Yesterweeks
All plans Foley made were tight, calculated, and meticulous. He was planning now. He studied the information before him and considered his options.
Was Messer the one for this mission? Messer was expensive but effective. As he contemplated his assignment and the details known of the Seaview personnel though, Messer stood out as the right choice for this job. Able to appreciate Foley's plans and goals, he could control himself, put the mission goals first, understanding his own desires for the job would be secondary to the mission. Payment for Messer's services was high. The money wasn't an issue; the republic would gladly pay. Messer's involvement had an additional premium on top of the financial payment but his personal style and attention would be an advantage for this operation. There was bound to be one aboard Seaview to fit the bill. Foley started building his plan based on Messer's involvement.
Foley examined the personnel files and reports on Seaview's complement. The first file was on Commander Lee Crane. Some cronies of Nelson's believe Nelson considered him an adopted younger brother, a family member of sorts. Many considered Crane to be Nelson's protégée. Although not a scientific genius like Nelson, he was a man of sharp enough intelligence and decisiveness to be an equal player in their missions and work. He was Captain of the Seaview and reported to have an excellent working relationship with the Admiral. It was indicated that he viewed Nelson as his best friend.
Next was Chief Petty Office Sharkey, while not an intellectual or social equal, apparently he was Nelson's closest friend and confidant, the one he shared his most personal thoughts and secrets with. Sharkey was a man of empathy and integrity, able to maintain the privacy of confidences. He was believed to be extremely loyal to Nelson and also to Crane. That could be an interesting dynamic to work with if necessary.
Lieutenant Commander Morton was a long-term acquaintance and former academy student of Nelson's. He was regarded highly enough by him to be the Executive Officer of Nelson's sub. He ran the day-to-day affairs of Seaview in an exemplary manner and was well liked by both fellow officers and crew.
Captain Crane, Chief Sharkey, and Commander Morton in that order are likely the levers he needed to move Admiral Nelson. One of them would fit the bill for Messer.
If he used Messer for this job then Whelan would also be included. Whelan and Messer were both sadists and dangerous, but they worked well together, each getting different satisfactions from their work. Whelan got his pleasure in devising nasty forms of coercion from his impressive knowledge of historical methods of brutalizing humans as well as his own improvisations. Messer's satisfaction came at the end when he got his payments.
Foley looked at the notes he had made. A couple of words stood out: brother, protégée. He pulled that file and opened it again.