A Third Season story... Danger abounds when each member of Seaview's command team faces his own peril to recover a stolen secret device while dealing with a nemesis bent on revenge.
Where the Gentle Beasts Lead
by Lynn
The sound of a helicopter filled the air as Lee opened his eyes and listened for their “signatures,” that distinct sound each type of helicopter makes in flight. A small smile formed as he gently nudged the pilot, Lt. Commander Darren Landau awake.
“Darren, they're here.”
Landau's eyes fluttered open slowly, but inside their covered rescue raft they couldn't see anything.
“Ours or theirs?” He asked sparingly, biting back the pain from the damage the attack and crash landing had inflicted.
Lee's smile grew wider. “Ours,” he said, competently recognizing the familiar sound of the Sirkorsky SH-60 Seahawk. He should know the sound by now, he'd been fished out of the drink enough times in his ONI career to know the sound intimately.
Lee held Darren across his chest protectively, it had taken everything out of him to pull the 6'3” pilot into the raft once their Tomcat hit the water. It had been a messy crash water landing, but it was the best Lee could do with Darren unconscious and the need to secure the “package” still under his care.
Darren had roused on the landing and Lee was able to get them both out before the Tomcat took both it and them to the bottom of the sea. Getting Darren into the raft had cost Lee and he soon ran out of strength, so he held Darren close trying to keep the pilot's injuries from bleeding out.
“I hear the cable,” Lee said reassuringly as Darren gasped. “Not too much longer, and you'll be shipped off to a nice Navy Hospital with a pretty nurse taking care of you,” Lee promised willing Darren to hold on.
“Not too pretty... my wife might not like it,” Darren quipped.
Lee smiled weakly as he heard the splash of the Seahawk's SAR* crewman hit the water and swim toward their raft.
“Okay,” Lee said with a weary smile. “Hope your wife doesn't mind if mine is extremely beautiful,” he quipped as the raft “door” was opened and the navy SAR swimmer peered in removing his goggles and smiling.
“Anyone here up for a ride to the chopper in style?” The navy seaman asked relieved to see the two officers alive in the raft.
“Sounds good,” Lee said, “but Commander Landau is going to need the basket.”
The navy seaman was aboard by that time assessing both of the officers' conditions and nodded his head in agreement as the gash in the pilot's flight suit and the blood oozing between Lee's fingers as he applied pressure testified to Darren's condition.
The seaman agreed and pulled out his radio indicating his need for the rescue basket and in no time flat Lee had joined Darren on board the Seahawk. Darren was wrapped in blankets still strapped into the basket as Seaman Garcia applied pressure to his wound. Lee was sitting upright with a blanket wrapped around him and holding Darren's shoulder in support. The wound looked bad and Lee hoped the ride back to the Carrier wouldn't take too long. It seemed like an eternity, but about a half hour later the Seahawk touched down for a perfect soft landing on the deck.
The emergency medical team was waiting to take Darren as Lee stepped off the chopper cautiously.
“This way to Sickbay, Commander,” an officer said sweeping his arm as an invitation for Lee to proceed.
“Negative, Lieutenant,” Lee replied evenly to the young JG. “I need to speak with the Captain and make a call to Admiral Johnson at ONI.”
The young officer nodded and proceeded to escort Lee to the Bridge.
“Commander Crane,” Captain Sal Santore greeted returning Lee's sharp salute.
“Captain Santore, I need to make contact with Admiral Johnson as soon as possible, Sir.”
Captain Santore nodded. He was well aware that Lee was an operative returning from an ONI mission.
“Right this way, Commander,” Santore said escorting Lee himself to the radio room.
* * * * *
Lee was taken to a secure room to make his call as the radio operator made the connection.
“Report, Commander Crane,” Admiral Johnson's no nonsense voice was heard.
“Sir, the retrieval was successful and I was on my way to the Carrier aboard the Tomcat. We took a direct hit from a SAM over the water...”
“Out at sea?” Johnson inquired needing clarification.
“From a group of fishing boats below, Sir.”
“Extremely difficult to do?” Johnson wondered aloud.
“Aye Sir, they seemed to be well trained. We had to ditch at sea.”
This much Johnson knew with the “mayday” and the fact that Lee and Landau had been missing for five hours.
“The details Commander?” Johnson ordered.
“Commander Landau was injured and unconscious. I kept the Tomcat in the air as long as possible to gain distance over the unfriendlies. Since the Commander couldn't eject, I ditched the Tomcat and stowed the package. Commander Landau and I were able to evacuate to the emergency raft, but I didn't know who'd find us first, so I scuttled the package with the sinking Tomcat. I placed my transponder with the package it should be retrievable, only the waters here are pretty deep, Sir.”
“How deep?”
Lee looked to Captain Santore for verification as Santore answered, “About ten thousand feet.”
“Sir, Captain Santore has confirmed approximately 10,000 feet.”
Lee could hear the audible blow of breath Johnson emitted as he thought through the retrieval of the important component Lee had smuggled out of the iron curtain country.
“Very well, Captain Santore you will make all haste to secure the seas above the wreckage while I move assets capable of making the deep dive.”
“Aye Sir,” the Captain replied.
“Sir?” Lee said addressing Admiral Johnson. “Seaview is capable of making the retrieval with the Diving Bell.”
“How close is your Sub?” Johnson asked deep in thought.
“About six hours according to her original cruise plans.”
“Very well, we'll use your asset but who will pilot the craft with Nelson here in Washington?”
“Commander Morton wrote half the code that guides Seaview's Bell, Sir. He's more than capable to pilot the Bell and make the retrieval.”
Lee could hear the wheels turning on Johnson's side as the silence was broken with Johnson's approval.
“Very well Commander, I'll send for Seaview. I'll want an AAR as soon as possible.”
“Aye Sir,” Lee replied which was immediately returned with a “Johnson out,” as the radio operator secured the line.
Lee handed over the mic and started to take a step when the room started spinning and he fell forward, caught by Captain Santore who gently guided him to the floor as Lee's hand went protectively to his side. Through the haze Lee heard Santore call for a corpsman and then succumbed to the darkness.
* * * * *
A corpsman arrived in the radio shack and unzipped Lee's flight suit revealing shrapnel damage to his right side.
“He flew the Tomcat, ditched at sea, rescued the pilot and made his report in this condition?” Captain Santore said in disbelief shaking his head from side to side. Santore was well aware of the skill it took to belly land the fighter jet in a crash water landing and marveled at the young commander lying on the deck.
“It looks like he's got internal damage, Sir,” the corpsman reported as they loaded Lee onto a stretcher and headed toward Sickbay.
“Very well, I'll want a report on the Commander's condition,” Santore replied, having already made the necessary orders to send the Carrier to the recovery area and deploying Fighters to secure the sea until their arrival. Captain Santore didn't know what was so important about the “Package,” he didn't need to know to do his job. He just needed to keep the area secure and wait for Seaview to arrive to coordinate the recovery.
* * * * *
Lt. Commander Charles “Chip” Morton was standing at the chart table having made his last course correction as Lt. O'Brien stood by his side. Chip finished with his notations in the Captain's Log and moved to make a circuit around the Control Room. His face was in perfect XO command mode, but inside he was sporting a lot of unanswered questions.
Admiral Johnson had called up Seaview from the Reserves to aid in a Deep Sea Recovery operation. His information was limited, but from what Johnson had told him he would be taking the Bell down to retrieve a “package” stowed aboard an F-16 Tomcat that had sunk to the bottom. He understood that Lee had relayed this information to Johnson but that fact did little to quell his concern for his commanding officer and best friend. Seaview had been traveling at flank speed for the last two hours and Lee hadn't attempted to contact Seaview yet. Chip knew with all certainty that if Lee were able, he would have made contact by now. The thought left a gnawing knot inside, though no-one could see it from the outside. He'd find out soon enough when he reached the Recovery area.
Upon that thought Chip gave O'Brien the Con and headed to the Missile Room to check Chief Sharkey's preparations for the Diving Bell.
The Apple One* was moved into position to be deployed as Sharkey conducted the pre-mission checks of the bathysphere. Chip leaned over peering inside spotting Sharkey with a clip board in his hand checking off the systems.
“How's she looking, Chief?”
Sharkey looked up, too engrossed in his work to have noticed Chip's arrival.
“She's in tip-top condition, Sir,” Sharkey answered with a proud grin. “Uh-Sir? I was wondering if I might be assigned to go with you on the dive?” Sharkey asked assertively.
“You know your stuff that's for sure, Chief, but with the Captain and the Admiral both off-boat I think Seaview needs her COB here.”
Sharkey's head dropped slightly, it was only a long shot and he knew the Exec was right. “Very well, Sir. May I suggest Riley, he's more than qualified in the Bell operations.”
Chip nodded. “Make it so, Chief,” he answered looking down at his watch. “Will she be ready to dive at 1800 hours?”
“Yes Sir,” Sharkey assured as Chip stepped away patting the side of the Bell and then heading out the hatch. He didn't mind the trip off-boat in the Bell, it was a long trip down but with the flood-lights on it would be a beautiful ride. He'd enjoy the mission more if only he would hear from Lee, he made an inaudible sigh and headed to Officer's Country to grab his sweater for the cold trip ahead.
* * * * *
Lee's eyes fluttered open as he immediately recognized the Carrier's Sickbay. It was larger than Seaview's as the Kitty Hawk was designed to care for the crew of over 5,600 men. He noted the fiery pain in his side was absent as his eyes focused on the ceiling above him.
“Commander Crane?” He heard and turned his head toward the voice.
A navy doctor stood by with his stethoscope ready to use as he smiled at Lee's awareness.
“How are you feeling, Commander?”
Lee sighed, “Fine, Doc. How about Commander Landau?” Lee asked still flat on his back and unable to look around Sickbay.
“His surgery took longer than yours, but he'll make it and still be able to keep his wings after he recovers.”
Lee let out an audible sigh of relief as the doctor continued.
“We took out a rather large piece of shrapnel from your side, along with a pepper spray of little stuff. Strangely, it was one of the smaller pieces that did the most damage. It looks like it moved and traveled significantly from its original entry point. If you should ever find yourself in a similar situation you need to stay as still as possible,” the doctor admonished.
Lee just nodded. He felt something go wrong inside, but what was he supposed to do? Leave Darren in the sinking Tomcat? Not pull him aboard the raft? Still, Lee kept it to himself and breathed in deeply, enjoying the first breath without pain since the SAM hit the Tomcat in mid-flight.
“When can I get up and around?” Lee asked, hoping he wouldn't be locked in Sickbay for the entire Recovery Operation.
“Get comfortable, Commander. You're not going anywhere soon,” the Doctor added with a small smile. “But we'll get you transferred to a bunk soon and you can sit up if you feel like it,” he offered in concession.
Lee acquiesced. This was the Navy not Seaview, so there would be no arguing his way out of Sickbay. He'd just have to sit tight and let Chip take care of the Recovery. Lee's eyes fluttered closed as his gurney was moved and the corpsman prepared to transfer him to the bunk.
* * * * *
Seaview blew ballast in an even controlled move alongside the large aircraft carrier, the Kitty Hawk. Chip made his way up the Sail Hatch dressed in his Service Jacket and Cover. He needed to get the facts before making the dive so he made ready to transfer over to the carrier for a briefing with Captain Santore.
He was ferried over aboard a zodiac sporting an out-board motor and climbed up the rope ladder to a lower deck cargo hatch open and ready for his arrival. He was taken on a long walk through the bowels of the carrier, finally making his way up to the bridge as he saluted and presented himself to Captain Santore.
Captain Santore and Chip both perused the sea chart, listened to the transponder still giving off strong signals, and then moved on to Sickbay where Chip could interview Lee directly to find out exactly where Lee had stowed the package.
Chip was all business, needing every fact he could get to successfully retrieve the important component and seeing Lee wasn't the highest priority of his visit, but it was definitely a perk to currently being in command of Seaview.
Captain Santore led Chip to Sickbay where he surmised Lee had been ensconced since he hadn't heard from him at this point. By now he had been briefed on Lee's water landing but had been given little information of Lee's condition. They entered the large room fitted with rows of double height bunks, every space used wisely and efficiently. There were other patients in the room but the two at the far wall seemed to be getting VIP treatment with extra monitors and a medical officer nearby. Chip honed in on Lee who was lying with his head elevated and gauze wrapped around his middle. He had a few bruises and small cuts on his face but looked as if he was resting well.
Lee roused upon hearing the clicks of oxford shoes on the deck and turned his head slightly to see Chip, letting loose a small smile that was returned earnestly by his friend of many years.
“Hi Chip,” he said wearily.
“Hey Lee and before you ask, the boat's fine which is more than I can say for you Buddy.”
They smiled, but that was all the banter they could afford as the business at hand dictated their attention.
“You ready to make the dive?” Lee asked, already knowing the answer.
“Aye Sir,” Chip answered returning to Navy protocol with Captain Santore at his side. “Where did you stash the package?”
“It's in small compartment near where my lower left leg would rest. It's in a completely enclosed box and should be safe from the seawater.”
Chip nodded. “Any booby traps I should know about?” Chip asked half joking but half serious.
Lee gave a slight nod with his half-smile, “No, I didn't have time... too busy keeping the bird in the air.”
“Alright, I'll take care of it, Lee. What kind of damage did you take?” Chip said trying to ascertain Lee's condition before he had to leave.
“Shrapnel. It's not bad, the Doc's got me fixed up,” he answered tiredly.
Chip nodded and squeezed Lee's shoulder. “Don't worry about a thing, Lee. You know I can handle the Bell.”
“I was counting on it, Chip,” Lee offered confidently. “And have Jamie contact the CMO about my transfer to Seaview,” he added.
“Aye Sir,” Chip replied as he stepped away from the bunk following Captain Santore out of Sickbay. It was time to take the Bell down on a little fishing expedition.
* * * * *
Chip was ferried back to Seaview and checked in with Bobby O'Brien, making sure the boat's dive was ready. Seaview would dive to 3,000 feet and then lower the Bell the remaining 7,000 feet. There was plenty of room for the boat to maneuver hovering 1,500 feet above her crush depth and the Bell was more than capable of making the deep descent.
He left O'Brien to submerge the boat as Chip made his way to the Missile Room. Chief Sharkey was standing by to supervise the dive and the wench operations as Stu Riley stood by ready to board as well, his blue wool sweater accenting the deep blueness of his eyes.
“Ready Riley?” Chip asked as Sharkey helped Chip switch from his service jacket to the officer issue olive green wool button up sweater.
“Aye Sir,” Stu replied, not even trying to hide his excitement at taking the dive. Riding a wave or descending the depths, it all spelled excitement and Stu was ready for that anytime.
“Very well, let's get this dive started. They're pretty anxious about the package the Skipper stowed aboard,” Chip said boarding after Stu.
“Here Sir,” Sharkey said holding up a large thermos and a care-package from the galley. “Provisions are already stowed aboard, but Cookie thought you might like these.”
Chip could already smell the chocolate chip cookies in the bag Sharkey was handing him and reached for it with a smile.
“Thanks Chief, tell Cookie I appreciate it,” Chip added with enthusiasm knowing that Sharkey would relay that fact back to Seaview's chef. Hey, everybody knows that a happy Cookie means a happy boat.
Sharkey closed the bathysphere and dogged the hatch as Chip indicated the lock was secure with a thumb up. Sharkey nodded and headed over to his mic for a radio check before the descent.
“Radio check, Sir,” Sharkey said.
“Loud and clear, Chief,” Chip replied.
“Radio check, Sir,” was heard from the Bell as Spark's monitored from his end.
“Loud and clear, Sparks,” Chip replied as he and Stu made preparations for the dive.
Everything was ready so Chip gave the thumbs up and Sharkey motioned to Kowalski operating the wench to begin lowering Apple One into the depths of the ocean.
* * * * *
Lee turned his head to see the chronometer on the wall... Chip should be making the dive about now, he thought to himself. What he wouldn't give to be standing on Seaview's deck monitoring the dive instead of stuck here in Sickbay. It would be a four hour descent, with no more than two hours on the bottom to safely retrieve the package using robotic arms, then a long ascent with scheduled decompression stops bringing the round trip to nearly twelve hours. It was a long time to be lying in a Navy Sickbay when his best friend was dangling at the bottom of an umbilical cord at 10,000 feet.
Lee let out a sigh as the pain in his side made itself known again. He closed his eyes managing the pain as he figured his anesthetics had worn off.
“Are you ready for something for the pain, Commander?”
Lee's eyes opened as he pondered, but in the end realized that it would be at least a four hour drop for Chip. He could afford to sleep a few of those hours away.
“Yeah, sure,” he answered with a bit more air than he wanted as the medical officer injected his IV and the pain began to release him.
“Thanks,” Lee offered sincerely and then allowed his eyes to close as he reveled in the lack of pain he felt.
* * * * *
Chip and Riley made their slow descent checking their instruments and their descent speed.
“Bell to Seaview,” Chip said raising the mic to his mouth.
“Seaview here. Reading you loud and clear Mr. Morton.” The radio was set to directly communicate with the dive supervisor and so Chief Sharkey's Coney Island accent elicited a small smile from both occupants of the Bell.
The ride was going well so Chip signed off and reached for the bag of cookies still warm from the oven. He took his handful and handed the bag over to his grateful crew mate as the two descended slowly into the dark depths, illuminated only by the floodlights on Apple One's exterior.
* * * * *
Captain Ruiz stood at the radio shack of his new submarine, courtesy of Dr. Gamma. It had all the bells and whistles, not like the aging sub his brother commanded when he failed to retrieve the nuclear missiles on his mission last year.** According to the reports from the rescued sailors, his brother had nearly succeeded in retrieving all three missiles before Nelson and Crane had ruined the mission.
Nelson and Ruiz had engaged in a battle of tactical wits, but it was the constant sabotage of Crane that had turned the tide on the mission. They would have easily evaded the Destroyer if Crane hadn’t destroyed the radar and then escaped, pounding away their position in the air ducts. But the final insult had been delivered with the return of his brother's body, killed by a bullet at point blank range. Crane had a lot to answer for and when Dr. Gamma offered him the opportunity to chase Crane's transponder he jumped at it. Gamma arranged for the portable anti-aircraft missiles aboard the fishing boats, the whole attack made easier as Gamma had discovered Crane's transponder frequency as the operative made his way across the iron curtain country and then safely onto the American air base. He had plenty of time to set up the ambush and easily programmed the missile to find its target using the transponder still in Crane's possession.
Gamma wanted the “component” that Lee had smuggled out and Victor Ruiz wanted Crane. It was an agreeable arrangement. Victor Ruiz' sub, The Renegade, was on track to rendezvous with the fighter jet but somehow the jet kept flying even after it had been hit. It was out of their range even traveling at flank speed, by the time they had closed the distance they spotted the US Carrier on radar. So Victor held back, completely hidden in his bed of biologicals.
The thought brought an outward smile to Captain Ruiz; just one of the perks of commanding Gamma's boat. The new innovation emitted a sound attracting a pod whales. The great sea mammals hugged alongside the sub as it sat stealthily in one place and would then broach the surface in turn for air at random intervals of eight to fifteen minutes and then happily return to the Renegade's side as if she were her mother. The radar from the Carrier would note the blip, and since the sub wasn't moving, hydrophones would identify the target as large biologicals. It was the perfect cover. Ruiz hadn't worked out how he was going to secure Gamma's component yet, but right now he had plenty of time. Let Seaview retrieve the component from the bottom of the sea, then he'd find a way to secure it... and his revenge on Crane as well.
Victor smiled as he held the radio earpiece and listened, the beeping sound indicating the transponder's position. Then he walked over to radar and watched the blips as the green pointer moved in a circular pattern. The Carrier... The Seaview.... and the diving bell. Ruiz smiled again, patted his sonar man's shoulder and walked away as his boat conducted their activities in silent running.
* * * * *
Chip took the controls of the robotic arms and tested their agility under his command. His face portraying the concentration it took to move the arms properly. The ride down had been an uneventful ride, just the way it should be, and now they were preparing to retrieve the package that was causing all this fuss.
The arms moved perfectly at Chip's will and he let the satisfaction reach his eyes as he watched the monitor providing a picture of the view directly in front of the robotic arms. The small pressure resistant camera was secured just above the “elbow” joint and acted as his eyes in the cramped confines of the wreckage. Riley peered out the small port window and watched his progress as Chip made the painstakingly slow movements required to retrieve the stashed box remotely.
An hour and a half later Chip was retracting the robotic arms slowly into its berth. Once the small hatch was secure Chip was able to access the compartment from the inside of the bell. He reached in and retrieved the box, opening it and finding the component and Lee's transponder. He let a smile escape as he and Riley sighed satisfactorily at their successful recovery of the package.
Chip reached for the mic, “Chief, the dive is secure. Inform the Kitty Hawk that I have the package and begin our ascent.”
A quick “Aye Sir” was heard and soon the first jolt was felt as the slack was taken up and the wench began to haul up its load.
* * * * *
Lee opened his eyes and breathed deeply. He felt much better than the last time he woke and turned his head toward the chronometer on the wall. The Bell should be on its way back up. He was about ready to ask for a seaman to get news for him from the Bridge when the Sickbay door opened and an officer proceeded to usher over a beautiful blond haired woman wearing a snug fitting ladies' business suit. The tan jacket was tailored and created a shapely fit over the black skirt worn just above the knee. Lee was surprised to see a woman on board the carrier but held his face neutral, as any officer should.
She was ushered straight over to Lee's bunk and introduced herself immediately with her hand extended.
“Commander Crane, my name is Sidney Holmes.”
Lee shook her hand as recognition hit him, “As in the Holmes project?” He smiled at his assumption that Sidney Holmes was a man.
Sidney seemed to understand this and immediately offered an explanation. “'Sidney' was my father's idea. After four girls in a row, he decided one of his offspring should bear his name.” She smiled as if she was completely accustomed to the assumption and not at all a bit put off by the mistake.
“I wanted to thank you for what you did. Retrieving the component and keeping it safe. Commander Morton has reported the box has been retrieved and the component is intact.”
Lee let out an audible sigh of satisfaction as he nodded. “Commander Morton is very good at what he does, I was sure he'd be able to retrieve the package.”
“Yes, well none of that would have been possible without you.”
“Just doing my duty, Ma’am.”
Sidney let out a small chuckle, “Oh please Commander, just Sidney.”
“Alright, my name is Lee,” he answered with a likewise chuckle and then returned to his need for information. “Can you tell me anything else about the dive?”
Sidney moved a chair over and sat down beside Lee folding her legs as she sat. Lee worked hard not to notice her shapely legs. He had just spent the week deep in espionage and subterfuge, or maybe he'd been at sea too long, but it was really hard not to notice.
“The Bell is on its ascent now. It should dock in about five hours,” she finished.
“Captain,” she said now addressing Lee in his role of Seaview's master. “Washington has determined that the dangers to finishing the research on the component require a secure location for me to work. They're moving me to an underwater sea lab and are mobilizing Seaview to conduct my safe passage there.”
“We'll do everything possible to make your stay a productive one,” Lee said reassuringly.
Sidney smiled. “I was afraid you would object to a woman on board.”
“We've hosted many women aboard Seaview in various capacities. I assure you, you will be treated with the utmost professionalism.”
“Thank you, Lee.” She started to rise as Lee addressed her with a question.
“Tell me Sidney, when is Admiral Nelson scheduled to arrive?”
“I'm told he's in flight as we speak and should be aboard in about four hours.”
“Thank you Sidney,” he said, offering a smile for his thanks as she stood and walked back towards the door where her escort appeared to guide her topside.
Lee took a deep breath in, noting how much better it felt than the last time he tried that and closed his eyes. Four more hours for Harry to arrive in FS1; five hours for Chip to return to Seaview... maybe in six hours he'd be back aboard his boat. It was a pleasant thought to drift off on.
* * * * *
Captain Victor Ruiz received his orders from his radio operator. Everything was all set. All he needed to do now was to wait for the Kitty Hawk to move on her way and then shadow Seaview out. He'd take his prizes at sea, the component for Gamma and Captain Crane for his brother. He thought about how surprised Crane would be to see him; it was all working out perfectly. Victor acknowledged his orders and waited for the seas above to clear.
* * * * *
Lee's eyes opened immediately at the sound of his name and the deep baritone voice of Harriman Nelson.
“How are you feeling, Lee?” Harry asked with concern, although he had already received the favorable report from the ship's CMO he needed to hear himself from Lee.
Lee smiled, “Much better, Sir. Is the Bell still on schedule?”
Harry smiled and sat down in the rolling medical chair as he answered, “She's in her final decompression stop now.” Harry's smile widened, “The Bell handled the dive splendidly. I spoke with Chip for a few minutes and he said the robotic arms worked flawlessly.”
Harry was clearly pleased with the Bell's performance, and Lee suspected he was equally pleased with Chip's part in the mission.
“I hear you achieved some pretty impressive maneuvers bringing the jet in on the water landing.”
Lee smiled. “Just lucky I guess,” answering almost shyly.
“Well believe me, there's plenty of pilots on board who knows it took more than luck to put that Tomcat down intact.”
Lee surrendered and replied graciously, “Thank you Admiral, I'm just glad it worked out.”
“Me too. In fact, I saw Gerald before I left Washington and he's pretty ecstatic about the Recovery himself.”
Lee nodded, he was pretty sure Admiral Johnson would be pleased with the final results of the mission.
“And I guess by now you know we'll have a couple guests aboard Seaview?” Harry stated more than asked.
Lee's eyebrows sharpened slightly, “I was aware of Dr. Holmes...” Lee started.
Harry nodded and finished the thought for him, “Yes, and her fellow scientist Roger Whitaker. She needs to first determine if any adjustments were made to the component while it was out of her possession, then she'll turn her full attention to finishing the device.”
Sidney Holmes' device held the promise to create holographic three dimensional “pictures”. The projections would be capable of being manipulated and turned in different directions to view various sides and angles. It would revolutionize engineering and design with the use of computers**** which was exciting enough, but it would also revolutionize the espionage world as well. The latter benefit having been the motivation as to why her electronic component had been stolen even though the project wasn't finished yet. While the computer code was nearly finished to make the engineering design tool possible, her component held the key to turn a flat two dimensional picture into a complete holographic projection. The highly prized component had been stolen from a secret US high security laboratory in Europe and it had taken the skills of one of ONI's best to successfully retrieve it.
Lee nodded and then smiled as he changed the subject.
“How did FS1 take to the deck landing?” Lee asked, referring to the carrier landing Harry had undoubtedly made.
“Fine, just fine. Those new retractable wheels on the skids worked perfectly, didn't even need the barrier net,” Harry reported clearly pleased with the performance of the flying sub.
“How about my release from Sickbay?”
“Jamie's already arranged the release,” Harry answered with the smallest of smiles and wondering why it took Lee so long to broach the subject. “We'll transfer you aboard FS1 directly to Seaview's Sickbay,” Harry finished.
“I'm feeling much better Sir...” Lee started, already trying to avoid the trip to Jamie's domain.
“Let's just let our CMO tell us that, Lee,” Harry gently admonished, laughing inwardly at the depths his captain would go through to avoid a trip to Sickbay.
“Aye Sir,” Lee surrendered sitting back deeper into his pillow as Harry looked on resisting the smirk that was threatening to appear as Lee looked at present more like a sulking petulant teenager than the captain of the most powerful submarine on earth.
* * * * *
Lee leaned over with a hand on Lt. Commander Darren Landau's shoulder as his stretcher was being prepared to transfer the pilot to the naval hospital.
“Have a good flight Darren, extend my regards to your wife,” Lee said with an easy smile. He was dressed in his Khaki's ready for his transfer to Seaview and other than a few small cuts and bruises hardly looked like he had recently survived a ditch at sea.
“Thanks Lee... and Commander, you can be my wing man any day,” he added with sincerity knowing that Lee had saved his life. “Heck,” he added with a chuckle, “I'll be your wing man!” he finished acknowledging the fancy flying Lee had so competently displayed. Lee added a squeeze to his shoulder as Landau was taken topside for his chopper ride off the ship.
Lee and Harry followed leaving Sickbay behind as Lee moved slowly but confidently around the Kitty Hawk, the “Battle Cat” by nickname. She was a floating city and a formidable foe in the face of battle, her inner workings a wonder to anyone who walked her decks. Lee took the stairs with care but made the ascent with ease only reaching for his side a few times. They made their last stop before entering the flight line to extend their compliments to Captain Santore.
“Thanks for everything, Captain,” Lee offered sincerely after offering the proper military greeting.
“Glad to be of service, Captain Crane,” Santore offered, extending his greeting to include Lee's title as the master and commander of Seaview. “You're welcome aboard the Kitty Hawk anytime.”
Lee's smile broadened as he pulled off a brisk military salute.
“Admiral Nelson,” Santore said turning his attention to the four star retired Admiral. “It was a privilege to have you aboard, Sir. I think I've had half the ship up here at one time or another to get a peek at your yellow bird there,” he added with a playful smile.
“Thank you Captain, we'll try and give them a nice view on the way out,” Harry offered, returning Santore's salute as he and Lee turned toward FS1 for departure.
* * * * *
Lee was back aboard Seaview and had managed just a short two hour stay in Sickbay as Jamie examined him and then sent him to his cabin to rest for the duration of the day. He was on light duty with the added stipulation of working only half days, but at least he'd be back at the Con in the morning. Dr. Holmes and her assistant had been ferried aboard earlier using the zodiac as they moved notes and equipment necessary to complete their work.
Lee smiled at the thought of Sidney Holmes. He'd be nothing but the professional while the beautiful scientist was aboard, but perhaps after her work on Sealab IV was complete.... Lee drifted off to the thought of an evening out on the town with Dr. Sidney Holmes.
* * * * *
Lee was at the Con early. It had taken a week to complete his mission in Europe and he was anxious to be back in the Control Room. He heard clicks on the spiral staircase and looked to see the extremely sharply ironed crease of a khaki uniform and knew immediately it was Chip. They both used the same dry cleaning service but somehow Chip's uniforms were always a bit crisper.
Chip made his way over to the Chart Table as Lee marked off their current position and then drew out a straight line to their destination.
“Missed you in the wardroom,” Chip said nonchalantly, as if he wasn't fishing for information on Lee's eating habits.
“Took breakfast early in my cabin,” he replied to Chip's nod.
“How are you feeling?” Chip asked softly as he took the course correction from Lee.
“A little sore, but it feels good to be up and around. I'll take it easy today and work on reports in my cabin after lunch,” Lee offered, satisfying Chip's big brother tendencies.
“Sounds like a good plan,” he answered without emotion.
“Good job on the Recovery Operation,” Lee offered with a genuine smile. “I heard the Bell handled great.”
“Perfectly. It was tight work retrieving your package, but we had plenty of time to maneuver,” Chip answered without emotion but apparently pleased.
More sounds from the staircase signaled Harry's arrival with Dr. Holmes and her assistant, Roger Whitaker a medium height, sandy blond haired man.
Lee looked up to greet his guests, “Dr. Holmes, nice to see you again,” he offered joining the group in the nose and returning to a formal greeting aboard Seaview.
“Thank you Captain. Oh, this is my assistant Roger Whitaker. His work has been invaluable to the project.”
Lee greeted Roger with a nod, “Good to have you aboard, Mr. Whitaker.”
“Thank you, Captain. This is quite a thrill, being aboard Seaview,” he clarified.
“Lee, do you have time to join us in the lab for a demonstration?” Harry chimed in, clearly pleased.
“Yes, of course,” Lee answered somewhat surprised. He was under the impression that the component wasn't workable at present.
“Good, good,” Harry said excitedly. “Join us when you can Lee. I think you'll find the work fascinating!”
“Aye Sir, I'll be down shortly,” Lee replied cordially. His eyebrows sharpened as he watched Harry and their guests head back to the lab. He schooled his expression back and joined Chip back at the Chart Table.
“You have the Con, Chip. I'll be in the Admiral's lab.” Lee exited the aft hatch in deep thought, something he had plenty of time to think about as he made his way across unfriendly territory to the safety of the base in Germany... Just how was the component stolen from the high security lab in the first place?
* * * * *
Harry watched with a satisfied smile he was unable to keep back as Dr. Holmes attached the small electronic component to the camera. Her technology was added to some of the finest ideas developed for the space age. The camera utilized satellite technology and didn't require film producing a picture straight to the computer. Her component was the technology that produced the holographic form of the subject's image.
Lee watched with interest as Sidney attached her small device to the camera and aimed at the test subject, a beaker filled with blue dye. She took the picture and immediately turned toward her assistant.
“Roger, we're ready for the lights.”
Roger nodded and then turned off the lights as Sidney switched on a device that looked much like a typical projector. Lee's eyebrows sharpened as the beaker appeared as a holographic form. Roger was working the computer and began manipulating the holographic beaker, turning it in different directions. Lee was still shaking his head in amazement when he caught the writing on the beaker label. The white painted label had been turned away from them as the picture was shot and so seeing the writing was a complete surprise.
“I can understand the computer extrapolating the beaker's shape and producing its best guess, but how did it produce the label's contents?” Lee asked in shock.
“It didn't extrapolate the back side, Lee,” Sidney answered excitedly. “The device actually saw the back side.” She noted the confusion still on Lee's face and continued. “The device utilizes zeta ray technology to produce the parts of the subject not directly in its line of sight.”
“Then the subject is exposed to radiation to capture the picture?” Although not completely familiar with zeta rays, Lee was aware that the newly discovered rays were similar to x-ray technology but was riskier due to a higher level of radiation exposure.
“Yes, but the exposure is minimal if only used for a maximum of three photos.”
Lee's face registered his concern. “But in the hands of the wrong people...”
“You're right, Lee,” Harry joined in. “That's why it was so very important for you to have retrieved the device. Its use can be invaluable, but it can also be deadly if used incorrectly.”
“I was under the impression the device wasn't even finished yet?” Lee asked, clearly confused.
“It wasn't when the device was stolen,” Sidney explained. “But we continued working on the project even after it was taken. Roger and I had a breakthrough and we only needed a few adjustments to make it work,” she beamed.
“And the trip to SeaLab?”
“Necessary for the experiments required to determine its safe usage,” Sidney finished.
Lee nodded his head and smiled pleasantly. “Well, it looks as if your hard work has paid off.”
“Can you imagine the implications for this technology, Lee?” Harry chimed in excitedly.
“Roger here can not only produce the holographic three dimensional image you saw, but the image can be simulated in the computer where engineering variables can be explored without the costs of prototypes that don't work.”
Harry was clearly pleased with the project and Lee could already tell he had plans for how the technology might aid his own engineering and design endeavors.
“Lee, arrange for dinner to be served in the nose tonight. I think this calls for a celebration,” Harry beamed, and then turned his attention to Sidney. “I'm sure you'll enjoy discussing your project with our first officer, he excels in programming himself.”
“Yes, of course Harriman. How long until we reach the lab?”
“Another two days,” Lee answered.
“Admiral, if you'll excuse me I'll take care of the dinner arrangements now.”
“Certainly Lee,” then Harry turned his attention back to the two scientists as the three continued discussing the project with enthusiasm.
Lee left ready to attend to his other duties before Jamie pulled him off the Control Room floor. He walked along still pondering the experiment and its dangerous implications if a human were subjected to multiple photographs. He was keenly aware of how many photos he took of a subject while engaging in espionage activities for ONI. He couldn't shake how dangerous the device could be if used in unscrupulous hands.
And then there was that nagging question that hadn't seemed to let go; How the device was stolen in the first place? It's not that he couldn't foresee a good agent making the heist, it was just that he couldn't shake the feeling that the job had inside help.
Lee reached for his side as he headed forward realizing with disappointment that he'd likely need a short rest before tackling the reports on his desk. He was only cleared for half days, but he figured desk work didn't count.
Lee reached his destination, made his circuit around the Control Room and made the necessary arrangements for dinner then left the Con for his cabin.
* * * * *
Captain Victor Ruiz made his way through the technologically advanced submarine. He could get used to commanding The Renegade. If he played his cards right, Gamma would retain his services and he'd have the satisfaction of his revenge and command of the finest sub on earth. The finest that is... after he dealt with Seaview.
He entered the Control Room, verified the sub's position and made the final course corrections to link up with SeaLab IV. He had allowed Seaview to move out of sonar range and then took a tangent course at flank speed to arrive ahead of Nelson's sub. A smile formed across his face at the thought of Crane's first look at him. His smile disappeared as he focused on the mating maneuver.
* * * * *
Lee sat on the gurney in Sickbay as Jamie poked and prodded his sore mid-section.
“Well Skipper, everything seems to be healing well. I'll clear you for full duty with the restriction of no diving and take it easy with the ladders,” Jamie added with an easy smile as Lee slid off the gurney and began putting his shirt back on.
“Thanks Jamie.”
Lee finished buttoning and tucking in and finished off with his tie. He was still sore and hurt if he moved wrong, but overall he was feeling much better.
“I'll want to see you in two days, Skipper,” Jamie said as Lee reached for the door.
“Very well,” Lee answered anxious to check the Control Room before heading to the Wardroom. Chip had been holding things together these last three days with Lee on half day shifts. But he was feeling stronger now and was anxious to get back to his normal routine, besides today Seaview was docking at SeaLab IV, a multi-building biosphere resting 200 feet below the sea and he planned on piloting FS1 for the link up. He still had concerns about the dangerous side effects of Sidney's camera but they seemed to be taking every precaution to aid in its safe usage. These last few days had also gone a long way in quelling his questions about the loyalty of the two scientists. He had entertained some real suspicions about whether the heist was a result of inside information and neither scientist was completely off his scope of suspicion, but Roger seemed to be a level headed guy with nothing to hide. And the more time he spent with Sidney the more he felt confident of her good intentions as well.
He was pleased with that thought. He had enjoyed the time he spent with Sidney though it had been rendered completely on the professional side. Still, he thought she was a fascinating woman and he looked forward to seeing her when his official capacity in the mission was complete.
* * * * *
Stu Riley dogged FS1's hatch and moved into position to pilot the flying sub back to Seaview. He ferried over Captain Crane, the Admiral, the good-looking scientist, and the other guy to SeaLab and was now readying to return to Seaview for the equipment and supplies needed to operate in the self-contained underwater biosphere for one month. It would be a full load in FS1, but the submersible was well able to handle it. The navy would handle the resupply mission if the research extended past the three weeks expected to conduct the secret experiments. None of which mattered too much to Stu, all he knew was he had another opportunity to pilot the fantastic craft. He only wished he had a reason to take her to the sky at Mach speed. He shook his head and smiled at the thought of that much speed and power under his control and schooled it back to concentrate on the docking procedures.
He'd only been with Seaview for about a year and had wondered if life aboard a submarine could compare with the thrill of riding the waves. It was a big step for him, but after saving Captain Crane's life last year, a grateful Admiral Nelson had offered him the chance of a lifetime.***** Everyone who's anyone knows that Seaview is the coolest and most powerful sub in the world. He'd be a real dweeb if he hadn't jumped on the opportunity. Life aboard Seaview had been anything but boring. Sure there was the day to day work, but he had enjoyed the challenge and the Admiral had assured him that he had a high aptitude for the technical duties, not to mention diving! His parents were ecstatic that he had gotten a “real” job, and he had even learned to break the habit of calling his boat mates 'dude' though no one cared in the crew's quarters. It was turning out to be a great life and working for NIMR had afforded him many trips to surf in Hawaii. But one of the coolest perks was piloting FS1 from time to time, dude it was better than “reeling,” riding out a wave that goes on and on...
Riley finished docking and began powering off FS1 for the loading. He cracked the cargo door hatch as Chief Sharkey began ushering in ratings with boxes to stow aboard.
* * * * *
“Mr. Morton to the radio shack.”
Chip left the chart table and headed over to Sparks' domain.
“What do you have Sparks?”
“A distress call from a surface ship, Sir. They're reporting their vessel is taking on water and in danger of sinking.” Sparks stopped and looked up at Chip, “They report they have women and children aboard but the radio is obviously damaged. They aren't receiving my hails,” Sparks finished clearly concerned.
“Do you have coordinates?” Chip asked, returning the concern.
Sparks nodded and handed him the coordinates as Chip looked them over.
“I've checked Sir, we're the closest vessel around,” Sparks offered as Chip nodded.
“Raise SeaLab for me, Sparks.”
A few seconds later Lee's voice was heard.
“SeaLab here.”
“Lee, we've got a distress call from a floundering ship with women and children aboard. We're the closest vessel, I can get Seaview there in an hour, but I won't have time to launch FS1.”
Lee's voice matched Chip's intensity, “Very well, Chip. We'll be fine here. Report your situation once you recover survivors.”
“Aye Sir. Seaview out.”
“SeaLab out.”
Chip headed back to the chart table to set a new course and make haste to reach the floundering ship.
* * * * *
Harry's eyebrows sharpened in response to the radio call. It was never a good thing when a ship was in danger of sinking, but the idea of women and children aboard made it even more distressing.
Lee shipped the radio mic when a loud “pop” was heard and the radio burst into sparks and flames. Lee ran for the CO2, extinguishing the flames with a few blasts.
“What caused that?” Harry said, thinking out loud.
“I don't know Sir, but the radio's fried,” Lee answered examining the charred remains of their only communication's device, besides their emergency beacon.
“Well,” Harry said with a smile to soothe the concerns of the two scientists, “Not to worry. Seaview will be back in a couple of hours and we'll put in a portable radio for your stay.”
“That won't be necessary, Admiral Nelson.”
An unfamiliar voice boomed through the SeaLab's Radio and Bio-control Room from a doorway leading to another area of the lab. Lee reeled around at the sound of the voice, knowing it didn't belong to anyone from his party.
Upon turning he saw first Roger Whitaker being held with an arm around his neck and a gun to his head holding him silently in place as another man stepped forward. Lee's eyes sharpened in recognition of the tall clean shaven head of a man he who had died a year ago.
Lee shook his head in disbelief, “Ruiz? It can't be?”
Victor smiled knowing the shock it would have been for Captain Crane to see the mirror image of his twin brother staring at him as if a ghost from the grave.
Victor moved to stand directly in front of Lee, as more men filtered in from adjacent halls keeping Harry and Sidney in place.
“I see you have a good memory, Crane. Only you don't have all the facts.”
Victor reeled back delivered a devastating blow to Lee's healing side sending him gasping to the floor and choking back the pain as he struggled to hear Ruiz speak.
“You see you put a bullet in my twin brother's chest before you left him to die in the submarine while you cowarded yourself to safety.”
Twins? Lee barely registered the word as Ruiz motioned for his men to raise Lee back up. They roughly removed his leather flight jacket and tie and held him tightly as Victor stepped forward.
“No!”
Lee heard Harry call out but then he received another blow to his mid-section followed by multiple blows to his jaw as his head whipped from side to side. He hung in between his captors as small dots of blood began to bleed through his khaki shirt where stitches broke open.
Victor smiled as he raised a gun placing it squarely in the middle of Lee's forehead. Lee breathed deeply but continued staring Ruiz straight into his eyes, not backing down on what he figured would be his last act of defiance with this foe.
Victor added a chuckle and uncocked his gun lowering it to his side. “No. It would be over too quickly. Besides, I'll need you if Seaview returns before we escape.” He turned toward one of his men, “Take Captain Crane to The Renegade once it's docked.” Lee was led away with shaky legs taking one last look at Harry. Their eyes locked as Lee was taken to the hatch to await the docking submarine.
Victor turned his attention back to Harry and the two scientists. Harry was being held soundly in place with a nuzzle in his back as he pursed his lips tightly.
“Admiral Nelson...” Victor addressed Harry, but let his words fade off as he sized up the man before him. “So you are the man who matched wits with my brother,” he stated rather than asked. “I hear you were a formidable foe.”
Victor's statement was followed with a strong backhand across Harry's face, leaving a trickle of blood rolling down the corner of his mouth. Harry's face turned even more determined as Victor addressed one of his men.
“Do you have Dr. Holmes' device?”
“Aye Sir. It's being loaded as we speak. Crane is already aboard.”
Captain Ruiz' eyes darkened as he turned to Harry.
“You rammed my brother's boat intending to send him to the bottom of the sea.” Victor paced in front of Harry as he spoke. Harry was well aware that the submarine didn't sink as the sub and the Macklin's wreckage intertwined together keeping the submarine afloat. He listened intently as Victor Ruiz continued.
“My brother's body was recovered and returned to my country where he received a hero's burial. Your family will not be afforded the same privilege Nelson, but I will offer you the same fate that you had planned for my brother. The two scientists will be needed, you will not. I've rigged an explosive device. This SeaLab will implode taking you with it Nelson.” Victor's face registered a satisfied smile, as if his revenge was nearly complete. “Take Dr. Holmes and Whitaker to The Renegade,” he ordered as his men escorted the shaken scientists from the room.
“What are you going to do with Crane?” Harry asked.
“He will pay for what he did, but like my brother I understand that the knowledge he possesses is valuable.”
“And the scientists?” Harry inquired as he watched Sidney being led from the room.
“That is for my employer to decide. Now Admiral Nelson, it is time to say good bye.” With that the guard behind Harry delivered a heavy blow to his neck using the butt of his gun. Harry crumbled to the floor reaching for his neck as the room spun, he heard Ruiz again then blacked out.
“Set the explosive device for thirty minutes,” Ruiz ordered and then turned and raised a small protective panel lid exposing a red button underneath. He pressed the Emergency Locator Transmitter and turned to leave with a satisfied tight closed mouthed smile. He had everything he had come for; Crane was aboard The Renegade, Nelson would die in a watery grave, and he had the scientists and the device. His smile widened as he contemplated his final blow to Nelson and Crane. The ELT would bring Seaview back, and with any luck she'd be at the bottom of the sea as well. He took one last look around and then climbed the hatch ladder.
* * * * *
Chip pursed his lower lip as he stood behind Rick Kowalski at the sonar station, one hand leaning forward on the side of the console, the other resting on the back of Ski's chair.
“Nothing Sir. There's just nothing at these coordinates,” Kowalski said shaking his head in frustration. Seaview was a half hour from their destination and Ski had the sonar running in a wide sweep. Even at this distance the distressed vessel should be clearly seen on the sonar.
“Keep at it, Ski.” Chip turned and headed aft toward the radio shack.
“Sparks, are you still receiving a transmission?”
“Aye Sir.”
“Verify the coordinates of the ship's ELT.” Chip was starting to get a picture of at least one possible reason for the current situation and it wasn't good.
“Coordinates verified, Sir,” Sparks answered turning the pad to show Chip the same coordinates they received earlier.
Chip's eyebrows sharpened over his expressive blue eyes. “Someone diverted us away from SeaLab IV, but why?” He said out loud.
Just then Sparks' face registered concern as he moved dials and checked frequencies. Chip stood by waiting for Sparks to enlighten him on whatever had just gotten the radio officer's attention.
Sparks looked up, “Sir, it's SeaLab IV's ELT.”
“Raise the Captain, Sparks.”
Sparks tried to transmit several times and turned back to Chip. “Nothing Sir.”
Chip's eyebrows tightened and then he picked up the mic, “All stop.”
Lt. O'Brien answered the “all stop” as Sparks uncharacteristically voiced his concern.
“The sinking vessel, Sir?”
“Someone diverted us away from SeaLab IV with a bogus distress call, their radio is conveniently damaged and there's no one at the coordinates even though the message continues to play. Now SeaLab is out of touch and her emergency beacon is transmitting. Something's wrong Sparks.”
Sparks leaned over and whispered respectfully, “What if you're wrong, Sir... the women and children?”
“Then God help me, Sparks. But I know I'm not.”
Chip turned with determination as O'Brien met him at the Chart Table to chart a return course back to SeaLab IV at flank speed.
* * * * *
Captain Victor Ruiz climbed up the ladder to the lower deck of The Renegade, Dr. Gamma's brand new submarine, a private war sub capable of taking down even the titanium hull plates of Seaview. It was a short walk up two flights of ladders to the Control Room where he entered confidently. Victor stepped around Dr. Holmes and Whitaker who were standing by the hatch door, out of the way of the business of running the submarine. Crane was separated from the scientists being held at gunpoint with his hands cuffed behind his back near the periscope island.
Victor noted the defiance still prevalent on Crane's face and burned with anger inside. He approached Seaview's Captain, stopping directly in front of Lee.
“My brother made a deadly mistake with you, Crane. He didn't incapacitate you, a mistake I don't intend to repeat.”
Lee felt the grip on his arms tighten as Victor delivered three powerful blows to his side where the blood on his shirt signaled his previous wounds. The first blow doubled Lee over, and each subsequent blow was so powerful that they lifted Lee by the torso with the impact. From his position hanging between his guards he could hear Sidney yelling something, but he couldn't make it out. He lost his breath and was struggling for air, all the while unable to even grab his side with his arms cuffed behind him.
Victor nodded to Lee's guards and they allowed him to drop to the floor where he lay on his side writhing in pain. Victor stepped over him and moved on to sonar, all he had to do was to wait for Seaview. She'd return in just enough time to be blown to pieces trying to retrieve Nelson from the SeaLab... his victory was nearly complete.
* * * * *
Harry reached for the back of his neck rubbing as he moved into a shaky sitting position. It took only a moment for him to realize where he was and the impending danger from the explosive device. He staggered to the diver's hatch, finding his sure footing with each approaching step. SeaLab was 200 feet below the surface and was escapable with dive gear. He didn't know how much time he had on the count down, so he hastily put on the neoprene dive gear, checked the air mixture and headed to the double door hatch. His last stop was to break the glass and retrieve the emergency transponder to emit his position. It would be close. He heard Ruiz order the bomb for thirty minutes and he had no idea how long he had been out; with decompression stops there'd be no way to reach the surface without a trip to the hyperbaric chamber. He only hoped that Seaview arrived before the effects of the bends set in. The bends weren't just something that was easily solved with a recompression chamber. If he suffered a serious case it could damage him for life even with recompression, so he activated the transponder knowing he needed his rescue waiting for him topside.*6* Harry cracked the hatch, flooded the tube and exited with strong kicks to the surface.
* * * * *
Chip had just finished with the new course to return to SeaLab when Sparks' excited voice was heard over the Com system.
“Mr. Morton to the radio shack.”
Chip heard the intensity in his voice and uncharacteristically jogged to the radio shack where Sparks began filling him in even before he asked.
“A new emergency beacon, Sir. It's on the move to the surface and in the general area of SeaLab IV.”
Chip turned without replying and jogged back to the Chart Table.
“All Stop. Ready FS1 for immediate departure.”
Chip stood staring out Seaview's herculite windows before him and leaning heavily on the Chart Table with his palms flat. Something was dead wrong and as much as he wanted to jump into the flying sub and go after Harry and Lee, he knew he couldn't. The way things were looking there was a very real possibility that he'd be taking Seaview into battle.
“Sir. The Boat is at 'all stop' and Chief Sharkey is readying FS1,” Bobby O’Brien interrupted.
Chip stood straight. “Very well. Riley will pilot FS1,” he said moving forward.
At that remark Sharkey's head raised up sharply from his position at FS1's hatch. As Chip closed the distance Sharkey went all military straightening to attention.
“Sir. Permission to accompany Riley aboard FS1, Sir.”
He really didn't have time for this, but he knew Sharkey was as loyal as a guard dog. Chip placed a hand on Sharkey's shoulder.
“Sorry Chief, but there's a real chance I'll be taking Seaview into a combat situation and I need you here.”
Sharkey nodded and Chip turned toward Riley already outfitted in his flight jacket.
“I don't know what you'll find when you reach the transponder, Riley. I could be sending you into a trap,” Chip paused and then continued. “I'm not ordering you to go, this is strictly a volunteer mission.”
Stu Riley's young twenty-three year old baby face turned deadly serious. “I'm ready to go, Sir.”
Chip let out an inaudible sigh, “Very well. Follow the moving emergency transponder, we'll head for the Lab.”
“Aye Sir,” Stu replied and then disappeared into FS1's hatch.
* * * * *
An airy moan passed through Lee's mouth as his eyes fluttered open. He hadn't realized that he had passed out and blinked to refocus on the floor within his direct line of sight.
“Lee?” Sidney's soft voice was heard beside him. He felt her comforting hand on his back and only then realized he was lying with his head in her lap. He moved his head to look into her eyes and spoke softly.
“The Admiral?”
“They left him behind at SeaLab,” she whispered, her eyes scanning the room around her as she spoke. “Captain Ruiz planted a bomb aboard.”
Lee's eyes squinted shut on her last statement, his side hurt as badly as when he first took the shrapnel inside the F16 Tomcat and his hands were still cuffed behind his back making his position all the more uncomfortable.
“We've got to help him,” he breathed out.
Sidney shook her head in the negative. “There's nothing we can do. Ruiz is waiting for the implosion right now,” she nodded toward a station where Victor stood with a hydrophone pressed against one ear and listening intently.
Lee gasped, but it was more out of helplessness than pain. Harry was out there, and he couldn't help him. The thought nearly did him in as he watched for Ruiz' reaction signaling the end to a man that had been more than a boss, friend or even brother.
* * * * *
Harry's strong kicks were paying off as he could see the change in the dark sea around him and the sunlight filtering through the depths above him. He exited swimming straight up, knowing that without a torch he'd be swimming aimlessly if he lost his bearings, so he kept his head pointed toward his goal and kicked for the surface. He was sure he'd be safe from the concussion at this point and broached the surface hoping to see a rescue ship nearby. He had raced his bubbles to the top, willing himself not to stop and decompress and if help didn't arrive quickly he would soon find himself writhing in pain, unable to even tread water. And then there was Lee...,
He couldn't go there, not now. It was a strange dejavu of Harry's last dealing with Victor Ruiz' brother; he couldn't stop to worry about Lee then either. Not when nuclear missiles were being plucked out of their silos on the ocean floor. When his rescue came he needed to find out where Dr. Holmes and her device was, but inside he was banking on the fact that Lee was still alive and on Ruiz' sub.
* * * * *
Stu Riley cleared the bay doors and maneuvered FS1 out a safe distance, then he'd “put the pedal to the metal” and race to the surface. The flying sub was faster in the air and he could reach the transponder's signal in less than ten minutes. As he flew he thought about how much Admiral Nelson and Captain Crane had done for him this last year. Sure it was him and his surfing buddies that found the Skipper after he had been beaten and drugged, but he couldn't help think how much had been returned to him in kind. He was assured it wasn't charity; he was good enough to be aboard Seaview and the Skipper didn't even seem to mind his surfing lingo from time to time.
He owed the Admiral a lot for seeing through his beach manners to his actual brain and seeing something worth cultivating. He silently chuckled at his own thought... cultivating.... he was even starting to sound like the Admiral! His chuckle turned to determination as he broached the surface and honed in on the transponder. He'd find the Admiral and the Skipper, there was no way they were going to wipe out on his watch!
* * * * *
Harry had only been at the top for a few minutes, but he was already beginning to feel the effects of the nitrogen bubbles that had formed in his bloodstream. He had tried to use Emergency Ascent techniques to lessen bubbles but knew it wouldn't eliminate the pressure problems from 200 feet. The pain was increasing as he tread the water; he had removed his head piece so he could listen for a ship when he suddenly gasped, working not to gulp in the sea water around him. He was about to despair when he heard the unmistakable sound of his yellow flying wonder. He looked up still gasping as he saw FS1 make a perfect water landing about 100 yards off his port side. He tried to take a stroke but felt the sickness coming on and was relieved to see the flying sub begin “trolling” his direction.
His relief turned to thrill when the sub moved close enough and he heard the cargo side hatch open, a strawberry blond head peered out the open hatch and disappeared. A moment later a tethered floatation ring was tossed and dropped directly in front of him. Harry grabbed on and was quickly pulled into FS1. He tried to help as much as he could but Harry knew he was pretty much dead weight. Still, Riley managed to bring him aboard and dogged the hatch.
“Riley,” Harry breathed out. “The SeaLab's been rigged with a bomb.”
Stu's eyes widened. “Captain Crane and the scientists?”
“Have been abducted by submarine.”
Stu nodded and hailed Seaview.
“FS1 to Seaview, come in Seaview.”
“Seaview here.”
“Sparks, SeaLab has been rigged with a bomb. Do not approach the lab.” He all but yelled.
“Aye Riley.” There was a short pause and Sparks' voice was heard again. “FS1, do you have survivors?”
“I have Admiral Nelson. The Captain and the scientists have been kidnapped and taken by sub.” Riley began making preparation to high-tail back to Seaview even as he talked. He turned toward Harry realizing something wasn't right as Harry hadn't moved to the co-pilot's chair.
“Sir? Are you okay?”
“I'm afraid not lad, I raced the bubbles up. Just make sure Seaview high-tails it away from the Lab before she blows,” he added with concern.
Riley nodded and adjusted the throat mic. “Sparks, the Admiral wants to confirm Seaview is a safe distance from the Lab.”
“Aye, hold for Mr. Morton...” Sparks' statement was interrupted with a loud noise and obvious confusion from the Control Room which could be heard from the open line, followed by an ominous silence as the line went dead.
“What's going on Riley?” Harry asked as he watched Riley's facial expression.
“I think Seaview's just been hit with the shock wave, Sir.”
“Keep trying to raise her,” Harry insisted as Riley nodded and desperately tried to raise Seaview.
* * * * *
...(Moments before back on Seaview)
“FS1 to Seaview, come in Seaview.”
Sparks noted Riley's voice and was inwardly relieved to hear from the flying sub.
“Seaview here.”
“Sparks, SeaLab has been rigged with a bomb. Do not approach the lab.” He all but yelled.
“Aye Riley.” Sparks expertly changed over to the boat's internal Com system.
“Mr. Morton, Riley reports SeaLab has been rigged with bomb!”
“All Stop!” Chip ordered immediately. “Full reverse all engines. Emergency flank speed!”
The forward motion of the great submarine came to a slow and steady stop as engineering reversed engines and began pulling Seaview away from the impending danger.
Chip reached for the mic, “Sparks, how many survivors does Riley have?”
“Aye Sir, hold please.” Sparks made his adjustments and then opened his mic back up, “FS1, do you have survivors?”
There was a short pause and Riley answered, “I have Admiral Nelson. The Captain and the scientists have been kidnapped and taken by sub.”
“Mr. Morton to the radio shack,” Sparks hailed.
Chip made his way hastily back to the radio shack.
“Sir, Riley has the Admiral but the Skipper and the scientists have been kidnapped and taken by sub.”
Chip reached for the boat mic, “Battle stations, all hands battle stations.”
“Put FS1 on speaker,” Chip said needing more information.
Sparks had barely flipped the switch over to the boat Com when Riley's voice was heard on the speaker.
“Sparks, the Admiral wants to confirm Seaview is a safe distance from the Lab.”
“Aye, hold for Mr. Morton...” Sparks was about to turn over the mic to Chip when Pat yelled out.
“Shock wave in ten seconds!”
“All hands, brace for shock wave!” Chip ordered and then took a handhold at Sparks' station but the shock wave was powerful as the crew fell from their braced positions in chairs while those standing were knocked from their feet, rolling across the floor. Chip lost his hand hold on the first rock and fell hard to the deck grabbing his pain-filled wrist as he continued to roll with the inertia of the powerful shock wave. Several rock and rolls later the boat began to equalize out as he sat up holding his left wrist and grabbing for the mic with his right.
“All Stop,” he ordered and then double clicked, “DC, damage report.”
Sparks was just pulling himself off the deck and back into his chair as blood flowed from a nasty gash along the side of his head.
“DC, Aye. We've got a weakened bulkhead at frame 64, Sir. I've got a DC crew on it, otherwise we're tight and dry,” the DC Officer reported.
“Acknowledged, report when the detail is secure,” Chip added, ignoring the pain emanating from what he now realized was a broken wrist.
“DC Aye.”
Bobby made his way back to the radio shack to receive his further orders.
“Bobby, get a casualty report and inform Sickbay we'll need a corpsman up here,” he added noting the blood running down the side of Sparks' face as he adjusted his headset back on and reconnected his frequency with the flying sub.
“FS1 to Seaview, come in Seaview!”
Sparks heard Riley's concerned voice immediately and reached for his head as he answered.
“This is Seaview FS1, go ahead.”
An audible sigh was heard as Riley continued, “Hold for Admiral Nelson.”
There was a pause and then a shaky pain filled voice filled the Com system still switched on from their earlier transmission.
“Report on Seaview's condition.”
Chip's face registered concern at Harry's distressed voice as he reached for the dangling mic and responded.
“Morton here Sir. We took a heavy hit from a shock wave. DC is shoring up at frame 64 but Seaview's in good shape. I'm afraid our casualty list is high, I'm still waiting on a report from Sickbay.”
“Good, we're on our way in. Start a sonar sweep, The Renegade can't be too far away.”
“Aye Sir,” Chip replied and was about to hang up the mic when Riley interrupted.
“Sir, the Admiral's going to need the Chamber. I picked him up topside and he's showing signs of decompression sickness.”
Chip and Sparks exchanged glances as Chip answered. “Very well, get the Admiral back as soon as possible. Dive, don't go airborne,” he admonished.
“Aye Sir. ETA from your present position seventeen minutes.”
Bobby reappeared at Chip's side, “Inform Doc Jamieson to ready the Hyperbaric Chamber, Bobby.”
“Aye Sir,” O'Brien answered clearly concerned and then turned to see to his orders.
* * * * *
Lee laid on the deck his head still resting in Sidney's lap, something he would have really enjoyed if he wasn't bleeding and struggling for breath in pain. His attention wasn't on Sidney however, but on the activity across the control room floor. Ruiz was standing behind his hydrophone man watching the chronometer on the wall.
“Thirty minutes. Confirm SeaLab's destruction,” he ordered.
The hydrophone operator moved his earpiece slightly away from his head and nodded. “Confirmed... large shock wave approaching Seaview... shock wave has impacted Seaview.”
“Sonar, where's Seaview?”
The sonar operator studied his screen. “Seaview was on the run, she's now sitting stationary at depth 1-5-0, Sir.”
“Check again. She's not sinking?”
The operator continued to study his screen and nodded in the negative once again. “No Sir, she's sitting stationary.”
Ruiz hit the back of his sonar man's chair in frustration as Lee sighed in relief and trepidation at the same time. Did Harry get out in time? Lee knew better than to count Harriman Nelson out on pure circumstance alone, and so didn't mourn Harry's death. Not until he knew for sure.
“Very well. All hands Battle Stations. Seaview will be looking for us.”
He crossed the deck nodding his head for two men to follow him. As he reached Lee the seaman raised him from the floor to stand before Victor Ruiz. Sidney stood as well, unable to help Lee as Victor spoke.
“Alright Crane. Two out of three isn't bad. I've sent Nelson to a watery grave and I'll see my revenge when you're turned over to my employer for information. I had hoped Seaview would answer the distress call early enough to sink in the aftermath, but no matter. Still,” he paused thoughtfully, “Your crew will want you back, but they won't fire on my boat while there's still a chance to rescue you.”
“My crew will hunt you down to keep this technology out of your hands whether I'm on board or not,” Lee challenged.
Victor smiled, his resemblance to his brother was uncanny as Lee looked into the face of a man he had killed in self-defense a year ago. An identical twin brother, who would have thought he'd see his face again, much less be captured aboard his submarine a second time.
“Now Captain Crane, let's give your crew something to think about,” Ruiz said with the promise of malice in his voice.
* * * * *
Lt. Commander Will Jamieson stood by waiting for FS1 to finish docking. He had two crewmen ready to give Harriman Nelson a ride back to Sickbay via a stretcher. There'd be no arguing on this occasion; time was of the essence. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber was all ready for its patient as was Jamie, a nickname coined by Captain Crane and affectionately used by the triad command crew.
Jamie resorted to pacing and took a glance at his watch; every minute that passed increased the chance of permanent damage. In what seemed like forever he heard Kowalski report, “All Clear,” as Chief Sharkey spun the hatch. Jamie was the first one down, followed by his transport team. Two minutes later Harriman Nelson was hoisted up and clear of the hatch as more hands took hold and the stretcher was hurried to Sickbay in a near run.
* * * * *
Chip watched as Harry's stretcher was whisked away to Sickbay, his arm now splinted temporarily as he had refused to leave the Control Room in light of the current situation. Not only had Lee been kidnapped, Seaview had been lured back to SeaLab IV and there was no doubt in his mind that someone intended for Seaview to be sitting on the bottom of the sea about now. Harry had identified the sub as The Renegade, but it did him little good as he had no profile on the sub. It was a tricky situation as The Renegade could fire at will on Seaview, but if Chip returned fire he could be sending Lee and the two scientists to their deaths. He'd have to find a way to locate the sub and shadow it to its base; the best chance they had was a land rescue. He had barely reasoned this thought out when Sparks announced a video call from The Renegade.
“Very well Sparks, put it through to the nose.” Chip turned on the monitor with caution. He needed to find out everything he could about his opponent, Lee's life depended on it.
The screen morphed from sharp lines into the distinct face of a man Chip recognized from the debriefing he participated in last year. Confusion filled his eyes as he knew full well that Captain Tomas Ruiz perished aboard his submarine after he and Lee had entered into deadly mortal combat.
“I am Captain Victor Ruiz of The Renegade and you are Commander Morton,” his words a statement, not a question. “Captain Crane is my prisoner and unless you back off I will execute him, believe me there is nothing I'd rather do after what he did to my brother.”
The facts were still hazy, but at least Chip was getting enough fragments to piece together what he was up against. A brother... an identical twin out for revenge.
“How do I know Captain Crane is still alive?” Chip inquired evenly. He knew better than to expose his real concern for Lee, it would only give Ruiz leverage against him.
“I thought you'd say that.”
Chip watched as Lee was brought into camera view. The bruises on his face indicated he'd had been beaten, but Chip's biggest concern was the blood on Lee's uniform. He'd taken enough blows to do some real damage to his injured side, that much was more than apparent.
“Chip,” Lee's voice gave away his pain, “Blow this sub out of the water, that's an order...”
Lee's “order” was interrupted by Victor Ruiz landing another damaging blow to Lee's side as he crumbled into his guard's grip. Victor motioned his men to take Lee away as Chip reined in his anger.
“What about the scientists?” Chip asked, needing all the information he could ferret out.
Next a ruffled Dr. Sidney Holmes was brought into view. Her hair was no longer styled meticulously in place with an errant curl falling nearly across her eyes and her clothes were dotted with Lee's dried blood.
“Are you alright, Dr. Holmes?” Chip inquired with eyebrows creased.
“Yes,” she all but whimpered out, “but he shot Roger, he's dead...” her voice trailed off as she swallowed back her tears.
Chip's face turned deadly as he pursed his lips closed tightly.
Ruiz stood close to Sidney, holding her in place and running his hand down the side of her blond hair. “In my country, Dr. Holmes would be very valuable,” his insinuations not missed by Sidney who stifled a whimper, “but alas my employer wants her for her mind,” Victor finished pleased with his intimidating word play.
“As for Captain Crane, he's more valuable to me alive than dead, but the condition I deliver him to my employer is completely up to you Morton.”
Chip held back the string of colorful epitaphs he would have said to Ruiz and instead kept his XO face completely in place. Even the throbbing of his arm treated only by a field splint was moved to the back of his mind as he kept his face even, not wanting to give Ruiz any power over him.
“I'll grant safe passage out, but if I find you've double crossed me I'll blow your boat out of the water without a second thought,” he threatened darkly.
Victor smiled tightly, completely unaffected by Chip's threat, he knew these weak Americans wouldn't fire on him with Crane on board.
“Very well Morton, you live up to your word and Crane and the woman will reach the island alive. Renegade out.”
The screen darkened as a small tight smile formed on Chip's face.
“Sir?” Sharkey inquired, trying to interpret Chip's facial expression.
“He said an island, Chief.”
Sharkey nodded as a small smile formed on his face to match the XO's. “Aye Sir, he did in fact say an island.”
“Come on Chief, we've got some planning to do,” Chip said moving to the Chart Table with determination.
* * * * *
Lee was still hanging in between his captors, partly because of the pain but mostly because he wanted to hide his shock. Sidney just said that Roger was dead... in all the time he lay on her lap she hadn't divulged that information to him. He realized Roger wasn't in the Control Room with them, but subs are small places and he figured Whitaker was being kept in the brig. And then there were the fearful tears; she hadn't displayed to him a hint of the trepidation she had allowed Chip to see. Maybe she was being strong for his sake, but he didn't think so. It was all so convenient... all the suspicions he had spent the last few days dispelling began to return. He was seriously contemplating the idea that the “insider” on the heist was indeed Dr. Sidney Holmes herself. Perhaps she wanted to appear innocent to continue working as a mole on the project, he couldn't say for sure, but right now she was definitely a serious suspect. He realized he had no allies aboard, no one he could trust. He wasn't ready to confront her yet and his suspicions were all based on circumstantial evidence so he'd still do what he could to protect her until he knew for sure.
He was busy working out all this in his mind and still managing to follow Chip and Ruiz' conversation when he heard the word “island” as well. He didn't know who Ruiz' employer was but at least now he knew it wasn't Ruiz' homeland, as his small country was located on an isthmus. It wasn't much, but he needed every fact he could ferret out to make it out alive, and he intended on taking Sidney and her device with him.
* * * * *
Harry's eyes fluttered open inside the recompression chamber as he focused on the chamber ceiling above him. He was feeling better, even with the short time he'd been here. He was grateful he hadn't experienced the devastating cramps and pain of the decompression illness in full bloom. He'd witnessed the effects on a poor soul who had run out of air and didn't have enough air in his lungs to exhale on the ascent, there was no chamber on board the surface ship and by the time the seaman received proper treatment he was writhing in pain. Harry knew he had at least been spared that.
He lolled his head over toward the chamber window and caught the concerned hazel eyes of Seaview's Chief Medical Officer.
“How are you feeling, Admiral?”
Harry let out a small breath, “Better Jamie.”
“Good. Just stay put, you'll be in there for another three hours.”
Harry's eyebrows sharpened as he did the math, “I've been here an hour?”
“Yes, and you know the drill. Even after you've been recompressed you're going to be weak, so I'm afraid you'll be transferred straight to a Sickbay bunk.”
Harry started to protest, but Jamie cut him off, “No arguments Admiral. I can't mess around with this, you know that.”
Harry surrendered. “Alright Jamie, but I want to see Chip as soon as possible.”
“Aye Sir,” Jamie replied and stepped away to report the Admiral's improving condition to the Exec.
* * * * *
Lee was returned to the deck beside the periscope island, though this time he sat upright against the bulkhead wall. His wrists were chaffed and sore as Ruiz had left no wiggle room in the steel cuffs holding his arms in place. His head rested heavily against the bulkhead as he watched the activities in the Control Room looking for any clues to their current position and more importantly to their destination. Sidney was no longer sitting beside him and was noticeably absent from the Control Room. Any other time he would have feared for her safety, but he had the feeling his suspicions were founded and she was walking freely about the enemy sub. He felt like a cad not giving her the benefit of the doubt, but he had too many years of espionage under his belt to not know something was seriously wrong with Sidney Holmes. Maybe he was tired, or it was the constant pain emanating from his side, but the regret of her traitorous acts began to weigh heavily on him. He really had hopes they could get together after the mission.
Lee shook off the thought and focused on the problem before him, how to escape with his hands cuffed securely behind his back.
* * * * *
Harry's four hour decompression scheduled had been completed and he was now resting tiredly in a Sickbay bunk. Chip sat by his side leaning over to hear Harry's uncharacteristic quiet voice. His arm had finally been hard casted, though he refused the heavy duty pain relievers Jamie offered, opting to go with the milder analgesics instead. Jamie was watching Harry for complications, but his prognosis was good. The rapid ascent from 200 feet having been countered to a point by the emergency ascent exhaling procedures Harry had worked hard to engage in while swimming to the surface. But as expected, he was extremely weak and would need the next few days of rest to build his strength back. Chip was briefing Harry on the progress so far.
“We've been shadowing the Renegade just out of their sonar range.”
“How did you manage that?” Harry asked with a pleased smile.
Chip shook his head and chuckled, “It's the strangest thing, Admiral. We had the Renegade on sonar and we know her profile but I had to allow her to slip away.” His chuckles returned, “Just as the Renegade hit the farthest end of our sonar sweep a pod of whales showed up. The whales are just following the sub, keeping their distance but they've definitely got some interest in the Renegade.”
“So you allowed the sub to move further out to avoid detection and you're following a pod of whales instead,” Harry said wistfully, allowing a chuckle to escape his tired lips. Neither Chip nor Harry knew that though the Renegade had disengaged their secret device that attracted the whales, the pod had continued to shadow its “mother figure,” perhaps waiting for her to “call” them once again.
“Yes Sir. If I'm wrong and they change course, I'll extrapolate the expected course and we'll start at whatever island the course intersects.” Chip had already informed Harry of Ruiz' slip about the island on an earlier visit.
“It's a good plan, Chip.” Harry sighed. “What about the rescue operation?”
Chip looked up at Jamie who was shaking head indicating that the visit was now at an end as his patient sorely needed the rest.
“Chief Sharkey and I are working on that Sir. I'll keep you informed.”
“hmmm.”
Chip watched as Harry drifted off and took an inward sigh as he watched him sleep. It had been entirely too close this time. He shuttered to think of what Seaview would be like without her creator aboard and rose from his seat happy he wouldn't have to contemplate that thought any longer. Besides, now he had the task of finding Lee and the scientists.
* * * * *
“Lee?”
Lee opened his eyes and realized that he had fallen asleep against the bulkhead. He turned his head toward Sidney's voice as she held a glass of water for him.
Lee looked into her eyes not knowing if he could trust her and shook his head against her offer.
“What's wrong, Lee?” She whispered.
Lee could tell by the activity in the Control Room that they were nearing their destination. There wasn't any reason to hide his suspicions any longer.
“Why did you do it, Sidney?”
“Do what, Lee?”
“Sell out your country; steal your own invention; play the kidnap victim... take your pick,” he answered wryly.
Sidney's facial expression changed from her previous concern to one that testified that her deeds had been discovered.
“How did you know?”
Lee sighed, “I had a lot time to think about the security of the lab. I knew it required someone on the inside. What I don't understand is why this subterfuge? Why didn't you just take the device and leave?”
“Because,” she answered, obviously not feeling the need to hide her deception any longer. “My device is useless without Roger's programming. I needed to stay around long enough for Roger to make the necessary advancements to render the device usable. Only, I had no way of knowing the breakthrough would come a week after the device was turned over to my contact,” she answered so matter of factly it surprised Lee. He saw no hint of regret in her decision to turn over her device to evil men who would have no qualms about using the potentially deadly component without restraint.
His face registered his disappointment in the woman he once entertained romantic thoughts for, but continued on.
“What about Whitaker, is he really dead?”
Sidney chuckled, “Roger is at present sitting in a small brig because he fails to see the opportunity I'm placing before him now.”
Lee was obviously confused, he had seen a full scale demonstration of the device; it was in complete working order, so what did she need from Roger? Sidney went on to answer his unspoken question.
“Roger coded a password into his program without my knowledge. Without the password my holographic component is worthless,” she explained.
“So you're going to turn him over to the likes of these men? Don't you know what they'll do to get the password from Roger?”
“All I know is that this is my opportunity to expand my research beyond what the US would have allowed. I have other ideas that the powers-that-be deemed as unsatisfactory risks. My new employer puts no restrictions on my ideas and has the money to back my experiments from beginning to end.”
Lee looked on flabbergasted at the woman before him; he had pegged her completely wrong.
“Now, would you like some water?” Sidney asked, as if their conversation had been an innocent discussion of the weather.
Lee shook his head in the negative, not trusting even the glass of water she held in her hand.
“Suit yourself,” she said rising from the deck and moving across the deck of the submarine with complete confidence in her life's decisions.
* * * * *
The Renegade eased into her pen, hidden deep inside a cave within the cliff-side of the volcanic rock formed island. Captain Victor Ruiz berthed the sub and turned with satisfaction toward Lee.
“My employer will meet us here later. For now, I'll introduce you to a high security cell.”
Rough hands hoisted Lee up from his sitting position against the bulkhead. He was feeling better having recovered to a point from the beating. He learned a long time ago how to ignore certain pain to get a job done. Sometimes it was easier to do than other times, like when he pulled Commander Landau into the raft. It wasn't that it didn't hurt, it's just that he had no choice.
Lee was held tightly by the arms as his wrists were released from the steel cuffs to climb the ladder topside. He was moved to the sail hatch, which was aft through the control room to an adjoining companionway. Sidney and Roger were there waiting to go topside as well. Sidney seemed unaffected by Roger's condition as it was apparent some “gentle persuasion” had been used as the bruises on his face testified.
They each climbed in-turn out the sail hatch and onto the Renegade's wet deck as Lee got his first view of the cavern pen. There'd be no detection from the air, even if FS1 knew where to look. Lee was left to stand beside Roger as the gangplank was moved into place.
“Are you alright?” Lee whispered to Roger.
“Yes, they need me. Even if they do break my password, I'm still the only one who knows how to work the program,” Roger offered quietly.
Lee was relieved and nodded his understanding as Sidney crossed the gangplank first, followed by Roger and his guard. Lee was held in place and took the time to check out his surroundings, though he saw nothing to help his escape. Lee's hands were pulled once again behind his back as the cuffs dug into his wrists. He was ushered forward in between two guards and led at once through an opening in the cavern wall. He walked through a long corridor to a door that opened to a building. It looked like the sub pen was joined by the corridor to surface buildings. Hope returned as he realized that his escape would be made easier on the surface rather than through the sea cavern.
The building was rather large as he and Roger were taken to their cells, three solid walls with one barred wall hosting the cell door. Lee's cuffs were happily removed and the cell door was clanked shut.
“Now Crane, we wait. My employer has other business to attend to, but I understand that he has no love loss for you. It seems you've gotten in his way before,” Victor taunted and then stepped away with Sidney following after.
* * * * *
Lee walked around his small cell lifting his mattress and examining the wooden bench underneath. He tossed the mattress back down and sighed walking toward the bars at the front of the cell.
“Whitaker?” he called.
He heard Roger move toward his cell door so they could talk. “Yes?”
“Do you have anything on you I can use to pick the lock? Anything at all?”
Roger patted down his pockets and shook his head. “Not a thing,” he answered with disappointment.
“Okay,” Lee answered and returned to sit on his cot, leaning his head back against the wall. Less than ten minutes later the outer door opened as Lee watched Sidney enter carrying gauze and ointment. A guard opened the door for her and waited.
“That's all I need,” she said as he shut the door behind her.
“Are you sure?” the guard inquired with a raised eyebrow.
“Yes,” she assured him and watched as he left the cell area to the outer door.
Lee studied her and allowed the scowl he had previously carried for her to dissolve on his face, replaced by a natural curious expression as he watched her move across the cell to where he was sitting on the cot.
“I convinced Captain Ruiz that you needed first aid care,” she said sitting down beside Lee.
He watched her face intensely as she moved to unbutton his shirt collar, and proceeded down his shirt. Even with all they'd been through she was still an incredibly attractive and exciting woman as he took in her gentle hands and the smell of her perfume. He knew it was wrong, but she had something he wanted. He needed her bad.
Lee reached up and ran his hand down her face as she parted his shirt looking down at his damaged side. He ran his thumb across her cheek and felt her quiver under his touch and then moved his hand to cup the back of her neck as she allowed him to guide her lips to his. She responded with enthusiasm as Lee deepened the kiss passionately. Her whimpering moans fueled his desires as she placed her palm flat on his bare chest. Lee drew her closer moving his kisses down her neck and working frantically to free her shoulder length hair from the style she wore coiffed on her head. He trailed his kisses down her neck and ran his hands freely through her hair bouncing loosely on her shoulders, as she moaned in passionate satisfaction.
Lee moved his kisses back up her neck to focus on her ear as she spoke.
“Oh Lee, I knew you were interested,” she whispered in breathy moans.
“I've wanted you since you came to me on the Carrier,” he whispered in her ear, his heated breath sending shivers down her back as his hands moved along her side, precariously close to her breast.
“I want you too,” she replied but looking toward the outer door as she spoke and gently pushed Lee away trying to breathe in her passion. “...but not here.”
She stood up shaking with anticipation and picking her hair pins up from the cot to hastily fix her hair back into position.
“I'll find a more suitable place,” she said biting her bottom lip and producing a smile that promised full satisfaction as she gathered her unused first aid supplies. Lee nodded and offered a devastating charming smile in response.
Sidney moved back to the cell door and smoothed out her clothing as Lee buttoned the bottom three buttons of his shirt.
“Guard!” she called. A moment later the guard reappeared and opened the door for the obviously disheveled scientist and then followed her out the outer door.
* * * * *
Roger Whitaker couldn't believe his ears! It didn't take much imagination to envision the heavy petting to go along with the equally heavy panting he was hearing from the cell next door. He heard some of the conversation and felt somewhat like a voyeur listening in on the very private conversation next door. He shook his head at the thought of Crane going after her like a teenage boy in a drive-in theater.
Roger heard her leave the cell area and noted that once again he and Crane were alone. He heard Crane take soft steps toward the cell door and moved to his own cell door to confront Seaview's Captain on his behavior. Roger wasn't a prude, but come on!
“Was it worth it?” Roger asked with disgust and disappointment dripping from his words as he pressed his face alongside the bars to see Crane.
“Yeah, it was,” Lee said without any hint of a tongue and cheek voice inflection and then Roger watched as Lee produced the hair pin he had palmed when he worked her hair free.
* * * * *
Lee wasn't too proud of himself. He didn't like to lead a woman on, but he was equally sure he and Roger needed the rescue more, so he seduced her holding nothing back and playing James Bond ethics with the beautiful scientist. It wasn't hard to give her what he perceived she wanted, he had entertained some of those very same thoughts before he discovered she was a cold-blooded woman who would do anything to further her ambitions, even to the point of ignoring the probable torture she was setting Roger up for. He didn't have time to console himself and put the entire matter in the back of his mind as he bent the bobby pin and began working the lock.
“Watch the door,” Lee admonished as he worked.
Roger shook his head taking back every unkind thought he said to himself regarding Seaview's Captain. Crane hadn't sold out to the sexy scientist after all.
A small smile formed on Roger's face but he wisely kept his comments to himself and watched the door for the guard's return. About two minutes later he heard Crane's lock pop and Lee exited his cell making his way over to Roger's door.
“I think I can do this faster now that I know the lock,” Lee said matter of factly and bent to work the bobby pin until a click signaled the opened lock.
“Okay, let's hope there's only one guard out the door,” Lee said not taking the time to revel in his lock picking victory. Roger nodded his agreement as they moved toward the outer door.
* * * * *
“We followed the pod of whales; they stopped about 1000 yards short of the cliff wall. I sent FS1 in for a look around and discovered an underwater cavern, the Renegade is berthed there.” Chip reported to Harry who was slightly elevated and listening intently in his Sickbay bunk.
“Sparks got these for me,” Chip continued handing over satellite photos of the region.
“These buildings...” Harry pointed out as Chip finished for him.
“Sit adjacent to the underwater cavern. A land assault is our best option,” Chip added, waiting for Harry's confirmation.
Harry nodded his head in agreement, “I concur. Have you picked your Detail?”
“Sharkey will lead the raid, he'll take Kowalski, Patterson and Rodriquez. Riley will stay with FS1.” Chip lowered his head, clearly disappointed that his bum wing would keep him on the boat.
“Chip?” Harry inquired evenly. “When was the last time you slept?”
Chip nodded his head holding his throbbing wrist without realizing it. The mild pain relievers had worn off hours ago. “It’s not important, Admiral. Not until the Skipper and the scientists are safely back aboard.”
Harry nodded. He'd expect nothing less of Chip Morton. In fact, he was pretty put off himself that he was spending his time in Sickbay when a commando team was about to infiltrate an enemy facility.
Chip rose from his chair, “I'll take care of the final details, Admiral.”
“Keep me informed, Chip.”
“Aye Sir.”
Chip left Sickbay to put the finishing touches on the raid.
* * * * *
Chief Sharkey sat in the co-pilot's seat in green combat fatigues, as did the rest of his commando detail. He was glad the XO had sent him along, as he had been itching to get into the action from the get-go. First, the Skipper is shot out of the sky and survives a crash landing. Then, the Admiral is left to die in an imploding SeaLab and suffers the bends during his escape. Not to mention the fact that the Skipper and the scientists are kidnapped. Then throw on top of the entire mix a bad guy bent on making the Skipper pay for his brother's death.
Sharkey sighed, he just hoped the Skipper was in one piece when found him, because if he wasn't someone was going to pay!
* * * * *
Lee disposed of the guard outside the door, relieved him of his gun and motioned Roger to follow closely. His plans had changed, now the device was secondary to getting Roger Whitaker to safety. The device was useless without him, but that was only his justification for his decision. The chief reason was because he was sure that Roger was in for some serious pain if their captors started in on him. So he'd get Roger to safety and return for the device afterwards.
Quickly but quietly Lee guided his charge toward where he thought freedom lay, taking out several guards along the way, and dispersing a rifle to Roger. He had studied his surroundings when he was brought in and took off in the opposite direction of the underwater cavern. Lee raised a finger to his mouth indicating Roger's need for stealthness and studied the last guard between him and freedom. The guard had just slipped a cigarette into his mouth and was fumbling for a light when Lee saw his opportunity to advance on the distracted guard landing a rifle butt to the back of his neck. The guard looked up, blinked to focus and then fell forward with his eyes rolling to the back of his head as he hit the floor.
Lee opened the door hoping it wouldn't set off an alarm and left hastily placing Roger in front of him and steering him in the direction he wanted to go; deep into the jungle but toward the coast.
* * * * *
Man this really stinks, thought Riley. He had gotten a lot of flight time today but he'd much rather be looking for the jerk who took the Captain and the beautiful scientist chick. He had brought FS1 into a secluded cove, dropped off the detail and re-submerged to stay stealth. Now all he could do was wait for Chief Sharkey and the guys to find the Skip, until then he'd stay sharp and ready to help.
* * * * *
Sharkey led, breaking a trail towards their coordinates as the detail followed along in single file. No one spoke as they walked with their rifles ready to defend themselves. They were in unfriendly territory and no one took this walk in the jungle for granted. Each man had volunteered for the mission knowing full well the dangers they were walking into. It didn't matter. To a man, they would do whatever it took to get Captain Crane back. He had saved their hides so many times they couldn't count, and the Skipper never sent a man into a dangerous situation that he wasn't willing to face himself.
Sharkey was also pleased with the choice of men on this little expedition. The crew called them Crane's Go-To Team without a hint of jealousy: Kowalski, Patterson and Rodriguez. Sharkey had joined that inner circle last year after he joined Seaview. It was never easy to step into another man's shoes, and that's what he found himself doing. He and Chief Jones were acquainted both being navy career men, and so he was well aware of the hole that had been left when Chief Curly Jones unexpectedly died of a sudden heart attack. He didn't try to win anyone over. He'd been around boats since he joined the navy as a snot nosed seaman. He knew his job and so he just conducted business as the Chief of the Boat should. It really hadn't taken long for the ratings to turn their respect for his stripes to include him as well. It was a satisfying career and he felt privileged to be aboard the finest submarine sailing the seas.
Sharkey caught the sound of rustling leaves and crouched down, as did the other members of the detail.
“Chief!”
Sharkey heard a stage whisper in the distance and recognized the voice right away.
“Skipper? Is that you?” Sharkey said taking cares not to completely give away their position until he knew for sure.
“Stand down, men. We're coming out.”
Sharkey watched as Captain Crane and one of the scientists stood and exposed their positions. As they walked forward it was apparent who had made the rustling of leaves as Lee moved silently through the foliage; not so Roger Whitaker.
“Boy Sir! It's good to see you!” Sharkey exclaimed in a quiet voice, not forgetting they were still in enemy territory. But his relief turned to concern as he took in the dried blood on Lee's shirt and bruises on his face.
“Are you alright, Sir?”
“I'm fine,” Lee answered as Ski and Pat exchanged a small smile and then schooled it back. “Ron, escort Mr. Whitaker back to safety.” Lee's eyes asked a question that Sharkey understood and filled in the blanks for the Skipper.
“Riley's with FS1 submerged in the lagoon.”
Lee's nod and small half-smile signaled he was pleased as Roger spoke up.
“You're going back for the device?”
Lee shook his head in the negative. “No, Dr. Holmes can reproduce the device given enough backing, and from what I see here she'll have it. What they can't do is reproduce your program.”
Understanding hit Roger's eyes, the program was a result of years of work and thousands of lines of code. He couldn't just rewrite it like he was reciting a recipe. Still, in the hands of the wrong people...
“I've placed blocks to manipulating the program at all, even to copy it without my password,” Roger explained. “If you can't retrieve the disk then destroy it.”
Lee looked on gaining more and more respect for the scientist before him. What a contrast in souls between Sidney who would sell out her country and her partner to gain what she wanted and Roger who would give up his life's work because it was the right thing to do. He was beginning to understand Roger on a whole new level.
Roger went on describe the markings on the disk and divulged the passwords as Lee acknowledged is understanding with a nod.
Roger couldn't think of anything else to help the endeavor so he held his hand out to Lee. “Take care, Captain Crane.”
Lee took his proffered hand, “I will. Ron?” He turned toward Ron who knew his cue and guided Roger Whitaker back to the safety of the flying sub.
* * * * *
“He did what?” Chip all but yelled as Riley reported that Rodriguez had safely brought Roger Whitaker aboard but that Captain Crane had returned to the compound to retrieve the program. He schooled his expression back and retrieved his solid XO face as he listened.
“Aye Sir. Mr. Whitaker reports that Dr. Holmes was in on the whole thing and that they need his program to work the device.”
Okay, so it was all starting to make a bit more sense to Chip, even though he could strangle Lee about now. He let it pass knowing that Lee would always do his duty before looking after his own welfare.
“Very well, Riley. Maintain your position and be ready to move at the Skipper's orders.”
“Aye Sir,” Riley responded as Chip shipped the mic. He had finally succumbed to the blue sling Jamie insisted on as he thought through his next move. Seaview was stationed about 500 yards off the pod of whales still happily station-keeping themselves. Seaview's position was stealth and he needed to make sure that The Renegade didn't try and make a run for it, so he had nothing to do but wait for the next report from FS1.
* * * * *
Lee walked forward with hands raised in the universal surrender position as Captain Ruiz' men urged him along with their guns aimed on his back while Sharkey and the commando detail watched from their secreted places.
Sharkey was definitely not thrilled with the plan the Skipper had come up with: allow himself to be recaptured so he could get to Whitaker's disk. The Captain had explained that he and Whitaker had been taken directly to the cells and neither one knew where the disk was being kept. His capture, and the fact that he was going to admit to knowing the password would gain him access to the computer holding the disk. It was a risky venture with lots of opportunity for things to go wrong. Sharkey traded glances with Ski and Pat as they both nodded silently in return.
* * * * *
“We found him in the jungle, Captain. But he won't tell us where Whitaker is,” Lee's guard reported as Victor Ruiz paced in front of Lee holding the bobby pin that had been removed from Lee's pocket as he was frisked.
Sidney looked on with fury in her eyes knowing full well that Lee Crane had played her for his means of escape, all of which wasn't missed by Lee. Hell hath no fury... Lee quoted to himself but kept his expression even.*7*
“Where is Whitaker?” Victor yelled, knowing he needed the scientist to make the device useful.
Lee stood his ground glaring at Victor but not answering as the Renegade's captain pursed his lips and pulled his sidearm out to rest directly on Lee's temple.
“I should kill you now!” He said quietly.
“But if you do you'll never get the password.”
Victor uncocked the gun and took a step back as Lee continued.
“Whitaker gave me the password. I'll trade it for safe passage out.”
Victor let out a blow of breath in scoff, “I knew you were a coward. How do I know you have the password?”
“Whitaker has two passwords. I'll enter the first one so you can see I'm telling the truth, the second password I'll divulge when I'm outside compound,” Lee bargained.
“Alright, let's see if you're telling the truth. If not, I'll kill you where you stand,” Victor promised as Sidney walked coolly past Lee to the computer console and pulled up the program. It was sitting at the password page, having been previously locked out at her multiple attempts to break Roger's password code.
Lee was urged forward with a nuzzle in his back and bent over the keyboard keying in the eleven digit password.
The screen immediately changed to a new screen that read, “Greetings Roger. What would you like to do?”
The cursor sat blinking on the highlighted line where a password was required to continue. Sidney bit her bottom lip in anticipation of entering the program. Once inside they would reset the passwords and Gamma could get another programmer to figure out the system.
“The second password?” Victor asked with raised eyebrows.
“When I'm safely outside,” Lee repeated.
Victor considered his options. His revenge on Crane was secondary to finishing the job he started for Gamma. If he failed he'd lose The Renegade, and it wasn't like he didn't know where to find the Nelson Institute. He made his decision, putting his brother's blood revenge aside for another day.
Victor motioned for his men to move Lee out when Sidney spoke up.
“You're not going to let him go?” She questioned in unbelief. “How do you know he's telling the truth?” Her coldness fully exposed.
“I'll escort Crane out,” Ruiz answered. “I'll relay the password and you verify it authenticity. If he's lying I'll deal with him my way,” Victor finished, his voice dripping with malice.
Sidney nodded her agreement to the terms as Lee was led out of the room and towards the exit. Once outside he was turned back toward the building as Ruiz stood with several guards.
“The password?” Ruiz demanded.
Lee recited another eleven digit password as Victor reiterated it into the radio he held in his palm.
“Got it,” Sidney said over the radio as she keyed the password in. The screen moved to the next page and Sidney responded excitedly, “We're in!'
The radio was still open when Victor heard her yell again, “NO!”
“What?” Victor responded heatedly.
There was nothing and then Sidney spoke in a flat tone. “He gave us a self-destruct code. The program file is gone. It's been erased.”
Victor raised his gun without hesitation bringing it to bear on Lee, but before he could finish his aim gunfire erupted from the jungle. Lee took that moment to dive for cover as smoke bombs were tossed into their midst. The black smoke provided cover as Lee dove for the safety of the jungle. Through the smoke Lee saw Victor stagger back into the building with the two guards following behind.
“Let's get out of here, Chief!” Lee called as Ski and Pat brought up the rear guard.
* * * * *
“Mr. Morton, the pod of whales is on the move!” Perkins reported from his place at the sonar station.
“What do you have Jackson?” Chip asked his hydrophone man.
“Slow propellers, Sir. They're navigating the cavern.”
“They're trying to make a run for it,” Chip thought out loud. “Where are the whales Sonar?”
“They've taken a stationary position further out to sea, Sir.”
Chip let out a breath not for the life of him understanding why the whales were attracted to the Renegade, but there they were waiting for the enemy sub to exit the cavern. What their interest was in the Renegade wasn't important, at least they had cleared his line of sight.
He moved to the laser sights and pulled the unit down into position. He pulled his arm out of the sling taking the controls in both hands and aimed. All he needed was a couple of good solid shots at the cliff wall. He let off two short blasts aimed high on the cavern wall and then continued looking through the sights to see his handiwork.
From the laser sights Chip could see rocks and boulders falling into the sea and creating a natural barrier. Chip stowed the laser; the Renegade wasn't going anywhere.
“Mr. Morton to the radio shack.”
Chip moved with purpose aft as Sparks' smile gave away the good news before he even said a word.
“Sir, it's FS1. Captain Crane wishes to speak to you, Sir.”
Chip's face registered satisfaction as he reached for the mic.
* * * * *
The entire Control Room waited in anticipation as the flying sub finished docking. Chip reached down and turned the hatch lifting the heavy lid into the open and lock position as Lee Crane was the first to ascend the ladder. His dark hair was uncharacteristically curly from the island's humidity and his lack of hair products to tame it. He and Chip had already spoken and ONI had been contacted to clean up Ruiz and his men. Seaview was guarding the cavern entrance to ensure the Renegade stayed put, and the pod of whales was still hanging around waiting for its “mother figure” to emerge. Lee had fresh new bruises on his face to go with the sore side he was currently ignoring but he looked pretty good for the experience he had endured.
Roger Whitaker came up next sporting a few bruises as well but looking good overall. The rest of the commando team deboarded as Seaview's Control Room crew held back their desire to send up a rousing applause in their satisfaction.
“Let's get you to Sickbay, Lee. I'll brief you on the way,” Chip said hoping Lee wouldn't fight his suggestion.
He nodded and motioned for Roger to follow Chip as Lee took a quick peek at sonar, patting the crewman on the shoulder as he passed. The Control Room seemed to revel in the Captain's return and a few Good to have you back, Sirs were graciously followed by Lee's warm response thanking his men with a sincere Well Done Men. As he left out the aft hatch the morale of the boat seemed to lift a few notches as Seaview's Skipper walked the decks once more.
* * * * *
Lee entered just behind Roger and Chip not stopping for Jamie's examination table and heading straight to Harry's bunk. Harry was awake, obviously waiting as Lee sat in the vacant chair beside him.
Lee's expressive eyes gave way his concern as he spoke, “How are you feeling, Sir?”
“I'm fine, Lee. How about you? You look like you had a rough time of it.”
Lee smiled. “Just par for course, Sir,” he quipped back as Lee began to fill Harry in on what happened. He left out the part of seducing the bobby pin off Sidney, but Harry gathered there was more to the story and wisely let it be.
Roger was checked over and released from Jamie's care and moved toward Harry's bunk to offer his greetings.
“Mr. Whitaker, I'm very impressed with how you handled this situation,” Harry offered, as he was more than impressed with how Roger had destroyed his one of a kind program to keep it out of enemy hands.
“Thank you Admiral,” he replied humbly.
“Will you try and rebuild the program?” Harry asked curiously.
“No, I think not. At least not the program that interprets the zeta waves into a hologram.”
Harry's eyebrows sharpened as Roger continued. “It's not worth the risk especially in the wrong hands, although I can easily reproduce the 3D engineering design tool. I still see the value in its potential.”
Harry's small tight lipped smile returned, “You're a wise man, Roger. If the government doesn't utilize your talents I assure you there's a place for you at the Nelson Institute.”
Roger's face sported a pleasant smile. “Thank you Admiral. It's always good to have options.”
“Roger, this crewman will see you to the guest quarters. Dr. Jamieson suggests a good night's rest before we transfer you via FS1,” Lee said back to business.
“Thank you Captain.” He started to turn to leave and then hesitated stopping alongside Lee and offering out a hand. Roger had seen America's finest in action today, and he considered Lee Crane the epitome of the Navy's best. “It's been a bit more excitement than I'm used to,” he said with a smile. “But thanks for everything, Lee.” Roger understood that Lee had rescued him from a likely torture session and the selfless way Seaview's Captain conducted himself was an inspiration to the soft spoken scientist.
“You're welcome,” Lee said returning the sentiment with a firm handshake. Roger left and Lee settled back down into Harry's guest chair as Jamie stood at his gurney with his arms folded. The CMO would be patient a few moments more, but after that Lee Crane was going to get examined!
“Jamie's waiting,” Harry said quietly with a free, unschooled smile.
“I know,” Lee answered. “But all I need is a shower and my bunk.”
Harry and Lee exchanged satisfied smiles but didn't say anything more, both pleased the other was going to be alright, and both unable to vocalize that relief. Lee broke the silence and rose, patting Harry's shoulder as he stood.
“Good night, Sir.”
“Good night, Lad.”
* * * * *
Jamie examined Lee finding him a little worse for wear but in better shape than he anticipated. He repaired the torn stitches and satisfied himself that Lee's internal stitches had held and that he didn't suffer any broken ribs. They performed their usual banter and bargaining session and eventually Jamie acquiesced to Lee's insistence that he recover in his cabin and released Lee to return to light duty the following morning.
All the while Chip stood nearby, ready to make sure Lee didn't take a quick walk about his boat on the way to his cabin.
“As for you Mr. Morton,” Jamie said turning toward Chip after releasing Lee.
“You will stand down until tomorrow morning and take these.”
Chip's eyebrows sharpened as he reached for the small paper cup filled with two pills, the ones Chip knew would finally ease the pain in his wrist but put him out for the count as well.
Chip started to protest but felt Lee's hand on his shoulder signaling his protests would be fruitless. Chip gave up, took the pills and followed Lee out of the door as small chuckles could be heard from the Admiral's bunk.
* * * * *
The next morning Lee was at the Con with Chip by his side, the night sleep having done both of them good. Harry was present in the nose, in uniform but under orders to rest from the boat's CMO. Roger was sitting with Harry enjoying a cup of coffee and watching the ocean life swimming past Seaview's windows.
The official word was in, ONI had dropped SEALS during the night and gathered up the Renegade's crew. Dr. Holmes had also been detained, she was found holding her device and sitting aimlessly as the SEALS raided the compound. Captain Ruiz, however, was nowhere to be found having made his escape by some unknown means. Ruiz' employer never did appear and since Ruiz was missing and Dr. Holmes wasn't talking they had no clue who had financed the entire operation.
Seaview was cleared to leave the area with the Navy sending in an engineering team to clear the passageway and retrieve the Renegade. Dr. Holmes' device had been deemed a failure in the military's eyes with the destruction of the computer program rendering her device useless, but Lee and Roger were hailed with making the right decision none-the-less. It could have gone either way, if circumstances had been just slightly different the device could be in full working condition and in the wrong hands. They endured a lot of pain to get to this point with nothing to show but the victory of keeping the technology out of enemy hands. Still, Lee deemed the mission a success with every one making it out alive.
They had made a new friend in Roger Whitaker, with Roger seriously considering Harry's offer and though Seaview's Command Team as battered and bruised, it was soundly in place ready to answer the next call to keep her country free.
Outside the great Herculite windows, the pod of whales swam happily around Seaview until Lee ordered the engines engaged. They stopped, as if analyzing Seaview's underwater sonic sounds and decided that the great submarine was not their mother figure and swam away to return to the open seas, finally giving up on the Renegade.
Lee watched the whales swim away and wistfully pondered how they had been fooled into believing that the Renegade was its mother, something Harry had surmised as one of Ruiz' men had already spilled the beans trying to work up a plea bargain.
He couldn't help but think of how easily he had been deceived into believing Sidney was someone she wasn't. He allowed his regrets to slip away as he saw the wisdom of the gentle sea beasts swimming gracefully away. Though they had been fooled they were wise enough to leave the deception behind and return home to the seas. Lee allowed a smile to cross his face as he decided to follow the lead of the whales.
“All ahead full, Mr. Morton,” he said and then stepped back to the Chart Table to chart out Seaview's next adventure.
The End
Where the Gentle Beasts Lead
* Apple One – the name of Seaview's Diving Bell, according to Mike's Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea website http://www.vttbots.com/spotlight_diving_bell.html
** SAR – Search and Rescue
*** See Second Season Episode, Killers of the Deep. Written by William Read Woodfield and Allan Balter, Directed by Harry Harris, original air date January 2, 1966.
**** CAD – Computer Aided
Design is the correct acronym for at least part of the fictional device in my
story, but as Sidney and Whitaker were on the cutting edge of the technology,
the acronym had not yet been coined.
These little details matter to somebody, I'm sure. ; )
***** See my story The Surfers, for Riley's story and how he came aboard Seaview
*6* My apologies for all you
divers who know the flaws in my storyline regarding Harry's decompression
illness. I mixed a bit of fact with a
lot of fiction to come up with this part of the plot and admit it readily. : )
*7* Quote – “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” A famous quote often paraphrased as I have from playwright William Congreve's 1697 play, The Mourning Bride.
Author's Notes:
Killers of the Deep is a favorite episode of mine that worked on so many levels. The Admiral showing his tactical genius; Captain Crane selflessly pounding away the sub's position even though it meant certain death if the depth charges found their target; the unforgettable way Richard Basehart down-played his very real concern for Lee so that he could be an Admiral and make the hard decisions; and of course the wonderful nostalgia of having David Hedison revisit the set of his first movie, Enemy Below. The episode was action packed and offered seamless editing with Enemy Below's stock footage and Michael Ansara played the enemy sub's villainous captain so well that I thought he needed to reprise his role in my story as Tomas Ruiz' twin brother. I hope my story lives up to the excitement and offers a satisfying WHN for other fans of the episode.
My thanks also to my Beta, my
husband, who helped me with the problem of writing a female into the story when
women had not yet been assigned to Carriers in the 70s and 80s. It was his suggestion that put me on the
trail of a female scientist. I take the
blame for the rest of the plot regarding Dr. Sidney Holmes. ; )
Copyright 2014, All Rights Reserved
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and her main characters belong to Irwin Allen