Embarkation

Seven days to spacecraft launch

Seaview was ready to put to sea. The junior officers were hot racking to free up cabin space and extra bunks were placed in all the guest cabins to accommodate all the scientists and technicians. It would be a bit cramped but the visitors were here to work, not lounge in staterooms, and at least all the guests had their own bunks.

Captain Crane was on hand in the observation nose to welcome the dignitaries in a small social reception.

"Captain Crane let me introduce my colleague, key sponsor of my work, and the memory donor for the android, Dr. Creager." Brand smiled as Creager turned toward Crane. "Dr. Creager this is Commander Crane, Captain of the Seaview."

"Welcome aboard, Dr. Creager." Lee smiled his professional smile that hid his real thoughts about this mission and extended his hand to the man who looked as grey-faced as a corpse. Lee wondered if the obviously ill man was up to a sea voyage let alone the rigours of an underwater space launch and whatever the memory donation experience entailed.

Crane fleetingly thought if he had a chance, he might ask the Admiral about the memory donation since the Admiral had first-hand experience.

"Ah, Captain Crane. I am very glad to meet you. Admiral Nelson has made it clear that we are in very capable hands aboard your submarine."

"Thank you, Doctor. My boat and crew will do the upmost to provide the appropriate platform for your work."

Their hands met in a clasp as Brand nodded happily and, the introduction done, moved toward another group who were just entering the nose leaving Crane and Creager together. Creager's grip was surprisingly strong for such an ill looking man. Suddenly the colour washed from Crane's face as a wave of intense dizziness and weakness washed over him. He felt faint for a moment and his shoulders sagged. Creager noticing the slight paling of his complexion immediately said, "I am so sorry, Captain. Are you alright?"

"No need to apologize, Doctor. I'm fine. Think nothing of it." Crane's polished social graces made little of the incident although his physical reaction surprised him. What had caused that? He must be more tired than he realized to go weak in the knees for no reason.

Creager lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Buck up, Captain. You won't want your Admiral Nelson to see you looking so shaky, would you? Don't worry, your secret is safe with me."

Creager pivoted away from the poleaxed Captain toward an approaching Steward.

"Would you like a coffee, sir or sparkling water?" The steward presented the tray of coffee mugs and glasses to Creager and the Doctor picked one up. Unable to face more coffee Crane turned away, a puzzled expression on his face. Creager really was an odd duck. He absentmindedly rubbed his right hand with his left, then tiredly shook out his fingers slightly.

Dr. Creager worked the room eventually landing at Admiral Nelson's side. "Admiral it is so very exciting to be aboard your incomparable boat. You must be thrilled to have been chosen for this auspicious launch."

"Well, I do indeed hope that the launch is a success, Doctor. I must confess I looked up your career when I saw your name on the manifest. May I inquire as to your role in the launch?"

"Didn't Dr. Brand tell you? I am the memory donor."

"Ah." Nelson was about to continue when Creager cut him off.

"I don't wish to say anything out of line, Admiral but I was wondering about your Captain."

"Commander Crane is a fine officer. I have rarely seen a man so in tune with his boat. He is a matchless seaman. You are in good hands, Doctor."

"That's good to know, Admiral. It sets my mind at ease since I thought he looked a little … " Creager stopped.

"A little what. Doctor?" Nelson looked at him with suddenly very intense eyes.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't be critical."

"Please continue." Nelson was insistent.

"Well, I don't know the man, of course, but I thought he looked a little … shall I say … fragile. Oh, I must apologize that was inconsiderate of me." Creager smiled to take the sting out of his words but the damage was done, just as he had hoped.

A fleeting look of satisfaction crossed his face as he watched Nelson turn appraising eyes toward his Captain. Creager moved away toward the port side where Admiral Dodd was standing observing the activity in the nose.

Crane continued greeting passengers and answering the usual questions about Seaview, while Nelson was appraising his captain with a slight frown. Lee looked exhausted and they hadn't even left port. How were they to project confidence and professionalism to the visiting project team if the Captain looked ready to keel over? Couldn't Lee at least carry himself with some naval dignity for the send off?

Nelson tried to stifle his irritation since Lee had warned him the refit would challenge their time and capabilities but still! Was it too much to ask him to look like he was fit to command for an hour or two? Especially at the beginning of the mission and with Admiral Dodd aboard!

Dodd stood well away from the others his back to the port bulkhead of the observation nose watching the interaction of the project team with the crew of the Seaview. His first impressions of Captain Crane were not what he had expected. The Commander had achieved his rank very young based on his exemplary performance and Dodd had expected to see the arrogance and conceit that Starke had always implied were characteristic of Crane.

The Commander was displaying typical officer behaviour, socially polished, mild mannered, courteous, and confident but he'd just had an interesting, though brief, conversation with Dr. Creager and he was now assessing the officer from a new angle.

Creager had implied the man was not fit. His eyes narrowed and he started seriously watching Crane.

Crane was still puzzling about his momentary weakness as he turned to greet Dr. Brand's young female secretary. Having a woman aboard had necessitated some of the cramped bunking situations since she was assigned a guest cabin to herself for the duration.

"Welcome aboard, I'm Captain Crane." He extended his hand to the young lady with short bobbed hair in a smart and practical trouser suit.

"Mary Smith, Captain, but we've met before." Crane looked at her questioningly. "You were a bit unwell at the time and may not remember," she offered the last to remove any discomfort in the introduction.

Crane looked at her with interest. He didn't recall seeing her before but then with a shock the memories came to him. This same young woman but with other clothes, garish jewellery, a different hairstyle and dancing with a sultry look in her eyes. Lee's mouth almost dropped open before he caught himself. "I do remember. In the South Pacific?"

"Yes, Captain." She didn't offer anything further. The memories were not necessarily pleasant for either of them. Crane nodded to Mary and as if by mutual consent they both turned the conversation to other topics.

"How do you like California?"

"Oh I like it very much, Captain. I have so much opportunity but I am still close to the ocean I love."

"I am very happy to hear that." They politely moved apart as suited the social occasion so they could each mingle with others.

A few minutes later Crane stood by a bulkhead quietly remembering the time he had asked Nelson to came to sick bay so Crane could thank him for arranging for Maria's support and education while she adapted to her new home in California. Despite his gratitude to the Admiral for championing Maria, he and the Admiral had remained at strife. That discord had been hard to take. Crane was glad they had moved past it and salvaged their friendship.

Nelson had become Maria's benefactor on learning of Crane's terrible guilt about his interactions with her. Crane felt he had personally wronged the girl although he hadn't made the choices that left him feeling he owed a debt of honour he couldn't repay.

The Captain surreptitiously glanced at Mary several times during the course of the reception taking in her confidence, poise, and professional demeanour. He was happy for her. She deserved a good life but surely Nelson could have prepared him, told him she would be aboard. It was just another detail about this mission that irked him.

Lee didn't want to let his gaze rest on Mary very long and he let his eyes slide over the other occupants of the observation nose checking to see if all had adequate nibbles and drink at hand. That's when he saw it, the look in Dr. Creager's eyes as he leered greedily at Mary from across the room. The hungry intensity of those eyes caused Lee's six sense to tingle. He shifted his gaze away from Creager as Admiral Nelson appeared at his elbow.

"Something the matter with you, Lee?" The Admiral's voice was soft but he was most definitely ticked.

"No, sir. I'm fine," Crane replied, puzzled at the tone. "Why do you ask?"

"You look distracted enough that you aren't making a very good impression on our guests."

Unsettled that the Admiral would voice this here and now at the mission's initial reception Lee blinked rapidly in surprise before his eyes shifted toward Nelson. He turned to face him about to speak when Nelson hissed, "Not now, Commander. Just buck up and look like you are capable of commanding this boat." Nelson turned away to speak to another of the guests leaving Crane dumbfounded.

Morton appeared at his other side at that moment. "Lee what's up with the Admiral? He's being abrupt even for him."

Lee glanced sidelong at Chip. Part of Crane's job was maintaining a motivated and effective crew. Lee realized he needed to act as a buffer between an irritated Admiral and the rest of the crew and passengers. That buffering included Chip. "He's been dealing with a crushing workload to prepare for this mission." Crane gave a twisted smile, "Perhaps he's miffed about Admiral Dodd coming along. I don't think they always see eye-to-eye. That's probably gotten under his skin."

Chip replied with a sniff, "Do any admirals see eye-to-eye?"

"Well, hopefully now that we're ready to get underway he'll settle down." But his eyes and thoughts were troubled.