Chapter 2

"Admiral this is security, Dr. Delbruck and his party have arrived along with a truck with their equipment. We'll escort them to your office now," Darren Fox, chief of security said into the phone.

"Excellent Darren I'll have someone at the front door to greet them and escort them to my office. Have the van directed to the loading dock and notify Commander Morton that it's on the way." Nelson replied. After he hung up he quickly called Lee's office and let him know their guests had arrived and to meet him in his office as soon as he was able. He next notified Angie that their clients had arrived and asked her to meet them at the main doors and escort them up.

Lee arrived a couple of minutes after Angie left. "Morning Admiral," he said as he knocked on Nelson's office door and entered.

"Good morning Lee. Everything ready for our guests?"

"According to Chip everything's set up and they're just awaiting their equipment so they can get it stowed and ready for departure tomorrow morning." Lee replied as he walked to the sideboard and poured himself a cup of coffee he then raised the pot towards Nelson to see if he needed a refill.

Harri shook his head no. "Good to hear they're ready on Seaview; there was a van with them when they arrived and I had security escort it down to the loading dock so Chip can get their equipment aboard at once."

"Looks like we'll be all set for an on-time departure tomorrow morning then. Hopefully they'll be willing to spend the night on the boat so we don't have to sweat them arriving at 0400 so we can catch the tide."

"I suggested that to Delbruck and I believe he indicated that was fine with them. We'll no doubt find out in a few moments," Nelson replied. As if on cue there as a quick knock on the door and Angie walked in leading four men into the room.

"Dr. Delbruck welcome to NIMR," Harri said as he stepped forward to shake hands. "This is Lee Crane, captain of the Seaview."

Lee stepped forward and extended his hand to their guest. "A pleasure to meet you Dr. Delbruck, the admiral has spoken very highly of you. It's nice to have you with us."

"Nice to meet you Captain," Delbruck responded. "Please allow me to introduce my team. This Dr. Elmer Jung, project co-lead and Gavin Rushmore and Phillip Crandall our technicians and dive team." The men exchanged greetings and handshakes.

The social amenities complete Harri indicated that the men should move to the conference table and take a seat. "Would any of you like a cup of coffee?" Everyone declined his offer at which point he took his seat at the head of the table. "Well gentlemen we have quite a few things we need to accomplish today so that we can shove off very early tomorrow morning. As we speak your equipment is being inspected and stowed in Seaview's hold. Once we finish up here Captain Crane will escort you down to the Seaview to get you started on your orientation briefings and your cabin assignments. A quick question Doctor, are you and your team going to stay onboard tonight as I suggested?"

"Yes Admiral we will. Once you explained how early you planned to depart it seemed the best thing to do. I'm not a real morning person myself and the thought of getting up that much earlier to come aboard was most unappealing," Delbruck replied with a chuckle.

"Quite understandable," Harri responded with a smile. "Is there any new information about the site that you need to provide us before we shove off?"

"No, I believe we've provided everything we have on the U-626. I have brought along the video footage our ROV collected which I hope will prove useful in planning our entrance to the boat."

"That's good to hear Doctor," Lee replied. "Once we get you settled if you would provide that to my Executive Officer, he'll see to it that it's made available to the dive teams. Currently our plans are to have a team of Seaview divers conduct the first dive on the wreck and ascertain how safe it is to enter the boat. If she's structurally sound enough to allow entry we'll set up a dive schedule with your team to begin surveying the inside and recovery of artifacts. If she proves to be too unsafe, we will look at other options for accessing the boat. That may mean our divers will cut out segments of the hull to gain entry. We will consult with you prior to any decisions being made. One question Doctor, do you intend to recover any skeletal remains along with the artifacts or will they be left in place?"

Delbruck and Jung nodded in agreement. "That sounds like an acceptable approach, Captain," Jung responded. "As you can imagine we're extremely anxious to get aboard her but not at the expense of anyone's wellbeing. With regards to collecting remains, we have contacted the German authorities and they have indicated that they would prefer we leave any remains in place with the boat. Also, if possible a burial at sea ceremony was requested once our work is complete."

"I think we can manage that Hans," Harri interjected. "It sounds like we are in agreement with the plans to go forward. So are you ready to head down to Seaview and get this mission started?"

Broad smiles marked each of the university team's faces as they nodded in agreement. "Very well. If you would be kind enough to accompany the captain down to the dock we'll get you processed aboard and make sure we're ready to sail at high tide tomorrow morning."

(o)

By the time they reached the dock the majority of Delbruck's equipment had been inspected and loaded onto the sub. Lee indicated that the men should collect their bags and present them to the security guard at the gangplank for x-ray and search if warranted.

"Why are they searching our luggage," asked Jung as he walked towards the security station.

"We are a Naval Reserve vessel in addition to being a nuclear powered submarine therefore we have a number of classified areas so we inspect all packages brought aboard, visitor or crew, to ensure that no unapproved items are brought on board. We've had incidents in the past where people have attempted to bring transmitters, tracking devices, weapons and other contraband with them. This just ensures that we keep such things off the boat and keep crew and passengers safe," Lee replied.

"Understood," Delbruck replied. "I can see where that is a wise precaution especially given some of the missions I've read about in the media. We will submit to your searches."

"Thank you Doctor, your cooperation is appreciated."

As security processed the team's luggage and remaining equipment Lee walked across the gangplank onto the boat. He had the officer of the deck page the XO so he could make introductions and start them on their orientation to Seaview and the operational protocols they would be expected to follow during their stay. When the last bag was zipped shut and security cleared the visitors to board the boat, Chip Morton emerged from the sail to greet their guests.

"Great timing Chip," Lee said as his XO approached the group. "Commander Chip Morton, Seaview's XO, I'd like to introduce you to our guests. Project leader is Dr. Hans Delbruck, co-lead Dr. Elmer Jung and dive team/technicians Mr. Gavin Rushmore and Mr. Phillip Crandall." They exchanged handshakes and quick greetings.

"I turn you over to Mr. Morton's charge to receive your safety and boat orientation briefings and then he'll have you shown to your quarters. Your luggage will be there waiting for you when you're done. Once you get settled you can check out your equipment if you wish before we shove off tomorrow morning to make sure it's all there and in working order. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask Mr. Morton or myself," Lee added. "Okay Chip they're all yours."

Chip smiled and gave Lee a quick salute. "If you'll follow me we'll go inside and assemble in the nose to start you briefings."