Chapter 2

Chip waited patiently dockside for the WHOI researchers to arrive. He'd received a call from Darren Fox, the head of security, that they had arrived at the gate and were now being escorted down to Seaview. Spotting the van and NIMR escort vehicle, Chip alerted Sharkey and the deck detail to meet the truck to conduct the requisite inspection and transfer of gear and personnel onto the boat. When the vehicles pulled to a stop, he moved up to meet Darren and greet their visitors.

Darren stepped forward with Dr. Weems in tow. "Commander Morton, this is Dr. Weems from WHOI. Dr. Weems, may I introduce Commander Morton who will be acting as captain on this mission."

Chip extended his hand. "Welcome to NIMR, Dr. Weems. We're looking forward to assisting with your research and having you aboard Seaview."

"Nice to meet you Commander. Wow! I thought I was prepared to see Seaview, but the pictures just don't do her justice. Those windows are incredible," enthused Weems.

Chip and Darren smiled having experienced that reaction numerous times. "Yes, she is quite the belle of the ball, Doctor. Now do you have all of your equipment and personnel with you?"

"Yes, as promised," Weems replied with a smile. "Did Mr. Fox say you are captaining this mission and not Captain Crane? I've read so much about him, I was really looking forward to meeting him and Admiral Nelson."

"Unfortunately Captain Crane had another commitment with the Navy and will be delayed in returning to NIMR. So instead of delaying your mission I will take over in his stead. You'll still be able to meet Admiral Nelson. He'll be by later this afternoon after we've inspected your gear and you've completed the security and safety briefings," Chip replied.

"Inspections? What kind of inspections?" Weems inquired.

"Just SOP Dr. Weems. We inspect all equipment, luggage and personnel before allowing them on board. It ensures that there are no rude surprises like contraband weapons, radios, alcohol, or other prohibited items. It's purely for security reasons. Is that a problem?" Fox expounded.

"No, not at all. It's just a surprise. Seems a little invasive, but I understand completely. We are at your disposal," Weems replied.

"Good deal, then let's get things started. Chief, get the detail started on bringing everything aboard and conducting inspections. Mr. O'Brien please escort the team through security and provide them with the safety and security briefings, then show them their quarters. If you need me I'll be in my cabin finishing up some paperwork," Chip ordered.

"Aye, Sir," Bobby replied and indicated the WHOI crew should follow him to the security checkpoint for screening.

"Thanks for bringing them down Darren, that's all we need," Chip said.

"Sure thing Commander. If you need anything else, just let me know."

(olooo

For the third time in an hour he had to check his impatience and stop his relentless pacing of his cell. He once more forced himself to sit down and peruse the book he had been given. His captors were not overly intelligent in his estimation, but they were observant and would notice the change in his behavior. He couldn't afford to tip them off to the coming events, not that they would be able to put two and two together and come up with the correct answer.

It had been four long years, four interminably long and aggravating years of a life sentence locked away in this festering hole, away from all the pleasures and comforts he had worked for in his life. Only his love of her and his unwillingness to see her destroyed stayed his hand resulting in his incarceration. He had held all the cards but in the end his obsessive love for her was his undoing. All they had to do was threaten her well-being and he had no other choice but to surrender.

He inhaled deeply and let loose a calming sigh envisioning her in his mind. "You will be mine again one day soon my love," he whispered aloud. The bastards hadn't even allowed him a picture of her, he had to be satisfied with only his memory of her in which to take his comfort.

He pushed back across his bunk resting his back against the wall. He mentally played through all the planning and preparation that had happened and would very soon result in his release. Even locked away, he was still a man of means, and means meant freedom even from this prison. He fought hard to bite back the satisfied grin that threatened to spread across his lips as he pictured the shocked faces of Nelson and Crane as they realized how far his reach extended in gaining his revenge for ruining his plans and stealing her away from him.

He would settle with them first, then he would come for her again. He sighed once more. "Soon my dear, very soon," he said softly then closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

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At precisely 0930 the lines were cast off from Seaview's deck and the huge boat gracefully maneuvered away from the dock and began her stately departure from the NIMR facility. Chip Morton was at the helm calling out orders as he directed the boat out past the breakwater to open ocean so they could make their way to their destination. The transit would be short taking less than a day and then they would descend into those reaches of the ocean where light was a foreign invader rebuffed by the tons of water above them.

Once clear of the breakwater Chip turned to his XO, Lt. O'Brien. "All right Bobby, let's get her buttoned up and on our way. Prepare to dive."

"Aye, sir," Bobby replied. He quickly picked up the mic and issued the commands to clear the deck and initiate the actions necessary to dive the boat. Seaview's deck was a flurry of activity as the deck crew insured everything had been stowed and they were ready to slip under the surface.

With the clang of the last hatch being shut and dogged and all dive indicators lit green, Bobby moved to the chart table. "All indicators green, we are ready to dive, sir."

"Very well Mr. O'Brien, dive the boat," Chip replied. "Take us to 300 feet on heading of 268 ahead standard."

"Aye sir. Dive, dive, dive," O'Brien ordered. The dive klaxon immediately sounded and Seaview slipped beneath the waves. "Maneuvering take us to 300 feet on a course of 268 degrees, ahead standard."

"Aye, Mr. O'Brien. Descending to 300 feet, course 268, ahead standard," the helmsman parroted back.

As Seaview moved to her designated depth, Chip walked forward into the nose to join the admiral and their guests from WHOI. He smiled briefly as he watched their expressions of awe as they viewed the ocean beyond through the Herculite windows. Nelson looked up and quickly traded grins with Chip. They had all been witness to this response before and it didn't seem to matter who their passengers were they all reacted the same way.

"Quite a view, isn't it Dr. Weems?" Chip said.

Weems looked up at Chip and smiled. "As I said when I first saw your boat, I thought I was prepared for her grandeur but find myself once again staring like a gape-jawed fool. The view from in here is amazing."

"Well sit back and relax Dr. Weems and enjoy the ride. We'll be transiting to your selected dive site for the next 20 hours," Chip answered.

"Once we arrive on-site, we will do an initial safety survey with our various sensing equipment and if all looks good you can start your dives. Do you have your dive teams all sorted out?" Nelson inquired.

"Outstanding Admiral. Yes, I will be leading the first dive team along with Roberts and Henderson. We'll make the initial survey and determine if the site looks to be a good candidate for exploration. Based on the ROV video, we should be right on top of a large colony of corals."

"As we told you during your in-brief, we will also be sending a diver with you to act as surveillance and overall lead. That should allow you to focus more on what you came to find than constantly scanning the ocean for things that might be out there," Hari replied with a quick smile.

"That's appreciated very much Admiral. We should be able to work that much more efficiently with a guardian angel looking over us," Weems replied and returned Nelson's smile. "I was wondering, are we going to be able to go out in your flying sub and take a look at things at a deeper depth?"

"Not on this mission, Doctor. We're in the process of upgrading the engines on FS-1 to more powerful and efficient models. FS-1 is currently in a deconstructed state, you might say," Nelson answered. "Back to your dives, Captain Morton will be accompanying you out on the first dive. He has the most experience at these depths."

"That's disappointing to hear about FS-1, I was looking forward to getting a look at all your toys, Admiral. I am however very much looking forward to your company, Captain," Weems answered shooting Chip a quick smile. "Well, if you will excuse me, my team and I will adjourn to the lab Admiral, and put the finishing touches on our sample kits."

"Of course, Doctor. We'll keep you apprised as to the progress of our voyage," Harri said as the WHOI group rose and made their way up the spiral staircase.

"Thank you, Admiral, Captain Morton," Weems replied and then followed his team up and out.

After they had left Nelson noticed that Chip didn't seem quite relaxed, almost pensive, if he were to attach a word to the mood he was picking up. "Something wrong, Chip?"

"Huh?" Chip replied, pulled from his contemplation of the WHOI scientists. "What was that sir?"

"I asked if something was bothering you?" Nelson replied with a chuckle. "I swear you looked just like Lee a moment ago."

Chip blushed somewhat at having been caught unawares. "It must be the job sir, but something about this team isn't sitting right. There's just something not quite right about the entire group."

"How so?" Nelson inquired.

"I can't pin it down at the moment, but I think the psychic tingle comes with the captaincy of this vessel," he replied. "They say all the correct things, but there's something about Weems and crew that's just... off."

"Well keep your eyes on them. If you get where you feel entirely uncomfortable with them I want to know. If command of Seaview imbues the captain with such powers, who am I to scoff at them. All too often Lee has been proven right when it comes to his hunches about our guests," Harri responded.

Chip regarded the admiral's expression as he spoke and knew that he was serious in his instructions to him. If it didn't feel right, then most likely it wasn't. He would definitely have to apologize to Lee for acting like a nervous Nellie at times. He was now all too familiar with the unsettling feeling that was creeping up his spine.

(olooo

It had taken nearly six hours for the carnage in front of him to be cleared away and for the traffic to begin moving forward. In that time Lee had formulated another plan to extract himself from the region. Once able to get off the highway, he turned around and headed back to the capital city to find the first train heading south. Given it appeared his presence at the facility had not been detected there was no heightened security evident at the train station as he parked his car.

He made his way into the station and perused the board looking for his way out. His best bet would be to grab a train heading to Russia and then on into eastern Europe. After a few moments of study he found what he needed, there was a train departing in 20 minutes terminating in Moscow. From there he could get another one that would take him to Warsaw and then on to Berlin.

Lee casually strolled up to the ticket counter and requested a ticket to Moscow. He presented his credentials and money and was quickly issued his ticket to ride. He then ambled his way over to the appropriate platform to await his train. He grabbed a paper from the waste can then sat down on a bench to pass the time until the train arrived.

As expected, the train was on-time to the second. There was a quick flurry of activity as passengers climbed off the train and collected their luggage and new passengers got aboard. Once everyone was situated, security forces came aboard and carefully scrutinized the passengers and their travel credentials. An officer and two troops finally arrived at his compartment.

"Ticket and travel papers," he ordered.

Lee quickly removed both from his jacket pocket and passed them over to him. The officer looked over the documents closely then looked at Lee. "Your reason for going to Russia?" he asked tersely.

"I'm going on a few days' holiday. I'm heading to Moscow to see the ballet, visit a couple of museums and just see the sights," Lee replied projecting as much innocence as he could.

"You only purchased your ticket 20 minutes ago, why so late?"

"I got caught up in that huge accident on the highway. I sat there for over six hours, otherwise I would have been here much earlier," Lee answered.

The officer regarded Crane closely for a moment then shoved the ticket and other documents into Lee's passport and handed everything back. "Thank you," Lee said as he accepted his documents and placed them back in his pocket. The officer nodded curtly then turned and left moving to the next compartment.

Once the door had shut and he had heard the officer's progress to the next couple of compartments Lee let loose a quiet, albeit heartfelt sigh of relief. "Step one down, only three more to go," he thought to himself as he settled back into his seat. It would be the better part of three days before he could really even contemplate relaxing once safely across the border into Germany.

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