Deep Blue Sea
Chapter 12th
Captain Lee Crane and everyone else was nervous once they started their decent inside with all Crawler lights on full in order to see in the darkness. So far the currents inside haven't been an issue, as the crawler moved down a couple of hundred feet.
"Patterson, are you able to pick up anything down below?" Lee asked with having a lump in his throat with looking at the strange fish moving past them with the lights on full. It was a strange world to see. And Admiral Nelson would no doubt another time would want to explore this type of world in the future.
He just hopes that him and others from the Seaview would want to see it happening and no doubt costing a fortune of the Institute funding to set up this type of mission.
"I am picking up three blimps sir. I think it might be pieces of the sea lab or equipment. We won't know for sure until we get a closer look Captain." He says with listening into his ear phones and looking at the radar screen.
"I agree Patterson." He looked over at Rose Marie moving the controls down further to change the position to head down further. The strange looking fish continue to past them without having to crash into the crawler or else they would be into trouble.
Meanwhile on board the Seaview...
Admiral Nelson was sitting in front having a bite to eat with Chip, Riley and two other officers that work the over night shift. There was nothing more to do was just wait for word from Lee and the crawler. They had been inside almost an hour with no radio report from Hanson.
"I wonder what they are going to find besides the sea lab equipment?" Morton said with taking a sip of coffee with the steward bringing over a fresh cup.
"Don't know Chip. But we should be hearing from them any time soon." Nelson replied with looking out the windows built special for the Seaview.
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They had found a piece of equipment containing sensor data on the ocean floor and the water currents. Lee Crane using a small crane and pulley were able to bring it in from the ledge and into the back hatchway for where it will be staying until they reach back to the Seaview.
Patterson went to check the item brought abroad looking through the hatchway glass. "Sir, it's fine right now. Admiral Nelson is going to be pleased." Patterson said to put a slight smile on his face and with Rose Marie.
"I am sure he will be Patterson. However we still have other items to look for. Please check you're screen for any other objects, since you did mention earlier that their were three blimps on the screen." Lee relied with waiting for Patterson's answer to his request.
After a moment of checking his radar screen. He said that the other two items were down below another two hundred feet. "It seems to be a wide cavern with just five ledges and the two pieces of equipment are to be seen soon by the naked eye."
"Thanks Patterson." Lee responded with making the changes with the controls, as with Rose Marie.
Moments later on the side glass window. The lights were able to show the two pieces of equipment in a strong box carrying mineral deposits. Crane and Rose Marie together worked the controls to bring in the two containers for Admiral Nelson, the sea lab corporation and the Institute to keep for their records.
They were able to have the containers inside the crawler and secured. Patterson had reported their weren't any other items showing on the radar and sonar screen and ear phone. "There is nothing else down below the than the giant fish Captain."
Looking over at Patterson. "All right than everyone. Lets start back up." He said to have Ron Hanson to send a radio message to the Seaview. That's if the signal is able to get through to them.
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An hour later on board the Seaview
Sparks had called Admiral Nelson to the radio shack. "Sir, I just received a message from Hanson on board the crawler. They are heading back up with three pieces of items from the sea lab. Captain Crane said he will have a full report when he gets back to the Seaview.
Admiral Nelson felt some what better with his nerves. He can't wait for the crawler to be brought abroad the aft missile room hatchway to have it checked out, as with the equipment to be worked on with retrieving the data and sent to the corporation.
Meanwhile...
Lee and Rose Marie were able to reach the entrance and prepared themselves with the currents. Patterson announced that the wind currents weren't as bad right now. Lee felt relieved with the information as they headed on over to the Seaview taking twenty five minutes to arrive at their destination. Radio man Ron Hanson had sent another coded message to the Seaview that they are heading for their location...