Nothing is Foolproof

(Especially when the Fool is In Charge)

By R. L. Keller

(Since the current story I was working on refused to ‘speak’ to me I started looking through my bunny file for inspiration while I actually had the time to write and ran across two little bits I’d stashed there – at some point. Both were connected to comments I’d made to Susn F., but weren’t connected to each other. In fact, one of them I don’t even remember having read before, although obviously I had or it wouldn’t have been in the file 😊 Anyway, here’s what my warped brain decided to come up with. As always, continue at the risk of your own sanity.)

Admiral Nelson, head down glaring at the fist full of papers in his hand, glanced up when he heard soft footfalls coming closer to where he was standing in one of Seaview’s wide corridors near Officers’ Country. “Doctor Jamison,” he acknowledged NIMR’s new CMO, before catching the strange expression on the man’s face. “Problems?” he asked. The Internist/Emergency Medicine specialist had been aboard Seaview only a bit over a month and was still getting used to his new duties. All of the doctor’s previous naval assignments had been either on land, or surface vessels. Nelson knew that he’d had some major issues with submarine service, and especially with the diving requirements for all hands aboard. But he thought Jamison, once he’d seen how much larger Seaview was than normal subs, and with COB Curley Jones’ gentle assistance getting him through the diving qual XO Chip Morton had overseen, all was finally settling down for the normally calm, under control, physician. The current expression on the man’s face, however, had Nelson second-guessing that assumption.

“I was just walking past the captain’s cabin…” came out almost hesitantly as Jamison glanced in the direction he’d been coming from, then looked at Nelson but didn’t continue speaking.

Nelson, however, half-grinned. He had a pretty good idea what the issue was, and the smile increased slightly even as Jamison’s expression deepened at the obviously unexpected reaction. “Let me guess,” Nelson said casually, and leaned a shoulder against the nearest bulkhead as he sent a glance toward where Jamison had indicated. “Chip, XO Morton, is in the process of giving Lee, Cdr. Crane, holy hell for leaving the boat.”

“Actually, yes,” Jamison told him softly and cautiously, not sure what was going on. In his experience, XOs didn’t ream out superior officers! But that’s exactly what little of the conversation he’d heard seemed to be before he hurried away.

Nelson chuckled and sent Jamison a quick nod. “Lee’s just been asked to ‘run an errand’ – that’s what he calls it,” he qualified for the doctor, “for the Office of Naval Intelligence. He’s been working occasionally for ONI since shortly after graduating Annapolis.” Jamison nodded; he’d read as much in the crew profiles he’d been given. “Chip has never liked that Lee took those TAD assignments…” Nelson paused. “Even though one of them lead to Lee now being Seaview’s captain.”

“Oh,” Jamison uttered softly.

“And now, with them both aboard Seaview, Chip likes it even less,” Nelson continued.

“But…” Jamison was still confused, and Nelson’s smile increased.

“Get used to it,” Nelson advised. “Never in a million years would Chip even think of undermining Lee’s authority,” Nelson told the doctor firmly, before once more letting his voice relax. “But their years of friendship does allow, especially in private, for a good bit of give and take between them.” He grinned again. “And I think that they are both the stronger for it.”

“I must admit,” Jamison said thoughtfully, “I’ve noticed that they seem to have known each other for a long time.”

“Roommates all four years at Annapolis,” Nelson told him. “That’s where I originally met them.”

“Oh. That does sort of explain”… and his voice trailed off.

“They have turned into two of the finest officers it’s ever been my privilege to work with,” Nelson said with pride. Then his face cracked into as broad a smile as Jamison had ever seen on the man. “But sometimes it’s a little hard to tell.”

* * * *

“Lee, why is it that every time ONI calls, you drop everything and go?” Chip all but whined. “We’re in the middle of charting this particularly nasty bit of underwater terrain – why, no one bothers to tell me,” came out in a growl.

“Because Admiral Nelson wants it charted,” Lee told the blond matter-of-factly, but with an almost smirk on his face as he changed from his work khakis into jeans and a dark sweater. He also stashed a few more clothes and items in the small backpack laying on his bunk. Chip threatened to smack him, Lee grinned, and Chip relaxed. Almost. The tension in his upper body was still evident.

“Why?” came out in a growl from the blond.

Lee closed the backpack and sat on the edge of the bunk. “You can handle the charting just fine without me.”

“That’s not the point!”

“I know,” Lee admitted.

“Then what is?”

Lee took a deep breath. “You know I can’t tell you much about the mission…”

“Nor do I want to know,” Chip cut him off.

Lee nodded. “But I can tell you that this isn’t a solo job; there’s a small team of us going.” Lee frowned. “And I’m not the team leader.” The frown deepened. “I have a bad feeling…”

“All the more reason not to go,” Chip insisted.

Lee sighed. “But I have to go, Chip. I’ve worked with the guy before. Unfortunately.” He frowned. “The mission is an important one, and I’m just afraid that if there’s not someone along who can, albeit gently, nudge the guy in the right direction if, or more likely when, things go haywire, he’ll get his whole team killed.” Chip rolled his eyes. “I actually like the guy, but he can get a little gung-ho.”

“Why you?”

“Because, like I said, I know the guy. And he knows me. He has enough respect for me, for my record, that he’ll listen to me if I question his plans. I hope,” was added so softly that Lee wasn’t sure Chip heard it. Unfortunately, the glare Chip sent him left no doubt that the blond had. “I’ll be back before you know it,” Lee tried to lighten the mood.

“Harrumph,” Chip growled, in almost exact imitation of their boss Admiral Nelson, and it finally caused both men to smile softly. “That’s all you’re taking?” Chip pointed to the small backpack.

“I’ll be supplied with everything else I need when I meet the team.”

“Communications?” Chip wasn’t quite ready to give up.

Lee shrugged. “You know how it goes,” he told his friend philosophically. What he didn’t say was, at the bottom of the backpack was a small radio Admiral Nelson had insisted he take – just in case. Nelson hadn’t been all that happy with the assignment, either, but keeping to the nature of the mission, this piece of equipment was being kept just between the two of them.

“Unfortunately,” Chip grumbled.

“Yeah,” Lee agreed. “I have a feeling Ba…” He stopped and sent Chip a look. “The team leader,” he amended the almost slip-up, “well… Let’s just say he needs to be reminded to take things slowly and carefully.”

“Then why is he the team leader?” Chip demanded.

Lee didn’t answer for a second. “He knows the territory,” finally came out not in Lee’s usually confident style.

It caused Chip to raise an eyebrow, but still mutter, “Then he ought to know how to handle the situation.”

“You’d think so,” came from Lee almost too softly for Chip to hear, and the blond’s other eyebrow went up.

“Cocky?” Chip guessed.

Lee shrugged again. “Not so you’d notice,” he admitted, but looked at Chip almost through his eyelashes. It was an expression Chip was very familiar with – Lee was hiding something. But before he could say anything else the intercom did.

“Skipper, chopper approaching,” came in Lt. O’Brien’s clear voice.

Lee instantly stood up, back in ‘Captain’ mode, and grabbed the mic. “Be right there,” he told the O.D., grabbed a denim jacket and his backpack and, with a nod to Chip, headed in his usual brisk walk toward the Conn. Chip could only shrug and follow in his senior officer’s wake.

As Lee entered Seaview’s Control Room through the aft hatch, Chip still on his heels, Admiral Nelson entered up the stairs from the submarine’s most unique feature – the Observation Nose with its front windows. Lee noticed a quick grin cross his boss’ face, and disappear just as quickly, as the three met at the chart table. Lee didn’t ask what had caused the expression; he’d learned early on, way back during their Academy days, that it was safer to not try to figure out what was going through Nelson’s mind!

Now his boss nodded to the smallish backpack. “Have everything you need?”

“Mostly I’ll be supplied aboard the Roosevelt,” Lee answered. That much he was allowed to share, here in the Conn where crew could hear. Nelson knew a bit more of the plans: the chopper picking him off the Conning Tower was taking him to the aircraft carrier. From there, the team Lee was joining would HALO jump into their target area. Also, although only Nelson knew at that point, Seaview was one of two designated pick-up ships for the team - it was why the Admiral had insisted on Lee taking the small communications device - when the mission was complete. Admiral Jones, head of ONI, had told Nelson that much mainly to help Nelson calm down after Jones once more usurped his boat’s captain. A final determination wouldn’t be made until the team leader was ready to decide their best means of ‘getting out of enemy territory’, as it were, and reported in.

Lee sent his full-time boss a nod and headed for the Conning Tower; the chopper would lower a harness for him and pull him up to them. Chip followed him up the ladder and Seaman Kowalski was already topside, waiting to assist. As the chopper settled in above them and lowered the harness, Lee sent Chip a quick nod, acknowledging his friend’s concern, but neither spoke. Lee stepped into the harness Kowalski held for him, and at a wave was swiftly carried upward. As Lee was pulled into the chopper Chip gave one final salute and headed below.

* * * *

As soon as the chopper landed on the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt’s helipad, Lee was met by an ensign who, with few words, took him to a small meeting room.

“Bird,” he was greeted almost unwillingly. At least, that’s how it sounded to Lee.

“Oven,” Lee returned in a similar manner to Cdr. Floyd Baker. The man had a habit of using nicknames he devised based on last names, and Lee had learned quickly that the best way to shut him up was to return the favor. There were a couple muffled snickers from the other four men and one woman also in the room, all strangers to Lee. Baker frowned, but quickly made introductions. Along on this mission were Master Chief Carl Mitchell…

“Mitch,” was interjected quickly with an outstretched hand by the six-foot plus blond, and Lee responded just as quickly with his first name. He hated standing on ceremony in these kinds of situations where he would be working so closely, all depending on each other for their survival.

“Lt. Brett Melchior,” Baker continued, indicating the 5’9” brunet. “Master Chief Leo Fitzpatrick.”

“Fitz,” was added quickly by the 5’10” redhead.

“Gunnery Sgt. Lewis Kratz,” Baker continued.

“Gunny,” Lee said instantly to the 6 ft. Black man and got a quick nod in return.

“And Loretta Menendez,” Baker finally introduced the 5’4” Hispanic woman.

“Letty,” she told Lee. She seemed neutral, neither friendly nor antagonistic, and Lee merely sent her a quick nod.

“Letty,” Baker told Lee with a frown sent between Lee and the woman – for what reason Lee had no idea, and wasn’t about to ask – “is our underground contact, and insider when it comes to the compound we’ll be infiltrating.”

There’s tension between those two, Lee told himself, but took a seat at the table the others were sitting at – all but Baker, who continued to stand – and concentrated on catching up with the briefing that his entrance had apparently interrupted.

And was instantly concerned. It quickly became apparent that the other four men were new to Baker; had never worked with him before, and knew nothing about him. This seemed strange; while Lee worked alone for the most part, he knew that Admiral Jones had a few teams that he could send out on specific missions. Not necessarily SEAL’s, although he had access to those as well under certain circumstances. Lee got the feeling, from odd comments during the next half hour, that Mitch and Brad had worked together before, and both had at least met Fritz and Gunny. Curious as to why these men, including himself, had all been thrown together, Lee kept those thoughts to himself. He was well aware that, while Admiral Jones kept close counsel on any and all intel, he had very specific reasons for everything he did. Lee had frequently been frustrated by the man’s lack of revealing details Lee thought that he should have been told about specific missions. But he had enough respect for his part-time boss, and enough belief in what he was being told to do was essential to keeping peace in the world and protecting America’s best interests, that he continued to work for ONI. But I may have to rethink that assumption, he told himself as Baker started to lay out his plans.

Up front, the mission sounded reasonable. The local underground resistance to the in-power dictatorship was certain that the man who’s compound they needed to infiltrate had a stash of cash he was secreting away from the local treasury under the very noses of the people he was supposed to be working for. On top of that, Letty informed them that this man, Hector Gutierrez, was secretly building up a small army of his own to overthrow the present dictator, Generalissimo Martin Gutierrez.

Lee raised a hand. “Related?”

“Brothers,” Letty all but spit out.

“And we don’t want this to happen because…?” Lee continued. Carefully, because Baker was glaring at him presumably for the interruption.

“Hector is twice as bad as his brother,” Letty told him, ignoring the looks Baker was sending to both her and Lee. “Martin imprisons without cause, rapes the land causing farmers to starve because they cannot raise proper crops, and steals everything of value that he can lay his hands on.”

“And Hector is worse,” Baker interjected. “He simply kills anyone who gets in his way. Doesn’t matter if it’s man, woman, or child. The underground is privy to several instances where his people have destroyed entire villages, burned them and buried all the bodies in mass graves, and tells his brother that everyone simply moved away.”

“So your plan is to take out Hector,” Lee concluded.

“NO!” Baker shouted with a glare. “We gather evidence against Hector that the underground can take to Martin.” He grinned, but Lee easily saw the evil behind the expression.

The same expression was on Letty’s face as she explained further. “With any luck at all their armies will take out each other.”

* * * *

Two hours later, eating what for Lee was a large meal since he wasn’t sure when he’d get another chance, Gunnery Sgt. Kratz sat down opposite him at the table in the Crew’s Mess. “Gunny,” Lee acknowledged the Marine.

“Sir,” came back carefully.

Lee stopped eating and gave the man his full attention. “Lee,” he told the man. “No rank here.”

“Even Baker?” was asked with a quirky expression. Lee merely shrugged and stuffed a bite of spaghetti in his mouth. It wasn’t quite up to Seaview’s cook’s standards, but Lee had learned early to just eat what was put in front of him. “Fitz said he thought you’d worked with Baker before. None of us have.”

Lee nodded and swallowed. “Mostly training sessions,” he said.

“And?”

“Not sure what you’re asking,” Lee told him honestly.

Kratz shrugged. “Not sure, either, actually,” he admitted. “Baker just…”

“Sets your teeth on edge?” Lee guessed. Kratz shrugged again.

“Yeah,” Lee agreed. He pondered how much to say as he took another bite, chewed, and swallowed. “Admiral Jones wouldn’t have put him in charge if he didn’t trust him,” finally came out.

Kratz nodded slowly, mostly to himself. Then he straightened, sent Lee a firm nod, stood, and left. Lee finished his meal pondering the short conversation. He had a feeling that he knew at least part of what was behind it. Lee had expected Baker at that first meeting, since it had been held in private, to lay out the mission parameters; an overall description of the mission, and each person’s part of the plan. Baker had kept 98% of the details to himself, but Lee had buried his surprise. Or, at least, I think I kept it to myself, he admitted. Nor had he asked questions. It wasn’t how Lee would have handled a briefing, but this wasn’t his mission. This was Baker’s mission and he was allowed to run it his way. Within reason. As Lee had told Chip Lee would, if needed, try to nudge Baker into more of how Lee would handle things. But he couldn’t really criticize Baker’s style at this point. It was entirely possible that Baker had a clear plan on how to proceed and was simply keeping it to himself for now. So be it.

Once finished eating, Lee went out to the flight deck for a bit of fresh air, then returned to the small meeting room where he’d been told the team would pick up the supplies they’d need. “Where the hell have you been?” The yell from Baker greeted Lee as he walked through the door.

“Doing what I was told,” Lee answered in his usual calm voice. “Getting a good meal and meeting back here at 1900 hours.” He glanced at his watch. “I’m seven minutes early.” There was a quick snort from a couple of the men and an almost giggle from Letty.

Baker opened his mouth but nothing came out and he quickly snapped it shut before pointing to a lone Parachute/equipment backpack at the end of a table to the left. “That’s yours,” came out in a growl. Lee nodded, walked over to it, and started taking everything out of the equipment compartment after giving the parachute portion a quick once-over. “What are you doing?” Baker once more all but yelled.

“Taking inventory,” Lee continued to keep his temper in check, despite wanting to deck Baker. “Would you go on an assignment without knowing exactly what you were carrying?” Baker apparently had no comeback to that and remained silent while Lee sorted through two handguns, each having several clips of extra ammunition, a belt with holster on one side and knife scabbard on the other along with the knife that went into it. Binoculars, night vision goggles, and almost a dozen high-protein nutrition bars were laid out next to the pack. A small radio unit, meant only for short-range communications completed the inventory in the waterproof pack. Attached to the outside was a canteen. Lee slipped off the small pack that hadn’t left his sight, taking from it a compass, another smaller ankle holster and gun as well as another knife with leg scabbard, a few articles of personal clothing, a first aid kit, a small roll of duct tape, a pen light, and one of Seaview’s communication radios. Once everything was laid out he started repacking everything into the larger pack, now knowing what was there and where to find each piece, before folding his smaller pack down and placing it inside as well. Baker watched all this, his frown deepening by the second, but Lee caught nods from most of the others. When Lee pulled the Seaview radio out of his pack, however, Baker exploded.

“What the hell is that? Leave it here!” came in a growled shout.

“No,” Lee told him calmly, finished packing, and stood calmly facing Baker. “We both answer to Admiral Jones, but I have to answer also to Admiral Nelson. He says take a radio, I take a radio.” All things considered, Lee had no problem having it, especially with Baker’s reaction. That made no sense whatsoever.

“It could give away our position,” Letty now entered the conversation.

“Not a chance,” Lee assured her. “It’s turned off, and engineered to be all but undetectable when it is on.” He did finally allow a grin. “Between Admiral Nelson and NIMR Communications experts, they make sure any and all of our equipment is held to the highest standards.”

“Heard things about Nelson,” came softly from Mitchell.

Lee’s grin grew, albeit a bit sheepishly. “And I suspect most of what you’ve heard is true.” That got chuckles from everyone except Baker and the woman.

“Why are you here?” Baker demanded.

Lee gave the man his full attention. “Because Admiral Jones assigned me to your team for this mission,” Lee stated, with the emphasis on ‘your’.

That shut Baker up. He did silently mutter something under his breath but finally took a deep breath and indicated that Lee sit down with the others, facing him, then turned and pulled down a screen on which had been taped two hand-drawn maps. One was the coastal area of the small central American country they were headed for, and the other was of a medium-sized compound, house and several smaller buildings inside a tall barrier, what Letty described as a concrete and brick wall with only two ways through; both heavily patrolled iron gates. Lee was vaguely familiar with the country, although he paid close attention to the map detailing the territory they would need to travel through after HALO jumping just off the coast. He also studied the layout of the compound, noting which buildings were which as Letty pointed them out. He would have liked to ask the woman a few questions but Baker, after Fitz asked about security along the walls, told the man in no uncertain terms, “you’ll be told what you need to know when you need to know it.”

“Typical ONI,” was said so softly by Gunny, sitting next to Lee, that Lee was sure he was the only one who heard it, and he had to instantly stop the nod of agreement he so wanted to send the man. Instead, he concentrated even harder on committing both maps to memory before Baker pulled them both off the screen, and folded and stuffed them into what was apparently his own pack. He sent Lee’s pack an extra glare before transferring it to Lee’s face, but said nothing other than ordering everyone to meet on the flight deck at 2030 hours. He left, Letty on his heels with her own pack, while the other five men stayed seated.

Fitz blew a raspberry at the door once it closed behind the pair, and Brett and Mitch both snorted softly. Gunny sent Lee a look, to which Lee could only shrug. “Like I said, it’s his mission,” Lee said softly.

“Typical.” This time Gunny said it loud enough for the others to hear, and there were affirmative nods all around.

“Good thing I brought my notebook,” Fitz muttered, and pulled a small spiral pad from his lap where it had remained hidden during the briefing. On two pages he’d done his own drawing of the two maps. Quickly he made copies for everyone else, and Lee tucked his copies into the waterproof bag with his NIMR radio, thanking Fitz for his quick thinking. Fitz merely nodded as everyone tucked their copies away.

“I’m pretty good at memorizing things,” Lee told the others, with a shy grin. “Don’t always get a chance to carry a map.”

“Why I started carrying the little notebook,” Fitz admitted. “I have a pretty good memory as well.” He sent a look around the others. “Have to, to do the things we get sent to do.” Everyone nodded. “But a little help never hurt,” he added with a quick grin, and got more nods and a couple of ‘amens’.

Lee glanced at everyone else’s packs. “You’ve seen mine. Care to share?” It was quickly determined that while weaponry was similar, Fitz carried several incendiary devices and Mitch had climbing equipment, presumably for the wall as there wasn’t a lot of it. Gunny also had several small explosives, and Brett had cameras, both still and video, for gathering the intel they were after.

Gunny sent a quick nod at Lee’s pack. “You medic-trained? Saw the first-aid kit.”

Lee knew that he blushed, and blessed his dark complexion for hiding it as he admitted that he wasn’t. “Just used to being prepared,” he told the others.

“Think I’ll hit Sick Bay for a few supplies on the way out,” Gunny said, and everyone thought that a great idea.

Promptly at 2015 hours, fifteen minutes early, Lee arrived on the ship’s flight deck and walked over to where the jump plane was getting ready to take off. The other four team members arrived within the next minute, and kibitzed with the two pilots as they did their pre-flight checks. All five men were geared up and ready to go by the designated 2030 hours but neither Baker nor Letty had shown up. The others looked at Lee, who could only shrug. He heard one of the pilots call into the ship’s Air Boss, who must have done ‘something’ because within two minutes both Baker and Letty came walking across the flight deck. Baker half-smirked, half-glared at Lee but it was the pilot who spoke. “Sorry if we disturbed your nap, Commander, but we’re on a tight schedule.” Lee, unfortunately, couldn’t stop that grin but he quickly turned his back and stepped aboard the plane, as did the others, and strapped themselves in. The Jump Master ended up helping Baker get ready, but Lee was a bit surprised when Letty had no difficulties at all.

Lee absolutely hated launching off an aircraft carrier. The instant thrust of the catapult always gave him a moment of disorientation. It never lasted long so he usually just closed his eyes and rode it out. For whatever reason, this time he focused on Baker’s face, not glaring but never shifting his eyes away. Baker glanced at him and then looked away as he realized Lee was watching him. Thankfully the moment passed, and Lee refocused on the jump ahead.

HALO stood for High Altitude Low Opening, meaning the group would jump from approximately 25,000 feet and free fall until opening their ‘chutes’ at the very last second to land safely, this time hopefully just at the edge where ocean met land. The pilots were good, and the Jump Master earned every inch of his title because Lee landed in less than 18 inches of water, the rest close enough that no one got their packs wet. They all quickly gathered up their shrouds and stuffed them as best they could into the parachute bags before grabbing their night vision goggles. What moon there was was only a tiny sliver and they would need to traverse an area of thick jungle to reach their target. With Letty leading, they started making their way inland. Lee also grabbed his compass, holding it discreetly in his left hand, wanting to be very sure that he could find their landing place again as it was to be their primary pick-up point once the mission was completed.

Letty apparently was very familiar with the area since they hadn’t gone all that far before hitting what looked like an animal trail through the dense undergrowth. It made travel easier but also more dangerous and Baker, needlessly as far as Lee was concerned, warned everyone to be alert. But when his warning was punctuated by a jaguar’s scream, everyone gave a quick nod. A thought did briefly go through Lee’s mind about Letty’s underground group; about why they were having to make this long trek from the coast. Wouldn’t it have been a better plan to meet up with vehicles of some sort? As it was, the group would have to find a place to spend the day, and travel again part of the next night to reach their destination. Perhaps her group is too well known, watched too closely, for that kind of help, Lee consoled his over-active mind. While he was aware that at least some of the others weren’t thrilled with Baker’s leadership, Lee pondered why he wasn’t totally comfortable around the woman. He knew part of it was that look of pure evil he’d seen on her that first meeting. He had no problems believing that she was a capable member of the local underground just because she was a woman. A quick memory flashed through his brain of another extremely competent woman he’d met shortly before becoming Seaview’s captain.* Definitely need to find a few hours the next time I’m in D.C. to give her a call. The thought momentarily put a broad grin on his face, which he quickly got rid of. No time to be thinking about Ms. David right now, Crane, he scolded himself. But I still don’t totally trust Letty, he admitted silently.

As the sun was barely starting to make a dent in the darkness to the East, Letty left the trail she’d continued to follow and headed sharply south, along what Lee thought might have been a carefully disguised path through more thick underbrush and ending at a small, very rundown building of some sort. Lee hesitated to call it a cabin. Inside it looked more like an old barn. But way out here? Well, he had to admit, he had no idea where the nearest homestead might be. Whatever it was, Letty kicked away some scattered pieces of old lumber and revealed a trap door. “A safe house of sorts,” she told everyone as she opened the door. A ladder was fixed to the wall of whatever lay below. She continued to hold open the door while indicating that everyone else go below. As the last one down, Lee noticed several almost invisible lines of what looked like clear fishing line that extended outward from the opening. Letty, as she came down after Lee, grabbed the lines and, pulling them from their different directions as she closed the door, pulled several pieces of the old wood back over the now closed door which once more disguised it.

“Clever,” Lee told her softly, and meant it. She nodded, unsmiling, and motioned Lee to precede her down the short tunnel he found at the bottom of the ladder. He didn’t go far before finding the others in a widened area. There were woven grass mats laid down along the walls, and even a couple of old cots.

“We can’t cook down here,” she told everyone as she lit a small candle and everyone removed their night vision goggles. She pointed to several covered containers. “But those hold fresh fruits, cheese, bread, and fresh water. We need to be quiet.” She pointed further down the tunnel. “That leads to a well-camouflaged opening that lets in fresh air. But it is also close to some of the village huts. We must not be heard; some of the villagers are not friendly to our cause.” A second tunnel turned from the main one just past where they were; from the smell it left little doubt as to where it led. But surprisingly it wasn’t all that unpleasant a place to spend the daylight hours.

“Understood,” Baker told her as the others nodded. He immediately sat on one of the cots as Letty took the other. Lee had no problem with that; truth be told he’d rather sleep on the ground, his pack for a pillow. He picked a mat at the end where his pack would be against the wall of the tunnel as it once more narrowed, his feet toward the next mat which Gunny claimed. Fitz was next, then Baker’s cot. Brett sat across from Lee, Mitch from Gunny. Then there was an open mat before Letty’s cot. Lee saw Baker give Letty a quick nod, seeming to approve of the arrangements, before she started opening the containers and passing out the food. It included American candy bars and protein bars, enough for everyone to grab several and add them to their packs. Everyone ate what they wanted, and filled their canteens, before laying down to get what rest they could, while they could.

* * * *

As evening approached, noted only by watches as they kept it dark in the underground lair, lit off and on as necessary by the small candles, mostly to let Letty distribute more food, Lee noticed Gunny and Fitz talking quietly between themselves. Baker also noticed and sent them a glare. “Just wondering,” Gunny answered once he’d noticed, “if we’re only gathering intel, why Fitz and I have incendiaries.” That got everyone’s attention and they all looked at Baker.

“Back-up plan,” Baker answered after a short pause, in a tone that said to Lee, Baker didn’t really want to say it. But, with everyone including Letty all but staring at their team leader, he was finally forced into talking. “The main objective is to get into the compound undetected…”

“How?” it was Mitch’s turn to challenge the man’s continued silence.

Lee watched Baker glance at Letty, willing her with his eyes to explain. She, however, continued to merely look at him, Lee thought, with a look of… He wasn’t sure. He would have said a triumphant look. That didn’t make any sense to Lee, but it gave more credence to his unease around her. “Letty’s cousin is one of the guards,” Baker finally continued. “She’s made a habit the last few weeks of showing up after dark a couple times a week, when things are quiet, and bringing him alfajores.” That got a couple of raised eyebrows. Lee grinned as he knew what it was, but kept that knowledge to himself as Letty explained.

“Sort of two Latin American shortbread cookies put together with a sweet cream filling.” She smiled, but Lee still found the expression lacking much emotion. “Bruno’s wife isn’t much of a cook.”

“Put a little sleeping powder in the filling?” Mitch asked her.

“The other guards would notice,” Baker growled with a glare. “Letty will bring a larger than usual batch and offer to share with the others. We want the guard along the south wall to come to the back gate where Bruno is usually stationed. Once we’re over the wall there’s plenty of places to hide.”

“And then?” it was Brett’s turn to challenge Baker’s lack of releasing information.

Baker took a deep breath. “I may need to play a few things by ear,” came out with a significant lack of conviction, but immediately he straightened up and sent a glare at the others. “I’ve got several options,” he announced firmly. “I’ll decide which is best as we go along.” Four sets of eyes were directed at Lee, and Baker immediately barked, “Why are you looking at Bird? He doesn’t know any more than you do. I’m in charge here.” It was a struggle, but Lee maintained a neutral expression as he nodded to the others. Privately, however, he was calling Baker all kinds of fool for apparently not having a clear plan. Lee had to admit that he often had to improvise when a mission didn’t go as planned. But at least he usually had a good plan to start with. And because he preferred to work alone for the most part, he was only responsible for himself. At least on ONI missions. Since coming to Seaview he was responsible for 125 other lives and was constantly working to keep them safe. Now it looked like his initial reaction to Baker had been correct and he needed to do what he could to protect the rest of the team, whether Baker liked it or not.

While all this was going rapidly through Lee’s brain he took a casual look at the others and noticed Letty, surreptitiously it seemed to Lee, watching him. Swell, he muttered silently. He thought back on what little he knew about her which, actually, was very little. That led him to wondering if there was ‘something’ going on between her and Baker. Was she somehow using Baker for her own purpose, influencing his decisions for whatever reason? Was he basing this mission too much on her? He’s that foolhardy? Lee asked himself. Unfortunately, the answer he came up with was ‘Yes’. Could that be why Admiral Jones assigned me to this mission? was Lee’s next thought. Is Jones that devious? The answer to that was a most definite ‘YES’.

“Bird,” was shouted by Baker, bringing Lee back to the present from his private ruminations. It also brought Letty to her feet.

“Keep it down. Estupida.” She used the Spanish word for idiot but said it almost under her breath. From Baker’s lack of reaction Lee figured that either he didn’t hear it, or didn’t know what it meant. Lee was sure all the others did, although they did a pretty good job of hiding it.

Baker sent her a nod, apparently for quieting him, but glared at Lee. “Are you still with us?” he asked in a whispered growl. “You went off into outer space.”

“Inner space, actually,” Lee answered calmly, keeping his expression neutral once more. “Just remembering the alfajores I’ve had on other visits to Latin countries.” He knew that he was goading Baker unnecessarily, but the lie was what came unbidden to his lips.

Letty sent him what he suspected was supposed to be a coquettish smile but as far as Lee was concerned, wasn’t. It only caused Baker’s stern look to deepen. “As I was saying,” came out slowly in a muted grumble, “once we’re all inside the compound,” and Baker’s voice became more normal, barely above a whisper but still definitely giving orders, “you’ll stay wherever we find decent cover…”

Not bloody likely, Lee told only himself, his face still bland.

“…while Gunny checks out the building on the north side and Fitz the west.”

“Looking for…?” Fitz asked.

“Anything that can be used as evidence to Martin of his brother’s treachery. Brett, give each of them one of your cameras.” As Brett reached into his pack, Baker continued. “You, Mitch, and I will make our way to the back of the house. Letty says the door is rarely if ever locked. The few people inside should be asleep by then…” Lee barely kept from shaking his head at that bit of no doubt faulty assumption – given the common practice of afternoon siestas, many in these parts didn’t lay down until between 0100 and 0230. “…and we can search for anything that documents Hector’s activities. We’ll have to be quick. Letty can’t keep the guards distracted for very long and we still need to get back out.” He glared at Lee. “If any guard gets too close to where we came over the wall you’re responsible for taking him out. Quietly,” was added sharply.

“Understood,” was all Lee responded, but then it was his turn to frown and he looked at Letty. “May I ask, since you’ve been with us, how are you going to get fresh alfajores?”

Baker seemed ready to explode, but Letty sent Lee another of the coquettish smiles that wasn’t. “No, I have not been holding them back from you and only feeding you bread, cheese, and fruit. Another woman is making them, and they will be passed to me before I approach the compound.” Lee sent her a quick nod and looked once more at Baker.

Baker purposely looked at the others, trying to ignore Lee as much as possible. “In and out, thirty minutes tops. Is that clear?” Lee wanted to frown at the order, said as if Baker was talking to a bunch of third graders, not military trained, battle tested, highly intelligent men. With his eyes on Baker, Lee couldn’t see much of the other men. But the sudden tension in the small room was almost palpable. Apparently enough so that even Baker felt it and tried to send everyone an encouraging smile. It didn’t work so well, but Lee did hear a couple of deep breaths released. Baker glanced at his watch. “We have about an hour’s hike to the compound. We’ll leave at 2330.” That time Lee did give a quick look around as he checked his own watch, and everyone seemed to be getting themselves back under control from Baker’s less than tactful briefing.

With still a couple hours to kill before they left, Lee settled on his mat and started pulling a few things out of his pack. The belt went on, one of the guns double-checked for ammo and the safety on went into the holster and the Ka-Bar Marine knife went into the scabbard. Lee also strapped his seven-ounce Kel-Tec P3AT in its holster to his right leg just above his boots, and his diving knife went on his left. Extra clips for both guns were transferred from inside the pack to outside pockets, where he could reach them easier and faster. The compass was still in his pants pocket along with the quick maps Fitz had made. From the other items Lee had brought with him was what looked like a black watch cap, but when fully unrolled it turned into a full head covering with holes for eyes, nose, and mouth. He got nods from several others as they pulled on their own, kept rolled up above their eyes for now. He caught Baker frowning before turning away. You mean he couldn’t even remember to bring his own? Lee pondered silently. He had to admit that he didn’t often wear his, so cut Baker a little slack for that. In fact, when Lee thought about it, the only reason he’d brought his was, he was talking – well, mostly listening – to Chip as he packed, and somehow the cap had ended up in his small backpack. Now he covered a quick snort with a short cough. Better not tell Chip that bit, he all but snickered to himself.

He thought only to himself. “Bird,” was uttered firmly, but at least kept low in volume. Lee sent Baker a raised eyebrow. “You find something funny about this mission?”

At that Lee grinned openly. “The mission, no. Just a passing thought about Seaview,” he admitted lightly.

“You’d better concentrate on this job, not your other one,” was spit out.

“No problem, there,” Lee purposely jabbed back. “It was this job that sparked the thought.” Baker glared and turned his back, so missed the grins sent Lee’s way from the other men. He didn’t acknowledge the nods because he noticed Letty all but staring at him. Her, he chose not to antagonize, still not knowing enough about her to totally trust her. What he did do was stretch out once more on his mat, getting what rest he could, while he could.

Not used to laying around, Lee was just about to get restless when Letty told Baker that it was time to go. Baker glanced at his watch and frowned. Lee took a quick look at his own. It was only about twenty minutes earlier than what Baker had originally indicated but Lee figured that Letty was, like himself, getting restless. Everyone gathered up everything they’d brought with them, leaving only what was left of the food. They did all top off their canteens before going back to the ladder. Baker let Letty climb first, carefully crack the door, and make sure all was quiet before fully opening it and climbing out. Lee thought to himself that it wasn’t how he’d have handled the exit; he’d have been the first one out. But he admitted that it was mostly because he didn’t trust the woman. Apparently Baker did. Once everyone was out, and back to wearing their night vision goggles, Letty carefully rearranged the odd bits of lumber until the door was once more all but invisible. It was a clever bit of camouflage, and Lee sent her a quick nod when she finished. Because of the goggles he couldn’t really see her expression, but he got the impression that she wasn’t totally pleased.

The walking got easier as they approached the area around the village. The target compound was built at its outer edge. But that just put everyone on an even higher level of alertness to avoid running into anyone. There was a moment of nerves when Letty stepped to one side and a woman appeared. Lee knew that he held his breath, his hand on his knife, until he realized that it was the person Letty mentioned who had made the alfajores and was now giving them to Letty before melting back into the underbrush. They walked only another quarter mile before Letty once more stopped, this time turning and saying something to Baker. Then she headed in one direction while Baker led everyone else in another. Lee, walking at the tail end of the group, watched as best he could the direction Letty headed in before following Baker. His compass told him that they were apparently headed to the south of the compound, where Baker intended to breach the wall. Fitz, walking right behind Baker, apparently said something because Baker stopped, turned, and glared at him. Fitz, however, merely took off his goggles, pulled down his face covering, then replaced the goggles as everyone else did the same. Baker frowned, but couldn’t argue the slight delay. They also all dug out their small communication units and clipped them to the bottom of their masks at the shoulder. Since Baker hadn’t brought a mask, he clipped his to the shoulder of his jacket before they all headed once more forward.

Baker suddenly slowed their walk. Lee realized that they were approaching their target and slipped off his goggles. While extremely useful, their one weakness was limiting peripheral vision. Since Lee’s night vision was excellent, if he was to play lookout he needed to be aware of more than just what the goggles saw. Baker finally noticed as they all crouched down in the last bit of cover, the wall about ten feet in front of them. To stop whatever was about to come out of Baker’s mouth, Lee said softly, “I’m a better lookout if I’m not limited to just what the goggles are showing me.” As there were affirmative nods from the others, Baker finally nodded as well.

“I’ll go first,” Baker did say, “and check out the available cover inside the compound.” Mitch dug out the small grappling hook, unfolded its three arms, and handed it with about twenty feet of rope to Baker. “Let me just check around the corner to make sure Letty has everyone’s attention,” and he disappeared for a moment. He was back almost immediately, gave a ‘thumbs up’, and they all made their way, keeping low, to the wall. Baker tossed the hook up, made sure that it had found a solid catch, and hurried up the few feet to check the other side before disappearing. One by one the others followed, Lee last and bringing the hook and rope with him, not bothering to fold the legs up, just coiling the rope and laying both beside him when he joined the others in an area of shrubbery close to where they’d landed on that side of the wall.

As Baker looked at his watch and started to get everyone headed for their assigned targets, Lee started worrying. That inner sense that had saved his neck multiple times was starting to scream loudly that something wasn’t right. He wasn’t sure what, unfortunately, and knew that if he tried to caution Baker he’d just get scoffed at. So he kept quiet, but his senses went on even higher alert. Gunny and Fitz had fairly good cover to get to their targeted outbuildings and headed off as soon as Baker gave them the signal.

Baker, Brett and Mitch had cover part of the way to the back of the house, but would be exposed the last dozen feet or so. From Lee’s position he immediately lost sight of Gunny and Fitz, but could follow the others’ progress until they reached the corner of the house. I’ll catch hell for moving, he thought to himself, but never-the-less cautiously worked his way through the shrubbery until he had a clear view of the house’s back door, making very sure that Baker didn’t hear him.

What he heard put him on even higher alert. Someone – or something, although Lee was pretty sure it was human – was near the cover Lee had just left. Letty knew the plans, immediately went through Lee’s mind. He already suspected that she distrusted Lee but had blamed it on Baker’s dislike. Now he was sure that the woman had her own agenda, considered Lee an impediment to whatever she had planned, and decided to take him out before he could stop her. Silently he headed back to where he’d been told by Baker to stay. Could Baker be her partner? Lee puzzled as he silently went back the way he’d come. Not a chance, he decided. He considered sending out a quiet warning over the small mics, but remembered at the last moment that Letty had one as well.

His confirmation of a set-up came when he found a man stealthily searching the shrubbery where Lee was supposed to be waiting. Even more stealthily, Lee came up behind him and knocked him out with the butt of his gun. Never leave home without it, Lee muttered silently as he pulled out his roll of duct tape and trussed up the man, including strips across his mouth and eyes, before dragging him deeper into the brush to hide him.

He was starting to once more head in Baker’s direction when the first shot rang out. Not immediately knowing quite where the sound came from, he quickly said into his mic, “Abort, Abort.” He thought about adding “Letty’s a traitor,” and at the last second stopped himself. One mess at a time. Right now the priority was getting everyone out alive.

Easier said than done as more shots rang out. Lee wasn’t sure what he should do, but the decision was taken out of his hands as first Gunny, and then Fitz, backed into the shrubbery where they’d first stopped, firing somewhat blindly in the directions they’d come from. Lee took quick inventory and saw red on Fitz’s left upper arm. Fitz saw him notice and shook his head. “Barely grazed me.” Lee looked at Gunny, who at that point seemed unscathed. Unfortunately, more shots came their direction and Lee grunted as he felt the sting on his upper left thigh. Like Fitz, it also was just a graze, but suddenly there were shots going every which direction – at least it seemed like that to Lee. As everyone returned fire there were satisfactory grunts and screams from who Lee presumed were the guards. He almost took Baker’s head off as he, Brett, and Mitch entered the patch of shrubbery. He shrugged an apology but he was too busy returning fire from the guards to say anything.

Not so Baker. “What the hell did you do?” came out in a threatening growl, obviously blaming Lee for the mission going bad.

Lee couldn’t help himself. “Saving your ashcan after you trusted the wrong person.” He hit the ground as they were pelted with more shots. There was a grunt behind him but he didn’t have time to see who got hit as two men charged into the area. They were immediately hit but turned out they were wearing bullet-resistant vests. More shots rang out and both went down from head shots. When they dropped they revealed Letty right behind them, a gun in each hand.

“Letty,” Bake said with relief in his voice, apparently thinking that she’d taken down the two guards. Lee was about to shout a warning as he saw Baker lower his weapon when he saw her. He didn’t have time as she shot Baker, but was in turn put down from shots by Lee and Gunny, which Lee learned as he glanced around.

“Never did trust her,” Gunny muttered. His stance telling Lee that he was standing guard, Lee started checking everyone else.

Baker was still breathing, but hit bad. And he knew it from the look he sent Lee. He tried to say something, but Lee stopped him. “Don’t talk. Let me see,” and he started to open Baker’s light jacket and shirt.

“Don’t bother,” Baker managed to get out slowly. “Sorry,” was added.

Lee took pity on him. “Happens,” he admitted. It was the last word Baker ever heard.

Lee started to stand up just as more gunfire rang through the grove. He was spun around, but for a brief instant didn’t realize that he’d been hit. Hands breaking his fall coincided with a severe burning on his right side halfway down his ribcage and for a space of time all he could do was concentrate on managing the pain. When he could once more think straight he tried to stand and was instantly stopped by a hand on his shoulder.

“Stay still, Lee.” He finally realized Brett was next to him on the ground. “I don’t think that you’re hit too badly, but I need to stop the bleeding.

Lee sighed but wasn’t ready to totally give up. “Everyone else?”

“Fitz’s arm is minor. Mitch caught one in the shoulder; not too bad, I think. Gunny is so far okay. He and Fitz are scouting for anymore bogies. We’ve been lucky.” That last came out in a growl. “So far,” was added almost under his breath.

“Reinforcements from the house?” Lee asked.

Mitch spoke up from Lee’s other side. “From what we could see before all hell broke out, the house is empty. This was apparently a set-up from the very beginning.”

“Swell,” Lee muttered, then gasped as Brett pressed a bandage against Lee’s wound. Brett nodded; they both knew Brett was doing exactly what was needed under the circumstances. “We need to get out of here.” Lee managed to get out once he caught his breath.

“No joke,” Brett agreed. Lee couldn’t stop a glance to where Baker was laying. “Don’t worry, Lee. He goes with us.” Lee nodded his agreement. Apparently Gunny had the same idea. When he and Fitz returned from a quick reconnaissance of the compound they brought with them a couple of poles they’d found somewhere. Lee could only shrug at that bit of luck, but questioned about any survivors the pair had found. Fitz looked a little green, from what Lee could tell in the tiny bit of light there was. Gunny merely shrugged and Lee didn’t have the guts to question further. The lines were cut away from one of their parachutes, the shroud laid over the poles, and the lines tied everything in place to form a travois. Baker was laid on the travois and covered with another parachute, everything tied securely. More lines were attached to Gunny’s parachute harness, the backpack stripped off and his gear transferred to other packs.

“I think we’re better off going out the other gate,” Gunny told the group. “If there’s anyone waiting for us out there, they’d expect us to head to the closest one.” He got affirmatives all around and Lee, with a hand from Brett, rose a bit unsteadily to his feet. “Lee?” came instantly from the Marine Gunnery Sergeant.

“I’ll manage,” Lee said instantly, but he couldn’t control the slightly sheepish expression that hit his face.

“Your extra radio?” was the next question Gunny needed an answer to. Lee had no problems letting the man take control of what was left of this basically destroyed mission.

“Need to be a bit closer to the coast,” Lee told him.

“Then let’s get going.”

Wanting to stay away from any place Letty had shown them, Lee started to hand his compass to Gunny and discovered that the man had one of his own. Lee gave him a nod and stuck his back in his pocket. He went to grab up his pack but Mitch grabbed it first, then walked next to Lee as they headed for what everyone hoped was much safer territory. Gunny and Brett traded off every little bit pulling the travois. It was slow going, and not totally because everyone except Gunny was injured in some way. Pulling the travois was awkward and noisy, and everyone was constantly worried about being followed and attacked again. As the sun started to come up they found as good a hiding place as they could and settled in to once more wait for dark.

Gunny finally voiced what they were all wondering. “What the hell did Baker get us mixed up in?”

No one answered until Lee finally did. “At a guess, get the United States blamed for an assassination we should have absolutely nothing to do with, causing even more tension between our countries than there already is. If they killed us they could claim anything they wanted to.” He coughed, earning worried looks from the others. Lee started to say he was fine – his stock answer to anything medical – and decided honesty was a much better option in this hazardous situation. “Been better,” he acknowledged the others’ concerns.

“You rest,” Gunny ordered, but he smiled as he realized a mere Gunnery Sergeant was ordering around a Full Commander. Lee returned the smile, willing to accept that Gunny was now in charge. “We’ll trade off keeping watch,” Gunny’s glance took in the other three, who all nodded. He did have one more question for Lee. “Does your radio need a special code?”

Lee grinned. He knew that Gunny was checking, in case Lee wasn’t in good enough condition when the time came, if Lee had any special code words to get Seaview to respond; to understand that it was Lee and not a ‘bad guy’. He gave Gunny the proper channel number then, with some hesitation, added, “I let my XO choose the call signs.” He frowned. “I knew that was a mistake. Worm and Barracuda.”

Gunny chuckled. “I think I’m looking forward to meeting your XO.” Lee decided not to be baited into responding, and closed his eyes.

* * * *

When Lee woke up he immediately knew that he was in trouble. Everyone ate the last of their protein bars and candy. Lee, with as much blood that he knew he’d lost, still had to be careful not to empty his canteen. He knew that he needed to replace what fluids that he could, but if he drank too much now he’d run out before they reached the beach. No way would he accept any water from the others, who also needed to stay hydrated.

Later, Lee wouldn’t remember much of that night’s hike. They needed to hurry, and not just because they were travelling with a dead body that was already starting to smell. At some point during the day someone – probably Gunny – had gone through Baker’s pack. Admittedly after the real maps he’d carried, half a dozen protein bars as well as some chocolate bars were found inside. One each was saved for Lee, who ate them slowly. Also found was a stronger radio than what Baker had given the men. Gunny cast a look around those still awake. “I don’t trust it. If it even works.” He got back answering nods.

“Thank heavens for Lee,” Mitch spoke up.

“Heard things about him,” Fitz added.

“Heard more about Admiral Nelson,” Gunny told them. He made sure the radio was dead so they couldn’t be tracked by it, stuffed it back in the pack, and they all got as much rest as they could before it was once more time to move.

Lee had to struggle to get to his feet once they gently shook him awake. Again his pack, which he’d been using for a pillow, was grabbed, this time by Gunny, and the group headed for the closest place Seaview could send in a zodiac to rescue them. Lee’s stubbornness kept him on his feet, although there was always at least one man close enough to catch him if he stumbled. Which he did several times, but would then shake off the assistance and continue on. Gunny, as the only one not injured, did most of the work hauling the travois, but as the least injured, Brett and Fitz helped as well. No matter how it happened they weren’t leaving Baker behind.

Lee had totally lost track of time when he was gently stopped and lowered to the ground. “Can you call in?” Gunny asked, very real concern in his voice. When Lee nodded, Gunny handed him the Seaview radio. “I’ll read you the coordinates as best I can from the compass.”

“No need.” Lee pointed to a small button almost camouflaged next to the call button. “Pressed at the same time, the signal will be picked up by Seaview’s equipment. One of the Admiral’s inventions, after something that happened when I served with then Captain Nelson aboard the Nautilus.”**

“Gonna be a pleasure meeting him as well.” Gunny laid a hand on Lee’s shoulder as Lee somewhat unsteadily brought the radio close to his head.

“Worm to Barracuda. Worm to Barracuda. Come in Barracuda.” Lee tried to keep his voice steady.

“Barracuda here,” Seaview’s head radioman, usually just called Sparks, answered the hail. “Reading second signal. Have it pinpointed in short order.” But by that time Lee could no longer hold the radio steady, and Gunny grabbed it just before it fell.

Making sure that he had both buttons depressed, he spoke. “The faster the better, ‘Cuda,” he said, using the shortened version of the larger word.

There was a short pause before a new voice was heard. “Where’s Worm?” was demanded.

Lee couldn’t stop a small grin. “Nelson,” came out, even as his eyes closed.

“Sir,” Gunny figured he could get away with that much of an acknowledgement that he knew who had spoken. “Now isn’t exactly the time for introductions.”

There was a snort at the other end. “How many?” was however all that was said.

“Six, sir.”

There was a short pause. “We’ve got you. Call it under an hour. “Cuda out.”

When Gunny looked down Lee’s eyes were once more open. “Start watching in thirty minutes. Chip’s driving.” But his eyes closed again before Gunny could ask what he’d meant by that quip.

* * * *

Whoever ‘Chip’ was, Gunny had to smile when, barely thirty minutes later, his night vision goggles revealed the very top of a submarine Conning Tower breach the surface closer to shore than Gunny was expecting. There was a quick flash of light, which Gunny answered with the penlight he’d taken from Lee’s pack, and very shortly the whole Conning Tower rose and a zodiac started scurrying his direction.

From that point on, for the rest of the night, Lee was only partially aware of what went on. Later, when he had a chance to catch up with Gunny before Seaview returned to Santa Barbara, he discovered that the Gunnery Sergeant had been in much the same situation, although for entirely different reasons. Basically, Admiral Nelson had correctly interpreted Gunny’s comment of ‘The faster the better’, and aboard the zodiac was COB Jones as well as the lead corpsman, Frank. Gunny saw both Seaview men shudder at the wrapped body but both, the instant the zodiac touched land, gave helping hands to get everyone out of there as fast as possible. On the way back Frank sorted out the injuries, and was already giving the doctor a running commentary as many hands carefully got everyone out of the zodiac and into the sub. As everyone was taken to Sick Bay, Admiral Nelson questioned Gunny. “Well, demanded,” he later told Lee, who merely smiled and nodded, a report on what had happened. “I really couldn’t tell him much,” Gunny admitted. Lee understood; ONI missions weren’t discussed openly. “But once it was established that I wasn’t hurt, and everyone else was being treated, he took me to his cabin and placed a direct call to Admiral Jones.” Lee couldn’t help the snicker that came out. Gunny frowned. “You could have warned me.”

“Should have,” Lee told him, “but…”

“Yeah. I’ll let you off the hook for that one. You weren’t in condition to say much of anything at that point.”

“Yeah,” it was Lee’s turn to mutter.

Gunny sent Lee a look of… Whatever it was, it actually made Lee a bit nervous. “Admiral Jones didn’t seem as surprised as I was expecting.”

Lee didn’t immediately answer; Gunny’s observation gave credence to Lee’s self-questions about why Jones had assigned Lee to Baker’s mission. “Admiral Jones,” Lee finally settled on, “didn’t tell me any more about the mission beforehand than he apparently told the rest of you.”

Gunny nodded acceptance, but said softly, “He knew you knew Baker.” He nodded again, which Lee returned, and they both let the topic drop.

Once the entire fiasco was reported, Nelson assigned a crewman to Gunny, who took him to one of the guest cabins to clean up and then down to the Crew’s Mess for a good meal. They made a stop back in Sick Bay to check on everyone else. Nelson was back there as well as another officer, now introduced as the boat’s XO. The Doctor was working on Lee in a curtained off surgical area, but Gunny was grateful that everyone else’s injuries had been treated, all had been cleaned up and, while asked to stay in Sick Bay for at least the next twenty-four hours, all were chowing down on much the same food as Gunny had been given although Mitch was also hooked up to an IV. Just precaution, one of the corpsmen informed both Nelson and Gunny. Gunny offered to stay in Sick Bay as well – he couldn’t believe a sub had such a spacious medical area – but was told he was welcome to the guest cabin for the trip home, and the crewman, Kowalski, escorted him back there. Gunny had to admit that the medical unit matched the rest of the boat that he’d seen – BIG. He was just glad to once more be safe.

* * * *

Nelson and Chip sat, somewhat impatiently, in Will’s office until the Doctor came out of his surgery unit and Lee was moved to a lower bunk closest to the office.

“He’ll be fine,” was all that was said. Nelson nodded and left, but Chip pulled up a chair next to the bunk. Lee was suddenly restless and Will started to walk over and adjust the IV drip Lee was hooked up to, giving the man a little more pain medicine. But Chip scooted forward a bit, laid his hand on Lee’s arm, and Lee seemed to relax. Will shook his head; he was still very new on the boat, and getting used to all the complex relationships aboard. Now he checked everyone else, read his corpsmen’s notes, cleaned up, and headed for what he was most in need of – coffee!

He wasn’t all that surprised to find Admiral Nelson in the Officers’ Wardroom, sipping a cup of the chef’s double-strength brew. After all the sudden excitement it was going to take the whole boat a good while to settle back down. He poured his own mug full of the powerful coffee. Just what the doctor ordered, he told himself, and sat down opposite the Admiral.

“How’s Chip holding up, Will? Did you tell him to hit the rack?”

Jamison added a little sugar to his coffee and Nelson figured that the medic was planning on a long night. “Haven’t the heart, Admiral. He hasn’t let go of the captain’s arm since he sat down. And, fact of the matter, seems that the Skipper settles down when Chip is there. They’re pretty close, aren’t they?” A raised eyebrow invited Nelson’s comment.

Nelson settled back into his chair. Piercing blue eyes looked off into the distance before he said softly, “I ran into Chip’s father at their Academy graduation.” Jamison’s other eyebrow raised at that seeming non sequitur but waited for his new boss to continue. He had already figured out that Nelson always had a reason for everything he did – and said. “We got to talking about our families. Found out that we had a few things in common, principally that we both lost older brothers in Korea. Jerry was one of eight, three more boys and four girls. Big, close-knit family; very much like Chip’s family is today. While we were talking, we spotted Chip and Lee walking across the Yard. Lee must have said something because Chip suddenly tried to get him in a headlock but Lee managed to slip his hold. They wound up laughing their heads off.”

Jamison nodded. “Both have a sense of humor for sure, Admiral. Although the Skipper’s is pretty off the wall sometimes. Never thought I’d run into any regular Navy personnel who could take me on in punning and win. As I said – off the wall.”

“Chip certainly thinks so. He swears that Lee doesn’t take the trouble he gets into on a regular basis seriously enough. Lee just smiles and says he’d rather laugh than mope. Where was I – oh, the Academy and Jerry. Chip’s father got the strangest look on his face when he saw their antics. Could swear that he had tears in his eyes. Can still see him…and hear him…”

“You know, Captain, Chip has three sisters. Loves them dearly and goes out of his way to help them and keep them out of trouble. But I always regretted that we lost his younger brother when David was six months old. SIDS. Always regretted that Chip didn’t have the chance to experience what I had with my brothers. No matter how many and good friends I have made over the years, it is still my brother Nicholas that I turn to in good times and bad. I think Chip was missing something, too – he grew up seeing me with my brother, seeing the closeness, the caring. And then he went off to the Academy and got assigned Lee as a roommate.

Nelson broke off his story long enough to top off his coffee cup and cast a glance at the doctor. Jamison was sitting quietly, all his attention on the Admiral. “Not sure I should be telling you all this, Will. Lee keeps a pretty low profile when it comes to his personal life.”

Will locked gazes with his boss. “Admiral, I’m an old-fashioned kind of doc.”

Nelson smiled at that. Jamison had been on the cutting edge of medical science since he graduated top of his class at med school. He had come to Nelson’s attention by a series of articles on the treatment of dive complications and had been wooed from the Navy into the Reserves with promises of medical research opportunities that he’d get nowhere else. That he was willing to also serve as CMO was a bonus that the Admiral had not expected but appreciated. Especially since he had seen Jamison’s firm but compassionate treatment of the young man widely acknowledged to be the boat’s most difficult patient – who also happened to be the CO of Seaview. Jamison continued to speak and every word only reinforced Nelson’s conviction that he had hired the best man for the job of NIMR’s CMO.

“I treat the whole patient, not just the injury or illness. To do that I need to understand at least a little of who my patient is, all my patients. Anything you can tell me that will help me get that understanding will be kept in confidence, sir. And I don’t mind telling you that I consider our Skipper a particular challenge. He obviously doesn’t trust doctors. Why, I don’t know. I hope to, someday, when he learns that he can trust me. Until then, help me understand him, sir. Help me understand them all.”

Nelson easily read the concern in the compassionate brown eyes locked on his. He nodded slowly and returned to his memory. “You know that Lee entered the Academy early? Needed an age waiver. Didn’t help that first year that he appeared even younger than he was – all eyes and curls and looking as if a stiff breeze would knock him over. Chip, on the other hand, had put in a year at the local junior college waiting for his application to be approved. From what Jerry said, Chip wasn’t all that thrilled initially with getting…

“…saddled with this ‘infant’ as a roommate. Those first few letters home were filled with complaints about the ‘lunatics’ who let a kid into the Academy.”

“That changed.” Nelson said it with a grin. He had already been taking time off from Naval Sea Systems Command to lecture occasionally at the Academy when Morton and Crane had arrived. He had seen first hand how one young man had made believers of those who had been sure that he was too young, too immature, to handle the rigors of the Academy. And had done it despite being singled out for some pretty harsh hazing and not only by the upperclassmen. Nelson had long ago realized that it was that treatment that had first aroused all of Chip Morton’s protective instincts. Well, that treatment and Crane’s dogged refusal to cave under it. It had been amusing to watch as Lee had at first been befuddled by Morton’s concern, then appreciative. His fierce independence had led him to chafe under Morton’s efforts to protect him but they had worked it out, somehow. Nelson didn’t think he’d ever seen a better team in all his years in service. Apparently, Jerry had seen the same changes in Chip’s letters.

And then, suddenly, it was “Lee this and Lee that and damn all those bastards who were trying to get the kid to quit when it’s obvious this kid wouldn’t quit unless he was six feet under.” And then Helen Crane left for Europe not two weeks after she left the hospital*** and right at Thanksgiving. Lee was going to stay at the Academy, apparently it was nothing out of the ordinary to be left on his own even during holidays. Chip did not understand. Chip brought Lee home with him and I suddenly had another son. You wouldn’t believe the effect Lee had on my family. Beth took to Lee instantly; the other girls and my wife adopted him. And Chip… I look at Chip and Lee and I see Nicholas and me, Captain. It does my heart good to see them together. And as good as it is for Chip, I think that Lee needed it even more. That boy needed family, Captain. Needed people who would be there even when he tried to convince them he didn’t need anyone or anything. That Helen loves Lee, I have no doubt. And he loves her. But…well…she raised him to be independent. Too independent in my opinion. Lee needed family who would be there. We were.

“Brothers, Admiral?” Will questioned.

“In all but blood, Will. And considering the times they’ve donated blood for each other, even that isn’t a stretch.”

“Navy policy…”

“I’m not exactly Navy, Doctor.” There was a hint of steel in Nelson’s voice. “And they don’t let their friendship interfere with their positions. I couldn’t ask for, or find, a better command team.”

Jamison drained the last of his coffee and said, “Well, sir, I’d better get back to Sick Bay and make sure your command team stays intact. Admiral, thank you. I understand a little better now.”

Nelson saw something in the keen brown eyes that met his that made him wonder if Jamison had maybe seen more in his story than he had intended. As if this ‘old-fashioned doc’ didn’t also understand a certain admiral better as well. Nelson thought about that a minute and then smiled wryly at Jamison. The CMO nodded, understanding everything that wasn’t being said, before leaving the Wardroom. Nelson settled back in his chair. He’d check on his young command officers in a bit. But something told him his new CMO would have everything under control.

* * * *

Lee came back to awareness all in a rush, and struggled for that split second it took him to figure out where he was. “Easy, Skipper,” came quietly, and Lee’s eyes finally met those of Seaview’s new CMO. Lee let himself relax, only to finally feel the pain his too quick movement had triggered and a small groan slipped out. “You awake now?” was asked with humor.

“Unfortunately,” Lee muttered.

Jamison chuckled. “Be good and I’ll let you stay that way for a bit.” He glanced at his watch. “XO Morton should be making one of his periodic check-ins shortly. Think you can manage a little something to eat?” Lee knew that he frowned first, but finally gave the doctor half a nod. “Then let me check your bandages, and get you sat up a little better.” Jamison had barely finished his quick exam when Chip’s blond head poked through the door. “You,” the doctor pointed a finger at Chip, “go ask Cookie for some soup for the Skipper.” He laughed when the XO gave him a backhanded salute and the head disappeared. Lee didn’t laugh, but his grin spread as Jamison grabbed a couple extra pillows and helped Lee lean forward so he could put them behind Lee.

“Thanks, Doc.” Lee glanced around Sick Bay. “The others?”

“All resting in the guest cabins. Most of the injuries were just messy, not too serious, especially as you got them here quickly.”

“Not so much my doing,” Lee told him with lowered eyes.

Jamison was slowly getting used to that ‘little boy’ expression. It had taken him by surprise at first, the shy look on a man in such a position of power. Now he just waggled a hand and let it pass. He’d heard enough at this point of what had happened that, without Lee’s quick thinking, things might have turned out a whole lot differently. And not for the good! But before he could say anything Chip scooted through the door.

“Soup’s on the way,” he told both Lee and Jamison, and sat in the chair the doctor vacated to head back to his office. Once he was out of sight, Chip glared at Lee. “Well?” he muttered.

“Well, what?” Lee answered. He knew what Chip wanted, but was feeling just enough better to goad his long-time friend.

Chip glared harder. “What the blazes happened?” came out in a growl.

“I figure you already know.”

From the stiff posture he’d been holding, Chip slumped back in the chair. “The high points, yes. But you were already worried about this Baker guy. That’s who you were talking about before you left.”

Lee didn’t say anything for a bit, and was helped to have time to gather his thoughts when Seaview’s chef, usually just called Cookie, himself delivered a tray on which sat a bowl of soup and a thick slice of garlic bread on a small plate, and a bigger plate with a thick ham sandwich and a mound of potato salad. “Mine,” Chip told Lee as he noticed the brunet eying the bigger plate. Frank magically appeared with a small table on which Cookie placed the tray. Chip took his plate off, placed the tray on Lee’s lap, and his plate back on the table. Cookie frowned – he was still trying to get used to how little his new Skipper ate, but he and Frank slipped away before Lee could get embarrassed over how much effort it took to raise a spoon to his mouth. Chip concentrated on his own meal, letting Lee answer at his own speed. If he answered at all. Chip was used to Lee clamming up when he didn’t want to discuss a topic.

But Lee knew that he needed to say ‘something’. It wasn’t his habit to badmouth people, especially when they couldn’t defend themselves. “He gave his last full measure of devotion,” came out softly between bites of the wonderfully flavored minestrone soup he found in the bowl. “He knew at the end that he’d screwed up.” Chip silently accepted that explanation; he understood Lee’s use of the line from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. The two friends finished their meal discussing other topics.

Doctor Jamison, shamelessly eavesdropping on the conversation, nodded to himself as he settled in his office chair. He, too, knew the Lincoln quote. “You’re right, Admiral,” he told himself quietly. “Two special young men sharing a special friendship.” He took a deep breath. “Now they are your responsibility, too, Will Jamison.” He nodded again, ready to accept the challenge.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

* See “Sweet” and “Temple of the Serpent”, both by R. L. Keller

** See “Shark Bait” by R. L. Keller

*** See “Cobwebs” by R. L. Keller