Chapter 18

Back in Santa Barbara, Admiral Nelson was sitting behind his desk eagerly awaiting his returned executive officer. Chip had reported sometime after 2200, too late for a social call. There had been calls and e-mails but he was anxious for a face-to-face sit down. His intercom sounded.

"Sorry to interrupt you, sir. Admiral Fox from the Pentagon is on Line 2 for you, sir."

"All right Angie, put him through. When Mr. Morton shows up, send him right in and then hold all my calls unless it's the White House."

"Yes, sir. I just made a fresh pot of coffee. I'll bring in."

"Thank you and grab me another blueberry muffin while you're at it."

He waited a minute or two and then picked up the phone. He enjoyed making the other man wait. "Nelson."

"Harry, nice to hear your voice. How you been?"

It was never a good sign when Anthony Fox exchanged pleasantries. He was notoriously known for his abruptness.

"Enjoying my third cup of the morning while waiting for my next appointment. What can I do for my old friend?"

Nelson could almost see Fox gripping the phone receiver, old friend they were not, closer to enemies would be the truth. The man still held a grudge that Nelson received his fourth star before he had. Fox always claimed it was because of politics and money that Nelson received faster promotions. It never occurred to him that it was the two B's, booze and broads, which slowed his advancement.

Admiral Fox was aptly named, with a long nose and reddish brown eyebrows over a set of almost black eyes. Small in stature, he had just made the height requirement. An overly hirsute body did nothing to help his career or install confidence in his superiors. There were still jokes going around that he used to shave his hands while a junior officer.

There was a light tap on the door. Expecting to see Angie, Nelson was pleasantly surprised when Chip entered with a pot of coffee and a platter of baked goods. Nelson motioned to a seat across from his desk then rolled his eyes.

"Tony, my appointment is here. Can you come to the point of your call?"

"It's simple, Nelson. Time to get yourself a new captain. Scuttlebutt says Crane cracked up and you got him locked away in a nut house. You're already pushed back our joint project a month, we can't afford any more delays."

Nelson had made the mistake of putting the call on Speaker when Chip showed up, and now he regretted it. The younger man was on his feet, face flushed ready to reach through the phone to strangle the caller.

Forcing his voice to a level tone, Nelson said, "Commander Crane was seriously injured in the performance of his duty. He is currently receiving top-notch treatment in a medical facility. It was because of his assignment that the testing of the new equipment was postponed. In less than ten days we will start Phase Two. But not until I am satisfied with the training and performance of the upgrades. I won't put my men and boat at risk unnecessarily. It has already caused a computer problem that the tech reps sent out from Beatty Electronics have struggled with."

Admiral Nelson's voice turned to cold steel. "Commander Morton is quite qualified to captain Seaview until Crane recovers. There is no question of permanent replacement." Chip slowly sat down. "Now if you'll excuse me, Morton and I need to figure out where the manufacturer fouled up, so we can complete the project. Goodbye." He punched the 'off' button, resisting the urge to toss the phone across the room.

"That's one thing I hate about speaker or cell phones, you can't slam down the receiver in a jackass's ear." Nelson bit into his muffin as if to take a hunk of Fox's skin. "You shouldn't let Admiral Fox upset you like that, Chip. Look how calm I am."

Chip laughed and took a sip of his coffee. Nelson finished his pastry and tossed the liner and crumbs into the trashcan. He refilled his cup and sat back in his chair, his coloring back to normal.

"How is Lee? Was he upset you left last night?"

Chip carefully thought before answering. "I would categorize it as nervous, not upset. Lee accepted I can't stay, and he has to. He understands the need for therapy to help him with his behavior."

"So he realizes the CDs were faked, that none of us said those things?" Nelson responded in a hopeful tone.

"No, sir. Let me try to explain as much as I comprehend from Lee's typing. He doesn't understand why he is so frightened and unable to control his terror, nor why he can't speak. We both know all too well what Seaview has experienced with abnormal events. We also can only imagine what Lee endured on ONI excursions. Not one of us will denied being scared. We carry on through the dangers, and don't let them immobilize us. Sir, it was heartbreaking to see him shaking just to step out into the hallway. Finally, before I left, he managed to walk 50 feet and returned to his room. He was so proud to be able to accomplish that slight task."

"But he's getting on, improving?"

"Yes. Dr. Anderson is very encouraging. Lee has accepted his fear is unreasonable but that doesn't mean he's been able to overcome it. Unfortunately, there is no shaking his belief that the Seaview crew hates him and wants him dead. I'm sure Jamie has given you updates. Anderson feels sure she can get through to him."

Chip took a deep breath before relating what the doctor had talked to him about last night. The admiral looked so anxious for good news he was afraid of what this might do to him.

"Admiral, before I left, Dr. Anderson talked me for quite a while. She is confident Lee will recover. However, it might take a long time."

"That's great, Chip. I knew nothing could stop Lee."

"Sir, he should recover enough to lead a normal life, but to return to Seaview and the pressure of command, that is very much an unknown."

He stopped speaking. Nelson had lost some of his color and his hand shook when he raised the cup to his lips. Chip had experienced the same reaction at Dr. Anderson's assessment. What would Lee's life be like without his submarine? It was a natural occurrence in military life to be reassigned, to have command of different ships, but Lee had a special connection with Seaview. Moreover, given the circumstances, he would be medically retired, unable to command even a rowboat in anyone's navy.

"Chip, if that is the case, we have to make sure Lee understands he will always have a position at NIMR," Nelson was quick to point out.

"I know that, Admiral, even without you having to say the words. You, most of all, would never abandon Lee. Nevertheless, it brings up what Admiral Fox pointed out." He paused, hating to say the words. "Seaview might need a new skipper. I hate to say it, but perhaps you should start a search for a replacement - even if only, please God, a temporary one. Who knows how long it could be before Lee can return. If ever." His voice cracked with emotion, saying the unthinkable.

Admiral Nelson stood and took his jacket from the back of his chair. After finishing buttoning it, he faced the now standing and slightly confused XO.In the tone of voice Nelson used when an unswayable decision was being made, the admiral spoke clear and sharp.

"There will be no search for replacement."

"Sir, with all respect…"

"Mr. Morton, listen to me very carefully," Nelson repeated, his voice now a little louder. "There will be no search."

"As you wish, sir."

Nelson moved around the desk and placed a hand on Chip's shoulder, speaking not to the subordinate but to a comrade in arms.

"There'll be no search because if it comes to that, I've got a captain standing in front of me."