Chapter Twelve
"Well done, Admiral Nelson! My congratulations to Captain Crane and your gallant crew as well," offered the grateful Secretary of Defense. "The President has entrusted me to extend his gratefulness on behalf of the nation for making the seas safe once again."
"Thank you, Mr. Secretary," Harry replied graciously. "There are still some details to work out," he added cryptically.
"Ah yes, I was briefed. I leave that in your capable hands and anxiously wait for your report on the matter."
"Thank you, Mr. Secretary," the admiral repeated as the view monitor blackened.
"All set?" Harry heard from behind him as Lee, dressed in jungle greens, buckled on his holster. Other than the flesh colored butterfly bandage that replaced the gauze bandage on his forehead, he appeared fit and ready for action.
"Yes, Washington has the statement I prepared. It will be released to the news stations along with the evidence verifying the creature's destruction. It should make breaking news and headlines within the hour."
"Let's hope that it's enough to keep them from investigating the lost signal just yet," Lee replied, hoping to deal with a sub in its pen rather than leaving Seaview to intercept it without its captain aboard.
"That's the plan," Harry countered matter-factly, his confidence never wavering as he headed for the spiral staircase. "I'll be down in five minutes," he informed, taking the steps upward toward Officer's Country.
Lee turned to get another update on the repairs, once satisfied he returned to the bow, taking in the brilliant sunshine bathing the Herculite windows as Seaview bobbed gracefully on the surface. It was a peaceful sight with waves billowing wistfully against the windows and an occasional puffy cloud in the distance. But for all the tranquility that the sea offered the seasoned sailor, he knew that it was only the calm before the storm.
# # # # #
Steps ascending the ladder preceded Sharkey's head popping out from the deck hatch. He climbed out and handed the clipboard to Lee.
"She's all checked out and ready to go, Sir."
"Very well, Chief," Lee replied, signing off the checklist and handing it back.
Sharkey started to leave and then turned back. "Skipper, are you sure you don't want me to come along… to watch your back, I mean?" he asked, practically begging to join the detail.
"I appreciate that, Chief, but I need you aboard to coordinate the repairs. Seaview can't spare you."
"Aye, Sir," he answered reluctantly just as the Admiral rounded the staircase dressed in jungle green fatigues. He stopped in the Nose to strap on the sidearm Kowalski, who was similarly dressed, was holding for him.
"Ready, Captain?" Harry asked solemnly for the dangerous mission they were about to undertake but also accompanied with a definite glimmer in his eye; one that exuded utmost confidence in their plan.
"Ready, Sir," Lee replied, waving an arm toward the deck hatch and inviting the Admiral to descend first and then followed. Kowalski was the last to take the ladder, but was temporarily stopped by a hand on his elbow.
"Take care, kid," Sharkey said in as brusque a fashion as he could to hide his concern.
Ski smiled broadly. "Are you kidding, Chief? With the Admiral and Captain Crane coming along, it'll be a cinch!" he said confidently, smiling broadly before descending completely down the ladder.
"Yeah, a cinch," Sharkey muttered sardonically, closing the deck hatch and turning the wheel.
# # # # #
Meanwhile on the island…
"The news stations are starting to broadcast the report. I have several recorded for your review," the communication operator reported from his station in the Master Control Room.
"Put it on screen," a cold feminine voice ordered, the scientist stepped forward to monitor the transmission, her hands tucked into the pockets of her white lab jacket, while the operator turned dials and switched on the monitor to view a newscast already in progress.
"… this is as close as the US Navy will allow us, but I'm told that only twenty miles south of us, the SSRN Seaview has surfaced and has reported that the Meglasquid, as it has come to be known, has been destroyed. Repeat: the Meglasquid has been destroyed. By now, most of the world has seen this picture…"
A full-screen fuzzy black and white picture replaced the reporter on the screen as he continued.
"… of a sea monster of gigantic proportions and the daring rescue that saved the only two survivors of the doomed freighter, the Bluejacket. Both men have refused to give live interviews, but transcripts of their ordeal have made front page news across the world…"
The shot switched back to the reporter.
"A total of four ships, ranging from freighters to a yacht were attacked, making this threat the world's number one priority. That was, however, until one hour ago, when the US Navy released this short video…"
He lowered his mic and waited for the studio to switch over to the recording that had been made public in order to ease the concerns of the world.
"On behalf of the United States Navy, I am pleased to report that the sea creature that has terrorized the shipping lanes these last six weeks has been destroyed," the Naval Press Secretary stated, standing in front of a podium with dozens of microphones surrounding him in a half-circle. "The creature's defeat was an incredible feat by Admiral Nelson and his fantastic windowed submarine, the SSRN Seaview. Admiral Nelson himself, reported the destruction and transmitted these pictures as evidence of the squid's final termination," he added as two large prints were placed on easels to either side of him; one showing a severed tentacle and the other a wide-shot depicting the ocean floor strewn about with pieces of what was left by the obviously blown-up squid. "The shipping lane is now safe for the vessels of the world. I'll take a few questions, now."
A barrage of questions bombarded him as the Press Secretary picked the loudest reporter's question.
"Yes, Terry."
"What can you tell us about the battle itself? Did the Seaview suffer casualties?"
"It's too early to give you a blow by blow description of the battle," he answered to the soft chuckles of the reporters in the room, "but I can tell you the battle was intense and Admiral Nelson reports significant injuries aboard the Seaview, but thankfully, there were no deaths. The submarine, itself, suffered damage and the US Navy has deployed assets to render whatever assistance it can offer. I cannot be more specific about the nature of the repairs at this point," he added as other reporters clamored for the follow-up question. "Only that Admiral Nelson credits their successful mission to the seamanship of Captain Lee Crane and the brave crew of the Seaview…"
A screen shot of a NIMR promotional photo of Nelson flanked by Crane and Morton in full dress uniform now filled the screen.
"Freeze the picture," she said, stepping closer and studying the three distinguished men in military dress blues. "Do we have confirmation that Seaview has surfaced?" the blonde-headed woman asked in a deliberate change of subject.
"Yes Doctor, we have this," the station operator answered, switching one of four monitors to a satellite photo of the windowed submarine on the ocean surface, time stamped one hour earlier.
"I did not expect the Seaview to prevail," she said mostly to herself while examining the image. "Zoom in here," she ordered, pointing to a dark spot on the port side. The black and white photo was grainy but still discernible to her learned eye. "Well, she didn't go down without a fight, at least," she said rather casually regarding the sea creature.
"What about the readings from the fissure?" the operator inquired.
"It's of no consequence; the battle with the squid coincides with the loss of data. We'll reestablish contact when the area is clear once again."
"Yes, Doctor, but what if Nelson finds our intercept device?"
"They have other concerns at the moment," she replied examining the submarine again. "Once we reestablished contact, the fools will assume that their own trifling attempts at remedying the electronics remotely were successful. I only need a few more months to complete my work," she added, contemplating the present status of her research.
"Yes, Doctor," the operator replied, withholding any other questions he might have for the clever, if not temperamental scientist.
Her eyes returned to the monitor with the picture of Nelson and his officers, focusing in on one man in particular. "Hello Harry," she said as if greeting him in person. "It's been a long time," she finished darkly, losing all semblance of civility as her eyes bore hatefully into the image of the auburn-haired admiral.
(End Part I)
A/N, The story continues with Part II, Chapter Thirteen posting later today.