Obeying Doctor's Orders
By
Kay H.
After a long and harrowing 6-week mission, that saw several of the command staff in sickbay at different times for minor injuries only this time, Seaview finally returned home. Even before the boat had finished docking Jamie was harping at Lee and Chip about taking some time off.
As Chip and Lee sat in the nose signing off on the final end of mission documents, they heard Admiral Nelson walk down the stairs. He walked into the observation nose and Lee and Chip immediately start to rise, granted Lee a little slower and less graceful than usual. Nelson quickly motioned for them to remain seated. “Gentlemen how are the reports coming?”
Lee motioned to the stack of paperwork. “We have finished off everything but the duty schedules. The damage reports are right here awaiting your review and approval, sir. The necessary repairs should only take a couple of weeks.” Lee looked thoughtful for a minute, “Admiral, does the next mission require any special equipment installation that you are aware of?”
Nelson sat down with his officers and looked over his battered command staff. “No Lee, it should be a strictly scientific mission. I agreed to do some counting of deep-sea marine species for Woods Hole Institute. They are mainly interested in the number and variety of marine species found around the smokers. I just got off the radio with Dr Lewis and they need to delay the mission several weeks, so go ahead and schedule the crew for 3-weeks shore leave. That way the everyone can enjoy some necessary time off and we will still have time to oversee the repairs before the next mission.”
Dr. Jamieson walked in and overheard Nelson’s orders. “Admiral I hope when you say shore leave for everyone that means you, the Skipper and XO will take time off and not just tackle items in your in-boxes.”
Nelson raised his hand at Jamie to indicate submission. “Yes Doctor, it means everyone will take some time away from the Institute.” Harry smiled as he looked directly at Lee and Chip.
Chip piped up. “Chill
Jamie. I’m planning on visiting my parents.
We’re going to
Jamieson turned his glare on the other two. “Well Admiral and Captain what are your plans?”
Nelson smiled at Jamie’s tenacity. “Well Doctor, I’m attending a conference in Hawaii and then planned on spending several days visiting old friends there, does that meet with your approval?”
Jamieson smiled and nodded. “Most assuredly. The sun and relaxation will do you good.” Hissteely attention turned to the Captain.
Lee grinned at the medic.
“It’s okay, Jamie I’m not going to be here either. I’m still making my plans, but it looks
likely that I am going to spend some time with friends diving in the Pyramids
off
Everybody looked at Lee in surprise and started bombarding him with questions.
Chip asked curiously, “Which friends?”
Nelson demanded. “What pyramids in
Jamison looked perplexed. “Diving in pyramids? How do you dive in pyramids?”
Lee sat back and smiled, “I shall be meeting up with Joe Emmons and
Captain Mike, near
“Would that be Lt Commander Joe Emmons, Admiral Starke’s aide?” Chip asked and received Lee’s nod of assent. “And Captain Mike Rodgers from the schooner races?”
“That’s right. “We’ve been planning a trip
together for some time, just couldn’t get us all together until now.”
The Admiral looked interested and asked Lee, “What
underwater pyramids are off
Lee laughed
at the admiral’s obvious scientific curiosity and he began explaining.
“Recently in the waters around Okinawa and beyond to the small
It was a sports
diver that stumbled across a strange platform structure off
Chip turned to Lee disgustedly, “You didn’t
invite me? Some friend you are?”
Lee held up his hands to placate Chip. “Now, Chip you had already told me about the
family reunion and how much you were looking forward to it. Joe only recently learned about the ancient
underwater city and passed on the information to me. We decided to try and get a group together on
our next leave. This is why the plans
are still being made. With us having some time off I called Joe to see if he
could get leave. In the last mail drop
Captain Mike wrote that he would be in
Chip shrugged,
“Just my luck. I don’t want to miss the family but I would have enjoyed the
diving too. If it’s as good as it sounds you’ll have to take me next time.”
Lee nodded, “It’s a deal.”
Harry decides to help out his Captain. “Lee,
I am taking the flying sub to
Lee looked pleased. “That would be great Admiral, using the FS-1
will allow us an extra days diving. We
still won’t have time to dive all of the sites, but at least we can explore
most of it. Joe only has a week leave,
so the timing works out perfectly.”
Nelson thought for a moment, “Maybe I can find a sponsor who wants to fund
a study this ancient city, that way we
could all get a chance to view this site.
Lee you can consider this a working vacation and I expect an interesting
report on what you saw. After we all get
back I will contact some friends in
Harry gathered up the reports that needed his
attention. “Gentlemen, I suggest we turn Seaview over to the anchor watch and
proceed with our leaves.”
As they all start to go Jamie looks at
Lee. “Just don’t do anything dangerous
while you are diving,” Jamie warned. “You don’t need to collect anymore
injuries for a while.”
Lee smiled at Jamie’s concern. He did have a busy time in sickbay this trip.
“I promise to be good Jamie.”
Jamieson rewarded him with a purely skeptical
glance.
“And what plans do you have for this leave
Doctor?” Lee asked candidly.
Jamie looked
slightly surprised. “Well, I have plans to take a couple of days fishing and
then plan a schedule for the crew’s physicals and reports to finish….”
“That’s your idea of leave, Doctor?” Chip
demanded cynically, “After all you just got through telling us about the
importance of rest and relaxation?”
“He’s right Will.” Harry intervened. “If we
are all ordered a week’s R &R at your insistence then that’s my
prescription for you too. And that’s my
order!” Nelson said strictly.
Will Jamieson laughed. “Hoisted on my
petard! Very well gentlemen, a weeks
fishing it is then.”
Harriman Nelson smiled. “See you in my office in half an hour Lee so
we can make our flight arrangements.”
To his departing friends he called. “Have a good leave gentlemen!”