated, I've got her on our port stern, she's dropping back.”

“She's going to fire again.” Lee's voice was elevated but in control in the heat of the battle.

“Missile room, reload directional torpedoes 1 and 2, reload counter measures 3 & 4.”

“Two more fish in the water, 1,000 yards and closing fast.”

“Missile room, report!”

“Aye Sir, counter measures loaded in 3 & 4, directional torpedoes are a negative, bay doors are damaged.” Sharkey's voice was elevated, and his concern was palpable as he spoke.

“Fire Counter measures, reload 3 & 4 with directional torpedoes.”

“Four hundred yards and closing...one fish is going for counter measures. Number two is still on us... 300 yards...”

“Hard right rudder, dive all dive. Brace for impact,” Lee held fast again as an explosion rocked Seaview violently, the lights flickered out and just as quickly red emergency lights lit the room. Lee managed to hold on to the periscope island with Chip's help, and turned to face hydrophones.

“Riley?”

“Hit the sea mount next on the port side, Sir,”

“Level us off, Chip.” Chip complied and soon Seaview was leveled off.

Lee ran to the Chart Table as Chip took the mic, “Damage Control report.” There was a short pause, and then a static sounding answer.

“Sir, we're tight and dry, but DC reports fire in the Circuitry Room. Detail is on the way.”

Lee was looking over the charts, listening to the report as he did so, he ran his finger over the charts as he looked for what he wanted. “Deep...Deep...here. Chip?”

Chip closed the distance and looked over his shoulder, as Lee pointed down at a deep cavern with high sea mounts, but limited maneuvering room. Chip spied the spot under Lee's finger and Lee wrote the coordinates out on the paper.

“Get us there fast, Chip. We can't fight without torpedoes and we can't run without repairs to the Circuitry Room. Once were there, I need FS1 operational, ASAP.”

Chip began issuing orders and soon, Seaview was sitting safely at 3,500 feet.

“Silent Running?” Chip asked very quietly for Lee's ears only.

“No need, they know were here, let's just let DC do their job...” about that time the adrenaline wore off, and Lee's knees started to buckle. Chip caught him, and he quickly recovered.

“Thanks Chip, but I'll be OK. Send someone to check on our guests.” Chip recognized the order as a diversionary tactic, but “Aye Sir'd” and complied.

Lee headed back over to Sonar. “Where are they Ski?”

“Just sitting stationary, Sir.” Lee nodded his head, it was exactly what he expected, “Don't lose them Ski, I expect they'll just stay there until we come out to play, but keep an eye out anyway.”

“Aye, Sir, I won't let them get me again.” Lee squeezed his shoulder as he walked by to add his confidence to Ski's.

* * * * *

Admiral Harriman Nelson breathed heavily as he and Dr. Mark Sanders knelt in their hiding place. I'm getting too old for this, Harry reasoned, but actually he was in very good shape. Mark and he had been friends for many years, and since there had already been an attempt on Dr. Sanders' life, he would not trust anyone but Harry to retrieve him.

They had made good time, but Harry realized that they had picked up a shadow. So far, they had managed to stay ahead of their pursuer, and had not had to dodge any bullets...yet. Harry scanned the forest around them, if his calculations were right, they would reach the beach, maybe in another two hours.

They needed to get going so Harry prodded Mark along. Mark was of equal age to Harry but not in the best of physical condition. So they had traveled slower than Harry would have liked. But Mark was working hard and doing a good job of keeping up as Harry forced a quicker pace. He heard a rifle shot, and pushed Mark down, they were about four to five hundred yards behind them. Harry pulled Mark in another direction and kept low hoping to confuse their pursuers. When he thought the coast was clear, they stood and took a dead run in a tangent line to their objective.

This was going to be close, he only hoped that Lee was waiting for them when they got there.

* * * * *

Lee was standing over Ski's shoulder again, Alpha 1 was still there, right where they left her. Unfortunately, she was positioned in a strategic location just behind the canyon wall exit. If they blew ballast to surface she would be there, if they exited the canyon, she would be there, there was no room to exit another way so they would have to come out fighting.

He looked down at his watch, his rendezvous with Harry was only two hours away. There was too much at stake, he had to find a way to get there in time. He just knew in his gut that Harry and Dr. Sanders were having to fight their way to the coast, he had to be there waiting.

He looked up at Chip, who was receiving an update from the maintenance crew for FS1. Lee walked over just as the crewman in blue turned to leave.

“The hydraulic lines are repaired, pressure is back, but we can't test run it.” Chip relaying the obvious, but he would be remiss to not report it like it was.

“I know Chip, but right now I think its our best shot. DC has the torpedo bays operational again, get me an ETA on the Circuitry Room.”

Chip nodded his understanding, he'd seen that look in Lee's eyes before. Lee had a plan, now it was up to him to give his Skipper the tools to do it.

“Chief Sharkey,” Chip called Sharkey over from his post on the position board, “get me an update on what's happening in the Circuitry Room, the Skipper needs it repaired...now.”

Sharkey was happy to comply, he would get those swab jockeys moving in no time.

About a half hour later, the emergency lights blinked off as the lighting was restored to normal. The rest of the functions of the boat were also responding. A few minutes later, Sharkey arrived with a satisfied look on his face. He knew by the look on Mr. Morton's face that the Skipper had a plan, and it was time to get the Admiral.

* * * * *

“I don't like it Lee, you're setting yourself up and it just might backfire.” Chip's voice was low, he was a professional and he couldn't allow the crew to see him questioning his superior officer, but he was also Lee's friend. It was a fine line sometimes, but Chip's training and respect for Lee's abilities always won out. That didn't keep him, however, from confronting Lee if he thought his best friend was being too cavalier with his own life.

“Its the best solution I can come up with. If we just sit here, they've already won. Admiral Nelson is the heart of this Conference, they know that. Besides, I'm not going to leave the Admiral out there alone.”

Chip nodded his understanding and acknowledged his agreement, “OK, so we launch FS1, and station ourselves right behind you,”

“Yeah, keep it tight, I don't want Alpha 1 to see both of us on his sonar.” Chip nodded his understanding and continued.

“Then you take us right to the edge of the cavern exit, and we wait...”

“While I make the exit. Hopefully, she follows me before she realizes she's been had. You get a shot, and you take Alpha 1 out Chip, its that important.”

“You can out maneuver the Alpha Lee, you're also going to need the speed to dodge her torpedoes.”

“I've got to take it slower, Chip, give her a good target. I'll use my aft laser to get their attention, that should draw them out and give you a good shot, you might even broadside her.” It was never a pleasant thing to send a boat to the bottom of the sea, but someone else started this little game, and Lee was going to finish it. “After I'm sure she's hooked, and you're in position, I'll high tail it out of there and head for the extraction point. After you take the Alpha out, you head to the extraction point as well...just in case.”

It was the “just in case” that was bothering Chip, but he was an Executive Officer first, and Lee's best friend second. That was his priority now, later he'd make sure Lee knew that he was not expendable, but for now he would back him 100%.

“We'll take care of Alpha 1. You get to the Admiral, and we'll meet you there.” Chip's confidence was reassuring, and Lee appreciated it just now.

Lee started to climb down the flying sub hatch when he heard an “ahem” behind him. Stu Riley stood at attention and looking quite navy in his approach. “Permission to accompany you, Sir.”

Lee couldn't help but smile, but he knew this could very well be a suicide run and he wasn't planning on taking anyone with him.

“I'm not ordering anyone to go with me, and I'm not taking volunteers. But thanks just the same Stu.” Lee's smile and hand on the shoulder was genuine, but still held the authority of Riley's commanding officer.

“Aye Sir.” Riley stood down, and returned to his post, wishing he could ride shotgun with the Skipper.

Less than ten minutes later Seaview was hugging the back “bumper” of FS1 in a mastery of seamanship by the First Officer. The depth rose as they neared the canyon's exit, where Alpha 1 could safely sit at 1,500 feet. As the exit neared, Chip prepared to bring Seaview to a standstill. He kept the inertia going until Lee suddenly added power and the flying sub launched forward.

“Mr. Morton, the Alpha is flooding her tubes.” Riley's voice echoed across the Control Room.

“Steady, let's not tip our hand.” Chip's voice resonated above the fear that the crew had. Yep, they were going for the decoy, and the decoy was Captain Lee Crane.

* * * * *

Lee moved along the canyon gaining depth as he reached the exit, a place where the canyon widened dramatically. Chip had done a good job of keeping on his tail, and he was sure that the Alpha hadn't picked up two “blips” on their sonar. The opening was just ahead and they were on radio silence, the only signal Lee could give Chip was to move forward and separate their sonar signals. It was a tricky matter, he would need to get out, attack and run, slow enough for the submarine to follow him out into Seaview's line of shot. But fast enough for them to be confused about the second blip still waiting in the canyon.

Lee throttled up, and underwater equivalency of afterburners moved him out of the canyon speedily. As he cleared the walls, he activated his aft camera's and lowered the laser sights down from FS1's overhead bulkhead. His target was about 1000 yards behind him, and Lee aimed for the forward torpedo bay doors. He didn't have time to make it pretty, and he hoped that the blast would put these bays out of commission for Seaview's sake.

He pulled the on board laser triggers and sent three short blasts at Alpha 1's bow. Then he took evasive maneuvers, circling to attempt a broadside attack to the sub's port side. This wasn't exactly what he and Chip had talked about, but he wanted to distract the sub in a manner that would force her to move into the canyon opening so that Chip could get a clean shot from the safety of Seaview's current position.

Just as he was about to fire, he saw the torpedoes eject from the aft tubes. Directional, that meant they would turn to find their target. He fired two rapid shots into the port side and completed his circle and floored FS1 with everything she had. He couldn't just race to the surface, he was still at 1,500 feet and needed decompression time. But if he could lead the torpedoes on a merry chase, slowing their pursuit with direction changes, then he still had a chance.

He was doing just that when a shock wave hit that sent FS1 forward with the inertia. He fought to hold on to the controls and wondered which sub had just bought it.

* * * * *

Chip watched Lee's progress from Sonar, the crash doors had been closed for the battle, but the forward camera's were giving them some view. Lee had fired his aft lasers as planned, but instead of turning and running FS1 was circling for another pass. Lee, Chip growled inwardly. Alpha 1 began to take evasive action and moved forward to gain maneuvering room. Chip smiled, “OK Alpha 1, keep coming, keep coming...”

“Alpha 1's got two fish in the water!” Riley's voice registering loudly above the sound of the Control Room in battle. “They're after the Skipper!”

“Steady, just a little more....Missile Room, Fire 1, Fire 2.” Chip's steady voice was only slightly elevated as he gave the commands to sink the menacing sub who had nearly sunk them.

Riley removed his headphones as he spoke, “Torpedoes have acquired their target, 200 yards and closing...”

“All hands, brace for shock wave!” His words had barely cleared his mouth when Seaview began to rock and roll. Chip found himself pushed against the periscope island one rock, and against the sonar panel on the next roll. He held fast on the next rock to the periscope railing and rode out the rest of the shock wave secured as he reached for the mic, “Damage Control, report!”

* * * * *

Lee still had two direction torpedoes on his six, he had executed some angle and dangle maneuvers to shake them, but they were still closing. He had to end this before it was too late. He pulled the laser sighting and picked the most forward torpedo. He let loose two short blasts and turned to starboard sharply. His target exploded, and the second torpedo followed the heat source and self detonated.

Lee sighed in relief, he needed to head to the top but first, he needed to know if Seaview was alright.

“Crane to Seaview, come in Seaview.”

“Seaview here, good to hear your voice Captain.”

Before Lee could reply a second voice was heard. “Everything's good here Lee, we're tight and dry, Alpha 1 has been neutralized.” Chip's voice was ever the professional, although Lee knew that as sailors, no one enjoyed seeing other sailors die, even if they were the enemy.

“Good work Chip, I'm in the clear now, I'll head to the extraction point and rendezvous back after I secure our passengers. Keep an eye out for more trouble.”

“Aye, Skipper.” Lee smiled at Chip's properness, he was as good as they came and Lee appreciated having him as his Executive Officer and even more so, as his best friend.

Lee's revelry was interrupted by a moan that escaped his lips. He needed one more decompression stop, actually Lee didn't have to “stop”, just stay at his current depth. So he put FS1 on automatic pilot and continued in the direction of his objective staying at the current depth. He unharnessed, and went to the supply locker pulling out a bottle of water.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the envelopes. He really wished he could take the good stuff, but not until everyone was safe aboard Seaview. He shook out three of the mild analgesics into the palm of his hand and downed them with a gulp of water. Taking the ladder down had stretched the stitches, and Lee looked down to see a small red spot that had bled through his shirt. He moved his leather jacket over to get a better look. It didn't look bad, it wasn't like it was bleeding uncontrollably so he ignored it and went back to sit in the pilot's chair.

When he had completed his decompression he powered the flying sub and began a sharp incline to the surface, the sooner he got to the Admiral the better, for both of their sakes.

* * * * *

Harry pulled Dr. Sanders down beside him as they caught their breaths. The ocean was just past the clearing. He pulled out the transmitter for the flying sub to home in on and hoped he'd hear a friendly voice on the other side. He wasn't disappointed.

“Crane to Nelson, come in please.” Lee's professional voice coming over the transmitter was just what he needed to hear.

“Lee, where are you? We're at the top of the ridge, it'll take us about 15 minutes to descend and we've got unfriendlies on our tail.”

“Acknowledged, I'm about ten minutes out at Mach speed, I'll do a water landing and be waiting to provide coverage on the beach. Crane out.”

Harry hated when Lee maneuvered him that way, sort of, he knew that Lee signed off to avoid the argument over staying inside the flying sub or providing coverage on the beach, and he appreciated it. Lee could take care of himself, and this mission was so very important.

Harry looked over at Mark who was winded but still able to travel, and they started their way to the end of the forest and down the ridge to where Lee would be waiting. After about ten minutes, Harry heard the familiar sound of the flying sub as it landed on the water. Lee was an excellent pilot, and he handled the swells of the waves with ease, putting FS1 out far enough to keep from being beached on the sandbars but close enough to board without swimming.

He took a quick look and spotted Lee, who had taken up a defensive position behind a rock, while scanning the ridge. Spotting the Admiral was easy, but his main focus was on the forest behind them. Sure enough the pursuers broke the forest trees and began to shoot downward as Harry and Dr. Sanders began to cross the beach.

They ran in zig zags as Lee provided fire cover that kept their pursuers from getting clean shots with their high powered rifles. Lee noticed that they had made it to the water's edge and were making good time to the flying sub. Lee kept the coverage up, even as their attackers began to make their way down the incline towards the beach.

“Lee!” The Admiral called to him from the hatch, they were safe inside. Lee poured on more fire power causing the unfriendlies to stop and duck and then ran toward the yellow craft. The stitches pulled more and he ignored the pain as he climbed into the vessel and secured the hatch.

Harry was already sitting in the Pilot's chair and was powering up for lift off as Lee made his way over to the Co-pilot's chair. He sank into it fastening his harness just as he felt FS1 take to the air safely out of range of the rifle shots.

Lee looked over at Harry and smiled, “Good to see you Sir.”

“Good timing Lee.” Harry noticed the sweat that rolled down the side of Lee's face, and watched as he pulled a clean handkerchief out of his pocket placing it on his side and pressing inward.

“You're hit, Lee?” Harry's concerned voice was low, he didn't want to worry poor Mark who had no idea what he was getting into when he accepted the invitation to save a Russian nuclear plant from a possible melt-down.

“No Sir, this is just left over from my earlier extraction,” He smiled warmly, reassuring the Admiral as he spoke, “just tore some stitches I think.”

Harry wasn't quite convinced of Lee's self diagnosis, but he kept it to himself and added a little more speed to get Lee back to Jamie's care. Lee positioned his throat mic and switched it live.

“Crane to Seaview, come in Seaview.”

“Seaview here, one moment for the Exec.” Sparks voice was unmistakeable and sounded pretty good as he realized the lack of stress in his radio operator's voice meant things were calm aboard his boat.

“Morton here, go ahead Lee.”

“I retrieved two passengers, in good shape. Vector us in, we're coming home.”

Chip smiled, two passengers in good shape, and one Lee Crane needing some serious rack time. That last part Lee had failed to report, but Chip would make sure that Lee got it. He had fulfilled his duty as First Officer, now he could be “best friend” and badger Lee into bed.

* * * * *

FS1 docked, and the three men exited the flying sub to the Control Room. Lee nodded to Chip, and followed the Admiral to his lab, where the other scientists were waiting. The room had been cleared with the Admiral's many ongoing experiments and fitted with a conference table on one side, and a small sofa and chairs on the other for more informal brainstorming sessions. The stewards had kept the coffee and danishes coming, and it looked as if the team of nuclear physicists were dug in and ready to work.

The necessary introductions were made and Lee watched as Admiral Nelson led the group of three men and one woman over to the conference table to begin discussing the data. Lee watched from the far side of the room, Harry would figure it out, he always did, and a small satisfying smile crossed his face. He was feeling very tired just now, and sat down on the sofa to watch the team, each scientist attacking the problem more like kids in a candy store than anything. His smile widened, as a small grunt escaped, he hated when that happened.

“Something I can get you Sir?” Lee looked up to the baby face of Patterson, who had pretended not to notice Lee's sound of pain and opted to act like the good host that he was assigned here to be.

“Just a glass of water, Pat.” As Patterson walked away to retrieve the water, Lee pulled out the envelope with the good stuff. He thought he'd take it now, and then it wouldn't hurt so much to walk back to his cabin.

His head leaned back heavily into the sofa as he waited for Patterson to bring the water, and watched the scene before him. Watching the Admiral scratching complex logarithms out like he was adding two plus two. Before Lee could chuckle to himself, he was out.

Patterson returned, smiled and placed the glass of water down on the end table beside his Captain. He gently and stealthily took the envelope that Lee held in his hands, and placed it beside the glass. Then he swung the Skipper's legs around and positioned him comfortably on the sofa. He was sure the Skipper would be embarrassed that he had fallen asleep with the scientist's watching, but right now this is what he needed.

For all his ministrations, Lee never woke, even as Pat lifted his head placing a small sofa pillow under it. Patterson walked away and continued his job by refilling coffee in the scientist's mugs. He turned toward the sound of the lab door opening to see Doc Jamieson entering and closing the door behind him.

He noticed the Admiral excuse himself from the lively conversation and moved to join Doc, as Patterson turned his attention back to his duties.

“I came in to make sure my patient kept his deal with me, he promised me 48 hours of rest.” Speaking softly to Harry as he scanned the room looking for the dark haired captain.

Harry motioned his head toward the other side of the lab where Lee lay stretched out and obviously oblivious to the world. “Somehow Jamie, I don't think you have to worry about that.” A small smile creased Harry's face, and Jamie returned it. A deal was a deal, and he'd get Lee in his bunk soon enough, but for now he'd leave him to wake on his own accord.

Jamie left the lab feeling quite satisfied. The Conference was going strong, and with his help, his Captain would be going strong again as well... he cocked his head and smiled...in 48 hours.

The End

The Conference

Copyright 2013, All Rights Reserved

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