Chapter 7

Logan stood with his feet apart, hands behind his back, a smug, condescending look on his face as he rocked forward and back from toes to heels as he waited for his jailors to come to his cell. As they scowled at him, a self-satisfied smile worked its way across his lips.

"I take it it's time to go?" he gloated, assuming an air of total superiority.

The guard sneered at him then shoved a pink jumpsuit through the slot at the bottom of the door. "Put that on, then step back from the door, turn around, spread your legs, and place your hands on the wall."

Logan regarded the jumpsuit with disdain. "And if I choose not to?"

An unsettling smile slid across the guard's face. "Then we'll do it for you, and I guarantee you WON'T enjoy the experience."

He considered his options for a moment then picked up the suit and began removing his shirt and sweatpants. He then pulled the hideous garment on and buttoned it up. He assumed the ordered position then heard the cell door being unlocked behind him and the door swing open.

As he stood there, spread eagle against the wall, a wide leather belt was placed around his waist and buckled shut then secured with a padlock in the back. First his left hand, then his right was roughly pulled down, placed in a manacle then attached to the belt. Pulled to an upright position, his ankles were then shackled together.

"You will pay dearly for this humiliation. I demand to speak with my attorney," Logan ground out.

"Gag him," ordered the senior guard.

"Gladly," the other replied and a ball gag was shoved into his mouth effectively silencing him.

"Now, you will listen very carefully to me, you so much as step off the line and I will not hesitate to shoot you. They said we had to deliver you, but no one said you had to be alive," the guard said as he pushed Logan towards the door.

When he stepped out of his cell a hood was roughly placed over his head. There would be no opportunity whatsoever for him to signal anyone if perchance there was someone waiting. He had made a mockery of their procedures to ensure that no unauthorized communications were possible with outside parties, making them all look like fools. He wouldn't be given a second chance.

As he was shoved roughly down the hall the guard leaned in close and whispered, "You'll be back, and when you are you'll regret ever trying to escape."

Logan snorted in derision, the only mode of communication left to him. He received a sharp jab in the side causing him to grunt. His triumphant exit wasn't quite what he had envisioned, but he would have the last word in the end. With Nelson's boat and his hoard of highly destructive weapons, they would all bow down to him and give him whatever he demanded. She would once more be his and his alone; Mona Lisa would come home.

ooolo)

Lee strode purposefully down the passageway of the Bunker Hill and arrived at a closely guarded hatch. He pulled out his credentials and was immediately admitted to the space beyond. As he entered he spied Al Marquez and two of his staff working diligently on a piece of equipment laid out on the table in front of them.

At the sound of Lee's oxfords on the deck they looked up and Al smiled as his friend approached. "Well it's about time you showed up," he said as he extended his hand.

Lee quickly grabbed his hand giving it a firm shake. "I'm glad you could make it," he replied with a wink. "How was your trip out?"

"Hurried and not a little bit disconcerting with all the guards and secrecy involved. Lee, let me introduce two of my scientists, Alyssa Drummond and Todd Watson."

Lee shook their hands. "Sorry about that, but it's all quite hush hush. If any of this were to leak out, it could spark a panic that could be disastrous, especially if we're successful and eliminate the threat. So what have you got for me?"

"I've brought the next generation of our work, which I think will serve you well given what you need to be able to do. We're still utilizing a perfluorocarbon solution but have advanced to a partial liquid ventilation system which only requires functional residual capacity of 40% of the total lung volume. We've reduced the weight of the fluids you'll be breathing, which basically means you will have to expend far less energy to move the liquid in and out of your lungs," Marquez explained.

"That still sufficient to prevent the problems of pressure on the lungs when I hit depth?" Lee asked.

"All indications are that that is the case. As I told you Lee, you're going so far beyond our range of experience that these are best guesses at most. The one thing you are going to have to do is limit to the greatest extent possible, your level of activity until you have to move to get aboard your boat. You need to keep your heart rate and breathing at the lowest rate you can manage given the situation. One of the current drawbacks with both the total liquid and partial liquid systems is the difficulty in scrubbing CO2 from the blood stream. We've done some work with an external filter device that is attached via IV and scrubs the bloodstream of excess CO2, but I don't think you want to screw around with something like that. If it were to fail, you could bleed to death."

"Good call," Lee replied with a grim chuckle. "So how does all this work?"

"Pretty much like the first system you tested. You don the suit and helmet and then we flood the helmet with the breathing medium. You'll go through the initial moments of panic as you draw the fluid into your lungs and then you should acclimate and be able to breathe normally," Marquez answered. "In theory," he added with a wink.

"Always the optimist, Al," Lee responded as he smiled and shook his head.

"So given the parameters of the dive, I think we've come up with a way to limit your load and make it easier for you to make your way onto Seaview."

"Oh? I'm all for that."

"We're going to install a larger set of tanks on the exterior of the bell. That should give you upwards of two hours of breathable medium. You will be outfitted with a smaller tank about the size of a conventional scuba tank. We've got a special valve that you will use to draw off the larger tanks until you're ready to depart the bell. At that point, you shut off the flow from the bell tanks and the flow from your personal tank will take over. You just disconnect from the bell and go."

Lee smiled broadly. "I like that. I won't have the additional worry of running out of air if there is a delay in lowering the bell or docking with the sub. I also like not being encumbered with that huge rig we used for the first dives."

"Yeah, we thought you'd appreciate that. It was Alyssa's suggestion and it works like a charm," Marquez responded as he patted her on the back. The young scientist blushed and smiled shyly.

"Thank you," Lee said, flashing her one of his high voltage smiles.

"Now here's a new development we've come up with to help with recovery following use of the breathing medium." Marquez reached into his pocket and pulled out what looked like an asthma inhaler and handed it to Crane. "Once you've cleared your lungs, you'll need to rest for about 15 minutes and breathe pure oxygen. We'll attach a small cylinder to your suit so you'll have it immediately available. When you've regained your breath you need to take periodic hits off this to help rid your lungs of residual medium, accelerate CO2 removal, and stave off pneumonia. Initially you're going to find yourself short of breath, a little weak, and prone to coughing. This inhaler should help limit the effects, so don't forget to use it. Also you are most likely going to need some time in a hyperbaric chamber once you've completed your task, just to be on the safe side."

"Gotcha," Lee answered as he examined the small cylinder.

"Is there any chance you can tell us what this is all about?" Al asked.

Lee shook his head no. "I'm sorry Al, not right now. I promise if I make it back I'll fill you in completely."

"I guess that's our incentive to make sure this all works then," he responded with a laugh.

"Believe me it would be truly appreciated. The bell will be lowered into one of the holds so you can install your gear without being observed. Complete secrecy is the only way we can hope to pull this off, so please make no mention of my presence to anyone, even on board the ship."

The three NRL scientists nodded. That requirement had already been conveyed to them and they had all signed nondisclosure agreements before they left their lab.

"Okay Lee, we fully understand. When you get ready to deploy to the bell, we'll help you gear up and get you positioned. I'm told that once the bell is lowered into the water that's when we have to move."

"Correct," Lee confirmed. "The man being transported down must have no inkling that something is going on or that could bring this all to a catastrophic end. I really appreciate what you've all done to get this together so quickly. Thanks again."

"We're glad we could help," Marquez replied seriously.

"Once we shove off, we will be traveling for the better part of a day to get to our dive location. Grab some rest while you can, so you're ready to roll when the time comes."

"We'll be ready. You'll need to rest up as well. The more rested you are the more relaxed you'll be. If you practice meditation or some other form of relaxation, I would recommend you go through your routine before we get ready to deploy," Al admonished.

Lee smiled and patted his friend on the shoulder. "Yes mother." He laughed and exited the compartment to continue with his preparations.

(olooo

Lee stood on deck well hidden from the approaching helicopter and watched as it set down on the Bunker Hill. Moments later, an armed security party approached the chopper and waited for the side door to slide open. As it did he spotted Oberg and Styles flanking a hooded and shackled figure. He couldn't bite back the smile at seeing Logan so completely out of control; they were giving him no chance to signal his minions should one be present.

The security team lifted down the restrained man and escorted him across the deck, then lifted him over a knee knocker and down the passageway to the brig. Once Logan was gone, Lee stepped out from his hiding place and waved to the agents. They quickly crossed the deck and climbed the ladder to the next level to meet with Crane.

"Good to see you guys, I see you brought the garbage," Lee said in greeting. They exchanged handshakes and the other agents smiled wickedly at Lee's remarks.

"Oh yeah," Oberg replied. "He's a real piece of work. FYI, it was decided that he would be kept in the dark both literally and figuratively until the hatch from the bell to Seaview is opened. That should give you a little more breathing room."

"That's an excellent plan, plus it will keep him off-balance and confused," Lee answered, returning their smiles.

"So are you all set for this grand excursion you have planned?" Styles asked.

"As ready as I can be. My dive support is already here and now with the belle of the ball onboard we can shove off at any time."

"Good to hear. Is there anything else you need from us, Lee?" Oberg inquired.

"Nope, I think we're all set,"

"All right then we need to shove off and let you be about your business," Oberg answered. "When you've got control of your boat, make sure Logan takes a long walk on a short plank, okay?"

Lee laughed as did the other two. "Submarines don't have planks, but I think a one-way dip in the moon pool can be arranged," he replied as he shook their hands. "Thanks again guys."

Styles and Oberg nodded and then hurried down the ladder to their waiting chopper.

ooolo)

Within the hour the Bunker Hill weighed anchor and began her transit to the meeting point. As they traveled west, Marquez and his team worked on mounting the tanks on the NIMR bell and affixed an industrial depth gauge alongside them so Lee would have some idea how his dive was progressing. They couldn't find a single recreational diver depth gauge that was capable of reporting the depths to which he would be descending.

Once that was finished, the bell pilot was brought down to be briefed on his mission and responsibilities. Riley had volunteered to take on that task once he returned from leave and was told of the situation. He entered the bell and re-familiarized himself with the controls in advance of the dive. As he prepared to exit he heard someone at the hatch and turned expecting to find Marquez or one of the Navy techs. Instead he was sure he was faced with the visage of his skipper's ghost. He went white as a sheet and stumbled back against the far wall.

Lee smiled. "Relax Riley, it's just me."

"Skiiip, Skipper is that really you? They said you'd been killed in an accident," Riley stuttered.

"A necessary bit of misdirection," Lee replied. "They all need to think I'm dead so no one starts looking for me once the exchange occurs. You've got to make sure you don't let on you know I'm alive and hanging onto the outside of the bell."

"You're making the dive, sir? I thought Dr. Marquez was going to do that."

"No he's tech support on this one," Lee confirmed with a smile. "I just wanted to touch base with you to reinforce how important this is. You have to be the epitome of professionalism Riley. You need to sell the fact that I'm dead if asked and that you're just there to deliver Logan, then get the hell out."

"Aye sir, I can do that. I'm glad you told me Skipper, cuz I was going to jerk him around like a yo-yo on a string. I suppose now I have to make sure we go down nice and smooth," Riley answered, a devilish smile spreading across his face.

Lee laughed and nodded. "I would really appreciate a smooth ride, Riley. Logan will be placed in the bell blind and gagged and is to remain that way until the hatch to Seaview is open. That hopefully will keep him from discovering me when I release from the bell."

"You've got it sir. I'll do the best I can, for you and Seaview."

"I know you will. Now not a word to another soul that you've seen me and keep her on an even keel," Lee ordered as he patted the young rating on the shoulder.

"Aye sir," Riley replied. He watched as the captain turned and exited the room. A small smile spread across his face. He knew now that his shipmates aboard stood a real chance at rescue; with the Skipper in charge it had to work.

(olooo