"Lee?" Chip Morton sidled up next to the captain. It was already ten minutes past their planned sail time of 0830.

Crane knew the question even before the exec asked. And he didn't have an answer he liked.

Lee was in a dilemma. Do they sail or do they continue to wait for news that might never come? Seaview was expected to rendezvous with the Undersea Lab at 1730 hours and it was an appointment they could ill afford to miss. In order to make the rendezvous Seaview had to sail now. He slammed his hand against the plot table with more ardor than intended. Aware that he had mustered the attention of the entire control room, he shifted uncomfortably. "Chip, get us underway," he commanded in a low, almost exasperated voice

"Aye, aye, sir." Chip Morton sounded the klaxon sending the warning of an impending dive throughout the boat. As a security measure, the small port that housed the Seaview's loading dock was designed so that the submarine could not merely pick up and sail out into the open waters. The maneuver was a tricky one for any first time navigator but for the seasoned first officer, it was a cakewalk. Chip Morton had taken the Seaview down to a depth of 90 feet and skimmed the ocean bottom so many times he could do it with his eyes closed. "Clear the deck and prepare to dive." Chip waited with the intercom in his hand until at last all crewmen were safely aboard. "Dive, dive," he said quickly, "Give us a full drop on the plane, take us down to 90 feet and maintain trim. Open the gates."

"90 feet, sir. Gates are open."

"Give me one degree on the starboard keel and hold her steady."

"One degree on the starboard keel. We're at 90 feet and holding steady." Chip waited for the next command.

"Let's proceed," Crane ordered. "All ahead slow."

"All ahead slow." They passed through the gates and headed out to the open waters of the Pacific Ocean.

"Chip, set a course for the Cetacean Undersea Lab."

~oOo~

Tucking an errant strand of hair behind her ear, Kate stretched her back and checked her watch, surprised to find it was almost noon.

She had just completed the calibration of the instrumentation and was preparing to start the tedious task of disassembling the amplifier in order to boost the main coil. It was currently emitting sounds at 23 decibels but to get to the specs Briere demanded, the output would have to be much higher. Pausing to look over the project she had to smile.

To the uninitiated, Lightning Bolt looked like nothing more than three black metal boxes connected by a few lines of non insulated copper wire to a satellite dish mounted on a platform. With the odd circular wheel of the Wimshurst Generator attached to the second black box, the entire contraption resembled something a child might have assembled in a corner of their bedroom as part of an imaginary science fiction game.

She had to admit her own degree of astonishment some years ago when she first flipped the switch, heard the low hum and witnessed the bright, jagged flash discharge from the satellite to the immense box fan on the other side of the lab, immediately circulating its huge blades. With a soft laugh, she recalled the wide-eyed amazement of her assistant as he slowly reached down to pick up the disconnected power cord.

"You find something amusing, Dr. Manning?" It was Briere's voice that caused her to turn.

"I was just thinking how bizarre this whole contraption looks."

Briere raised an eyebrow as if in unspoken agreement. "Under a humble guise lies the fiercest enemy." He tucked his hands behind his back and continued his stroll along the deck.

As she watched him continue his idle pace and with his cryptic words fresh on her mind, she registered with sudden clarity her present purpose: to increase the ability to power an object until the system is overloaded and the object destructs. In its present capacity, Lightning Bolt could do no more than simply burn out a light bulb or a small engine. But on a grander scale, the scale Briere wanted to obtain, the only objects safe from Lightning Bolt's destructive power would be diesel powered. It would most definitely be the fiercest enemy.

On his next trip to the head later that afternoon, Nelson was amused to see the rusty coffee can positioned under the pipe inside the cabinet. With a little more effort than expected, he tugged and pulled until, with a resounding clang, the rod came free. For a moment he froze, wondering if the racket would bring Marco through the door and knowing he couldn't get to his feet in time to look innocent. When not even a knock sounded, he let out the breath he had been holding and tucked the rod away in his sock and shoe. In one final action, he ran water through the sink, grinning somewhat smugly as the sound of dripping water reverberated inside the coffee can.

~oOo~

It was nearly 6pm when Kate signaled to an anxious Briere. "It's not quite up to full power yet but it should be ready for the first test."

"Wonderful, Dr. Manning! Tell me, do you think it capable of destroying a target say, 2,000 yards away?"

"I'm reasonably sure, yes."

"Outstanding. If you'll excuse me for a moment." Briere disappeared into the wheelhouse conferring briefly with the captain before returning. "In precisely six minutes we will be in position, Dr. Manning."

"You'll have to give me the distance and directions so I can program them into Lightning Bolt."

"Must it be exact?"

"No, the arc will affect anything within a 300 yard radius, like a giant umbrella. In order to remain unaffected by the umbrella effect, we would need to maintain a safe distance of at least 750 yards."

Karl, appearing at Briere's side, handed him a piece of paper. "Thank you." Turning his attention to Kate: "Anchored approximately 2,000 yards off the starboard bow is an abandoned boat. Situated on that boat is an electronic beacon. Besides letting us know it's still out there, it will serve as your target." Pulling a pair of reading glasses from his breast pocket, he read aloud the coordinates from the paper. "Whenever you are ready, Dr. Manning." Briere bowed slightly then took his leave, strolling up the stairs to the flying bridge directly above the wheelhouse. Using long-range binoculars mounted on a tripod, he was allowed an infinite view of the ocean.

Kate flipped a switch, immediately filling the air with a low, vibrating hum.

"Is that normal?" Carag asked tentatively, eyes darting nervously from one end of the machine to the other.

"Yes. It takes a few minutes to build energy. The hum will become increasingly louder. I don't like that vibration though. Some is to be expected but not much more than this." She watched as the needle inched higher and higher, each notch representing the increasing power.

Sitting with his back against the bulkhead in the dark storage locker, Nelson felt the hairs on his neck stand up as the vibration increased. He knew immediately the reason for the sudden increase in static electricity: Lightning Bolt was being put through its first test. Simply as a precaution, he moved away from the bulkhead and the I-beam.

Briere watched as the fulgurous arc engulfed the little boat in a bright white light until the craft could tolerate no more, finally splintering into a thousand pieces. "Success!" he yelled with uncontrolled elation.

Seeing an inordinate amount of black smoke off in the distance, Kate called up to Briere, "what happened?"

"Lightning Bolt didn't just impair the beacon, my dear. It obliterated the entire boat."

That accounted for the excessive vibration, she thought.

"You have by far exceeded my expectations," Briere pronounced as he slowly descended the stairs. "And to reward you for amply meeting my first milestone, I will allow you to spend an hour with the admiral this evening."

It was the first genuine smile Kate had displayed in his presence since their voyage began. "Thank you."

~oOo~

Marco held the door open, allowing Nelson to pass. "Mr. Briere says you have one hour."

Kate watched him enter keeping her distance until he was safely inside and Marco had closed the door. Once the door clicked, she rushed forward.

Nelson wanted to hold her close; to squeeze her tightly and never let her go, but he just couldn't bring his left arm up. Kate sensed his discomfort and compensated, engulfing him as tightly as she dared.

They stood quietly together, each absorbing the comforting feel of the other, for what seemed like an eternity until at last she whispered in an emotional voice, "How are you?"

"All things considered, I'd rather be in Philadelphia," he replied, recalling W.C. Fields' proposed epitaph. "How about you?"

"I don't know. I think I'm existing on pure adrenaline. The first test was a success."

"I suspected as much. That seems to account for this little tryst."

She pulled away remaining at arm's length for a several minutes as if performing a personal evaluation of his condition before leaning forward for a welcoming kiss. There was no passion or desire in the action just a great sense of relief and a need for reassurance. "You look terrible," she said at last.

"Thank you for that compliment, ma'am," he replied with a cocked eyebrow and a sardonic grin.

"Come on," she said, leading him to the bed and urging him to sit while handing him a sandwich neatly wrapped in wax paper. "I want you to eat this and while you're doing that, I need to change that bandage." Before he could protest, she disappeared into the lavatory, returning moments later with fresh towels and the alcohol.

Quickly devouring the sandwich, he nodded toward the bottle, "I'd prefer the internal to the external," he commented with a mouthful. Unfastening the buttons and extracting the cigarette pack from the shirt's pocket, he gingerly removed the shirt and tossed it aside.

Kate handed him a cigarette and held out the match as he leaned forward. "Sorry, this stateroom appears to be lacking a bar."

Taking a long drag and inhaling the smoke, "I'd like a word with the captain. What kind of cruise is this?"

Her soft laugh was quickly quelled. "Good Lord, Harry," she said, removing the makeshift bandage to expose a mottled bruise near the wound that wasn't apparent before. "What happened?"

Momentarily taking the cigarette from his lips, he strained to see. "I ran into an I-beam - a steel beam that runs vertically."

She eyed him skeptically as she applied the alcohol.

"Honest," he answered, taking another long pull on the cigarette to counteract the sting. "It's dark in the storage locker. Karl felt the need to give me a little encouraging shove. The beam broke my fall."

"It looks like it very nearly broke your shoulder."

"Well, if it's any consolation, it hurt like hell." He took one last puff then snuffed out the cigarette.

Kate applied a fresh dressing and helped him into his shirt, fastening all but one button midway down the placket. "Here, slip your hand in here. It'll immobilize your arm. And don't give me that look."

"Kate," he began in a low voice, "I think I might have come up with something." Glancing furtively around the room and motioning for her to sit beside him, it occurred to him that Briere or his men could easily be listening in. Lifting his pant leg, he showed her the pivot rod that protruded from his shoe.

"What is it?" she whispered.

"It's a metal rod from the sink. I worked it loose this morning but ran out of time. During this afternoon's visit, I was able to free it."

"How can that help?" She had a hard time understanding how a six-inch piece of molded metal could help them escape.

"If I can overpower Marco, I can get his gun."

She looked at him as if she had been struck. "For heaven's sake, Harry, you can't even lift your arm. How do you think you can overpower Marco? He'll kill you." She wiped away an errant tear, aware that his unyielding gaze was fixed on her. She hadn't meant to cry but she was having a terrible time choking it back.

"Kate," he began, trying to keep the rise out of his voice, "I'm not going to sit back and let Briere carry out his plan." He absently pounded his fist against his thigh. "Do you realize the implications of something like Lightning Bolt in the wrong hands? If the range and power are unlimited, they will have the potential to destroy cars, aircraft…entire cities."

Kate jumped to her feet, pacing back and forth in front of him. "Don't you think I'm well aware of that? Don't you think I know the ramifications of what I'm doing? It makes me sick, Harry. Sick to think I'm giving some small foreign government the power to randomly destroy parts of the United States or what's worse, some hapless country ripe for the taking. But what can I do? He'll kill you if I don't help him. And I will not, cannot, be responsible for your death." She turned away, not wanting him to see the tears that filled her eyes. "I couldn't live with myself if anything happened to you."

Nelson stared at her dumbly, unable to react. He had been so wrapped up in his own plans and ideas he had simply dismissed the effect this was having on her. Hadn't given it a second thought actually. He just assumed she would react the same way he would have—destroy the enemy without thought for personal safety. But Kate wasn't a crewman who would blindly follow the admiral's orders at whatever the cost to personal safety. He should have known. Slowly getting to his feet, he reached out, placing his hand on her shoulder and letting her turn into him, her face burying into his shoulder. Gently rubbing her back, he searched for the right words. "I have a bad habit of getting a little wrapped up in things. I tend to get tunnel vision. I'm sorry, Kate. I...I didn't think."

"It's okay," she reassured him, using the back of her hand to dry her eyes. "I know we need to do something."

Still, he wasn't a defeatist by any means. "Is there anything you can do to Lightning Bolt?"

"Do you mean sabotage?" Pulling away from his grasp, she shook her head. "I've got Briere and Carag constantly looking over my shoulder and Carag knows just enough to make him dangerous. I'm afraid any attempt I make would not go unnoticed."

This time it was his turn to pace the room. Shoving his right hand into his pocket, he aired his thoughts in a low, steady voice. "If there was just some way to slide or remove that bolt on the storage locker door. It's not watertight—I can see a trickle of light coming through where the bolt latches and I doubt Briere has anyone posted at the door on a regular basis. If I could get free, I think I could move about undetected and dispose of the others." He could tell immediately she wasn't any keener on this plan than she was on the previous one. He knew he was grasping at straws and both plans were tenuous at best but without Kate's willingness to undermine Lightning Bolt, he was out of ideas. With himself as leverage against Kate, Briere couldn't have been dealt a better hand if he cheated.

"I suppose you might stand a better chance with the element of surprise in your favor."

Her response took him by surprise. "Yes," he nodded. "I would only have to get the jump on either Marco or Karl. One strategic blow with the pivot rod is all I need."

"There are several sets of tools and instruments lying around. Maybe there's something I can find that wouldn't be easily missed."

"If Briere follows the same routine tomorrow, I'll be allowed a morning and afternoon visit to the crew's lavatory amidships on the Lower Deck."

"I pass by there in the morning on my way topside."

"Do you usually have an escort?"

"Yes, but I'm sure I can think of some reason to have to stop." She batted an eyelash.

"Good girl."

"Under the sink?"

"It might be too obvious." He thought for a moment, trying to visualize the small lavatory in his mind. He only came up empty. But wait. "If you could use some of that tape, you could secure it to the underside of the sink…if it's not too big."

A hard knock startled both of them. "Admiral, you've got 5 minutes." It was Karl's indiscernible accent on the other side of the door. "Start saying your good-byes."

"Well," she began, drawing a deep breath, "wish me luck."

"You know I certainly do that." His hand slipped easily around her waist. "Kate, be careful. I don't want you taking any unnecessary risks." He had to admit after her chastising, he was feeling more than a twinge of guilt now. "If you don't think you can do it, don't."

"I've got the easy part," she said standing close to him. "You have to make it all work." They stood together in one final embrace, Kate pressing forward for one more kiss before regretfully letting him go as he edged toward the door. "Take care of yourself, Harry."

He gave what amounted to an inaudible grunt before disappearing into the passageway, Karl trailing behind.

~oOo~

Friday morning began roughly the same way as the previous morning for Kate Manning. Anxious to accomplish her mission, she quickly consumed coffee and toast then claimed much to Briere's delight that she really wanted to get started.

She had moved along anxiously all morning, praying that her nervousness would go unnoticed by either Briere or Carag. Several times she had lingered near the long tray that housed a plethora of instruments and tools, most of which she never knew existed. The entire array made Kate think that Briere had hit a going out of business sale at the local hardware store. He certainly had seen to it that when it came to Lightning Bolt, she wanted for nothing.

Wandering around the accoutrements on the premise of searching for a pair of crimpers, Kate spied two items that just might benefit Harry. The first was something akin to a dental probe. It was long and flat with a strong hook on one end. The second was a pair of Dumont tweezers that bore no resemblance to conventional tweezers. With its wafer thin, extremely durable appearance and highly magnetized structure, Kate reckoned the piece might work nicely on the steel bolt. Coupled with the length of wire in her pocket, she was certain Harry could find some way to make use of the tools. Aware that Carag was hovering nearby, Kate quickly picked up the crimpers she came for, noting the position of the identified tools, and started back to work.

Deeply involved in wiring switches, Kate lost all track of time. The smell of grilled fish wafting up from the galley reminded her that it must be nearly eleven. Anticipating her window of opportunity, she declined the offer to join Briere and Carag for lunch, almost regretting the decision when she realized she really was quite hungry.

Lunch and the banter they exchanged kept Briere and Carag nicely occupied under the blue canopy aft however Kate still had Karl and Marco to worry about. Seeing Karl disappear into the wheelhouse, Kate let out a sigh of relief. Only Marco remained and somehow he didn't concern her as much as Karl did.

Motioning the tall burly man over, Kate quickly formulated a plan. "I need your help on something."

"Mr. Briere wouldn't approve," he hedged.

"I'd ask Carag to do it but he's eating lunch and it's really a vital step if I'm to continue. Do you want to be responsible for delaying this any longer than necessary? I could get Mr. Briere…" She could almost picture his eyes crossing as he tried to focus on what she said.

Weighing her request carefully, he eyed her warily. "What do you want me to do?"

"Just look through this viewer until you see green. I'm going to make a quick adjustment." She noted his hesitation then added, "look, you can keep your gun on me the whole time. I'm going to be right here."

Still unsure but seeing no harm, he let her guide him to the viewer. "Here?"

"That's right," she said. "Just look in there. I'm going to make some minor adjustments and I need you to tell me when you see green." With his eyes safely averted, Kate quickly seized the tools from the table then slightly turned a black knob half a degree.

"It's green," he said, lifting his eyes to find her still standing where he left her.

"Okay, I'm going to move it again. Take another look." With the probe conveniently attached to the magnetic tweezers, she stealthily slipped both items into her boot then moved the knob in the opposite direction so that Marco only saw red. Smoothing out her pant leg, she moved the knob again.

"It's green."

She flashed a beaming smile at Marco. "Thanks, that's all I needed."

Marco moved away, distancing himself from this immense contraption that frankly, scared the hell out of him.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Karl's looming presence several yards away. How long had he been there? An uncontrollable chill ran down her spine as she replayed her movements in her head. He couldn't have seen her, she was sure of it. He might have seen Marco staring into the viewer but Lightning Bolt would have shielded his view of her.

Karl passed a wayward glance in her direction then wandered up to the flying bridge. Settling himself in the single chair, he propped his feet on the railing and leaned his head back, obviously intent on soaking up the afternoon sun.

Kate let out an almost audible sigh of relief.