Chapter 4

The admiral surfaced FS-1 and took off for San Diego flying at Mach 1. As they were flying, he said nothing to Sharkey until they were almost to San Diego.

"Chief, how did you find out about Captain Crane as I didn't think it was in the newspaper or on the news?"

"We learned about it from Billy in security," Sharkey said and told the admiral how they found out.

"I guess nothing gets by security," the admiral added with a smile as he prepared to land at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego. He was cleared to land and pulled up to one of the docks where they would leave FS-1 until they were ready to depart.

The admiral and Sharkey exited the little sub and found the car Admiral Starke had sent to pick them up. After a short ride to Starke's office, they entered the office and were greeted by Admiral Starke's secretary, Roberta.

"Hello, Admiral and Chief," she said noticing Sharkey's rank. "The admiral will be with you shortly."

"Chief, wait here for me. I don't think I'll be too long," Nelson told him.

"Yes sir," Sharkey replied as helped himself to the coffee on the counter, a magazine and sat down to wait.

Before long the door to the Starke's office opened and he stood at the door while Nelson entered the office.

"Harry, I hear congratulations are in order. Seems Seaview outfoxed our newest vessels," Jiggs said as the admiral entered the office.

"Jiggs' what's going on?" Nelson asked irritated as he would rather be with Lee. "I'm sure Johnson didn't ask me down here so you could offer your congratulations."

"Johnson told me about the mission the Crane's were supposed to go on, about the accident, and that Janet needed to complete the mission even if Lee couldn't go. Sorry to hear about it, are they okay?"

"Lee's pretty banged up but Janet's okay. Why did Johnson want me to come here?"

"I don't know but we'll find out shortly as we're going to have a web cam meeting with him. Care for some coffee?"

"Thanks, I could use some."

Starke went over to his credenza and poured them both a cup. They had just sat down when Jiggs' computer dinged letting them know Johnson was there waiting.

"Good morning, Jiggs" Johnson said. "Is Harry there?"

"Yes, Gerald, he's here. What's this all about?"

Johnson continued, "Harry, I know you said Janet won't go on the mission without Lee and that he wouldn't let her go anyway but something very serious has happened. I told you about an incident that took place earlier today well its worse than we thought. Five men were killed when their boat strayed off course because their guidance system was jammed by the PR's ADC. The boat was from the destroyer you just did the exercises with. Right now we're nowhere close to even having a chip ready to challenge them."

"Damn," Nelson said sadly. "Gerald, I'll try and convince Lee to let her go only I'll go with her...or Chip Morton." Nelson suggested.

"Harry, that won't work. Kelly is insistent that the Crane's are the only ones he'll turn over the flash drive too. He's holding all the cards right now and I have no way of contacting him to try and change his mind. I do have an idea and I know you're not going to like it and neither will the Crane's but we have to have that chip before any more men are killed."

"Okay Gerald, what's the idea."

Johnson took a deep breath and replied, "I want to send Paul Gallagher in Lee's place. He looks like him...I know he took his place on Seaview and no one knew even you...he can be Lee."

"Gerald, have you lost your mind? Lee would never let him impersonate him again and as far as Janet going with him...you're asking for trouble," the admiral shouted.

"Harry, you don't really have choice. You know as well as I do Lee will not want any more men killed because he can't go," Johnson replied angrily.

"Can I ask them before I commit to this...has Gallagher agreed to do this?" Nelson asked seriously.

Hesitating before he replied, "No, he doesn't even know about it and I'd rather you didn't ask them."

"You want me to just show up with him in Santa Barbara and tell them this is what is going to take place. You're pushing your luck with Lee...he might just up and quit on you."

"I know I'm taking a chance but Harry I need you to convince them. I'm sure Janet wouldn't want any more families to lose their loved ones because she didn't go."

"Gerald, you're not playing fair. You know she'll go because they don't want anymore families to suffer."

"I'm sorry Harry but as I said we're desperate."

Harry ran his hand through his hair. "Okay Gerald, I'll try and convince them but you still don't know if Gallagher will do it."

"Jiggs, could you please have him brought to your office right now," Johnson asked knowing he was being held in the detention center on the base.

"I'll contact the detention facility and have him brought over," Jiggs replied and asked Roberta to get them on the phone.

Harry sat there stewing as he knew Lee may not like it but would agree to it because of the men that were killed or how many more could be killed.

"It's going to take about fifteen minutes to bring him here," Jiggs said to Johnson. "I'll call you back when he gets here."

"Okay," Johnson replied and disconnected the call.

"Sorry Harry. I had no idea what he was up to. I'm glad I'm not in your shoes."

Damn, Nelson thought trying to think of a way to tell Lee and Janet.

((()))

Nelson got another cup of coffee from the credenza as they waited for Gallagher to arrive. It was twenty minutes later when he was brought to Jiggs' office. Sharkey looked up from his magazine and couldn't believe he was looking at Paul Gallagher.

What the hell is going on, Sharkey thought as the door opened and Gallagher entered Admiral Starke's office.

Gallagher was surprised to see Admiral Nelson sitting there. "Why was I brought here...why is he here?" he said sharply as he stared at Nelson.

"Sit down and we'll explain," Jiggs told him as he called Admiral Johnson. "Admiral, Mr. Gallagher is in the office."

Jiggs turned the computer screen around so Gallagher could see who he was talking to.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Gallagher. I'm Admiral Johnson head of ONI." He looked at him and could not believe how much he looked like Lee Crane.****

"Yeah, so what?" he said curtly.

Johnson let out a breath, "Mr. Gallagher we need your help."

"You need my help," he snapped. "ONI needs help from an operative of the People's Republic. You must be in a hell of a lot of trouble to ask me but I'm curious as to what you need me to do for you. Spill it."

"We need you to impersonate Lee Crane. He and Janet were scheduled to leave on a mission on Wednesday. They were in a car accident and Lee can't go. You will go with Janet as her husband."

"You want me to impersonate him?" Paul laughed wickedly. "What's to stop me from agreeing to do it, kidnapping Janet, not finish the mission and holding her for ransom? Crane will pay anything to get her back including his life," Paul said smugly.

Nelson bristled at his attitude and spoke up, "First of all, do you really want to tangle with Janet Crane again. You know she will not go peacefully. She took a shot at you once and missed. I guarantee she will not miss again and she did manage to clobber you with a paperweight knocking you out and spoiling your plans. Secondly, Lee Crane would move heaven and earth to find her along with one hundred and twenty five other men."

Johnson spoke next. "Commander Crane along with ONI and all the other intelligence agencies would be hunting for you so you'd be a wanted man on all continents."

"I'll go back to the PR. They'll hide me until the heat is off."

"I wouldn't be too sure of that," Johnson replied with a smug look. "Word out there is you're a wanted man by them too. They think you've been talking and I have it on good authority that there's a nice price on your head."

Paul looked at Johnson, Nelson and Starke the wind taken out of his sails by Johnson's last comment. "If I do agree what's to stop you from turning me over to them...and what do I get out of this?"

Johnson answered, "After you complete the mission, we're willing to put you in the witness protection program, change your name and looks. You can take on any look you want but will not be allowed to stay looking like Lee Crane. Go back to your original looks."

Paul sat there for a few minutes. He was caught totally off guard that his own country had a price on his head. I really don't want to stay as Lee Crane the rest of my life anyway, he thought. "I'll do it. Do the Crane's know about this plan?"

Nelson replied, "No, as of now they don't. We have to convince them that you'll keep your word."

"I'll do my best. What's the mission?"

"You and Janet need to pick up a flash drive with some information on it from the PR," Johnson told him.

"I'm working for the US against the PR," Paul lamented. "Continue."

"You need to go to the country of Gromenten where you'll attend a reception celebrating the opening of a new aquarium. That's where Janet will get the information from another PR agent, Leon Kelly."

"Whew," Paul said blowing out a breath. "Looks like the PR is on the losing end on this mission. I didn't know Janet Crane was an ONI agent."

"She's not officially. Kelly will only give the information to her and Lee," Nelson responded. "She has been on other missions so you don't have to worry about her."

Nodding his head Paul said, "What else?"

"You'll need a white dinner jacket and some clothes. We'll get you something to wear," Johnson said with relief.

"No need to. I assume we'll be returning to Santa Barbara. I have a house there with my own clothes and dinner jacket."

"A townhouse on the waterfront," Nelson said. "I saw you go enter it with a brunette. I thought it was Lee at the time."

"You got it Admiral. I'll stay there until we leave for the mission."

"No Paul, you will stay on NIMR grounds just in case you're being watched. Admiral Nelson, does Lee have the itinerary for the mission?"

"I have it and will go over it with Paul and Janet," Nelson sighed. "I'll find someplace for Paul to stay so security can keep an eye on him."

"That's all I have," Johnson said. "Admiral Nelson, you'll get back to me after you talk to the Crane's. Any questions?"

No one answered so Johnson clicked off the computer. Admiral Starke looked at Nelson and was glad he didn't have to tell the Crane's. Nelson stood up and grabbed his cover.

"Take care, Harry and good luck," Starke said to his friend as he stood up and shook his hand.

"Thanks, Jiggs. I have a feeling I'm going to need it," Nelson sighed.

"Good luck to you too, Mr. Gallagher," Starke said still staring at how much he looked like Lee Crane.

"Thank you sir," Paul replied politely.

Starke walked the two men to the door to his office, opened it up and showed them out.

Chief Sharkey stood up when the three men walked into the waiting area. "Ready to leave Chief?" Nelson asked.

"Yes sir," Sharkey replied glaring at Paul.

"Chief, Mr. Gallagher will be returning with us to the institute. No questions, I'll fill you in later."

"Yes sir," Sharkey responded frowning and held the door for the two men.

There was a car waiting for them when they left the building. As they were driven to the dock, the admiral explained to Sharkey why he was bringing back Paul. The admiral could tell Sharkey didn't like it but wouldn't say anything. They pulled up to the dock where FS-1 was bobbing in the channel.

"I can't wait to fly in that," Paul said excitedly.

The three men climbed down the ladder. Sharkey made sure that Paul was strapped in and they took off for NIMR.

**** See my story, "Double Vengeance"