Close Encounters of the Arctic Kind

By R. L. Keller

 

 

“Lee, would you come to my cabin when you get a chance?” Admiral Harriman Nelson, USN (Ret.) called calmly over the all-boat intercom, since he couldn’t be sure where on his large submarine his captain might be at the moment.

 

“Be there shortly, sir,” came promptly back from Cdr. Lee Crane.

 

Seaview was, at the moment, docked at Norfolk.  A mishap during joint war games with Russia had resulted in some damage.  Nelson had not been happy so his boss’s casual call now was somewhat of a surprise.  They’d docked three days ago and Nelson had spent a good deal of that time ranting.

 

Nelson’s call interrupted his captain and exec standing at the chart table in the Control Room, going over the last of the repair reports and starting to plan departure details for the following day.  Lt. Cdr. Chip Morton sighed.  “Why do I get the feeling that it might be a good idea not to do any more planning until you find out what the OOM wants?”

 

Lee grinned.  “Because you’re a very wise XO,” he told the blond, and then frowned.  “And we’ve both spent too much time around the Admiral.”  They both nodded, and Lee headed up the spiral stairs towards Officers’ Country.

 

He squared his shoulders as he tapped lightly on the Admiral’s cabin door.  With Nelson there was no telling what was about to happen and he nearly held his breath.  But Nelson’s voice was still totally relaxed as he called out to enter.  Lee allowed himself to relax as well, and almost smiled as he spotted the bottle of scotch on the desk that Nelson kept in the bottom drawer.  There was a glass on the desk as well but it was empty.  Nelson was leaning back in his chair, and waved Lee to the spot his captain usually chose for casual conversations – the corner of Nelson’s desk.

 

“The repairs?” Nelson started the conversation.

 

“All done except FS1.  Macklin,” he referenced Seaview’s senior damage control team member, and one of the crew most familiar with maintaining her, “says that she’s okay for short trips underwater, but anything more than that will have to wait for dry dock back at NIMR.  Just doing the last of the double-checks on everything else.  We’ll be ready to leave tomorrow morning as scheduled.”

 

“Excellent.  You’re still planning on taking the polar route home?” 

 

“It’s the fastest way,” Lee confirmed. 

 

“Ah…”  Nelson hesitated, and sent Lee a bit of a sheepish smile.  “How would you feel about a little unicorn-hunting on the way home?”  Lee couldn’t stop himself – his glance went directly to the scotch bottle.  It caused Nelson to burst out laughing and it was Lee’s turn to get a sheepish expression on his face.  “No, Lee, I’m sober,” and he chuckled as Lee got his face under control.  “Narwhals.  Unicorns of the ocean,” Nelson explained.

 

“Ah,” it was Lee’s turn to say, and nodded.  “A little stopover on the way home.”

 

Nelson smiled.  “Exactly.  A research team from Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans has contacted me.  Each year they try to catch as many narwhals as they can and fit them with satellite transmitters.”  He frowned ever so slightly.  “It’s not an easy process.  Some years they manage three or four.  Some years none at all.  They only have a very short time period, around July and August, to do any kind of work, and even then weather conditions can play havoc with getting anything productive done.”

 

“Ah, the joys of research anywhere around the Arctic Circle.”  Lee wouldn’t usually be that flippant but the Admiral had started it.

 

Now his boss snorted softly.  “Exactly,” he agreed.

 

“Getting a bit late in the season,” Lee observed.  There were only a few days left in August.

 

Nelson nodded.  “Hence the call.  The team was able to tag seven individuals this year but they’re about to pull out.  They’ll still have access to what the transmitters are giving them, of course.  But the question was raised if we could, perhaps, provide what the units can’t – a little underwater observation.”

 

Lee grinned.  “The front windows do come in handy from time to time, sir.”

 

“Exactly what I had in mind when I invented them,” Nelson smirked ever so slightly.  “And, of course, the cameras.”

 

“They’ll be coming aboard?  Ah,” and it was Lee’s turn to smirk just a bit, “the team, not the narwhals.”

 

Nelson snorted again before answering.  “Not the whole team,” and he sent Lee a quick grin, glad that Lee was being so amiable about the change in plans.  Seaview’s captain was, not without good reason Nelson was forced to admit, a bit gun shy of civilians aboard.  And especially, Nelson was also forced to admit – unfortunately – when Nelson himself invited them aboard.  “Dr. Olin Celek heads this project.  With him will be his lead assistant, Dr. Laren Campbell.  She’s responsible, apparently, for downloading and coordinating the data from the transmitters.”

 

Lee raised an eyebrow at Nelson’s use of the second pronoun.  “Shall I have one guest cabin readied, or two,” he asked, keeping both voice and expression carefully neutral.

 

Nelson had to quickly smother a chuckle.  “She’s also Dr. Celek’s daughter,” he clarified, and Lee finally grinned.

 

“Two cabins it is.  Where are we meeting them?”

 

Nelson finally let the soft chuckle out.  Lee was definitely going along with Nelson’s bit of opening silly – only a couple of token ‘sirs.’  Which he’d planned on from the very beginning after finally recognizing how careful Lee was being around him the last couple of days but hadn’t been holding his breath that he’d get, all things considered.  “Set the course for northeast Baffin Island.  Pond Inlet, specifically.  Seaview shouldn’t have any trouble getting through the channel between Baffin and Bylot Islands into Eclipse Sound.  From there we’ll just have to play it by ear what, if any, of the smaller inlets and channels we can follow the narwhals into.”

 

“Yes, sir,” and Lee stood up, preparing to leave.  “Do we need to push up departure?  The repairs are complete.”

 

“Crew still on Leave?”

 

“Some,” Lee admitted.  “Didn’t see a need to keep everyone aboard when we weren’t scheduled to leave until tomorrow.”

 

“Don’t suppose that includes you and Chip taking at least a few hours off.”  While Nelson’s expression was casual there was just a hint of firmness to his voice, as if he was already anticipating a negative answer – and expressing his disapproval.  Not that he dared actually say much – he was perfectly willing to admit that he was a worse workaholic than even his two senior officers.

 

“Hadn’t planned on it,” Lee confirmed Nelson’s guess with a slight lowering of his eyes.

 

“Harrumph,” Nelson snorted.  “Well I, for one, have plans.  Having dinner with the base commander – Eric’s an old friend.  So no,” he told his captain firmly, “we won’t be leaving early.”  He sent Lee a bit of a glare.  “Which means that you and Chip have no excuse to not get your tails off the sub – at least for a few hours.”

 

Lee let a little grin break through.  “Yes, sir.  Do know a couple really good places to eat in town.  I suppose that we can figure something out.”

 

“See that you do,” Nelson growled.  But the order was spoiled by the grin that reappeared.

 

“Yes, sir,” Lee repeated.  With a grin of his own, and a quick nod, he headed back to the Conn.

 

* * * *

 

He was standing at the chart table in the Conn when Chip slowly descended the spiral stairs the following morning.  He didn’t get a snort of laughter buried as the blond yawned, and Chip lowered his eyes slightly.  “Good evening?” Lee asked innocently.

 

Chip finally grinned.  “Had its moments,” he admitted.

 

The pair, both grumbling slightly after Nelson’s all-but-order to take Leave, had headed out for dinner.  Chip spent most of the meal flirting with their waitress.  As they dawdled over a last cup of coffee Lee told his friend, with a smirk, that after all the tension of the war games, then dealing with both the repairs and Nelson’s temper tantrum because of the need for them, he thought that he’d take the opportunity to walk the just over four miles back to the base, leaving Chip with the jeep from the base motor pool.  He also left Chip with the check but the blond hadn’t said a word!

 

With his two most frequent tormentors, namely Boss and XO, not around to harass him for working, Lee spent until almost 0200 catching up on the never-ending paperwork, and also making a quick walk-through of the boat giving a last glance at the just completed repairs.  He had no idea where Dr. Jamison, his other nemesis – and one of his very close friends – was, and didn’t go out of his way to find out.  He gave a quick look into Chip’s cabin as he headed that morning to grab a quick breakfast to make sure that Chip did, actually, make it back.  No matter what – or who – sidetracked his gregarious XO, Chip never forgot that his first responsibility was to NIMR and Seaview.  Accidents, however, could happen.  But he’d grinned at finding Chip’s lean form stretched out in his bunk, apparently still fast asleep.

 

Now Lee gave the blond a casual look up and down.  No matter how little sleep Chip had gotten he was his usual immaculate self.  Crew was in the process of checking in after their final few hours of Leave, and Lee nodded toward the aft hatch.  “Under control here.  You have time for breakfast.”

 

Chip nodded.  “Coffee,” he intoned deeply.  “I need coffee!”  He headed toward the Wardroom to the sound of Lee’s chuckles.

 

He was back and going over departure details with Lee, Lt. Chris James now checking in the last of the crew, when Admiral Nelson ambled down the spiral stairs.  Lee had absolutely no idea when his boss had returned to the boat.  He hadn’t seen nor heard that he’d gotten back before Lee crashed.  No way would he have checked the Admiral’s cabin, and admitted to himself that he’d not paid any attention to the Duty sheets from overnight – he’d have already heard if Lt. Keeter had questioned anything.  They were still more than five hours from their scheduled departure time; if Nelson hadn’t shown up in the next hour, time enough to wonder where he was.

 

“Good morning, sir,” Lee greeted him.  “Enjoy your evening?”  There was a soft snort from James that earned him a glare from Chip and a broadening grin from Lee.

 

Nelson paused ever so slightly to watch the interplay, but answered Lee with a grin of his own.  “Great!  Eric’s wife, Ashley, is an incredible cook and Eric has an excellent wine cellar.  They’d invited another couple as well as Ashley’s cousin Elena.  Good company, good food, good conversation.  Nothing better.”

 

“Eh,” came softly from Chip’s direction.  Chris had to turn his back and Lee elbowed his XO.

 

Nelson raised an eyebrow but when Lee refused to explain he shrugged and continued.  “Still on schedule for a 1300 hour departure?”

 

“Yes, sir.  Cookie went ashore not quite an hour ago for extra supplies, to make sure he had enough to cover the revised travel.  He originally thought that he’d be okay, but…”  It was Lee’s turn to shrug.  Nelson grinned.  Typical Cookie – the man would be mortified if he ran short of supplies to ‘properly feed his charges’ as he phrased it.  “But he’ll be back in plenty of time, and everyone else is checked in,” Lee finished.  “Forty-eight to fifty hours to reach Pond Inlet at normal cruising speed.  Unless you want us to hurry,” he added with a slight question in his voice.

 

“No, no,” Nelson waved off the suggestion.  “Dr. Celek is still taking care of last minute details on shore and won’t be ready to come aboard before that anyway.”  He sent another glance toward Chip but continued talking to Lee.  “Would I be correct in assuming that XO Morton is less than impressed with how I chose to spend my evening?”  Chris James couldn’t handle it, barely choked off a snort, and headed for the Radio Shack.  Lee sent Chip a quick grin when he realized that the blond’s face was a few shades redder than it normally was.

 

“Not sure that I’d go that far,” Lee decided to stay neutral.  “But I suspect that his time was spent in, ah, other pursuits.”

 

“At least I had pursuits,” Chip defended himself.  “After dinner he,” he pointed his pencil at Lee, “went for a walk.”  The last word was spat out disgustedly.

 

“You sure about that?”  Lee crossed his arms casually over his chest and sent a smirk toward his XO.  That cracked Nelson up and he headed aft, chuckling and shaking his head in amusement.

 

“Harrumph,” Chip muttered once the Admiral was out of range, and both he and Lee finally laughed.

 

* * * *

 

Three mornings later Lee again stood in the Conn, his attention alternating between the chart spread out on the table and the fathometer.  He was confident but careful as he gave the commands to ease Seaview from Baffin Bay, between Greenland and Baffin Island, through the channel between Baffin and Bylot Islands toward Pond Inlet.  The narrowest point was the entrance itself, the channel widening a bit as it made its way into Eclipse Sound between the two islands.  The village of Pond Inlet was about halfway between Baffin Bay and Eclipse Sound.  Chief Sharkey already had a detail set to launch the zodiac once they were within range to ferry Drs. Celek and Campbell and their equipment aboard.  Seaview’s progress was slowed a bit by several icebergs in their path, but this wasn’t the first time her crew had had to deal with the monsters, 80-90% of their bulk below water, and the submarine’s unique front windows were being put to good use as well as sonar.

 

Chip, busy passing Lee’s commands to the helmsman as well as fielding updates from sonar and hydrophone, was also surreptitiously keeping an eye on Chris James.  The lieutenant, young but extremely competent, was focused on Lee, intent on how his skipper was maneuvering the giant submarine through this set of challenges.  At one point Chip realized that Lee had also become aware of the lieutenant and the pair shared a quick grin.  They were both extremely pleased with how James was fitting in and handling his duties aboard Seaview.

 

Admiral Nelson, coming down the spiral stairs, saw the quick grin.  Heaven only knew what was causing his two senior officers’ bit of humor, and he certainly wasn’t about to ask.  But once again he was grateful that he’d been able to swipe both young men out of the regular Navy and into the Reserves so that they could command Seaview.  He controlled his own grin – he was still on a few people’s you-know-what list for snatching first Chip, and then Lee, away.  The grin broke through and spread when he realized that Lee, as much as he was concentrating on carefully getting through the channel safely, had still spotted the grin and was sending him a slightly raised eyebrow in question.  Nelson waved it off and went to stand on the port side of the Nose where he could see out the windows but not block Lee’s view.

 

Beyond both younger men’s competence with their own duties they handled the crew seemingly so easily, balancing everyone and everything into one cohesive, smoothly running – for the most part – sub.  Their easy friendship spilled over onto NIMR’s grounds as well, it seemed.  Even when their duties had nothing to do with specific departments Nelson would occasionally catch snatches of conversation, or be told something, that indicated one or the other had ‘just happened’ to get involved in something enough to smooth over a rough patch or suggest a solution to a small problem of some sort.  It was just how both men were ‘wired’ as it were.  Chip wanted order in all things around him, and since he tended to troll the unattached female employees for companionship pretty much knew what was going on at any given time.  All of the department reports went through Lee’s “In” basket on a regular basis.  Mostly he just gave them a glance, but he had a knack for picking up on seemingly insignificant details and quietly suggesting ideas to catch any possible problems before they got out of hand.

 

It had all begun so quietly that for a long time Nelson wasn’t totally aware that it was happening – at least in Lee’s case.  Chip had been at NIMR almost before Seaview’s keel had been laid, and always seemed to have a handle on ‘things’.  Nelson’s private grin spread.  Chip had been so young when Nelson brought him in.  NIMR was just starting to take shape, and workmen and supervisors took one look at the face and basically ignored the uniform along with anything that he tried to tell them.  A soft snort broke through and Nelson sent a hasty glance toward the Conn.  From the fact that no one was looking his way he’d not been heard – thankfully.  It hadn’t taken anyone long to realize that one DID NOT ignore Lt. Cdr. Morton, no matter what he decided to involve himself in.  He chose his battles wisely, always having specific reasons for his comments.  Nelson quickly learned to trust his judgment, and everyone else quickly learned to do what he or she could to stay on his good side.

 

Nelson remembered clearly the moment that things started to change.  He and John Phillips, Seaview’s first captain, were getting an update from one of the contractors about why there were delays in equipment and supplies arriving on time – something to do with the company the contractor insisted on working with.  Nelson wasn’t thrilled with the excuses but had been willing to let it go at that point, thinking that the man knew who the best companies were to supply what he needed.  Until the man practically spat out something about “and keep that snot-nosed computer nerd out of my face.  He’s a pain in the a..”  Nelson had drowned out the man with a snarl of his own and demanded an explanation.  Seems Chip had noticed the delays – Chip seemed to notice everything – and sent the contractor a list of companies that could deliver the needed materials on time.  Nelson had pondered that bit of intel only a moment and demanded to know why the contractor hadn’t taken the advice.  The only answer he’d gotten was ‘keep that man away from my work.  He has no business sticking his nose in my decisions.”  Nelson had made some quick inquiries, then gone back to the contractor and demanded to know why the man refused to work with the other companies if they were able to deliver goods on time.  Again, all he got was the man basically telling Nelson to stay out of his face; that he’d hired the contractor, now let him do his job.

 

Nelson grinned but there was nothing humorous in the expression.  He’d taken a deep breath, blasted the man in front of his entire crew for disrupting production schedules by dealing with incompetent suppliers, demanded to know if the reason was he was taking kick-backs from the company or, perhaps, an outside source who wanted to slow Nelson’s projects down, and fired the man on the spot, totally not caring what the man’s answer might be, just wanting to be rid of him!

 

Nelson’s grin this time held fondness.  Chip had been mortified when he’d learned what had happened, afraid that Nelson would be angry that he’d butted in where technically he’d had no cause.  Instead, Nelson had commended him for seeing the problem and insisted that he work with Phillips to hire contractors who could fulfill their duties competently and in a timely manner.  That had been the end of anyone summarily dismissing the young man, and progress on Seaview and NIMR had gone much more smoothly after that.

 

Lee’s entrance into the NIMR ‘family’, after a decidedly rocky start, had gone a great deal more quietly and calmly.  But no less noticeably as he simply went about learning everything he could about everything – and everyone – that was now within his sphere of influence.  His friendship with Chip had actually helped, as everyone already knew that they could count on the blond to maintain order and figured that anyone he called a close friend had to be okay.  Lee’s calm confidence, knowledge, and abilities quickly earned him his own level of respect.  Of course, that same long friendship made life around the pair definitely ‘interesting’ from time to time.  But Nelson couldn’t be any prouder of them both!

 

Seaview had been running mostly underwater, just the top of her sail warning others of her presence.  But Nelson heard Lee issue the order to slow her speed even more and bring her to the surface so he knew that they must be very close to the village of Pond Inlet, and wasn’t surprised at all to see it as Seaview’s windows cleared the water.  Lee eased the sub a little closer to the port side of the channel, toward the village but still far enough out not to interrupt any local boats in the area.  Nelson felt that little…bit of pride?...he always felt as villagers came out to watch the unusual sight of Seaview sitting quietly in their waters.  Nelson wasn’t by nature a prideful man – at least in that respect.  But it was still very gratifying, what he’d managed to accomplish over the years.  His grin was a mixture of several emotions as Lee came to stand next to him.  Another raised eyebrow invited an explanation but Nelson decided that he’d keep his thoughts to himself, not sure that he could explain them all anyway.  Both men were quiet as noises from the boarding hatch area signaled that Sharkey was getting the zodiac launched, and it presently buzzed past the windows headed for the village with Seaman Riley accompanying the COB.  The small craft grounded right in front of several people standing next to a small mound of equipment and luggage.  After a brief exchange everyone lent a hand loading the mound carefully into the zodiac.  Two people could be seen exchanging communication of some sort with others before they stepped into the zodiac and the others stepped back.  Sharkey and Riley pushed off and the zodiac was shortly buzzing its way back.  Nelson sent Lee a quick nod and headed toward the boarding hatch, and Lee went back to the chart table.

 

Sharkey had just reported that all equipment and zodiac were safely aboard and stowed when Nelson once more came down the spiral stairs, this time accompanied by two others.  Again Lee walked forward, and was introduced to Drs. Celek and Campbell.  Lee was glad that Nelson had said they were related – he could discern no connection by looking at them.  Father was of medium height and build, with a short beard and closely cropped hair of reddish brown.  His daughter was a couple of inches taller and thinner, with dark brown hair cut to almost shoulder-length, gentle waves giving it a soft appearance.  Her eyes were filled with wonder as she looked around her, a pleasant smile maintained on her face.  In comparison, her father looked almost stern.  Lee thought that might just be a personality trait as he chatted easily with both Lee and Nelson.  Conversation quickly turned to destination and Celek pulled a small map from his pocket.  From Pond Inlet, the channel widened even more into Eclipse Sound.  At its western end two channels turned almost directly south.  Trembley Sound, the western-most, was fairly narrow, and Lee wasn’t sure how far he could safely get Seaview into it.  But Dr. Celek indicated Milne Inlet, just to Trembley’s east, which was wide and easily accessed by the large submarine.  Lee did point an eyebrow as Celek indicated he wanted to go to the very southern part.  The researcher saw the look and smiled for the first time.

 

“I can understand your hesitance, Captain,” he told Lee.  “Especially as I’m getting an understanding of Seaview’s size.  But Koluktoo Bay has depths of 600 feet, and in places up to 6 miles in width.  There are a couple of places at the southern end of Milne Inlet where there are small islands you will need to pass to get into the bay.”  He indicated them on his map.  “Or we could just use your little yellow submersible.”

 

“At the moment FS1 isn’t a viable option for much of anything,” Nelson answered, with a glance at Lee.  Not all that many people in the world knew what the ‘F’ stood for.  “And I’ve already looked at the charts.  It will be snug, especially around Bruce Head,” he indicated a village on Dr. Celek’s map, “but we’ve handled tighter places.”

 

“I’ll be more concerned if we run into much more ice,” Lee told his boss.  “But with the depths indicated we can hopefully just go under any obstacles except the islands.  I’ll get us going,” and with a nod to the other three, headed back to the chart table.

 

Chip was less than thrilled as Lee pulled out the appropriate charts and spread them on the table.  He and Lee made sure to include Lt. James as they went over everything.  At one point Lee glanced at his watch.  Knowing that both Lt.’s O’Brien and Keeter would be awake he called them forward, and all five men gathered around the chart table until everyone was as familiar as they could get with exactly where they were going.  Because O’Brien and Keeter had “C” and “D” watches they wouldn’t normally be involved in much of the research end of cruises.  But since they were only about 1200 miles from the North Pole there was basically no actual ‘nighttime’ to be had this time of year, and no one knew exactly when narwhals would be encountered.  Lee wanted his crew as prepared as he could get them.

 

Nelson, continuing to chat with the two scientists, mostly about generalities of Seaview’s abilities, took note of the somewhat intense conversation in the Conn and his grin reappeared.  He realized that both Drs. Celek and Campbell saw it, glanced to where Nelson was looking, then at each other, and back to Nelson, and his grin increased.  “Your call for assistance came at a most opportune time, Dr. Celek,” he came at his explanation sideways.  “Seaview had just completed a pretty intense couple of weeks and the crew was in need of some diversion.  Oh,” he corrected himself slightly, “they’ll still be kept on their toes by the conditions and territory, for sure.  But the stress levels are of such a different kind it will give everyone a break.  And,” he nodded toward the gathering at the chart table, “a great training opportunity as well.  We don’t often spend much time working in these kinds of conditions.”

 

“We’re so pleased that you were available,” Dr. Campbell answered.

 

“I, in all honesty, wasn’t actually expecting a positive answer,” Dr. Celek admitted.

 

“Good timing on everyone’s part,” Nelson told them.  “Come, let me show you around.”  He nodded toward the Conn.  “We’ll be notified immediately if narwhals are sighted.”

 

Dr. Campbell nodded her head toward the windows.  “This is all so exciting.  I’m having trouble convincing myself that I’m actually here.”

 

Nelson’s grin spread once more.  “Actually,” he admitted, “I still have that reaction from time to time,” and he led them back up the spiral stairs.

 

* * * *

 

Seaview’s CMO, Dr. Will Jamison, had barely sat down in the Officers’ Wardroom for lunch when Chip scurried in, quickly filled a plate, and sat down opposite.  In the process of taking a bite of today’s offerings – a hearty minestrone soup, grilled cheese sandwich, and sliced peaches and pears, his spoon stopped halfway to his mouth as Chip set to work stuffing his face as fast as he could swallow.  Frowning, Will’s spoon went back down.

 

Chip caught the doctor’s reaction and sent him a quick grin.  “Down, Jamie,” he used the nickname that, for the most part, only he and Lee ever did.  “Tricky navigating.  Neither Lee nor I want to leave Chris on his own…”  He paused and grinned.  “Actually, Chris would no doubt be just fine, but he looked a little stricken when I mentioned lunch to Lee so we decided to take turns.”

 

“And just when does Lt. James get to eat?” Will challenged.  He knew perfectly well that both Lee and Chip would make sure that the young lieutenant was given his break but some sort of reaction from him would no doubt also be expected.  It was all part of the ‘game’ that went on between CO, XO, and CMO.  Will knew that he was on the right track when the challenge produced a grin from the blond.

 

“I figured that if I ate first, Lee would have no reason to stay in the Conn when I kicked Chris out,” and he went back to stuffing in his lunch.

 

Will chuckled softly, nodded, and resumed his own meal a good deal more sedately than Chip.

 

They were joined shortly by Nelson and the two researchers, and introductions were made as Will had not yet met the two and Chip hadn’t officially been introduced. 

 

“We’re moving slowly,” Nelson observed.  He was very used to Seaview’s ‘feel’ as she moved through the water.

 

“But easily, actually, sir,” Chip assured his boss.  “There’s less ice as we get into Eclipse Sound but Lee’s being a bit cautious, just in case, and letting Chris get a feel for the different conditions.”

 

Nelson nodded.  “As I was explaining earlier,” and he nodded toward Drs. Celek and Campbell, “besides an exciting area of research…” he paused ever so briefly as Chip and Will exchanged a quick look, “it’s a great training exercise for the crew,” he finished, a half-sheepish smile on his face as he looked back and forth between his two officers.  Will buried a soft snort and went back to his meal.  Chip, done eating, merely sent his boss a nod as he stood up.  “Yes, Cookie,” he sent toward the chef, standing watch in the doorway leading to the Galley, “the Skipper should be down shortly.”

 

“I’ll start the next batch of sandwiches,” the man nodded and turned back toward his domain.  “Can’t make them too far ahead,” floated back over his shoulder into the Wardroom.  All three officers grinned, and Chip scurried out.

 

Will continued his leisurely meal as Nelson sat down next to him and the two visitors sat opposite.  He’d been intrigued when this side trip was announced – he’d never actually seen a living narwhal before, only pictures.  He merely listened, however, as Nelson continued what had apparently been the topic of conversation when he and the researchers had entered the Wardroom, not interrupting with questions of his own.  He’d learned early on – Seaview was a small ‘world’; keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut, and eventually everything important would be revealed.

 

“It’s amazing that you were able to tag so many animals this year,” Nelson said.  “I was led to believe that three or four was a good year.”

 

“The record I believe,” Campbell told him, “is eleven in one year, by a different team.  That was in 2011.”

 

“And you don’t simply get the same information year after year?”

 

“Yes and no,” Celek answered.  “But all information is more than we have now.”

 

Nelson nodded.  “Absolutely,” he agreed.

 

“And also,” Campbell once more took up the thread, “each year the tracking units get more sophisticated; collect perhaps a bit more data, or last a bit longer before the batteries give out and the units eventually fall off.  We’re getting better about predicting their seasonal movement and diving patterns.  But the opportunity to actually see them during a dive…”  Her face glowed with anticipation.

 

Nelson smiled back.  “Exactly.”

 

“I’m surprised, actually, that you haven’t already observed them,” Celek asked, almost cautiously it seemed to Will.

 

Nelson shrugged.  “We stay pretty busy; there’s a lot of ocean out there.”

 

“Understood,” Celek told him.  “While we focus on specifics, you must focus on generalities.”

 

Nelson had to think about that one for a moment and Will almost held his breath.  It had been a simple statement of fact by the researcher.  But Will didn’t like the quick bit of irritation that hit Nelson’s face, even if it was almost instantly covered up.

 

“The Institute,” Nelson finally said, his voice carefully neutral, “tries very hard to remain open to all areas of research concerning all of the oceans and their creatures, and how each affects us on land.”  He paused, and Campbell jumped into the silence.

 

“Of course, Admiral,” she said, with a pointed look at her father, “we understand that.”  Will wasn’t entirely sure that Celek agreed, from the expression that lingered on his face, but he remained silent.  Will relaxed when Nelson also seemed to realize that he’d stiffened, and sent the two scientists a nod.

 

“But now that we’re here and have the time…” he let the thought disappear into a soft grin.

 

“An exciting time for all of us, hopefully,” Campbell seemed to finish for him.

 

“Absolutely,” Nelson once more agreed.  From his tone of voice Will wasn’t exactly sure where the conversation would have gone but Lee chose that moment to walk in, Chris James on his heels.  Will embarrassed himself by audibly letting out the breath he hadn’t realized that he was holding and Lee frowned, misunderstanding the reason.  Nelson understood only to well, but was perfectly happy using Lee as the scapegoat for covering up his own moment of irritation.  “We,” and he nodded toward Will, “weren’t holding our breaths that you’d actually make it down here for lunch,” he told his captain with a grin.

 

Lee sent another pointed look at the CMO.  “In your case, anyway, Admiral.”  That cracked up both Nelson and Will, and the Admiral waved his hand toward the food as Cookie appeared with freshly grilled sandwiches.  Lt. James took the hint but Lee hesitated.  “Dr. Celek, may I ask exactly your intentions once we reach Koluktoo Bay?  There’s weather moving in so I’m not sure how much comfortable surface time we’ll have.”

 

Will thought that he detected ‘something’ cross Celek’s face, but he answered easily.  “Totally not a problem.  With Seaview’s windows we’re hoping to finally be able to ascertain the narwhals’ feeding patterns.  We’re sure – for the most part, anyway – from stomach contents of ones that have been killed, that they are bottom feeders only and do no hunting in the water column itself.”  He sent a quick flash at Nelson.  “But we’ve never before been able to actually watch them.”

 

Lee nodded but continued, almost puzzled.  “But with underwater cameras being deployed more often attached to different species I’m a little surprised that, since you already attach tracking units, you haven’t tried some of those.  Or used an unmanned underwater rover – there’s several in operation; one at least not all that far away, at Woods Hole,” he referenced the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Massachusetts.

 

“A group from The National Geographic Society,” Campbell started to explain, “tried attaching one of those ‘crittercams’ a few years ago.  As you know, attaching anything to a narwhal, and belugas as well, is difficult because they are so streamlined.  They attached the camera, not to the dorsal ridge as we do the trackers, but with a strap just behind the animal’s neck.”  She looked at her father.  “That’s how we found out why we keep losing trackers; the animals, when they’re feeding, tend to swim upside down rubbing their backs along the bottom.”

 

“How interesting,” Nelson told her.  “Any ideas why?”

 

“Several, actually,” Dr. Celek took up the narrative.  “It’s speculated that, because their echolocation emanates from the melon portion of their heads, to actually point that toward the bottom where they feed their tusk would drag or get stuck so they’ve learned to swim upside down.  Unfortunately,” and his voice conveyed his frustration, “that also tends to rub off anything we researches try to attach to them.”

 

“Understood,” Nelson commiserated.

 

“And also, that kind of equipment is, unfortunately, beyond our budget,” Dr. Celek told him rather bluntly.  “Nor have many other agencies proven amiable to our requests for aid.”  He sniffed and purposely stared at his plate.

 

Lee and Nelson looked at each other, knowing that both were thinking the same thing – then how had Celek thought to contact NIMR, almost out of the blue as it were.  Lee knew that Nelson had more information on that line than he’d told Lee, but from his expression Lee decided that Nelson didn’t know the whole story either.  Deciding that he didn’t really want to stir up whatever can of worms was involved, Lee turned to fill his own plate.  Nelson decided to smooth it over with a heartfelt, “Well, we’re happy to help fill some of the gap.  I find prospects for the next couple of weeks most exciting.”  Everyone else remained silent.

 

His plate, while not full but at least carrying a reasonable amount of food, Lee stopped once more by Dr. Celek.  “We’ll concentrate on hugging the bottom, then, once we reach the Bay,” he said quietly, and he and Lt. James went to sit at the next table.

 

Dr. Campbell broke what had become a somewhat uncomfortable silence.  “Admiral, hopefully we won’t spend all the time submerged.  I’ll need access to satellite transmissions to pick up the data from the trackers.”

 

“No problem,” Nelson assured her.  “Even if we do stay down, we won’t be so deep that we can’t deploy a communications buoy.  Lee?” he sent a query to his captain, knowing perfectly well that Lee had heard Dr. Campbell’s question.

 

“I’ll give Sparks a heads-up when I get back to the Conn, sir.  I’m sure that he can easily set something up.”

 

“Our Communications expert,” Nelson clarified for the researchers.  “A veritable genius.  He’ll have you fixed up in no time.  Will you need certain amounts of time, or just a data-dump to your computer?  A quick download,” he amended as Campbell gave him a strange look.  “If that’s all you need, with your satellite codes he can arrange automatic downloads to a flash drive at any interval you need.”

 

Both scientists seemed surprised at that suggestion for some reason.  “That, actually, would be perfect,” Campbell assured him.  “Maybe two or three times a day?  Would that be possible?”

 

Lee answered before Nelson could do more than grin and start to open his mouth.  “Piece of cake,” Lee assured her, and Nelson’s grin spread.

 

Campbell turned enough to see Lee, seated somewhat behind her.  “Thank you.  I’ll bring the codes he’ll need to…” she hesitated.

 

Lee smiled.  “The Observation Nose, please.  One of us,” and he nodded toward Lt. James, “will escort you back to the Radio Shack.”

 

When she seemed puzzled by his response, Nelson stepped in.  “Visitors aren’t permitted in the Conn on their own,” he explained.  That wasn’t totally true – there had, over the years, been exceptions.  But it was one area that Lee was particularly sensitive about so Nelson tried to keep to that rule as much as possible.

 

A small grin reappeared as he watched Lee go back to his meal, in between a low conversation with Lt. James.  Nelson had learned early on that he was going to have to make adjustments to his ‘do what I want, when I want, with whoever I want’ attitude once Lee became Seaview’s captain.  John Phillips hadn’t wanted anything to do with Nelson’s research beyond cruising to wherever Nelson decided he wanted to go.  That didn’t float so well with Lee, and especially after a few…unfortunate…incidents aboard the sub.  Nelson had had to temper his occasional irritation with Lee’s occasional stubbornness, knowing that what lay behind it was Lee’s efforts to protect his sub and his crew from Nelson’s full-fledged immersion into a project despite any apparent risks.  There had been moments…  Nelson shook his head sadly, mostly at himself.

 

“Whatever you’re plotting, Admiral, I want no part of it.”  Will’s comment finally sunk in as the doctor stood up and headed for the door, causing Nelson to snicker out loud.

 

“Relax, Will,” he told his CMO.  “Merely reminding myself what a pleasure it is to have surrounded myself with such a competent crew.”

 

“Harrumph,” Will muttered softly.  But he sent Nelson a quick smile and left.

 

Nelson noticed Lee giving him a slightly curious look.  “What?” he challenged.  “Reserve the right to harass my CMO for yourself and your XO?”  He could care less what the two guests thought of the conversation; he was enjoying the bit of horseplay.

 

Exactly as planned, Lee ducked his head despite the quick grin on his face and returned to focusing on his meal.

 

Not long after Lee returned to the Conn Dr. Campbell came down the spiral stairs and stopped, hesitantly, at the bottom.  He and Chip were in the middle of sniping at each other over a couple of drills Lee wanted to run and Chip didn’t – at least right at that moment.  Chip felt that the crew was being kept busy enough with navigating current conditions.  Lee felt that, because they never knew what kind of situations Admiral Nelson was likely to get them into, now was the perfect time.  If something unforeseen did happen they would be able to abort the drill, not something they could always do in real time.  Rather than interrupt the discussion Lee nodded toward Lt. James, who almost reluctantly went to escort their guest back to the Radio Shack.

 

Chris was getting comfortable enough around the two senior officers that he could enjoy the occasional sniping match that erupted on occasion.  He was finally realizing that the two men often used their little ‘discussions’ as a way of relieving tension around the Conn as the pair gently needled each other.  Both men had a temper – of that there was no doubt among the crew.  Chris had been assured by the other JO’s when he first came aboard that he just needed to concentrate on his job, and don’t let it bother him if CO and XO occasionally got on each other’s case about something; that it was just two long-time friends giving each other a bad time.  There was never any doubt about who was in charge, and the distribution of duties.  But it had still taken him some time to stay truly relaxed when it happened around him.

 

He noticed the hesitancy on Dr. Campbell’s face and sent her a smile.  He didn’t bother trying to explain – it wasn’t his place, nor did he feel she needed to understand.  He merely nodded and led the way back to the aft port side of the Conn, introduced her to Seaview’s head radioman, and then backed off a couple steps to let the two sort out what each needed.  Once that was done he led her back to the Nose.

 

“Is it permitted to stay here?” she asked him.  “I understand that…”

 

Chris smiled.  “The Observation Nose isn’t considered part of the Conn,” he told her.  “Just stay in front of those doors…” he pointed to where the crash doors came across, “and you can stay up here all you want.”

 

“Perfect,” she breathed.  “This is…”  She just looked at him, not really knowing how to explain what she was obviously feeling.

 

“Yep,” he told her with another grin.  He pointed out where Cookie almost always kept a carafe of coffee, and headed back to the chart table.  By that time his CO had disappeared, along with at least one of the clipboards that were usually on top of the table, and Chris looked at his XO somewhat expectantly.

 

“Yeah,” Chip muttered, “lost that round.”  But he flashed the lieutenant a quick grin and the pair went back to carefully monitoring Seaview’s path through the unfamiliar region.

 

The next couple of hours went by smoothly.  Seaview was moving easily but carefully, the very top of her Conning Tower the only part above water giving notice to any small boats – mostly belonging to the natives of the area – that she was in their midst.  At this point they weren’t having too many issues with icebergs but everyone was staying on high alert.

 

Lee had returned from running drills in Engineering, as well as quick stops in several other departments.  He was kept from sneering at Chip about how well the drills had gone by Dr. Campbell’s presence in the Nose.  And he’d only been back a few minutes when Admiral Nelson and Dr. Celek joined her.  Lee was just about to walk forward when he noticed Seaman Riley, manning the hydrophones this shift, tilt his head to the side and press both hands over his headphones, smashing them even tighter to his head and blocking out as much Conn noise as possible.  Both Chip and Chris had noticed the strange behavior, Lee realized as he sent both a look, and all three stared at the seaman.  A moment later Riley turned toward the chart table, and turned red when he realized that he was the main focus of his senior officers.

 

“Sirs,” he started, listened a bit more, and finally continued, “are there cows up here?”

 

“Excuse me?” Chip started, but was interrupted by Nelson as he and both scientists headed his way.

 

“You hear cows, Riley,” Nelson said, making it a statement.

 

“Yes, sir,” Riley told him.  “Sorta, anyway.  Mostly it sounds like somebody pretending to be a cow.”

 

“Narwhals,” Campbell said excitedly and quickly returned to the windows, peering intently into the somewhat murky waters.

 

“One of their vocalizations,” Nelson interpreted for his crew.  “Or rather two, actually.  They can sound almost exactly like a cow, and also like someone imitating one.”

 

“They make clicks like dolphins,” Dr. Celek added.

 

“I heard that first,” Riley brightened.  “Then…it got weird.”

 

“And we are all very familiar with what happens when you hear ‘weird’ over the hydrophones,” Chip muttered softly.*  Lee and Nelson nodded.  Dr. Celek looked confused.

 

“Long story,” Lee told him.

 

“They can also make ‘baaa’ sounds like sheep,” Celek continued.  “They grunt, pop…”  He shook his head.  “I’ve also heard what sounds like squeaky floorboards…”

 

That’s what I heard,” Riley exclaimed happily, and grinned at those standing around him.  “It was making me a little crazy.”

 

Nelson reached out a hand and patted his shoulder.  “Weird explained.”

 

“Direction,” Chip got back to work.

 

“Port, approximately ten degrees.”

 

“Dead slow,” Chip told the Helmsman.  “Ease to port.”  Riley went back to his hydrophones.  Lee glanced at Chip, received a nod, and joined Nelson and Celek as they returned to the Nose.

 

A soft squeal from Dr. Campbell signaled a narwhal sighting and Lee took another step toward the windows, standing slightly behind the woman and looking where she was.  He was almost instantly rewarded as a sleek shadow caught his attention.  He knew that narwhals were darker on their backs and lighter on their bellies so he was unprepared for the shadow colors being backward.  “Huh?” came out despite his efforts to remain merely a silent observer.

 

“Lee?” Nelson asked softly, coming to stand at his shoulder.

 

Lee sent him a puzzled glance before returning his gaze out the windows where several shadows moved in and out, never giving the attentive watchers a clear view.  Each shadow confused Lee more as the colors continued to vary – sometimes dark up and sometimes dark down.  “I thought I understood their color patterns,” he told his boss.  “But…”

 

“They spend a good deal of time swimming upside down, not just when they are feeding as we mentioned earlier,” Campbell answered before Nelson could.

 

“Why?” slipped out before Lee could stop it.

 

“There are several theories,” Dr. Celek this time answered.  “The most accepted one goes right back to their echolocation method.  Because of the way they’re built, the easiest way to point it in the right direction to find food is to swim upside down.”

 

Lee shrugged.  “Makes sense, with their torpedo-shaped bodies.  Not easy to bend their heads to get the melon at the correct angle.”  He kept a benign expression on his face as both Drs. Celek and Campbell sent him identically skeptical expressions, almost as if they didn’t expect him to know what or where a narwhal’s melon was, even after he’d accepted their explanation in the wardroom without question.

 

Nelson sent them both a rather smug grin but decided against saying anything.  Let the researchers figure out on their own that Seaview’s crew, and especially her captain, knew more about the oceans and what was found there than merely how to maneuver the submarine through them.

 

These particular narwhals apparently didn’t want to be friendly and soon headed off in a different direction, never coming close enough for anyone to get a clear view.  Lee eventually headed back to the chart table.  The researchers and Nelson stayed a bit longer but they, too, eventually headed up the spiral stairs after Sparks had Chief Sharkey bring a small flash drive forward with the first of Dr. Campbell’s requested satellite downloads.

 

By dinnertime Seaview had not quite reached the entrance to Milne Inlet.  Lee and Chip had increased speed slightly after encountering the small pod of narwhals but continued carefully, mindful of icebergs and other wildlife.  For more visibility, and with relatively calm waters, they came up to the point where the front windows just cleared the surface and stationed a watch in the Conning Tower.

 

Lee reported same to Nelson as everyone including Will sat down to the meal.  “So far nothing of particular interest,” he told his boss.  “But since we haven’t really been in this area before…” he hesitated, “well, since I took over the captaincy,” he added, before glancing towards Chip.  The blond was the only XO Seaview knew.

 

“No,” Nelson told him, “while we’ve cruised past both sides of Greenland this is the first time we’ve been into Eclipse Sound.  The navigation logs will be a great addition to our knowledge of the area.”

 

Lee and Chip both nodded.  “Lookouts,” Lee continued, “have reported a couple distant beluga sightings, and Riley swears he saw a polar bear on his watch…”  He stopped as a small snort sounded from his right.

 

Nelson raised an eyebrow at his XO.  “You didn’t believe him, Mr. Morton?” he asked, barely able to cover a small smile.

 

“Brewster was standing watch with him,” Chip said.  “He didn’t see a thing.”

 

“Chip thinks Riley was just trying to get a rise out of Rawn,” Lee named Seaview’s newest crewman.

 

“Rawn hasn’t exactly been silent,” Chip took up the story, “about not being overly fond of cold weather.”

 

“He’d better get used to it,” Nelson almost growled.  He expected his crew to follow orders.

 

Lee sent him a nod.  “He’s kept his mutters to a minimum, sir,” he assured his boss.  “Riley…”

 

“Enjoys needling him,” Chip finished when Lee hesitated.

 

“They keep it under control,” Lee added.

 

“I make sure of that,” Chip told Nelson firmly and the Admiral had to bury another grin.  Seaview’s XO made very sure there was order on his boat.  The occasional hijinks were inevitable in the close confines of a submarine.  But everyone knew that you didn’t tick off Mr. Morton by letting it get out of hand.

 

“May I ask how long you’ll be staying on the surface,” Dr. Campbell asked into the sudden silence.

 

Chip sent Lee a quick glance before returning his attention to his plate, and Lee sent him a grin before answering.  “We’ve” and he nodded toward the blond, “been kibitzing about that.  Since it’s basically light all night we could stay up as long as the seas are calm.  However…” he hesitated as ‘something’ came out of Chip’s mouth too low to be heard, “there’s weather moving in and I don’t see the need to subject crewmen to standing watch in the rain if it’s not necessary.  We’re also starting to encounter more icebergs and it’s far easier to simply go under them.”

 

Nelson had been watching the ‘whatever’ that was going on between his two senior officers.  “I gather, Chip, that you have a different opinion?” he asked, barely able to suppress a grin.

 

Lee choked on the swallow of coffee he’d just taken.  Chip sent him a frown but answered amiably enough.  “No, sir.  Not at all.”

 

By which time Lee had himself back under control.  “Chip was just all set to assign Rawn the next watch topside,” he delivered straight-faced.

 

It was Will’s turn to choke softly and Nelson’s to get himself under control.  “And just what has our newest crewman done now to incur the XO’s wrath?  Well,” he added, “besides complaining about the cold.”

 

“That’s quite enough,” came barely audible from the blond.  A snicker from both Nelson and Will stopped Lee from elbowing his XO and he ended up with a grin on his face as well.

 

But he did decide it might be time to change the subject.  “Dr. Celek, I’ve been reading several different theories concerning the evolutionary reasoning for the narwhals’ tusk.  May I ask your opinion?”

 

The sharp look Celek sent him said all too plainly that he wasn’t used to having theoretical conversations with boat captains.  But it only took a second for him to answer.  “Basically, nothing more than male-of-the-species adornment.  Oh, I’ve seen all the so-called ‘scientific’ theories.”  He frowned.  “Quite a few have absolutely no scientific basis at all.  It doesn’t appear to be a hunting tool; if it were, the females and calves would all starve to death.  I fail to see how it could be any kind of sensory organ as it’s nothing more than an elongated tooth.  We see males ‘jousting’ with it, frequently in the presence of females.”  He hesitated.  “There is, actually, one theory I’m reluctant to totally dismiss, that in some way the tusk aids males – we’re not sure how – in finding receptive females.  It’s speculated that it might judge water salinity…  Something on that line is at least possible, just so far unproven.  As to most of the other theories…”  He shrugged and snorted softly.

 

“Thank you,” Lee told him sincerely.  “Some of the stuff I was reading…”

 

There was a soft snicker from Dr. Campbell and everyone looked at her.  “Sorry,” she apologized as her face turned slightly red.  “Just something Chad, ah, one of our crew, said the other day…”

 

“Laren,” Celek muttered, “that’s hardly appropriate.”

 

Campbell snickered back with a shrug.  “Actually…”  She sent a grin around the table.

 

“Then by all means,” Nelson encouraged, “please share.  We enjoy a good chuckle around here, as I’m sure you’ve already noticed.”  He glanced at Lee and Chip, who both ducked their heads slightly.

 

“Well…”  She took another glance at her father, and then recited:

 

  Polar bears and narwhals gambol

  In the arctic sun,

  They frolic ‘mid the ice floes in

   pursuit of arctic fun.

  The narwhal’s tusk? Well, since you ask,

  The narwhal, when it dares,

  employs its tusk, mischievously, in

  goosing polar bears.**

 

Everyone, with the exception of Dr. Celek, laughed out loud, and even he ended up with a smile on his face.

 

But Lee decided to get back to a bit more serious track.  “The tusk always spirals left?  Counter-clockwise?”

 

“Yes.”  Celek didn’t look quite so surprised at Lee’s question this time.  “Again, theories abound but nothing proven beyond a doubt.”

 

The fork full of food headed for Lee’s mouth stopped halfway, and Nelson sent him a quizzical look.  “Yes, Lee?”

 

But it was to Dr. Celek that Lee addressed his question.  “When the narwhals swim and turn upside down do they always turn the same way?”

 

Celek started shaking his head, having just taken a bite of food himself, so the answer came from Campbell.  “No, they don’t.  That actually was postulated for some time, connected to the spiraling of the tusk.  But research has proven that they turn both ways almost equally.”

 

“Whales two, Lee zip,” Chip muttered softly.  Lee turned a glare his direction but it dissolved quickly as everyone, even Celek, grinned.

 

Conversation for the rest of the meal was centered on Drs. Celek and Campbell’s last several weeks of observation, and the tagging process itself.  Nelson was especially interested in how the tagging worked since narwhals rarely came close to shore, and diving with them was for the most part prohibited due to the inhospitable water temperatures.

 

“Mostly,” Celek explained between bites of his dinner, “a large amount of work followed by an even larger amount of luck.”  Campbell’s nodding head agreed with her father.  “This year we found a spot close to Trembley Sound where the narwhals pass by on a fairly regular basis.  Using zodiacs we set out large nets.”  He sighed.  “And then we wait.”  He shrugged and took a swallow of coffee.

 

“And wait,” Campbell took up the explanation, “and wait some more.”

 

“Frustrating,” Nelson agreed.

 

Both researchers nodded before Celek continued.  “But we have to keep on our toes, keep lookouts posted 24/7, because if and when the narwhals happen to get close everyone has to immediately scramble to close the nets as fast as possible, and get the transmitters attached quickly enough to minimize stress to the animals.”

 

“The units themselves don’t bother the narwhals?” Will asked.

 

“They don’t seem to,” Campbell answered.

 

“That’s not one reason they drag their backs on the bottom, to knock them off?” Lee asked.

 

“A possibility,” Celek admitted.  “We don’t think so, but…”

 

“One of the things we’re hoping to find answers for by actually observing them underwater,” Campbell continued.  “If we see all of the animals doing that it means that it’s a natural behavior, not an aberration caused by the unit.”

 

“It must be fairly difficult, with just the narwhal’s almost flat dorsal spine instead of a fin, to attach the units,” Will continued.  He got glances from all three other officers – normally Will didn’t involve himself in much of Seaview’s research.  But he was actually becoming quite interested in this cruise.

 

“Different, but not overly difficult,” Celek answered.  “The pins, for want of a better name for them, are inserted just under the ridge through the blubber and then the unit is attached to both ends, locking everything in place.  The newer ones are made to stay on about six months before they either loosen on their own and fall off, or are rubbed off.”

 

“As they feed?” was Will’s next question.

 

“Or as the narwhals glide under layers of pack ice,” Celek told him.  “The antenna are flexible but the pins are made to pull free fairly easily so as not to cause undue damage to the animals.

 

“Have you ever caught the same animal twice?” Nelson asked.  “Have you noted any injury damage left over from the units?”

 

“Our team hasn’t,” Celek told him.  “But a couple years ago one animal killed on an Inuit hunt showed a couple small scars from what was assumed to be a tracking unit.  There wasn’t a clear way to know when the unit was attached or how long it was on before it came off.  But the scarring was completely healed and showed absolutely no sign of any infection having been present.”

 

Nelson nodded.  “Sounds similar, then, to units attached to fins.  Painless for the animal, and the small wounds heal easily once the units fall off.”

 

“Exactly,” Celek agreed.  “We have no wish to harm them in any way.”

 

“Of course not.  The whole point of research is to provide us clues toward helping species survive,” Nelson assured him.

 

By this time everyone was mostly finished with dinner.  Lee proposed that they spend the night in Eclipse Sound and not enter Milne Inlet until the following morning.  That would give everyone the opportunity of a good night’s rest before the prospect of running into narwhals as they headed south into the Inlet, and got nods of agreement all the way around.  He and Chip headed for the Conn to set the overnight orders.  They decided, with weather threatening, to settle Seaview at 200 feet.  Nowhere near the bottom, it was still deep enough to avoid any topside squalls as well as stay out of the way of any native vessels that might wander through the area.  Lee made his usual trip through the boat, what the crew called his ‘walkaboat’, but even he couldn’t find an excuse not to crash by 2230 hours.

 

* * * *

 

Lee and Chip ended up leaving their cabins at the exact same moment the next morning, eliciting grins from both.  The expressions were still on their faces as they went down the spiral stairs to check the Conn before heading for breakfast, and spread once more when they found Dr. Campbell standing in front of the windows.  “The view is addicting,” Lee told her when she turned at their footsteps, a sheepish expression on her face.

 

“How do you ever get any work done?” she asked.

 

Chip answered before Lee could.  “I have to remind Lee constantly to keep his mind on what he’s doing.”  The glare Lee turned on him was accompanied by some soft snickers coming from the Conn, and Lee quickly grinned as well.

 

“Has its moments,” he told her.

 

“I’ll bet.”

 

“Anything of special interest this morning?”

 

“Actually, no,” she admitted.  “Still…”

 

“Yep,” Chip agreed.  He and Lee went to the chart table to get their morning update from Lt. Keeter and then took a reluctant-to-leave Dr. Campbell with them to the Wardroom.

 

Admiral Nelson and Drs. Celek and Jamison had beaten them there, although barely.  Lee, Chip, and Will mostly listened as Nelson and Celek discussed more about the narwhal research – what was known, what was speculated, and what was still to be learned.  The telemetry units were helping but there was so much researchers didn’t know that it was frustrating.

 

“Even estimating age has proven difficult,” Celek said at one point.  “Because narwhals have no true teeth, age is for the most part a guess.  The tusks ‘could’ be used.  But one, only the males for the most part have them.  And even then they’ve not proven to be over-reliable.”

 

“What do you mean,” Will asked, “only the males for the most part?”

 

Campbell answered.  “Occasionally a female will have an elongated tooth.  It doesn’t happen often, and usually the tooth is much shorter then what the males have.”

 

“Oh,” Will said and went back to just listening.

 

“We don’t know their familial make-up,” Campbell added.  “How they form groups, travel, etc.”  She shrugged.  “Each time we get a new piece of information, sometimes it only leads to more questions.”

 

Nelson sighed.  “Nothing new about that,” he admitted.  “However, sometimes the hard work eventually pays off.  Or, you just get lucky,” he admitted with a small grin.  “You can go along for years and don’t think you’re making any headway.  Then suddenly, when you least expect it, a piece will fall into place and hope is renewed.”  He sent the others a small smile.  “You just have to hang in there, as they say.”

 

Celek nodded.  “Exactly,” his daughter added.

 

“Skipper to the Conn,” sounded over the all-boat intercom in Lt. Keeter’s calm voice.  Lee and Chip exchanged a quick glance.

 

“And then there’s Seaview’s crew,” Nelson continued before anyone else could say anything.  “They spend their days running the boat so we get to spend our days tracking down all those bits of intel that hopefully lead to exciting discoveries.”  He sent Lee and Chip a bright smile as those two stood up.

 

The pair exchanged another quick look before Lee gave his boss a slightly questioning, “Yes, sir,” and they scurried out.

 

Will snorted softly.  “Did you have to bait them like that, Admiral?  This was becoming such a nice, pleasant, relaxing, cruise.  Now there’s no telling what those two will come up with.”

 

Nelson chuckled.  “Have to keep them interested,” he told his CMO.

 

“Interested, fine.  It’s when it becomes ‘interesting’ that I worry about.”  But he eventually shared a quick grin with his boss.

 

“Point taken, Will.  I suppose that I’d better wander forward.  Doctors, we’ll be headed shortly into Milne Inlet.  You might want to settle into the Nose – no telling what we’ll find.”

 

“Absolutely,” Campbell readily agreed with a bright smile.  Even Celek looked enthused at the prospect and the three also left.

 

Will caught Cookie watching from the door into the Galley.  “Better batten down the hatches, Cookie.  The Admiral just challenged the CO and XO to find us something exciting to get into.”  It came out a grumble but ended with a grin.  The premier chef returned the grin and headed back to his domain, as did the CMO to his.

 

Disappointingly for all concerned, it turned out to be a somewhat boring first couple of hours.  Lt. Keeter’s call was merely to inform Lee, and Chip of course, that the current weather topside was breaking down more rapidly than expected.  Lt. James scuttled down the spiral stairs just as Lee and Chip came in the aft hatch.  Chip sent him a frown, but as it was still half an hour before official change of shift Lee nudged his XO and sent James off to get his breakfast, and then they both exchanged a quick grin and sent Lt. Keeter off as well now that they were both present.  As Nelson and the doctors settled into the Nose Chip settled Seaview another hundred feet lower, and started her slowly forward into the inlet.

 

The windows, unfortunately, were not a great help.  The water was the usual Arctic mix, milky and cloudy.  Chip relied heavily on sonar, hydrophone, and fathometer to ease the large submarine forward, Lee keeping watch over everything but for the most part silent.  He trusted Chip’s skills as he trusted almost no one else, and at one point chided himself that he probably didn’t say that often enough to the blond.  Not that Chip needed the ‘stroking’, as it were.  Chip was extremely confident in his skills.  But everyone needed the occasional pat-on-the-back.  Lee recognized that that’s what was no doubt behind Nelson’s little crack earlier, and figured that Chip did as well.  But little reminders were never a bad thing.  Lee managed it all the time with the Duty crew.  A few words, a simple pat on the shoulder, a quick nod of approval; it was enough.  But he realized that, while he and Chip had a friendship that encompassed so much of their lives, it was still his responsibility to express to his XO how pleased and comfortable he as CO was with the blond’s service.

 

He was pondering just how to bring it up as he wandered back to the chart table from a casual pass through the Conn, but apparently Chip read something entirely different in his expression.  “Whatever you’re plotting, Skipper, leave me out of it,” he said low, frowning.

 

Lee burst out laughing, causing even those in the Nose to turn and look in his direction.  The Duty crew, while remaining focused on their instrumentation, all had quick grins on their faces.  Lee was trying to come up with a response when Patterson, on hydrophone duty this shift, called out.  “XO, Riley’s ‘squeaky door’ noises dead ahead and above.”

 

“All stop,” Chip ordered.

 

“Sonar contact,” Kowalski confirmed.  “Biologics, but also what appears to be a fairly substantial ‘berg’.”

 

“Down bubble,” was Chip’s next order, with a glance at the fathometer.  “Give me 400 feet.”

 

“Aye, aye, sir, making it 400 feet,” came back instantly from the helmsman, Layton, and Seaview could be felt settling herself deeper into the murky water.

 

Admiral Nelson flipped on the forward outside lights.  They weren’t a huge help but like fog lights on a car were designed to pierce the gloomy waters as much as possible, and shortly torpedo-shapes could be spotted.  They actually seemed to be attracted by the unusual lights in their normally murky world, and with Seaview sitting still came down to check them out.  Lee walked forward as Nelson started playing with the forward cameras.  There were soft squeals of delight from Dr. Campbell as the animals came close enough to actually see them fairly clearly and even Dr. Celek became animated, pointing out this detail and that.  The group, or at least the ones who came close enough to be seen, were apparently all females; none displayed the elongated front tooth indicative of adult males.  Nor were any of them wearing telemetry units.  But it was still exciting for everyone, the short time the sighting lasted.  Apparently the lights quickly lost their appeal for the animals and they disappeared toward the surface.  Chip once more eased Seaview forward, mindful of the iceberg Kowalski kept close track of, and they continued their journey south.  Chief Sharkey bringing an update forward for Dr. Campbell from the Radio Shack sent both researchers, along with Nelson, off to the lab, and Lee ambled back to the chart table.

 

He was puttering with the navigation logs merely to give himself something to do as he once more pondered just how to relate to Chip his earlier thoughts without sounding like a total idiot when once again the blond came at him sideways.  “So, what are you going to fuss at Chris about?”

 

“What?”  Lee’s head popped up.  Lt. James, at that point, was off having a short meeting with the MAA.

 

“You’ve been staring at his logs for the last twenty minutes,” Chip told him.  “Just wondered what you were muttering to yourself about.”

 

Lee chuckled softly.  “Chill,” he ordered, but the grin stayed on his face.  “There’s absolutely nothing wrong with Chris’ log.”  A quick thought hit him.  “You wouldn’t allow it,” he found a way to send Chip a quick compliment.

 

“Harrumph,” Chip growled softly, but he also had a quick smile hit his face.

 

Before Lee could come up with anything else Lt. James walked through the aft hatch and back up to the chart table.  And rather obviously noticed what Lee still held in his hand.  “Problem, sir?” he asked, almost hesitantly.  While he had finally lost most of his initial nervousness around the senior officers the occasional bit of self-doubt still crept in – especially as Seaview was in a totally new area where past charts didn’t exist for him.

 

Lee sent the younger man a grin.  “Absolutely not, Chris,” he assured him.  “I’m finding your logs extremely detailed and well-documented.”  The grin spread as Chris practically purred.  Lee noticed that Chip caught it as well when he sent Lee a quick nod behind Chris’ back.  Immediately Lee wondered why he found it so easy to compliment the rest of the crew but for some reason couldn’t manage it with Chip, and the smile turned without him realizing it into a frown.

 

“Sir?” Chris asked, not missing the frown.  So very little got past the young lieutenant, and Lee’s smile came back.

 

“Stray thought,” Lee admitted almost sheepishly.

 

“Quick, Lieutenant, grab a net,” Chip muttered.  “Catch his thought before it gets away.  He needs all the help he can get.”

 

The glare Lee sent his XO had grins and soft snickers erupt all around the Conn.  “All’s well in Chief Hauck’s department?” Lee once more addressed Lt. James, referring to the Master-At-Arms Chris had just met with.

 

“Aye, sir.  He’s got a couple men off-duty for the next 24 hours; a small mishap during a training exercise.”  He suddenly grinned, tried to cover it, failed miserably, and ended up turning several shades of red.

 

“Yes?” Lee refused to let him off the hook he’d put himself on.

 

“Ah…”  Chris glanced between Lee and Chip, who now also was sending him a raised eyebrow.  “Ah,” he tried again, “Doc said it reminded him of you two getting a little carried away during PT one time at NIMR.

 

Both Lee and Chip went sheepish; they remembered the incident only too well.***  “Oops,” Lee mumbled softly.

 

“Two bits says we hear about it at lunch,” Chip told Lee, shaking his head.

 

“Sucker bet,” Lee agreed, before both chuckled ever so softly.  “Shouldn’t be a problem being minus a couple Security personnel,” he got back on topic.  “Don’t think I’ve ever heard of a narwhal attacking humans.”

 

“None of the Admiral’s specimen tanks are big enough to bring one inside anyway,” Chip stayed with the silliness.  “And the water’s too cold to grow mutant seaweed.”

 

“Thank heavens,” Lee agreed.  There were a few shudders around the Conn at that reminder of one of Seaview’s more ‘interesting’ cruises, but mostly the Duty crew was enjoying their senior officer’s nattering.  Lee glanced surreptitiously around, caught Chip doing the same thing, and shared a quick grin.  Then deciding he was a bit antsy with the relative inactivity, grabbed up the Duty roster and headed out for a quick tour of the boat before lunch.

 

Deciding to be perverse – just because it would be so unusual for him – he started his tour in Sick Bay.  He had the satisfaction of startling Doc, catching him leaning back in his chair with his feet up on the desk, a medical journal in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.  Lee laughed out loud as, when he walked swiftly through the door, Jamie’s feet hit the floor and what apparently little fluid was left in the coffee cup ended up on his uniform shirt.  The glare he received only increased his laughter, and Will finally sent him a quick grin as he mopped up the small mess.

 

“Something I can help you with, Skipper?” Will finally got out.

 

“Apparently the incident in the workout room was even more minor than I heard, as relaxed as you are,” Lee told him through his continued chuckles.  “Although,” he added a bit more seriously, “you took two men off duty for the next 24 hours?”

 

Will finally grinned.  “Sort of,” he admitted.  “Chief Hauck is threatening to put them on Report and assign multiple extra duties for letting themselves get that far out of control so I figured that I’d give them a short reprieve and let them rest beforehand.”  He sent Lee a grin.  “Never a bad thing to have Security personnel on your side.”

 

Lee laughed outright once more.  “Absolutely not,” he agreed.  “Does explain why you didn’t come forward when we spotted the narwhals earlier.  I was sort of expecting you.”

 

Will nodded before sending Lee a stern look.  “I was going to let Frank handle the assorted abrasions and such but decided that I’d get in a little lecture about the follies of following any of the senior officer’s more idiotic habits.”  Lee sent his CMO the little through-the-lashes look he used on occasion and Will once more smiled.  It always amazed him that a man like Lee, in command of one of the most powerful ships in the oceans – and commanding it exceptionally well – could come off looking like a twelve-year-old caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

 

“Aye, sir,” Lee told him, using the little joke they shared – that Lee would ‘sir’ a man of lesser rank – and he turned and left.

 

Once back into the corridor Lee’s expression turned firm.  I did it again, he told himself.  A little backward, perhaps, but Jamie does know just how much I appreciate him.  Lee nodded casually to a couple passing seamen and they sent him back nods and small smiles.  Why is it so hard to simply tell Chip I so appreciate his service?  No answer came.  Shaking his head sadly at himself he continued on his ‘walkaboat’ until it was time for lunch.

 

He considered eating in the Crew’s Mess but decided that, after almost harassing both Chip and Jamie that morning, they’d probably gang up on him so he pointed himself toward the Wardroom about fifteen minutes before noon.  What with one side trip or another he actually made it by ten minutes after, and ended up sitting down with his meal just as Chip and Nelson walked in with Drs. Celek and Campbell.  Will was already seated and he and Lee shared a quick grin, which Chip saw as he laid a piece of paper next to Lee’s plate before heading to fill his tray.  “Got a verbal report earlier from Jamie,” Lee told his XO as he pushed the paper, a report of the training incident, over to where Chip usually sat, to Lee’s right.  “And the earful we were both expecting,” he added, with a small glare at his CMO.

 

Nelson stopped his walk toward the food and raised an eyebrow, which Will responded to before either Lee or Chip could.  “Trying to keep the children in line,” the doctor muttered almost under his breath but still loud enough to be heard.  Both of Nelson’s eyebrows went up as Chip sent Will a glare and Lee snickered softly.

 

Drs. Celek and Campbell had also stopped, and Nelson now turned to them.  “Sometimes it’s safer not to ask,” he told them, and headed once more to fill his tray.  Once everyone was seated, Lee pushed the paper over to his boss.  Never slow on the uptake, Nelson quickly figured out what had happened.  “Any success?” he asked Will.

 

“I doubt it,” Will admitted.  “At least with these two.”  Lee ducked as Chip sent him another short glare.  “A little more, perhaps, with the other two.”  He got thoughtful.  “Although, that probably has more to do with Chief Hauck than me.”  Finally he grinned, as did Nelson.

 

As everyone finally got to their meal Dr. Campbell asked, almost carefully as she had absolutely no idea of what had just happened, “No more narwhal soundings, I take it?”

 

Chip quickly swallowed as he shook his head.  “Not so far.  Pat thought that he heard something but it didn’t last.”

 

“I almost asked earlier, when we were around the others, if we could hug the bottom and see if they might be diving to feed.”  She shrugged.  “Then the telemetry came and we,” she nodded toward her father, “got sidetracked.”

 

“We can certainly try that the next time we encounter them,” Lee told her.  “Assuming that they aren’t already on the bottom.”

 

Both researchers nodded.  “It would actually be quite interesting to check the bottom in this area anyway,” Celek told him, “just to see if we can figure out why they have such a strong tendency to hang out here.”

 

“Not a problem,” Lee assured him.  “Depth is no problem for Seaview.  It’s deep enough we won’t be able to see much, even with the lights.  But we’ll sure give it a try.”

 

“Excellent,” father and daughter said together.  Seaview’s officers all grinned, and the rest of the meal was spent on speculations of what food sources would be spotted.  Celek reiterated the general belief that narwhals did not appear to feed in the water column itself, but like other whale species preferred to skim the bottom for squid, shrimp, and smaller bottom-feeding fish.  “That’s mostly what’s been found in narwhals killed by the Inuit.”

 

“As First Nation peoples they’re allowed open hunting of the narwhals?” Will asked.

 

“Strict quotas are set for each village,” Celek answered.  “Mostly between five and fifty animals a year.  A few of the bigger villages, like Pond Inlet, have bigger quotas; theirs is, I believe one hundred and thirty.”  He shrugged.  “But rarely does a village actually reach its full quota.  They are not a wasteful people.”

 

“It is one of their dietary staples, both here and in Greenland,” Campbell added.

 

“Narwhal population numbers are remaining fairly stable?” Nelson now asked.

 

Celek shrugged.  “Accurate counts are almost impossible, and vary considerably by who’s doing it.  But as far as we can tell yes, the population seems to be holding its own.”  He sighed heavily.  “However, because of their seasonal migration habits – close to shore during the brief summers and more under the pack ice during the colder months – it’s speculated that global warming might affect them as much, if not more, than polar bear habitats.  As the waters get warmer it allows predators, namely Orcas, to invade more of their territory.  That could have a huge impact on population.  Narwhals only calve once every three years or so.  They would come back very slowly from such a natural disaster.”

 

“Definitely,” Nelson agreed, then got thoughtful.  Lee saw it and cringed – he thought only inward.  But Nelson seldom missed anything.  “Yes, Lee, that got me thinking,” he told his captain.  Lee gave him his full attention, albeit a bit sheepishly, and Nelson sent him a quick grin.  “This would seem a great opportunity to lay out a few water temperature monitors before we leave the area.”

 

“Yes, sir,” Lee agreed.  Not that he could disagree.

 

That thought also seemed to occur to Nelson and he sent Lee a nod in apparent acknowledgement.  “It will give you and Chief Sharkey something to keep you from getting bored,” and then grinned broadly as it was Will and Chip’s turn to cringe.  A bored Lee had in the past led to all sorts of issues.****

 

Lee kept his expression benign.  “Any idea where you would like to set them, sir?”

 

Nelson shrugged.  “I’ll have a look at the charts after lunch.  If we set them on firm ground about thirty feet or so below the surface, the telemetry will be reachable by satellite for about half the year and they’ll still be deep enough that the thicker ice of winter, while probably making them unreadable, still won’t damage them.”  Lee nodded.  “Maybe one for sure close to the end of Milne Inlet since the narwhals obviously like this area,” Nelson continued.  “A couple more in Eclipse Sound before we leave.”

 

“That should give a good record of the area,” Lee agreed.

 

“There is also a great many narwhals that stay in the area of Inglefield Bredning,” Campbell offered.  “But of course, that’s Greenland.”

 

“I’ll have to get permission to set these,” Nelson told her.  “One more phone call more or less won’t be a problem.”  He grinned.  “I’ve worked with their agencies in the past; this shouldn’t present a problem.”

 

“Would we have access to this data?” Celek asked.  Lee couldn’t decide if he seemed anxious that he would, or angry that he might not.

 

“Of course,” Nelson told him easily.  “And any other agency who would find it useful.  That’s one of NIMR’s objectives and always has been – to do whatever we can to help protect and defend the world’s oceans.  We certainly can’t do it by ourselves, and willingly share any and all information we can.”

 

Lee got the distinct feeling that that surprised Celek for some reason but kept it to himself.  None of his business what the researcher’s thoughts were as long as they didn’t interfere with Seaview or NIMR.

 

“I imagine that you’re used to diving with dry suits,” Campbell offered, carefully neutral in voice and expression.  Her face switched to total puzzlement when the four Seaview officers grinned, but all let Nelson explain.

 

“Normally we would use FS1 for such underwater work,” he started.  “She is, at the moment, slightly damaged.  We’ll just have to see how things progress.”  He grinned.  “But yes, our divers are quite familiar with dry suit diving.”

 

The subject was dropped at that point, at least for the rest of the meal.  Lee and Chip kibitzed quietly, once they returned to the Conn.  Lee mentioned his first suspicions about Dr. Celek, after the comments about what equipment was too expensive to be utilized, and wondered if Nelson had more to that puzzle.  Chip supplied the intel that Nelson, over the last twenty-four hours, had had Sparks place several phone calls here, there, and yonder.  It was something that the Admiral did occasionally anyway so by itself meant little.  But…  Both men cast a glance forward, where Drs. Celek and Campbell had settled after the meal.

 

Suspicions heightened when Nelson called down for Lee to join him in his cabin when it was convenient.  Chip made an off-hand comment to Lt. James that the last time Nelson made that specific request Seaview had ended up on a unicorn hunt.  Lee smarted right back about how much more whimsical could the Admiral get.  Chip crossed his arms over his chest and glared at his CO and Lee immediately backpedaled before all three cracked up.  That part of the conversation having been carried out a bit louder than the earlier kibitzing, there were quick grins all around the Conn.  The two researchers sent Lee slightly puzzled looks as he headed up the spiral stairs but he merely nodded and practically jogged up, headed to Officers’ Country.

 

The grin was still on Lee’s face as he gave Nelson’s cabin door a quick knock, and entered at his boss’ call.  The Admiral raised an eyebrow.  “Just harassing Chip,” Lee told him, and Nelson grinned as well as he leaned back in his chair.

 

“Celek still in the Nose?”

 

“Yes, sir,” Lee answered as he settled a hip on the corner of Nelson’s desk.

 

“After lunch he requested access to my private lab, in addition to the marine lab where we’ve set them up; I’d pointed out earlier some of the binders full of research notes I’ve made over the years, in particular when we’ve been in the polar regions, and he expressed interest in studying them.”

 

Lee raised an eyebrow.  “Obviously you put him off.”

 

“Been making a few inquiries,” Nelson told him.  He stayed relaxed so, after a quick stiffening, Lee did as well.  The instant alert-mode did not go unnoticed, and Nelson’s grin broadened.  “Down, Lee.  Nothing to signal major problems.”

 

“Chip mentioned that you’ve had Sparks put through some calls.”

 

Nelson chuckled softly.  “Does anything ever get past him?  Belay that,” he added before Lee could even open his mouth.  It caused Lee to chuckle, as did Nelson ever so softly.  “I just wanted to be totally sure of who we had invited aboard.” Nelson continued.  “Double-checked here and there.  Seems Dr. Celek has a bit of a reputation.  Well, reputations – plural.  For work ethic, reliability of intel and statistics, general research, he’s top notch.  Anyone who has ever worked with or around him has nothing but good things to say.  He stays on good terms with the locals, doesn’t get in their way, and they stay willing to help him with his research.”

 

“But…?”  Lee heard the unspoken word easily.

 

Nelson nodded.  “But, he doesn’t have the best of reputations for paying his bills.”

 

“Oh, oh,” Lee breathed.

 

Nelson waggled a hand.  “Nothing overt, actually.  When I was originally contacted by someone from the CDFO about helping there were no problems with working out a simple contract for up to two weeks’ worth of observation.  There still isn’t, actually.  Both Celek and his daughter are being perfectly acceptable guests.  I rather enjoy them both as we’ve been talking.”

 

“But…” Lee once more gently prodded.

 

“Seems Dr. Celek has made a bit of a habit of, shall we say, overstaying his welcome.”

 

“Oh.”

 

“Like I said, nothing overt.  Just…trying to get as many fringe benefits as he can wheedle out of his contractors.”

 

Lee nodded.  “Hence the non-offer of FS1.”

 

“Exactly.  While she would, actually, come in extremely handy, I’m not ready to give Celek unrestricted access to her.  I have the distinct feeling that he’d want to be out in her at least half of every day – if not more.”  He sent Lee a smirk.  “She’s my toy, thank you.”  His expression turned firm.  “Even if you claim her for your own.”  The look turned to a grin as Lee’s expression went sheepish, and Nelson reached out and gave Lee’s leg a gentle swat.

 

“So we’ll set out sensors while the doctors are otherwise occupied?” Lee asked.

 

“Or simply not let them invite themselves along.  We actually have the perfect excuse since FS1 isn’t in perfect working order.  We just say that she’s not totally safe at the moment and insurance regs don’t allow us to have them aboard when she isn’t 100%.”

 

“Got it, sir.  Authorized crew only.  What about your binders?”

 

“While I don’t begrudge him the information there are other, private, comments in there that aren’t in all truthfulness anybody else’s business.  Not to mention that, everything of interest has been published over the years in all of the scientific journal articles I’ve written.  And that’s on top of the fact that there are things in my private lab that he has no business being anywhere around without supervision.”

 

“So, you keep your private lab locked and give him a bibliography of your published material,” Lee told him.

 

“That works,” Nelson agreed with a smile.  “I still haven’t checked the charts but I’ll have approximate locations for the sensors by tomorrow morning.”

 

“There’s no way we’d be in position to set the first one before then anyway, sir.  We’re traveling much too carefully.”  He paused and almost smirked himself.  “This being such unfamiliar territory, Chip’s taking no chances with scratching the paint.”  They both laughed, before Nelson’s expression went thoughtful.  “Yes, sir?” Lee asked carefully, ducking his head ever so slightly.

 

The expression Nelson sent back was part smirk, part speculation.  “Perhaps while we’re chasing narwhals we can do a bit of butterfly hunting as well.”

 

That popped Lee’s head up.  “Sir?”

 

Nelson chuckled.  “As we set out sensors we can bring back water samples.  These waters should be full of Limacina helicina, better known as a Sea Butterfly.  Also known as Thecosomata, or flapping snails.”  His expression went thoughtful again and the pause let him see Lee’s carefully benign look.  He smiled at his captain.  “Very small mollusks that are highly adapted to cold water,” he told Lee.  “Their ‘wings’ are an evolutionary modification of a gastropod foot.  Because they have such a fragile shell they are actually a really good indication of water quality.”

 

“Meaning they react quickly to anything that harms water quality,” Lee translated.  It caused Nelson’s smirk to broaden; Lee always claimed to not care about Nelson’s research but every so often little bits of information would indicate he was paying closer attention than he usually let on.  But they were interrupted by the intercom before he could tease his captain about it; Sonar was once again picking up narwhal sounds and both men headed for the Conn.

 

Even as they walked forward they felt Seaview settle lower in the water.  Both researchers were glued to the windows, and Nelson joined them as Lee went first to the chart table.  “That ‘squeaky door’ noise really gets the hydrophone operator going,” Chip told him.  “Fingernails on chalkboard.”

 

“Ugh.”

 

“Anything new?”  Chip’s voice barely carried the two feet between them.

 

“FS1 restricted to authorized Seaview crew only.”  Chip raised both eyebrows but Lee merely sent him a small smile.  “Fill you in later,” he added as Seaview was coming closer to the noises.  Chip ordered, “All stop,” and even more slowly they settled nearer the bottom.

 

This group of narwhals seemed skittish of the huge intruder in their territory and didn’t come very close.  Seaview’s lights could only penetrate the gloom so far.  The narwhals, a group they estimated to number about twenty to twenty-five, did seem to relax a bit once Seaview came to a halt about thirty feet off the Inlet floor.  For the next hour the observers, which now included Will as well as Lee and Chip, got occasional glimpses of a narwhal – or more often several – dive down from the surface and ‘forage’ on the bottom for whatever they were finding in that spot to munch on.  Again, no narwhals carrying telemetry units were in this group, confirmed when Lee had Sparks check Dr. Campbell’s satellite connection which showed no animals anywhere near them at that moment. 

 

They were able to finally confirm that the units were definitely not the reason the animals rubbed their backs along the bottom.  Several times they saw – or in most cases barely saw – the animals either swimming upside down, or turn over once they neared the bottom.  They got a clear view of one adult male, identified easily by his nearly six foot long tusk, swim along upside down swinging his tusk gently along the bottom, then abruptly turn over and seem to be slurping in whatever he’d stirred up before once more heading toward the surface to breathe.  The researchers, as well as Nelson, were ecstatic.  Lee noticed Chip walk back to the chart table and presently Lt. James came forward, very hesitantly.  Lee motioned him closer to where he was standing, slightly back from the windows on the port side.  Lee enjoyed the expression of wonder on Chris’ face almost as much as he did the quick glimpses of the narwhals.  Even Will was totally enthralled.

 

Eventually the animals chose to remain on the surface, their hunger for the moment apparently met.  “Absolutely fabulous,” was Dr. Campbell’s summation, and got no argument.  Both she and her father had spent the time taking copious notes.  Lee smiled, now that he had a better understanding of the man, as Celek asked Nelson if he would be getting a copy of the pictures and video he knew the Admiral had taken, having observed Nelson fiddling with the camera switches.  Nelson couldn’t help himself; he sent a quick grin at Lee before saying that he was sure a copy could be arranged.  Celek caught the quick exchange and his “thank you” carried just a hint of uncertainty.

 

Lee had his own issues with keeping a straight face but managed to get out a controlled, “I’ll have Patterson check with you in a couple hours, sir.”  Patterson’s father was a noted photographer, taught his son everything he knew, and the seaman was Seaview’s ‘go-to’ man for all things video and visual on board the sub.

 

Nelson sent him a nod.  Neither felt it necessary to explain the comment to the scientists, and Lee headed back to the chart table.  He saw Nelson say something briefly to Celek and Campbell before heading up the stairs.  Father and daughter exchanged a quick look, then settled into chairs in the Nose.

 

“What are you smirking about?” Chip challenged Lee softly.

 

Lee realized he’d let his benign expression slip, and snickered ever so slightly.  “I really, really enjoy working around Admiral Nelson.  Well,” and he sent Chip a look, “most of the time,” he added.

 

Chip sent the look right back with a nod, but decided not to take the bait and let the conversation drop.  He actually enjoyed the connection Lee and the Admiral had made, beginning at the Naval Academy, strengthened by their brief service together aboard the old Nautilus, and further forged now that they were together at NIMR.  Chip knew that the bonds of friendship made both men stronger.  And he could easily admit that he benefited from his own relationship to both.  Lee was the closest thing to a brother he could have and, while he wasn’t as close to Nelson as Lee was, never allowed even for a brief second that thought to bother him.  He truly enjoyed watching and listening to the two men as they worked together.  Mostly, he told himself silently, carefully controlling his expression.  When those two butt heads over something it can get ugly, he admitted.

 

“Something wrong?” Lee asked.

 

Chip realized that he must have let ‘something’ show on his face and his all-too-quick-and-conscientious friend had caught it.  Not about to admit to what he’d been thinking, he sent Lee one of his better ‘XO on Duty’ looks.  “Nothing you need to concern yourself with, sir,” he told Lee formally.

 

Lee sent him a glare, but Chris James having to turn his back and struggle to keep from laughing caused both men to grin.  “Business as usual,” Lee summed it up to both men lightly.  Chris turned and all three chuckled.  Lee did send a quick raised eyebrow toward Chip, inviting an explanation, but once more Chip didn’t take the bait.  Lee accepted the rebuff easily, grabbed up the Duty roster, and headed out the aft hatch.

 

Chip glanced around the Conn, sent Chris another quick grin, and walked forward to pour himself a cup of coffee from the carafe Cookie had delivered to the Nose moments before.  Drs. Celek and Campbell both held mugs as they watched what little they could see out the windows.  Chip sent them a nod but didn’t interfere with whatever the pair was talking about.  Something that involved one of their research team, from the brief bit Chip caught before he stationed himself halfway between the windows and the chart table where he could keep tabs on the entire area.

 

When Nelson and Lee get into it… he let himself go back to what he’d been thinking before Lee caught him.  He barely kept himself from openly shuddering – some of the Conn crew, and especially Lt. James, were almost as good as Lee at picking up subtle shifts of mood.  Any arguments between Admiral and CO, given the nature of their jobs as they saw them, invariably involved Seaview and her crew.  Normally the pair could come to a reasonable solution for keeping everyone safe while still allowing Nelson to complete whatever research he wanted to complete.  Chip didn’t like to think about the few occasions when all heck broke loose because the two strong-willed men didn’t agree.

 

Sipping his coffee, he thought back to Seaview’s first year in service with John Phillips as her captain.  Chip mostly had his hands full just keeping up with learning his own duties, Seaview being his first time as XO of anything.  There had been a few hairy moments as Nelson ordered Seaview here and there for whatever he wanted to study at the moment.  Phillips, an excellent sub driver, had never questioned Nelson’s sometimes slightly obsessive demands and simply followed orders.  Chip didn’t fault anything John had done, and Nelson was always quick to accept the blame for those few instances when things went a little haywire.  Luckily nothing major went wrong during that year.  The few issues that did arise were dealt with as both John and Chip learned more about the sub and her crew.

 

Lee’s arrival coincided with Nelson starting to delve deeper into his research and demanding more and more from everyone at NIMR.  While Phillips had never challenged Nelson’s orders – at least in Chip’s hearing – and had complied to the best of his and Seaview’s abilities, Lee had!  From the very beginning, that first awful mission, if Lee felt that he had a better way of handling a situation he wasn’t afraid to speak his mind.  Respectfully.  But with assurance.  And Nelson responded with respect for his new captain, listening to Lee’s thoughts and suggestions until they could come to a mutually acceptable solution.  Most of the time, anyway.

 

Once more Chip thought back to the times Nelson had stubbornly insisted that he and only he knew what was best and be damned what anyone else – including Lee – thought.  Not that it was in any way Nelson’s fault on those thankfully infrequent occasions when near disaster struck, Chip was quick to admit.  Stuff happened no matter how well one planned in advance.  Such was the nature of Seaview’s cruises.  But Chip had watched carefully as Lee and Nelson sorted out their differences, Nelson concentrating on his research and Lee on keeping everyone safe while still carrying out Nelson’s assignments.  There had been a few rough patches, for sure.  No one’s fault, just the feeling out of new working relationships and eventually everyone, from Nelson down to the lowliest seaman, benefited.

 

Chip had strongly admired John Phillips, and regretted his untimely death.  He pondered how his life now might be different if Phillips was still Seaview’s captain.  He didn’t think there would be the silliness in the Conn that occasionally broke out, allowed by his friendship with Lee that had started at the Academy.  While he could honestly call Phillips a friend, he didn’t think that they would ever have become as close as he and Lee.  That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, just different from what had developed.

 

Nor would I, in all likelihood, be standing here drinking coffee, he told himself with a rueful smile, and took another swallow.  He sent his gaze around the Conn, and covered a grin with another sip as he saw Lt. James do the same thing.  The mug covered his ever-so-quick frown as he thought back to Seaview’s original Second Officer, Lt. Bishop.  While the change from Phillips to Lee could be debated as to its effects there was absolutely no denying that Bishop’s departure was a necessity and James’ arrival a blessing!

 

Chip had had marginal input in the hiring of Seaview’s original crew.  He’d had some reservations about Bishop – the man’s brusqueness set off Chip’s radar.  But he was himself still learning his way at NIMR and didn’t voice his concerns as both Nelson and Phillips were very happy with the man’s Fit-Reps and experience.  And being honest, Chip couldn’t fault the man other than to say that his by-the-book work ethics and superiority complex didn’t fit well with Seaview’s mix of naval reserve personnel and civilian technicians.  Chip kept his own council while he did his best to keep Bishop from antagonizing the rest of the crew.  With minimal success!  Outranking Bishop helped Chip but not anyone else and there was a constant line of ruffled feathers and transfer requests.  While Phillips was aware of the issues, Chip realized that his own ability to keep order actually worked somewhat against him.  Both Phillips and Nelson kept allegiance to the man because he did, actually, know his job and serve Seaview well.

 

That changed after Lee took command.  But keeping with his laid-back style, Lee went about ousting Bishop without Bishop ever realizing that it wasn’t his own idea to return to active duty with the Navy.  Then the hunt began for a new Second Officer.  Lt. O’Brien would have been the obvious choice but he was actually happier heading Propulsion and keeping Seaview’s engines running smoothly in addition to serving as “C” Watch Officer.  Same with Lt. Keeter, who arrived shortly after Lee and was fitting in nicely as Seaview’s Fourth and Duty Officer on “D” watch.  With Nelson’s access to Navy service records there was any number of likely candidates, and interviews took up a large part of Seaview’s next home layover.

 

Chip buried another grin behind emptying his cup of coffee.  By the end of the interviews Lt. Christopher L. James had been at the top of both his and Lee’s short list.  Nelson had raised an eyebrow only because of the man’s young age and lack of hands-on experience – James was a very newly promoted lieutenant.  But Lee and Chip had backed their decisions with fact. Chip noted the man’s high marks in navigation on his Fit-Reps as well as in other areas of submarine service, and his calm but quick-thinking and accurate answers when Chip rapid-fire challenged him verbally with a variety of theoretical situations.  Lee, while acknowledging all of those qualifications, also gave him high marks for personality and the ability to fit in with multi-tasked personnel.  Both pressed the point of being able to train the young lieutenant in the way Seaview, unlike any other submarine in the world, needed to be handled.  Nelson acknowledged the reasoning, and none of Seaview’s ruling triumvirate had ever looked back!

 

On the other hand, Chip told himself as he set his coffee mug in the ‘used’ tray, I’d better get back to work before he takes over and puts me out of a job, and he snickered softly to himself.  Carefully putting his ‘XO on Duty’ mask back in place he returned to the chart table, sent another glance around the Conn, then sent Chris a smile and released him to his own mini-break.  Shortly after, Chief Sharkey brought a thumb drive from Sparks forward to Dr. Campbell and she and her father headed up the stairs. 

 

Once Lee returned to the Conn Sharkey excused himself and headed aft.  Chip sent a totally politically incorrect glare at his CO – at the same time barely keeping from bursting out laughing as he recognized how his earlier thoughts allowed for the easy grumble to occur.  “And just who did you ream out for what during your ‘walkaboat’ that the COB has to now go calm down?”

 

Lee took the snipe as Chip knew he would.  “Me?” he said with his own glare.  “That’s your specialty.”  The pair cracked up at the same time as soft snickers were heard here and there around the Conn.

 

Yep, Chip told himself, puttering with the Navigation chart as Lee did one of his casual walks through the Conn.  As much as I still appreciate my time with Capt. Phillips, I do like how Seaview has evolved.

 

* * * *

 

Chief Francis Sharkey was a happy COB.  Even though Seaview wasn’t getting home as soon as had been originally planned, the crew wasn’t complaining.  Well, he admitted, there were a couple of grumbles early on when the detour was announced.  But that was normal.  Mostly the crew was used to sudden changes in plans, and handled the extra duty with ease.  Especially this time, with the unusual nature of the detour.  Arctic travel could be a bit…adventurous…at times, but this trip was so far a piece of cake.  Almost everyone was interested in the narwhals, copies of Nelson’s pictures and video showing up on several crew screens around the boat.  Those were recent additions to crew quarters that the Skipper had suggested as a way to keep more of the men, especially those not normally assigned to Conn duty, involved with what was going on aboard Seaview.  While most of the crew wasn’t interested, or in some cases could care less, about Admiral Nelson’s research, Sharkey was definitely hearing good comments about their being kept in the loop, as it were, concerning what was actually happening.  And everyone seemed interested in the not-often seen narwhals.

 

Suddenly, however, Sharkey’s ears picked up a different sound as he wandered through the sub.  Passing by one of the storage lockers where he’d assigned a work detail to do general maintenance and clean up he picked up one of the men’s voices in song, and stopped to listen.

 

Narwhals, narwhals, swimming in the ocean

Causing a commotion, ‘cause they are so awesome.

Narwhals, narwhals, swimming in the ocean

Pretty big and pretty fine. They could beat a polar bear in a fight.

Narwhals, narwhals… *****

 

“Riley,” Sharkey yelled, still in the corridor and out of sight of the singing seaman.

 

Dead silence instantly, then, “Yes, COB?” came hesitantly in the young seaman’s voice.

 

“You utter any more verses of that ditty, you’ll be doing it from inside the ballast tanks.”  Sharkey had already heard the rest of the verses.  And while they weren’t anything all that unusual for an all-male crew there was a woman aboard.

 

“Aye, aye, COB,” came back, accompanied by a couple of soft snorts in different voices. 

 

Sharkey himself had to control a snicker before continuing his amble around the boat.  He was a little surprised that this was the first time he’d caught someone singing the silly little song.  He couldn’t be everywhere at once, although there were crewmen who swore that he could.  Just doing my job, he told himself, and continued his tour of the boat.

 

* * * *

 

The narwhals decided to be perverse, apparently; no more animals were encountered as Seaview continued to ease her way south.  As mealtime approached Lee checked Seaview’s position on the chart and speculated aloud, casually letting Chip and Chris James in on his thoughts, if it might be a good idea to simply settle in for the night.  Another hour would place Seaview approaching the biggest of the islands they’d have to maneuver around to get past Bruce Head, a village at the bend in Milne Inlet they’d have to negotiate to get into Koluktoo Bay.  Seaview could do it with little difficulty as long as they didn’t run into any major icebergs that might have floated into the area.  But Chip, especially, and even Chris, knew that Lee would prefer to be in the Conn if there was any tricky maneuvering to be done.  Not because he didn’t trust the rest of his officers to be able to deal with it, but just because.  With Chris’ quick nod and Chip’s “Sounds like a plan,” they settled Seaview close to the bottom and Lee and Chip headed for dinner.

 

They were challenged the instant they entered the Wardroom.  “We’re stopped,” Nelson said not quite casually.  Lee and Chip shared a quick look before Lee answered.

 

“Yes, sir.  We’re coming up to the island just before the bend in Milne Inlet and I decided to hang out here for the night.  Weather topside is lousy so I settled us just off the bottom.  Dr. Celek mentioned that this was the start of prime narwhal territory so I figured that we’d stay quiet and let everyone get a good night’s sleep.  We’ll be notified if narwhals wander close but we’ll all be better prepared for encounters tomorrow.  And just maybe, by staying still, if there are narwhals that come close we won’t scare them away.”

 

Nelson sent him a nod.  He knew exactly what Lee was up to, knew that the somewhat long explanation was for Drs. Celek and Campbell’s benefit as he could have said the same thing in far less words, and he quite approved of the plan.  “I’ve also had a chance to study the charts, and place calls for approval to set out sensors,” he told the group as Lee and Chip started dishing up their meal.  The others, including Dr. Jamison, were already seated.  “I was actually thinking that the upper end of that island would be a great place for the first one.  Perhaps we can do that this evening since we’re stopped.”

 

“I’ll have Sharkey start prepping FS1 as soon as I get back to the Conn,” Lee told him.

 

“I’d like to go,” Dr. Celek immediately spoke up.

 

“Sorry, Doctor,” Nelson cut him off.  “FS1 suffered damage on our last cruise.  While she’s minimally available for short excursions, insurance regulations don’t allow civilian passengers unless she’s 100%.”

 

“Can’t you fix it?”  Celek’s voice held an edge that had the other Seaview officers nearly holding their breath.

 

But Nelson’s voice was almost a purr as he smiled and answered.  “Not until we get home, I’m afraid.  Sorry, but you’re stuck with observations from Seaview.”

 

“And we’re most appreciative, Admiral,” Dr. Campbell broke in, cutting off whatever her father had been about to say, “of the opportunity you’ve provided us.”  She sent Celek an almost glare.

 

Lee and Chip, their backs to the others, shared another quick look, Lee having explained to Chip what Nelson had discovered about Dr. Celek and what had been decided.  Both had their expressions totally under control when they turned around.  Nelson nearly undid Lee because the younger man easily read the sparkle in the elder’s eyes but he kept it together as he and Chip settled at the other end of the table, the two researchers having sat where they usually did across from Nelson and Jamison.  At one point Lee caught Jamie’s eye and noted the puzzlement on the CMO’s face that he wasn’t quite able to cover.  As Nelson had the researchers’ attention at the moment talking about the water samples he’d take on FS1’s short excursion, Lee winked at Jamie.  He knew that that would further confuse the doctor and enjoyed the bit of silly he could inflict on the man, just because.  He’d explain later if Nelson, who he was sure had noticed the exchange because he’d momentarily had to control his own expression, didn’t beat him to it.

 

For his part, Will sent his CO a very brief glare simply because it would be expected, and grinned inwardly as both Lee and Chip quickly buried grins in bites of their dinner.  Will would take any opportunity he could get to lighten his CO’s mood.  Not that Lee was a negative person by any means.  But the young man always seemed to carry the weight of Seaview and her crew on his own shoulders.  Normal for any captain, but Will was quick to note that Lee took his service very seriously.  On a day-to-day basis Lee handled his duties quite well.  But with the issues that occurred during the recent war games, and Nelson’s subsequent frustrations because of them Lee had, Will knew, taken the brunt of the OOM’s outbursts.

 

Will knew, of course, that Nelson in no way blamed Lee for anything that had happened.  But they all knew that Lee would accept the responsibility of letting Nelson blow off steam as just part of his job.  Will knew that Chip would do his part in keeping Lee on an even keel, as it were.  But Will would also take those infrequent opportunities he was given to gently needle his sometimes too serious CO.

 

The rest of the meal progressed in relative peace and harmony, and Lee and Chip headed back to the Conn.  Lt. O’Brien had taken command from Lt. James and Chip caught him up with the evening’s project as Lee called Chief Sharkey forward.  Once present, Lee accompanied the COB down into the little craft and both went over the damage reports, what had been fixed and what might still be a bit iffy.  They both agreed that, from what the mechanics had reported, FS1 should be just fine as long as they stayed in the water and didn’t try to launch her into the air.  They reiterated everything to Admiral Nelson when he slipped down the access ladder.  Nelson stopped halfway to hand Sharkey the box he was carrying so he could close the access hatch cover before coming the rest of the way down and stowing the ladder.

 

Lee realized that Sharkey had been updated when the COB glanced up and asked, “Not happy?”  He was obviously asking the Admiral about Dr. Celek.

 

“Tough,” Nelson muttered, but he still grinned as he looked between Sharkey and Lee.  “Ready to launch?”

 

Lee nodded.  “Just doing the final checks.”  He strapped himself into the pilot’s chair, Nelson next to him, and Sharkey in the back seat after safely stowing the box where he could easily grab it.

 

When Lee called in for clearance to launch and it was Chip who responded and not O’Brien, Nelson sent Lee a raised eyebrow.  “Your XO doesn’t trust Lt. O’Brien to get us safely away and back?”

 

Lee sent him a frown.  “He doesn’t trust me to get safely away and back,” he growled.  Nelson snorted, Sharkey snickered softly, and Lee finally smiled.  It was a given that as long as FS1 was out with both Lee and Nelson aboard, Chip would stay in the Conn.  Not for the reason Lee groused about but merely because he took his duties as seriously as did Lee, something they all understood.  Nelson backhanded Lee’s shoulder, his eyes sparkling, and Lee slid FS1 out of her berth and into the water when the docking clamps released.  Nelson did raise another eyebrow when Lee then dropped nearly to the inlet’s floor before easing her forward.  Lee’s grin was broad.  “Figured that I’d be perverse and get as far away as I could.  No sense giving Dr. Celek any more of a look than I could help.”

 

Nelson chuckled and waved a hand toward the little craft’s own front window.  “In this murk we can barely see anything.”

 

“Point taken,” Lee answered, and concentrated even harder on his instrumentation to move FS1 toward the leading edge of the island ahead of them.

 

So practiced were they, especially Nelson and Sharkey, at using FS1 to set out sensors that they were done in record time.  Had the water been clearer Lee knew that the Admiral would have wanted to stay out much longer, just ‘to look around.’  But visibility was poor so once the sensor was in place they puttered around taking several water samples plus a couple of bottom soil samples as well.  Sharkey made both the others chuckle when he announced as they headed back toward Seaview, “I’ll take these out the back hatch once we’re docked and stow them in your private lab, sir.”  They were all pretty sure that Dr. Celek would be practically on top of the upper hatch, trying to get a look inside.

 

As it happened, Nelson and Lee both had to cover broad grins when they discovered that Chip had the area immediately surrounding the hatch secured, Drs. Celek and Campbell relegated to a position several feet away.  Lee still sent a quick glare at Chip.  “Hah,” he grumbled, “got everyone back in one piece.”

 

Chip drew himself up to Attention.  “I don’t see Chief Sharkey,” he announced, deadpan.  At that, Nelson totally lost all semblance of composure and laughed openly.  But not so loud that it covered the sound of FS1’s back hatch closing, and Chip raised an eyebrow at Lee.  Nelson, still shaking his head at his two senior officers’ antics, stepped over to the researchers and could be heard starting to tell them that they’d missed nothing by not being allowed to go; that the water was dark and murky, FS1’s outside lights being one of the things still not working correctly, and that Lee had had to navigate almost completely by instrumentation.  Lee nodded toward the chart table after closing the hatch.

 

Chip followed along easily, his own expression now totally relaxed as well after the bit of silliness.  “FS1?” he did ask softly.

 

Lee waited to include Bob O’Brien in the explanation.  “The lights we knew about,” he started.  “There’s still a short somewhere apparently.”

 

“Do we need to look at it now?” Chip asked.

 

Lee shook his head.  “As long as we’re just setting out sensors and taking samples we can maneuver those short distances just fine.  The only thing I did have a bit of an issue with is the port rudder control.  Easy enough to compensate for right now.  It’s working, but sluggishly; just have to feather the starboard one to keep it balanced.”

 

“I’ll add that to the repairs list for when we get home, sirs,” O’Brien told the pair, and reached for the proper clipboard.  Lee and Chip shared a grin before Lee also reached for a clipboard, in his case the duty roster, and headed aft for his almost nightly ‘walkaboat’.  Chip stayed a couple more minutes, until Chief Sharkey appeared and reported his quick errand, at which both Chip and O’Brien grinned.  At his appearance Nelson headed up the spiral stairs, followed shortly by Drs. Celek and Campbell, and Chip headed to his own cabin to attack the mound of paperwork awaiting him there.

 

* * * *

 

Lee couldn’t stop the yawn that caught him just as he stepped into the Wardroom the following morning.  “Rough night?” Chip asked, already sitting down as was Admiral Nelson.  Will came in just as Lee answered.

 

“Not really,” Lee told his XO.  “Just restless.”

 

“Which explains the 0230 hours tour of the boat,” Nelson told no one in particular.  He said it without rancor – they’d all beat that dead horse to the point that they knew it was hopeless.

 

“You should have mentioned that you were bored,” Chip told Lee.  “I’ve still got a half dozen or so reports I didn’t get to last night.”

 

Lee had no idea how the Admiral knew about his early morning stroll, and he wasn’t about to ask.  “Not bored,” he told his XO, frowning slightly.  “You can do your own reports.”

 

“Whatever you do,” came from behind Lee, and he turned to see Jamie glaring at Chip, “do not let him,” he aimed a thumb at Lee, “get bored.”  He sent Lee a small sheepish grin as both Nelson and Chip chuckled softly.

 

“Jamie,” Lee started firmly, “that was not your fault,” referring to a rather challenging cruise they’d all prefer to forget. ****

 

Will waggled his flat hand.  “Eh,” he muttered.

 

Before Lee could say anything more, Nelson changed the subject.  “I assume all was quiet last night.”

 

“Yes, sir.  Lt. Keeter reported that hydrophones had picked up clicks and squeaks just as he was coming on duty.  Pretty much topside – narwhals obviously don’t mind high winds and heavy rain.  They were headed south so hopefully we’ll bump into them again at some point.  There was no need to chase after them last night.”

 

“Did you get any sleep?”  All three wanted the answer, but letting Chip ask was the best way to keep Lee from grousing about the question.

 

Lee totally understood the tactic.  “Yes, Uncle Chip,” he smarted back, causing the other three to chuckle.  He did finally as well, as he sat down with what little he normally ate at breakfast.  With a small shrug he continued.  “Once I got back to my cabin I went right to sleep.  Have no idea why I couldn’t earlier.”

 

“Your brain already trying to discover and fix the issue with FS1’s rudder control, no doubt,” Chip told his own plate of food.  Nelson and Will both nodded at the all too possible observation.

 

Lee merely shrugged again.  “Don’t think so, but…”  He let the topic drop.

 

“If it stays quiet you can take a nap this afternoon and catch up,” Chip told him.  That got chuckles from Nelson and Will, and a glare from Lee.  Chip sent him a broad grin as he stuck another fork full of food into his mouth.  Lee threatened to smack him before he, too, cracked up.

 

But Lee managed his own bit of harassment when he casually asked the Admiral, “Did you catch any butterflies last night?”

 

Nelson chuckled.  “Actually yes,” he told Lee, and then had to explain to Chip and Will.  “I only glanced at one of the samples last night before getting everything stowed away but there were definitely butterflies.”

 

“Meaning that water quality is fairly good?”

 

“A positive sign for sure.”

 

“Did you tell…” and Lee stopped what he was about to ask as both Drs. Celek and Campbell entered the Wardroom.

 

“No, I didn’t,” Nelson nonetheless answered.  “Haven’t decided whether or not I will.”

 

Lee nodded.  “Just curious,” he admitted.

 

“The sign of a good scientist – always be curious,” Nelson told him with a broad grin.  “Don’t you agree, Doctors?”  He turned toward Celek and Campbell as they started to dish up their breakfast.  “I keep telling him I’m going to make a marine biologist out of him yet.”

 

“No, sir,” Lee responded to the old joke he shared with Nelson.  “I’m just a sub jockey, nothing else.”

 

“Yeah, right,” came softly from Lee’s right.  He sent Chip another glare as Nelson and Will both grinned.

 

Dr. Celek didn’t say anything but his daughter did.  “You’re right, Admiral.  If we stop asking questions we stop learning; stop trying to make things better.”

 

“Agreed,” Nelson told her approvingly.  “Sometimes we get sidetracked and ask the wrong questions,” he acknowledged.  He saw Will cringe ever so slightly and sent his friend a nod and a grin.  He knew that Will was still kicking himself for what had happened on the cruise they’d all referenced when Lee came in.  “And yes, mistakes do happen.”  He grinned again as he saw Lee send Will a look that easily said Lee no longer blamed Will for the misunderstandings that had almost led to disaster.  “But we need to keep asking; keep learning; keep our minds open.”

 

“Exactly,” Campbell told him.  She turned toward the table as Lee and Chip, both finished eating, stood up, and hesitated.

 

Lee smiled.  “You’re not running us off,” he told her.  “Nor is the Admiral,” he pointed an eyebrow at his boss, “no matter how much he thinks he’s going to change me.”  Nelson snorted and they all grinned.  “But it’s time this sub driver got to work so you scientists can find answers to your questions.”  That caused everyone to laugh, Lee and Chip headed forward, and Celek and Campbell took their places at the table across from Nelson and Will.

 

“There you go again, Admiral,” Will muttered softly, “baiting him.  You still haven’t learned how dangerous that can be?”

 

Nelson chuckled.  “Have to keep life interesting, Will.  You know that.”  Will merely shook his head.

 

“If Captain Crane doesn’t like what you do, why does he continue to work for you?” Celek asked seriously.

 

Nelson openly chuckled as Will buried a grin in his coffee mug.  “I’m afraid you’ve stepped into an old joke, Dr. Celek, and I apologize for confusing you.  Lee loves Seaview,” he swept his hand toward the nearest bulkhead.  “He is totally devoted to her and her crew.  He is also highly intelligent and, in his own way, highly curious – about everyone and everything around him.  Oh,” and Nelson chuckled again, “he may claim not to care about my research, or where I ask him to take Seaview.  But,” and his eyes twinkled, “believe me, he’s always open to learning new things.  Be it mechanical or biological, his mind is always busy.  We go on and on occasionally about his saying he’s ‘just a sub jockey.’  But we all know that’s not true.  He’ll always prefer Seaview to research, but…”  He fluttered a hand.  “I’m extremely grateful to have him.  And Chip, as well,” he added.  “I knew them both at the Naval Academy; knew they were going to become terrific officers.  And terrific men, period.”

 

“I did wonder,” Celek admitted.  “They seemed…”  He hesitated and Campbell, while not looking at him, frowned deeply.  “They just seemed unusually close…”  Will choked and Nelson took a deep breath before answering, but did so with a smile.

 

“They’d never met until the Academy assigned them as roommates.”  His grin spread.  “There are still a few people who wonder how both them and the Academy survived that paring.”  Will snorted again and Nelson chuckled.  “I was an occasional instructor their four years there.  There were moments…”  He shook his head.  “But I always knew they would turn out well.  Ended up numbers one and two in their class all four years.  Never served together until I snagged Chip when I started NIMR.  Lee came over several years later and I’ve never regretted either decision.”

 

Will couldn’t resist.  “Not even that trip down toward Easter Island?” +

 

Nelson glared at him.  “That wasn’t their fault,” he growled.  But he finally sent his CMO a nod before looking once more across the table.  “Stick a hundred and twenty five strong-minded, dedicated men in a submarine, even one as large as Seaview, and situations are bound to occur.”  He shrugged.  “But it’s another reason we tend to get…” he sent Will a look, “a little silly on occasion.  Just a little release of tension.”

 

“It doesn’t take a submarine,” Campbell told him.  “Even as well as our research team gets along, every so often…”

 

“You just need something to break up the routine,” Nelson seemed to finish for her.

 

“Exactly,” she agreed.  “It just seemed unusual,” she nodded ever so slightly toward her father, “the goings on in the Control Room from time to time.”

 

Both Nelson and Will chuckled.  “That’s one way to put it,” Will told her before Nelson could.

 

“Never fear that Seaview isn’t in total control,” Nelson told her.  “That’s usually when it gets the weirdest around here.”  He chuckled again as Will snorted softly.  They all felt the submarine start to gently shift and ease forward.  “It would appear that today’s adventure is about to begin.”  They all nodded, and hurried to finish their meal.

 

With the two researchers settled in the Nose, and Nelson back and forth between there and his private lab, Seaview maneuvered past the east side of the long, narrow island that sat in the middle of Milne Inlet as it narrowed toward the bend past the village of Bruce Head.  Another small island sat squarely in the middle of the bend but there was ample room to get past the village without causing any disruption of native traffic, especially as Lee kept Seaview very near the bottom.  The villagers no doubt didn’t even know that the submarine was anywhere in the vicinity.

 

There was one small issue – a huge iceberg had floated into the area and got stuck on the small island.  Lee was going to simply go under it until Nelson requested water samples from the area immediately surrounding the ‘berg.  “Because of the nutrients they pick up as they travel down the glacier they were originally attached to, as they melt they actually ‘fertilize’ the water around them.  This nourishes small marine organisms like phytoplankton, which in turn attracts larger species like krill, which eventually feeds larger fish, seabirds, etc.  This is a wonderful opportunity to study the process.”

 

“Yes, sir,” Lee told his boss, straight-faced.  The careful response caused Nelson to realize that his voice, as he described the ‘berg, had grown increasingly excited and he sent Lee a quick grin.  Lee sent it back but continued levelly.  “How would you like to continue, sir?”

 

“Weather still nasty topside?”

 

“Worse,” Chip muttered, standing next to Lee.  Lee sent his XO a frown but nodded to Nelson.

 

“I was going to suggest we surface and use the boarding hatch, but…”

 

Lee nodded again.  “I’ll prep FS1.”

 

“I’ll happily waive your insurance regulations,” Celek spoke up, hearing the conversation from where he was sitting in the Nose.  “I’d really like to go.”

 

Nelson watched Lee control his expression and had to work hard to keep his own benign.  “Sorry, Doctor.  It doesn’t work that way.”  He forced himself to speak easily.  “On top of the issues we already knew about we discovered another problem last night.  If the weather was better I wouldn’t even suggest taking her out, no matter that Lee’s an absolute genius at controlling her under the most trying conditions.”  There were nods and grimaces all around the Conn as everyone thought back on one specific cruise. ++

 

“I really don’t mind, and would never hold you responsible.  Obviously you feel it safe or you wouldn’t be using the vessel.”  It was all Nelson could do to control his expression as Celek sent him what was apparently supposed to be a disarming smile.

 

“Sorry, Doctor,” Nelson managed to get out again without laughing in the man’s face for his attempt at coercion.  Turning his back he once more addressed Lee.  “About half an hour?” he asked.

 

“Sounds about perfect,” Lee agreed.

 

Ten minutes later found Lee in Seaview’s little yellow offspring doing the pre-launch checks.  He’d barely managed to keep a straight face as he’d rapidly opened the top hatch, scurried through, and slammed it shut before Celek could get much more than a quick glimpse.  He did chuckle when both the Admiral and Chief Sharkey entered through the back hatch.

 

“Persistent,” Nelson offered.  “Polite – for the most part.  I’ll give him that.”

 

Lee nodded.  “Probably gets him a long way if people don’t know what he’s up to.”  He glanced at the COB.  “Chief, I closed the upper hatch but didn’t dog it.  Didn’t know the Admiral was coming in with you.”

 

“Got it,” Sharkey nodded.  He went up the boarding ladder far enough to secure the upper hatch, stowed the ladder, and settled into the rear seat as Nelson strapped himself into the copilot’s seat.  “Any more glitches, Skipper?”

 

“None that show up on the instrumentation.  Like last night.”  He shrugged.  “Just have to take it easy.”

 

“And if all else fails…well,” Nelson cringed slightly, “if anything major fails,” he corrected himself, “we know that Seaview is two minutes away.”

 

“Exactly,” Lee agreed, and prepared to launch.

 

This time all went as planned.  Lee already knew about the rudder so easily compensated for that, and nothing else got in the way of Nelson gathering half a dozen water samples from different areas around the iceberg.  He also snapped several pictures from underneath, and took a bit of video of a couple specific areas that caught his attention as well as chipped out some ice samples from those areas.  All told they were out about an hour, and Lee teased Nelson that perhaps he’d go out the back way as well when they returned and just show up in the Conn without Celek knowing how he got there.  Nelson chuckled and reminded Sharkey to drop the access ladder anyway so it would be ready the next time they wanted to use the craft.

 

The plan backfired slightly as neither Celek nor Campbell was in the Nose when Nelson and Lee both walked into the Conn through the aft hatch.  When asked, Chip told them that Sparks had a data drive for Dr. Campbell just prior to FS1 returning so both researchers had left to analyze it.

 

“Oh well,” Lee told Nelson.  “What I get for being a smart-aleck,” and they both chuckled.  What was left of the morning went by quietly as Seaview was eased through the rest of the bend and into Koluktoo Bay.  At first all was quiet on Hydrophone and Sonar.  Lee settled Seaview very near the bottom, hoping that by remaining still they wouldn’t disturb any marine life in the area.  And it seemed to work as not long after they stopped Hydrophones picked up what they first thought were narwhals.  But when the shapes came within range they turned out to be Belugas, the narwhal’s white, tuskless, cousins.  Unlike the narwhals so far encountered, the belugas seemed quite curious and stayed around Seaview for most of an hour, swimming lazily around and occasionally past the front windows.  Even Will came forward and watched them for a while.

 

Eventually they moved off and didn’t return, and Lee slowly moved Seaview more toward the center of the bay, again settling her almost on the bottom.  He caught Chris with a quizzical expression on his face at one point and sent his own toward the young lieutenant.

 

“Just wondering, sir, why you don’t settle Seaview directly on the bottom.”  Lee was leaving about twenty feet or so between Seaview’s keel and the bottom of the bay.

 

“While Sonar isn’t picking up anything, I don’t want to mess up someone’s dinner if we have biologics directly under us,” Lee told him.  Despite the bit of whimsy in Lee’s voice Chris took him seriously, nodded, and went back to studying the charts and the Fathometer.

 

Lee was just contemplating a stroll through the boat when Riley announced from the hydrophone station, “The squeaky boards are back.”

 

“Position,” Chip ordered.

 

“Overhead, and headed our way, sir.”

 

Lee gave a quick call to Admiral Nelson, knowing that both Drs. Celek and Campbell were with him in the Marine Lab, and walked forward into the Nose to watch out the windows.  By some fluke the water here in the bay was marginally clearer than they’d so far encountered.  And, perhaps because Seaview was already stationary when the narwhals arrived, they chose to ignore her presence for the most part.  For the next hour everyone in the Nose – and around the boat, as Lee noted Admiral Nelson play with the camera controls and send the pictures to the other view stations as well – got their best look yet at the unusual mammals.

 

At one point Lee noticed that, while the narwhals were spending time at the bottom he saw very little actual feeding taking place and voiced the question.

 

“One of the things we don’t have a handle on yet,” Dr. Campbell answered.  “We do have a good idea of their diet, from stomach analysis of ones killed by the native hunters.  But they, for some reason, seem to do most of their feeding other than during the summer.  We have no idea why.”

 

“Then why play around here at the bottom?”

 

Campbell smiled.  “Perhaps ‘play’ might be the operative word?  This is as new to us for the most part as it is to you.  Oh,” she admitted, “from the transponders we know that they do spend time at the bottom during the summer.  But we’ve never actually seen them.  This is…..absolutely fascinating,” and her focus went back to the window.

 

And the narwhals did seem to be merely enjoying life, as it were, up to grab a breath then back down, rolling and twisting, occasionally bumping each other, rubbing their backs on the bottom as if they were scratching.  Several adult males were in the group, notable for their elongated front tooth forming the spiraled tusk.  There were also several juveniles, one with a tusk about half the length of the adults.  The rest of the group was adult females, a couple with calves staying close to their sides.  There did seem to be a couple attempts to feed; narwhals nosing, or using their tusks, to stir up the bottom and possibly take in small nibbles.  But mostly they just ‘played’.  And totally enthralled their accidental audience!

 

As they began to spend more time topside Nelson ordered Seaview to slowly follow, to the point where the Conning tower was above water but the windows were still slightly below the surface.  Lee ordered lookouts posted and carefully buried a snort as Chip assigned seamen Rawn and Whittier to the duty in what had become lighter winds and rain than what had been the previous nasty conditions but still wasn’t overly pleasant.  The narwhals remained unconcerned with their new pod member Seaview and swam lazily toward the western edge of the bay, Chip keeping the sub slightly behind them as the researchers filled pages with notes and Nelson continued to snap pictures and take video.  The narwhals continued to occasionally dive but mostly they stayed within twenty feet or so of the surface, still twisting and rolling, occasionally raising their entire heads out of the water in what resembled other whales’ movements called by researchers ‘spyhopping’, or what Lee teasingly told Chip was ‘just looking around’.  Once a couple of males seemed to spar with their tusks out of the water for a few moments but there didn’t seem to be any aggression in the motions.

 

“Oh! My! Gosh!” Dr. Campbell didn’t actually scream, but did speak loudly once the narwhals finally split off and headed back toward the middle part of the bay.

 

“Incredible!”  Even stoic Dr. Celek appeared impressed and excited at what they’d been watching for what turned out to be almost two hours.

 

Lee had to shake his head as he realized how much time had passed.  “Wow,” was his opinion, and got smiles from around the Conn.

 

“I’ll second that,” added Will Jamison.  He’d come forward not long after the sighting began, staying quietly in one corner of the Nose.  Lee had smiled when the doctor appeared but then had all but forgotten he was there.

 

“What now?” Lee finally asked Admiral Nelson.

 

“I’ll need that video as soon as possible,” Celek broke in with an order in his voice.

 

Lee raised an eyebrow, but Nelson sent him a smile before responding.  “Shortly,” was his answer with a dismissive wave of his hand at the two researchers, continuing to focus on Lee.  “As we’re already headed that direction, let’s continue on to the western edge of the bay and set out another sensor.”

 

“Yes, sir,” and Lee turned to walk back to the chart table.  There was ‘something’ start to be said behind him but when he looked, Dr. Campbell was giving her father’s arm a quick tug and Nelson had turned his back to the pair.  What they couldn’t see but Lee could, Nelson was barely containing outright laughter.  Once the researchers had retreated up the spiral stairs Nelson followed Lee into the Conn, walking up to the chart table with a broad grin on his face.  Because of it, Lee risked a comment he might not otherwise find advisable.  “You’re managing Dr. Celek very nicely, sir.”  Lt. James shuddered ever so slightly and turned his back, Chip glared at him for the statement, but Nelson burst out laughing and sent him a nod.

 

“I’m actually quite enjoying him.  For the most part,” he added with an ever so slight frown.  “He’s extremely knowledgeable about this part of the world and I’ve learned a great deal from both he and his daughter.”

 

“Would you like us to stay on the surface?  Would you want more visual intel?” Lee asked.

 

Nelson pondered that for a moment.  “If the weather holds, perhaps surface as we near the coast.  But for now I see no need.”

 

Chip said something too softly to be heard, but apparently Lee caught enough to understand because he smacked his XO’s shoulder, albeit lightly, causing Nelson to chuckle again.  He headed up the spiral stairs as Lee called in the lookouts, and presently the sub settled deeper into the water as Chip ordered her submerged.  Lee kept the speed down so they were still a ways from the western edge of the bay when dinnertime rolled around.  Conversation revolved around the narwhal encounter that morning and Lee could detect no animosity toward Nelson from Dr. Celek although the Admiral had still not, apparently, provided a copy of the video he’d taken.  There was still plenty of information gathered to provide plentiful topics for discussion.  Dr. Campbell, especially, was still practically bouncing with excitement, and Celek and Nelson eagerly joined in dissecting what they’d seem.  And heard, it turned out.  While Lee hadn’t been aware of it Chip was, that Admiral Nelson had requested the Hydrophone tapes for the period encompassing the encounter.  Chip sent Lee a bit of a smirk that he’d known and Lee hadn’t.

 

Lee sent his XO a quick glare before addressing Drs. Celek and Campbell.  “I’ve not heard much,” and cringed ever so slightly as Chip snickered softly at the unintended pun, “about narwhal vocalizations.  I’m going to assume that it’s akin to other whales and dolphins?”

 

“Yes and no,” Campbell answered.  “There’s still much to be learned about how and why they communicate with each other.  There have been some excellent recordings done but because we don’t have uninterrupted observations with individual animals what they might actually be ‘saying’ to each other is still highly speculative.  What research has been done has made some headway.  We know that individual narwhals make a lot of the same sounds, but often in a slightly different…tone, I guess is the best way to describe it; a different pitch.  We just have no way of knowing what each sound means.”

 

“Each new piece of the puzzle adds a bit to the entire picture,” Nelson said, “even if it sometimes just asks more questions.”

 

“Yep,” Campbell agreed with a heavy sigh.

 

“The key is just to keep asking,” Nelson told her.  “It’s tempting, sometimes, to let the frustrations get to you; to let yourself believe that you’ll never find a solution so why bother.”  He shrugged.  “And maybe you won’t.  But that doesn’t mean that you can’t add to the information collection that someone else can use down the line.”

 

“Exactly,” Celek agreed.  “Until you run up against those who believe that they are the only people with the right to what they’ve learned and refuse to share.”  He said it without animosity but Lee still saw Nelson stiffen ever so slightly.  Lee understood, as the comment could so easily be interpreted as Celek slamming Nelson.

 

But Nelson almost immediately relaxed and sent Celek a smile.  “There will always be those, Doctor, in every field.  You merely have to learn to let it go and do your best to work around them.”

 

* * * *

 

Lee and Chip were quietly discussing the conversation later as they stood by the chart table with Lt. O’Brien, trying to decide if Celek was actually bad-mouthing Nelson.  Lee didn’t see why because Nelson had been very open about sharing video and pictures as well as future intel from the sensors.  “And just the use of Seaview herself,” Lee added.

 

“Snitty about not being allowed on FS1?” Chip postulated.

 

Lee grinned softly.  “Possibly,” he agreed.  “Dr. Celek does seem to want every bit of technology that he can get his hands on, as the Admiral discovered with his phone calls.”

 

“Tough,” Chip agreed, and also grinned.  Then they had to explain to O’Brien as he hadn’t been privy to that bit of intel.

 

They had barely finished when Admiral Nelson walked in through the aft hatch.  Lee automatically looked behind his boss but he was alone.  Nelson caught the glance and grinned.  “Pouring over their data from earlier,” he told all three as he joined them at the chart table.  “Patterson got them copies of the video and audio, as well as some still pictures, while we were at dinner.  I suspect that that will keep them both entertained for the next couple days unless we run into another friendly pod.”  His smile turned slightly evil.  “If we tell them,” he added.

 

O’Brien and Chip both buried quick snorts but Lee drew himself up and addressed his boss formally.  “You’d never be that petty, sir.”

 

“Don’t be too sure,” Nelson grumbled softly, but he almost instantly smiled and Lee returned it.  “Our position?” Nelson asked, and Lt. O’Brien pointed to the chart.

 

“I’ve kept us fairly slow,” Lee explained.  “Less chance to startle the wildlife.”

 

“Perfect,” Nelson agreed.  “I think right in this vicinity,” and he selected a point on the western edge of the bay, “will work quite nicely for another sensor.  We can set it right after breakfast tomorrow.  How’s the weather topside?”

 

“Slowly improving,” Chip answered this time.  “Still drizzly but the winds have died down, at least for the most part.  There do seem to be icebergs that direction,” he added.

 

“It seems strange,” Lee questioned, “that they’d be able to make their way into the bay.  I’d think that they’d mostly get hung up on those little islands, or the bend into the bay itself.”

 

Nelson shrugged and then sent Lee a little grin.  “Bergs pretty much do what they want to.”

 

“Yes, sir,” Lee agreed.  “Will you want to take more samples from any we encounter?”

 

“Actually, yes.  I’m finding the first ones quite interesting.  Especially the ice samples.  Oh,” he amended, “they’d melted, of course.  But that’s ice from who knows how many years ago.  Quite fascinating.”

 

“No real way to date the ice?”

 

Nelson shrugged.  “Particulates can be analyzed to determine, usually, the point of origin of the ‘berg and then weather logs can be consulted.”  He waved a hand.  “Sometimes there’s enough visual stratification to be observed, and stable isotope composition can be used to further identify the layers.  But that is most helpful only when many different records are used in parallel analysis.”

 

“Okay,” Lee sent him a nod.

 

Nelson chuckled softly.  “Where did I lose you?” he asked.

 

Lee dropped his head down.  “Somewhere along about isotope,” he admitted shyly.

 

Nelson openly laughed.  “Not something very proprietary for a sub driver.”

 

“No, sir,” Lee told him.

 

“Something you do need to keep in mind.”  He glanced at the other two officers.  “You as well.  I’m sure that I’ve mentioned it before but just as a reminder.”  All three nodded, listening carefully.  “Arctic ‘bergs are much more likely to flip over suddenly than Antarctic ones.  The one yesterday was grounded so it wasn’t an issue.  And we stayed far enough away from the others we’ve encountered that there wasn’t a problem.  But if we approach one that’s still free-floating stay alert.  They can flip with very little warning.”

 

“Understood, sir,” Lee answered for all three.

 

“I’ll make sure that Lt.’s Keeter and James are reminded as well,” Chip added.

 

“Sir,” Lt. O’Brien asked, “what makes Arctic ‘bergs so different from Antarctic ones?”

 

“The easy answer relates to ice density and melting differences,” Nelson told him.  “And also, Arctic ‘bergs tend to be smaller than Antarctic ones.”

 

“Tell that to the people on the Titanic,” Chip said ever so softly, but still audible to those around the chart table.  Lee frowned and smacked his shoulder lightly.

 

Nelson chuckled.  “There’s always those pesky exceptions.”

 

“Yes, sir,” his XO admitted.

 

“Keeps life interesting,” Nelson added with a sparkle in his eyes.  Chip busied himself with one of the clipboards.  “Yes, Chip,” Nelson told him, still smiling, “I know you don’t always enjoy my more ‘interesting’ adventures.”  Chip’s head stayed down but they all saw him turn a couple shades redder than normal, causing Nelson and Lee to grin.  O’Brien carefully controlled his expression.  He was siding with his XO on that topic.  Not that Nelson or Lee was making light of it; that’s just the way things went on board.  You always had to be prepared for the unexpected, and the more ‘interesting’ Nelson’s projects were to him the more the crew had to scramble occasionally to keep up.

 

Still smiling, Nelson headed forward and up the spiral stairs, Lee headed out for his evening ‘walkaboat,’ and Chip left O’Brien with the Conn to attack the mound of paperwork in his cabin.

 

* * * *

 

There was no mention at the breakfast table the following morning of the planned trip to set the next sensor.  Overnight Seaview had reached a spot close to where Nelson had indicated on the map but still far enough from shore that she remained at a sufficient depth to keep plenty of water both under and over her.  Lee and Chip, coming down the spiral stairs together, had checked the overnight logs with Lt. Keeter and listened to his verbal report before heading to the Wardroom.

 

Dr. Campbell was still gushing with everything that had occurred the previous day and all the information gathered that they were still analyzing.  Even Dr. Celek seemed happy, and Lee had to work hard to keep a straight face as Nelson was all but smirking.  Nothing was said about Seaview not moving; Lee figured that the two researchers weren’t familiar enough with the sub to be able to detect that.  Once the meal was finished they went immediately back to the lab.

 

Nelson chuckled softly.  “I had Haskins,” he referenced Sparks second in the Radio Shack, “do a data collection and I gave it to Dr. Campbell when I coaxed them both to breakfast.”

 

“They were in the lab all night?” Lee asked.

 

“She was, for sure,” Nelson confirmed.  “Not totally sure about him.”

 

“You mean something like that actually got past you?” Chip teased Lee.  “Jamie, you’d better check him out – he’s obviously sick.”  He jumped as Lee kicked him under the table.  Nelson and Will had already been smiling; at that they laughed out loud.

 

Lee just shook his head.  “Half an hour?” he asked as everyone was done eating, referring to the trip to set the sensor.

 

Nelson nodded.  “Sounds about right.  Are there any icebergs in the immediate vicinity?”

 

Lee shared an ever so quick look with Chip and then nodded.  “One fairly close, another within easy reach without overly stressing FS1.”

 

“Excellent.  I’ll have Sharkey load some extra collection units.”

 

“Sounds like a plan.”  Lee and Chip rose and headed for the Conn.  Nelson and Will lingered over the last of their coffee.

 

“I wonder how Lee did miss Dr. Campbell spending all night in the lab,” Will pondered, mostly to himself.

 

Nelson chuckled.  “You whine when he doesn’t get enough sleep, and now you’re whining because he did sleep all night?”

 

Will frowned.  “I don’t like anomalies,” came out in a grumble.

 

“Chill, as your XO would say,” Nelson told him with a grin, then got a bit mischievous.  “Cranky because you didn’t sleep well last night?” he asked.

 

“Harrumph,” Will muttered softly before he shared a quick smile and they both headed out.

 

Lee was running through his pre-launch checks and Chief Sharkey was stowing two boxes of collection units when Nelson came through the little craft’s back hatch with the sensor he wanted to place.  He caught a slight frown on Lee’s face.  “Problems, Lee?” he asked, handing the sensor to Sharkey to stow.

 

“Not really,” Lee told him.  “There’s an intermittent flash on one of the backup battery lights.  Nothing to bother us, just more wiring to check when we get home.”

 

“The mechanics will have time.  We’re scheduled to be in port for almost three weeks.”  His expression and voice got firm as he settled into the copilot’s seat.  “Have plans for your time off?”

 

Lee ducked his head.  It was a long-standing bone of contention at NIMR – trying to get Lee to take all of his leave time.  “Not yet,” he admitted.  “Chip’s headed to his folk’s place and I always have a standing invitation to go with him.”

 

“Your Mom’s traveling?”

 

Lee nodded.  His mother was a free-lance writer and was frequently on the road, either working on a story or tracking one down.  “Sort of.  She’s visiting friends in Scotland.”  He sent Nelson a grin.  “And I’m sure keeping eyes and ears open for story ideas.”

 

“And you’re not interested in joining her?  You don’t see her all that often.”  His grin broadened.  “We could drop you off in Greenland; it’s not that long a flight across to Scotland.”

 

Lee was already shaking his head.  “They’re her friends; I’ve never met them.  Don’t want to just barge in.”

 

Nelson surrendered peacefully.  One did not push Lee.  But he did make a mental note to have a little talk with Chip before they got home.  If there was anyone who could badger Lee into doing something he didn’t want to do it was his best friend.

 

FS1’s drop from Seaview’s Nose got everyone’s mind back on the business at hand and setting the sensor went well, the little vessel’s mechanical arms working smoothly.  Lee then slid over to the closest iceberg.  With Sharkey sitting on the deck, loading collection units onto one of the arms through a special hatch, Nelson manipulated the arms to make collections of both water here and there around the ‘berg as well as ice samples.

 

Lee was just about to head for the second ‘berg when Chip called that they were picking up narwhal sounds headed FS1’s way.  Lee held the little craft steady so as not to startle the animals and they were presently treated to more of what they’d seen the day before.  The animals seemed to just be enjoying life, in no hurry to be somewhere else, not really feeding although they did see several stirring up the bottom and seemingly taking bits into their mouths.  Nelson kept the video camera working as Lee very gently maneuvered the craft here and there.  For their part the narwhals didn’t seem bothered by the bright yellow machine and Lee was able to get quite close, allowing Nelson much clearer shots than they’d gotten from Seaview.

 

The ‘show’ didn’t last quite as long as it had the previous day.  Once the animals moved on Lee headed once more for the second ‘berg.  Nelson noticed him having to concentrate overly hard and questioned him.

 

Lee shrugged.  “The rudder is getting more mushy.  I can still compensate,” he sent Nelson a quick grin.  “Just have to work at it a little harder.”

 

“And I swear you love the challenge,” Nelson teased him.

 

Lee was about to respond when Chip called.  “We have company,” he announced placidly.

 

Because of the casual nature of his XO’s voice Lee chose to transplant Nelson’s teasing to the blond.  “Animal, vegetable, or mineral?” he asked.

 

“Sleek and white,” Chip snickered back.  “A small pod of belugas.”

 

“Are Drs. Celek and Campbell still in the lab,” Nelson asked.

 

“Confirmed.  I haven’t notified them since belugas aren’t their area of study.”

 

“As well as, much more is known about them than narwhals,” Nelson told him.  “If it’s convenient grab a bit of video.  Other than that, ignore them.”

 

“Aye, sir,” Chip answered and the radio once more went silent.

 

“I’m surprised that we haven’t seen more of them here,” Nelson said to no one in particular.

 

“More is known about them because they can be kept in captivity?” Sharkey asked.

 

Nelson nodded.  “Unlike narwhals, who have so far not taken well at all to confinement, belugas seem to almost enjoy the close human contact.”

 

“More like dolphins?”

 

“Exactly,” Nelson confirmed.  “It’s not, of course, an ideal situation.  But it does allow for more information about them to be collected.”

 

“Which in the long run benefits the wild population,” Lee added.  Both Nelson and Sharkey nodded.

 

“Any idea why belugas can handle captivity but narwhals can’t?” Sharkey wanted to know.

 

“Theories only,” Nelson told him.  “Belugas swim slower and prefer shallower depths so it’s speculated that they tolerate aquariums better than narwhals who dive much deeper on average.  I think, of the attempts that have been made to keep a narwhal, the longest that one has lasted is about nine months.  There’s been such a succession of failures that pretty much no reputable facility will give it another try.”

 

“Not to mention something with a seven foot horn floating around with the other fish,” Sharkey said.

 

“And yet, nothing indicates that they use it for anything resembling a weapon,” Nelson reminded him.  “But yes, that could be a definite deterrent.”

 

“I don’t think I’m unhappy about that,” Lee added his opinion.

 

“Agreed,” Nelson and Sharkey said together.  They all grinned, and Lee concentrated on getting to the second iceberg.  Nelson’s collection there went even faster than the first one and Lee pointed FS1’s nose toward Seaview.

 

Chip reported that the two researchers were still in the lab so Lee went up the access ladder while Nelson and Sharkey went out the back hatch with their load of collection units.  Lee mentioned the continued issues with the rudder controls on the little craft and Lt. James made more notes on the repair sheet.

 

“Where to next?” Chip asked.

 

“Haven’t a clue,” Lee admitted.  “We got sidetracked talking about other things.”  Chip shook his head as Lee grinned.  “I guess for now, turn Seaview around and head back through the middle of the bay.  Oh,” he added, “if the Admiral hasn’t already grabbed Patterson, there’s video and still pictures to be downloaded from FS1.”

 

“On it, sirs,” Chris spoke up.  “It’s almost lunch time.”  Lee was getting set to verbally smack the younger man for the crack but Chip bursting out laughing spoiled his momentary snit.  Chip nudged his shoulder, still snickering, and the pair headed aft.  They both felt the big submarine turn slowly but smoothly and then ease forward.  They shared another grin at how well Chris was fitting in and learning his duties.  It was Lee’s chance to tease the blond about having to watch his back; that the young lieutenant was after the XO position.

 

Chip was still glaring at Lee when they walked through the Wardroom door.  “What’s he done now?” Will demanded, seeing the look.  He’d apparently just come in as he was standing at the coffee urn, not yet having dished up his meal.  Lee snickered as Chip’s expression hardened.

 

“Trying to get rid of me,” the blond growled.

 

Will had no idea why the two were sniping at each other but he was perfectly happy egging it on.  “Never happen,” he told Chip.  “No one else could put up with him.”  He grinned as Lee glared at him and Chip snickered.

 

Nelson chose that moment to walk in the door.  “What have they done now?” he unknowingly mimicked his CMO.

 

“Haven’t a clue,” Will admitted.  “And I love every minute of it.”  That caused Nelson to grin broadly and both younger men to glare at their CMO.  Will merely smiled.  He loved when a cruise was relaxed enough that CO and XO could enjoy the kind of horseplay that only two such close friends could indulge in without totally ticking off each other.  It didn’t happen nearly enough as far as Will was concerned.

 

“Now who’s baiting them?” Nelson accused him.  Will sent back a totally innocent look.  Lee and Chip looked confused, and Nelson finally snorted.  “We’re moving,” he told Lee.

 

“Yes, sir.  Wasn’t sure what the next stop was so we had Lt. James turn Seaview around and head slowly back toward the center of the bay.”

 

“That works,” Nelson told him with a grin, and all four finally dished up their meal.

 

“Did you tell Drs. Celek and Campbell about our encounter?” Lee asked as they all sat down. 

 

Before Nelson could answer, the two researchers walked in.  “No,” Nelson’s voice was mild.  Lee saw Will send a look between the two but since neither explained, let whatever he might have said drop.  He’d no doubt find out eventually and if he didn’t, he assumed that it didn’t concern him.  “At least not yet,” Nelson continued.  “Dr. Celek, we’ve finished with the sensor in this area and are headed back toward the central part of Koluktoo Bay on the lookout for more narwhals.  Any other suggestions?”

 

“Actually, that sounds perfect,” Celek told him.  He looked at his daughter.  “We really can’t get over our luck with yesterday’s encounter.  It was so much more than we could let ourselves hope for.”

 

Nelson let just a bit of pride sneak through his easy smile.  “It’s why I built Seaview.  Or rather, one of the reasons.  The ability to see, not just hear, what’s out there has been a great tool to further our understanding of the oceans.  I consider myself quite blessed to be able to supply that kind of intel.”

 

“I wish we had thought to contact you long before now.”

 

Nelson shrugged.  “On the other hand it’s quite possible that we would not have been able to help at a different time.  We stay incredibly busy.  You just happened to catch us with a bit of free – well,” he glanced at the other Seaview officers, “sort of free time.”  Lee had to duck his head and bury a snort in a soft cough.

 

Celek sent him a frown but his daughter broke in before he could say anything.  “Call it fate, then,” she said brightly.  “It was apparently meant to be.”

 

“Works for me,” Nelson told her with a grin.

 

“Perhaps you’ll be available next year?” Celek said with another apparent attempt at an engaging smile.  Lee wasn’t sure how he kept a straight face, especially as Nelson almost didn’t.

 

“I’ll have to check the logs once we get back,” Nelson said with the barest edge in his voice, “but I doubt it.”  He glanced at Lee.  “We’re pretty booked up if I remember right.  Even that far in advance.”

 

Lee played along.  “And we have to leave time for Admiral Stark to screw up pure research projects with what he considers necessary naval cruises.”  Both Chip and Will choked.  Nelson sent him an ever so brief frown at that jab at one of Nelson’s oldest and best friends but finally changed to a quick nod.

 

“Heaven forbid we inconvenience Jiggs,” he agreed.

 

“You’re private,” it was Celek’s turn to frown.  “What has the Navy to do with anything?”

 

“Quite a lot, actually.  A good many of my officers are Navy Reservists, as well as about half the crew.  We are allowed to use military ports and services in exchange for occasional cruises.  It allows the reservists to put in their required yearly duties without leaving Seaview among other benefits.”

 

“Oh.”  Celek seemed to deflate somewhat.

 

“It’s one reason FS1 is on limited duty,” Nelson decided to push his advantage.  “We were involved in some war games just prior to your group contacting us and things didn’t quite go as planned.”  His voice grew hard at the memory and he took a deep breath.  “We have to juggle cruises on short notice occasionally to make everything work.  You just got lucky.  Of course,” he decided to back off, “I’m thrilled that it happened.  This has been quite exciting for me as well.”

 

“And from here?” Campbell asked, merely making conversation, it seemed, as she and her father both started filling their trays.

 

“About three weeks at home.  It was supposed to be a bit longer, before this came up, but there will still be plenty of time for repairs to be made and give everyone,” he sent a particularly firm look across the table at his two senior officers, “ a chance to take a good chunk of their leave time.”  He grinned softly as Will added his glare at them as well.  “I’ve got half a dozen experiments that need attending to, as well as catching up on other projects being worked on by NIMR staff.”

 

“ We have a re-supply to Logan Sealab coming up shortly,” Lee added.  “And right after that one to Antarctica.”

 

Nelson nodded.  “If we do those at the same time we can take a few extra days for ice measurements.”

 

“Don’t we need to replace sensors around the Philippines?  That would also be a good time to check in at Talisei and see how Dr. Hardjono is doing.” *

 

“Perfect.  I’d also like to replace the data collector at the Kermadec Trench with a better one.”

 

“Ugh,” Chip muttered softly, causing half grins/half grimaces from the other three officers.

 

“Down, Chip,” Nelson told him.  “Just the collector.  We can do that with FS1.”

 

“‘Down’ being the operative word,” Chip continued to mutter.  Lee bumped his shoulder and finally got him to nod.

 

“You can go with Lee and I to swap out the collector,” Nelson told him, “and Lee can teach you how to turn FS1 into a hummingbird.” ++

 

Chip turned slightly green as Will frowned and shook his head.  “I’m not sure,” Lee told the group, “that I could do that again.”  It was his turn to frown.

 

“Let’s hope you never have to,” Chip told him with feeling.  There were nods from the other three officers and that particular subject was dropped.

 

“Sounds like you do stay quite busy,” Dr. Campbell said into the sudden silence.

 

“There’s a lot of ocean out there,” Nelson told her.  “And still so much to learn.”

 

“It does tend to make one feel a bit insignificant at times,” Campbell told him.

 

Nelson shrugged.  “That’s why it’s so very important to have people like you and your father, and your whole team for that matter, working on pieces of the puzzle.  One group can’t do everything.  But when there are groups focused on their specialties all around the globe, sharing what they learn with each other, it benefits everyone.”

 

“Humm,” Campbell got thoughtful.  “We do tend to get rather single-minded at times,” she admitted.

 

“Totally understandable,” Nelson nodded.  “But that’s why we have to continue to encourage research and the sharing of information; to encourage the sciences in schools so we continue to produce people eager to further our knowledge of everything to do with the oceans, wherever their own special interests lie.  We can’t get complacent.  Our survival as a species depends on it.”

 

Nelson finally realized that Lee, Chip, and even Will had their heads buried in their meal, all three with small smirks on their faces.  His own expression went slightly sheepish as he continued.  “Sorry.  I tend to get rather wound up on that particular topic.  As you can tell from those three.”  He pointed his fork at his officers.

 

“No apology necessary,” Campbell told him.  “You’re absolutely right.  If each generation doesn’t continue to be vigilant, even if it’s only in their own area of expertise, we all too soon wouldn’t have a planet to protect.”

 

“Exactly,” Nelson agreed.  But he also forced himself to control his ‘lecture’ tone and return to a more general one.  The conversation stayed somewhat on the kinds of projects that kept NIMR and her personnel hopping, but Nelson carefully avoided his tendency to get so wrapped up in a project that he drove his employees a little crazy.  He saw Lee and Chip nudge each other at one point and share a quick grin, and he had to grin himself.  Lee, especially, was very used to Nelson getting so involved with a project that he would rattle on, or occasionally rant, about a topic of interest endlessly. Lee’s patience with an overly focused Admiral always amazed Nelson, even if his captain didn’t understand one word in five of what Nelson was rattling on about.

 

The group was pretty much done eating when Lt. James called down.  “Skipper,” came over the intercom calmly, “We’ve got narwhals.”  All six quickly stood up and headed toward the Conn.  Nelson had to bury a quick grin as Lee, normally in the lead, hung back just enough that he could keep an eye on both researchers as they followed Nelson through the aft hatch into the Conn and on to the Nose.  Even in this most innocuous of circumstances Lee wasn’t about to let civilians in the Conn unattended.  He did pause only a moment at the chart table with Chip before following Nelson up to the windows.

 

This time they kept Seaview almost at the surface, her windows just under the water, and were treated to more of the ‘show’ they’d had preciously but from a different angle.  While there was some diving from the narwhals, today’s focus was on general behavior.  At the surface there was more light in the water and visibility was greater because of it.  They were able to watch the animals swim casually, spinning and dodging for no apparent reason.  Drs. Celek and Campbell were fairly sure this was the same pod they’d seen previously.  Several times two of the males would point upward, raising their heads and tusks into the air, not really touching each other but a couple times coming quite close.  This was the ‘jousting’ movement sometimes seen from watchers either on the beach or in boats.

 

Today’s show didn’t last nearly as long as the previous one before the pod headed off in a different direction.  But the researchers still had copious notes as well as the video Nelson took of the encounter to digest and headed up the stairs to the lab chattering excitedly about what they’d seen.

 

Chip stopped Nelson from following them with a question.  “Sir, there’s an arm of the bay just south of our position.  We can’t really go into it very far but there seems to be quite a collection of small ‘bergs in the area of the mouth.  The weather looks like it’s going to hold for the rest of the day at least.”

 

“Floating or grounded,” Nelson asked.

 

“Not sure at this distance,” Chip answered.  “Perhaps some of each.”

 

“Head that direction, then,” Nelson told him with a smile.  “We’ll strategize when we get there.”

 

Chip and Lee both nodded and Nelson headed up the stairs.  Lt. James quickly had the heading plotted and Seaview turned south.  Still keeping a lookout for animals, Lee maintained a slow speed so they were just starting to approach the area as dinnertime neared.  Lee notified Nelson; the decision was made to eat first and then check out the ‘bergs since they weren’t limited for time.  And, as Chip pointed out rather bluntly, there was also no need to tick off Seaview’s occasionally temperamental chef by Nelson and Lee messing up his mealtime without sufficient reason.  Lee glared at his XO but Nelson’s “Heaven forbid” over the intercom had even him smiling, and he settled Seaview at a safe distance from the nearest ‘berg. 

 

During the transit they’d dove enough to avoid any local traffic, but once more Lee surfaced and posted a watch topside before he and Chip headed to the Wardroom.  He did tease Chip about the XO’s choice for that duty: Seamen Riley and Rawn.  Riley had practically bounced up the ladder to the Conning Tower.  Rawn kept a carefully respectful expression on his face before disappearing up the ladder, as did Chip.  Seaview’s newest crewmember was settling into his duties fairly well and there had been no more occurrences of the ‘Dungaree Justice’ a few of the crew had delivered when the abrasive young man first came aboard.+++  But he still had his moments of muttering, and Chip kept close watch as he assigned duties he knew would push the man’s patience.  Lee would occasionally raise on eyebrow but he knew what Chip was doing; challenging Rawn to make sure he wouldn’t fall apart, or back into bad habits, if Seaview got a little ‘crazy’ as happened every so often.  It was one of a multitude of things that made Chip such a good XO, watching his crew and making sure that they were prepared for anything Seaview or the oceans might throw at them.  The crew, for their part, respected their XO as a man totally focused on his duties, fair to his crew but expecting their best.  And Lee was proud that they did just that, following Chip anywhere because they knew he wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t necessary.

 

Lee shook his head softly and headed for the Wardroom.  I can admit how much I value Chip, both as XO and as friend.  Why am I finding it so hard to actually say it out loud?

 

“Whatever you’re plotting, leave me out of it.”  Lee realized that Chip had seen the head movement, but totally confused the blond when he chuckled.

 

“Actually,” he started, “you were the main part.”  But he was kept from explaining when, as Chip started to glare at him, they rounded a corner and came face to face with Nelson and Jamie just outside the Wardroom door.

 

The doctor instantly frowned.  “Help, they’re at it again,” the CMO growled.  It was Nelson’s turn to burst out laughing.

 

Lee was still going to at least try to answer when Drs. Celek and Campbell appeared and he surrendered.  “Relax, Jamie,” he told the still frowning CMO.  “Chip totally misread what I’d been thinking.  Again,” he added his own frown at the blond.  It got his intended reaction – Nelson and Will chuckled, Chip all but smacked him, and the two researchers just looked confused.  Lee grinned, opened the Wardroom door, and conversation turned to the narwhal sightings for most of the meal.  Lee and Nelson did discuss a bit about the iceberg, Chip listening intently so that he would be able to handle his part.  But Celek and Campbell had no interest in that subject, ate quietly, and returned to the marine lab.

 

Lee and Chip were just walking in the aft hatch of the Conn when Seaman Riley called down to report that he thought he saw a polar bear.  Chip snatched the mic before Lt. James could.  “Riley, I’ve heard that crack before.  It’s the wrong time of year for polar bears.”

 

“Begging the XO’s pardon, sir,” the young seaman started after a moment’s hesitation, “but Dr. Celek mentioned that they always have to keep a watch posted.  It doesn’t happen often but they do sometimes see them.”

 

Chip frowned as Lee grinned.  “Well, we shouldn’t be bothered as long as we’re off from the shoreline,” he told Riley.

 

“Yes, sir,” came back in a somewhat deflated tone.

 

Chip shook his head.  “What is it with Riley and polar bears?” he asked no one in particular.

 

“Maybe I’ll suggest he vacation in Churchill, on Hudson Bay, next October,” Lee said, still smiling.  “That’s where they do all the polar bear watching.” 

 

“And maybe I’ll send him there,” Chip muttered mostly to himself, head down seeming to concentrate on the navigation chart.  Lee laughed, made a quick circuit of the Control Room, and then headed to do the pre-launch checks on FS1.

 

“What’s it look like?” Nelson asked about 20 minutes later as he and Chief Sharkey entered through the back hatch, each carrying a box filled with collection units.

 

“These ‘bergs are all pretty small, sir,” Lee answered easily but never taking his eyes off of the check sheet he was studying.  “Like maybe they’ve been floating around awhile and are on the verge of melting completely.

 

“Then we best be overly cautious,” Nelson told him.  “They could be really deteriorated inside even if they present a firm outside.  If that’s the case they’ll be extremely unstable.”

 

“Yes, sir.”  Lee fiddled with a few dials and went back to his clipboard.

 

“Trouble?”  Nelson greatly appreciated Lee’s attention to duty but the younger man didn’t usually ignore him to focus on something else.

 

“No, sir,” Lee answered after a bit of writing and then looked up, a small grin finally showing.  “Not really, anyway.  It looks like some of the wiring issues we knew about are starting to corrupt other parts.  Since we won’t be either very deep, or that far away from Seaview, it shouldn’t be a major problem.  Just more work once we get home.”

 

“Which I’ll be sure to make Jiggs very aware of the next time I talk to him,” Nelson muttered.  Mostly he didn’t mind the occasional war games Admiral Stark, COMSUBPAC, got him involved in.  This time, however, there had been a newly promoted captain who was anxious to prove himself.  Too anxious, it turned out, and he’d made some unfortunate miscalculations.  His XO, apparently, had known only too well the mistakes his captain was making but allowed him to make them anyway, unchallenged, because he didn’t particularly like the guy.  That explanation had only further infuriated Nelson, which had led to Nelson’s fit of temper the several days before they’d been asked to help Dr. Celek.  Lee now sent him a careful look, his head still lowered toward the clipboard and looking at Nelson almost through his eyelashes, and it caused Nelson to finally smile.  “Enough said,” he told Lee. Lee nodded and went back to studying several of the dials.

 

Once Sharkey had the collection units stowed to his satisfaction he made sure the upper hatch was dogged securely and stowed the access ladder.  Nelson used the time to check in with Chip about the location and stability of the several ‘bergs in the area.  There was no more mention of polar bears but spotters had seen several harp seals cavorting amongst the ‘bergs.  “Not on them?” Nelson asked, and was told not so far.  “Another reason to be careful,” he told Lee.  “If the seals are staying off of them the ‘bergs are probably about ready to disintegrate.”

 

Lee finally satisfied himself that FS1 was safe to launch, and presently had the little craft meandering carefully amongst the collection of small icebergs.  Several were grounded and considered fairly safe to approach.  Two, however, were still free-floating, appeared to be slowly disintegrating, and Lee was extremely cautious around them while still trying to get Nelson close enough to make what collections he wanted.

 

Several times FS1’s front windows were graced with one or more seals giving them the ‘once over’ for invading their world.  They never failed to bring a smile to the three men’s faces, even when one of them tried to snatch what Nelson had just gathered into one of the units.  “It’s not edible, meathead,” Sharkey told the seal from his position on FS1’s deck where he was using the special hatch to exchange filled units for empty ones.

 

“Always hopeful,” Nelson said between chuckles.  About then something apparently startled the seals and they disappeared.  Nelson finished the last of his collections and Lee headed back to Seaview.

 

There seemed to be some kind of commotion in the Conn as FS1’s docking clamps engaged.  Nelson and Sharkey ignored the samples for the moment and accompanied Lee up the ladder to the Control Room.  There were half a dozen men, Will Jamison among them, standing in front of the sub’s windows which were half in, half out of the water.  Lts. O’Brien and James were back by the chart table, slight smirks on their faces that were quickly covered as Lee and Nelson approached.  Lee was just opening his mouth to ask what was going on when there was a strong thump on Seaview’s hull just above him, and a shout could be heard all the way from the Conning Tower.  Lee pointed a severe eyebrow at the lieutenants.

 

“We have company,” Lt. James started, and then almost giggled.

 

“XO Morton isn’t overly thrilled,” O’Brien tried to continue but was interrupted by another thump and more shouting.  There were also more grins around the Conn.  Lee and Nelson looked at each other and headed up the ladder, Lee in the lead, to find out what the heck was going on.  Obviously the crew was enjoying it so nothing too bad could be happening.  But…..

 

Lee’s first sight as he reached the top and opened the hatch was the two men on watch, Riley and Rawn, totally enthralled by something below them on the outer hull.  Chip was standing, looking down, yelling at the top of his lungs for something to “get lost and leave my submarine alone.”  Another thump and Lee made it to Chip’s side and looked down.  And burst out laughing as Chip glared at him while Nelson joined them.

 

Standing on Seaview’s forward deck was an extremely large polar bear.  A ‘she,’ obviously, as she was accompanied by two cubs.  Too far below to be of any danger to the crew she was nonetheless standing up against the tower, then dropping suddenly to all fours causing the ‘thump’ Lee had been hearing.  Chip continued to yell at her to take her family and leave which, of course, did absolutely no good and seemed to infuriate her even more.  The cubs were strolling around the deck, apparently trying to figure out this new ‘animal’ in their midst.  Someone had brought Riley a camera and he was snapping pictures like mad.  Even Rawn seemed to be enjoying the show, although Lee had a feeling that he was mostly enjoying Chip’s temper tantrum.  Lee could totally understand; Chip didn’t ever get this out of control.  Lee leaned back against the side and burst out laughing once more.  Nelson, too, couldn’t contain his mirth as Chip kept up the tirade.

 

Lee finally got himself under enough control to call down and have Lt. O’Brien lower Seaview until her deck was awash.  That, finally, convinced the bear to take her cubs and swim back to shore.  Lee almost hated to see them go – he hadn’t had that much fun, especially at Chip’s expense, in ages.

 

As they went back down to the Conn Chip was still muttering insults and Lee continued to laugh.  The off duty crew who’d been in the Nose had disappeared, as had Lt. James. Lee was surprised, when he looked around, not to see Drs. Celek and Campbell and thought that they, too, had returned to the lab once the bears left.  O’Brien, however, told him that they’d never come forward.  He’d informed them the instant the bears had appeared.  That’s also what had attracted the off duty personnel.  Riley had reported the bears swimming close to shore and assumed Mamma was on the lookout for a dinner of fresh seal.  Instead, she’d diverted to Seaview and that’s when Chip had gotten irate.  The blond was still muttering threats as he headed for his cabin now that Lee and Nelson were back.  Nelson continued to chuckle as he headed with Sharkey to retrieve and stow his samples.  Lee hung around the Conn for a bit longer, finally called Riley and Rawn down and then ordered Seaview submerged and pointed once more toward the center of the bay at slow speed.  Once all was in order he meandered out the aft hatch for his usual evening ‘walkaboat.’

 

Tonight he made a couple stops that he didn’t usually do.  The first was in Sick Bay, slightly startling Jamie.  The CMO had his feet up on his desk, reading a medical journal.  Before Lee could do more than step through the door Jamie demanded to know if Chip had finally calmed down.  Lee laughed.  “Not sure.  He was still growling when he headed for his cabin.  I’ll check on him before I crash.”

 

“I don’t think I’ve ever seem him that angry.  Well,” he sent Lee a look, “unless it was at you.”  Lee lowered his head, and Jamie grinned.  “But he usually keeps that pretty private.”

 

“I was actually wondering,” Lee told him, “if he did it on purpose.  Not that this has been a bad cruise.  But just because, to give the crew a break.”

 

“No, that would be something that you’d do, Skipper,” Jamie told him firmly.  “Or perhaps the two of you together,” he amended, beginning to grin.

 

“True,” Lee admitted with a grin of his own.  “Maybe he’s just got something against polar bears we don’t know about.”  His grin spread.

 

Will chuckled.  “Think I’ll let you ask him that one, Skipper,” he said.  They both nodded, and Lee left.

 

His other slightly abnormal stop was at the Marine lab.  If he knew that Admiral Nelson was working late he would sometimes stop in for a bit.  Tonight his reason was to check on the researchers.  He found it strange that they would have ignored something so unusual as polar bears on the sub’s hull.  He found them both analyzing video from Seaview’s second narwhal encounter.  Lee wasn’t sure if Admiral Nelson had ever admitted FS1’s meeting, and wasn’t about to bring it up.  When asked, Dr. Celek told him rather bluntly that polar bears were of little interest to him other than having to watch out for them while they were watching out for narwhals.  He did notice Dr. Campbell give him a slight shrug, carefully and behind her father’s back, and he sent her a quick nod before leaving.  He was still shaking his head as he turned the next corner and nearly ran into Admiral Nelson.

 

“What’s wrong now?” Nelson saw the frown and asked.

 

Lee relaxed and grinned softly.  “A severe case of ‘overly focused scientist wearing blinders’.”

 

Nelson snorted.  “And it’s not even me.  For a change,” he added and grinned.

 

Lee ducked his head and sent his boss a sheepish grin.  “Yes, sir,” he admitted.  That was most often the reason Lee showed up in the lab at night – to chase Nelson out so that he’d get some sleep instead of spending all night with whatever project had him ignoring everything else.

 

Nelson nodded.  “I was curious as well so I asked when Sharkey and I stowed the samples in my private lab.  I got the impression that Dr. Campbell would have enjoyed the diversion but her father…interfered.”  The pair started to walk back toward Officers’ Country.  “I suppose that it can’t always be easy for her, working with her father.”

 

“I’d not noticed any dissidence,” Lee said.  “But then, I haven’t been around them that much.”

 

“I’ve heard an odd comment or two when I’ve been in my lab and they were in the Marine lab,” Nelson admitted.  “Nothing angry or overt, but…”  He shrugged.  “I’ve been thinking…”  He shook his head.  “Probably a stupid idea.”

 

“I’ve rarely noticed you have a stupid idea, sir,” Lee told him seriously.

 

Nelson sent him a sideways glance.  “I rather suspect that you and Chip have had the occasional ‘discussion’ about some of my ideas.”

 

Lee straightened almost to Attention and put a controlled, benign expression on his face..  “I think I’ll take the Fifth on that one, sir.”

 

Nelson chuckled and backhanded Lee’s shoulder.  “And I’ll respect that.”

 

“So,” Lee asked almost carefully, “what idea did you have now?”

 

Nelson chuckled again.  “That I might ask Dr. Campbell if she’d consider coming to work for NIMR.”

 

“Are you going to start a narwhal project?”

 

“Not specifically.  But I’ve been watching her; her techniques and specific talents.  I think that she would have a lot to offer any number of projects.  If she’d even be interested,” he added hesitantly.

 

“You won’t know until you ask,” Lee told him.  “You don’t think Celek would exploit her access to NIMR facilities?”

 

“Humm – might have to rethink that one,” Nelson admitted, and he sent Lee a sheepish grin that changed almost instantly to firm.  “Definitely some extra conditions will need to be added to her contract.”  He paused, and Lee didn’t interrupt.  “I also think that I’ll wait until we’ve been home for awhile and she and her father have had a few months to analyze all the new information we’ve helped them gather.”

 

“And you have a chance to talk to her without her father listening to every word.”

 

“That, too.”  Nelson sent him another sheepish grin.  Lee sent it back with a nod.  He stopped at Chip’s cabin and Nelson went on to his own.

 

Chip calmly answered Lee’s quick knock.  Lee opened the door only far enough to stick his head into the cabin.  “Safe to enter?” he asked.

 

Chip looked up from the paperwork spread across his desk.  “Why wouldn’t it be?”

 

“You were really ticked at that bear.”

 

Chip threw his pen at Lee, who ducked.  Once the pen bounced off the door he came all the way in, laughing.  Chip was also grinning and Lee picked up the pen and returned it as he sat on the corner of Chip’s deck.  “Seemed like a good idea at the time,” Chip excused his momentary snit.  “The Admiral done taking iceberg samples?”

 

“Haven’t a clue.  I do know that he wants to set at least one more sensor, perhaps two, in Eclipse Sound on our way out.”

 

Chip nodded.  “He stopped yesterday and took a long look at that chart specifically but didn’t really mark anything, just sort of rested a finger here and there.”  He grinned broadly.  “Once he left I saw Chris making some notes to himself.”

 

“Wanna bet he already has half the navigation points charted to each of those locations?”

 

“Sucker bet,” Chip told him and they both grinned.

 

“You’ve trained him well.”

 

Chip shrugged.  “Mostly he’s trained himself.  He already had most of the charting and navigation skills down pat when he came to NIMR.”

 

Lee nodded.  “One of the reasons he was such a good choice,” he agreed.

 

“That, and he’s not a ‘stick-up-his-six’ idiot.”  They both frowned remembering Lt. Bishop, the man Chris had replaced.  Lee was just trying to come up with something to say, to express to Chip how gratifying it was to him having his friend as his XO, when Chip grumbled.  “There you go with that frown again.”

 

Lee chuckled.  “You have no idea what I was thinking.”

 

Before Chip could even open his mouth there was an all-boat call from the Conn.  “Narwhals ahead,” came in Lt. O’Brien’s calm voice.  It was enough.  Chip and Lee headed for the Conn, with Nelson just ahead of them and Drs. Celek and Campbell just behind.

 

The narwhals – if this was the same pod they’d already encountered, and from the numbers and age distribution it seemed to be, with perhaps a few more members added along the way – seemed to be getting used to having Seaview in their midst.  And since they seemed to be headed in the same general direction, toward Bruce Head, they didn’t mind the submarine quietly bringing up the rear.  At one point Lee got a bit whimsical and wondered out loud what they might be thinking about their new, oversized, podmate, and why she didn’t dive and roll like they did.

 

“We could try a few maneuvers and see if they’d like us better,” Chip offered, standing slightly behind him.  Lee shrugged and Nelson snorted softly.  Dr. Campbell looked up from her note taking and smiled.  Dr. Celek never took his eyes off the show outside the windows but Lee could see his frown in the reflection.  Lee caught Jamie looking at first Celek, then him, and he shrugged.  The doctor returned it and went back to his own observations.

 

The narwhals remained relatively oblivious to Seaview’s presence, enthralling everyone watching.  Lee noticed seamen coming and going and, while he suspected most were watching from other monitors, liked that some also wanted to come forward and see the action ‘live’ as it were.  He was almost shocked, when the animals finally moved off, to find that it was nearly 2400 hours – midnight, and shared a grin with Nelson when he also looked up from checking his watch.

 

“Fantastic,” Dr. Campbell decreed, and got no arguments.

 

“More than we ever could have imagined,” Dr. Celek actually admitted.

 

“You’re welcome,” Nelson told them both with an enigmatic grin and looked at Lee.

 

Who carefully controlled his expression.  “Yes, sir?”

 

“I’m guessing that you’d rather navigate the passage past Bruce Head during the day?”

 

“Preferred, sir,” Lee agreed.

 

“Then I suggest we remain here for now and all get a good night’s sleep.”

 

“Yes, sir.”  He shared a quick grin with Chip, they quickly got the Conn organized, and each headed once more for their cabins.  Again Lee kicked himself for not being able to effectively communicate with Chip what he knew he needed to say.  He did realize that, as perceptive as Chip was and with their close friendship, Chip no doubt understood how Lee felt.  But it still needs saying, Lee berated himself, and fell asleep still trying to find a way to remedy his private predicament.

 

The next two days went by calmly.  Weather topside had once more turned windy and rainy, and Seaview stayed submerged during her passage back to Eclipse Sound.  True to prediction, Lt. James had navigation to Nelson’s next sensor site at the confluence of Milne Inlet and Trembly Sound already jotted down, as well as a site on the southern-most tip of Bylot Island in Eclipse Sound.  Those quick trips in FS1 went extremely well.  Even Dr. Celek gave up trying to get aboard the little craft and stayed in the lab with his daughter analyzing all of the notes they’d made as well as watching the video over and over, each time picking up something new or different.  He was profuse with his praise when they dropped the pair back at Pond Inlet, as was his daughter.  They both expressed hope that they could work with NIMR in the future.  Nelson was noncommittal but left the possibility open, then carefully had to avoid looking at Lee for fear of screwing up his carefully cultivated expression.  Once they were gone he pointed to a spot just as Seaview would enter Baffin Bay for the last sensor.  Lee told him that they’d be there just after 1830 hours so they planned a slightly early dinner.

 

Maybe Seaview, or perhaps FS1, didn’t want to leave their new friends, the narwhals.  That sensor site proved to be a problem.  First, strong currents in the area caused both the sub and her little yellow offspring to have maneuverability issues.  Especially FS1 since she was already slightly damaged.  A sudden tidal surge just as the docking clamps released caused Lee to bump the inside of FS1’s bay and Chip to call down, “Lee pays for the new paint.”

 

“You did that on purpose,” Lee smarted right back.  “The paint’s on you!”  Both Nelson and Chief Sharkey were grinning, and Lee could easily hear snickers over the open mic.

 

“Okay, down there?” Chip would make sure even through the sniping.

 

Nelson answered before Lee could.  “Just a little nudge to settle our dinner,” he joined the teasing.  “Appreciate the assistance.”  That set off even more chuckles over the mic, as well as in FS1.  Lee shook his head as he laughed, and pointed the little craft toward where Nelson wanted to set the sensor.

 

They had to get serious quickly as the currents claimed all of Lee’s talents.  Normally easily handling such issues, FS1’s damaged rudder controls caused Lee all sorts of trouble; first just getting to the spot, and then keeping her steady long enough for Nelson to secure the sensor where it wouldn’t be swept away.

 

“Good thing this is the last one,” Sharkey muttered as he tried to help Nelson, manning one of FS1’s arms as the Admiral struggled with the other one after nearly dropping the sensor trying to control both of them.  All three were sweating by the time Nelson was satisfied that the sensor was stable, and Lee let out a heavy sigh as he headed back toward Seaview.

 

“Agreed,” Nelson told him with feeling.  There was ‘something’ from Chief Sharkey as he headed back to his seat.

 

He didn’t make it.  FS1’s rudder controls completely failed and the little craft went out of control, sliding sideways and tipping almost 90 degrees before Lee could get partial control and bring her back to almost level.  He saw Nelson, trying to help with his own set of controls, glance back at the same time there was an “Okay” from Sharkey.  Lee found out later that he’d grabbed the base of his chair and hung on until FS1 had leveled out and he was able to crawl into the seat and strap himself in.  Lee and Nelson were safely strapped in but still tossed hard into the webbing.  “That’s gonna leave a mark,” Lee muttered, and got grunts from the other two.

 

Then suddenly the little craft stabilized as if by herself and gently headed back toward Seaview.  “Thank you, Chip,” Lee told the air around him and let go of the controls as Nelson did the same.  “Seaview to FS1,” came in Chip’s best XO voice, but it broke slightly as he continued.  “Having a little difficulty down there?”

 

“Eh,” Lee sniped back and then let out another audible sigh.  “Thanks for triggering the ‘welcome home beacon’,” referring to the Magnetic Retrieval System Chip had engaged when FS1 went out of control.

 

“Just saving my CO’s six, as usual,” came back with an obvious grin in Chip’s voice.  “Enjoy the ride.  We’ll have you back in a few minutes.”

 

“Smart aleck XO,” Lee muttered.  He thought only to himself but Nelson and Sharkey snorted, and Lee sent them both a sheepish grin.

 

Because Seaview herself was still being buffeted by currents FS1 suffered a few more bumps before she was safely back in her docking clamps.  And because Seaview had control over her, Nelson and Lee had her shut down by the time the bay doors closed.  Sharkey unclipped the access ladder and first Nelson and then Lee headed up.

 

Chip himself had undogged the upper hatch.  Lee saw Nelson clap Chip on the shoulder but continue on into the Conn.  “Hi, Chip,” Lee stopped with his head just through the hatch and sent his XO a big smile.

 

Chip shook his head, but finally chuckled and offered Lee a hand up.  “Have fun down there?”

 

Lee sent him a frown and shuddered.  “Yeah, lots,” he muttered.

 

“How much damage are you hiding?” came from behind him and Lee turned to find Jamie standing there, his arms crossed over his chest.

 

“I’m fine,” came in Chip’s attempt at imitating Lee’s voice.  It caused Lee to send him one of his better glares but Nelson, standing by the chart table, and Jamie both cracked up.

 

“The Admiral and I were strapped in” Lee finally answered for himself.  “A few bruises only.  Sharkey might need checking out.”

 

“Same here, Doc,” the COB said, climbing out of the hatch slowly.  “Nothing a good night’s sleep won’t cure.”  He went on to explain; that’s when Lee found out that he’d had a good hold on the seat brace during FS1’s tilt.

 

Will wasn’t sure he believed any of them but decided to surrender, at least for the time being.  He’d learned to choose his battles carefully and now didn’t seem the time.  “It’s late.  I’m tired.”  He could tell by the looks he got that no one believed him.  So be it; he could play games with the best of them.  “We’ll see how everyone feels in the morning.”  He turned and headed up the spiral stairs, dead silence behind him.

 

It stayed that way for several seconds after he disappeared.  Then, “He’s up to something,” came from Lee.

 

“Don’t knock it,” Chip ordered. 

 

Lee sent him another glare before turning toward Nelson.  “Can we go home now, sir?”

 

Nelson burst out laughing.  “Sounds like a plan,” he chuckled, and headed after the CMO up the stairs.

 

Chip and Lee walked over to the chart table and plotted a route before leaving Lt. O’Brien in charge and heading up the stairs toward their cabins.

 

Lee stopped at his door, and held out an arm to stop Chip from walking on to his own.  Chip raised an eyebrow.  “Thanks,” Lee told him, his voice filled with sincerity.

 

“You’re welcome.”  Chip’s voice held a touch of confusion.

 

Lee smiled.  “I’ve been trying to figure out how to tell you how much I appreciate having you as my XO.  As my friend.”  Chip started to open his mouth but Lee held up a hand.  “No, let me finish.”  He took a deep breath.  “I find it easy to tell the rest of the crew, everyone I work around, how much I appreciate them.”  He grinned.  “Even Jamie.”  Chip snorted and Lee nodded.  “I started to realize that I never tell you.”

 

“You’re an idiot,” Chip told him, and laughed when Lee frowned.  “Lee, you tell me every day.  Many times a day.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Idiot,” Chip repeated, turned to face Lee and placed one hand on each of Lee’s shoulders.  “Every time you grin, backhand a shoulder,” and he gently squeezed both of Lee’s, “hell, every time you snipe at me it speaks volumes.  I know you.  You’d never be that relaxed around someone that you didn’t totally trust.”  Lee had slowly dropped his head, and now looked at Chip with the ‘little boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar’ look that his friends were very familiar with.  “Idiot,” Chip told him brightly.

 

“Works both ways,” Lee told him softly.

 

“It jolly well better,” Chip smarted right back, dropping his hands and crossing his arms over his chest as he sent Lee a glare before they both cracked up.

 

“Thanks,” Lee told him again.

 

“You’re welcome,” Chip responded, and they finally each headed for their cabins.

 

 

 

~ finis ~

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*          see ‘Past Imperfect’ by R. L. Keller

**        Author anonymous, as far as I could find.  RLK

***    see ‘Epilog’ to ‘Murphy’ by R. L. Keller

****  see ‘Pressure Valve’ by R. L. Keller

*****  This story was over halfway written when the Sprint commercial started running on TV.  I did a lyrics search  and quickly discovered that the entire original version isn’t exactly PG-rated J

+           see ‘Storm Front’ by R. L. Keller

++         see ‘Kermadec’ by R. L. Keller

+++       see ‘Cobwebs’ by R. L. Keller