Chapter beta read by: akiqueen
Please note: - This story is also available from my website as a PDF download. Check out my profile for my website link and look for the PDF logo. Enjoy.
Intro
Please see Blue Submarine No 6: The Year After, Part 1 and Part 2 (out of four) to understand this story and for the Declaration, Copyright Info and notes from me.
Enjoy Part 3
The Story So Far:
For Jake, the humiliation of being towed back to Blue Base under the guidance of Blue Submarine was something that infuriated him to the core. But little did they know that Verg was beginning his campaign of getting Mutio back. And did the captain of the Deep Sea Six really make love to an aquatic hybrid girl?
Hayami finally managed to meet Mutio but the situation was made complicated when Kino tried to kiss him. Unfortunately, Mutio saw this act and left upset.
Meanwhile, both crews managed to limp back to Blue Base and the meeting to restore the world was well under way. A new technology was introduced to freeze the ice caps and bring stability to the world. Or so everyone hoped.
Chapter 1 (Effect)
Staring in awe, the stunned onlookers edged forward on their chairs to take a look at the sudden experiment that almost wiped them out. Seeing past the danger, they soon realized its potential.
"What just happened?" one person questioned.
Ian then replied in a positive tone "This element is capable of re-freezing the water at the North and South Poles. It will restore the water levels back to the measurements in the early twentieth-century and relieve the pressure on the Earth's orbit."
He then added, "The ice will be fresh and it will not be contaminated by the element; it will only be transformed into ice and eventually begin to melt again over time, as nature intended. This is not a permanent fix but should solve the water problem for now."
Ian walked back to his pedestal and changed the image on the view screen to more detailed schematics of the North and South Poles. It also viewed what the poles would look like if the plan was successful.
"If this plan's successful, with no attacks or problems, we are expected to have all our land back and the chance to rebuild our old cities would be available to us!"
Ian continued after a short pause. "I know many families, including much of the population, are starving and living in poor conditions. However, we can succeed with this plan."
"We have calculated and made the correct quantity of this element, which must be taken to the North and South Poles." Ian transformed the view to a detailed plan of attack.
"The device containing the element will need to be dropped into the ocean and all effort must be made to leave. The timers can be programmed at selected times, however both cylinders are linked and must detonate at the same time. Any delay can cause a pole unbalance and cause the orbit of Earth to decay rapidly." Ian made sure to highlight this particular importance.
"Once the mission has been successful, the new water levels should allow us time to build appropriate tidal defences and prep us for any uncertainties."
Ian finally finished. "Thank you all for your time, I will now leave you in the hands of the mission commander."
Ian walked of his pedestal and swapped places with an older, harder military general.
He stood on the stage and allowed the silence to hang for a bit. "My name is Kernaghan and I'm in charge of this mission. As you all know, the shit has hit the fan for our world and I'm here to clean it up. I'll use you all to my agenda and together, we can restore the crap Zorndyke had caused for us."
He then explained the mission in more detail. "I will be splitting the fleet into two groups. The largest group of ships will be heading to the South Pole to deploy 'HOPE'." He said, making a clear point that the name of the element was called HOPE. They all had arguments backstage on what to name the element, but Kernaghan decided to call it HOPE, despite everyone's objections.
"Blue Six and Deep Sea Six, you'll both go together to Antarctica, to fulfil two missions: The first is to investigate Zorndyke's structure at Antarctica, then shut it down by collapsing the huge shaft that leads to the earth's core. I know you fine gentlemen would understand what would happen if the element was deployed while the Earth's core was exposed. It wouldn't be a pretty picture. The second is to deploy the element, which Deep Sea Six will be carrying. I've updated your duty rosters for the entire mission and I suggest you study them. Good luck."
With the meeting over, the crew of Blue Six and Deep Six both grouped together, debating about the project. Then Kernaghan approached the group.
"Sir, why has my ship been chosen? We're in no shape to mount an expedition to Antarctica," said Jake.
"Come now, Jake, you know the Deep Sea Six is the most advanced and most powerful vessel in our fleet, and Iga's vessel is needed to reach the centre point of Antarctica and the Deep Sea Six is to be used s a battering ram to break through the ice," Kernaghan ordered, explaining the facts to him. "Look, here are the documents. Both of you, I suggest you study them and if there're any questions, don't bother me about them."
Then he changed his tone to a serious note, "You both have no choice, it's an order! Now get to it. You leave tomorrow."
Kernaghan left the area, sporting a curious glance through the port window; Jake didn't know what he was looking at, but assumed he was preparing to hunt down his next victim. Iga, Jake and the crew stood, scratching their heads at his passive comment.
"This is big, just think and imagine if we get our land back! We can rebuild our cities and begin new lives," said Tsuji, the chef on the Blue Six.
"Looks like I have my work cut out for us, Jake," announced Iga, studying the plans.
"I guess so. We better call back the crews and prepare. However, I am not sure how the repairs are going. I will check back and contact you later." Jake marched of with a nod of approval from Iga; he knew that without the engines, Deep Sea Six would be dead in the water. What's taking them so long?
-o-
No one knew how, but Verg was soon informed about the human plan to freeze the North and South Pole.
He stood on his chair, ranting and raving, convincing his crew that the humans have a new device that will take away the oceans that 'Papa' gave them. Then, with nothing to stop them, the humans will exterminate them all. This caused a small uproar and it was obvious that a new war was about to start.
"That's right, the humans are ready to kill us all! I call on your wisdom. I instruct the Musucas to find the Blue Fleet and destroy them before they have the chance attack us! Females, prepare your sisters for war!" said Verg, encouraging his minions.
With swift movements, command was sent to all sections of the island and preparations were underway to intercept the human mission.
-o-
Hayami sat in the Grub Room on the Deep Sea Six. He didn't feel comfortable in the canteens on the base and felt it more relaxed to have the ready-made food that was served for anyone. The smell of the room, the sheer size and atmosphere felt more refreshing than the base.
Perhaps his hidden reason was because the vessel was closer to the ocean than the base was. In the Deep Sea Six, everywhere he went, waterways followed passageways and sneaked into rooms, which gave him the feel of being close to Mutio. It was an enchanting feeling that he felt satisfied with.
-o-
Jake stood on the command deck, overlooking Freeda, who was sitting at her piloting station. He stared at the six red lights that indicate engine function. But as time went on, the same crimson red LEDs remained the same.
"The lights are still red!" Jake said sarcastically.
"Yes sir, we are bringing the systems online now!" replied a tired voice over the COM unit. Moments later, he got the response he wanted. "Try it now!"
Jake looked at the control panel and one by one, the red engine lights turned green. A whirl of power from the engines produced a satisfying grin on Jake's face.
All around the deck, different people cheered and announced that the engines were coming online. First it started with Freeda announcing engine one coming online, then a symphony of numbers echoed around the room. However, just before all the engines came online, disaster struck.
"Wait!" The whole room stopped with anticipation. "Engine Five is not receiving commands and is shutting down." Everyone sighed as the engines shut down like dominos until a stale silence filled the air.
Freeda sat at her post with a little giggle in her voice before saying under her breath "Stupid boat. What a waste of time, should have stayed on Blue Six."
Pissed off, Jake issued repair orders and irritably walked off the deck.
-o-
Stuck with a boat that didn't go anywhere, it required several minutes to calm down. Hungry for food, Jake walked into the Grub Room only to be met by Hayami, who was sitting on his chair, inhaling drags from his cigarette, adding to the smoke cloud that was in the air.
"You know, I dragged your ass all the way down here, and still no one has told me what your role is in all of this?" Jake asked.
"I have no idea too. Maybe they love me so much they don't want me to leave. Do you want me off your boat?"
"No, just trying to work you out!" Jake said as he dumped his plate on the table and manoeuvred himself into the seat.
"There's not many people onboard. Have they left?"
"No, some are being briefed, others have changed subs. I've got a huge task in sorting out all the new crews."
"Changing the subject, has your crew found where the creatures are hiding?" Hayami anxiously said to him.
Jake raised his head and stared Hayami straight on. His own memories of that intermit connection with the creature in his quarters was something he preferred to keep secret.
"No, nothing has been found at the moment. I'm looking for answers too." Jake deliberately kept the awkward conversation to a minimum.
Hayami then pulled a few questions out of the dark. "Yeah, your little adventure in the waterways was quite the story; so far nobody has seen this creature." He paused, letting the silence hang for a moment. "So, did it pay you a little visit in your quarters? It did bite you, right?"
Jake was flustered; he remembered the sexual encounter clearly and if Hayami could mind-read, his shouting psyche would give up his secret. But he stifled his mouth and said nothing. Except, "No, it's been normal."