Chapter Two
"Is he alright?" Chip asked as Harry examined the beam of light completely encasing Lee.
"There's no way to tell, at this point I'm willing to assume that Zandar is telling the truth regarding Lee's condition," the Admiral replied as he carefully studied the beam, then reached to touch the light.
"Sir," Chip said, insistently interrupting Harry's further movement. "It's some sort of energy field and it sent me flying across the room."
Harry nodded. "Of course, I just wish I could reach Lee somehow," he said in frustration with an audible sigh. "What's the condition of the boat?" he asked, changing the subject when he realized there was nothing he could do for Lee at the moment.
"We have power on all decks, the Environmental Controls are in full working order, but nothing having to do with propulsion or maneuvering is operational. We can't blow ballast or flood the tanks and yet we're in perfect trim," he reported perplexed.
"It would seem Zandar's people don't want us going anywhere," Harry noted. "What's our present position?" he asked, following Chip to the Chart Table.
Chip leaned over and found the position, pointing it out to Harry.
"No significant trenches, mounts, thermal activity," Harry said thinking out loud. "What about Communications?"
Chip furled his brow. "Inoperable. Sparks reports he can't receive or send a message, though boat-wide communication is functioning."
Harry nodded, pursing his bottom lip and heaving his shoulders in a sigh.
"Then we may be forced to help Zandar," Harry concluded.
"But we don't know anything about them, Sir," Chip whispered to keep their conversation quiet. "What if they're not what they claim to be?" he asked, playing devil's advocate.
"It's a chance we'll have to take," Harry replied with a reassuring hand to Chip's shoulder. "At least until I can think of something else."
"Aye Sir," Chip replied, putting his concerns neatly behind his command face. "Any orders, Sir?"
Harry nodded. "No... No, this is their game. We wait until Zandar returns and see if we can learn more about him and his people."
"Shall I arm the crew?" Chip asked.
"I doubt it would do any good," Harry said with a humorless chuckle. "Their technology is obviously far advanced having achieved inter-planetary travel, and we don't know what effect it would have on Lee if we were to harm Zandar in any way. He's obviously accessing Lee's thought patterns," Harry said to Chip's raised eyebrow, wondering how the Admiral had come to that conclusion.
Harry swung a demonstrative hand back toward Lee. "Haven't you notice how Zandar's facial expressions mirror Lee's so perfectly? No, I'm convinced that their communication involves an active feedback system of some kind. If that connection is abruptly severed, it could be very dangerous for Lee."
"Aye Sir," Chip replied. "Perhaps the laser pistols?" he probed.
Harry threw a resigned hand in the air and walked away. "Fine Chip, fine, but on the lowest setting," he ordered as he walked past Lee, still motionless in the beam of light. "I'll be in my quarters, maybe I can think of some way to break this energy field."
"Aye Sir," Chip replied, watching as Harry took the winding stairs up to Officer's Country.
VTTBOTS
One moment he was watching the strange light advancing on Seaview's position, the next he was here... if he only knew where "here" was. A fog enveloped him and he could scarcely see even his own hand before his face. There was a strange disconnectedness he felt as well; though he wasn't able to articulate it exactly, it was a feeling totally foreign to his experience.
"Hello?" Lee called, reaching out to whoever had brought him here, because he was sure he wasn't dead, though a feeling of "limbo" did linger in his being. "Is anyone here?" he tried again.
He took a step forward, noticing the fog strangely separating until producing a path for him to traverse. It was a clear invitation, so he took it knowing he needed answers, the first of which was "Where am I?" followed immediately by "How do I get home?"
"Who are you?" he called again as he moved forward through the perfectly carved path, though the fog still persisted on both sides of him like canyon walls.
"Welcome, Captain Crane."
Lee turned swiftly to the voice behind him, a voice strangely familiar and oddly much like his own. Behind him the fog had disappeared as an exact duplicate of himself stood in the middle of a now defined room. Lee took in the sight of seeing himself staring back at him and regained his composure.
"Who are you?" he asked, "And why am I here?"
His double smiled, it was his smile but it was also mixed with an expression not his own.
"I am Zandar, and as you have already guessed, I am the source of the light that overtook your vessel."
Lee nodded in understanding, though not trusting his host yet. "And why do you look like me, Zandar?" he asked getting his first obvious question out of the way.
"A valid question. You see Captain, we need your help," he said. "We are space travelers in need of your assistance. To do this we must communicate with your people back on the vessel, we chose you to be our Ambassador."
"I don't understand."
"Your physical body isn't here, only your essence, as we have brought you into our dimension of time and space."
"If my body isn't here, then where am I?" he asked, not necessarily buying into Zandar's explanation but needing information at this point.
"Your body is still aboard your vessel; once your essence is removed from your body I can access your mind." Zandar noted immediately Lee's concern at the last statement as he continued, "The process is necessary to communicate with your people."
"Why don't you tell me what you need and return me, I can communicate with my crew on your behalf," he offered, trying to find a way back in control of his own body and back aboard Seaview.
"Through your memories we see you are not one to trust easily. I see other beings alien to your planet, as well as people of your own world who have broken that trust..."
Lee pursed his lips, not appreciating the fact that his memories were seemingly an open book to Zandar.
"But you must believe me. We mean you no harm," Zandar finished.
"I'd feel better knowing what you want," Lee asked evenly.
"That is not possible at this moment as I must now return to negotiate with your people."
"Wait a minute, Zandar," Lee interrupted. "As long as you hold me, my crew will be reluctant to believe you. Send me back with what you need and I'll see what I can do."
Zandar studied Lee a moment and then waved a hand toward him; immediately Lee crumbled to the ground as the fog once again surrounded him, leaving only a circle around his unresponsive body.
VTTBOTS
A bright light preceded Zandar's appearance in the Nose as Chip turned immediately. It was eerie looking into the face of Lee Crane and knowing there was an alien staring back at him. He was a duplicate in every way. Chip reached for the mic to report that their "Visitor" had returned but before he could even click the mic he heard the Admiral's steps descending the stairs.
Zandar smiled at Harry's arrival, as if he had known the Admiral for a long time; it was a smile of appreciation and even respect. Chip's eyes narrowed as he wondered how much of Lee's brain he was accessing and realizing that if Zandar had unlimited admittance he would be privy to all of Seaview's secrets.
"I trust I have given you time to consider our request?" Zandar asked as Harry moved to stand near the light encasing Seaview's captain.
"As we are held here without propulsion and maneuvering or the ability to blow ballast, it would seem that you hold all the cards, Zandar," Harry replied shrewdly.
Zandar smiled, it was a smile Lee didn't often express while on board Seaview, one of pure delight.
"All – the - cards," he repeated thoughtfully with a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. "Yes, I see the significance of the phrase," he expressed in understanding. "The one called Crane enjoys this game called poker," he added.
Harry sighed audibly, Zandar was accessing Lee's memories at will, it was disconcerting to say the least as Lee Crane held a very high security rating in the Navy and was privy to many naval as well as Intelligence secrets he had amassed over the years.
"Is there some sort of good-will you could offer to help us understand your intent?" Harry asked boldly as Chip's forehead tightened.
"Perhaps, but first I would like to examine the fuel rods to ensure their appropriateness for our use."
Chip raised an eyebrow at the request while Harry pursed his bottom lip and then nodded.
"Very well," he agreed, with a slight nod of his head toward the XO as Chip indicated for two armed men to accompany the pair to the Reactor Room.
VTTBOTS
Chip followed along not happy with giving Zandar a tour of Seaview, though he could see the Admiral's logic since the alien apparently seemed to know everything Lee knew.
Zandar didn't miss a beat, taking every turn and ladder with the foreknowledge of the memories he was accessing as his own. Chip couldn't help but feel very uncomfortable at how well Zandar took on Lee's characteristics, even his familiar walk; only his distinctive talk gave away the fact that he was following an alien double instead of his best friend.
"The one called Crane is especially fond of taking late-night inspection tours, is he not?" Zandar asked with a slightly clinical, sterile voice inflection.
"If you're referring to his late night walks about the Boat, then yes," Harry replied with a raised eyebrow for Zandar's observation.
"I have also noticed how well the one called Crane masks his emotions, especially the paternal-offspring relationship he has with you, Admiral Nelson," Zandar stated.
Harry stopped Zandar's forward movement with a hand to his shoulder, twisting the Lee replica to face him directly. His Irish temper flared in a glare that could have melted ice cubes instantly and certainly would have sent lower grade officers and ratings alike cowering before him.
"Now you listen to me," Harry demanded with a very unfriendly push to the alien's shoulder. "Whatever you are accessing in Crane's memories are not open to public display," he warned angrily. "I am quite sure you understand that he is a very private man and whatever respect and admiration we may mutually share is no one else's business. Do I make myself clear?" Harry finished with an intrusive tap to Zandar's shoulder with every syllable of the last sentence he spoke.
Zandar remained calm apparently unaffected by the obvious display of aggression as Harry took a step back, returning the alien's personal space to him.
"My apologies, Admiral Nelson. I will strive to be more careful in my observations of the one called Crane's personal feelings in the future. You must understand that I find humans to be very interesting creatures, it was the scientist in me," he assured the Admiral with an easy friendly smile.
"Very well, but you should know I'm not pleased with Captain Crane's captivity in your energy field, nor with the fact that you seem to know everything about him. Right now I can think of nothing better than getting you what you need and sending you on your way," he added trying to keep his heated emotions from flaring once again.
"I understand Admiral Nelson, and I understand that the one called Crane would find this arrangement to be an intrusion of his mind if he were aware of my presence, but I assure you, the energy field buffers him from the experience. The one called Crane will be returned to you unharmed once our need for communication is ended."
Harry sighed, his bottom lip pursed tightly as he considered Zandar's words. "Very well, then let's get to the inspection of the rods."
Chip worked hard to keep his command face in check as he witnessed the near altercation between Harry and Zandar. Once the situation deflated he barely resisted blowing a breath of relief out with an accompanied roll of the eyes, as he'd seen Harry's temper in its full unrestrained force before. He also hoped the alien was telling the truth about Lee being unaware of the intrusion of his mind, as he knew it would be most distressing to his friend; as would the fact that Zandar took on his characteristics and habits so easily. At this point, he joined the Admiral in his desire to get the alien off of Seaview as soon as possible... if only he could be sure that Zandar had been honest about his people's intent to leave earth after receiving the power boost they claimed they needed.
VTTBOTS
A hazy fog surrounded the table where Lee lay motionless in a deep sleep. He was completely unaware as dozens of hands penetrated the fog, making contact with an extended boney finger. They rested the extra-long digits on his legs, torso and arms as the white forms nodded in unison their readiness to proceed. At his head another white form stood, though slightly taller than her counterparts, there were no other distinguishing characteristics. Each looked exactly like the other, humanoid but lacking facial characteristics save for their oval black eyes and out of proportioned small mouths. Even their noses were exact replicas of the others, small with no distinguishing differences. Each wore the same white hooded robe completely covering their bodies from their necks to their feet.
The taller creature nodded her understanding, then extended her own long boney finger to rest squarely in the middle of Lee's forehead. Her touched invoked an instant gasp as his head moved slightly. Each creature breathed in with satisfaction as their small mouths took on the same expression of expectation, while closing their eyes and relishing the experience, as their subject's eyes began moving back and forth under his eye lids with the rapid eye movement indicating he had entered into a dream state.
ONI wanted photos of a file hidden inside the locked office, exactly whose office was never divulged in the dream and it made no difference as Lee was merely a participant, as is the case when the brain sends the dreamer on errands which often times make little sense once the dreamer wakes. This time, he was going through the motions of climbing through a window of a building encased behind a tall barbed wire fence. He dropped to the floor both effortlessly and silently, looking over his surroundings and determining his next move. Danger and intrigue permeated his entire being as he knew instinctively that his alerted presence would be most unwelcomed, especially since he was operating deep within the borders of a foreign country; one without any foreign relations of any kind.
He spotted a group of file cabinets on the far wall and headed toward them, shining a small pen light across the labels until finding the one he needed. He held the light between his teeth and quickly fingered through the folders until he found the one he was looking for, pulling it out and resting it open on the desk beside him. Quickly he took photos with his miniature camera, checking every once in a while to see if the flash had alerted any guards out walking the grounds. He had about twenty pages to photograph as he worked quickly, but it was taking longer than he expected as beads of sweat began to form on his brow.
"Hurry! Hurry!" he thought to himself knowing that getting caught here would be catastrophic. The file folder contents seemed to be growing in size as it seemed no matter how many photos he took the pile wasn't decreasing.
"Come on... hurry," he urged himself finally coming to the end of the pile in relief. He slipped the small slim camera into a pocket of his black fatigues then closed the file and returned it to its proper place in the cabinet. Breathing a sigh of relief, he headed back to the window.
A new level of intrigue swept over him as the job was only half done; now he had to successfully bring the sought after intelligence back to his superiors. To be caught now would be both a painful and deadly mistake, as he bore the witness of his intrusion on the film of his camera. His country would be forced to call him a rogue player; it was the way of the espionage game. He would be "encouraged" to talk, in no doubt, most uncomfortable ways, and would be left to his own wit for survival. It was a stipulation he agreed upon when he took the dangerous mission.
Softly he landed on the grass and lowered the window to keep his entry point a secret. He took the time to slide his pocket knife under the locking mechanism, moving it back in place to further hide the deception of his encroachment. With the evidence of his trespassing removed, he watched carefully and then took off for the fence he had entered through.
Speedily he ran until he reached the spot where he had cut through the fence earlier, but when he arrived the fence had been mysteriously mended. Lee looked around perplexed, knowing this was where he had cut a small entry point, he couldn't be wrong! Sounds of confusion and a frantic search came from the direction of the building he had just left. Dogs... gunfire... "There he is!" he heard as he scaled the fence, having no choice but to make his getaway over the razor sharp barbed wire fence.
The bay of dogs hot on the scent of an intruder urged him over the top, as he had no choice but to brave the coiled barbed wire meant to discourage trespassers with its sharp welcome. A dozen slices greeted his torso as he had no alternative but to bear the consequence of this unplanned exit. His shirt bloodied instantly as the barbs were also armed by half inch razors, he gasped as he swung his legs over, miraculously unscathed and then jumped to the ground below him with a thud. The pain in his middle spiked at the contact with the ground but he had no time to tend to his wounds as a dog jumped on the other side of the fence with his teeth bared and barking loudly to alert his handlers that he had found the intruder. Lee jumped back, momentarily shocked at the dog's sudden arrival and then collected himself and took off toward the woods. It wouldn't be long now. Soon the dogs would be free to hunt him down and unless he stumbled upon a miracle, he would be caught. Still he had a few tricks up his sleeve as the danger sent a spike of adrenalin through his body, momentarily supplying him with the energy he needed to extend his lead before the dogs were freed...
The white hooded creatures all breathed in collectively as Lee received the shot of adrenalin in his dream. Their subject's head tossed, as he tried unsuccessfully to fight his way out of the nightmare. His face grimaced at the mirage of pain, his fingers twitched and yet his dream wouldn't release him, forcing him to live out the conjured up mission. Finally, the larger creature withdrew her finger from his brow as all the other creatures followed suit. They remained around his body as his eyes opened momentarily to the unexpected sight of the ghostly white figures over him.
Instantly he heard an eerie whisper in his ear. "Sleeeeeep," it said in a whispery breath as his eyelids dropped immediately and he sank into a deep sleep once again, this time past the stage of dreams into a darkness where his body could revitalize.
One by one the hooded creatures stepped back, a puff of fog taking its place until he was surrounded once again by the hazy vapor. The chilling cold sent a shiver up his spine, as his physical body responded even though he was too deeply unconscious to recognize it.
Only the larger creature remained at his head; satisfied and momentarily sated she stepped back as the fog enveloped his head once again.