Three Birds with One Stone
By
The
man in the small plane looked down on the familiar layout of the Nelson
Institute buildings far below. It was
almost exactly a year since he’d been unfairly discharged and in that year he’d
lost more than a job – but things were different now. He had friends, powerful friends and money in
his pocket with the promise of more to come.
Now,
at last, he could make sure that he got even. Crane, Morton and that creep
O’Brien, especially O’Brien, would regret the day they’d ever crossed
his path. He was looking forward to the plans he had in store for them.
<<<<<<
“How
much longer Chief? We’re due to sail in 87 minutes and I don’t think Mr. Morton
will accept any further delays!”
“Mr.
O’Brien, we are doing our best but the late arrival of the special equipment,
sir, wasn’t our fault.” CPO Francis Sharkey sighed wearily.
Seaview’s
scheduled sailing had been thrown into doubt because of the late arrival of
equipment vital to the success of their latest mission. This had led to a last
minute scramble to complete the loading and installation on time.
“I
know that Chief…but it doesn’t change our sailing orders. Late or not, we have
to be ready to depart on time. The men
will have to work faster. If that’s a problem…maybe you’d like to
explain it to the Exec.” Lt. Robert ‘Bobby’ O’Brien glanced meaningfully at
Sharkey who visibly blanched.
“Eh,
no sir, I’ll see to it right away Mr. O’Brien, we’ll be ready, sir, I promise.”
Sharkey turned and started to bellow orders at the loading crew.
Bobby
O’Brien smiled as he made notes on the loading manifest; using the first
officer’s stern reputation was often advantageous, if a little underhand.
Suddenly
the voice of the officer in question, issued from the deck intercom. “Mr.
O’Brien, this the Exec, please report.”
Bobby
turned and picked up the mic and answered. “O’Brien here.”
“How’s
the loading going? When will it be done?” Morton’s disembodied voice demanded.
“We’re
nearly finished….” Suddenly a loud crashing sound interrupted his report and he
looked toward the dockside. Surveying
the carnage of broken boxes and hurt civilian loaders, O’Brien clicked the mic
back on. “Mr. Morton, there has been an accident dockside. We need the doctor, sir.”
“On
his way, Mr. O’Brien.”
<<<<<<<
Smiling
cynically, the figure huddled in the shadow of the warehouse doorway and
surveyed the chaos before him. His
friends had done a nice job; everyone’s attention was drawn to helping the
injured, which left the open hatchway virtually unmanned. He inched his way
forward, a silhouette gliding silently towards the dark outline of the giant
submarine that was visible against the setting sun. He slipped quietly down the rear gangplank to
hide behind the boxes stacked neatly on the deck. He watched as the sailors
concentrated on the scene ashore and then moving swiftly he dropped lightly
onto more boxes in the hold. He could hear the voices of the crewman as they
moved the stores to the allocated storage rooms. He waited and listened to some
of the familiar sounds that he knew so well. When the room was silent he
climbed down and headed for the hiding place he had already decided upon.
Carefully he opened the grill that covered the ventilator shaft and, tossing
his rucksack before him, hoisted himself up, quickly pulling the grill closed
behind him. He sat still, his breathing fast and shallow, as his heartbeat
raced excitedly. He listened as the crewmen returned to carry on their work,
oblivious to his presence. His smile was triumphant… he’d made it! He’d broken
through Morton’s much vaunted security, and how he’d like to be able to laugh
right in the man’s face!
<<<<<<
“This
is the Exec, Mister O’Brien to the aft storage holds immediately.”
Bobby
looked at the overhead speaker in surprise. Mr Morton didn’t sound happy and
that could only mean trouble for someone and Bobby O’Brien had a feeling that
it was heading his way.
Looking
somewhat embarrassed, as he glanced to the captain for permission and receiving
a nod of consent, he picked up the nearest mic and acknowledged, “On my way,
sir.”
The
captain noted the young officer’s discomfiture as he quickly left through the
aft hatch and silently commiserated with him. Lee knew that tone and it didn’t
bode well for his second officer. He knew that Chip had assigned Mr. O’Brien
responsibility for overseeing the loading of the cargo and it’s subsequent
storage. Obviously it hadn’t been done to the exec’s liking.
As
he had approached the seriously ticked off XO, Bobby O’Brien felt the first
officer’s disdain descend on him.
“Mr.
O’Brien would you care to explain to me why, not all the fresh provisions were
not placed in the cold storage hold?” Chip Morton’s icy demand, douched the
young lieutenant, like cold shower.
“Sir?”
O’Brien asked in confusion.
Morton
took a deep breath, drew himself to his full height, linked his hands behind
his back and exerted the full force of his, not inconsiderable, scorn on the
puzzled officer before him.
“I
have just completed a routine inspection and found the fresh provisions wrongly
allocated to storeroom three!” He continued to watch Bobby and his severe
expression did not alter.
“I
don’t understand, sir. I checked that
everything was correctly stored before we set sail.”
“Indeed?”
Morton pulled open the hatch door beside him and continued, “Perhaps you would
like to explain this!”
Lt.
O’Brien stepped forward and looked inside cargo hold three. There, he could see
what appeared to be some crates of fresh provisions, placed on shelving and the
floor. He stepped back and looked at his superior.
“I
really don’t understand this, Mr. Morton. These supplies weren’t here four
hours ago… I did the checks personally.” Bobby O’Brien stood resolute and
Morton could not detect any hesitancy about his statement.
“Well,
I suggest you get the loading crew back here and find out what happened, then
get it put right. If this is someone’s idea of a gag, you can tell them from me
I’m not impressed! The responsibility was yours, Mr. O’Brien, therefore I want
you to see to it that this situation is rectified and report to me when it’s
done.”
“Aye
sir, I’ll see to it right away, sir.” O’Brien assured the exec.
Chip
nodded and turned smartly on his heel and left.
Bobby
let out the breath he hadn’t realised he was holding, as he watched Mr.
Morton’s retreating figure. He reached for the wall mounted mic and issued the
order for the loading crew to report to him immediately. While he waited in the
deserted corridor, he tried to understand what could have happened. Why would
anyone want to do something so foolish?
Suddenly
the hairs on the back of his neck bristled and he glanced around him, he had
the uncomfortable feeling of being watched.
“O’
Brien” A soft whisper echoed all around him…
Bobby
started in surprise. “Who’s there? Show yourself,” he demanded loudly.
He
listened to the silence, then heard the sound of voices and turned to see
several crewmen approaching.
Bobby
shook off the eerie sensation he had experienced and after one more glance behind
him, turned to the task in hand.
<<<<<<
The stowaway lay in the reserve guest cabin and laughed
softly to himself. He had been sure that with no authorised guests
aboard this cruise, this guest cabin would be locked and unused, perfect for
his purpose. He could hide in here and still have access to the boat at will.
His accomplice had already supplied the necessary
provisions for him, enough to last the few days he would be here anyway.
He
took a swallow from the liquor bottle he had brought with him then replaced the
cork. He would have to be careful, no getting drunk until it was all over; he
had to stay focussed. Laughing contently, he congratulated himself; everything
was going according to his plan.
When
the corporation had approached him with their scheme, he hadn’t really
cared about their motives. He was disgraced, jobless and his beautiful wife and
child gone! The money they offered was very welcome and very generous,
all they demanded was that he stops Nelson, destroys his credibility and sinks
Seaview…but not before he secured Nelson’s new invention, the Ambient Cloaking
Device. He’d even get a little bonus…if he could deliver Captain Lee
Crane as well, damaged if necessary but definitely alive!
He
was more than happy to oblige. He had several scores to settle and that was
what had really mattered to him! With
their help he could have his own revenge and get paid for it!
He’d
made O’Brien look real careless today and that was only the start of it, by the
time he was through with that arrogant upstart, his career would be in ruins!
He was going to know how it felt to be disgraced and humiliated…he’d have his
sweet revenge on Lt. O’Brien for causing his unwarranted expulsion….
<<<<<<
Almost
a week into the cruise and Bobby O’Brien carefully sorted through this week’s
duty rosters on the desk; in the cabin he shared with the communications
officer, familiarly known as
He was feeling edgy lately and he didn’t know
why. Since the beginning of this voyage he had had the vaguest feeling of being
watched and on more than one occasion was sure he had heard his name whispered
but there was never anyone there. He was constantly feeling tired as well, so
unlike him. He blushed at the embarrassed memory of his second late
arrival for duty yesterday evening. The captain had given him a short lecture
on time keeping and said no more but he knew Mr. Morton was less impressed when
he saw the log entry.
He
sighed and brought himself back to concentrate on the present task. Having
replaced the crew’s duty lists he put the old copies in a separate folder,
scooping up the officer’s duplicates, he quickly left his cabin to distribute
them to the individuals concerned.
The
watcher lay in the ventilation shaft and smiled as O’Brien left. Lady Luck was
smiling on him; the cabin was empty. He
released the grill and dropped lightly down into the cabin. It was the work of seconds to simply remove
the old lists and climb back into the ventilator. Although the ensuing confusion among the crew
could easily be sorted out, it would be enough to make O’Brien appear even more
incompetent than he did already.
The
stowaway laughed softly, a few more turns of the screw for O’Brien and then it
would be Morton’s turn and he knew just exactly what to do with him. Then another idea struck him, not only could
he take Morton out but he could also shift the blame neatly onto O’Brien. This
was all too easy, like shooting fish in a barrel….
And
then, Crane … well, Crane would have to wait his turn; but revenge on him would
be the icing on the cake.
<<<<<<
Lee
descended the staircase into the Control Room to find at least twice as many
men as there should have been, crowding the place. Sharkey was checking each station, clipboard
in hand, allocating crewmen for the next duty shift, watched by an obviously
none too happy exec.
"Mr.
Morton?" the captain announced.
"Sir?"
"What's
going on?"
Chip
joined him by the plot table and said quietly, "Some sort of foul up with
the duty rosters. Sharkey's sorting
things out in here and if you're ready to take over, I'll go round the rest of
the boat."
"You
checked the rosters?"
"They
were all in order when I signed them. I
can only assume the wrong ones have been posted somewhere."
Turning
his back on the crew Lee said quietly, "Didn’t you assign the duty to Mr.
O’Brien?”
“I
did… the ones I signed off on were fine. He must have made a mistake when he
posted them, somehow.” Chip sighed impatiently.
“I
don't know what's happening but get it and him sorted out before we start the
tests, today.”
“Aye,
sir.”
Chip
walked through the Control Room greatly relieved to note the speed at which
Sharkey had the situation under control.
“Well
done, Chief.”
“You're
welcome, sir.” Sharkey followed him
through the aft hatchway. “Sir, about
the mix up with the stores the other day….”
“Not
now, Chief. You take the lower deck and
make sure everyone knows what they are supposed to be doing, I'll take this
deck.”
“Aye,
Sir.”
Sharkey
sighed to himself as he walked away, there had been several troublesome
problems lately and they all seemed to revolve around the second officer and if
young Mr. O'Brien went on like this, he was heading into big trouble.
“Hey,
Chief?” A familiar voice roused him from
his thoughts. “How come I'm on Missile
Room watch when I've just come off Missile Room watch?”
“I
really don't know Patterson, let's get down there and sort it out.”
“I
was just going to suggest that, Chief.”
“Oh
yeah? Don't push it, Sailor.”
<<<<<<
Chip Morton was becoming steadily more frustrated. The
second officer was late for his watch, for the third time in a row and the
exec’s legendary patience was being stretched beyond reason.
“
“Bobby,
wake up…common, wake up!”
“Huh…? Whatsup…?” The sleepy voice questioned.
“Bobby,
wake up! You’re already late for your watch again….”
O’Brien
shook his head as he rose onto one elbow. “That’s impossible… I …can’t be, not again.”
Bobby looked at his roommate in confusion. “I never oversleep normally…” He
shook his head again. “My head feels like cotton wool….”
“Cotton
wool or not … Morton is baying for your blood!”
“That
can’t be…I placed those rosters!”
The
intercom interrupted harshly. “This is Morton, Mr. O’Brien, please report.”
“You’d
better get dressed… I’ll stall for you.…”
“No!
I’ll explain…thanks, but this is down to me.” Mr. O’Brien turned and unhooked
the mic from the wall.
“O’Brien
here.”
“Mr.
O’Brien, please report to my cabin immediately.” The exec’s voice was cold and
forbidding.
“Yes,
sir.” Bobby sighed silently.
Five
rushed minutes later, Lt. Robert O’Brien, stood stiffly to attention in front
of his superior officer.
Well,
Mr. O’Brien, explain yourself.” Chip Morton demanded with icy calm.
Bobby
swallowed nervously and answered. “I overslept, sir.”
The
silence between them stretched until Bobby glanced at the seated man.
Chip
Morton sat with a glacial expression that was totally impassive but managed to
convey his annoyance without a word or action.
How does he do that? O’Brien wondered….
Slowly
the exec stood and said menacingly, “Is that all you have to say for yourself…
‘I overslept’? Don’t you mean ‘I overslept again, sir!” Not allowing
time for a reply he continued, “This is getting to be a habit, Mr.O’Brien, one
I’m not prepared to tolerate. Perhaps you’d like to explain today’s roster
debacle…? There were wrong duty lists posted in each of the crew quarters…they
were not the same lists that I approved, were they?”
“No
sir.” Bobby struggled to stay calm.
“Well,
I’m waiting.” Morton insisted.
“I
can’t explain it, sir. I know I posted the correct rosters…the old ones were in
a file on my desk, sir.”
“And
are they still there?” Morton asked ominously.
“No,
sir, I checked before reporting here.” O’Brien answered quietly.
Chip
sighed and sat down again. Looking at the young man, standing so stiffly to
attention, Morton relented. “Sit down, Mr. O’Brien, let’s try to sort out
what’s going on here.”
Bobby
hesitated and then obeyed. “Mr. Morton,
I swear to you sir, I checked each list as I posted it. They were all correct…
I know they were. Just like I know I saw all the stores correctly stowed…and
the files you asked me to get for you, were placed on your desk. I don’t
know what’s happening, sir, but it seems everything I do lately, someone
changes it …and that’s not all, sir….”
Bobby hesitated, knowing how ludicrous his next statement would sound. “I think
someone’s watching me… I never see them,
only feel them .…” his voice
trailed away uncertainly, he was not going to mention the whispered voice
calling his name….
Morton
raised one eyebrow in sceptical disbelief and repeated doubtfully. “Someone
following you, watching you, someone you never see, only feel. Mr.
O’Brien, are you seriously suggesting this as an explanation? Are you saying
someone aboard is harassing you?”
“No,
sir… at least I don’t think so, sir. I
can’t explain it, Mr. Morton, but it’s happening, all the same.”
Chip
Morton, studied the young officer with increasing suspicions. O’Brien was a
good and trustworthy officer usually but just lately he seemed unreliable. Chip
considered all the problems this cruise. The fresh provisions that were wrongly
stowed. The files they both had to revise for the upcoming tests that he had
requested Bobby place in his cabin but were found still in O’Brien’s quarters.
Reporting late for duty more than once and then today’s debacle with wrongly
posted duty rosters.
O’Brien
had more than met all expectations in the two years he had served aboard, yet
this cruise had proved problematical for him, to say the least. Chip had been
slowly increasing the young officer’s responsibilities…had he expected too
much? Was it possible that he had overestimated O’Brien’s capabilities?
“Either
you are trying to tell me that someone aboard is purposely altering everything
that you have responsibility for or you’re not, Mr. O’Brien? Who do you think
would want do this? Why? What would be
the reason for that?” Bobby could clearly
hear the scepticism in the exec’s tone and sympathised. The whole situation was
screwy and he knew it… but it was all true!
“I
don’t know, sir. I can’t explain it to you…I don’t even understand it myself
but I know that it’s happening, Mr. Morton…I just know it!”
Chip
leaned forward and spoke earnestly, to the tense young officer, “Bobby, have
you anything that you want to talk about…anything that could be causing you to
be less than capable this cruise? It has been noted that you seem jumpy, ill at
ease. Haven’t you been sleeping well? Is that what’s causing your late arrivals
for duty? Have you a private problem you want to talk over. Would the captain
or doctor be able to help?”
“NO
sir…I haven’t any other problems… really I haven’t! I mean it Mr. Morton, it
isn’t me, it’s someone else.”
Morton
sat back and frowned. O’Brien certainly appeared sincere… Chip sighed, “Okay, let’s leave this for the present. I
don’t know what you think is going on but from now on you run everything past
me, Mr. O’Brien. I want to ensure that this situation doesn’t escalate. I won’t
have this disrupting the smooth operation of the boat especially with the
trials of the admiral’s new invention, starting today. With the admiral ashore,
monitoring the tests in
Lt.
O’Brien stood and answered quietly, “Yes, sir… thank you, Mr. Morton. It won’t
happen again, sir, I’m going to make sure of that.”
The
exec nodded and Bobby O’Brien left.
As
Chip sat contemplating how to report this to the captain…another figure watched
him from his hiding placed and smiled. O’Brien may have given Morton a few
doubts but he wouldn’t be able to talk himself out of trouble the next time!
<<<<<<
There was a
single, soft, knock on the door then it was unlocked and opened as a figure
slipped inside, silently closing the door behind him.
“What are you
doing here…you’ll be seen and that will make them suspicious.” The hiding man
accused in suppressed anger, as he revealed himself, when he saw who the
visitor was.
“Don’t
worry, I wasn’t seen.” The crewman answered.
“What
do you want anyway? I thought it was agreed you’d stay away, until I needed
you.”
“The
timetable’s been moved up…I just got word.
The first tests were so successful; they only plan one more and then we
will head back to port. So you have to act tomorrow. Take Morton out before he
can start the test and steal the control unit…no more games with O’Brien! I’ve activated the homing device, the
rendezvous will be at 14.00.”
“And
Crane?” the stowaway demanded, “What about him?”
“They
still want Crane, real bad I understand. They’ve got plans for him.” The
crewman sniggered cruelly. “He’s going to learn all about what it’s like to die
piece by painful piece.”
“Just
as long as I get paid, I don’t care what they do to him. But I have one more
shot at O’Brien….”
“NO!
Not if endangers our objective.” The crewman seized the shirt of the stowaway
and angrily warned him. “You just do what you’re being paid for…steal the
control unit, and get Crane.”
The
burley hand of the stowaway squeezed the hand of the sailor with such strength
that the other man whimpered in pain and slowly sank to his knees, as the pain
increased.
“Don’t
you ever lay a hand on me again, you hear me? I don’t like it.” As the other
man massaged his crushed fingers the stowaway continued menacingly. “I will do
what I have to, but I will finish off O’Brien in the process, especially now I’m
so close. You just be ready to back me up.”
<<<<<<
Chip
woke gradually and lay a few moments listening to the familiar sounds around
him. Seaview was sailing to the next test coordinates at standard speed, after
yesterdays second successful trial, todays would be the last. Everything had
gone very well. The Ambient Cloaking Device made submarines virtually
undetectable to surface vessels. The only problem that had to be solved was the
power imbalance from the reactor, which caused dangerous spikes in the output.
With a crew as experienced as Seaview’s this was an acceptable risk but the
threat of an uncontrollable nuclear reactor, would have to be a top priority in
any future development.
Lee
had executed the fine manoeuvres of the giant boat, as only he could, while
Chip and Mr. O’Brien had been responsible for the intricate balancing of the
cloaking control and the sonar station. All the crew had performed with their
usual efficiency, even if Mr. O’Brien remained unnaturally tense and anxious.
Chip
had talked the whole O’Brien situation over with Lee and they agreed that his
behaviour was uncharacteristic and hard to explain. The second officer remained
adamant that he was being targeted but could offer no answers as to whom or
why. He was a good officer, reliable, resourceful and trustworthy; still, Lee
and Chip found it hard to believe O’Brien’s assertions were possible.
Nothing
else had occurred in the last two days, since Chip’s interview with him, maybe,
if there had been someone targeting him for whatever reason, he had
reconsidered.
Chip
swung himself up and sat on the edge of his bunk. Stretching, he stood and just
as he was moving towards the shower a knock on his cabin door stopped him.
“Come.”
The
door swung open and a crewman entered with a pot of fresh hot coffee.
“Thanks,
Freeman, just leave it on the desk.” Chip smiled, as he continued towards the
small bathroom.
“Aye
sir.” The Sailor answered as he carefully put the hot jug on the desk and left.
A
figure watched the scene from behind the grill on the air vent. He listened for
the sound of running water then quickly pushed open the cover and dropped
quietly into the cabin. Opening the same bottle of pills as he had used to
mildly sedate O’Brien on several occasions, he shook out three tablets and
dropped them into the waiting coffee, he hesitated a moment then removed two
more and added them and smiled maliciously, best to be sure he thought.
The
sound of the shower ending caused him to hurry across to the open vent, and
hoisting himself up, he just managed to close the grill as the officer returned
to the cabin.
Chip
rubbed his hair dry as he re-entered, wearing a towel around his waist and
draped the second towel around his neck, as he poured the fragrant coffee into
the waiting mug. While sipping it he looked at a small picture on the cabin
wall, of Lee and himself at their graduation parade. Absently he reached out
and straightened it, smiling at the memories it evoked.
Draining
his first cup of coffee, he poured another one and started to dress in a crisp
uniform, to prepare himself for his duty watch.
Slowly
he felt the strange sensations start to invade him. He was disorientated as
fleeting spells of giddiness made him feel unsteady. His temperature rose and
beads of moisture formed on his forehead, his face burned with heat but just as
suddenly he started to shiver uncontrollably. His hands trembled and refused to
obey simple commands. He looked down at the front of his shirt and his eyes
were unable to focus, giving him blurred double images of his fingers fumbling
with the buttons. He could feel his breathing become shallow as his heartbeat
quickened and pounded loudly in his ears. Mild panic assaulted him as fought to
make sense of what was happening. He
blinked and tried to shake his head to clear his vision and gain control again
but the movement caused him to become dizzy and he stumbled against his desk.
Leaning heavily against it, he concentrated on breathing deeply and the extra
oxygen momentarily sobered him.
What
was wrong with him? Why was he so befuddled? His hand felt the warmth of the
coffee mug and he automatically reached for it…caffeine, that would do it…clear
his confusion. He took a deep swallow of the coffee and waited for the familiar
rush that strong java gave him but instead he felt his strength desert him, his
legs became weak and refused to offer support, as he slipped sideways to land
heavily on the floor. His eyes watched, as in apparent slow motion, the coffee
cup descended with him and smashed into fragments, allowing the remaining black
fluid to splatter the shiny deck. His eyes fluttered closed and his breathing
became shallower, he vaguely registered an insistent knocking accompanied by
the sound of a voice calling his name through the fog that engulfed his
consciousness.
<<<<<<
Patterson
and Kowalski were kidding each other as they left the crew mess hall, to report
for their watches.
Ski
made his way to the exec’s cabin. Mr. Morton had ordered him to report to him
personally, at the start of his duty shift this morning and update him on the
progress on the new alignments to the sonar equipment.
Ski
knocked on the exec’s cabin door and waited. Surprisingly, there was no
immediate reply and Ski hesitated. Could be the officer was in the shower, Ski
looked at his watch, if that were so, Mr. Morton was running late and he never
ran late! A muffled noise issued from
inside, followed by the unmistakeable sound of a breaking cup.
Ski
knocked again and called. “Mr. Morton, you okay sir?”
No
reply.
Kowalski
tried again, louder… “Mr. Morton, can you here me, sir?”
This
time he tried the handle and tentatively opening the door, he called
gently. “Mr. Morton?” Kowalski spied the
officer lying on the floor and rushed to him.
The
exec was barely breathing, pulse rapid and shallow, skin clammy. Kowalski
grabbed the phone from the desk and called, “
<<<<<<
Will,
gently tucked the wrist he had been holding back beneath the blanket and
quietly moved away.
“Is
he going to be alright?” Lee asked softly.
“Yes,
thankfully, a few hours rest and he will be awake.” Will, sat at his desk and
frowned.
“What’s
wrong with him?” Lee asked anxiously.
Will,
sighed as he looked at his commanding officer. “He was heavily sedated and the
drug was stolen from our own supplies.”
“What?”
Crane demanded as he sat in the chair beside the desk.
“Frank
discovered it late last night, we routinely inventory the supplies every
week. I was going to report it to you
this morning then all this happened. A
drug that is used as a mild sedative in normal circumstances, was given to him
in a concentrated dose and because of his acute sensitivity to medication, it
collapsed his system. If Ski hadn’t found him when he did… Chip, could well
have died from heart failure.”
“Are
you saying someone deliberately tried to kill him?” Lee demanded.
“It’s
possible I suppose… but someone may just have wanted him out of the way …
although Chip’s medical history is no secret; everyone aboard knows that I have
to treat him carefully. Giving him such a concentrated amount was bound to harm
him…even kill him, Kowalski finding him so quickly was a stroke of luck,
another fifteen minutes and it would have been too late.” Will, answered
soberly.
“But
who and why?” Lee wondered aloud.
“There
I can’t help you Captain but Mr. Morton, will be asleep for at least another
two hours, the counteractive drug I gave him will leave his system weak and
even though I know he will fight me tooth and nail, I want to keep him here,
under observation, until I’m sure there won’t be any further complications.”
Lee
smiled conspiratorially. “Think you can do it?”
“I’ll
have a damn good try.” Jamie chuckled.
<<<<<<
Lifting
out a sheaf of papers caused something small to roll to the front of the
drawer. At first glance he ignored it
then remembering the conversation he had overheard between the doc and the
captain, in
<<<<<<
“Doc?”
Jamieson
turned, as he was about to enter his cabin, “Yes.”
Keeping
his voice low, Spark’s said, “I think I found what you were looking for.” He
held out the small bottle.
Will,
pushed open his door, letting
“In
the desk in our cabin….”
Will,
finished counting, then looked up suspiciously, “How do you think they got
there … you’re surely not suggesting Bobby?”
Spark’s
shrugged uncomfortably, “No, of course not… that is…I’d hate to be the one to
say it …”
“There’s
enough of these gone to knock out the exec and half the crew, there’s barely a
quarter left. Where is Bobby now?”
“He’s
on duty in the Control Room has been for an hour or so.”
“Keep
this to yourself for now. I’ll tell the
captain about this immediately.”
“How’s
Mr. Morton?”
“He’ll
survive… thankfully.”
<<<<<<
“They
were WHERE?” Lee demanded, although a tiny voice in the back of his mind told
him that he shouldn’t be that too surprised.
“Are we to assume that O’Brien could be responsible for poisoning Chip?”
“Now,
let’s not jump to conclusions …” Will, said cautiously.
“How
else do you explain it?”
Will,
shrugged carefully, “I can’t but remember who we’re talking about here…Bobby
O’Brien. Can you honestly tell me he would hurt Chip in any way?”
“Ordinarily
no…but he hasn’t been behaving ordinarily! Sharkey has done an investigation of
the crew and can’t find anything to lead us to the person responsible for all
this…” Lee said frustratedly, as he began to pace the cabin, “This has to have
something to do with the top-secret testing... but what?”
“Have
you talked with Bobby? I agree he’s
certainly not working with his normal efficiency, maybe there’s a problem.”
“I
haven’t, but Chip has. O’Brien seems to be convinced that someone else on board
is wrecking everything he does, trying to embarrass or undermine him but can’t
explain why.” Lee looked at his CMO and stated quietly. “In the light of what’s
happened, Jamie, I will have to take action to protect the boat and crew.” Turning, he activated the intercom and said,
“This is the Captain, Mr. O’Brien please come to my quarters immediately.”
Lee looked at Jamie’s concerned expression and
declared, “I’m left with no choice. I will have to relieve O’Brien of duty at the
very least until we return to port, Washington and the Admiral were expecting
us to complete the last test today but after what’s happened, it’ll have to
wait until Chip’s recovered. He’s the only one
trained
to calibrate the settings with the sonar station. In the meantime Mr. O’Brien would be safer
confined to quarters.”
<<<<<<
“Mr
O’Brien can you explain how this bottle of pills, taken without permission from
the Sick Bay stores, came to be found in the desk in your cabin?”
“In
the desk? … but … “ horrified at the implied implication Bobby looked in alarm
at Lee. “No, sir, I can’t, I don’t know
anything about them, sir, honestly.”
Lee
considered the young officer standing before him. O’Brien’s reaction certainly appeared genuine
but still there was the nagging doubt about the overheard conversation he had
been privy to.
“You
are aware that Mr. Morton is in the
“Yes,
sir, and I know why but I did not put him there. I swear to that, Captain.”
“You
still maintain that someone on board is targeting you?”
“Yes,
sir. I don’t know who and I don’t know
why. I only know someone is out to ruin
my career.” Bobby insisted, trying to keep his temper.
“With
Mr. Morton unfit for duty and the next deadline of this mission coming up, I
don’t have time to deal with this right now.
For everyone’s sake, including your own, I have decided to confine you
to quarters until we return to port. It
will give you time to think this through, maybe something will occur to
you. Dismissed, Mr. O’Brien.” Lee
finished brusquely.
“But,
sir…”Bobby saw the captain’s
unyielding glance and reluctantly obeyed.
“Aye,
aye, Sir,” whispered the distressed young officer as he left.
O’Brien’s
reactions were what Lee expected but as he considered the events during this
voyage, he had to doubt them. He also
knew that Chip still had reservations about O’Brien’s claims but he didn’t know
what Lee had overheard as he was leaving his cabin yesterday …
“You
can understand Morton’s point of view Bobby … after all you have no proof and
no reason you can think of why someone would do this to you.”
“You
sound like you don’t believe me either.
I didn’t expect Morton to take me seriously right away but I had hoped
he knew me better… I tell you, if all this were happening to him, I’d believe
him! …” Bobbie O’Brien said frustratedly to the radio operator, as they walked
through officer’s country, to the control room.
“Yes,
but it’s not happening to him.”
“Yeah
well, I may be the target today but who’s to say it won’t be him tomorrow? Then I bet he’d see it differently…you all
would!”
Lee
stood up intending to go check on his friend when the sound of the intercom
stopped him.
“Captain,
Baker, here.”
“Yes,
Mr. Baker, what is it?”
“Sir,
we have a warning light here from the Missile Room. The automatic silent alarm
on the top-secret test consol has been activated. I’ve sent Kowalski to check
it out, Skipper, but he doesn’t reply to hails.”
“Very
well, Mr. Baker, I’ll check on it personally.”
Lee hurried along the
corridor and stepped quickly through the hatch of the Missile Room. He noticed immediately the wires reaching up
from a bomb device on the deck, to missile silo number two then looking beyond
that, he saw Kowalski unconscious and bound by the escape hatch. As he hurried towards him, a figure stepped
out from his hiding place and steadily pointed a gun at him.
“Welcome, Captain, I’ve been expecting you. Please stand perfectly still and this needn’t be too difficult.”
The tall bulky figure of the
intruder was no stranger to Lee and he was momentarily shocked as he exclaimed
in surprise, “Donovan, what are you doing aboard?”
“Long time, no see, huh
Captain? It’s okay, I promised some friends of mine I would do a little job for
them.” Ex-weapons Chief, Sean Donovan
smiled smugly.
“What are you talking about
and what have you done to Kowalski?”
“If I were you, I would
worry more about what is going to happen to you, Captain, than Kowalski right
now.”
Crane hardened his
expression and demanded, “Explain yourself? Why are you aboard? What is it
you’re planning to do?” Suddenly understanding dawned on Lee.
“You’re the one behind all
the unexplained problems, I suppose?”
Before Donovan could answer,
a groan from Kowalski distracted him and Lee saw his chance. He charged at the man but Donovan sensed the
slight movement and fired
automatically.
For a moment everything
seemed to slow down for Lee as the impact of the bullet flung him backwards and
he crashed to the deck, as an all too familiar pain seared through his left
shoulder. A ludicrous thought flashed through his mind, Will, was not going
to like this, then Donovan was standing over him.
“That was stupid Crane! I told
you not to move but you always have to be the bloody hero, don’t you? It
doesn’t matter, you can still cooperate, you’re much too valuable for me to
kill you yet.” Reaching down he pulled a shaken Lee to his feet, watching him
sway slightly, as he found his balance.
“Just what is it you want?”
Lee demanded curtly, fighting with the pain he held his right hand over the
bleeding wound. He strongly suspected the bullet was still in there, judging
from the intense throbbing.
“I want a lot of things,
Captain but some of them I already have. O’Brien in disgrace, Morton dead, the
Cloaking Control Device in my possession, not a bad start for the man you all
wrote off, as worthless!”
Pushing the captain back
hard against the escape hatch, Donovan grinned as Lee winced at the hard
contact and beads of sweat formed on the captain’s forehead. Careful to keep
the gun trained on him and to stand far enough back to make any other attempt,
Lee, might try impossible, Donovan delighted in his superiority.
“How does it feel, Crane? Knowing I’m the one
to outwit you? You and your pathetic Navy rules and regulations. I fooled you
all, even that fool, O’Brien strutting around and using me to advance himself!”
“You
were drunk on duty and because of that a man was injured. Mr O’Brien was only
doing his job, Donovan. You’ve only yourself to blame.” Lee replied harshly.
“So,
I took a little drink now and then, so what? All that bilge about duty and
responsibility…I’ve seen more duty watches then he’s ever likely to! Humiliating
me just gave him an advantage. He could have given me a chance but he couldn’t
wait to report me. Well, the rest of them may have been fooled by it but not
me…none of you fool me. I know all officers stick together but it’s Nelson that
gives the orders and you have to carry them out, you’re just the same as the
rest of us, Crane… hired help!”
“You
knew the regulations when you signed on. The drinking made you unreliable….”
“You know nothing, Crane! I lost more than my
stinking job here! My wife left and took my kid, the Navy is arguing over my
pension and no one out there in civilian life wants to give me a break!”
Donovan shouted with released rage as he suddenly back- handed the captain
across the jaw and again Lee collided with the solid hatch. “You owe me Crane,
you, Nelson and Morton …but especially O’Brien! He wouldn’t listen, wouldn’t
even give me a chance, blamed me right away…”
Lee
fought the pain and giddiness radiating through him and stoked his anger to
release the adrenalin he needed. “You nearly killed one of your men…what did
you expect?”
“It
was his own carelessness, why blame me for his stupidity?” The ex-chief
demanded unpleasantly but visibly calmed himself as he sneered. “It’s all in
the past anyway… you think I care about that anymore?”
“You
went to an awful lot of trouble to get even,” Lee grimaced, trying to keep
Donovan engaged and fighting the urge to fall down.
“It
weren’t no trouble, I assure you, Captain, it was a real pleasure in fact.
Making O’Brien look a fool was so easy and real gratifying …You all watching
him running in circles was so funny…the more he tried, the less went right. I
reckon if I’d had the time, in a few more days he’d be climbing the walls, he
was already jumping at shadows,” Donovan laughed loudly.
“And
killing Mr. Morton?” Lee demanded, keeping the man engaged while frantically
assessing his chances at overpowering him.
“I
didn’t plan it that way at first, I wanted the Cloaking Control and he was
always around but when you and I overheard that conversation yesterday,
Captain, it seemed too good an opportunity to miss, besides I never liked
Morton, too cold for my tastes. He was another one who wouldn’t listen.”
Donovan laughed victoriously. “Wish I could have seen O’Brien’s face when you
accused him of murdering the XO.” The ex-Chief sniggered spitefully, “Guess you
must be pretty cut up yourself, Crane, you and Morton being like brothers and
all…”
Lee
looked suitably distressed as Donovan glanced at his watch and smiled triumphantly.
“As
much as I’ve enjoyed our chat, Captain, it’s time for us to leave Seaview. I have a vessel making a rendezvous with us
right about now. I want you to surface the boat and clear our way to the
Control Room. I’m leaving, Captain, and you’re going to help take me out of
here, unless you prefer I shoot up good old Kowalski, a little.”
Donovan’s
tone was casual but Lee knew the man well enough, after his six-month tour of
duty with them, to know that he meant every word of it. Leaning heavily against the hatch for support
he said, “Pass me a mic.”
“No
tricks, Crane or he dies.”
Unhooking
a microphone, Donovan placed it in Lee’s hand.
“Control
Room, this is the Captain. Prepare to
surface, Mr. Baker.”
“Sir?”
Baker queried in confusion.
“You
heard me, Mr. Baker, surface the boat right away, there is a surface ship
making a rendezvous with us. I also want
all corridors between the missile room and the Control Room,” he paused as the
pain and light-headedness threatened to overtake him, but noticed Donovan level
his gun at Kowalski and somehow found the strength to finish, “cleared of all
personnel. I am in here with ex-Chief
Donovan; he has a gun and is threatening to kill Kowalski and myself if we
don’t cooperate. He has also attached an explosive device to our nuclear
missile silos, he must be allowed clear passage to the Control Room.”
“Aye,
aye, Sir,” came the hesitant reply as Lee let the mic drop.
"Very
good Captain, I knew you could be persuaded.”
“All
I want is you off my boat and no-one else hurt.”
“That’s
what we both want. Put your hands out
Captain, one at a time and very slowly, don’t try anything silly now.”
Lee
saw the handcuffs that Donovan produced from his belt and again considered his
chances against the man.
“I
wouldn’t, Captain…a bullet is faster than you are.” Donovan warned him
menacingly.
Lee
lowered one bloodied hand from his shoulder wound and held it out to
Donovan. The ex-Chief immediately
snapped a handcuff tightly around the wrist and said, “Now the other one,
Captain.”
Lee
painfully raised his left wrist and Donovan brutally snapped the other handcuff
over it pulling Lee towards him. The ex-weapons Chief smiled spitefully as he
saw the pain that it caused Crane. “Now,
Captain just to keep you involved I will explain that just in case you try
anything stupid, this little mechanism, will allow me to remotely detonate that
bomb over there,” he held up a small box with a switch clearly visible to Lee.
“I will detonate it if I have to, Crane, I haven’t much to loose but you have
120 lives to think about.” He picked up the case from the floor and handed it
to Lee. “You carry this.” Having no alternative Lee reluctantly grasped the
handle, Donovan grabbed Lee around the neck, with the hand holding the detonator
and turned him roughly towards the hatch, “Right, Captain, let’s get
going. We have a rendezvous to keep and
don’t expect too much help on the way, Captain. The coffee in the crews
quarters has been drugged by my accomplice, the off duty men are fast asleep
right now. ”
<<<<<<
Down
in
“I’ve
got to do this, if we’re all going to die, I’m not going to do it here. Help me get a uniform on or just get out of
my way.”
Sharkey,
who took every assault on his officers personally, was visiting Morton
and joined in the protest. “Please, sir... let me go. You ain’t strong enough,
Mr. Morton….” He suggested as the sick man struggled to his feet, using the
upper rack to support himself.
“I’m
still the Exec of this boat, I’m going to the Control Room. Chief, you take
Patterson and disarm that device in the Missile Room.”
“Chip,
listen to me. You aren’t going to be able to help, if you fall flat on your
face!” Jamie insisted as he tried to prevent Morton from dressing in the
discarded uniform, laid over a nearby chair.
“Still
here Chief?” Morton growled as he glanced coldly at the CPO.
Sharkey
looked momentarily indecisive and then answered, “No sir, I’m on my way.”
Shrugging embarrassedly at the doctor, he hurried towards the door but turned
back to see if Mr. Morton was really going to make it.
Will,
knew defeat when he saw it and as he helped to steady the exec, complained
bitterly, “One day, someone might actually listen to my advice, around here!”
“I’ll
do all the listening you want after this is all over, Doc…right now, my place
is in the control room.”
“I
won’t forget you said that!” grimaced Jamison as he buttoned the front of
Chip’s shirt.
Sharkey
smirked respectfully, as he left to carry out his orders.
<<<<<<
Making his way unevenly to the Control Room,
Chip stumbled into O’Brien.
“Sir,
are you alright?” Bobby asked as he steadied the XO.
“I’ll
be fine. Mr. O’Brien, make your way to
the Missile Room and help the Chief disarm that bomb…then prepare to launch
missiles one and three.”
Bobby
looked startled but accepted the orders without question, “How will I know when
to fire, sir?”
“You
just be ready, I’ll give the order.”
Bobby
watched for a moment as Morton straightened himself and moved to the Control
Room stairwell then Bobby turned and raced to the Missile Room.
<<<<<<
Lee
and Donovan had entered the Control Room after making their way slowly through
the corridors. Donovan paused just inside the hatchway and announced, “Don’t anyone think of doing anything heroic,
unless you want to watch your Captain die. All of you over there,” he nodded towards
the port side. “Sit on the deck and stay perfectly still.” He waved his gun
quickly to indicate Lt. Baker, but swiftly replaced the weapon back on Lee’s
temple. “You, over here.”
Using Lee as a shield he moved forward to
stand behind the plot table. Turning he demanded of Mr. Baker, “How soon before
we surface?”
After
looking for confirmation from his captain, the young officer replied calmly.
“Approximately three minutes.”
Suddenly
everyone’s attention was distracted as Chip Morton slowly and unsteadily
descended the spiral staircase into the Control Room.
Pulling
Lee closer, Donovan complained bitterly in Crane’s ear. “You lied to me,
Captain!” Then glared angrily at the first officer, “So you survived, I suppose
we have Jamieson, to thank for that.”
Chip
swayed slightly and reached out to steady himself on the sonar console. Looking
at Lee he asked, “Are you okay?”
“I’m
fine.” Crane replied weakly.
“Sure
you are.” Chip replied cynically.
Morton
saw the pain, the injury was obviously causing, written in the drawn expression
of Lee’s face as they watched each other. Chip also noted the flow of blood
that stained Lee’s uniform and ran down his arm to drip onto the deck beside
him. Lee’s face was pale but his eyes were alert and Chip saw confidence in the
stare. Without looking away from Lee, Chip called. “Co-ordinates of the
approaching vessel, Mr. Baker?”
Lt.
Baker automatically answered the order.
Angry at being ignored, Donovan stepped a little closer to the Exec,
tightening his grip around Lee’s neck, “You’re not in charge here, Morton, I
am. Tell him Crane, what this switch will do, if I push it!”
Before
Lee could speak, Baker announced, “We’re just broaching the surface.”.
Lee
watched his first officer carefully; trying to decide what Chip was going to
do. Chip glanced at Lee, then at the
intercom mic and back to Lee.
Donovan
repeated loudly, “You hear me, Morton, I’M in charge.”
Chip
pushed himself away from the sonar console and stood a little unsteadily,
moving to the plot table and leaning on it heavily, he turned to face Donovan,
“Well, if you’re in charge, what do you want us to do?”
He
glanced down again at the mic and Lee picked up the subtle nuance. As Donovan
issued orders, Lee attempted to break his captor’s grasp, noisily dropping the
Cloaking Device case and began to struggle. Distracted by the Captain’s sudden
move and subsequent struggle, Donovan took his attention away from Morton. Chip
took advantage of the distraction and grabbed the mic, quickly relaying the co-ordinates
to the waiting O’Brien and shouted “Fire!” The rest of the crew were rising but
a single shot rang out and hit one of the men. The second communications
officer held the smoking gun, as he stood aiming it at the stunned crew. The sight of the armed man and one of their
shipmates bleeding copiously from a wound in the arm momentarily stopped them
all. “Stand still, unless you want more of the same,” Donovan shouted angrily.
“Now all of you move back.” The men edged slowly backwards until they all
bunched up near the aft hatchway.
Lee
could feel the tightened restriction of the strong arm around his neck and he
choked for breath. “Nice try, Crane, but I have much more to lose than you do
when I’m this close to success…and that gives me the edge!”
There
was the sudden slight disturbance, as the surface explosion rocked the boat and
they all swayed unsteadily. Chip tried to edge forward before Donovan noticed
him. But the man was alert and shouted. “Stop or I kill him.” Chip halted mere
inches away, glaring ruthlessly at the man who held his friend.
Realising
what Morton had done, Donovan reacted angrily and while still holding Lee
firmly swung his weapon against Chip, who fell heavily to the deck with a
bleeding gash to his forehead.
Standing over the fallen man he cursed loudly. “Damn you
Morton, I should just kill you right now, but that wouldn’t be anywhere near as
enjoyable as watching you suffer!” He kicked viciously at Morton as he lay only
semi-conscious on deck and connected heavily with his stomach. Lee struggled
weakly as his own strength ebbed away from him but he was desperate to distract
the man’s anger from his friend.
Donovan gathered his
fury quickly and still pointing the gun at Lee shouted. “That’s enough Crane.
We are still leaving here…you can operate the Flying Sub, so you can fly us out
of here.”
“I won’t do it….” Lee answered faintly.
“Oh yes you will, Captain. Because every time you refuse,
my friend there is going to shoot one of these men! Take your pick Captain, Baker,
Riley or maybe good old Sparks…who is it to be Captain?”
Lee looked at the men named, not one face showed a moments
fear but Lee knew that if he didn’t agree, one of them would die.
Slowly he stood a little straighter and nodded. “You win,
Donovan…I’ll fly you out.”
“I knew you would Captain, I just had to know which of your
buttons to push.” Sean Donovan smiled cruelly as he dragged his hostage
backwards. “Kelly, follow us and pick up the case.”
The radio operator nodded and started to back away slowly
from the angry crew, still keeping his gun trained on them.
Stooping slightly, he picked up the case and came to stand
beside Donovan and his hostage, by the rail that surrounded the flying sub hatch.
The ex-chief nodded towards the floor and ordered. “Open it
up and go down.”
“Okay.” Kelly replied as he quickly released the wheel lock
and pulled open the heavy cover.
As the other man descended, Donavon increased the pressure
to Lee’s throat, making it difficult for him to breathe. “Now listen up, Crane.
I’m going to let you go and you’re going to climb down, without doing anything
stupid. Try something and I’ll shoot Morton, your choice, Captain.”
Lee felt the pressure around his neck ease and he looked
towards his fallen friend only feet away. Chip lay very still, with blood
staining the deck from the injury, Donovan had caused.
As he was released he turned slowly and stepped onto the
ladder. With his hands secured in handcuffs and his own injury robbing him of
his usual strength, he awkwardly moved down the rungs, taking one last look at
his crew and best friend.
Donovan, smiled as he watched him…this victory felt so
good!
Returning his watchful gaze to the remaining crew, he
backed slowly down the ladder himself, reaching up to pull the cover closed
behind him.
Dropping lightly to the deck, Donovan turned to see Lee
being watched carefully by Kelly and said. “Take a seat, Captain, time to go.”
“I can’t fly you out of here with my hands in these.” Lee
said forcefully as he raised his manacled wrists.
Donovan smirked. “I suppose not but if I release you, you
won’t do it anyway will you, Crane?”
Lee was surprised by his captor’s coolness; didn’t he want
to get away?
Donovan shoved Lee against the co-pilot’s chair. “Sit down
and behave yourself, Crane, don’t forget I still have this little baby as back
up.” He held up the remote control switch. “Kelly will fly us out of here…he’s
had some extra training, just for this eventuality.” Both men laughed
confidently.
As Kelly sat down in the pilot’s chair and started the
controls, the door of the diving, storage locker burst open and two armed men
emerged.
“Drop the gun, Donovan!” ordered Lieutenant O’Brien as both
intruders turned towards them, Sharkey swiftly moved to stand behind the seated
pilot, pointing his gun at him and muttered ominously, “Go ahead, give me an
excuse.” Kelly looked up into the angry face and reluctantly allowed the gun in
his hand, to be taken away.
“O’Brien!” Donovan declared angrily. Suddenly he felt his
own weapon snatched from his fingers by Lee and pushed the man away as he moved
backwards, to stand free. “You can’t beat me, Crane…I’ll blow this submarine to
bits, rather than let you win!” He pressed the switch but when nothing
happened, he stared at it and frantically pressed it again. “NO! It’s got to
work…it’s got to….” Realizing that he was defeated he threw the device at Bobby
and charged forward. His weight pushed the lighter man against the bulkhead and
as they struggled, he seized O’Brien’s throat.
Lee used the last of his remaining strength to hit Donovan’s skull with
the butt of the gun and the stowaway slumped forward and was pushed away by a
bruised but unbeaten junior officer.
Stepping over the unconscious man on the deck, Lt. O’Brien
reached out to catch hold his captain, as Lee slowly collapsed into
unconsciousness.
<<<<<<
O'Brien
picked up Donovan's gun and handed it to Sharkey, “Strap him into the seat and
keep him there and get the key to these handcuffs.”
“You've
got it, sir, one move and he'll wish he'd never been born.”
O'Brien
flicked the microphone switch, “This is O'Brien in the Flying Sub, we need the
doctor down here.”
Lee
stirred at the sound of familiar voices and tried to push himself upright. O'Brien firmly restrained him.
“Steady,
stay where you are, Skipper.
Everything's under control, the bomb’s been deactivated and Seaview is
safe, sir.”
“Bobby,"
Lee tried to focus on the face of the young officer as it seemed to swim before
his eyes, “I’m ... sorry ... for not ...believing....” his voice trailed off as
exhaustion finally overtook him.
<<<<<<
Will
finished writing up the notes, as he stood by the rack and surveyed the scene
in his domain…
Lee
was sound asleep in one bunk, Chip lay opposite him and Sharkey was standing
talking to young Craven as he was about to leave after having the bullet crease
wound to his arm, bandaged by Frank.
Will
turned back to his patient as he heard a slight movement and automatically put
a hand out to restrain Chip as he tried to sit up.
“This
time you're staying put.”
“Someone
has to be in charge of this boat,” Chip protested.
Will
looked across to Sharkey, “Chief, do the words, 'I'll do all the listening you
want after all this is over', ring any bells with you?”
Sharkey
grinned self-consciously, “They sure do, Doc.”
“You
see, you're out numbered. Surely you
believe, Bobby's more than qualified to take us home, now everything's sorted
out.”
Chip
sighed, “Technically, he's still relieved of duty,” he glanced across to where
Lee lay sleeping, “and the Skipper's useless!”
“Are
you saying the word of the first officer is no longer trustworthy, Mr. Morton?”
Will asked coolly.
Aware of the doctor’s uncompromising glare and
Sharkey’s snigger, Chip reluctantly capitulated. “Okay, Will, you win, for now. Hand me a mic.”
Ignoring
the smile that passed between Will and Sharkey, Chip took the mic, Will offered
him. “Mr. O'Brien, this is the Exec.”
“O'Brien
here, Sir.”
“You
have the conn, Mr. O'Brien. Set a course
for home.”
“Aye,
aye, Sir!”
As
Chip was about to hand back the mic, he clicked it on again and said softly.
“And Mr. O’Brien…”
“Yes,
sir?”
“Try
to stay awake…”
“Aye,
aye sir.” The disembodied voice replied with a smile.
The End