Chapter 3

Seaview floated upon a calm sea. The waters of the Pacific sparkled in the last rays of the setting sun. Almost the whole crew were assembled on deck to say goodbye to their captain. A burial detail stood to attention as Admiral Nelson read the service.

"Unto Almighty God we commend the soul of our brother departed, and we commit his body to the deep; in sure and certain hope of the resurrection unto eternal life, through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Amen."

Nelson closed the prayer book and led the men in a salute as the body slid from beneath the flag and sank below the water. "Commander Morton, get us back to Santa Barbara," Nelson ordered. "If you need me, I'll be in my cabin."

"Aye Aye, sir. Secure the detail," Morton ordered before quickly disappearing through the sail hatch,heading for the control room. He wondered if anyone had noticed that Dr Will Jamieson, Seaview's CMO, had not sailed with them on Lee's last voyage. How long before Jamieson's absence would have one of the crew putting two and two together and figured out what was going on? Until Lee regained consciousness, and could tell them what had happened, Nelson wanted everyone to think that Lee was dead. A discreet guard had been posted outside Lee room at NIMR's medical centre, although Morton could not believe that any-one at the institute was involved. He'd seen the look on the crews' faces. The control room had been quiet on the outward trip, each man working in silence, with his own thoughts. Morton decided that he would speak to Nelson about talking to the crew when they got back to base. Morton was anxious to return to the medical centre. He wanted to be there in case Lee regained consciousness.

"All stations manned and ready to get underway," O'Brien reported a short time later.

"Very well, prepare to get underway." Chip unclipped a mic from the side of the chart table. "Engine room, ahead one third."

"One third, aye."

"Helm, steer course 199 degrees." Chip stood for a moment, feeling the vibration of Seaview's engines as she headed home, watching the water foaming against the windows in the nose.

xxxxxx

Morton wasted no time in getting to the medical centre as soon as Seaview docked. "How's he doing, Doc?" Chip asked as he crossed the room to stand beside the bed where Lee lay motionless. Most of Lee's injuries were hidden by the bedclothes, but the intubation tube to assist his breathing, monitor, and I.V in his arm were grim reminders of how serious his condition was.

"He's holding on," Jamieson replied quietly.

Chip perched carefully on the edge of the bed. "Lee, can you hear me? You're going to be all right," he encouraged, not knowing whether Lee understood, or even know that he was there. Chip turned to Jamieson for re-assurance. There hadn't been any change in Lee's condition from when he'd seen him earlier.

Jamieson returned the notes he'd been writing to the file before coming to stand beside Morton. "He'll make it, Chip," he told him, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Chip wished that he could believe that. As he watched Lee, his thoughts flew back to that moment in the apartment when, gritting his teeth against the anger and grief, he'd moved to cover Lee with the sheet. The relief he'd felt when Lee had moved his head and whispered his name. In his haste to call for help, he had knocked the phone from the bedside table and it had taken him precious seconds to retrieve it.

"Chip?" Jamieson broke into his thoughts.

Chip reluctantly pulled his gaze from Lee to look up at Jamieson.

"Don't expect things to happen very quickly. It could be days, or even weeks," the doctor told him. "Why don't you go and grab some coffee," he said, smiling genially. "You look like you need it."

"I want to be here when he comes round," Chip insisted, his eyes straying back to Lee. At least he didn't have to worry about Seaview, she was safely berthed, with a skeleton crew aboard to look after her.

"I know, but like I said, that's not likely to happen yet. I promise I'll send some-one to find you if it does," Jamieson assured him.

Still Chip was reluctant to leave. He had come so close to losing Lee. "Sorry Doc, I'm staying." If the worst should happen, Chip didn't want Lee to die alone.

Jamieson shook his head at him. "There is nothing you can do. Go home and get some rest," he advised.

"I couldn't sleep. I'll be okay," Chip told him obstinately.

"All right, but making yourself ill won't help Lee," Jamieson said patiently. "I have to report to the admiral. I'll be back in a little while."

Chip nodded, his eyes never straying from Lee.

xxxxxx

Nelson sat at his office desk, staring at the telephone, willing it to ring. If only Lee would come round and tell them what had happened. His enquiries to ONI and Washington had all met with an apparent wall of silence. However, something told him that it was somehow connected to Lee's past. Hopefully their charade would buy them some time.

If he didn't want to arouse suspicion, he would have to make a statement to the press. He would also have to appear to be going through the motions of finding a new captain for Seaview. Nelson turned to the door as a knock signalled the arrival of Angie, a welcome distraction.

"Is there any news, Admiral?" she asked.

"No, sorry, Angie - nothing. But, you know Lee, he'll be all right." Nelson tried to sound re-assuring, despite his own fears.

Angie nodded and smiled. "Is there anything you want me to do?"

"No. Why don't you go home? There's not likely to be much happening around here today," Nelson said gently. He could see that she had been crying.

"Thank you, sir." Angie smiled and turned to leave.

"I'll see you tomorrow." Nelson's attention was taken by the telephone ringing, and he reached for it, dreading what he was about to hear.