Chapter 10
After a light breakfast, Harri and Lee headed into NIMR at 0700. Lee was deposited at Med Bay so Jamieson could check out the incision and make sure he was progressing along. Harri continued on to his office to check email and identify the equipment he needed placed in his lab for the upcoming mission and to touch base once more with his friend in Mexico.
"Wow, right on time," Jamie remarked as he saw Lee walk through the Med Bay front doors.
"Not much choice when your keeper is the admiral," Lee responded with a smile.
"Morning, Lee. How are you feeling today?"
"Morning, Jamie. As you would expect, fine," Lee answered then laughed as the doctor rolled his eyes.
"Come on in the exam room and let me take a look at your sutures. Were you a good captain and rest most of the day, yesterday?" Jamie responded in his most condescending tone.
Lee greeted that response with his own eye roll and sneer as he turned and walked towards the exam room. "As I said earlier, not much choice with the admiral as my keeper. Spent most of the day flaked out on the deck soaking up the sun. I did a little work on the computer, but nothing strenuous so I believe I complied with your orders."
"That remains to be seen," Will answered as he held open the door. "Lose the shirt and hop up on the table."
Lee quickly divested himself of his tie and shirt and sat down on the exam table. Will indicated he should lay down, then jumped into his exam checking his vitals and the incision and stitches. He gently touched the area and got no reaction from Lee indicating discomfort.
"So, any discomfort yesterday? Did you take anything for pain?"
"No, there was really no pain at all. By the end of the evening I couldn't tell that I had had any type of procedure," Lee answered honestly.
"Well your rapid healing rate seems to be holding. This incision is almost completely healed," Will answered as he shook his head in amazement. He reached over and grabbed a scissor from the tray next to the table. "Relax and I'll remove your sutures." He quickly snipped the threads and pulled them out then gently ran his fingers over the slightly pink line of the incision.
"Okay, Lee, you're good to go. You're still on light duty and I don't want you lifting anything heavier than 15 pounds for the rest of the week. What have you got on your plate for today?"
"I was planning on taking FS-1 out for a shakedown flight this morning," Lee lied, looking to see what kind of reaction he'd get.
"Like hell you are!" Jamieson stormed. "I've heard about your shakedown flights and given the G's you're likely to pull you'd start coming apart at the seams."
"Relax Jamie, I'm just kidding," Lee replied with a chuckle. "Chip has that honor this morning. I get to oversee the rest of the prep on Seaview, which is just systems testing. Oh, and the loading of any special equipment you might need for the voyage to continue your research."
Jamie scowled at him for a moment not appreciating the rise in his blood pressure. "Okay, that's acceptable. I'll have my equipment ready for pickup by 0900."
"Great. I'll have Sharkey send someone up to collect it. Speaking of research, any feedback on my biopsy results?"
"I've done my initial assessment and I've found a slightly different tissue structure in the new lobe. It appears to be wholly compatible with the organ so there's no unwanted reactions to the tissue, but it is strange. I sent off a sample to a colleague on the east coast and should be getting something back from him by Friday," Will answered.
Lee's face clouded a bit as the news of his sample being sent outside NIMR registered. "Before you get too worked up, I made very sure there was no trail coming back to you. I told him that I was doing a favor for a colleague at Rampart in LA and just needed a second opinion on what I was seeing."
Lee nodded and relaxed. "Thank you, Jamie, I appreciate that very much. So, how is Parker doing?"
"He's doing fine. He received a clean break of his right tibia which should heal without a problem. He needed a few stitches for a couple of deep cuts, but other than that it sounds like he got off pretty lucky. His wife will bring him in later today so I can get a look at his leg, but he should be up and around by next week and out of the cast in six weeks."
"That's good to hear," Lee replied as he got off the table and began pulling on his shirt. "If there's nothing else, then I need to be on my way."
"No, you're free to go. Remember, no heavy lifting and definitely no FS-1 shakedown flights," Will answered with a smile.
Lee shot him a quick salute and then headed out the door.
ooolo)
"Ready Chief," Morton inquired as he checked off the last item on his pre-flight checklist, and stowed the clipboard.
"Whenever you are, sir," Sharkey replied, then got up, shut the aft hatch and secured it. He returned to his seat and quickly buckled in.
Chip powered up the engines and then eased FS-1 away from the dock and motored slowly past the breakwater into open ocean. He called the tower and got clearance to take off then punched the controls and the little sub rapidly picked up speed and was soon airborne. Morton conducted a number of maneuvers testing general steering and once satisfied that FS-1 was responding perfectly, he headed further offshore so they could climb to altitude and go supersonic.
"How's she looking, Chief?"
"Everything is reading green over here, Mr. Morton," Sharkey replied, then spun around and regarded the consoles behind him. "We're good back here too."
"Okay, I'm going supersonic. Hold on," Chip replied with a smile and hit the button engaging the additional thrusters.
FS-1 responded instantly, like a race horse to the smack of a riding crop, and jumped to Mach 1 slamming her riders deep into their seats. Both men closely regarded the readouts looking for any problems and after 30 minutes finding everything still in the green, Chip made the jump to Mach 2. They once again were slammed back as FS-1 answered the call.
They continued on for another 45 minutes again finding everything in order. Chip initiated a sweeping high speed turn, then headed them for home. When they were 30 minutes out, he reduced power and slowed the little craft to normal operating speed. He put her through another set of maneuvers which she passed with flying colors.
"Looks like she's ready to roll," Sharkey said, as he entered data into his sheet.
Chip nodded in agreement. "Yep, I think we've got the problem licked. Time to get her snuggled up inside Seaview, ready for the ride to Mexico."
Chip called into the tower and notified them he was touching down and would be at the dock shortly. He also ordered the bay doors opened so he could return FS-1 to her bay on Seaview. Upon his return, he deftly hooked up the little sub in her cradle and she was quickly pulled into position on board. Once everything was powered down, the top hatch was opened and Lee made his was down.
"Welcome back," Lee said as his eyes skimmed over the panels. "How'd it go?"
"Hi Skipper," Chip replied. "Smooth as silk. Everything engaged as designed and operated perfectly."
"Great to hear. Now that you're done gallivanting around you can help me finish up the last-minute details," Lee answered.
"Gallivanting?!" Chip responded in mock indignation. "At least this was done in a reasonable amount of time and FS-1 doesn't need additional repairs because you've shaken the rivets loose."
All three men started chuckling. "Just as long as my baby is ready to go," Lee said as he patted her bulkhead fondly. "Come on up, Cookie has been busy in the galley all morning and things are smelling good. I'm ready for lunch."
"Now you're talkin'," Chip replied and he and Sharkey smiled, unbuckled their harnesses and followed Lee up and out of FS-1. As the hatch was lowered and sealed, a small tendril of white smoke seeped out from beneath one of the rear panels.
(o1ooo
It was 0800 and the tide had turned flooding the channel to the subpen with the incoming rush of water. Lee was up in the conning tower and ordered the lines released and Seaview slowly eased away from the dock. Once clear, Lee gave the command to move ahead dead slow and the great submarine gracefully slid forward into the channel leading to the open ocean.
As Seaview made her way ahead, Lee sucked in a huge breath, blew it out slowly and smiled. He was in the one place that truly made him happy. He loved the feel of the wind against his face and through his hair as his beautiful submarine gradually picked up speed as they cleared the breakwater. He had been away from his gray lady for nearly two months, and the hardest part about that was being forbidden access to her to even just walk her corridors.
Chip stood off to Lee's side and chuckled quietly as he regarded his CO and best friend. Right now, the staid and exceedingly competent Captain Crane looked just like a kid who found a puppy or and new bike under the Christmas tree. The unguarded look of utter joy that marked his skipper's face was priceless and he truly wished he had a camera to capture the moment.
As Lee prepared to dive the boat he turned, catching Chip's grin. "What?" Lee asked quizzically.
"Nothing, really. It's just very obvious you missed being aboard," he replied, smiling wider.
Lee didn't even pretend to not know what he was talking about, smiled wider himself and laughed out loud. "You know me all too well, Mr. Morton. So, what say we secure the deck watch and get this lady under the water."
Chip snapped to attention, and fired off a crisp salute. "Aye, aye, Captain." He picked up the mic and clicked it alive. "Secure the watch, prepare to dive."
Lee returned the salute and then made his way down the ladder, followed by his XO. Meanwhile the crew jumped into action clearing the deck and getting below ensuring all hatches were securely sealed. The diving officer carefully monitored his board and once all indicators were green he informed the captain.
"Dive the boat, Mr. James," Lee ordered at which point the klaxons sounded along with the words "Dive, dive, dive" reverberating over the intercom.
"Up periscope, Mr. Morton."
"Up periscope aye, Captain," Chip replied.
Lee took his position at the periscope and regarded the view topside. "Bow awash," he said, then rotated 180 degrees. "Stern awash. Take us to 150 feet, course one eight zero, standard speed."
Chip quickly parroted Lee's order to the helmsman and Seaview was on her way. Lee smiled and received an answering one from every man in the control room. It was great having the Old Man back. Lee reveled in the simple joy of the routines of getting under way and prepared to start issuing his directions for the angles and dangles maneuvers to ensure that everything was safely stored, and operational for their journey.
As Seaview resumed an even keel after a very thorough shakedown and headed south, Nelson came down the stairs into the nose. Chip looked up hearing his steps just smiled broadly and inclined his head towards the man next to him busily updating their course. Harri returned his smile knowing that his captain was having a grand time and beyond pleased to be back aboard his gray lady.
"Well done, Captain. I don't quite remember such an extensive and enthusiastic set of maneuvers to send us on our way, in quite some time," Harri said, in measured seriousness. Lee looked up, blushed slightly and then just smiled as Harri's face could no longer maintain its stern continence. "Have fun?"
Lee just laughed and nodded. "Yes, sir, I did. It's been awhile since I've been in command and just wanted to make sure I had dotted all the 'i's and crossed the 't's. For your information, we are now on course and should arrive at our first location in 24 hours."
"Thank you, Captain. So, have you heard from O'Brien and Ski?" Harri inquired.
"Yes, sir. I spoke with Bobby this morning. They've got Necessity tucked in at the NAS North Island marina. He said she handled like a dream and would be a willing deckhand any time I needed one. I told him FS-1 would pick them up at 1200, at the marina and bring them to Seaview," Lee replied.
"So, who's making that trip?" Chip asked, a very decided twinkle in his eye.
"Um, I thought I would, since I haven't had any stick time lately," Lee answered, trying hard not to smile.
"Is that all right with Jamieson?" Harri asked.
"Yes, sir, as long as I don't get extreme with the maneuvers," Lee replied and rolled his eyes. "Like I would ever do that."
"Uh huh, rrriiiggghhhttt. Keep it right side up and no barrel rolls, okay, son." Nelson interjected.
"Oh of course, sir. I'd never go against my doctor's recommendations, or yours," Lee added putting forth his most serious and innocent expression.
"So, you're going along too, huh Chip?" Harri threw in, then started laughing as Lee's face took on a sheepish smile.
"My guess is I am now, sir." Chip answered. Nelson nodded and patted Lee on the back.
Lee fixed Harri with a slight glare. "Killjoy," he said softly, then chuckled as he picked up a clipboard and began filling out his flight plan for their jaunt to San Diego.
Harri and Chip chuckled as well. "When you get back, we'll have lunch and talk over our plan of action for investigating our first stop."
"Aye, sir," Lee replied.
"Well don't let me keep you from your work. I'm heading down to the lab to continue my research on our jellyfish sample. I'll see you when you get back. Have a safe trip."
"Thanks, sir. We should be back by 1300ish." Lee answered, then returned to his flight plan as Harri made his way aft.
ooolo)
After a very sedate flight from Seaview to San Diego and back, Lee notified the boat of his return then adeptly docked the small vessel with minimal assistance in the docking bay. The top hatch was spun open and as the men inside exited they were greeted by Nelson and Jamieson. Harri threw a questioning look at Chip as he stood next to Lee.
"He didn't exceed the speed limit once and didn't do a single barrel roll. All in all, is was a rather ho-hum flight," Chip succinctly reported. Will and Harri smiled at Lee's eye roll and yawn.
"Aside from picking up valuable crew members, there wasn't much point," Lee replied. Bobby and Ski gave their skipper a quick salute and smile then headed off to get settled in and report for duty.
"Well I believe we all have a lunch date in the wardroom. Drop off your gear and then meet us there in 15 minutes," Harri directed, then he and Will turned and headed for the aft hatch.
Exactly 15 minutes later, Lee and Chip entered the wardroom and made a quick pass through the food line then joined Nelson and Jamieson at their table. As the younger officers finished eating, the conversation turned to the mission at hand.
"All right, let's get started," Nelson said as the galley steward collected the dirty dishes and returned with a fresh pot of coffee and four cups. Chip quickly filled the cups and passed them round. "Lee has identified six potential sites where there has been excessive vessel traffic and could signal illegal offshore dumping of hazardous waste. We will conduct surveys of those locations using both Seaview and FS-1. I want three teams conducting the survey with FS-1, Crane and Kowalski are Team 1, Morton and O'Brien are Team 2, and myself and Sharkey will comprise Team 3."
The men at the table nodded in acknowledgment. "Lee I want you to set up a search grid that will best suit each vessel and cover the greatest amount of area possible. I would think an eight-hour duration should be sufficient to cover the potential area for dumping," Nelson continued.
"Yes, sir," Lee responded. "What types of sensing equipment do you want to employ on FS-1?"
"Magnetometer, for any steel drum, and a chemical probe that I'll calibrate to detect the chemicals present in the highest concentrations in our jellyfish sample. The most valuable equipment will be visual detection. If we find an accumulation of either chemical signals or drums we will converge on that site and begin looking for signs of our quarry," Harri answered. "I've also downloaded a file containing information on the jellyfish that I want you all to review so you're aware of their physiology, life stages, and hunting patterns."
"So, what are the water depths in the region we'll be investigating?" Chip asked.
"They're relatively shallow, not dropping off more than 250 feet at most. The locations are near shore, the furthest out being 40 miles offshore," Lee answered. "I see the problem as dumping from operations onshore as opposed to dumping from large tanker and vessel traffic transiting the area."
"Seems a reasonable assumption," Chip acknowledged.
"What happens if we find one of these things?" Jamie asked.
"We need to converge on it, take some samples to determine if these things are effectively breeding, and then determine how best to eliminate it," Harri stated. "These animals aren't part of the normal ecosystem in this area, with no predators capable of controlling their numbers, and could potentially wipe out just about everything as they try to feed their substantial hunger."
"How are we going to collect samples?" Lee inquired. "Up close and personal really isn't an option."
"I have some probes that we can use from FS-1 which should make that operation safe. We'll need a number of samples to determine if the animal is sterile or fully capable of reproduction."
"Do you think that will pose any danger to FS-1?" Chip asked. "That coelenterate we encountered earlier was large enough to attack a submarine, FS-1 is considerably smaller. Based on what Lee said in his encounter, the one he saw was twice as big as our little yellow sub, which might prove problematic."
"Unless there have been some serious changes to the physical makeup to the critter, we should be able to deter it with the lasers, or if captured either send an electric charge through the hull or just blow through the bell with the engines at full power. I'm dubious the flesh walls could withstand that kind of force," Nelson suggested.
"What if we have to get out to collect samples because they're inaccessible by vessel or probe, or need to abandon ship? Is there some way to protect ourselves?" Lee inquired.
"Based on my experimentation with the stinging tentacle you were good enough to bring back with you, the giant box jellyfish reacts just like its normal sized cousin. It will only sting when it comes into direct contact with living flesh. Only when the cells detect the oils exuded by flesh, will the nematocyst discharge its stinging barbs and toxins. We need to replace the wet suits in FS-1 with fully encapsulating dry suits and helmets to avoid any chance of skin encountering the stinging cells," Nelson explained. "Actually, a thin nylon suit would be just as effective, but we need to make sure the head and hands are protected as well."
"Anything else we need to know before we go forward?" Lee asked the assembled group.
"Just be aware that Sick Bay is fully stocked with vinegar, zinc gluconate, and heat packs should anyone be unfortunate enough to come in contact with one of those things. If someone does get stung, recovery teams need to ensure they don't rub the affected area and do not touch any material adhering to the victim. They could just as easily become victims themselves, since the cells remain active for quite some time," Jamieson replied.
"No antivenin?" Chip interjected.
"No. The samples of toxin I examined are enough different from what is normally produced by a box jellyfish to make the antivenin most likely useless or worse lethal. We need a fresh sample to analyze and then send off for antivenin production if this incident is greater in scope than we think."
"Sounds like you're well prepared, Will. Write up your preferred response procedures and PPE* requirements, and provide that to Sharkey, all dive recovery teams will be prepared to bring any divers on board safely if necessary," Lee directed. Jamie nodded confirming the order.
"What time do you anticipate arrival at the first site, Lee?" Nelson asked.
"We should be on-site by 0800 tomorrow morning."
"Very well, I think we've done all that we can do for now. Let's get to our tasks, gentlemen," Nelson replied. They all rose from the table and funneled out of the wardroom to resume their preparations.
(o1ooo
*Personal Protective Equipment