Full Metal Panic!

Chapter One

Idle Currents

By Steve Edward

Based on the original story by Shouji Gatou and the original animation series by Fumihiko Shimo, Koichi Chigira and Shouji Gatou, which these creative geniuses made Kaname Chidori, Sergeant Souska Sagara among the many in Full Metal Panic! come to life.

Author's note: TDD-2 does not exist in the current Full Metal Panic! Universe, but if the name sounds familiar it is of a real person but who is no longer amongst us in our world. TDD-2 is named after famed military historian and author Samuel Eliot Morison (1887-1976) whose military books among others chronicled military history of many nations.The country of Radnor, Africa is a place of ficition.

Story Outline:

A new submarine not yet battletested, a "Whispered" among her crew and a former US Navy submariner still coming to grips with technology far beyond what he has ever commanded has to contend with solving a troubling problem with the TAROS system that has adverse side effects on the "Whispered", and he has to teach a history class too. Then an incident from his past that ended his Navy career, comes back to haunt him, all the while Captain Testarossa discovers her own tactical officer Lieutenant Commander Andrei Kalinin has met Mithril's newest captain already, on the distant and still deadly battlefields of Afghanistan many years earlier. One is not directly talking, another offers hints. And why is Tessa so angry at the new captain? Is it because he took her own submarine out for a test spin? Or is it because he plans on conducting a dangerous rescue mission for the sake of a 12 year old "Whispered"?

Find out in FULL METAL PANIC! Idle Currents

20 Kilometers South-West of Tokyo Bay

Lieutenant Alice Wren studied the video feed projected upon the bridge tactical monitor which showed a small private inboard drive water craft no longer than 7 meters in length slowly drifting in the sea south of Tokyo Bay.

The distress signal coming from it was of Mithril origin and it belonged to an agent code named Urzu 7. The surveillance helicopter had been ordered to stand-off and observe by her commanding officer, Captain Andrew Simms who was in command of the vessel of which deck she was standing on, named Samuel Eliot Morison TDD-2.

Like its sister, the Tuatha de Danaan TDD-1, the submarine boasted a variety of weapons systems from anti-ship Harpoon and Tomahawk anti-ship cruise missiles to the land strike variant of the Tomahawk and of course other sophisticated missile systems for air defense as well. Then the torpedoes, the MK48 Mod 6 ADCAP for attacks against submarine and ship should Captain Simms have to engage those kinds of targets.

Then there were the numerous aircraft at his disposal, from F-35-B VTOLS Joint Strike Fighters which replaced the AV8-B Harriers in the Mithril air fleet, to the various helicopters which included the deadly Apache Gunships to V-22 Osprey transports and finally the Arms Slaves. A complicated vessel for a gifted tactician who could put its abilities to the test when the time came.

The soft feminine computer voice announced the presence of her captain as he entered the bridge, and turning to greet him; Lieutenant Alice Wren saluted "Good afternoon, captain. Our heading is 290 degrees true, speed of 5 knots and we are currently approaching periscope depth. Seahawk One is one hour and 15 minutes to Bingo."

Captain Andrew Simms came to a halt next to Lieutenant Wren and viewed the display, "Distance to target?" Lieutenant Wren replied, "1371 meters exactly sir." Nodding, Captain Simms spoke, "Make speed 3 knots, raise scope in attack mode with half meter exposure and bring ECM masts into passive mode."

"Souska! How can you be such an idiot! How can we be out of gas!" as Kaname Chidori swung her fan at Sergeant Souska Sagara's head for the third time in as many minutes, Souska replied "Miss Chidori, it appears I underestimated how many wanted to water ski."

Souska replaced the fuel tank cap back onto the tank then spoke, "Miss Chidori, please do not worry as I have signaled for assistance, and it should arrive momentarily." Kaname looking around at the empty ocean swung the fan backhand style hitting Souska squarely in the face replied, "Ok, Mister. But from where?"

Captain Simms blinked his eyes briefly at what he had just observed, "Lieutenant? Did that young woman do just what I thought she just did?" Lieutenant Wren stifling a laugh replied, "Yes, Captain, she did." Refocusing the scope onto the ski boat, Captain Andrew Simms tapped the command system of the periscope, switching from fiber-optic attack scope to the general observation scope and raising it higher for a better view.

Rising to a sitting position, Sergeant Souska Sagara turning around to speak to Kaname observed the periscope as it slowly approached their disabled craft and spoke "Miss Chidori get down please." Kaname Chidori looking towards where Sagara was looking replied "Is it the Tuatha de Danaan?" Souska replied while reaching into his bag and removing a Beretta with which he took aim at the periscope, "No Miss Chidori, it is not," as he began firing.

Captain Simms recoiled from the scope and jabbed the down button with his finger, "Alice! Were you able to ID the occupants?" So first name it is under combat conditions for her, "Yes Captain. The female is Kaname Chidori and her male companion is Mithril agent, Sergeant Souska Sagara who is or was shooting at our periscope."

Captain Simms spoke, "Why on heavens would he shoot? Oh well no matter. Let's get them aboard; we still have a schedule to keep with the Tuatha de Danaan. Flood the launch and recovery bay and open outer doors. Sound flights quarters and engage surface stealth mode for recovery of the craft and of Seahawk One. Helmsman Carter, thrusters at your discretion. Align us underneath and surface the boat. Lieutenant Wren, would you be as kind as to greet them please?"

Commander Drake Ward the Executive Officer of the Samuel Eliot Morison entered the bridge and passed Lieutenant Wren as she walked off the bridge. Watching the 17 year old teenager till she closed the door, Commander Ward spoke to Captain Simms "I still can not believe she is a "Whispered". But she has proven herself so far."

Captain Simms replied, "When it comes to being in a support position, yes she has. But how will she do when we go up against Captain Testarossa is another matter. However I have a lot of faith in her and she is a studious learner. Tessa is about to find out the true abilities of this class of submarine she designed, which I hope that Commander Mardukas and Kalinin have been endeavoring to teach Tessa the ways of submarine combat as I have, because if Tessa has not been listening, I will have run of the war game."

Kaname Chidori held on to the side of the ski boat as it came to rest on the deck of the Samuel Eliot Morison then it flopped onto its side, flipping Souska onto the wet deck.

The amplified voice coming from astern as the massive water tight doors opened revealing several uniformed crewman issued orders, "Sergeant Sagara, you are to stand down immediately!" as an electric powered forklift scurried onto the deck followed by a young woman dressed in a Mithril uniform.

"Souska! Who are these people?" as Kaname trying to regain her footing only succeeded to slide across the deck of the ski boat nearly following Souska. Lieutenant Wren stopped and briefly concentrated, "Kaname, you are among friends." Kaname Chidori froze in place, looking around for who had "connected" with her, then seeing Lieutenant Alice Wren replied in kind, "You are like Tessa and me?" as Alice nodded at her question silently.

"Lieutenant Wren! Step it up and clear the deck now. Formal introductions later, for now get them below and get the lady some decent clothing from the quartermaster or elsewhere. Sergeant Sagara report to Captain Simms in the briefing room immediately."

Alice approached the side of the ski boat and holding out her hand took Kaname's within hers and helped Kaname from the boat as the deck crew began lining up the forklift to hull.

"Please this way Miss Chidori; I am Lieutenant Alice Wren of the Mithril submarine Samuel Eliot Morison. I will get you something more appropriate to wear." Kaname wearing nothing but two piece swim suite replied, "And please get me something I can hit Souska with. He is the reason we ran out of gas!"

Laughing slightly, Alice replied "I believe Captain Simms will attend to that matter. Please watch you step." Followed by the forklift and the ski boat, then Sergeant Sagara the elevator began its descent as the diving klaxons sounded."

Captain Andrew Simms satisfied all was in order for diving as the control readouts turned green turned to his Executive Officer, "Commander Ward, take her down!"

Commander Drake acknowledge by engaging the warning klaxons again then spoke, "Dive! Dive! Dive! Set depth 800, speed 15, and course 175. Dive!"

Captain Teletha Testarossa sat in her command chair on the bridge of the Tuatha de Danaan as Commander Richard Mardukas issued his briefing, "The Morison was diverted to answer a distress call from a Mithril agent off the coast of Japan, who has since been identified as Sergeant Souska Sagara who was onboard a small ski boat that had run out of fuel. Onboard the craft with Sagara was Miss Kaname Chidori."

Tessa having the habit of wrapping her hair around her fingers while in thought replied, "Are they uninjured Commander?" Mardukas replied, "Unharmed and in good spirits according to Commander Ward. Due to the time constraints at hand, the Morison will have them onboard during the war game, which is scheduled to begin at 2100 hours."

Tessa rose from her seat, and turned to walk off the bridge "Commander? It would be perhaps a good time to review my "enemy" before he arrives. My cabin please."

Commander Richard Mardukas following a respectful distance spoke, "We have faced off with Captain Simms before Captain." Captain Testarossa pausing at her cabin door before entering replied, "Yes I know Commander, but that was an entirely different situation and an altogether different scenario that had Captain Andrew Simms followed his original orders would have resulted in the deaths of thousands, and he would have likely died at my hands, but fate intervened. Please let's continue this inside."

Tessa turned to the video display monitor and viewed Captain Andrew Simms service jacket from both the US Navy and placed along side, his service jacket with Mithril.

At the time of the incident, he was just 39 years old when he disobeyed direct presidential orders to fire on the freighter. The vessel had been identified as smuggling weapons, but not ordinary weapons. US Intelligence had identified the vessel as carrying nuclear warheads, capable of being mounted onto missiles for launching, so Captain Simms and his Los Angles class attack submarine had been tasked with intercepting and destroying the vessel in deep water.

But Mithril Intelligence felt something out of place and sending the Tuatha de Danaan to the intercept point, Tessa had been present when Captain Simms made the mid-ocean intercept. Captain Simms had gone so far as to arm his torpedoes and open the outer doors, in preparation to fire when Mithril sent an urgent message to Danaan stating that US Intelligence had been duped and that there were no weapons, but there were reportedly a large number of refugees on the ship instead.

Captain Simms had been taking observations of the ship; everything about it seemed to match his orders at least to a point. But something nagged him. His orders had been specific and that was to sink the vessel at night, once it had been identified. Waiting for daylight, Captain Simms kept a running track of the vessel. The track was not well defined; it was as though someone who was drunk was at the helm.

Captain Simms requested clarification on the vessels description, but politics rearing its ugly head and a man wishing to save face ordered that the attack be carried out. But Captain Simms openly disobeyed orders and replied, "Target behavior inconsistent with that of a vessel transporting weapons. I am surfacing to verify identification of vessel and request cargo manifest."

As daylight came, the true nature of what was indeed on the ship came into clear view of Captain Simms, and those on the conning tower. A moving island of humanity. Risking a possible collision, Captain Simms closed with the freighter, whose master began sending a distress signal that they were under attack. It did not matter that Captain Simms had no intention of attacking now, either way if the vessel did have nuclear weapons onboard they had human shields. He would not become a mass murder, for the sake of what was allegedly onboard. After taking video and still photographs of the freighter, and trying to assure the ships master he had no intention of harming the ship, Captain Simms withdrew and began submerging. It was at that point, that she, Tessa would cause Captain Simms to come after her.

She ordered the outer doors closed, which was being carried out but the sensitive ears of the attack submarines towed array sonar had picked up the minuscule sound. Captain Simms smelled a setup and now he had a possible hostile astern.

Tessa realized her mistake too late and Commander Mardukas pointed it out, "He has a good sound man. He knows we are here."

Mardukas had taken over the tactical maneuvering of the Danaan and which began dangerous game of cat and mouse. Mardukas tried to use the noise of the freighter as cover by crossing underneath and diving through the thermocline, but the persistent American Navy submarine doggedly stuck to Tuatha de Danaan's maneuvers. Captain Simms experience came into play and he would ping Danaan consistently.

It was Captain Simms, who finally called off the game that had lasted for nearly two hours by communicating through an underwater telephone system, "I believe I might be speaking to the "Toy Box", if so you have played well. I believe it is no accident that the "Toy Box" presence is because of that freighter. I do hope you were able to observe what I saw, because it was setup. For the record, "Toy Box" I have just received orders to proceed immediately to Osaka, Japan which I will obey. I have been officially relieved of command at this moment. Oh by the way, you have a slight squeak in that starboard drive of yours. Good luck and farewell "Toy Box", Captain Andrew Simms US Navy out."

With one last ping, the American submarine departed at near its maximum speed leaving Tuatha de Danaan and Tessa behind. Commander Richard Mardukas spoke, "He used us as a diversion to deliberately avoid having to carry out his official mission. He has sacrificed his career to save innocent lives."

Tessa returned to the present and read the aftermath of his actions. Court Martialed, but absolved of wrong doing, Captain Simms lost his command and named in the political fallout that followed after photographs of his submarine charging across the surface of the Indian Ocean in an apparent aggressive manor, which resulted in accusations that he was attempting to attack a ship full of refugees.

Faced with the choice of being assigned to a desk job in some dark corner of a military base, Captain Andrew Simms submitted his retirement papers which were hurriedly processed, and with little ceremony he left the US Navy in disgrace. Commander Richard Mardukas would find the former Navy Captain fishing from a dock in Savannah, Georgia and at his invitation had journeyed to a distant Mithril operations base where he was offered new employment that would utilize his skills, command of a submarine, one that Tessa herself had a hand in designing, the Samuel Eliot Morison a twin to the Tuatha de Danaan.

The former US Navy Captain agreed only on one condition and that was to meet the designer of the mammoth vessel, which was granted and led to a briefing room where the meeting took place, they would spend many hours together discussing the capabilities of the great ships, and for days afterward Tessa would press Andrew to learn the badly needed skills she needed know in order to survive in what she perceived as a hostile 3-D world of submarine warfare, which much to her chagrin, Captain Simms would tell her "Teletha, young lady. You think it is a 3-D world in which you will fight, but in truth it is six dimensions. Now think about that and come back to me when you have a visual answer."

1900 hours, Samuel Eliot Morison TDD-2

Sergeant Souska Sagara adjusted his uniform and knocked on the door then entered "Sergeant Souska Sagara is reporting as ordered sir!" as he snapped to attention. Captain Andrew Simms studied the young man, who at 17 years of age had seen more combat than many 20 year military veterans." At ease, Sergeant" as the captain rose from his seat and proceeded to walk around Sergeant Sagara, he spoke "Ok Souska, care to explain why you were taking pot shots at my periscope a little while earlier?"

Sergeant Sagara maintaining his position replied, "I was unaware that there was a second submarine of the Tuatha de Danaan class in service with Mithril. I did not notice the identification numbers stenciled on the periscope till you had fully raised it sir."

Captain Simms returned to his seat, "I see. I have spoken with Lieutenant Commander Kalinin since your arrival and he briefed me on your current mission. However I regret I can not return you or Miss Kaname Chidori to Japan at this moment as we are about to engage in a war game with the Tuatha de Danaan and Captain Testarossa"

Souska replied, "A war game sir?" Captain Simms replied, "Yes a war game. I have been tasked with observing how well Captain Testarossa has absorbed her tactical lessons, since I will make attack runs against both the Danaan and Melida Island. The goal of the war game is that she is to intercept my vessel with hers and to do it before I get within strike range of Melida Island, which for practical purposes is a 20 kilometer circumference around the island itself."

Sergeant Souska spoke, "Are you not at a tactical disadvantage? I noted you do not have troops onboard." Captain Simms replied, "Don't need them for now, since it is not that kind of scenario. However you are welcome to observe the operations that will be taking place as is Miss Chidori. I can promise that, both of you will be back in Japan by Sunday evening so that she can get to school on Monday."

Captain Simms rose from his seat, "Sergeant, I would like to invite you and Miss Chidori to the wardroom for a late dinner, at 1930 hours which is 15 minutes from now. Here are ID passes for you and Kaname; it will make it easier to get around. That is all. Dismissed." Sergeant Sagara saluted and departed the briefing room. Turning to the video monitor, Captain Simms tapped a button on the desk, bringing it to life and viewed the current tactical situation. "Nice parking spot Tessa, but I am not going that way."

The intercom came to life and Commander Ward answered, "Bridge aye." Captain Simms's voice replied, "Break the link Commander. We are going hostile early. New course is 115; make depth 1100 meters, speed 75. After that join me in the wardroom Drake as we have guests." Commander Ward acknowledged the orders and turned to the Officer of the Deck, and repeated the orders which were carried out.

1925 hours, Tuatha de Danaan, North-West of Melida Island

Commanders Mardukas and Kalinin standing to the rear of Captain Testarossa both heard the warning chime, as the tactical connection with the Morison was severed. Tessa turned her command chair to view the last course and speed, 175 degrees true at 15 knots. "Captain Simms has started early."

1930 hours, Samuel Eliot Morison

Kaname Chidori wearing a summer dress borrowed from the wardrobe of Lieutenant Alice Wren entered the wardroom with Sergeant Souska Sagara, who was now in dress uniform, on which she commented "Souska! Where did you have that uniform? There is no way you could have carried it on the ski boat." Souska replied, "The quartermaster of this vessel issued it to me as it is of standard issue in Mithril."

Lieutenant Wren who had been with Kaname rose to attention as did the others gathered in the wardroom when Captain Andrew Simms entered, "Attention on deck!" Kaname exactly unsure how to react began to rise as well, but the captain stopped her, "Carry on. Miss Chidori, that is not necessary as you are a civilian."

Captain Simms taking a seat at the head of the table looked at those present then nodded to the stewards, "You may begin serving." Lieutenant Alice Wren formally introduced Kaname to the captain, "Captain Simms, I would like to introduce Miss. Kaname Chidori who is our guest this evening." Offering his hand to Kaname, he shook hers. "Miss Chidori, welcome to the Samuel Eliot Morison."

Kaname replied, "It is my honor to be onboard. I want to thank you for taking the time to pick us up," as she looked at Souska who ignored the angry look. Captain Simms did not miss it and replied "Don't blame the Sergeant; it could have happened to anyone. I do regret we did not bring you onboard in by a more conventional means but I had to minimize the exposure of the Morison, since we were so close to the Japanese mainland."

Commander Drake spoke, "Miss Chidori, if you are concerned that your friends are worried about where you may be it has been communicated that you are taking a trip to the outer islands. You will be returning to Japan tomorrow evening, in time to rest up for school."

Kaname replied, "Alice told me we were going to a war game? Is it true we are playing against Tessa?" Andrew replied, "Yes that is correct. It is to test her mettle under different scenarios. In this case, we will be an aggressor attempting an attack the Mithril base on Melida Island and she will have to intercept us. The goal for her is to get target lock on us. However if I get target lock on her, game over and she goes back to class for more study."

Lieutenant Wren spoke, "Tessa will be really playing against me, as I will be in control of the Morison. You are familiar with the TAROS system?" Kaname replied, ""Lady Chapel?" Captain Simms paused and put his fork down, "Yes. The Lady Chapel control room," that's if what Tessa calls it. I believe you have some previous experience with it?"

Kaname nodded, "Yes I am. It was if I had become part of the Tuatha de Danaan at the time." Captain Simms already aware of Kaname's ability spoke, "That was the first time in an actual combat situation that TAROS had been put into use, which is why Mithril desires further study. When you regained control of the Tuatha de Danaan, and successfully maneuvered it out of harms way the potential uses of TAROS became even more apparent; which highlighted the good side and the dark side of the TAROS system."

Kaname replied, "Dark side?" Lieutenant Wren replied, "Yes Miss Chidori. Mithril came to the conclusion that if a "Whispered" such as you with no training could merge with the control systems of the Tuatha de Danaan, the potential for exploitations of the "Whispered" would escalate."

Sergeant Sagara spoke, "It would allow one person to control numerous platforms remotely, whether it is aircraft, ship or submarine or land based and use the weapons onboard or in place to carry out military actions without fear of risking ones life." Commander Ward spoke, "And because of how a "Whispered" links with TAROS, their decisions based on the tactical feed back they receive would allow them to react much faster than even the fastest computer could, but this goes back to being that humans are in fact biological computers in the first place."

The chime of the intercom interrupted the conversation and Captain Simms answered, "Simms speaking. Yes by all means pipe it to the ward room, but before we transmit ensure that our locater information is blanked out. No sense in giving them a leg up on where we are."

Turning to the video monitor which he activated, Captain Simms viewed Captain Testarossa on her bridge with Commanders Mardukas and Kalinin, "Ah, hello Teletha, Richard. Good to see you too Andrei." Tessa responded, "You have broken the rules by starting early Captain!" The snicker from Commander Ward was picked up and heard by Tessa, "I heard that Drake."

Kaname pensively waved at the screen, "Hello Tessa." Captain Testarossa smiled briefly, "Hello Kaname. Are you being treated well?" Kaname replied that she was, as Captain Simms turned back to the screen, "Tessa, as Richard and Andrei should have already told you that I do like to provide a challenge, which is what you are going to get, so grow up young lady!"

Kaname watched in utter amazement at how Captain Simms was treating Tessa and about to interrupt felt hands on either arm. One was Souska and the other was Alice's. Captain Simms seeing Tessa's reaction continued, "What? You expect me to treat you with kid gloves? Not going to happen. So start thinking ahead as you are perilously close to running out of time. Good night Tessa." End transmission.

Tessa sat back in the command chair looking at the blank screen, "He told me to grow up?" Andrei and Richard had remained silent throughout the exchange, and then Andrei spoke "Captain, I would suggest we get underway immediately. Captain Simms just used your transmission to find us." Tessa replied, "How? We are not linked!" Commander Mardukas replied, "He used our embedded locater signal in the transmission to find our location, his locator signal was blank, Captain. He will not pull any punches."

After the screen went blank, Lieutenant Alice Wren spoke "Psychology 101 Captain?" Captain Simms nodded and replied, "Get them psyched out and just a tad bit angry while they ignore the obvious, until it is too late. Drake? I suppose you got the locater information?" Commander Ward replied, "Yes I did, but I doubt Tessa will sit there long once Richard and Andrei give her a little coaching, she will put the pedal to the metal and haul butt."

Lieutenant Wren spoke, "But which direction?" It was Sergeant Souska Sagara who replied, "South-West, then they will turn east and seek cover in the underwater canyons." Souska! Stop that!" as Kaname brandish her fan and whacked Sagara across the back of the head. Captain Simms replied, "Yep, that is where they are going. Andrei does love that kind of terrain and Miss Chidori no need for that please, Sergeant Souska offered tactical advice merely because he knew how Andrei thinks."

Lieutenant Wren having finished eating excused herself and rose from the table, "Captain, I need to prepare." Captain Andrew Simms came to his feet, "Make it so Lieutenant, we will be in the area of the Tuatha de Danaan in 30 minutes." It was 2030 hours.

2100 hours, South-East of Melida Island

Commander Mardukas spoke, "Sound battle stations. Battle station submarine," as Lieutenant Commander Kalinin entered the bridge, the lights dimmed as the helmsman spoke, "Tessa has control sir," as she slid his chair back from the console and folded his arms across his chest the helm controls began moving by them selves.

Captain Andrew Simms watched in silence observing the activity as it took place on the bridge screens as Alice within her own Lady Chapel, exercised the controls then without his orders, altered course and sent Morison plunging towards the ocean floor. Kaname held her breath expecting the submarine to crash, but it quickly leveled off at 10 meters above the ocean floor.

Andrew turned to Kaname and seeing her expression, "Yes it does take getting used to. First time that Alice did it I almost hit the override, but she knows how to maneuver rather well." Alice Wren's voice came over the speakers, "I am sorry Kaname, we should have told you."

Kaname looking around in puzzlement replied, "You can hear me?" Alice's voice replied almost with laughter, "And I can see you too as well as Andrew and Drake. I can see and hear anywhere I chose to do so."

Alice paused briefly as if lost in thought, then spoke "Andrew? I have unknown contact bearing 245, range 36,500 meters. It is moving slowly, left to right bearing." Turning to view the tactical monitor, Captain Simms spoke "Alice, go to 5 knots hold current depth. It is not Tessa."

Commander Drake Ward approached the sonar console whose technician was listening to the sounds, then handing him a pair of headphones both men listened intently. Commander Ward turned to his captain, "Captain, it's an LA Class Hunter-Killer."

Sergeant Souska Sagara afforded the rare view of a tactical submarine operation spoke, "Captain Testarossa, told me that she had encountered such a submarine before. Was that yours captain?" Captain Simms replied, "Tessa has always had to play games with what ever was available. I had my first encounter with her, it was in the Indian Ocean about six months after that little incident you had with that fellow Gauron. Her encounter was with another one. I knew the captain, and he is hot headed to boot. I should add that he was granted another tour of duty in this area, because he has a fixation on the "Toy Box"."

Kaname replied, ""Toy Box"?" as Commander Drake Ward replied, "Code name given to the Tuatha de Danaan, by the Pentagon dweebs. Mithril has been able to conceal the identification of our vessels rather well as the crews who man these vessels. In essence Miss Chidori, we no longer exist officially amongst the living."

Alice interrupted, "Sound signature match confirmed, it is the Memphis." Commander Ward turned to the sonar tech who nodded silently at his unasked question.

Captain Simms rose from his seat and approached the tracking plot, watching the track of the confirmed submarine, "Alice open communications with the referee judge on Melida Island and advise them of the presence of the USS Memphis, then have them try to make contact with Tuatha de Danaan and warn them to break off the game."

Commander Ward spoke, "Captain, if Tessa receives the message would she follow the rules or would she continue? After all you did tweak her pride a little bit and she just might construe it as an attempt to deceive her." Captain Simms replied, "Well you have a point there Drake. Alice? Lay in an intercept course for that submarine, make depth 250 meters speed 25 knots." Alice confirmed the orders, and the Morison began to ascend.