Dawning

Present time (Start of the fourth year of Captain Crane's command of Seaview)

Lee Crane, the Captain of Seaview, the largest and only civilian-owned nuclear submarine, winked at Angie, the Admiral's secretary. Then he knocked on Admiral Nelson's office door at the Nelson Institute of Marine Research (NIMR). He paused briefly then walked in.

"Ah, Lee. There you are. Thanks for coming. You remember Dr. Brand?" Nelson smiled at Captain Crane as he made the introduction.

"Of course. It's a pleasure to see you again Dr. Brand." Captain Crane stepped forward to clasp Dr. Brand's hand.

Brand smiled at Captain Crane as they shook hands then replied, "It seems I will be sailing with you again, Captain Crane. Hopefully it will be smoother sailing this time.

Crane smiled and tipped his head toward Brand, "Let's hope so, Doctor."

Crane figured there had been enough smiles already so he questioningly gave Nelson the tiniest questioning frown. Why hadn't the Admiral informed him of a potential mission before the client showed up?

Dr. Brand was the scientist who had invented a robot that collected data on outer space. A few years back Seaview was assigned the task of retrieving the space capsule containing his robot when it splashed down. Unfortunately, the robotic programming malfunctioned. Dr. Brand had given the robot a personality and emotions that had run amok and turned the robot into a killing machine. The resulting chaos saw several lives lost and Seaview herself in jeopardy before they successfully eliminated the robot.

Despite his slight irritation with his boss Crane was a consummate professional and was determined to act like one now. With polished courtesy he asked, "How can Seaview and my crew assist you?"

Nelson took up the explanation at this point. "Lee, Dr. Brand has a contract with the Space Exploration Agency (SEA) to supply one of his 'astronauts' for an android-manned space flight. It will collect data on deep space radiation levels as well as data from the humanlike sensory instruments he has developed for his androids." Nelson's lips curved in a twisted smile at Lee's guarded blink of surprise. "I know, Lee. His last cruise with us was a bit fraught but hear us out."

"Aye, sir." Lee was displaying his very professional demeanour but his eyes were telling Nelson he was not happy with the information provided so far.

Nelson couldn't really blame him. If something went wrong on one of their missions Lee personally, as captain in command of the vessel, held the ultimate accountability for safety of crew and ship. Lee's eyes were saying he didn't like where this was going already and was leery of where it might ultimately take them all.

Nelson gave him a tiny frown. Couldn't Lee at least listen before passing judgment?

Crane saw the frown and his own face hardened just a bit. He realized that Nelson was more than intrigued by their possible involvement and had already made his decision about the project. It made his job even harder if Nelson had already committed them before briefing his Captain. When that happened, as it sometimes did, it made for strained relationships during the mission.

While on scientific projects Captain and Admiral each had their own differing justifications for actions taken or avoided. It looked like the Admiral had already fallen for this mission hook, line and sinker. Crane sighed internally but his command face didn't show his apprehension to anyone but Nelson who could read him like a book.

Nelson frowned at Lee again a bit more openly this time then carried on. "Commander we will be much more involved this time as Dr. Brand will do all the final programming of the robotic space passenger on Seaview just before the launch. In addition, I have arranged for Delambre Electronics (DE) to supply the chips for the memory banks."

Crane looked up sharply at that. Very few people knew that DE could track the advanced electronic parts they made using the military's satellite network but he and Nelson knew. Dr. Brand certainly did not know.

Nelson was already just a tiny bit irritated by Lee's frowns. He used Crane's rank instead of the courtesy title of Captain to inform Crane he was a bit ticked off by his reactions up to this point.

Hearing the use of his rank Lee sighed internally again. Damn, this was no way to start off. He would have to toe the line and justify every single decision regarding his running of the boat to the Admiral moving forward.

Crane was determined that no matter what Dr. Brand wanted Seaview to do this time, they would keep Brand's work in check for everyone's wellbeing. At least with DE parts in the robotic body they could have DE track where a robot was if it got away from them, although whether DE could pinpoint it to a particular area of the sub was questionable. Tracking might not be precise enough to locate it within the confines of Seaview. Their previous tragic experience with a Brand robot had involved losing track of the robot when it 'woke up' and it had rampaged through Seaview wreaking havoc as it went.

Thinking to get the conversation onto less problematic territory Crane asked, "Where will the launch take place, sir?"

"From Seaview. We will be the platform for an underwater launch. Shouldn't be a problem, we've done it before."

Lee's face took on an even chillier cast. They had recently participated in an underwater spacecraft test launch for SEA and although the launch was technically successful, one could say that the project itself had not gone smoothly. The technical complexity of underwater spacecraft launching was extremely high.

"As I recall we experienced loss of trim during that launch, sir. That will need to analysed and corrected before we can attempt another underwater launch. What is the time line for this?" Crane asked with foreboding. The Admiral and Dr. Brand were both looking far too impatiently excited, like kids waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve.

"You and Chip can start the analysis and give me your report. I'm sure we can come up with a solution."

"Aye, sir."

Nelson turned to Dr. Brand. "When exactly is the launch to be? We'll have to work with the Captain, and SEA of course, to build our project plan back from the launch date and time."

"Of course, I understand, Admiral. The launch is to be in five weeks exactly."

Crane tried to not let the cringe of incredulity show but he was pretty sure Nelson saw it. "We had to do a massive amount of refitting to accommodate that SEA launch," Crane pointed out. "And the launch equipment has all been dismantled."

"Mm, hmm. Right. As I've already mentioned, Lee. We've done it before; we should be able to trim a huge amount of time off this refit since we have the equipment already in storage here at the Institute and we know how it all goes together. We can tweak the original project plan and incorporate the changes necessary for this launch."

"Five weeks is still an extremely tight schedule, sir. The refit requires dry dock facilities."

Nelson looked over at his Captain with a quelling look. "I have already inquired and there is an opening available. We need to get Seaview there immediately." Nelson, seeing the thunderclouds forming in his Captain's countenance at that comment, softened the tone for his next remark. "It's a bit tight but I am convinced that Seaview and her crew can meet that deadline, Lee."

Crane bristled. Not only had the Admiral committed them without discussing the project he had agreed to the seemingly impossible time line. On their last mission with Dr. Brand Nelson had joked that Brand was as excited and impatient as an expectant father. Crane realized that Brand's new project had somehow inspired the Admiral and instilled that same excited impatience in him as well.

He inwardly sighed. He would have to work hard to keep it from being 'one of those' missions.

"Lee, I have to be honest. I did not like your reactions to Dr. Brand's project."

"Yes, sir. I'm sorry, sir." Crane was standing in Nelson's office not at all at ease, but the project was a go and Seaview was required, he would have to suck it up and be the exemplary commanding officer. "Admiral I was taken by surprise. And if we're being honest, I'm disappointed you didn't inform me beforehand that this was already on our plate."

Nelson looked at his Captain and realized he hadn't explained the situation adequately.

"Lee this is not my decision. Vice Admiral Dodd has pulled Seaview back into commission and this is now a Navy mission in co-operation with SEA. Dodd is not just in charge of the overall Navy involvement he is also a very good friend of Dr. Brand's. We simply do not have a choice."

Nelson looked at Crane keenly. "You're right though, I should have let you know this was in the pipeline. I knew several weeks ago that it was a possibility but I didn't have any details or the timeline until today so that's not really relevant now. Your job is to make Seaview ready and then carry out the mission we have. Also, you will co-ordinate the Navy resources that are available to us if manpower is an issue."

After a noticeably long and uncomfortable delay during which Crane's eyes gave the Admiral one of his piercing glares, "Aye, sir."

Harry frowned just a tiny bit. He wasn't overly happy with Lee's hesitation especially as Crane normally was a very willing participant in Seaview's extraordinary opportunities. Maybe he should try a different tack. He was incredibly impressed with how Dr. Brand's work had progressed in the intervening years since their last mission with him. Perhaps he could make Lee understand.

"Lee this robot, or android as Dr. Brand is calling his work now, and the launch are the result of a remarkable amount of research and development that Dr. Brand has incorporated into his previous robotic work. What you saw of his work before is very rudimentary compared to what he is working on now." Nelson paused to see if Lee was grasping his passion for Brand's new improved work.

"You probably remember the android, Omir, developed by Dr. Paul Ward."

Lee nodded with narrowing eyes. Omir had tried to kill him. It wasn't a good memory nor did it instil reassurance.

"Dr. Brand has acquired the research notes and technology schematics that Dr. Ward used for his work. You will recall that Omir was destroyed by an excess of energy entering into the photo sensory cells that provided his equivalent of sight."

Lee nodded again. He remembered that vividly.

"When Dr. Brand first mentioned to me months ago that he was continuing his work, I suggested that he incorporate the same photo sensory cells in any new creations, not just for their sensory information but to provide a failsafe way of shutting the robot down if it malfunctioned."

While Admiral Nelson had not been aboard Seaview on that mission, he had read the reports and debriefed Captain Crane after that encounter with Omir. "Brand has done that and should a robot run amok aboard Seaview, all we would have to do to shut it down is shine a powerful laser beam into its eyes."

Lee scoffed. In his opinion it was rarely that easy to deal with science experiments gone awry.

Nelson sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. Lee was not in an accepting mood right now. He should have approached this whole thing differently. Nevertheless, the mission was theirs whether Lee liked it or not.

Nelson's enthusiasm carried on like a run-away freight train. "Brand was able to acquire all the research that was salvaged from Dr. Ulrich's work as well. An amazing amount of his work was not destroyed."

He watched as his Captain not only squirmed in distaste but also briefly twisted away in anger at that comment. Dammit this was not going well.

"Brand has incorporated a lot of the memory transfer capability he garnered from Dr. Ulrich's work on cybernetic organisms. His new robot, or android as we should now call it, will look as human as Ward's android and have a real person's existing knowledge downloaded into it like Ulrich's cyborgs did."

Nelson paused but Crane had nothing to say. Nelson figured Lee was either saving all his rationalizations for the end of Nelson's harangue or he was so angry he would blow shortly.

Nelson changed to a much more conciliatory tone to continue. "Dr. Brand has the benefit of all that additional research and we have all learned a lot about managing computerized intelligence since his previous mission with us."

Crane's hands down at his sides started to clench.

Nelson continued, "Since Dr. Ulrich's cyborgs started to develop autonomy as the cyborgs 'learned' about the world around them, we consider it best and safest to reduce the amount of time the newly programed android interacts with humans before the launch. The fewer interactions the less likelihood of it developing unwanted emotional reactions or its own powers of reasoning prior to the launch.

"With all these safeguards in place I don't see that there will be any problems. I'm quite excited to see the advances he's made. Of course, all that additional equipment needs to be loaded aboard, installed, tested, and ready as well."

Crane inwardly shuddered. Nelson was setting himself up as Dr. Brand's champion.

"But why the rush, sir? Five weeks is a brutally challenging timeline."

Now Nelson was just plain exasperated with his Captain. "Lee, I am surprised that you would even ask that. You must know that the launch date is based on the earth's position in the solar system at that time. We won't get the same planetary alignment for decades. It has to be in five weeks. That's all there is to it."

The Captain's hands were tightly clenched now with stiff arms held rigidly to his sides. Crane's body language was screaming the protests he couldn't voice. He needed to get out of here before he blew up and said things he would regret. Without a 'by your leave' or single word Crane pivoted one hundred eighty degrees and strode out of the office slamming the door behind him.

Nelson scoffed and with a wry upward twitch of his lips turned away to pace and rub his chin thoughtfully. He'd need to let Lee calm down, then placate his Captain considerably before he told him the rest; that Vice Admiral Dodd might be sailing with them.

In the weeks preceding putting to sea

The mission required a massive amount of refitting and assembly in both the missile room, and the main storage compartment. The missile room would house the launch and android programming equipment, and the main storage compartment the communication and spacecraft tracking equipment. Those spaces were the only ones on Seaview large enough to build up the equipment required.

The project plan was tightly constructed with the deliverables and dependencies thoroughly mapped out. The logistics were complicated and labour intensive. Fortunately, between NIMR, SEA and Navy personnel there were plenty of workers. Crane and Morton between them would oversee all the work done aboard Seaview. They would also conduct an analysis of the trim issues experienced with their previous underwater SEA launch and formulate their recommendations to the Admiral. Whatever solution the Admiral came up with, would also need to be in place in time for the launch.

Morton was feeling rather caught in the middle with the Admiral's enthusiasm running rampant like a wildfire and the Captain's uncharacteristic pessimism stifling like a cold, wet blanket. As Executive Officer it was Chip's job to get everything done and that necessitated managing both the Admiral and the Captain.

Unfortunately, for some reason Lee and the Admiral were not seeing eye-to-eye on this mission. Lee was unusually negative about the project. Chip wondered if Lee was still bothered by the death of astronaut Major Bob Wilson. Bob hadn't been aboard Seaview, at the time of his death, he had been on Venus, but that didn't stop Lee feeling responsible. The launch had been from Seaview and although Bob was SEA personnel he had really meshed with the crew while aboard Seaview prior to the launch. In fact, the entire crew had all taken it hard. It was too recent for the emotional wounds to have scabbed over and here they were preparing for another launch. At least there wouldn't be any live people on the flight.

Chip sighed tiredly as he strode to the missile room his last conversation with Lee still circling in his mind.

"Chip, I'm worried about the Admiral." Chip and Lee had been at the conference table in the observation nose going over their checklists." He's been burning the candle at both ends and he seems completely under Dr. Brand's finger when it comes to this mission. He keeps pressing to expand the scope of the project and … well … there just isn't time to add more." Crane tsked and tapped the pencil in his hand against his chin as he thought. "I don't know. I keep trying to remind him of the limits but then he looks at me like I just killed his puppy or something." Lee sighed. "Then I feel like a real heel for bursting his balloon."

"You're walking a tightrope, Lee. From what I can see the project is a really big deal for Dr. Brand. With all the new technology he has incorporated into his android, of course the Admiral is excited." Chip gave his friend a faint smile. "It does put you in a bit of a bind though doesn't it. Better you than me, you know."

Lee had abruptly dropped the pencil, while pushing back from the table and standing up. He had grabbed the checklist he needed next from the reams on the table, rolled it up and had headed up the spiral stairs. He had sarcastically called back over his shoulder, "And thank you for that, Mr. Morton."

Chip sighed after Lee left. Dammit. He certainly hadn't helped his Captain and now he was kicking himself. Lee had taken that comment the wrong way. Chip hadn't intended to alienate him but it seemed he had. He grabbed his lists and strode aft. Lee was really keeping it together so far but he could tell Lee really was worried. That meant that Chip needed to worry too.

As he headed to the missile room to get Sharkey's latest update Chip reviewed his own checklists.

In addition to all the normal logistics of cruise preparation, Seaview would need to be frequently resupplied during the mission. With the missile room and main storage area not available there was simply not enough storage space for the normal provisioning for a crew of hundred and twenty-five not to mention the visiting scientists and SEA personnel. Orchestrating those resupplies was over and above all the other logistics items on Morton's plate.

He felt just about ready to drop himself and he was sensing that he would need to pay a bit of extra attention to both the Admiral and Lee moving forward.

One week to putting to sea

With two weeks to spacecraft launch the heavy spacecraft launch installation work was complete. Seaview was back at Santa Barbara. Lee and Chip were both almost at the brink of exhaustion since one or the other of them had needed to be available 24/7 to oversee the dry dock details working on the refits and installations.

With the time crunch now really biting, the device for loading computer programs and transplanted memory information into the android was still awaiting assembly in the missile room.

Once the android programing was downloaded and activated; robotic arms would immediately convey the android into the capsule. To reduce the likelihood of the android's human reactions developing too quickly into autonomous thoughts there would be no delay between programming and launch. Once the programming started no human intervention was required.

Lee was sitting at the desk in his cabin going over the technical manuals for the very disturbing memory transfer technology gleaned from International Bionics.

The more Lee learned of the memory download experimentation the more he worried about what Seaview was getting into. Didn't the Admiral harbour any concerns about the use of technology that had replicated his own memories and used them against them?

Lee absentmindedly rubbed the scar on his right forearm where the Nelson cyborg had shot him, as if the thoughts in his mind had caused the old scar to pull and itch. He dragged his fingers away from it when he realized what he was doing and sighed.

At least the android in this mission did not have organic components. That eliminated the ethical questions about launching a cyborg with living tissues into space. What about a human's memories? Was that ethical?

A troubling question in Lee's mind was the potential of the device to not just copy memories from a human to an android, but if he understood the research notes and technical manuals he had poured over, those memories could be quite literally sliced right out of the human donor and transplanted into the android.

Lee just couldn't believe that Nelson, who had experienced that knowledge copy process firsthand, could endorse a device that could transplant the entire knowledge and memories of a person's lifetime wholesale into an android.

If what he read in the technical manuals was correct the device could do that. Only the flip of a single toggle switch determined if a donor's memories were simply copied or permanently and irreversibly transplanted.

Another troubling aspect was the lack of identification of the memory donor. The project documentation was not forthcoming with that information.

Shaking his head at the vagaries of scientific researchers he grabbed the manuals and headed to the nose to talk to the Admiral.

Crane approached the conference table in the nose where Nelson was ruminating over specification sheets, slide rule in hand. The Admiral finished manipulating the slide rule to his satisfaction then looked up. He didn't appreciate having to bring his mind back from his computations and the irritation furrowed his brow just slightly.

"What is it, Lee?"

"Admiral, could we go over the memory transfer information please."

Nelson's eyes were drawn back to the trim tank sensor specs he had been reviewing. "Are you saying the crew is unable to do the installation?"

"No, sir, they can do it, but … " He paused.

"Out with it, Lee. I don't have all day."

"The device specifications appear to include additional controls not needed for the project as stated, sir. I would like to clarify the purpose of those controls."

Nelson dropped his slide rule and braced his two hands on the edge of the conference table. "Lee, it is your job to get the equipment installed not question Dr. Brand's research."

"That may be so, sir, but for the safety of my boat and crew I would like to understand what exactly the installed components will do."

"I think, Captain, that your best course of action right now is to get the damn equipment installed."

Crane stiffened to attention and blinked once in astonishment.

Nelson suddenly seemed to realize that he was yelling at his Captain. He sighed. "I'm sorry, Lee." He paused for thought. "Let's carry on and when Dr. Brand comes aboard we can discuss any issues you may have with him. He's the one that can best explain his work and equipment."

"Aye, sir." Nelson noticed that Crane was still standing ramrod straight so he knew he wasn't happy, but he pointedly picked up his slide rule and returned his gaze to the specs.

After a moment Crane turned and walked away, he glanced back once as he headed to the aft hatch.

Nelson sighed. Dammit he hadn't handled that well. The time pressure must be getting to him. He decided that later he would have to drag Lee to his cabin for a drink by way of apology.

Admiral Cary Dodd smiled to himself. He glanced up from the letter in his hand privately thrilled. He had never been aboard Seaview before and now he had his chance. He wondered how his inclusion had gone down with the Seaview's owner. Perhaps he should call Nelson himself to test the waters. That might mitigate Nelson's reaction to the inclusion of an Admiral who actually had nothing at all to do with the project.

His very good friend Dr. Brand was enthusiastic about the newest aspects of his life's work on robots. Ok, Brand was calling them androids now, but Brand had needed a bit of help to convince SEA that his android was what they needed for their deep space radiation research. Brand had called in a favour wrangling his assistance in getting the android approved for the SEA space capsule. It had been a bit tricky; Brand's last robot to space had been a complete failure. Absolutely no data had been saved. The whole endeavour a complete waste of money but with Dodd's endorsement, along with Admiral Nelson's admitting to SEA that Brand's work had merit, the approval had gone through.

In appreciation Brand was now including him as a team member gaining him observer status aboard Seaview for the launch. The letter in his hand finally confirmed what they had planned.

Tapping the letter with his finger Dodd thought about Admiral Jiggs Starke COMSUBPAC. Jiggs had been quietly bragging about the Seaview for years although it was couched in terms of exasperation and complaint since the largest, best equipped submarine on the planet was not part of his, Starke's, fleet.

Starke was a good friend of Seaview's private owner, Harriman Nelson. Dodd was convinced that the friendship had been exploited by Nelson to get the submarine not only built but also partially paid for by American taxpayers in exchange for an occasional cruise earmarked for the US Navy. It just wasn't right. Seaview should be wholly Navy, under military authority.

Not only was Seaview privately owned, Nelson had stolen most of Seaview's crew from the Navy. Starke had especially complained about the loss of bright, promising officers in whom the Navy had invested so much education and training.

Dodd smirked. He had visions of getting Seaview into commission permanently. It would be a great legacy. So far he had not had a chance but now opportunity knocked. If Crane and Morton were as overconfident and brash as Jiggs claimed, he would like to take them down a peg. Then ultimately reactivate them and lick them back into shape. If he helped Starke get Seaview for the Pacific fleet Starke would owe him. It could only help his career.

Dodd let his mouth curve upward in a calculating smile.

Lee and Chip were living on coffee, tension, and determination. Neither seemed to eat or sleep anymore. Since the Captain and XO had stopped going to the wardroom the steward made regular trips to the missile room/launch area and to the nose with coffee and sandwiches. The sandwiches always disappeared but it wasn't the two officers eating them.

In the four weeks since their first meeting with Dr. Brand, the Seaview crew and NIMR technicians had pulled off the seemingly impossible. The launch equipment was installed and systems testing completed. The communication centre was installed and ready for testing. The memory download equipment was staged in the missile room ready to be assembled. Crane and Morton had spent many long days and equally long nights working almost non-stop. The scramble to get the final nuts and bolts of the communication equipment in place was complete.

Straightening up from his inspection of the final comm panel Lee placed his hands on his hips and flexed his spine to get the kinks out. Then he almost split his face with a huge yawn. He glanced at his watch and blinked in surprise to see it was 0400. He had sent Chip off to rest a couple of hours ago while he oversaw the final fittings.

As he ambled toward his cabin he rubbed his hand over his head tiredly and mentally reviewed the next steps. Tomorrow, or today actually, testing of the comm centre systems would start at 0800. Then at 1300 Lee and Chip would inspect the newly installed trim tank sensors. Nelson had designed the sensors to detect and respond to any boat stability issues that might arise during the forces of the launch itself. Final testing would take place at sea enroute to the launch site. Then at 1600 the guest researchers and technicians not already aboard would embark Seaview and clear security followed by the early evening reception and dinner in the observation nose for the project leads and favoured guests. Seaview would then get underway with the tide at 2300. Lee needed to be on hand in the control room until they cleared the harbour.

After mentally reviewing his work for the next twenty-four hours Lee finally couldn't manage another moment. He staggered through his cabin door, slipped off his oxfords, yanked his tie off and flopped fully clothed face downward onto his bunk.