Ill Fated Mission
By JSRobertson
Admiral Harriman Nelson walked tiredly across the gantry from his marvel the SSRN Seaview to the dock at NIMR's sub pen and on to his car. They had just returned from a very difficult three-week mission checking on coral beds in the Pacific Ocean. Lee, Chip and several other divers were injured on this cruise during a routine diving session. Lee got a deep gash on his arm that required fifteen stitches, while Chip had received a few deep scratches that didn't need stitches just a good cleansing, some antibiotic cream and a bandage. While the injuries to two of divers weren't life threatening, Jamie wanted to keep them overnight for observation.
As Harry climbed into his car, he spied Chip, Lee and Janet sitting in the nose finishing up the paperwork before they could leave the boat. Starting his car, he pulled out and headed up to the Admin building. He wanted to check in with Angie to find out if there was anything important that needed to be taken care of before he left for home
((()))
Harry pulled into his parking space at the institute and went into the lobby where Howard, the security guard, was at the desk.
"Good afternoon, sir," Howard said to Nelson as he signed him in. "Will Captain Crane, Commander Morton and Mrs. Crane be returning to the institute this afternoon?" he asked noting it was already 1700 hours.
"Hello and no they won't be coming back here today," Nelson replied as he walked to the elevators.
He pushed the button and leaned up against the wall of the elevator. He was tired and couldn't wait to go home. When the doors opened, Wanda was just getting ready to leave for the day, "Hello, sir," she said as he walked by her. She noticed he looked more tired than normal when he returned from a mission.
"Hi," Nelson answered back and walked to his office where Angie, his administrative assistant, was at her desk typing her last letter of the day.
"Welcome back, sir," she said quietly. She knew her boss well enough to know that something had gone wrong on the mission and that he looked exhausted.
"Hello, Angie," Nelson replied wearily. "Is there anything that needs my immediate attention? If not, I would really like to leave as soon as I can."
She stopped typing, "Is everything okay sir?" Angie asked warily.
"No, this mission turned out to be more difficult as the coral beds have more bleaching than expected. Also Lee, Chip and several crew members were injured during a dive."
"Nothing serious I hope," she answered as she stood up and followed him into his office.
He placed his briefcase on the desk, removed his jacket and tossed it on one of the chairs. He sat down and looked at all the folders and messages. Angie stood next to him at the end of the desk.
Sighing deeply, "What can wait until tomorrow?"
"Everything except these two messages," Angie replied as she handed him a message from Dr. Jonas Worth, the head of the coral monitoring laboratory on Cole Island in the Pacific Ocean.
"Okay no problem, I'll call him. You said there were two messages, who's the other message from?"
"A Dr. Ivan Zamkor, of Zamkor Industries, he was very adamant that you call him as soon as you returned."
"Zamkor," Nelson mused, "I wonder what he wants as the last time I saw him he wasn't very happy with me."
"I tried to get him to give me some information but he wouldn't tell me what he needed to talk to you about. Sorry sir."
"No problem, Angie. I'll call him after I check with Dr. Worth." Nelson replied looking at his watch and realized it was past her quitting time.
"Why don't you go on home and we'll tackle the rest of this in the morning," Nelson told her.
"You're sure, sir, as I don't mind staying."
"Yes, I'm sure because as soon as I take care of these two calls, I'm going home too."
"Yes, sir, you do look a little tired," Angie commented as she turned and left Nelson's office.
Angie went back to her desk, turned off her computer, said good bye to Harry and left for day.
Nelson picked up the message from Ivan Zamkor, tapping his fingers on it as he remembered the last time he was with him.
((()))
Six Months earlier – Honolulu, Hawaii
A consortium of countries from around the world was holding their annual conference in Hawaii to discuss the severity of coral bleaching in the world's oceans and the building of another laboratory in the Atlantic Ocean-Caribbean Sea area. The admiral was one of the founders of the consortium so he would attend the conference. He asked Lee and Chip to go with him as they had seen first-hand how the warming of the oceans is bleaching the coral making it susceptible to diseases, seaweed and slime causing it to die.
They took FS-1 rather than a commercial flight as the conference wasn't very long and since they had to prepare for another mission as soon as they returned, it would be a faster way back home.
Lee piloted the little sub to Hickam where they would park her while they attended the conference. Once Lee had programmed in the security code, the three men grabbed their luggage and made their way through the terminal so they could catch a taxi to the Marriott Hotel where the conference was being held and they had room reservations. They checked into their rooms and decided to get a drink in the bar before having dinner. Before they left for the bar, Lee called Janet to let her know they arrived safely and would check in with her later. When they walked into the bar, Harry noticed Dr. Jonas Worth and Dr. Eli Geiger sitting at a table. Both men were stationed at the research laboratory on Cole Island that monitored the coral bleaching in the southern Pacific Ocean. They were also the keynote speakers at the conference which included scientists, researchers, and representatives from countries that depend on the coral reefs for tourism from all over the world. There would also be a representative from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) present to go over some of the facts. The admiral was good friends with both men as they all agreed that coral bleaching was ravaging the coral reefs across the globe and that they needed an additional lab.
"Please join us," Jonas said to Harry as the men approached the table.
"Thank you," Harry replied as Lee and Chip pulled over a couple more chairs to the table and sat down with the other two men. They ordered drinks and talked about the conference.
"Glad you could make it, Harry," Jonas told him. "I think we're going to need you to convince some of the others that the bleaching is getting worse and that it's starting to affect the other oceans as well."
Harry took a sip of Glen Livet and shook his head, "I'm afraid you're right. I know there are a few researchers and scientists that think the bleaching is contained to the Pacific Ocean. I'll do whatever I can."
Smiling, "I know you will," Jonas replied. "How about we get some dinner and worry about this tomorrow?"
"Sounds good to me," Harry responded as the five men left the bar and made their way into the restaurant.
After enjoying their meal, they agreed to meet for breakfast before the conference so Jonas and Eli could brief Harry on what was in their presentations so he could formulate some ideas ahead of time. All three men were tired after working all day and then flying over so they retired early.
((()))
The three men walked into the lobby of the hotel the next morning to get some breakfast. They found that outside the conference room where they were meeting was a continental breakfast. They helped themselves to some pastries and of course coffee and went into the conference which was set up with round tables. They found a table near the front and sat down. The conference would have about one hundred attendees so the room wasn't very big. There was a head table where the keynote speakers would sit. Jonas was already sitting up there going over his notes when Harry, Lee and Chip walked in. He saw them enter, went over to their table and sat down next to Harry as he showed him what he was going to talk about and stress how important it was to build the new laboratory in the Caribbean Sea-Atlantic Ocean areas as the corals there were starting to suffer from the bleaching too. Eli entered the room and made his way to the table. Lee was sitting next to Harry but moved when he came up to the table so the three men could sit together and go over the information.
Jonas and Eli left Harry's table and went up to the front along with a man from NOAA. Dr. Worth called the conference to order at 0900.
((()))
"Good morning, gentlemen," Jonas said, "Welcome to the conference to discuss the heating of the world's oceans and deciding if we need to build another laboratory in the Atlantic Ocean-Caribbean Sea to monitor the temperature of the water. "We have with us today, Dr. Guy Harlan * from NOAA who'll speak to us on how catastrophic coral bleaching is becoming."
Dr. Harlan walked to the podium, acknowledged the applause and began to talk, "We all know that record ocean temperatures have caused coral bleaching across the Pacific Ocean but now those same conditions have expanded to the Caribbean Sea and Indian Ocean. As you may know the bleaching taking place isn't as devastating as in the past but is intensifying near Haiti, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We are losing huge areas of coral in the US and internationally. We know coral can recover from mild bleaching but severe or long-term bleaching is often lethal. After the coral reefs die, they quickly degrade and the structures corals build erode. This provides less shoreline protection from storms and few habitats for fish and other marine life, including ecologically and economically important species.** We need to monitor the temperature in the Atlantic Ocean-Caribbean Sea area so I'm strongly recommending that a new laboratory be built in the area. Coral reef bleaching is not the only thing destroying the reefs; mankind is also playing a part in their destruction. Dr. Worth will address this further in his talk." Dr. Harlan picked up his notes and left the podium to a round of applause.
Jonas stood up with his notes in hand and went to the podium where he received a nice round of applause.
Gripping the sides of the podium, Jonas said, "I agree with everything thing Dr. Harlan has stated but let me add that the devastation is only getting started. The western Atlantic is going to heat up. If this occurs, bleaching will have hit every tropical ocean basin. An area of 12,000 sq. km of coral maybe lost forever. Almost 93% of reefs on the Great Barrier Reef have been hit by coral bleaching. Many parts of the globe are in the grip of a nearly two-year coral reef bleaching event-fueled by El Nino driven ocean warming – scientists and marine conservation advocates have feared many reefs could suffer irreparable damage and fade from existence in the coming decades."*** Jonas stressed, "We need this laboratory to compare the temperatures of the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic-Caribbean area. We may not be able to stop the ocean temperatures from rising but we'll at least know how severe the bleaching could be by comparing the temperatures."
"We also have a role in destroying the reefs. In recent decades, coral reef ecosystems worldwide have suffered significantly from overfishing and the dumping of toxic substances into ocean waters. Governments and other agencies are working on stopping 'blast fishing' that uses explosives to stun or kill fish along with working on cruise lines to discharge their wastewater away from sensitive areas as well as trying to halt the damage done from coastal development, deforestation and unrestricted tourism."
He returned to his seat after introducing Mr. Lewis Gabin, who represented the countries that depend on the coral reefs for tourism. He presented information showing how many billions of dollars these countries could lose if the coral reefs are damaged or no longer there.
When he finished with his speech, Jonas took to the podium again. "Does anyone else have something they would like to contribute to this discussion?"
Dr. Ivan Zamkor of Zamkor Industries stood up. "Yes, Dr. Worth, I would like to address the group."
Jonas sat back down at the table while Dr. Zamkor walked up to the podium. "I've listened to what these gentlemen had to say about the bleaching. We don't know if this is even going to take place. We have no proof that the Atlantic Ocean's temperature is going to rise enough to destroy to coral. Let's take a wait and see approach before spending all that money on a laboratory we may not need."
He returned to his seat and Lee noticed a few men did nod their heads in agreement but he also saw that most of them were surprised at his comments. Lee could tell Harry was very upset with Dr. Zamkor and stood up.
"Ivan, we have proof that the temperatures are rising in the Atlantic Ocean so how can you suggest we wait. By the time we decide to build the laboratory it would be too late. How much coral will have to be destroyed before you agree to build the laboratory?"
"Harry, I don't see a need for it," Ivan said curtly.
"Maybe you don't want to build the lab because you live in an area that doesn't have any reefs and also doesn't need the tourism to help their economy," Nelson snapped.
"That's your opinion," Ivan retorted angrily.
Jonas quickly stood up, "Gentlemen, let's keep this civil. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. The cost involved in building this laboratory will be significantly lower than building the first one as we know what we need and what we can do without."
Jonas invited Lee to the podium where he presented a slide show of pictures showing how much of the coral has been destroyed in the Marshall Islands. Jonas then invited Chip to the podium. As Lee walked back to his seat and Chip went up to the front, Dr. Zamkor said loud enough for Harry and Lee to hear to the other gentlemen at his table, "Those two are Nelson's puppets and will say anything he tells them to say."
Harry started to rise but Lee put his hand on his arm, "Admiral, these men know you. They know we wouldn't make this stuff up."
Harry started shuffling his papers, "You're right Lee. He just irritates me. He has no clue about the bleaching that is taking place."
Chip showed them some pictures of the coral bleaching taking place in the Hawaiian Islands. "These reefs have already been hit once and since the water in the Pacific is heating up again, more bleaching will take place." They asked him a few questions which he answered and returned to his seat.
"Thanks, Lee, Chip," Nelson said after Chip had sat down.
After another hour of hashing and rehashing the pros and cons of building the laboratory, Dr. Worth returned to the podium, "Does anyone have anything new to add?"
No one spoke up so Jonas said, "Why don't we take a vote."
Eli passed out the ballots and would collect them once everyone had voted. He and two other gentlemen on the voting committee would count the ballots. As they waited for the ballots to be counted, Harry, Lee and Chip went out to the lobby, stretched and poured themselves some more coffee. They returned to the conference room just as Eli was walking up to the podium to announce the results. By a slim margin, they voted to build the new laboratory.
"Thank you to everyone who voted for the laboratory," Jonas told them. He looked at his watch and saw it was already 3:00 and none of them had lunch. "Why don't we work on choosing a company to build the laboratory, the timeline for construction, along with the other details that need to be completed at 10:00 tomorrow morning?"
Disgusted with the vote, Dr. Zamkor remarked snidely before he left the room, "Of course Nelson would want to build it as his institute will reap the rewards as they'll probably get the contract to place the sensors."
Nelson heard the remarked and replied, "The committee will decide who'll place the sensors so why don't you put in a proposal to do the job?"
"I just might do that," Ivan answered sharply, "I've already built a better sensor than what we're using now so we'll see who gets the contract." He turned his back on Harry and resumed his conversation with a few members who also voted against the lab.
"Maybe Dr. Zamkor and the others that voted against it would like go to some of these reefs now and see what the bleaching has done to them," Lee suggested surprised that some of them would not want to build the laboratory.
"You know Lee, that's not a bad idea," Harry responded and walked over to where Ivan was standing with the other members.
"Ivan, could I interest you in accompanying me on checking out the coral beds here in Hawaii where severe bleaching has occurred? Maybe it'll change your mind. You won't even have to get wet."
"No thanks Harry, I'm not interested in seeing what is happening. You already got your laboratory so why should I care," Ivan replied sarcastically.
"No problem, anyone else interested? I'll be happy to take any of you." The other men looked at Harry and offered no response. Harry unhappily returned to Lee and Chip.
"Any takers?" Lee asked when Harry returned. Harry shook his head no. "Why not?"
"Lee, it wouldn't make a difference to them," Harry commented. "The same men who voted against this one were against building the one on Cole Island too. If it doesn't affect their backyards; they don't want it."
((()))
As Jonas and Eli approached Harry, Lee and Chip, Lee's phone vibrated in his pocket. He took the phone out and saw that Janet was calling him. He looked at the time and knew it was 1800 hours in Santa Barbara and she was getting ready to leave for the day.
"Excuse me sirs," Lee said to the men and walked into the lobby. "Hi sweetie, is everything okay?"
"Yes, I just wanted to let you know that you don't need to hurry home as the mission scheduled for next week has been put off indefinitely. They wouldn't tell me why but will tell the admiral when he returns."
"Thanks for letting me know. I'm not sure when we're going to leave. They voted to build the laboratory but there are still all the details to work out so we more than likely won't be leaving until the day after tomorrow. What are you going to do tonight?"
"Julie and I are going shopping and out to dinner. Will you call me when you leave?"
"Yes, I'll call," Lee replied with a smile. "Love you, be careful."
"Love you too and I'll be careful after all I'm with a detective so how much trouble can I get into?" Janet quipped.
"Good bye, sweetie," Lee answered and disconnected the call. He returned to the group of men in the conference room.
"That was Janet on the phone and the mission scheduled for next week as been put off indefinitely."
Looking surprised Harry asked, "Did they give a reason why?"
"No sir. Janet asked and they said they will call you and let you know why when you return to the institute."
"Then there's no hurry to get back home so why don't we work up a proposal tonight after dinner. Which better be soon," Nelson chuckled as he heard Chip's stomach growl. "And depending on how long the meeting is tomorrow, I would like to go out and take a look at the reefs."
"Sorry sir, but we didn't have much breakfast and no lunch," Chip apologized. "I wouldn't mind scuba diving."
"Works for me," Lee replied. "It's been a long time since we've had the time to dive. I'm looking forward to it."
"How about we meet in an hour for dinner and then work on the proposal so we can give it to the committee tomorrow before the meeting starts. Any problem figuring out the costs?"
Lee spoke up, "No, we all have a pretty good idea what we need to do since we did the installation of the sensors on Cole Island."
"That should be no problem since I have my computer with me and have all that information so we should be able to submit a viable proposal," Chip said.
The three men walked out of the conference room and returned to their rooms before meeting for dinner. Chip checked in with Julie before they left and found out that she and Janet had finished shopping and were going to dinner. He was leaving his room just has Lee was closing his door so he let him know the two women were fine and going out to eat.
((()))
They enjoyed a nice steak dinner at a well-known steakhouse and returned to Nelson's room. They ordered a pot of coffee from room service, sat around the small round table by the window and began working on the proposal. Chip showed them the proposal from Cole Island.
"Since the sensors weren't included in the first proposal, we shouldn't include them in this one," Chip reminded them. "They were sent to us by another company."
"That's correct," Harry replied, "All we have to do is install them and get them working. We need to keep in mind that we are responsible for fixing any problems that occur just like on Cole Island so we may want to add a little more to the bottom line for maintenance."
They finished one pot of coffee and ordered another one before they completed the proposal. Chip checked with the front desk and found they had a printer they could use to print out the proposal so they could submit it in the morning. It was 2000 hours by the time they were finished. They decided to go for breakfast before attending the conference and would meet at 0800 hours so they wouldn't have to hurry. Lee and Chip returned to their rooms and retired for the night.
Before Lee turned in, he texted Janet. He figured she was sleeping and wished her a good morning knowing she would check her phone when she got up and was surprised when his phone rang a few seconds later.
"Hello, sweetie. You're still up," Lee asked. "It's 2300 hours there."
"Yes, I'm still up. I'm having a hard time falling asleep because you're not here," Janet replied tiredly.
"Sorry, but we're not going to be home for a couple of days. Since they cancelled the mission, the admiral wants to stay and scuba dive around the coral reefs to see how they're doing."
"That's no problem. Everything is caught up at work and you haven't been diving in a long time. You, the admiral and Chip deserve a break."
"Thanks for understanding. I'll check in with you tomorrow. Get some sleep," Lee told her.
Laughing, "Yes sir," she said. "Good night Lee."
"Good night sweetie."
Lee disconnected the call and got ready for bed.
Author's notes and credits:
*Dr. Guy Harlan is a fictional name
**Information taken from an article "NOAA Declares Third Ever Global Coral Bleaching Event" dated October 8, .
*** Information taken from an article in the Chicago Tribune dated March 25th, 2016.