Chapter 14

Nelson sat in his office absently sorting through some papers. His mind was far from his work. He was still very worried about Lee. He wasn't responding well to any of the antibiotics Jamison had tried so far. Doc and Breyer were concerned that they were looking at some new strain of the typhoid bacterium. Nelson shook his head. No! Lee had to recover. He had survived the first 48 hours after surgery, and Jamison claimed that every hour improved his chances. That damn typhoid had just complicated everything dramatically.

He sighed in frustration and tried to concentrate. Just then, Angie's voice came through the intercom. "Admiral, Senator Rollins on line one." Nelson frowned. Rollins? What could he want? Nothing good that was for certain. Senator Rollins was head of the subcommittee that monitored and funded the Seaview's missions. Nelson did not particularly like the man. He was a consummate bureaucrat and penny-pincher. He required ridiculous amounts of paperwork and expected every dime to be accounted for. He drove Nelson crazy.

With a small grunt of irritation Nelson picked up the receiver and punched the button. Hopefully this would be a quick call. "Yes, Senator," Nelson said trying to sound pleasant, "What can I do for you?"

"Admiral Nelson," came the reply in Rollins annoying nasal whine. "I hope I haven't caught you at a bad time."

Nelson rolled his eyes knowing full well that Rollins would have liked nothing better. "Not at all, Senator. Just catching up with some paperwork."

"Good. Admiral, this is not a social call. I have been delegated by the committee to discuss with you a very important issue."

Nelson frowned. He couldn't imagine what important issue would suddenly have the funding committee upset. "Yes? Go on. What issue do you mean?"

Rollins paused a moment. "I am referring to Captain Crane."

Nelson sat up; alert now clenching the phone tightly. "Captain Crane?"

"Admiral, we are fully aware of your feelings concerning Crane and we also understand how valuable he has been in the past. However, we believe that his usefulness to you as the commander of the Seaview has come to an end. We want you to appoint a new commander. If you are unable to do so, we will appoint one for you."

Stunned, Nelson sat absolutely speechless. Of all the things he was expecting to hear from Rollins, demanding the dismissal of Lee Crane was the farthest thing from his mind. "What!" he exploded, his fury venting at last. "What are you talking about? That is the most insane thing I have ever heard! How can you possibly expect me to remove Crane as the commander of the Seaview?"

Rollins waited silently for the Admiral to calm down. "I'm sorry, Admiral, but the man has become a financial liability. Lately he has spent far more time captive in some hostile country or recovering in the hospital than he has in the control room of your submarine!"

"That's not fair!" shouted Nelson furiously, "Everything he has done has been for the good of the nation! It's not as if he recklessly chooses these missions or encourages attacks!"

"Doesn't he, Admiral?" returned Rollins coldly. "We never had these kinds of problems with the Seaview's previous commander, Captain Phillips. Once Crane came on board it has been one disaster after another. I don't question his bravery or ability to command, Admiral, but we believe the Seaview would be better off with a captain who is less of a daredevil and more of a commander."

Nelson was astounded that anyone could believe that Crane had become a liability. The man had sacrificed more in the service of his country than almost anyone else Nelson could think of, including this pompous politician. Now he was fighting for his life and this idiot wanted Nelson to fire him? It was inconceivable. Nelson took a deep breath trying to calm himself. He needed to be level headed about this or risk losing everything.

"Senator Rollins, I would like the opportunity to meet with the committee and explain exactly how important Captain Crane is to…"

"That won't be necessary," interrupted Rollins impatiently. "We have studied the Seaview's missions and Crane's contributions. If he would simply stay on the submarine and do his duty then we would have no complaint, but he seems to have a predilection for constantly putting himself in harm's way, from going on these harebrained ONI missions to venturing out himself when Seaview is threatened by some outside force. Why do you need all those men if the captain is simply going to do all the dangerous work himself? They are expendable. He is not and the fact he does not seem to recognize this fact just further convinced us that the Seaview needs a new captain."

Nelson's white knuckles stood out starkly against the dark surface of the phone. He couldn't remember the last time he was this furious. "Captain Crane is currently fighting for his life," he said through clenched teeth, "And you expect me to go in and inform him he has been relieved of his command because a bunch of bean counters thinks he costs too much! Why don't I just put a bullet in his brain? It would have the same effect and be far less painful!" He voice was a roar now and he slammed the phone down with such vehemence it went flying from his desk.

"I don't believe this!" he snarled pacing his office. "How can they expect me to fire Lee! It is insane!" So furious was he that Nelson didn't notice his office door slowing swinging open and a blond head cautiously peering around the frame.

"Uh, Admiral?" Chip asked hesitantly. "Is everything all right?"

"No!" Nelson snapped. "It most definitely is not! Washington wants me to fire Lee! Can you believe that?"

Chip stepped all the way into the office and closed the door behind him, his eyes never leaving the Admiral. "What?"

Nelson stopped his pacing and ran his hand through his hair. He was rigid with anger. "I just got a call from Senator Rollins. He demands that I replace Lee as the commander of the Seaview immediately. He claims Lee costs the government too much money!"

Chip stared at the Admiral dumbfounded. He had no idea how to react to such a preposterous statement. Fire Lee? Because he cost too much? It made absolutely no sense. "But…" he paused still trying to understand what was going on. "But…how can they do that? After everything he's done! They can't just fire him!" Now his anger was starting to build. "Admiral, the thought of returning to the Seaview is the only thing keeping Lee alive! If you take that away from him…" he trailed off unable to say the words.

"Don't you think I tried telling Rollins that?" growled Nelson beginning to pace once more. "He didn't want to hear i.! He wouldn't even allow me the courtesy of presenting an argument to the subcommittee. As far as they're concerned, it's a done deal!"

Chip thought a moment. "Can't you go above their heads? What about the president? Couldn't he help?"

Nelson paused, considering Chip's suggestion. "I could try that," he sighed, "But my guess is Rollins and his cronies have covered their bases. They all belong to key Ways and Means subcommittees and they may have convinced a variety of influential people that unless they support Crane's replacement, they may lose some crucial funding. I've known it to happen before." He rubbed his aching head. "But still, I can't let Lee go without a fight!"

"Sir," said Chip slowly, "If they insist on replacing Lee no matter what, what will you do? It will kill him."

"I know." Nelson suddenly felt exhausted. He made his way back to his chair and sat heavily causing it to creak in protest. "Chip," he said turning towards the younger man, "If I can't stop this, I'm going to request you take over as Seaview's captain." Chip started to protest but Nelson cut him off. "No, listen to me! I have no intention of giving up even if I lose this first battle. But, if I have you as the new commander, it will be simpler to bring Lee back. It will be much easier on the men as well. They know and trust you. Plus, you know full well what any officer coming in to replace Lee under these circumstances would be facing – near mutiny! And to be honest, I'd be right there with them."

Chip frowned in dismay. He certainly would like his own command one day, but not like this. However, what the admiral suggested made sense. "All right, Admiral," he said reluctantly. "I'll do it, but only with the understanding that I'm just holding the spot open for Lee. We need to make certain he understands that."

Nelson nodded looking no happier. "Let's just hope it doesn't come down to that, Chip. I pray I'm not going to have to tell Lee anything."