[Of course, I would put our heroine through every clichéd action trope there is!]
The small submersible would have surely been dashed against the moorings if it hadn't been suddenly grabbed by something. Peggy feared her teeth had cracked when her jaw banged shut from being stopped so abruptly.
Looking above, it was difficult to figure out what had seized them. However, it appeared that some sort of giant flexible rubber tubing had wrapped around them multiple times.
Finally, Peggy realized what it was. She stared in shock when the large leathery tentacles tightened further around their tiny sub. The limbs were thicker than a tree stump and as strong as an elephant's trunk. And the suction rings on the appendages were as big as the dinner plates on Howard's yacht.
Peggy didn't know what sort of massive Cephalopod held them, but neither classification appeared beneficial in identifying at the moment.
As it began to shake them, Peggy's reverberated voice yelled, "Bloody Nora, this can't be real!"
A frantic Howard hollered above Jarvis' panicked shrieks, "What? What are you seeing—"
And then the radio abruptly cut out.
The sub's occupants continued to be viciously shaken by the creature. It was so violent that pieces of tinfoil from the vessel's ridiculous disguise fell away as if it was molting.
Peggy felt much like that last coin in a piggy bank. Thank God they had had the presence of mind to keep their seat belts on for this entire seafaring journey.
Finally, the motion stopped, and a woozy Peggy caught her breath. "Mr. Jarvis, are you alright?"
"Just peachy," his over-enthused voice sounded less biting than usual. Frankly, he sounded a bit nauseous.
Peggy began flipping switches, but all she got was silence from the radio, "Can you contact Howard? I can't get through."
"I-I think it's just a loose wire." She heard him moving about the cramped vessel, and then Howard's desperate voice came through the radio. There was some interference, but at least they could talk to him once more.
"Peggy, Jarvis! God, please not again!" He sounded truly horrified that he might have lost his two friends.
Peggy assured, "We're here, Howard."
Relief poured from Howard's words, "Jesus, you nearly gave me a heart attack, Peg."
"Join the club." The shaking started again, and Peggy gritted her teeth so hard that she felt she must have flattened something. After the movement had subsided, she queasily explained, "Howard, it seems that we have made a new, albeit giant friend."
Worry was prevalent in Howard's hesitant tone, "What sort of friend?"
Peggy shrugged to no one, "Of the Cephalopod variety."
Now his reply sounded incredulous, "You either have a giant octopus or squid attacking you? In the Malta harbor?"
When the usual unflappable Jarvis groaned exasperated, Peggy snapped, "No, Howard, it's in the lavatory."
They were further entwined by the thick tentacles that now tried to strangle the tiny vessel. As the metal began to compress around them slowly, the creature pulled the sub in closer.
"I think we are about to get confirmation as to which type of sea creature has us," Peggy sounded as if she was dictating a letter and not trying to hold down her breakfast. As they were quickly drawn toward the monster's head, they finally got their first official look at the Cephalopod.
Unlike the bulbous head of an octopus, this one was long and conical shaped with two small dorsal fins on either side. That meant that the creature was an enormous squid.
Peggy instantly thought of the Jules Verne novel she had read as a child.
The sub was brought up to one of its large near translucent eyes, and it peered at them curiously as it studied this oddly shaped food. In moments, the creature's gaze became a glare of frustration. Peggy imagined that it had taken their original disguise to heart and was now surprised that it no longer held a very appetizing-looking meal.
Jarvis cried forlornly, "Ah, get away, you beastly animal!"
"Shoo, shoo!" Peggy demanded.
All their panicking gestures just seemed to aggravate the squid more. Too late, Peggy realized that it might have dropped them from disinterest if they had stayed quiet and unmoving. Now it realized that there was food inside.
"What do you see?" Howard asked insistently.
"It's a giant squid, Howard," Peggy confirmed and then was shoved back into her seat when they were quickly pulled away. In moments, they were then thrust forward as they were aimed towards the center of the tentacles.
Suddenly the creature's enormous beak was in front of them.
Horrified, Peggy watched as the beak snapped opened and closed as they were propelled toward it. Grimacing, she braced herself. Poor Jarvis had a bird's eye view, and he began shrieking anew.
The front of the sub entered its chomping maw. Things looked dire until the creature crunched down upon the hard metal of the sub's nose. The squid made a muted, pained sound, and the sub was hauled back for a moment.
Since the aquatic monster had been unable to crack them apart like a crab with its mouth, it now tried to swallow them whole instead. Once more, the occupants screamed as they were plunged toward its gaping beak. Thankfully the sub was too big to fit, and both breathed a sigh of relief.
Howard asked, surprised, "A giant squid? Well, what does it want with you?"
Exasperation oozed from Peggy's voice, "It seems to think we are the gooey center of some very hard candy."
Jarvis bemoaned, "Why does it seem that all animals hate me? Did I somehow upset their gods?"
Peggy heard Howard holler over the radio as he confirmed something said by one of the Russians, "What do you mean they can sometimes get up to 50 feet! Don't they prefer colder water? Really? Um, sorry, Peggy, but it seems that your new friend could exist."
"Gee, thanks, Howard. It is not as if it is staring us right in the face."
She heard the leer in his voice, "Hum. Maybe it thinks you are attractive."
Jarvis wailed, "Oh, lord. You don't think it wants to mate with us, Miss Carter?"
"Not helping, Howard! Do you have any armaments on this thing?" As the squid tried to chew them again, Peggy frantically toggled all the switches in front of her, but nothing happened. She then held on as they were quickly yanked away from the creature's mouth.
"No, I removed all the weapons years ago to reverse engineer them for the War. It is solely just an exploratory vessel." He actually managed to sound affronted that she would ask.
Unable to eat them, the hook ends from its two specialized tentacles suddenly clanged ineffectually against the subs steel body. These longer appendages that were normally utilized for hunting darted away.
Once more, the creature's tentacles clenched tightly around their small underwater vessel as it now tried to wring them apart. The sub groaned, and the few interior lights on began to flicker. A desperate Peggy asked, "Well, how long will the hull survive the pressure from this creature?"
"I dunno, Peg. But you've given me an idea." Now in his element, Howard began to spout off directions rapidly, "We can try running an electrical current through the hull. But be careful you might short circuit the main—"
"No time, Howard. Besides, do you really have that much confidence in my electrical prowess?" Peggy said through clenched teeth, and then all the sub's lights went out.
"Ah," Howard replied.
Peggy heard a lot in that one syllable. He must have remembered the last time she had helped him with some wiring. He wouldn't have asked, but it was midnight, and she was the only one still in the office, and, well, Washington DC was still rather mad at them for shorting out half of the city that night.
Howard asked, "Alright, then how about you, Jarvis?"
Jarvis stuttered, "I can try my best, sir."
Before a scared Jarvis could follow Howard's instructions, the squid really started to shake them up.
A nauseous Peggy figured that all that rattling inside must have sounded rather appetizing to the creature. Suddenly, a hairline crack spidered across the canopy's glass. The SSR Agent gulped when water began to seep through.
The squid finally stopped shaking them and went back to constricting the sub. Peggy recalled the story of the baby octopus who had patiently figured out how to open a corked bottle to get to the treasure inside. This aquatic beast might not be that exact creature, but she was sure it had that same evolutionary tenacity.
Suddenly, a metallic rivet shot out of the sub's side, and seawater shot through, spraying Peggy.
She shoved her palm against the hole and hollered, "Howard! We're taking on water!"
Sounding befuddled, the millionaire inventor sounded apologetic, "Um, thinking…. Christ, sorry pal, I got nothing. And you dare not mess with the electricity now. It might fry you to a crisp."
Fed up and out of options, Peggy ordered, "Alright, Mr. Jarvis, put on your diving mask and regulator. It is time to go."
As he did so, a panicked Howard yelled, "No, Peggy, you'll flood the entire compartment. I'll never recover the sub then."
She sighed and then gasped when another tight squeeze made the crack in the window spread across the entire canopy. The trickle became a flow, and already her ankles were underwater.
"The sub's going to sink anyway, Howard. Besides, I am sure you can improve on this model. Much as you always do so well when it comes to any challenge." Sometimes playing up his ego got faster results than arguing with him.
Trying not to sound too boastful, Howard replied, "Ah, true, true. Good point. Okay, well, hurry back! And don't forget the scanner, it's the only one we have left. There's a pack for it and the monitor under the seat."
"Right, got it, Howard. Wish us luck."
"Good luck Peggy. You too, Jarvis! Stay safe," Howard said to his friends, hopeful that this would not be the last time he ever heard from them again.
Zdenka and Dmitri added to his wishes, "Udachi, comrades."
Peggy smiled, "See you soon, signing off."
"Are you sure about leaving, Miss Carter? That creature seems very hungry," Jarvis yelled, his voice warbling from fear.
She shared his concern. They had no weapons to fight it with. They were also deep underwater and in the creature's element. But she would rather face it head-on than be stuck in a confining submersible. "We don't have much choice in the matter, Mr. Jarvis," she countered.
Peggy had barely finished talking when the canopy cracked open from the pressure, and they were instantly inundated with seawater. As the sub's interior was quickly overrun with the murky water, she gasped as the cold liquid poured on top of her.
"Mr. Jarvis, where are you?" Peggy yelled over the deluge. She was met with silence, and she prayed that he had already escaped.
With barely any air left in the canopy, Peggy reached around blindly. Finally finding the air tank's regulator, she put it into her mouth. Then just as fast, she positioned the diving mask over her face.
Once she had shrugged on the straps to the air tank, she grabbed the pouch from under her chair. Seconds later, she had ripped the small monitor free and shoved it in the bag. Quickly, she undid her seat belt.
Seeing the only opening in the canopy shrinking as the tentacles constricted, she squeezed between the monstrous squid's thick limbs and then to freedom.
Just outside of the sub, Peggy frantically looked around for her friend. She was about to risk going back in when she saw Jarvis quickly swimming toward the safety of the dock's pilings. With one less worry to contend with, the agent focused on retrieving the scanner that Howard had hooked to the front of the sub. Surprisingly, she was more irritated than scared that the tentacles were in her way.
As water rapidly filled the underwater craft, it listed downwards. Unsure of how much time she had before the creature realized its prey had escaped, Peggy geared herself up to make the treacherous descent. She had to time this just right.
While the squid fought the losing battle of keeping the heavily flooded vessel in its grasp as it was dragged downwards, Peggy acted. Figuring it was now or never, she used the slick tentacles to pull herself along to reach the front of the sub.
The increasing weight of the flooded vessel was too much for the enormous Cephalopod, so it let go just as Peggy reached her goal. Doing her best to ignore the fear that she might be crushed between the swiftly approaching seafloor and the nose of the sub, she hurried. She barely managed to unlatch the scanner, and placed it into the pack.
With hardly any time left, she pushed herself clear just before the nose of the flooded sub struck the murky seafloor. While the downed vessel's rear was coming to rest on the sandy ground, Peggy hooked the pack to her suit.
The giant squid must have seen that its food had left its protective shell because it suddenly flowed toward Peggy. Anticipating its next meal, the creature opened up. Its puckered tentacles flexed outwards like a deadly pink flower. Sensing its prey was underneath, the creature's multiple limbs primed to collapse upon her.
Horrified, Peggy dived toward the sunken sub. Barely making it, she reached the underwater craft. Ducking down, she flattened herself on the seafloor just as the giant body folded around them. The center beak chomped, but it only tasted metal. Frustrated, the aquatic beast flung the offending submarine out of its way.
Now there was nothing between Peggy and the hungry creature. Before it could get a bead on her, she dashed to the closest pier pilings. She knew she could not out-swim the squid if she tried for the surface.
Seeing that its meal was getting away, the squid's two specialized tentacles whipped out in fury toward her.
Peggy tried to ignore the menacing hooks and suckers ringed with teeth that swirled and darted at her. Just as these two longer feeder tentacles came in to stab her, she dodged out of the way in time. Just missing her, they instead struck the seafloor. This caused the silt and sand from the ground to fly upwards, obscuring her position. Using that to her advantage, the SSR Agent pressed onwards.
Ahead, Peggy saw the dock pylons nearing, and she swam harder.
Undeterred, the squid used its two dorsal fins and effortlessly propelled itself after her. Being in its element, the sea creature was quickly gaining. In moments, it would be upon her.
The aquatic monster knew its quarry would never escape in time, and it greedily reached for its meal in anticipation. But just before it could grab her, a muffled commotion momentarily distracted the giant Cephalopod.
As Peggy desperately swam toward safety, her periphery saw that Jarvis had released a massive burst of air from his tanks. The considerable amount of bubbles being dispelled had worked, but only temporarily. The leviathan once more doggedly pursued the agent.
Luckily it was all the time she needed. Peggy ducked around a tall post just as the longer barbed tentacles jabbed at her again. They easily slammed through the rotted post, and Peggy quickly retreated to a thicker piling.
Having not skewered its food, the specialized appendages now rooted around Peggy's hiding spot, more determined than ever to find her.
As it groped blindly between the posts, Peggy quickly swam deeper among the aging docks. Soon she was using the stout timber columns to keep the sinewy appendages from seizing her. Finally, she lost it among the rotting pylons, but the agent doubted she would stay safe for long.
Hiding within the tall shadows of the wooden supports, Peggy held her breath. She feared that releasing bubbles from her regulator would attract the creature back toward her. But all the exertion to lose the squid made her heart pound. All she wanted so desperately to do was suck in the bottled air that was strapped to her back.
But it was still too risky, for the monstrous squid continued swimming nearby, refusing to give up the chase. Thankfully her tactic worked, and it finally moved further away from her location.
Temporarily free from danger, Peggy allowed herself to exhale slowly. Taking her gaze off the tenacious giant sea creature, she looked around her surroundings. She had to find Jarvis.
When she noticed a string of bubbles rising from behind an adjacent wooden post, she sighed in relief.
As Peggy swam toward him, she had to approach him from the rear. Otherwise, the squid would have seen her. So, as cautiously as possible, she tapped his arm. Startled, he flinched and spun around.
Peggy quickly raised her index finger to her lips, indicating to be quiet. She feared that any sudden burst of bubbles or sound could alert the squid to their location.
Jarvis already realized this and tiredly nodded. She inquired about his health with a raised eyebrow, and he signaled that he was alright. By the look of him, he seemed rather resigned that such things continued happening to them.
Suddenly she shoved him further into the darkened shadows when the squid flowed effortlessly past.
They couldn't stay hidden forever. Eventually, they would run out of air.
The decision was made for them when the creature began probing blindly around the wooden support columns with its barbed tentacles. Peggy cringed when those specialized appendages came nearer and nearer.
They had run out of options.
With an impulsive plan in mind, Peggy handed Jarvis the bag that held the devices. She then indicated for him to stay put. When one of the longer tentacles got too close, she swatted back the hooked ends, knocking it away from Jarvis.
Her ploy worked. Suddenly the feeler pulled back as if it had been stung, and then both specialized tentacles lunged toward her. She dodged them and swam serpentine between the decaying wooden dock moorings surrounding her.
The squid charged after its fleeing meal.
Aiming for the stone wall that the docks were attached to, Peggy kept to the tighter spaces. She hoped that this would slow down the creature's relentless pursuit. The agent ducked, bobbed, and weaved. But each time she darted away, the giant squid's specialized tentacles came perilously closer to stabbing her.
Knowing she had to change tactics, Peggy now crisscrossed throughout the pier's pilings, doing her best to tie the jabbing tentacles into knots. Soon the cramped underside of the wooden dock was thick with overlapping tentacles.
Believing it stuck, Peggy emerged from the darkened shadows to join Jarvis under the wooden supports. After sharing a grin of relief, they began to make their way between the open pilings to safety.
Unsurprisingly, the determined squid would not be denied.
Desperate, the giant creature began to stuff its massive body between the cramped timber supports in an attempt to unravel itself. As its pliable body squeezed through, the wooden pilings and posts groaned in protest as they were pushed outwards.
All the Axis power's artillery bombardment from years prior had weakened and damaged the wooden docks, for they began to collapse around the escaping Peggy and Jarvis.
There were only two options: swim faster or be crushed as more heavy debris was knocked free. Peggy motioned for Jarvis to now angle toward the surface. They would still be too close to the toppling docks and the hungry squid, but they had little choice now.
The anxious Jarvis surged toward the churning water above without any prodding. Peggy took the rear position to ensure that she was still the squid's target should it suddenly get clear.
Following Jarvis, she met him on the turbulent watery surface. Around them, the surrounding docks shuddered, quaked, and groaned as the giant squid fought to get free. The water reacted to the violence, and waves formed because of it.
Peggy doubted they had much time until the creature freed itself. Sure enough, ducking below, she saw the giant squid flexing its tentacles, now more intent on ripping the docks apart to escape.
The waters became choppier as the docks suddenly began collapsing around them. Any minute, Peggy feared a tentacle would reach up and yank them back under. Judging that they did not have time to make it to the unaffected stone waterfront on either side of them, she frantically looked around for a closer safe haven.
She then noticed that the harbor's unexpected rough seas had drawn a crowd onto the concrete side of the harbor. The onlookers stood pointing and gasping as another section of the old pier was wrenched under the waves. They were running out of docks.
As they bobbed on the rolling surface, Peggy saw that there were not many boats moored to the surrounding wooden docks. Only a lone fishing trawler had stayed behind, which was their closest salvation. It was a small vessel with a large fishing rig in the back that held a few nets and was named "Warlock."
She did not know why it had not gone out with the others and silently prayed that it was because the owner was sick and not that there was anything wrong with it. Alas, desperate times and all meant they could not be choosy. They had to get out of the water now.
Removing her regulator, she pointed at the trawler. "There," Peggy said and indicated for them to sneak onto the nearby moored fishing vessel.
While a waterlogged Jarvis gagged on water and followed behind her, she swam over to the rear of the small trawler and pulled herself onboard.
Heaving himself over the lip of the boat, Jarvis then collapsed onto the wooden floor.
Scooting forward on all fours, Peggy quickly made her way to the front of the old vessel. She kept low so as not to be spotted by spectators or the possible owner.
Peggy glanced at the control panel as she shrugged off her air tank apparatus. Triumphant, she found the keys in the ignition and twisted them on.
Jarvis crawled over when the boat sputtered awake and whispered, "Do you really think this is such a great idea?"
She cheekily grinned at him, "Well, I am still trying to win the crown for Miss Impulsive 1948."
The old engine gurgled, and black smoke coughed from the exhaust port. Hearing the dreadful noise that came from the motor, it was just as Peggy feared. But it was too late now, and at least the boat was somewhat functional. Though for how long was anyone's guess.
As the plumes of smoke became lighter in color, Jarvis asked, "But what about the blockade?"
"One problem at a time," she muttered over her shoulder to him.
Fearful that they had alerted the onlookers, Jarvis surreptitiously glanced over the rail. He noticed that no one was looking their way except for one individual that gaped at them in surprise.
On the waterfront behind them, a shocked Professor Spencer shouted, "Hey, where'd you two come from!"
Peggy winced and saw Spencer marching onto the last section of battered wooden docks toward their moored boat. As he pointed a shaking finger at them, he bellowed, "You don't belong here."
Goosing the engine, Peggy ground out, "Sorry, Professor, but we can't stay and chat. Oh, and you might not want to stand there. Maybe try firmer ground over there." She nodded to where all the spectators stood.
Outraged, he demanded, "Don't tell me what to do!" Spencer was about to call further attention to them when the docks he was standing on violently shook. He then screamed when the wooden platform exploded under his feet. Luckily, he was flung to the safety of the concrete waterfront.
Groggily sitting up, the dazed Professor fainted when the enormous enraged Cephalopod reared up from the water. Its thick tentacles waved dangerously in the air.
The giant squid was royally pissed off!
Instantly, the once stunned onlookers screamed and then scattered.
Fearful it might turn on the panicking crowd, Peggy hurled her scuba tank at the creature. It ineffectually bounced off its mantle, but it did what she had intended.
Pushing effortlessly through the water toward them, the angry squid then grabbed onto the back of their fishing trawler. Jarvis shrieked, and Peggy nearly did the same as the massive sea monster dragged part of its heavy body onto the boat. The rear of the trawler began to sink under the creature's immense weight.
As the boat angled downwards, Jarvis found himself sliding toward the chomping beak of the squid. Panicking, he grabbed onto the side rail of the boat. As his footing continued to slip on the wet floorboards, he feared that he would soon find out what it would be like to be eaten by a giant parakeet.
He groaned morbidly, "Oh, I know this is revenge for Bernard."
"What, that flamingo?" Peggy asked as she frantically toggled all the switches on the control panel. But still, the boat would not move forward. Then she saw the problem and indicated for Jarvis to untie the rope that anchored them, "If you would be so kind, Mr. Jarvis!"
He looked at her incredulously and blanched white. But with little choice in the matter, he slid closer to the stern where the squid was so he could unfasten them. Finally reaching the cleat, he hurriedly unwound the rope. Suddenly Jarvis had to duck a flung tentacle. Quickly he began to climb his way back to the main controls and Peggy.
As the heavy squid clambered further onto the sloping vessel, seawater cascaded into the rear engine compartment, and more smoke billowed from the motor.
Frustrated, Peggy still could not get the damn boat to move.
A panicked Jarvis scrambled over and shoved the throttle forward.
Instantly the trawler kicked into gear, and they took off. Though it wasn't as fast as Howard's speedboat, the sudden propulsion had the unprepared squid sliding almost completely off. Most of it was now submerged with only the tips of the tentacles still clinging on.
Peggy held tight while Jarvis pushed the boat to its limits. The squid's weight slowed them down, and she watched as it determinedly began lifting itself back on board. She thought for sure it would have given up by now.
Then a nasty thought occurred to her, and she shook her head at the obviousness of it. She explained her concerns to Jarvis, "I'm beginning to believe that all these overgrown beasties were put deliberately in our way. First, we faced that giant crocodile, and now this. They have to be part of the test. Why else would it attack us but never any other boats over the years? Our tinfoil disguise couldn't have been that appealing to eat. We must have triggered it into action somehow."
Jarvis sniffed dramatically, "Yes, you raise a good point."
Regardless of these ramifications, they still had to do something about this fleshy anchor they pulled behind if they hoped to get past the naval barricade. Unfortunately, at the moment, Peggy didn't know how to do so.
As they cruised past a few other moored vessels, citizens and tourists looked at them in surprise. Some yelled and pointed at their fleeing craft.
Ignoring their gestures, Peggy realized they must have seemed rather suspicious motoring this fast while still in their wetsuits. Well, that and the determined massive squid that tagged along.
Quickly looking in one of the side bins, she discovered some old navy peacoats and shrugged into one. She then put on a knitted cap that she had found in the pocket and tucked her wet hair under it—no reason to call any more attention to them. Again, enormous aquatic creature hooked to their boat notwithstanding.
She then draped another coat over Jarvis' shoulders, and he nodded his thanks to her. They were almost out from between the 'middle finger' of the Grand Harbour, and he began to turn them toward the island's main channel.
As if sensing that they were leaving its habitat, the squid reacted. Suddenly the sea monster wrapped its tentacles around the netting supports at the rear of the trawler and began to haul itself forward. Now firmly on board, the squid waved its two specialized tentacles around dangerously and furiously snapped its beak at its prey.
Jarvis yelped, horrified, and Peggy knew he was once more reminded of Stark's beloved pet flamingo gone amok.
Quelling her fears, Peggy turned to face the advancing giant squid. If they had to beat this huge Cephalopod somehow to pass the test, then it was best that she got started. Grabbing a pole that had a hook at the end for dragging in the nets, Peggy waded into battle.
On the lead HMS Naval ship bridge, Admiral Marcus Addington continued to scan the Malta harbor. Noticing a small military craft racing toward them from Fort St Elmo, he lowered his binoculars in apprehension. Soon it pulled alongside them, and the Admiral gnashed his teeth together when he spied who exited the utility boat.
Agent Smith had just boarded and was being led directly to him. In a few minutes, Smith entered the bridge as if he owned it.
The Admiral glared at the CIA agent, who reacted nonplused by the harsh scrutiny. Tougher men had tried to stare him down and had failed.
Cheerfully, Smith prodded, "So, how goes the blockade, Admiral."
Admiral Addington's crisp voice barked at the warship's Captain, "Well, answer the man."
With the usual British aplomb, the Naval officer replied, "Sir, so far, no one has attempted to run the blockade."
Smith nodded and smirked at the Admiral, who then pulled him aside so as not to be overheard, "Yes, the blockade is working, but the Malta government is none too pleased. It seems that a lot of rich tourists want to be on their way to their next vacation spot."
Curiosity piqued, Smith asked, "Does one happen to be the owner of 'The Heavy Tipper?'"
"How in the bloody hell would I know," the Admiral spat. Dutifully the other officers pretended to be too preoccupied to look his way.
Smith waved him off. Picking up the binoculars, he mumbled as he looked out at the harbor, "It doesn't matter. I just came from the island, so I know they hadn't gotten there before you. They must still be stuck out at sea." But knowing his opponent's ingenuity, a peculiar thought struck him, and he asked, "Tell me, your SONAR hasn't picked up anything odd, right."
"Nothing," the Admiral automatically stated but added, "Though earlier there had been an odd large fish swimming into the harbor."
"What?" Smith replied dangerously.
The Admiral shrugged and explained, "Yes, it seemed wounded or dying, so we let it be."
Smith exhaled loudly and counted to ten. He then added more numbers when he reached the end. Finally calm enough to speak, he hissed, "What about my orders to not let anything through."
The Admiral seemed to take pleasure in stating, "You said vessels, and that clearly was not one."
Smith rubbed his temples as if trying to banish his suddenly formed headache. Crushing the pressure points fiercely, he enunciated, "I had meant anything that was not normal."
"Well, you see, we only follow the exact order," the Admiral said so sweetly that Smith feared he might go into diabetic shock.
The Captain yelled and pointed toward the harbor, "Admiral, advancing boat off the port side!"
Instantly they raised their binoculars and gaped at what was chugging at them. A fishing trawler was making its way determinedly through the harbor and did not appear to be slowing down. If it continued its present speed and course, it would exit the harbor in less than ten minutes and would be upon them.
The Admiral hoped those fishermen were not foolhardy enough to challenge the blockade. He already had enough innocent blood on his hands, as it were.
