Vanished Without a Trace

By JSRobertson

Lee Crane and Chip Morton were meeting in Lee's office at the Nelson Institute of Marine Research. They were going over a personnel issue. There were two men currently on Seaview that didn't seem to be working out. They had been on two missions and just didn't fit in.

Everyone hired at NIMR was on probation for three months. Most people who worked there stayed forever.

Very rarely did Chip and Lee have a problem with personnel on Seaview. Everyone worked well together, knew what was expected of them and all would go above and beyond the call of duty to help out another crew member. Being confined in a small space for long periods of time required patience and camaraderie.

"Lee, I can't explain it. I'm normally a good judge of character, but I really blew it on these two. Bill Green came highly recommended from an electronics firm in New Jersey and Carl Hodges had a good resume and also a good recommendation from a large electronics company here in Santa Barbara. I don't know what happened," Chip lamented.

"Well, I'm not much better I okayed them after you checked them out," Lee replied running his hand through his hair.

Chip Morton, Seaview's Executive Officer, was in charge of all the hiring for the submarine. He was a good judge of character and always checked and rechecked all references and resumes. He also did a complete background check on all new hires. He couldn't figure out how he got it so wrong this time. Lee Crane, Seaview's captain, had the final decision on who was hired so he felt just as guilty.

((()))

Chief Sharkey had gone to Chip's office after the first mission with Carl and Bill and wasn't too happy with their performances.

"Mr. Morton, I don't know about these two new men," Chief Sharkey said hesitantly.

"What is it Chief, that bothers you," Chip questioned.

"Well sir, after one of their watches, when I came on duty, they hadn't done what they were asked to do and what they did do was sloppy and not done right. You know I don't tolerate any of that nonsense on my boat. I also found them up in officer's territory outside the Skipper's cabin. They would have no reason to be there. When I asked them about it and they said they got lost."

"Chief, it was their first mission, and you know Seaview can be a bit confusing. I will talk to the skipper and see what he thinks. I'll get back to you."

"Aye, sir," Chief replied and was ready to leave when Chip said, "Thanks for the heads up."

Chip went to Lee's office and told him what Chief had relayed to him.

"Hmm, why don't we give them another chance, Chip," Lee contemplated. "I would hate to lose them on account of a couple mistakes."

"Okay, Lee. I'll tell Sharkey that they have one more chance and to keep an eye on them."

Chip left Lee's office and called Sharkey on his cell phone and told him what Lee had said.

Sharkey wasn't too happy about it, but the Skipper and Exec knew what they were doing.

((()))

Chief kept an eye on Carl and Bill on thecharting mission. They still weren't doing their jobs and he caught Carl outside the office of Janet Crane, the skipper's wife when the skipper was off the boat. He left to go on an ONI assignment and Carl had no business being there. Carl told Sharkey he was called to her office that she needed a light switch repaired. Sharkey knew better. If Janet needed something fixed, she would call him first. Also other trusted crew members, Kowalski, Patterson, Riley and Stephens were all having a problem with Bill. He was always looking for someone to cover his watch or do his work. They both had an attitude problem.

According to Sharkey, those two yahoos had to go.

((()))

Chip called Sharkey into his office at NIMR after they returned from the charting mission. He had asked Lee to be there too.

"Hi Chief, how did Carl and Bill do on the last mission?"

"Not so good. Still not doing their jobs properly and I found Carl outside Mrs. Crane's cabin while the skipper was gone. Made up a story that she called him to repair a light switch," Sharkey reported.

"Chief, did you check with Mrs. Crane to see if she had called for the duty electrician," Chip asked making sure Sharkey was right.

"Yes, sir, I did. In fact, she was coming out of her office when Carl was there and she walked right into him. She wasn't expecting anyone to be in the passageway. He told her he was sent there to fix a light switch. I went up there to see where Carl had gone as he wasn't at his station. She knew nothing about repairing the light switch and she didn't call anyone."

"Thanks Chief," Lee said quietly rubbing his hand on his forehead.

Sharkey left Chip's office and went back to the sub pen to finish what he was doing on Seaview.

Lee was not too happy that Carl had been near Janet's office.

"Chip, I feel it's almost like they want to get fired," Lee commented. "I don't understand it. But in light of what we just heard they're going to have to go."

"I agree. I'll call them and have Bill report here tomorrow morning at 9:00 and Carl at 9:15."

((()))

Lee called Janet into his office.

"Sweetie, when I was gone did you have a problem with a crewman named Carl Hodges?"

"Yes, he was outside our cabin and said he was sent there to repair a light switch. I admit I wasn't watching where I was going and ran into him but I didn't expect anyone in the passageway."

"How about a crewman named Bill. Any problem with him?"

"Sorry honey I don't even know who he is."

"Okay. I need you to type up two confirmation of employment letters for Bill Green and Carl Hodges. We're going to have to let them go. I won't need them until tomorrow morning. Also, could you please call human resources and let them know they are being terminated and have them make out checks for two weeks severance pay."

"Yes Lee I'll have them for you right away," she replied. "I'll call HR right now and let them know also."

She brought Lee the letters about fifteen minutes later.

"Sweetie, what took you so long," he asked with a grin.

She smiled back and gave him a quick kiss and went back to work. That was one of the benefits of working with your husband; you can get a kiss anytime you want. And on some days if no one was around you could even get a little more.

((()))

Janet went to Lee's office later that afternoon.

"Lee, I have an errand to run in downtown Santa Barbara. I won't get back until 6:00. Do you think Chip could take you home today?"

"What errand do you have?" he asked, "I'm sure I can hitch a ride home with Chip."

"It's a secret," she told him as she walked out of the office to the elevators.

Janet was going to the jewelry store to pick up a special diving watch she had bought for Lee for their second wedding anniversary which was in a couple of days. They were going to celebrate with dinner at Giovanni's as it was their favorite restaurant. They invited the admiral, Chip, Jamie, Wanda and Angie to help them celebrate too. She couldn't believe that they had been married for two years already. It seemed like yesterday they hired her to work on Seaview. She couldn't be any happier. She loved her husband more than anything and she also loved her job.

((()))

Janet was home before 6:00 and was making dinner when Lee came home a few minutes later.

"Did you get your errand done?"

"Yes, but don't ask where I went because I won't tell you."

"Not even if I..." he whispered the rest in her ear.

"No. I will not tell you no matter what you do," she laughed.

They finished dinner, cleaned up and she went to change her clothes. Lee followed her upstairs and well nothing more needs to be said.

((()))

They arrived at work Friday morning at 8:00 and Janet made a pot of coffee as soon as she got there. None of them would be able to function with out it. Janet and Lee were running late so they didn't have any coffee at home and if Lee didn't get his coffee soon, he would be very grumpy. The admiral and Chip walked in about ten minutes later.

As they grabbed a cup of coffee, Lee and Chip told the admiral about Carl and Bill. He wasn't happy either as he had seen their resumes and recommendations and was impressed by both of them but he agreed they couldn't stay on Seaview or at NIMR.

Chip called security when he arrived and told them they would need to escort two men out of the complex this morning.

Bill showed up at 9:00 and was shown into Lee's office by Wanda. Lee and Chip were already in there waiting for him. Lee was sitting at his desk. They both hated having to fire personnel but they knew they had no choice that; these two would not work out.

"Please sit down, Bill" Lee said to him as Chip closed the door and then sat on the corner of Lee's desk. "I'm sorry to do this, but we're going to have to let you go from your position on Seaview. Your employment here is not working out. Here's a letter of confirmation of employment but you do realize that letters of recommendation are out of the question. You will also get two weeks severance pay. Please give Mr. Morton your ID card and security badge. Good Luck, Bill."

After giving Chip his ID card and badge, Lee shook his hand and so did Chip.

Bill left Lee's office in a state of shock as he had no idea he was going to be fired. Now what was he going to do. He was a little pissed because he moved from New Jersey to take this job.

As he was leaving he saw his friend Carl coming in the office. Before he could tell Carl what happened, Wanda showed Carl into Lee's office. Chip shut the door after he walked in.

Bill figured he was going to be fired too. He took the elevator down to the first floor and was told by security to wait before leaving the building.

"Sit down, Carl," Lee said sitting down at his desk. "We're going to have to let you go from your position on Seaview. Your employment here isn't working out. Here's a letter of confirmation of employment but you do realize that letters of recommendation are out of the question. You will also get two weeks severance pay. Please give Mr. Morton your ID card and security badge."

Carl took the items Lee asked for and threw them on Lee's desk.

"Why the hell am I being fired," he demanded.

"Excuse me," Chip said as he stood up and stared at Carl with the look only Chip could do. "You will not talk to us like that."

"You didn't do you job and you were caught lying about going to my wife's office. We don't tolerate incompetence, lying or insubordination," Lee said curtly. "Please leave now."

Carl threw open the door and stormed out of Lee's office just as Janet was coming out of hers and he ran right into her knocking her down. He didn't even stop to apologize or help her up. Lee and Chip both ran over to her and helped her up. She got up rubbing the back of her head as she hit it on the door frame when she fell. She was reading a letter as she walked out of her office and didn't even see him coming. The admiral and Angie came out of their offices to see what the commotion was about. Wanda came running and was almost knocked over by Carl too.

Lee was worried when he saw her rubbing her head and ran his hand over the back of her head and found she had a good size bump forming.

"Chip, please call Jamie and have him get over here on the double," Lee said anxiously.

"Sure, Lee." Chip replied running into his office and dialing Med Bay.

"Lee, I'm okay. It's just a bump. Get me some ice and I'll be fine," she told him softly. She was a little embarrassed.

"No, you have a large bump. Jamie needs to look at it."

Jamie was there in five minutes and checked Janet over.

"If you don't get a headache or nauseated you should be okay. But if you get any of these symptoms, call me right away. Here put this on your head," he told her handing her an ice pack.

He left the office and went back to Med Bay shaking his head. He didn't know who was more injury prone Lee or her.

"Sweetie, are you sure you're okay," Lee asked worriedly.

"I'm fine," she replied with a smirk.

As they were going back to their offices, the admiral asked Lee and Chip to come to his office so they could explain to him what happen in Lee's office. The executive offices at NIMR had high tech security cameras, so if there were any inappropriate actions taken it would've been recorded.

Lee told the admiral what had taken place in his office with Carl. Something just didn't seem right with him but he couldn't put his finger on what it was. He was too upset over being fired.

((()))

Bill and Carl were escorted out by security. They went down the road to the diner where some of Seaview's crew would eat. Luckily for them, none of them were there today. If they weren't on shore leave, they would be working on the boat.

Carl was pissed at the way he was treated by Lee and Chip.

"Lee Crane will be sorry he messed with me," Carl said angrily to Bill. 'No one treats me like that."

"Carl, what did you expect? You know we didn't do our jobs. I told you we wouldn't be able to get away with it."

"Yeah, I know but in a way I did get back at him. I knocked his pretty little wife right on her ass and didn't stop to ask if she was alright. I'm still going to get even with him. Here's my plan," he whispered to Bill.