An early third season story, occurring six months after my story, Of the First Water. This story also attempts to provide closure to the truncated ending for a second season Voyage classic episode.

The Pit

by Lynn

Admiral Harriman Nelson and Lt. Commander Chip Morton walked into the Scottish High Court of Judiciary and found their seats as Deputy Chief Constable Burnett nodded in their direction. It had been six months since Clifford Grant had abducted Lee and Chip in an effort to extort Harry into turning over Seaview to Grant's diamond excavation at the bottom of the sea. Grant's trial was expected to last several weeks, and so Harry had brought Seaview in, just off the port since several other Seaview crewmen were being called to testify as well.

“What's keeping Lee?” Harry asked out loud.

“I don't know Sir, perhaps the dock preparations took longer than expected,” Chip offered as Dr. Phineas Wells made his way into the courtroom.

“Harriman, so good to see you again, I just wish the circumstances were happier,” Phineas stated shaking both Harriman and Chip's hand.

“Where is Captain Crane?” Phineas inquired looking around the courtroom.

“He'll be along soon,” Harry answered and then looked down at his watch slightly irritated at Lee's tardiness, but immediately reined in his irritation realizing that Lee would have good reason for being late.

The arrival of the judge was announced as the courtroom stood in respect. The judge called for the Defendant and all eyes turned toward the door where the ambitious and evil man who had shot Chip to convince Harry of his resolve was ushered in to stand at the defense table.

The room gasped as Harry stood immediately in shock.

“Your Honor, this man is not Clifford Grant,” Chief Deputy Burnett shouted boldly from his place in the courtroom.

The judge's face registered confusion as he asked the guard to verify his prisoner's identity. The guard perused his documents and matched the prisoner's identification number to the number on his orange jumpsuit.

“This is Clifford Grant, Sir,” the guard said, wondering what the confusion was all about.

“No Sir,” the prosecutor said approaching the bench, “this man is not Clifford Grant,” he confirmed.

“What is your name?” the judge asked the prisoner.

The prisoner just smiled with devious intent as confusion filled the courtroom and orders were sent flying to retrieve the fingerprint identification.

Harry didn't need any confirmation, he knew that Clifford Grant wasn't in the courtroom, but what was even more concern was the empty seat next to him and the question now gnawing at every fiber in Harry's being: Where was Lee Crane?

* * * * *

Lee shivered as his awareness returned accentuated by the fire of pain he felt under his right hand. He lay on his back unable to move, the twelve foot fall having done damage in addition to the bullet hole in his side. He breathed raggedly and reached up to loosen his tie as his hand fumbled in his pain. He rested a moment and reached for his handkerchief inside the breast pocket of his service jacket and applied it to the wound pressing inward, causing a spike of pain. He needed to stop the bleeding but applying the necessary pressure was costing him so he eased off and breathed hard.

He'd been caught totally off guard as he berthed FS1 and then dealt with the port authorities, it had taken longer than he expected because of the uniqueness of the vessel. He was just making his way to leave and hailed a taxi, as he reached for the door handle he felt a gun nuzzle in his back and a familiar voice speaking in his ear.

“I told you I'd kill you someday, Crane.”

Lee was urged into the taxi by the pressing nuzzle as another thug joined them leaving Lee sandwiched between cocked handguns.

“I bet you're surprised to see me?”

“You could say that,” Lee said dryly. He had been on his way to the courthouse to testify at Clifford Grant's trial and was in no way expecting Grant to be out roaming the streets free.

“It's amazing what a little money can buy you,” Grant stated as the taxi drove away, obviously driven by one of Grant's thugs.

“It can even buy you an early release. Well actually 'Mack Dunlop' was released,” he said knowing that he hadn't fully explained his freedom yet. “Dunlop and I shared a cell and we made a deal. We were close enough in hair color and height, switched identities and I walked a free man almost four months ago. In the meanwhile, I fired my attorney, retained a new one for my replacement and...” he swept his hands outward, “here we are!”

“Where are you taking me?” Lee asked hoping to gain information and keep Grant talking.

Grant blew out a breath and shook his head, “If there's one thing I learned with you Crane is not to let you get the upper hand. So just sit back and enjoy the ride... it will be the last sunlight you see.”

They drove for over an hour as Lee looked for any opportunity to make good his escape. He preferred not bailing out of a car traveling sixty miles per hour, but he was sure it would be worth the collateral damage he received from the bail-out to be free from Grant, but as soon as the taxi cleared the city the thug next to him raised his gun to rest directly on Lee's neck and applied enough pressure to make his point.

When they reached their destination, Lee was ushered out of the car. There were on a farm and Lee was walked toward the back of one of the barns on the property. Two large steel doors lay flat on the ground folded in the open position with a deep pit in between. Lee was taken to the edge of the pit as his captors moved away training their guns on him menacingly.

“This is your new home, Crane.”

Lee turned around with his back to the pit and glared as Grant continued.

“Get in,” Grant said calmly.

Lee blew a breath in scoff indicating his opinion of Grant's order.

“I thought you might protest,” Grant said with a smile as he produced a .38 and fired.

Grant's bullet was fired at less than ten feet and the impact sent Lee flying backwards in the pit as he landed hard taking the brunt of the fall on his lower back and hips. He tried to roll into the pain where the bullet caught him in the side, but his back was on fire from the fall and he lay there gasping for air instead.

From his position he could see the blue sky spotted with white clouds floating over in an almost surreal manner, but then Grant moved into view.

“I'm a fast learner, Crane. This pit was made especially for you. It's twelve feet deep with smooth concrete walls, absolutely no hand holds for you to climb. There's no way out so get used to your new home.”

Then Grant stepped away as Lee watched the steel doors being swung into place and closed over him, his world now dark. He shuttered as he realized that the depth of the pit had produced a constant temperature, he estimated in the fifties. He wondered whether Harry and Chip were safe but the pain was too much and passed out on that thought.

* * * * *

While the Court sorted out just who was posing as Grant, Deputy Chief Burnett and Harry stood in the corner talking.

“Captain Crane is missing, and we must assume that Grant is involved,” Harry said, his voice tense with emotion.

Burnett nodded his head agreeing, he had witnessed Grant's threat to the Captain before being led away six months ago.

“I'll start an investigation,” Burnett said and left as Chip re-entered the Courtroom.

“The port authorities said he cleared the port docs over an hour ago,” Chip reported.

Harry nodded, he already knew what they were dealing with. Court had not officially been recessed for the day and Harry wasn't free to leave yet, so they had no choice but to stick around.

“Chip, get a hold of Chief Sharkey and have him start an investigation before the trail goes cold.”

Chip nodded and left the Courtroom for the nearest phone, as he too was still under subpoena and unable to leave as well.

* * * * *

Lee lay in his dark cell as a feeling of dejavu came over him, especially with the bullet in his side. It had only been three months since Krueger. Lee tried to shake off the thought, he had worked hard these last three months trying to put that experience behind him, but here in the dark pit with the fire in his side the memories came back like a flood...

From the moment Krueger invaded his body as he lay weakened from the gunshot wound, he had understood Harry's strange behavior. He knew everything Krueger knew. Harry had fought Krueger's strong will to a point where Krueger thought he couldn't break him, until Seaview slammed hard to the ocean floor and the entire crew felt the heaviness of their bodies weighing them down as if they weighed a ton. The air had been cut off; the entire crew was suffocating. Krueger was willing to kill one hundred and twenty-five men to get to Lee. Harry made the decision to put a bullet into his best friend, save the crew, and deal with Krueger in the aftermath. Lee knew this instantly after Krueger invaded his body and stuffed him into the smallest corner of his own mind. Krueger gave him only enough room to exist, it was like Lee was being smothered, not of air but of his own right to live and control his own destiny.

It was originally Krueger's plan to enter Lee's body just before his death, but the U-boat captain soon realized that he had been away for too long, he needed Crane's knowledge to navigate in a world six decades past his own time. So he exerted his will over Lee, placing him in the smallest of closets and taunting him with every move. Krueger ordered Harry's arrest and decked Chip on the way out as he accessed Lee's mind to maneuver the flying sub. Lee couldn't fight it, Krueger's tendrils reached into his mind taking what he needed. Sooner or later he'd drain what he needed from Crane and then Krueger would allow him to die. But for now he played a sick game with Lee, taunting him with his dominance and control over his body.

Losing control over his own body was bad enough, but that wasn't the worst of it, because Lee not only knew everything Krueger knew, he also felt everything Krueger felt. He was keenly aware of Krueger's intent for the island girl, Maria. He claimed he needed her body for his Lani, but Lee knew Krueger's motives went beyond that. As he sat at the table of the seedy island bar, thick with cigarette smoke in the air and watching Maria move to her exotic dance he knew that Krueger had no intention on waiting for Lani. His lust was burning for the island girl not for Lani, and Lee felt every disgusting lustful thought as well as his own body's physical response.

Lee felt Krueger's passion rise as he watched the girl dance and raised his fist to his mouth, barely able to control his desires. Maria had sent over her interest in the tall handsome man as soon as he entered the lounge, and Krueger reveled in the body he had chosen. When the dance ended, the beautiful island girl made her way over to his table as Krueger stood and offered a chair to her. Lee experienced everything in his consciousness that Krueger was controlling in his body. It made him feel used and out of control, he couldn't stop Krueger and he was only being kept alive as long as Krueger needed him.

It hadn't taken any persuasion at all for Maria to invite Krueger to a back room. Lee couldn't stop what was happening and tried to regain some control.

“You said you loved Lani,” Lee said trying to shame Krueger but immediately Lee was slammed against the closet wall once again receiving another devastating blow.

Lee was only given the smallest of spaces to exist as Krueger took what he wanted barely sustaining Lee's life.

* * * * *

Lee's existence was dwindling as Krueger held him hostage in his own body. Krueger had easily enticed the lovely dancer to join him for a boat ride to the nearby deserted island of Mulayo. She was eager to please him, and happily followed the dark headed man with the captivating eyes. She was captivated by his gentlemanly tokens and eagerly accepted his pro-offered hand as they de-boarded the rubber raft.

“Don't be afraid, come vith me,” he said in a heavier accent than he had spoken in earlier. Still, Maria followed allowing her handsome officer to guide her through the jungle.

Krueger held Maria's hand as he led her through the dense jungle toward his destination. It was time to present her body to Lani. When they reached the graveyard Maria was immediately disturbed and wanted to leave, but Krueger was too close to getting what he wanted and closed Lee's hands around her throat until she passed out. But when he called for Lani she wouldn't take Maria's body. Krueger begged for her to take the perfect body he had found to match the body he had chosen for himself, but Lani left, her will stronger as long as Krueger dwelt in Lee's body.

Krueger exited Crane's body as Lee crumbled to the ground, now fully aware of the pain of the bullet still in his side. He rolled to his side writhing in pain and caught the confused eyes of the island girl his own hands had hurt minutes earlier.

“I'm sorry,” he breathed out. “I didn't mean to hurt you. I didn't mean to hurt you,” he repeated in exquisite pain before he passed out, his life's blood again seeping through his shirt.

Maria sat up rubbing her throat, confused at the turn of events. His face had changed along with the pronounced German accent as he closed his fingers around her neck. It was like he was two different people, because the eyes of the man begging her forgiveness didn't seem to match the eyes of the man who had tried to kill her. Her head was spinning and she sat a moment longer trying to gain her equilibrium. It was strange, she wasn't afraid of the man on the ground, she should be after what he just did, but she wasn't. Still, something wasn't right and she wasn't going to stick around and find out why he turned from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde.

Just then another man appeared. This man she feared immediately.

“Who are you?” She asked as he advanced, ignoring her question. “Who are you?” She asked again as her fear took hold, the look in his piercing eyes sending shivers down her spine. But he continued to ignore her as his body went from a solid form to a translucent form and lay down absorbing the dark headed man into his being. She knew immediately it was wrong and other worldly and screamed a terrifying scream.

* * * * *

Krueger had searched for Lani, but she had resisted his will to this point and had not returned. No matter, she could not resist him for long. He had planned this out for far too long to allow her morals to get in the way. He would have his “Love” in Maria's perfect body and together they would experience the life they should have had together.

“No!” Lee cried out with the last measure of strength he had, but he couldn't stop him as Krueger pressed harder against Lee, restraining even his protests.

“Don't, please,” Lee begged as Krueger closed the closet door, leaving Lee helpless to stop him. There was no hope, he couldn't stop his body from doing what Krueger willed until... he heard Harry.

“Get up!” Harry screamed. Krueger jumped up, as a small trickle of blood dripped from the scratch on his jaw from Maria's struggles.

He confronted Harry, and Lee could barely hear their conversation but slowly he felt the repressive hand of Krueger release him as Krueger exited his body and began his frantic search for Lani, his plans failing before him.

Lee crumbled to the ground, his physical body no longer being supported by Krueger's will. He wanted to thank Harry, to say something to him but he couldn't hold out and succumbed to the pain and the blood loss.

* * * * *

Maria sat up in disbelief, she knew what had just happened and she didn't want to face it. But she had watched the dark headed officer being invaded and then being released. It wasn't he who had tried to kill or attack her, it was the shorter man with the German accent and the cold dark eyes.

“Give me a hand!” Harry urged, “Want to save your life and his? We've got to get him off this island.” Harry said as he picked up Lee and carried him in a fireman's hold to his waiting raft. He had made all the arrangements, but he had to get to the flying sub before this island was blown to smithereens.

Harry placed Lee in the raft as Maria took his head and positioned it on her lap. He was as much a victim as she had been. She moved the hair from his forehead, noting the pain lines on his handsome boyish face as she heard the auburn haired man behind her order the island to be destroyed.

Harry pushed the raft off and then settled in taking the oars and rowing with forceful intent towards where he had the flying sub anchored. Chip had his orders and they needed to make their distance as far from the island as possible. He heard Lee moan behind him.

“Admiral,” Lee called in a low whisper.

“I'm here, Lee. We're almost to FS1, hold on.”

Harry's voice was reassuring even though his pain was nearly unbearable. Lee blinked his eyes and focused on the pretty face of the island girl, Maria.

“I'm sorry,” he said as his eyes glistened with a tear threatening to fall.

She nodded her head in the negative and moved her hand across his face comfortingly as she spoke.

“It wasn't you. I know that,” her voice low but caring.

Lee gasped and closed his eyes managing the pain and then felt the raft bump against something. He opened his eyes to see the flying sub, bobbing in the middle of the ocean, off the island's shore. Harry cracked the back cargo hatch and helped Maria inside and then returned for Lee. He guided Lee inside the flying sub and then cradled him in his arms to lift him onto the high bunk at the back of the submersible.

Lee was in pain, but their eyes locked as Harry squeezed his shoulder.

“I've got to get us out of here, Lee. Hold on, we'll get you back to Seaview soon.”

“Admiral, I can feel him. He's coming back...”Lee was frantic, but the exertion of the move to the bunk and the coming dread was too much as he succumbed to the pain once again.

Harry moved toward the pilot's seat as he and Maria buckled in. He began the start-up sequence but then everything went black.

“It von't vork, Admiral.” Krueger stood at the back of the flying sub as Maria gasped in terror.

“I have villed Lani to come. My vill is stronger than hers, she vill come,” he explained as Harry nodded his head in the negative.

Just then the view out the flying sub's windows turned to mayhem as the island began to break up right before their eyes.

“Vhat have you done?” Krueger screamed, knowing that if he didn't find Lani he would lose her forever. He faded off calling for Lani and disappeared.

The controls to the flying sub were restored and Harry wasted no time putting FS1 in the air. From their altitude they saw the last of the island explode and fall into the sea as Harry guided FS1 on the quickest course to Seaview.

He positioned his throat mic and hailed Seaview, “FS1 to Seaview, come in Seaview.”

“Seaview here,” Chip Morton's voice answered in anticipation.

“Chip, I have Lee. Have Jamie standing by.”

“Aye Sir,” Chip said relieved as the rest of the Control Room crew watched with wonder. Chip didn't know what to tell them, and he wasn't at liberty to say much until Lee confirmed what Harry told him.

“Attend your stations men,” Chip said, relying on their duty to hold things together no matter how unorthodoxed the situation might be.

Less than thirty minutes later, the Admiral was docking the Flying Sub as Jamie stood ready to descend down the ladder. As soon as Jamie and Frank the Corpsman cleared the ladder, Harry motioned Maria up to the Control Room and followed behind giving Jamie room to maneuver Lee onto a stretcher.

“How is he, Sir?” Chip asked with concern in his voice.

“Holding on Chip. He's been awake on and off, but he's weak,” Harry answered, knowing he owed Chip every explanation he could give after he trusted him with so little to go on.

Chip nodded and looked toward the hatch as Lee was hoisted up on a stretcher. Jamie was in a hurry to get Lee to Sickbay but Lee used all his reserves to call out to Harry.

“Admiral?” He called, aware that his crew wouldn't know what he knew, that the Admiral had saved all their lives by shooting him. He needed to help set this straight, just in case.

“I'm here, Lee,” Harry said moving next to the stretcher and lowering himself to Lee's line of sight.

“Thank you, Sir,” he said in considerable pain. “Chip?”

“I'm here, Lee.”

“It was Krueger... Admiral Nelson saved every man on this boat... and me... from Krueger...” Lee gasped, as Chip nodded and Jamie motioned the stretcher forward.

“Aye Sir,” Chip answered as he looked up locking eyes with Harry who was finding it difficult to rein in his strong emotions.

Harry turned toward Maria, and motioned her to follow the stretcher as he guided her to Sickbay.

Chip now had his orders and knew what to do. His crew had obeyed every bizarre order he gave in the face of total confusion. They eye witnessed their Captain being gunned down by Admiral Nelson and then he was allowed off the boat unescorted. Still the crew obeyed, and Chip felt he owed them an explanation.

“Now hear this, men,” he said, addressing the Control Room. “We've all seen some mighty strange things out here, and this is no different. But you can believe your Captain when he tells you that Admiral Nelson saved every hand on this boat when he shot the Skipper. I can't give you the details, I don't even know all of them right now. Just know that the Command structure of Seaview is soundly in place. That is all.”

A collective sigh of relief hit the room. As strange as the Exec's speech was, it was still incredibly comforting to know that the Admiral wasn't crazy and the Skipper still believed in him.

* * * * *

It had been a tough week as Seaview made its way home. Maria had been ferried back to the island with Harry's promise to relocate her if she so desired. She had no inclination to leave and held no blame for Lee's unwilling part in her attack. But the hardest part of the trip home was the fact that Lee couldn't really open up about his experience. It was too personal to talk about in the middle of Sickbay.

Harry came every day to check on him, and Lee knew that he too was wounded. He knew that the disappointment mixed with shock his face had displayed when he realized that Harry shot him was weighing heavy on him. But Lee couldn't find it in him to discuss things, at least not yet. So they discussed everything else instead, and for now it was enough.

Lee was released from Sickbay the day Seaview docked and though he moved slowly and carefully was able to go straight home. The house seemed too quiet and Lee made his decision. He wasn't cleared to drive yet, so he called a taxi and ended up on Harry's doorstep.

“Lee,” Harry said, opening the door wider for him to enter. “Come in Lad.”

“I'm sorry I didn't call first, Admiral.” Lee let loose a small chuckle, “I think if I had, I would have chickened out, but I need to talk... and I think maybe you need to as well.”

Harry nodded in agreement as the two entered into Harry's living room and sat by the fire. They talked long into the night, much of the conversation in low hushed voices as Lee sat on the fireplace hearth often with is eyes lowered.

“I should have believed you when you told me about Krueger,” Lee said regretfully as they neared the end of their talk.

Harry nodded in the negative, “How could you, Lee? I was having a hard time accepting it myself.”

Lee nodded, looking completely worn out at his point. Harry had long since moved to sit beside Lee on the hearth and at one time reached to offer his support with a hand on Lee's back as his best friend bared the darkest secrets of Krueger's invasion.

Harry sighed, “You look done in, Lee. Why don't you use my guest room, we can continue in the morning if you like.”

“Thanks,” Lee said as he rose holding his side for support while Harry took his elbow to assist him. He turned toward Harry, and smiled weakly.

“Thanks, Admiral... for everything.”

Harry looked deep into Lee's eyes and without any hint of embarrassment suddenly drew him into a fatherly hug as Lee responded. Harry held tight, for how long he didn't know, until Lee composed himself and moved to straighten himself. In his eyes Harry saw the strength of the man he had long since admired and cared for as more than a friend... more than a brother, a man he would have been proud to have called Son.

Lee smiled again, but this time it held the confidence that said he would get through this. He nodded his thanks and headed to the guest room without saying a word.

Harry took the poker and aimlessly moved the small burning embers around. Lee's trust in him to share the experience signaled their relationship was still strong and though he'd never forget the look in Lee's eyes after he shot him, it would always be tempered with the trust Lee gave him now. He finished moving the embers and then retired to his room strangely refreshed.

The next morning Harry woke to find Lee cooking breakfast at the stove along with hot coffee already brewing. They didn't discuss Krueger and instead sat on the deck enjoying the ocean view and the friendship that had been forged through the darkest of times and through the greatest of triumphs.

Lee was deep in a “pit” then too, but somehow Harry found him; he just needed to hang on. In his pain he prayed, not knowing whether full grown captains still had guardian angels and laughed silently to himself wondering if his guardian angel had long since given up trying to keep him safe. But that's what Lee realized he needed right now, an angel to guide Harry.

* * * * *

Lee was shivering, colder than he should be for the chilly but tolerable temperatures. It was a bad sign and he knew it. He stopped trying to move when he realized that he injured his back. He could feel pain in his back and legs and figured that was a good sign, but also realized that he needed to stay still to avoid further damage.

He knew there wasn't anything else to do anyway, Grant's pit was escape proof. He wasn't going anywhere without help, that much he knew.

He lay in the pitch black, completely dark save for the small light that filtered the sunlight through the crack where the steel doors met in the middle. Lee focused on that small stream of light, it was enough to keep his world from being completely dark and he drew strength off the hope the light gave him. The light was the only “good” thing he could find in his dark cell to focus on as he engaged in a survival skill he learned as a rookie working for ONI. As he lay flat on the ground looking up, he could see the tiny dust particles that the sunlight revealed in the small stream of light. It was almost mesmerizing, watching the tiny particles dance around until a shadow covered his light and his cell grew darker.

He watched, reasoning what could be casting the shadow until he heard a small voice.

* * * * *

Sharkey, Kowalski and Patterson were each asking as many questions as they could on the docks. They talked to anyone they could find and stayed busy even after the police left the scene empty handed.

“Excuse me, Ma'am. Have you seen this man?” Kowalski asked the bikini clad woman wearing a see-through coverall and sunglasses.

She stopped in her tracks and pulled her sunglasses off taking the photo of Lee Crane, a publicity photo shot in his khaki service dress uniform and standing in front of a red silo in the missile room.

“Oooh, now him I'd remember,” she cooed, tracing her manicured red fingernail down Lee's face on the photo.

“Are you sure Ma'am? He was here on the dock this morning.” Kowalski said persistently.

“I didn't see him, but Carla told me about a hunky guy in uniform she saw on the dock. Carla!” She called out, still holding the photo.

Carla appeared from the sailboat wearing an equally skimpy bathing suit, casually covered by an unbuttoned shirt.

“Is this the hunk you spotted earlier?”

Carla took the photo and smiled. “Told ya he was a Dream, Barb,” Carla said to her friend as they both looked over the photo. “And tall...” Carla continued before Kowalski interrupted her.

“When did you see him, Ma'am? It's very important.”

“Is he in trouble?” Carla asked with a raised eyebrow.

“We think so Ma'am. He missed a very important appointment and hasn't been seen since this morning,” Kowalski explained without giving too much detail.

“Are you his friend?” Carla continued, making sure that her information wouldn't hurt the hunk in any way.

“Yes Ma'am. He's my Captain,” Ski replied.

“A Captain!” Carla and Barb squealed together in delight.

“Yes Ma'am,” Ski said trying to get the women back on track. “When did you see him?” He repeated.

“This morning about 10:00,” Carla answered. “He helped me untie my line so I could cast off and then walked toward the dock. He has the most incredible eyes...” Carla started telling Barb until Ski jumped in.

“Did you see him leave, Ma'am?” Ski inquired.

“Of course, I watched him walk away,” she smiled at Barb as they both giggled knowing that the view from the back was pretty impressive. “He got into a taxi with those other men.”

Ski's face went deadly serious, “What other men?”

“Two other men got in the taxi with him and they drove off,” Carla answered matter of factly.

“Would you recognize the other men if you saw them again?”

“Not really. They weren't anything in comparison to the Captain here,” she said still holding the photo, “I really didn't pay any attention to them.”

“Okay, did you see which way they headed?” Ski persisted.

Carla handed the photo back to Ski, “Just out the gate is all,” she answered growing tired of the questions.

“Ma'am, it's very important. We think the Captain was kidnapped,” Ski spilled the beans hoping the women would be encouraged to talk longer.

Carla and Barb's faces turned serious. “I'm sorry, I really don't remember anything else except that I've never seen a taxi driver wearing a suit before.”

“Are you sure, Ma'am?”

“Yeah, even from the distance I could see his suit,” she said shrugging her shoulders.

Kowalski turned toward the blond haired officer just now approaching the dock, as Barb reached for Carla's arm.

“This one's mine,” she purred as Kowalski explained to Chip what the ladies saw.

Carla and Barb stayed and spoke with Chip allowing him to retrace the morning's steps to glean as much information as possible and happily exchanged phone numbers with the officer when he asked how to reach them for further questions.

Chip thanked the ladies and took the information over to the Admiral as the ladies watched him leave.

Barb sighed, “Just my luck... married,” sadly acknowledging the gold band on his left hand.

* * * * *

Harry called Burnett to the dock, sharing the information his men were able to ferret out as the Deputy Chief sighed out loud.

“A taxi was stolen this morning, it's still missing. The driver was attacked and left in an alley,” he added.

“What we need is a list of Grant's contacts, friends, acquaintances, anyone who might give us a clue where he would keep Lee,” Harry said as Burnett nodded.

“We're already working on that. I'll get back to you when I've got something,” the Deputy Chief assured.

“Sooner rather than later, Chief,” Harry advised. “Grant hates Lee, I'm afraid what he did to my first officer is just a taste of what he's capable of.”

Burnett nodded and left to return to the Station.

* * * * *

“Hello down there!” Lee heard as he strained to hear a small child's voice.

“Hello!” Lee yelled as loud as he could muster. “Can you hear me?”

“A little. What'cha ya' doing in that hole, Mister?” The voice of a little girl was heard.

“I fell down and I'm hurt,” Lee yelled back through the crack. “Can you go get help?” He asked straining to keep the pain at bay.

“How come those men didn't help you?” the precocious girl asked.

Lee didn't want to scare her, and he was worried what would happen if they came back.

“Do you live around here?” Lee asked.

“Across the creek,” her small voice replied.

“Honey, listen to me,” Lee said desperately. “Those men are bad men. I need you to go home and tell your Mommy and Daddy that I'm here. Tell them to call the police. And don't come back, okay?”

“Okay,” she said. “Mister?” she asked shyly.

“Yes,” Lee answered, becoming worn out with the effort the conversation was taking from him and fearing that Grant would return and find the girl.

“Did that bad man shoot you with a gun?”

“What's your name?” Lee asked, not wanting to expose the little girl to the deeds of an evil man.

“Trista,” she said proudly.

“Trista,” he repeated. “That's a very a pretty name. Trista, I really need you to go back home and tell your parents. Will you do that for me?”

“Uh-huh,” she answered.

Lee watched the shadow disappear and the sunlight began to filter once again. He was relieved for the hope that Trista offered, but knew that her little voice indicated a very small child, perhaps five or six years old. He didn't know if she could pull it off; remember what to say, not to mention to convince her family of his need for help. He'd just have to wait and see what happened.

* * * * *

Trista walked back toward her farm. She had been playing in the shallow creek when the car drove up and moved behind the barn to watch. It wasn't that she was spying, she was just wondering if the new neighbors were moving in yet. She'd seen the workers digging out the pit with a big machine, that was a long time ago because she had a birthday and so did her Mommy. That means it was four months ago, and when they were through making the hole they just left, and nobody moved in.

She crossed the creek, her bare feet feeling the cool waters only a few inches deep. She wasn't supposed to be on this side of the creek, but she needed to help the man in the hole. He said he was hurt, so Trista headed home determined to fess up to the fact that she had been to the neighbor's farm uninvited.

* * * * *

“I've come up empty with leads for Clifford Grant, but we're still running down the leads for Mack Dunlop, after all that's the name he escaped under,” Burnett reasoned.

“Of course,” Harry said acknowledging the Chief's good sense. “There's got to be a trail somewhere!” He said in barely hidden exasperation.

“Yes,” Burnett agreed as he joined Harry pacing. “And I think it's time we go public.”

Harry was relieved that Burnett made the suggestion since all they had was circumstantial evidence that Lee had been abducted.

“Let's take it to the evening news, maybe we'll get the breaks we need,” Burnett finished as Harry nodded in agreement.

* * * * *

“Commander Lee Crane, captain of the fantastic submarine The Seaview is missing and is believed to have been abducted by this man...” a picture of Clifford Grant replaced Lee's photo as the newscaster continued. “Anyone seeing either of these men should report their whereabouts to the Police Station as soon as possible. In other news...”

Harry sat back at the hotel room that had become the command post and turned the news broadcast down, leaving the set on to monitor any developments. Lee had been missing since morning and now the evening was setting. Harry couldn't help but fear the worst, he knew that Grant held a personal hatred for Lee. As unreasonable as it was, Clifford Grant gauged his own worth against Lee's success. He wanted to prove that he was a better man, but instead Lee had escaped from his cell, took out two of his guards, helped both Wells and Chip escape and led a raid leading to Harry's rescue.

Grant had threatened Lee even as he was arrested and taken into custody six months ago and he had a long time to plan his revenge. Harry hit the arm of the chair he was sitting in disgustedly and rose to pace. The “not knowing” was the worst, he needed to be busy looking for Lee... if only they had a clue where to look.

* * * * *

“Mommy?” Trista said wrapping one foot behind the other in body language that her mother recognized.

“Yes, Trista,” she answered evenly, expecting a confession of some kind from her young daughter.

“I know I'm not supposed to... but I went across the creek,” she didn't wait for a response but continued on. “But I had to, 'cause I have a friend there and he got hurt and he says he needs help.”

Trista's mother's eyes sharpened in concern, “What friend, Trista?”

“Ummm, I don't know his name but some bad men put him in a hole and they had guns and everything,” Trista finished.

“Trista...” her mother started, when she caught the strange look on Trista's face as the television played in the background.

The little girl raised her hand and pointed toward the TV set. “That's my friend and that's the bad guy,” she said without hesitation as the newscast played their report on Seaview's missing captain.

“Trista darling, are you sure that those are the men you saw?” her mother asked as she moved to her knees at Trista's eye level.

“Yes, Mommy. That one fell in the hole, and that man closed the hole up and then left.”

“Okay, Trista. Oh I wish your father were home... I'll call the police and tell them what you saw.”

Mother went to the phone and dialed the operator and was soon connected to the Police Station. She reported what her daughter saw and the overwhelmed switchboard attendant took her name and phone number and promised to forward it to the Constable in charge of the investigation.

She hung up the phone, not convinced that she was believed. She was worried about the Captain but her good sense told her that she should wait for her husband to return home; she had her daughter to think about. Just as she was coming to that conclusion she realized that Trista wasn't in the room any longer.

“Trista!” she called, but knew in her heart just where the little girl had gone as she grabbed her sweater and started out the door.

* * * * *

“Mister! Mister!” Trista called persistently when she heard a low moan from below.

“Trista,” Lee said in a breathy moan. “Why did you come back?” He asked worriedly.

“My Mommy called the Police, now they know where you are,” she said proudly.

“That's good Trista, now I want you to go home where you'll be safe. Okay?”

Trista didn't leave and laid down instead on the steel door next to the padlock, trying to peek down into the crack as she talked.

“It's dark down there, isn't it?”

“Yes,” Lee answered trying to stay conscious. He had finally got the bleeding to stop but his back hurt on top of the bullet wound and he was exhausted from the pain.

“I saw your picture on television and that's why my mommy called the police,” she said proudly.

“Trista!” a woman's voice was heard overhead as Lee could only guess it was the girl's mother.

“Hi Mommy, here's my friend. See, he's down in the hole,” Trista said pointing toward the steel doors covering the pit.

“Hello? Can you hear me?”

“Yes, my name is Lee Crane,” he tried to go on and gasped while breathing in, trying to hide his discomfort.

“My name is Leslie. I called the Police, but I don't know if they believed me. The news story has been running all evening.”

“Leslie, call The Ambassador Hotel and ask for Admiral Harriman Nelson. Tell him Lee Benjamin Crane told you to call. Tell him. He'll come.” Lee's sentences were getting shorter, his stamina running out, and he was so cold.

“All right,” Leslie answered.

“And Leslie, don't come back... it's dangerous.”

“I understand Lee. I'll make someone listen,” she promised.

“Thank you,” he answered, not sure if she heard. He listened as they moved off the steel doors and felt hope return.

* * * * *

The phone rang as Chip answered it, fielding phone calls for Harry.

“Let me talk to Nelson,” Chip's countenance changed recognizing the voice on the other end of the phone and immediately the entire room was silent as he passed the phone off to Harry.

Harry took the phone and breathed in, “I thought I'd be hearing from you Grant.”

“Ah yes. By now you've got it all figured out. Everything except where to find your Captain. I'll make this short and simple, Nelson. You'll never find him, and if you do all you'll find is a dead man.”

With that the phone went dead as Harry looked over at the Constable that had been assigned to monitor and trace calls in case Grant contacted them. The Constable shook his head in the negative.

“Too short. No trace.”

Harry hung up the phone in disgust and started to walk away when the phone rang again.

“Hello,” Harry answered gruffly expecting it to be Grant again.

“May I speak to Admiral Harriman Nelson?”

“Speaking,” Harry said wishing he had let Chip field and deflect the many phone calls they had received with false leads that hadn't panned out.

“My name is Leslie MacRae, Lee Benjamin Crane asked me to call you.”

Harry's face turned to a smile instantly at the sound of Lee's middle name. That piece of information wasn't used on the news broadcast.

“Yes Miss MacRae, do you know where Lee is?”

“It's Mrs. MacRae, and yes, my daughter found him. He's been locked in a pit on the farm next to ours, and he's hurt. I don't know how bad, but I can hear it in his voice.” She proceeded to give Harry the address and directions as the Constable listened on the line having traced the call and verifying the address.

“Thank you Mrs. MacRae. I'm in your debt.”

“Just hurry,” she finished as they disconnected.

Harry hung up the phone as Chip and the Seaview crew waited for the official word.

“We found him,” Harry said as the room erupted in excitement.

* * * * *

Lee continued to shiver but heard the sounds of the padlock being handled. For a moment he thought it was his rescue, till he realized that the padlock was being keyed open. The heavy steel doors were opened and he heard the familiar voice of his captor.

“Well Crane, I see you're still alive,” as he blinded Lee with the flashlight being shone down on his face.

Lee blinked trying to focus past the bright light. He was getting weaker and didn't bother answering Grant.

“Well, not to worry. I'm going to help you along a little,” he said, his voice promising something devious. “I'm sure you've noticed the constant temperature of fifty-two degrees in your pit.”

Lee didn't answer, too tired to fight a witty verbal war but was immediately bombarded with a load of freezing cold water as he cried out in the shock of the cold and his pain that sharpened greatly.

He was still gasping when he heard Clifford Grant laugh, “Good bye Crane. You'll be dead by morning.”

Lee heard the steel doors close over him once again, and would have despaired if it weren't for the hope that Leslie and Trista offered. He just needed to hold on; Harry and Chip would come. His eyes fluttered shut as he shivered.... he heard the padlock click into place, but then he heard a noise; a blessed noise as Lee allowed a smile to bleed through his pain filled breaths. A helicopter... no... two helicopters. His shivering continued as his teeth started chattering and his eyes fluttered shut.

* * * * *

Clifford Grant had just reset the padlock on the steel doors when the sounds of approaching choppers filled the air. He and his men took one appraising look and then ran for their car.

“Go! Go! Get us out of here!” Grant yelled as they backed out making a desperate run for it at top speed. All of the sudden they heard a loud boom and suddenly lost control of the vehicle. The driver panicked as a police sharp shooter took out his front tire and he over corrected. Moments later, the car was flipping through the field making three full revolutions and finally coming to rest landing on its hood.

* * * * *

There was a loud noise, but Lee couldn't tell if it was the rush in his ears or if it was even real. It may have been moments later or an hour later, he didn't know, but he heard the steel plates being lifted once again as he looked up to bright lights.

“Get the ladder down there,” he heard in a distant voice and then that familiar voice that he'd been praying to hear.

“Lee?”

He struggled to keep his eyes open as he caught Harry's concerned look, he tried to smile but his teeth were still chattering away. He felt warm blankets being placed on his legs while someone attended his side.

“Don't move Commander,” the Rescue responder instructed as a brace was fitted around his neck and he was rolled onto a backboard. He was still breathing hard when he felt the needle sting and sweet relief hit his blood stream. More blankets were wrapped around him and he was finally able to offer a smile to Harry as the pain medication took him to sleep.

The RAF Rescue team hoisted him up the pit as Lee slept safely in his drugged oblivion. When they raised him to the top he was taken immediately to a helicopter as Harry piled in beside him rubbing the errant curls from Lee's forehead away.

* * * * *

Lee Crane woke to a bright room with sunlight filtering liberally through the open draped window. He felt the warmth of the sunlight even before he opened his eyes and soaked in the feeling, even if he was in the hospital. He opened his eyes to see two sets of blue eyes watching him and smiled wearily.

“How are you feeling, Lee?” Harry asked pretty sure that Lee wasn't feeling anything but that floaty feeling when heavy narcotics were in use.

“Good,” he said with a small smile.

“I thought so,” Harry said, returning Lee's smile as Chip joined in.

“What does the doc say about my back,” Lee asked, still together enough to want to know.

“I'll let him explain the details, but from what he told us your back was severely bruised and strained in the fall, but your injuries will heal with rest and therapy,” Harry finished with a smile that Lee knew meant everything was going to be fine.

“What about Grant?” He asked still feeling floaty but able to think and reason.

“His car flipped when they tried to run, he didn't survive the crash,” Harry said without regret.

Lee nodded, pretty much okay with Harry's last statement. He was just about to slip back into sleep when he realized that there was an important loose end he needed clarified.

“What about Trista and her mother?”

Harry smiled broadly, “They're fine Lee. You rest now, Lad.”

Lee smiled as the floaty feeling took him back to a comfortable sleep.

* * * * *

Lee spent the next two weeks in the hospital and an additional week in the hotel, his back healing but still receiving therapy. He wasn't ready to leave yet anyway. Today he had a date. In fact, Harry and Chip were joining him as they drove toward their destination. He had received the entire scoop on the search details including Carla and Barb's part. Kowalski had filled him in, in great detail in fact with his opinion of the ladies and just how appealing their swimwear was. While he was grateful for their part in his rescue he had his heart set on another. When they arrived, Lee smiled broadly as he caught the sweet blond curls dancing across her shoulders with a delightful twinkle in her eyes to match.

“Hello Trista,” Lee greeted with a fantastic smile, “are you ready?” He asked reaching a hand out to hers. She grabbed his hand eagerly as they walked ahead into the zoo with Leslie and her husband following alongside Harry and Chip. Lee had prayed for an “angel” to guide Harry to his pit, and he was pretty sure that's what he got, maybe not literally, but Trista was definitely the answer to his prayers.

Lee was enjoying this visit, seeing the delights of the zoo as one should... through the eyes of a child. The pit had been devastating, but the darkness had been replaced with the light of morning and Lee reveled in the hope of a new day.

Harry watched a relaxed and happy Lee Crane as Trista guided him to her favorite exhibits. He cringed slightly for Lee's back as he reached down and scooped the little girl up to ride high on his shoulders as the two took in the sights, and then shook off his concerns as Lee carried her effortlessly as if the trauma of the pit had never happened.

The End

The Pit

Credits:

The second season finale Return of the Phantom was written by William Welch, directed by Sutton Roley, and originally aired March 20, 1966. My story contains scenes, quotes, and paraphrases from the original episode.

Author's Notes: Return of the Phantom was a great episode that lacked a “satisfying ending,” so I decided to “fix” what I felt was wrong in the final scenes. The original episode was constrained by time and so to be fair, I didn't necessarily want to rewrite the ending, but to improve upon some missed opportunities that might have helped the viewers feel more closure. In particular, was when Harry placed Lee in the rubber raft. In my opinion, the scene should have been corrected to place Crane in a more dignified position. The next problem was placing Maria in the raft with oars in her hands, as if Harry was going to push off and then start counting off strokes for her to row. So I placed Lee's head in her lap for that all important comfort scene which also signaled that she knew Lee was innocent in her attack. Lastly, I added several scenes where Lee wakes, but even one scene would have been enough in the original airing. In my story, Lee had already forgiven Harry, knowing full well that he had saved the entire crew with his difficult decision, but the viewers needed to see this as well. All we needed was for Lee to reach out to Harry in some way and we fans would have left feeling happy, wishing for more, but still happy. Still the episode remains a fan favorite even before my “fixes”! Thanks for reading and allowing me to share my version of this story. : )

Copyright 2014, All Rights Reserved

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