My Journal

By Harriman Nelson

19

I was just buttoning up my shirt this morning when Lee entered my cabin from behind and put his hand on my shoulder, startling me.

“You can take the earplugs out, now,” I he said, but I couldn’t hear him, only what his mouth seemed to be saying and his indicating my headset and earplugs.

“Thank God,” I said as I removed them.

“The Aussie PM informed the press that we’ve completed Anemone’s repairs and she’s on her way home for more extensive repairs.”

“And about us?”

“I only told him to say that we were on our way to Lord Howe Island for groceries.”

I couldn’t help laughing. The island, technically part of New South Wales of Australia, was considered a tourist paradise, and must certainly have grocery stores in addition to hotels and restaurants.

“We’re very hungry,” Lee smirked.

“And it doesn’t hurt that it’s closer to the sea lab where we’re really going.”

“Yep.”

Just then Chip appeared at the door with a message that CNN wanted another interview.

“And this time,” he added, “they requested you use the eyepatch.”

“Just because the eye is red?” Lee asked.

“Well, it does look odd, and it doesn’t fit the socket quite right. Besides, the eyepatch makes you look a little debonair. In a ghoulish sort of way.”

“Very funny. Sure, have Sparks pipe CNN down here. And hang around. I might need you to rescue me,” Lee added and pulled out the eyepatch from his pocket, pulling it on.

It took about two seconds for Chip to relay the message through the PA and soon our monitor came to life.

“This is CNN,” the anchor said. “We have Captain Nelson-Crane on the line…and Admiral Nelson, and um….”

“Commander Chip Morton, our executive officer,” Lee said. “Thank you for taking our call, Captain.”

“What can I help you with?”

“Well, now that your mission is over, the public’s first question is, do you still plan on going to Disneyland?”

“Frankly, I’ve forgotten about that, but it would be nice.”

“When do you believe Seaview will make port in Santa Barbara?”

“Unsure about that. We’re going to take a quick trip to Lord Howe island first….”

“Ah yes, the Prime Minister said you were going there to stock up on food.”

“We certainly are. And perhaps take a little shore leave. Then we’re going to investigate some minor seismic and gaseous activity our instruments picked up. They may be having some negative effects some sea life. Harry can tell you more about that than I.”

I cringed inwardly. How dare he put me on the spot like that.

“I’m sure no one wants a science lesson, Lee,” I said. “Let’s just say some of the specimens we’ve seen have been indicating pollution intrusion, even though the waters test rather clean.” “Has the ship’s cat been punished for damaging your prosthesis?” the anchor continued.

“Of course not!” Lee said. “She only thought it was a toy. She wouldn’t understand punishment anyway. She’s happy enough with bits of string and the like, though she’s begun to act a little weird. I hope there was nothing in the eye’s manufacture that affected her adversely. Doc couldn’t find anything wrong physically, so I plan  to call in a cat whisperer. I mean, is it normal for a cat to join Morton in the shower and just sit there getting wet for no apparent reason? She’s also become a little aggressive. Attacks some of my crew out of the blue.”

Oh to be able to lie like that and milk it for it was worth…

“When we saw Seaview last, from the helicopter, her paint job looked rather bad. Is it continuing  to peel off?”

“Afraid so. When he get home, she’s going to have to have it redone. And hopefully it will be able to dry completely this time before her next cruise.”

“Red?”

“Definitely,” Lee said with his sunshine smile.

I had to wonder how many women just went into cardiac arrest.

“Regarding yesterday’s interview, we know that you don’t want to run for president, however, if the public writes you into their ballots come election time in seven month’s time, and you win, would you accept the job?”

“I really doubt that’s going to happen, do you?” Lee laughed, “besides, I have several crewmen aboard who would make far better presidents than me. Seaman Patterson, for one. Intelligent, aware, and if he was a write in, I’d vote for him.”

“Your loyalty’s all fine and good, Captain, but again, if you won the election, would you take it on?”

“I have far too many obligations to accept any offer.”

“What if congress drafted you? There’s been talk.”

“You’re kidding, aren’t you?”

“Congress did it in 1824. Made John Quincy Adams president. There was a provision in the constitution that if no candidate received a majority of the electoral vote, they could select him by their own vote.”

“And that provision’s still on the books?”

“Well…er…”

“I doubt they’d have forced him if he didn’t want to do it, though. Besides, I plan to be commanding Seaview and handling institute business for a long time to come, God willing…any other questions?”

“Er, yes, what is the first thing you’re going to eat once you buy your groceries or even have a bite ashore?”

“Me? That’s easy. A nice glass of cold milk, the kind from a cow. None of that powdered stuff.”

“And you, Admiral?”

“I intend on having a nice thick steak, with an honest to God baked potato with melted butter and sour cream.”

“Do you have steak often aboard Seaview, Admiral?”

“Actually, no. Even with a fully stocked galley, meats are limited. But at least we usually have a few things other than Spam.”

“Now, now, Admiral, Spam’s had a bad rap. And after all I believe you’re the one who had ordered it for your emergency storage at the institute.”

“It’s a complete protein and stores well. But a bit too salty for continual consumption.”

“And you, Commander Morton?”

“Freshly baked bread. Slathered with butter and thick raspberry jam. Also chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies and brownies a’ la mode. With home-made ice cream. And chocolate syrup.”

“My goodness, you are hungry. Well, good luck with your grocery list, and have a safe trip home.  This is CNN. And now in other news….”

The monitor went to fuzz and Chip turned it off.

 “Doc,” Lee spoke into the mike. “The admiral and I will be down shortly about that matter I told you about.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

 “What matter?” I asked.

“You’re getting your cast off. I need you a little more mobile for our assignment.”

“Doc will never agree to it.”

“Somehow,” Lee smirked, “I think he will.”

“I’m only doing this under protest, Admiral,” Will said, as soon as we entered Sick Bay, “I hope that’s understood.”

“Well, his bone sure looked fine to me,” Lee said.

“You may have X-Ray vision, Captain, but you’re not a physician.”

“A moment, Will,” Lee said as he stared at my cast, then removed his eye, headed over to Doc’s office computer and attached one of its knobs into it. The monitor came to life with the X-Ray image his eye had made. A very fine X-Ray image.

“My god!” Will said. “It’s…”

“Better than ours,” Frank said. “Further and deeper….”

“Well?” Lee asked as he replaced his eye back into its socket, “has the break knit well enough to let him get rid of the cast?”

“I’d like to verify that gadget’s image with mine, if you don’t mind, Captain,” Will huffed and proceeded to position my leg in front of the large X-ray machine.

It took longer than I would have liked, waiting for the image to develop. But finally, Will agreed that the cast could come off.