31

Wow chapter 31 how did that happen? this story is starting to write itself! Thank you to islandsandstars for your suggestion in which Tracy brother to follow next! and to Cantanatova who also suspected which Tracy I might go after next! I hope you like it.

Gordon had been posted with W.A.S.P for four months now. Although assigned to USS Anzio Gordon was there in the role of an oceanographer. The Navy would drop him in various locations to study marine life and gather vital scientific data through the use of a bathyscape. A bathyscape was a submersible craft capable of withstanding the intense pressures of the deep and could descend far further than any submarine or scuba diver. Gordon had spent time studying the Marianas Trench, Japan trench and now they were heading to the Philippine trench. Sometimes Gordon would spend up to nine hours either on his own or with his research buddy Glenn in a tiny globe so small they were literally sat on each other at times surrounded by a wall of instruments and one large glass dome that acted as a viewing port. To the outside world (For all intents and purposes) Gordon was an oceanographer. He certainly had all the knowledge and skill; it was his passion after all but oceanographer wasn't strictly his day job. Gordon was actually an elite special force operative (ESFO). Not even his family knew what he did and nor would they until he left the service and the embargo was lifted or if he died in active service. Covert ops and counter terrorism were his true objective. In the last thirty years weapons runners had taken to the sea to smuggle their wares leaving them on the sea bed for collection. Pirates had also turned to terrorism on the seas attacking large cruise ships that had become a popular vacation for many. ESFO's were responsible for gathering intelligence on these operations as well as terminating them. An oceanographer was the perfect cover. He was effectively just another scientist ignored by a society that didn't care about human impact on the delicate ecosystem below the water. No one looked twice at his actions as long as he contributed to a journal or two. In reality as soon as he reached the required depth his little observation station would deploy before submerging too deep and he'd head off to patrol undetected able to spy and gather intel on those on the watch list. It was the perfect set up and Gordon had already completed several successful sting operations both solo and with his partner Glenn.

Gordon was lying on his assigned top bunk being rolled around and shaken violently at times. There was a major storm tonight and they'd not made it back to port in time. He'd already been on the deck for several hours before being relieved to grab some rest before the next shift but it was nigh on impossible to rest when you were getting rolled around like sardines in a tin. It was getting near eighteen long hours of this treatment now. The ominous creaking and groaning of the ship gripped in the eye of the tempest as she fought to stay above water. The clanging of belongings that hadn't been secured away rattling around the cabin. The thundering of the waves and winds battering the ship was enough to send a chill down your spine. It wasn't bad enough for all hands-on deck just yet but Gordon was sure it wouldn't be long till all the alarms sounded. He sighed and cast his thoughts back to the day he passed selection six months ago. It had been the week from hell (most recruits in fact, do refer to it as hell week). Only one in every three recruits makes selection and even then, only twenty percent of the remaining candidates will make it through to passing out.

Selection week day one. He had started the day feeling physically sick but in strong spirits. He forced a good breakfast down him before heading out. They had to complete morning PT drills as normal before the trials began which was good as he could channel the jitters into something productive. Sweat poured from under his arms, dog tags swinging in time to his momentum as he maintained his pace. Once over they had ten minutes to stretch down and set their kit straight before reporting to the pool. As they lined up at the edge of the pool Gordon turned to his left and clasped forearm to forearm with Glenn. "Good luck eel, see you on the other side!" He winked confidently.

"Who says your gonna be there first Merman? I'll be there to pull you out don't you worry." Glenn shot back with his best smile. They then turned to face the pool in full kit. The whistle blew to signal the waves had started. On the next whistle the instructors marched down the line and tied their hands behind their back with Velcro before proceeding to tie their feet. An eerie hush befell the recruits as they stood at the edge of the pool waiting the next signal where they would jump in…. except it never came. Gordon felt the well-placed kick to his back as he headed face first into the pool to cries around him being cut off with multiple splashes.

He forced his eyes to open thankful his training had stopped him crying out as he fell in, it meant he had taken the precious controlled breath that would stop him drowning. The urge to kick and fight overwhelmed him briefly before he remembered he needed to swim. The waves tossed him around as he struggled to maintain a sense of direction. He used his whole body to push himself through the water as a mermaid would using his whole body to propel forwards in a mermaid motion (Gordon was especially proficient at this, there was a reason the unit referred to him as 'the merman' after all). He had to endure swimming 50 yards under water on one breath without touching the bottom of the pool or breaking the surface. So far, he estimated he was already half way which was good because he was on borrowed time, he could feel his muscles beginning to scream in protest at the lack of oxygen rather than the contorted position they were in. Gordon focused on his mantra of I've got this trying to ignore the dwindling air he felt in his lungs, the edges of his vision starting to bolt and fade. I've got this! He saw the edge of the pool and focused on it with all his being. He wouldn't fail, not now not ever! I've got this! He wanted to touch the edge instead he rose up slowly and broke the surface of the water praying he was at the right end of the pool. "Well done recruit" was all he got as he was unceremoniously hoisted from the water to sit on the edge of the pool. He looked around to see who else had made it as he did, he saw Mike come up three quarters away from the edge of the pool gasping like a fish in the air. He was panicked and hyperventilating. He was dragged out by an instructor. Gordon knew he wouldn't be seeing him again. He felt devastated for him. Gordon desperately scanned for Glenn who still hadn't made it. In fact, when he looked round, he realised he was the only one, did this mean he was first? He was worried about Glenn they had a pact they were determined to honour. They were going to make it together he was confident Glenn would make it. The bloke was as slippery as an eel, just when you would think you were done with him, he'd always resurface. Sure enough the water rippled next to Gordon's leg as a blonde head popped up. He gasped for air. "Did you miss me?" but before Gordon could reply he'd been forcibly submerged again. Surprised and caught off guard he floundered.

He was panicking and needed to pack it the fuck in! He tightened his fists hard to stop himself undoing the straps (only later he realised that he had bruised his palms with his own fingers) he needed to relax, this was exercise two: drown proofing which involved being tied up with Velcro straps around his hands and feet and bobbing up and down in ten feet of water for five minutes whilst tethered. Remembering this was a drill just like he practiced hundreds of times he calmed his mind. He had taken a crappy breath initially but he would just have to manage. He pushed upwards exerting as little energy as he could whilst gently rising upwards. When he bobbed up, he had to be careful not to push too hard in case he broke his bonds prematurely. He also had to remember to take only one controlled breath, if he hyperventilated or took a breath that was too deep it would negatively affect his buoyancy causing him to descend to the bottom of the pool too slowly which meant he would run out of air prematurely. Like he had almost just now - idiot! He broke the water only enough for his nose and mouth to be exposed before allowing himself to drop again. Eventually just as Gordon was complementing if there was an afterlife underwater his instructor gave the signal that he could rise up.

He broke the surface in blessed relief, his full kit was really starting to weigh him down now, siphoning his remaining energy. His family had always said he had an endless supply he was starting to debate how true that statement was. He had certainly believed it but now he wasn't so sure. He now had to float for two minutes (Which was effectively a break for him he'd never struggled with treading water even in a full kit and trussed like a turkey) before completing a 100-metre lap around the pool – limbs still banded together. Then he had to perform a back and front flip without touching the sides or bottom of the pool before then diving down (Still bound), grabbing a mask with his teeth and then kicking back up to surface, dive, surface five times before finally, finally being able to rip his restraints off. That was day one complete he had passed with flying colours, Glenn not that far behind. Gordon remembered how they had both been so knackered to even discuss it they had just crashed straight into their sleeping bags on the dirt floor after watch duty. They had made it even if he was convinced, he would die in his sleep from exhaustion.

And that had only been day one Gordon reflected as he rolled onto his side in the direction the ship had shifted. He pulled out a photo of his family (No electronics allowed) it was a picture of them at his last birthday, the whole family. He hadn't even been able to tell his mum he had passed selection, he was sure she would have been so proud. He was one of the youngest recruits to do so in the last decade too. He imagined his grandfather clapping him on the back and calling him a chip off the old block like his father. He rubbed his thumb over his image. He would never forget them. His amber gaze turned to his dad who had his arms wrapped around his mother's waist to the side of the image, they were looking at each other, only half focused on the camera in front. Gordon was thinking about the bombshell proposition he had dropped on them, the international rescue service he wanted to set up in the love of his life's honour, his mother's legacy. How could Gordon not want to be part of that? After all it still held the similar principles to his current field. He would still be able to study the ocean, protect ocean habitats and people and he was certainly more than skilled enough, perhaps even more than even his father could currently comprehend. It was the kind of job Gordon had already debated at when retiring from the forces, a mundane career was simply not for him. The lure of the danger of the rescue work was appealing, he was no paper pusher and had no desire to increase in ranks like his brother. Nope once he couldn't do the practical side anymore then he wouldn't do it anymore. He definitely wanted to be part of what his father was creating it was a great concept he just wasn't sure if it was the right time for him. He had a family that needed him here too. Glenn, Benny, Max they had all formed a tight unit even if they had to ride solo for a time, they would find a way to get to each other if they needed backup. Could he abandon them? They knew how invested in this Gordon was in W.A.S.P. They weren't going to believe him if he couldn't even tell them the real reason, he was leaving W.A.S.P. Then there was the issue of could he actually work with his brothers without them killing each other or his father for that matter. Living with them was one thing but to work cooperatively all six of them? Gordon wondered if his father had forgotten they all had very strong and different personalities, including his father's own strong-willed nature. Gordon could already see if his father was going to be in charge it would be challenging for him. He had just as many skills in regards to overseeing an operation as his father now. Being an ESFO meant that sometimes you didn't have a chain of command to refer to, you had to do what needed to be done in the moment and you could – as long as you could adequately justify your actions later. This is what had appealed to Gordon he had never done well with rules and regs. This job allowed him to think outside the box, actively encouraged him to use his own initiative to get the task done. Even if others considered him fucking crazy at times. Hmmm it was a lot to think about but he guessed he had time. From what he had heard his father had only just located a base and was concentrating on getting velocity one sorted. Gordon was banking on that would take time. Time enough for him to be able to think his decision through before giving a final answer. Knowing he wasn't going to get any damn rest for as long as this storm continued, with one last affectionate glance at his family he stuffed the picture back in the book wedged down the side of his bed. He hopped off and went in search of Glenn to relieve him from duty.