My Journal

By Harriman Nelson

21.  Breakfast Buddies

I was enjoying my breakfast in the Observation Nose with Lee (who was still way behind on his) when Sharkey emerged from the Flying Sub’s hatch.

“I think we got her fixed now, Skipper.”

“Well,” Lee grinned, “that’s a relief.”

“Yeah, we’re all kinda’ anxious to get rid of Mrs. Crane…er…I mean…”

“I know what you mean, Chief. I’m glad my baby is back in working order again. For the expedition and any other tasks.”

“Yes sir. That’s exactly what I meant.”

“Excuse me, sir,” Kowalski approached, “can I go along on the test flight? If something goes wrong, a second pair of hands might come in handy.”

“Ain’t nothin’  gonna’ go wrong,” Sharkey scolded.

“The Skip’s already being haunted. First all that psychic stuff, then his own dead father visits him. Don’t jinx things by saying nothing will go wrong. That’s when it always does.”

“Enough, the both of you,” Morton approached, “well, Skipper?”

“Might not be  a bad idea. Very well, Ski,” Lee replied.

 “Right,” Sharkey said. “Okay kid, you heard him. Grab you flight jacket and get below while we start the check list and give the Skipper a little more time to finish his breakfast.”

I had to chuckle  in that he was only concerned for Lee’s breakfast and not mine.

After the men had departed, Chip took a seat and said, “That’s a good idea. In fact, I’ll help you.” Grabbing a slice of toast and smearing it with peanut butter and jelly he took a bite. “Delicious,” he said, spraying some crumbs.

“Now,” he managed as he chewed, “you can tell  me more about those calls and emails you never sent…”

“Chip,” I warned.

“I was going to add, or the ones I never got…Don’t worry. I won’t bite him since I’ve declared a truce.”

Deciding it was best to give them some privacy,(besides, I doubt Doc would appreciate me having a third helping of those scrumptious hash browns) I made my way aft to the Control Room and checked the latest and fruitless sonar topography in our continuing search for the Sea Nymph.

At least I was heartened that Chip was making an effort to be civil and even friendly towards Lee. While word would get back to Doc and Cookie that it was Chip who pretty much cleaned Lee’s plate, at least he’d encouraged his captain to eat  a little bit more than he really wanted to.

It wasn’t too long before Lee, Sharkey, and Kowalski launched the Flying Sub for her test flight to put her through all the paces that Lee demanded of her.

“I sure wish he would hurry it up, like,” Riley muttered, as Patterson relieved for the watch.

“Hey, he likes taking her out,” Pat said, putting on his earphones, “almost as much as he likes talking to Kate. Four calls yesterday alone or so I hear.”

“That’s Miss Peabody to you,” Morton said, “and I’m sure Le…the captain wants to insure that the flying sub meets her specs. We don’t want any accidents, do we?”

“No sir,” both men said duly chastised. Suddenly the klaxon began to  ring out.

“What the…”

“Sea Quake!” Pat yelled. “Came out of nowh….”

“Brace for turbulence!” Chip ordered just before he managed to grab the periscope island rail as we were tossed about for a few roller coaster minutes. “Damage Control, report!”

As all departments reported their various conditions I could hear Lee’s voice.

“Flying Sub to Seaview, Flying Sub to Seaview…”

“Lee?” I clicked the mike.

“You okay?” he asked urgently.

“Minimal damage, I think. Chip’s handling the reports. You?”

“We’re okay, scraped some paint though.”

“No sir,” Sharkey interrupted. “FS 1’s okay, but the Skipper’s not.”

“It’s just a scratch, Chief. Kowalski, will you stop poking me? I tell you I’m fine.”

“That’s not what Doc’s going to call it. You got a concussion and hurt your arm when you smacked the deck.”

“And you’re bleeding!”Sharkey said.

“Just a scratch,” Lee said, “you all know how scalp wounds bleed. Now calm down, the both of you and resume our maneuvers….”

“Belay that!” I interupted, “return to Seaview and….”

“Chief, Look!” Lee’s voice interrupted, “over there…Harry…we found her! Well, we found something. That quake exposed some beams…looks like part of a crevasse had been covered with sand. We thought it was a sea mound…there are several around here…why didn’t our instruments pick anything up, Chief?  I’m taking her in closer…Harry, I’m turning on our cameras for you…I’d swear that one of those beams is part of a top mast…we’ll need to dig  her out from under all that sand…I’ll use the laser…”

“Later,” I said. But it was too late as we saw the silt and sand explode upwards from the shot.

“Bingo!” Sharkey yelled.

Even as the cloud of sand settled, it was easy to see the wood planking of a shipwreck.

“Chip?” Lee continued, “get Seaview here as quick as you can. And ready some diving teams with blowers. Ski and I will take a closer look right now.”

“Belay that!” Chip ordered. “You get your butt back to Seaview right now and have Doc check you out.”

“I agree, Lee,” I said. “Besides a few minutes won’t make any difference to the vessel, will it?”

“It will if there’s another quake,” Lee said.

“Will you just get yourself back to Seaview?” I ordered.

“Standard operating procedures of this boat say you have to be cleared for any dive after an injury. And as your XO I’m ordering you back to Seaview.”

“And,” I added, “I’m  demanding it as your business partner…”

Oh boy, I groaned inwardly, did that ever sound lame.

“Please, Lee,” I tried again. “Get back here and have Doc check you out. And I’m requesting it as your fre…as your father.”

For a moment there was no response. I think it was the first time I’d never referred to myself as his father in front of his crew. 

“Well,” Lee finally said. “I suppose the blood would attract Sharks anyway…very well. Flying sub returning to Seaview. Oh, and tell my mother that her flight’s been delayed due to our discovery.”

“Acknowledged,” Chip said then, “where do you keep the earplugs?”

“Never mind. I’ll tell her. Sparks? Put me through on a secure line to Mrs. Crane’s cabin.”

“Aye sir.”

On the verge of a great discovery, whatever the wreck, I doubt Mrs. Crane will take the news well.