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Monday Morning 0600Hours

The control room was alive with activity. Final preparations were underway and the crew was once again giving their best to make sure they would be under way on schedule. Crane was standing at the plotting table with Morton going over their course when the Admiral came down the spiral staircase. Following close behind Nelson were the project leaders Highner, Malcolm and Shaw.

"Ah, Lee I would like to introduce you to Drs Oliver Shaw, Nathaniel Highner and Sam Malcolm. Gentlemen this is Commander Lee Crane our Captain and our exec Lt. Commander Charles Morton. Morton will be accompanying you along with our technician Jonathan Archer to base 21.

The dark haired man of medium height and build that Nelson introduced as Shaw extended his hand towards Crane. "Nice to meet you gentlemen. It is quite the submarine you have here Captain. I would love to discuss her with you. Perhaps you could join us for breakfast?"

"I would love to but unfortunately, I have duties here that require my attention if we are to get under way."

Nelson could see the flicker of disappointment cross Shaw's face. He knew his crew's view of the scientist that frequently came aboard Seaview and the subsequent adventures that usually resulted from such visits. A very evil idea crossed his mind and a smile came to his face.

"Oh I think you can join us for breakfast Captain. After all Mr. Morton is quite capable of getting us underway. I expect you to join us in fifteen minutes in the mess. Now gentlemen if you will come this way we will see that your personal items are stored in your quarters." Nelson allowed the three scientists to make their way up the spiral stair case when he turned back to his Captain. "And Lee, don't make me make that an order."

Before the skipper had a chance to reply the Admiral was gone. Letting out a deep sigh he turned to Chip. "I should probably handle things here. You should join them for breakfast; after all you will be working with them on this mission not me."

With a straight face he replied, "Now Captain, we have everything under control here. I know how much you enjoy entertaining pillars of the scientific community and would never want to deny you that opportunity. After all it's one of the privileges of being the Captain," a smile broke out on the exec's face and he continued, "and you are the Captain, Captain."

"I am the Captain and as such I could have you scrubbing the deck for the rest of this cruise."

Copying Lee's smile Chip put his pencil down on the plot table. "True, but you would still have to go to breakfast and if I were scrubbing the decks that would leave you with the scientists for the entire project."

Lee knew when he was beat. He threw his pencil on the plotting table and turned to go up the stairs while giving orders to his XO. "Carry on Mr. Morton. If you need me I will be with the Admiral."

Monday 1000 hours

The cargo hold was abuzz with activity as the crew was busy pulling the project computer components out of creates. Several pieces of equipment were required to be set up on board Seaview. Chief Sharkey was overseeing the unloading of the equipment while the Admiral, Skipper and special guests were in a meeting discussing things that Sharkey felt were way above his pay grade.

He proceeded to check items off of his list as the various crewmen produced various components and sorted them into the different piles to be partially assembled and installed later. Kowalski opened his crate and called the chief over to check it off of the list.

"Hold on a moment there Ski. That piece was supposed to go to the missile room. Grab Patterson and run it down there now," ordered the chief.

"Hey Pat you wanna give me a hand with this?" asked Kowalski as he indicated the crate with two boxes inside.

"You got it Ski," answered Patterson as he put down his crowbar on the crate he was about to open. The two crewmen took the boxes and proceeded to the missile room.

On their way to the door the chief called out to them, "and make it quick. We don't have time for you two to take a Sunday stroll. Lots of crates to open gentlemen." Sharkey turned back to the other crewmen working after he received a nod from Pat and Ski before they disappeared from the hatch.

Patterson and Kowalski walked into the missile room and found the tech Archer hooking up several pieces of equipment to one of the control panels.

"Hey Archer! We found some of your toys in the cargo hold. Must have gotten mixed up with all the crates for the project," explained Kowalski as he and Pat put down their packages.

The blond tech glanced up briefly when he heard his name but went back to his work. Without pausing in his efforts replied, "all my toys are for the project Ski. Not only are we going to test out the bases capabilities but we have to perform our tests and studies to see if we can beat the bases defenses. Apparently, not everyone is convinced this project is the revolution it claims to be."

Archer nodded his head towards the door and asked softly as not to be over heard, "I thought they weren't suppose to be in any sensitive areas without a member of the crew escorting them."

The subject of Archer's concern was Dr. Highner. The older gentleman was wondering the missile room examining the different control panels and missile tubes.

"Um Dr. Highner sir," said Patterson in his usual soft voice.

The doctor jumped slightly and started to clean his glasses when he acknowledged the crewman's presence.

"This is a secure area sir. We're going to have to ask you to leave."

"What . . . oh yes . . . yes of course. I was just admiring you submarine. It's quite a specimen of remarkable innovation. I was actually looking for the cargo hold and must have gotten turned around somewhere. I didn't mean to stumble into somewhere I wasn't allowed."

"That's alright sir, Kowalski and I were just heading back that way ourselves."

"Oh, thank-you for your assistance."

Patterson escorted the Doctor to the hatch and turned to call to Kowlaski who was still standing next to Archer.

"Come on Ski. The Chief is waiting."

Kowalski rolled his eyes at Archer and whispered, "Scientists. Nothing but trouble." He then proceeded to follow Patterson.

"You're tellin me," called out Archer as he returned to his project at hand.

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