I had always wondered why only two people were the leaders of the trip to Atlantis, with as many people going one may think "who else is there?". Now I may be reading too far into it, but this is my explanation. Hope you enjoy.

Tying Up

It was a stormy night out on the Atlantic, the ship Embargo way on its last day in a long journey to deliver the submarine Ulysses to Endpoint Yard, the launching area for an expedition to Atlantis. Most thought this a foolhardy mission that it was a waste of time, many thought they might find something worthwhile even if it is just ruins. However, there was a small handful that knew of something, something that would make them rich enough to retire and live a lavish life many times over.

That was the discussion between three men that night as they stood on an empty Afterdeck on the stern of the ship. Commander Lyle Rourke was with the ships' captain Lieutenant Commander Anthony Hopkins, a medium height Englishman, and Captain Wyatt Moody, no nonsense man born in streets of Mexico City, commander of the detachment of soldiers sent for security. Both of these men had made a career in the company Reynar Solutions, the company being contracted out by Mr. Whitmore.

"We have a problem," Hopkins said with a nervous sidelong glance, his statement was met with a stern and questioning stare. "My XO, Lieutenant Geers may have stumbled across our plans regarding the crystal."

"How?" The response Rourke gave was spat out between gritted teeth.

Hopkins braced himself, "He was dropping off a report to my office while I was on the bridge and might have spotted some of the notes jotted down in Iceland."

"He either did or didn't, which is it Commander?" Rourke asked curtly.

"There is no denying what he saw, however I am certain I was able to convince him it was the premise to a book I found, something a crewman with imagination wrote up."

"Okay," Rourke pinched his nose, "has he told anyone else?"

"No, I told him if he needed answers to come to you, he is a good sailor, he'll wait."

Rourke turned to Moody, "Anyone in the squads know of this?"

"No sir, just Sergeant Millar and I, as agreed." The man simply responded.

Rourke nodded, the wheels in his head turning, planning on how to keep this all a secret. Just weeks ago, he saw this chance to get rich and never have to work for anyone ever again. It was doubtful that they could get Greers on board so quickly so he had to go one way or another, then the solution came to him.

"We need to get him out of the picture," Rourke began, "It is too late to bring him into the fold."

Hopkins had a worried look on his face, "How? There are no nearby ships owned by the company to even think of a reason to transfer him."

Rourke gave him a pointed look, "Then we remove him permanently, arrange for an 'accident' to occur on the Ulysses, then I will fill the holes that will appear in manpower."

"A good plan." Hopkins said, he was visibly starting to calm down.

Continuing Rourke laid out the rest of his plan, "Lieutenant Stewart will take command of the sub after the expedition, he needs more training, in the meantime Lieutenant Sinclair will be the acting CO until we get back, I need someone I can trust down there."

The last part of his statement had more of an edge which caused Hopkins to flinch. "I'll make sure any documents are destroyed and those who are in the loop don't speak of it anymore."

"Good," Rourke said quietly, "speaking of holes, Captain, you lost Second Lieutenant Hargreaves in supply, correct? Who is taking his spot?"

"There is an up and coming sergeant that shows promise, with your permission I would like to give him a field commission, if not, there is a cadet from headquarters that just got certified, we can have him join the supply platoon when we return."

Nodding the commander replied, "I trust your judgment, you can have your sergeant commissioned, we can be short staffed men and women, but each officer we lose means a loss in organization, we are losing three already, any more is unacceptable."

Pausing to make sure he counted right Hopkins spoke slowly, "Three sir? I thought we lost Hargreaves and will lose Greers, who is the Third?"

Turning to him Rourke simply said, "Very astute Commander, I am afraid your services are no longer needed, people who leaves important documents lying around are a liability. You are relived of you post; Lieutenant Jennings will take over for you."

Looking past him, he motioned with his head over the railing and into the sea.

Realizing what was going on Hopkins was about to run, but he was too late, a sudden and agonizing pain suddenly was felt on the left side of his back between his ribs. Moody had stabbed him and covered the man's mouth before he had the chance to scream.

As the life drained from the sailor, Rourke said, "I will make sure the crew knows how distraught I was to not being able to save you from drowning, goodbye Mister Hopkins."

At that Moody lifted the man by the legs and dumped him over the railing. The body quickly left the meager lighting of the boat, soon to be lost to the sea.

Rourke checked his watch, "I will give it ninety seconds before the alarm is raised. Go and alert CPO Han, that Greers needs to be gone before we launch from Endpoint, I will set in order the new positions of everyone."

"Yes sir." Moody acknowledged and made his way below decks.

Rourke calmly stood at the railing waiting, the next minute and a half were silent save for the thrumming of the engines and pattering of the rain. Then, breaking the silence came the cry,

"Man over board! Man over board!"

Ending is next, R&R please, I love getting feedback.