Chapter 21

Lee and Chip had just mentally congratulated themselves for making it safely back to the boat. They waved enthusiastically to the group assembled in the nose as they passed by on their way to the dive chamber and safety, they were down to five minutes of air and couldn't get inside fast enough. Just as they spotted the chamber hatch it was all blown away as the shockwave from the explosion of the torpedoes on the U-626 hurled them through the water like so many autumn leaves caught in the wicked gale. They tumbled out of control striking and bouncing off Seaview's hull numerous times as they were swept down her length. As the wave passed them by they fell limply to the sea floor below.

Their entire world had become a deafening roar with wave upon wave of pain and then nothing. Silence now ruled; a feeling of weightlessness and an absence of everything now defined their existence. Lee was the first to open his eyes as he struggled to regain consciousness. He could taste blood and could feel it running down the side of his face. He couldn't move his body, the only thing he had control over was his eyes which focused on the sea floor below him. "Chip…so sorry," was all he managed to whisper as blood bubbled over his lips and his eyes slid shut.

Chip also momentarily clawed his way back to consciousness. He marveled for a moment at feeling no pain given what they had just been through but then realized it was most likely because he was paralyzed and dying. He tried in vain to find Lee but with no ability to move there was no way he could check on his brother and CO. He called out for Lee barely able to make his name clear his lips and then passed into limbo.

As Lee laid there waiting for the nothingness to claim him he found himself standing beside his broken body. He'd been here before and the thought of that filled him with trepediation. He looked slowly around him and then smiled sadly as he watched Chip rise up from his body. He turned and faced Lee, a confused look upon his face.

"What happened?" he asked quietly.

"My guess is the torpedoes went off before we made it back to Seaview," Lee replied.

"Are we dead?"

"Not yet, we're just hanging on the edge. The ties to our bodies are really weak right now so we can step outside of ourselves but we have to remain until the last beat."

"How do you know?" Chip asked as he stared quizzically at his brother's face.

"I've been here before, more times than I care to remember. The closer that last beat gets the greater the pull to move beyond."

"I'm surprised this doesn't hurt more," Chip replied.

"The pain is resting on the sea floor, we're above it right now. If we were to be pulled back, the pain would reassert itself in a big way." Lee explained as he stared down at his body. He could feel the final moment rushing towards him more so than ever before. He quickly looked up and smiled at Chip. "Just wanted you to know I love you, brother. Thanks for everything."

"I feel the same Lee, love you too bro."

As he felt the last breath being laboriously drawn in Lee became aware of two more entities walking towards them. Recognizing Metz, he once again felt fear skitter up his spine. Seeing Lee's reaction Chip spun around and he too saw the men.

"Kapitan Metz what brings you here?" Lee asked cautiously, afraid that the man would attempt to possess him as Krueger once had.

"We, my XO Eric Mueller and I, have come to give you our thanks and to lend you our energy for a bit," Metz explained.

"Pass," Lee replied coolly as he backed away.

"I have no desire to remain in this place any longer than necessary Captain," Metz replied reading the fear and concern in the other's eyes. "I look forward to joining my men, and my family and friends long since passed but make this offer to give your crew and loved ones the opportunity to bid you farewell or possibly save your lives. You said you had encountered one like me before, is it because of that experience I see such fear in your eyes? Was it this Kapitan Krueger you and your crew speak of?"

"Yes," Lee answered never dropping his eyes from the entity before him. "He was intent on forcibly taking over my body to give himself a physical life again. He forced the admiral to shoot me, forced him to choose the boat and the lives of the crew over mine. He was a vile and evil man and I curse him to hell every day. I will never give anyone the opportunity to usurp my body even if it means I die in the end."

"I am sorry you had to endure that Captain. I assure you I have no desire for such things. As I said I would gladly pass on but offer my support for only a short time as a way of thanks for setting us free. The same holds true for my XO," Metz responded understanding how affected both young men were by their earlier experience.

"Lee, I'm willing to take the chance," Chip said quietly. "I want whatever chance there might be that Jamie can save us. Please bro, let us get back on board alive. Give the admiral and the crew some closure at the very least."

"No Chip, I can't risk it. You go ahead though," Lee answered laying his hand on his brother's shoulder.

Chip shook his head no. "No, not without you Lee. Where you go I follow, that's what good mother-hens do with their problem chicks," he said with a faint smile.

Lee looked at Chip then looked away. The loyalty and devotion engendered in that statement struck him hard and he swallowed hard fighting down the swell of emotion. How had he ever garnered such a friend and brother? He couldn't deny Chip this opportunity to make it back. Lee had been here too many times and the struggle to rebound was wearing thin on him and he truly didn't know if he was up to the fight. As he looked back at Chip he sighed, too many times Chip had sacrificed to keep him safe asking for nothing in return, now it was his turn to take care of his brother and the means of doing so was at hand.

"Okay Chip, you're right. Let's give it a shot," Lee said with a slight smile. "Kapitan Metz we accept your gracious offer."

Metz and Mueller smiled. "We understand Captain. Hopefully this small gift will serve you well. We need to do this now as you are so near the end."

Lee and Chip nodded and then watched as Metz entered Lee's body and Mueller entered Chip's. As they did both men were immediately drawn back into their bodies along with the pain. "We can't stay long Captain, we don't have the power of the man you remember; our appetites are not as voracious as his," Metz said after gaining access to Lee's memories of Krueger's possession. "Once the call to join our friends and family becomes too great we will have to move on."

(o)

It had been two angst filled days with panicked responses to erratic heartbeats, respiratory failures, runaway fevers and other challenges as Lee and Chip fought for their lives. Jamie felt as though he'd aged a century in the intervening time as sleep had proved virtually non-existent. For the last four hours things seemed to have stabilized giving him a modicum of hope that at least one of these men might survive.

He had finally managed to get Kendal and Harri into bunks and asleep after spiking their 0300 coffee with a strong sedative. He knew there would be hell to pay over that one but they needed the rest and he needed the time alone to concentrate on his patients and to snag a little sack time himself. As the minutes closed in on 0600 he pushed himself wearily up from his desk and moved back into the examination room to check his charges once again.

(o)

Lee found this shared existence with Metz intriguing to say the least as they had access to each other's memories and emotions. As he came to know Metz, he was finally able to release his fear that the kapitan would decide to make the arrangement permanent and continue on in this human form. He was quite sincere in his desire to move beyond this plane to rejoin family and friends in what existed beyond and there was a definite anxiousness to be on his way as soon as possible.

It was an interesting exchange of information and perspective regarding the war. Metz's stemmed from actual participation and doing what he thought right to protect his homeland. His role was that of a warrior playing the lethal game of hide and seek in which he and his Allied foes engaged. He had been quite good at it but finally met up with one that much better. Lee brought the historical point of reference once winners and losers had been decided and all the atrocities committed in the name of Hitler's global conquest and desire for a master race had come to light.

Lee was truly gratified to find Metz appalled at what had occurred and to some degree ashamed at having been an instrument in that campaign. But he also recognized Metz and the crew of the U-626 carried out their orders as true combatants, honorable men commanded to eliminate a threat to their homeland and families without resorting to the butchery or cruelty associated with certain aspects of the Third Reich. They played the game by the rules if such a thing existed in war.

Metz gained an appreciation for Lee's fear and reticence in allowing him to lend his energy to the terminal man. Krueger was a monster and he marveled at Lee's willingness to allow the joining to ensure his XO, surprisingly a man he considered his brother, had whatever chance existed for continued life. He felt the weariness Crane had for taking on another epic fight back from such horrific injuries, knowing all the pain and suffering he would have to endure when it would have been so easy to just let go. As he had discovered, Crane had flirted all too often with death and was moving precariously close to the point of conceding the game and moving beyond.

As they contemplated each other's lives Lee suddenly found himself awake and standing outside his body along with Metz in a white featureless space. Lee looked at Metz curiously wondering what had happened. Metz smiled reassuringly and placed his hand on his shoulder.

"My time has come Captain, you no longer need my strength and I am being called home," Metz said.

"Thank you Kapitan, I know my response was less than gracious when you made your generous offer and I apologize. Thank you for saving my life and hopefully that of my brother." Lee replied.

"He like you will survive and recover from this adventure," Metz replied reassuringly. As if to punctuate his certainty there was a blinding flash and Mueller and Morton materialized in the space. Lee and Chip exchanged smiles as did Metz and Mueller each knowing they were going home.

"Captain, they used one of the items recovered from our boat to save your lives, the Spear of Antioch is what it's called. If at all possible please see to it that this artifact is hidden or destroyed for it will only bring hate and discontent to your world now that its powers have been confirmed. It is perhaps the most dangerous item of the lot given what it can offer man. I think the old adage 'absolute power corrupts absolutely' best describes the danger possession of this tool would bring. I've seen through your mind the marvels of your age along with your abilities to destroy and the latter would undoubtedly come into play if the spearhead fell into unscrupulous hands and I do not wish that upon you or any in this world."

"Of course Kapitan, I'll do everything in my power to see it safely taken out of wanting hands," Lee replied and got an echoing nod from Chip offering his support in carrying out Metz's request.

Metz smiled. "Thank you Captain, we can now pass on without regret or worry. I also thank you and your crew for setting us free, we shall forever be in your debt. I wish you well Lee Crane and you too Commander Morton. Come Mueller it's time we find out what destiny has waiting for us."

Mueller smiled. "Auf Wiedersehen, Captain, Chip," Mueller replied snapping to attention, clicking his heels and saluting. Metz quickly followed suit.

Crane and Morton responded in kind coming to attention and returning the salute. "Auf Wiedersehen gentlemen. Fair winds and following seas and thank you for all you've done for us," Lee replied. Metz and Mueller acknowledged with a nod and then faded from sight.

"Well what now, Captain?" Chip inquired as he looked apprehensively around the featureless horizon.

"Time for us to get back to work Mr. Morton, we have a boat to run," Lee replied with a smile. With that both winked out and moved back into their bodies. At their sudden return Lee's eyes snapped open in surprise.