This story is an epilogue to "Double Vengeance". The reader may want to read that story first to fully enjoy this story.
Reparation-Something that is done or given as a way of correcting a mistake that you have made or a bad situation that you may have caused. Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Dedicated to the memory of Angela who loved Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and her Captain, Lee Crane.
Her support and passion for Voyage will be greatly missed by her Voyage friends.
Reparation
By JSRobertson
Seaview had just returned from a three week exercise of fox and hound with the Navy's newest destroyer and submarine. The Navy had contacted Admiral Harriman Nelson, owner of Seaview, asking him if he was interested in helping them with their sea trials. The admiral was more than happy to aid the Navy knowing that Lee Crane, Seaview's captain, would love to show off his boat and crew's skills. When Seaview was the hound they were able to find the Navy's submarine four out of the five exercises. Seaview was only found once by the destroyer and once by the submarine out of the six exercises when she was the fox.
As Seaview headed home Lee went to the radio shack to make a boat wide announcement, "Attention men, this is the captain. The Navy just sent us a Bravo Zulu on the completion of the exercises. You proved to me that you can compete with the Navy's newest boats. Congratulations on a job well done."
Lee stowed the mic back in its holder and returned to the observation nose where the admiral, Chip Morton, Seaview's XO and Janet, Lee's wife and Seaview's secretary were waiting.
Barely containing a smile, "Lee," Chip said when he returned, "you failed to tell them there was one slight mishap on the last exercise."
"Yes, I know," Lee replied frowning, "you won the bet and I'm sure the whole crew knows I scraped the paint on the left bow fin."
When Lee directed Seaview out of the last cavern where they were hiding, she drifted a little further to the left than Lee anticipated and her paint was scraped. Lee and Chip had a bet on who would scrape her paint first. If Chip scraped the paint, he wouldn't be able to have dessert or coffee for a week. If Lee scraped her paint Chip would get to drive Lee's other baby, a Shelby AC Cobra for a week. Seaview was Lee's first love, not even Janet could get past her.
The admiral and Janet also had a hard time containing their smiles as it had been sometime since one of them scraped her paint. Seaview would be dry docked in the underground facility while she got a new paint job.
((()))
It was late Sunday evening when Lee expertly brought Seaview into the underground sub pen and dismissed the crew once she was tied down. They had no missions scheduled for the next month so there was time to paint her and take care of the routine maintenance.
The admiral, Chip, Lee and Janet left the sub pen and walked to their cars. Chip had ridden with Lee and Janet to the dock and would ride home with them and pick up the Cobra. When they got to the parking lot, Julie, Chip's girlfriend, was waiting for them.
"Welcome home," she said to them giving Chip a quick kiss on the cheek not wanting to embarrass him in front of the admiral with a more passionate one as he would get that and much more when they got back to her house.
"Good night, see you in the morning," the admiral said as he walked to his car leaving the four of them on the dock and drove away with a smile on his face. He knew Lee was upset that he scraped the paint and lost the bet but knew he would keep his word. He was happy that his officers got along as well as they did.
"I'll take Chip home," Julie volunteered as she grabbed his hand and they walked to their cars.
"I'll pick up the Cobra tomorrow after work," Chip said to Lee wanting to cash in on the bet right away before Lee changed his mind.
"No problem," Lee replied as he opened the car door for Janet who slid in and looked at Chip while Lee walked around the car. She gave him a wry grin as she knew Lee was more upset about scraping the paint than losing the bet.
"See you tomorrow," Janet said to Chip.
When Lee got in the car, Janet grabbed his tie and pulled him over to her giving him a very passionate kiss which he gladly returned.
"Honey, you're a good sport. I promise to make it up to you when we get home," Janet teased.
"I'll hold you to that promise," he replied with a grin as he put the car in gear and drove home.
((()))
They parked the car in the garage and went into the house. "Are you hungry?" Janet asked as she put down her gear.
"No, not really," Lee replied as he dropped his gear. "How about we forget about dinner and go upstairs. I'm really tired. These last three weeks have been very challenging."
"That's fine with me," Janet answered noting he did look a little tired. She realized it was more than a competition for Lee as he wanted to prove to the Navy that Seaview was just as good as their new vessels. He hadn't been sleeping well since they left on this mission and would find him at his desk going over maps at all hours of the night.
They walked upstairs and as they got ready for bed Janet asked, "Are you too tired for..."
Before she could finish, Lee gave her a deep lingering kiss and led her over to the bed where they quickly slid under the covers. I guess he's not that tired, Janet thought as she caught the twinkle in his amber eyes as he pressed his body against hers. She missed their intimacy but now that the mission was over and Seaview had performed very well, she knew Lee would be able to perform just as well if not better. Tired, sated and happy, they finally fell asleep wrapped in each other's arms.
((()))
Lee woke up at 0500 hours, yawned, turned over and fell back to sleep. Janet finally woke up and saw it was almost 0700. She quickly shook Lee awake, "Honey, we've overslept. We're going to be late," she said as she jumped out of bed. "Are you okay...you never over sleep," Janet asked in a panic.
Stretching, "I'm fine," Lee replied as he stayed in bed. "I woke up at 0500 and decided we needed some more sleep. So we're a little late. Why don't you come back to bed and we'll continue on with what we started last night?" he suggested eagerly pulling back the covers so she could climb back in.
Janet looked at her husband, who was never late, "Who are you and what have you done with my husband?" she laughed and jumped back into bed. He kissed her passionately as she ran her hands down his chest to his lower body where he let out a soft moan enjoying what she was doing. They joined in love and laid next to each other breathing heavily for several minutes before getting up.
Janet turned on the shower and climbed in while Lee shaved. She got out and he jumped in while she finished getting ready. They wouldn't have time for coffee or breakfast this morning as it was almost 0800 hours and they should have been at work already. They quickly got in the car and drove the short distance to the institute.
"What are you going to tell the admiral as to why we're late," Janet asked as they pulled into their parking space.
"I don't think that's going to be a problem, as he isn't here yet," Lee said noticing the admiral's car wasn't there.
"You got lucky this time," Janet laughed and saw Chip pull in after them. "Maybe we should find out why Chip is late?"
"You know why he's late," Lee chuckled as they got out of the car and met Chip as he was walking to the door.
"You're late too," Chip said looking embarrassed at getting caught being late.
Grinning "Overslept," Lee replied as he held the door for Janet and Chip.
"Yah, me too," Chip answered as he entered the lobby and went over to the counter and signed the three of them after wishing Howard a good morning.
They took the elevator to the second floor where Wanda was waiting for them and not looking very happy.
((()))
"Where have you been...Admiral Johnson has called three times looking for you," she told Lee. "I didn't know what to tell him. That man has no patience," she continued.
"Sorry Wanda," Lee apologized. "We got in late last night and we slept in a little later. I'm sorry he took his frustrations out on you."
"It's okay," she told Lee as the phone started to ring. "For some reason he scares me." Janet looked at the number and knew the call was for Lee.
"Looks like he might be calling again," Janet said as she answered the phone. "Good Morning, Commander Crane's office, Janet Crane speaking, how may I help you?"
"It's about time you got there," he said gruffly. "Don't you people have to be at work on time? I need to talk to Lee."
Sighing, Janet looked at Lee, "Admiral Johnson would like to talk to you."
"Give me a minute to hang up my coat and I'll take his call," Lee responded as he and Chip walked to their offices.
"Just minute, Admiral" Janet told him not happy that he was calling as it meant Lee would have to go on an ONI mission.
Janet put the call through to Lee's office and said to Wanda contritely, "I'm sorry we're late too. We should have called and let you know we wouldn't be here on time."
"Angie and I were worried something happened when you weren't here as you're never late. We didn't know if something went wrong with the mission or if you had a problem."
"I promise we'll call the next time we're going to be late," Janet told her.
"Thanks," Wanda replied with a grin letting Janet know she wasn't mad at her.
Janet walked to her office, turned on the light and stood there looking at all the mail, reports, and proposals that sat on her desk. She also had a box of work from Seaview she had to finish up. She would have to work late to get it all completed. She put her purse in the drawer and sat down when her phone rang.
"Janet, can you please come to my office?" Lee asked.
"I'll be right there," she replied noticing he was still on the phone with Admiral Johnson.
She walked down the hall to Lee's office and opened the door.
((()))
Lee hung up his coat and turned on his computer before telling Janet to put through the call from Admiral Johnson. He really wasn't in the mood to deal with him right now.
"Hello, Admiral," Lee said as he sat down in his chair.
"Good morning, Lee," Johnson said pleasantly. "Congratulations on your recent exercises with the Navy's new vessels, seems you outsmarted both of them."
"Thank you sir," Lee replied. "Both those ships will be hard to outsmart once their officers and crew spend more time working together. They did give Seaview a good workout though." He continued smiling with pride that his boat and crew did get the best of those newer vessels.
"The reason for my call is I need you and Janet to pick up a flash drive with the plans for the PR's new ADC chip (analog-to digital converter).* They've been using it to jam our drones, radios, radar, and other electronics hindering our operations. We're a little behind on this project and would like to see how they've made it so we can speed up our manufacturing."
"Why does Janet need to go?" Lee questioned knowing Johnson had an ulterior motive.
"Lee, do you remember Leon Kelly?" Johnson asked.
"Recall the name but not sure where I met him. Admiral, please just get to the point," Lee snapped.
"Commander, watch the tone," Johnson warned. "He was the PR operative in Las Vegas Janet had a run in with over some maps."**
"Yes, I do recall the incident where you coerced my wife into picking up some maps without my knowledge or permission," Lee answered just barely keeping his anger in check.
"Well, he'll turn the plans over to her and only her. He feels she's the only person he could trust with them plus she's not an operative and has nothing to gain by getting them."
"I'll go alone," Lee said. "I only saw him briefly but I'll remember him."
"Lee, I tried to send another agent or even you alone and he won't budge. Please ask her if she'll help us out. You will go along of course."
Sighing deeply Lee responded, "Let me call her into my office. I'll let her decide. And Admiral, if she says no I won't let you beg her to go," Lee added.
"Fair enough," Johnson replied as Lee put him on hold and called Janet into his office.
((()))
Janet entered Lee's office sat down in the chair in front of his desk a little worried as to why Lee wanted to see her.
"Janet, Admiral Johnson would like to talk to you as he needs your help. I'll let him tell you why," Lee explained.
"Okay Lee," she answered softly.
Pressing the button on the phone, Lee said, "Admiral, Janet is in the office and I'm going to put you on speaker phone."
"Good morning, Janet," Johnson responded politely.
"Good morning, sir," Janet replied anxiously.
"I'll get right to the point. Janet do you remember Leon Kelly?"
"Yes sir. He was the PR operative in Las Vegas when I picked up the maps and he beat me up."
"Yes," Johnson answered clearing his throat. "As I explained to Lee he has a flash drive with some plans for an electronic chip we desperately want," Johnson stressed.
Rolling her eyes, Janet asked, "What does that have to do with me? I don't know anything about electronics."
Lee and Janet could hear Johnson take a deep breath, "He will only give the plans to you, no one else. So I need you to pick them up. I'm hoping you'll help us out. You and Lee will need to go to the country of Gromenten.*** Lee, I sending you via e-mail the form to sign letting us use Janet for this mission."
"What a minute," Lee blurted out. "I haven't agreed to take on this mission let alone you use my wife."
"Lee, time is of the essence. You need to be in Gromenten no later than Friday which means you'll be leaving late Wednesday night as it's a fourteen hour flight and they're nine hours ahead of you."
"That's not giving us much time," Lee said heatedly. "Why such short notice?"
"If you don't pick up those plans by Saturday, Kelly is going to sell them to a country we in no way want to have those plans," Johnson replied curtly. "Gromenten is opening a new aquarium in Podgorca, the capital, on Friday evening with a dinner for selected guests and you two are on the list. There will be a formal reception hosted by the president on Saturday night. Admiral Nelson received an invitation to the opening but is unable to attend so you and Janet are going in his place. The exchange will take place at the reception."
"Admiral, can Lee and I have a minute to talk privately," Janet asked quickly seeing that Lee was getting agitated and would get into trouble if she didn't stop him.
"Yes," Johnson answered impatiently.
Lee put Johnson on hold so they could talk. "Lee, I'm not thrilled about going but I'll do it as long as you're with me. As far as his form he wants you to sign, you can stuff his form. Since we're talking about this and you're going along, you don't need to sign any forms. If Johnson doesn't like it, I won't go." Lee was surprised at her attitude regarding the form but understood since she was his wife and not an underage daughter. He laughed to himself "You've come a long way, baby," and truth be told he liked her that way.
Lee looked at Janet and ran his hand through his hair. "Okay, we'll go and no more forms." He took Johnson off hold.
"Admiral," Janet said, "I'll agree to go on the mission."
"Thank you," Johnson said sighing deeply. "I'll make your travel arrangements and e-mail them to you. Lee, did you receive the document giving Janet permission to go on this mission?"
Lee looked at his computer and saw the e-mail message. "Admiral, no more forms. Janet is not a piece of property I can sign over, she's her own woman," he told Johnson as Janet sat there smiling.
Hesitating for a second Johnson replied, "I understand. Also, you'll need to wear a white dinner jacket and Janet a black dress for the reception. Seems the aquarium is decorated in black and white hence the dress code. Look for your travel information, itinerary and how you're getting out of the country in the next couple of hours. Thanks, Lee. You'll drop off the flash drive with me on your return trip home and give me a complete debriefing. Good luck."
"Thank you sir," Janet replied.
"Good bye," Lee said as he hung up the phone. "I guess we could be sent to a worse place. Gromenten isn't a bad place to go. The capital city of Podgorca is pretty and there things to see besides the aquarium," Lee told Janet.
"I guess you'll have to find your white dinner jacket...black dress no problem," Janet replied as she stood up went around to Lee and gave him a kiss. "See you later."
"Oh no, sweetie, we have to tell the Admiral about our new adventure," Lee said as he got up from his chair, opened the door and waited for Janet so they could go to the admiral's office.
Chip was just coming out of his office for another cup of coffee, "What...where... and when do you leave?" Chip asked with a smirk on his face.
"Come with us while we tell the admiral," Lee said as the three of them walked into Angie's office.
((()))
"Is he here?" Lee asked Angie as they stood in front of her desk.
"He is now," the admiral replied as he came up behind them. "What can I do for you?"
"Lee just got a call from Admiral Johnson," Chip chimed up before Lee could which got him a disgusted look from Lee.
"Janet, you better bring in a whole pot of coffee," the admiral said as he opened the door to his office and went in followed by Lee and Chip while she got the pot of coffee and some mugs.
Before the admiral sat down on the couch, Janet poured them all a mug of coffee. Chip sat next to the admiral on the couch across from Lee and Janet. "Let's have it," the admiral told Lee taking a sip of coffee.
"Janet and I have to leave for a mission to Gromenten to pick up plans on an ADC chip," Lee reported.
"An ADC chip...what is that?" the admiral asked curiously.
"It's a high-speed analog-to-digital converter," Lee told him. "They're used to jam drones, radios, radar, and other electronics."
Chip piped up, "I've been reading up on them. It seems the PR has a head start on the chip and is already using it. I'm waiting for us to develop one. It's something we're definitely going to need on Seaview."
"Hmm," the admiral mused. "But what does that have to do with the two of you?"
Lee explained what Johnson had told him about Leon Kelly and the reception.
Smiling when Lee told him about the reception at the aquarium, the admiral replied, "Funny I did get an invitation to the opening and was thinking of going but I guess ONI just changed my mind."
"Sorry sir," Janet answered knowing he would have loved to gone.
"When are you leaving?" Chip asked unhappily.
"We need to leave on Wednesday night and will spend most of Thursday traveling. On Friday there's a tour of the aquarium with the official opening and then a dinner. Saturday we're on our own until the reception hosted by the president. The exchange will take place at the reception. Once we have the plans, we'll head back to Washington to be debriefed by Johnson. I don't have all the travel information just yet."
Sighing deeply the admiral replied, "Just be careful. I know this seems like an easy mission but you know nothing is ever easy when the two of you are involved."
"Yes sir," Lee replied as the three of them stood up and left his office.
"I'll take you to the airport," Chip said as he returned to his office already worried about his friends.
((()))
Lee and Janet returned to their offices. Lee got all the travel information by late afternoon. He printed the itinerary and left it on his desk. There was no return travel information.
It was 1800 hours by the time Chip, Lee and Janet were ready to leave for the day. Chip followed the Crane's home and picked up the Cobra. He and Julie had a date for dinner and he wanted to drive it to the restaurant.
"I promise I'll be careful," Chip told Lee as he started the car.
"I know you will Chip," Lee said with a smile. "Have a good time."
Lee watched Chip drive away and suggested, "How about we go out for dinner?"
"Sure, Giovanni's for some eggplant," Janet replied giving Lee a kiss. "Just let me get my coat."
They hopped in Janet's SUV and headed for the restaurant.
Author's credits:
*For story purposes only, I've stated that the US does not an ADC chip to show the urgency that Janet and Lee retrieve the plans for this chip. The US does indeed have this chip, developed through DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) and is working with a company to create a smaller processor that uses less power but is still able to compute the data required for the chip to work. See the website listed for more information regarding the ADC chip.
www dot washingtonpost dot com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/01/12.
**See my story, "Trouble in Vegas"
***Fictional country on the Adriatic Sea.