“Brother, you really know how to push it. Yes. I’ll go along. I’m not sure why. I’m not brave enough to try to take on saving the world but the thought of the military in control sends cold chills up my spine. Someone has to keep you boys from blowing up the entire planet.”
“Great. I though you would see the wisdom of not leaving the world’s fate in the hands of men,” Peter relied.
“How about you Okeefer?” Peter asked.
“I just don’t know. I would need more time to make up my mind about this. I’m not ready to commit just now. I honestly don’t see what I can bring to the table.”
“Your wit and charm?” Susan asked.
“Not bloody likely,” Phillips said.
“I guess I had better tell you your other option then,” Peter said.
“Other option?”
“If you elect not to go, you will be held here at Otis until our return. You will be assigned to the backup team.”
“Held? Assigned? What does that mean exactly?” Morgan asked.
“The President made it very clear that he considers this to be in the interest of national security, nothing short of a national emergency. He will not take the chance of letting this leak out. If it gets out it could cause a panic and he will not let that happen.”
“You’re saying held, as in against my will?” Paul pressed.
“Precisely.”
“They can’t do that. Can they?”
“Don’t be a fool Paul. You know darned good and well they can,” his friend Fred interjected.
“Well, that certainly sucks pond water,” Okeefer muttered.
“I’ll need to know soon.”
“Ah, what the hell. I’ll go along. It looks like I was going to be forced to be a part of the event in one way or the other. I might as well jump into the frontline. There may be a book in this when it’s all over,” Morgan replied.
“Okeefer, how about you?”
“Hey, it looks like I’m going to be forced to hang around one way or the other. Since I’m the strong silent type saving the world is right up my alley. You can count me in.”
“Excellent. I wish you all the best.”
“Wait. You’re not going?” Morgan and Phillips said in unison.
“Are you crazy, who would be that dumb?” Peter replied.
Susan just cracked up.
* * *
- NEWPORT SHIPYARD -
“Men. I want to welcome you to operation Deep Flight. I’m Admiral Marcus. I will be the commanding officer. The three of you are being assigned to the DSV-1, USS Chameleon. She is unlike anything you have ever served on or have even encountered before. Each of you has been handpicked by me personally. I have reviewed your records and judged you to be the best. As you can see by looking around you, there aren’t too many of you. We will have one other member joining us just before departure, but he will be strictly an observer. He will not be a part of the regular compliment. From this minute on you are to consider this a top secret project. That means that you are to talk to no one about the Chameleon. In a little while you will be given a tour of the submarine and have a chance to meet the scientists who designed and built the boat. They will be going along on sea trials to do the actual training. I want to introduce a few of the people that you will be involved with. This is Dr. Ferris. He is my right hand man, the XO if you will. He will be conducting the tour a little later. Now we will review the schedule. Each day we will begin with classroom sessions. We will commence OJT at 0730 hours. Lunch will be from 1100 to 1200 hours. You will report to the boat at 1200 hours to finish your on the job training. Evening chow is from 1700 to 1800 hours. You will return back to the boat until you are dismissed for the night. I realize the pace is hectic but you have a lot to learn before we commence sea trials and they are just around the corner. Our first mission after trails is already scheduled so we need to get cracking. You men are in for one of the most exciting and challenging experiences of your life. Open your minds and get ready for a whole new adventure in submarine history. Are there any quick questions before I turn you over to Dr. Ferris?”
“What is the uniform of the day?”
“Good question. Your work kakis or even dungarees will be acceptable for the time being. You will be issued new uniforms in the next couple of days but for now, its dungarees or khakis.”
“Sir, can we tell our spouses about the sub?”
“I must ask you to stick to just the fact that it is a submarine. Everything else should be treated as Top Secret. Now, here is Dr. Ferris,” he said turning to Peter.
“I have gone over each of your records with the Admiral and I can say that I am very impressed by what I saw. As the Admiral said, the next week will be very hectic and we will all have to remain flexible. You are considered to be the cream of the crop and I know you will conduct yourselves in such a manner. Your previous experience will serve you well in the upcoming days. Would Machinist Mates First Class Rawlings and Cain hold up your hands? I don’t recognize the identification patches yet,” Peter asked.
“You are in for a very special treat. The propulsion system, or expulsion system as it’s called, is revolutionary. It may well prove to be the future of sea craft. You will be working directly with Doctor Phillips. Every place you go onboard the Chameleon you will find new inventions. Sonar man Scott, you will find some special new toys as well. I know you have a thousand questions but I would like for you to wait until we go through her. I will answer the general questions but the technical ones should be directed to your individual trainers. Now if you will follow me, we can get started,” Peter said leading them out of the building and to the dry dock.
Immediately he could feel the excitement as they saw the Chameleon for the first time. Some actually stood with their mouths open. The DSV-1 sat low and sleek. In many ways it resembled a huge manta ray but it had elements of an airplane as well in many areas. He led them across the gang plank and on to the outer hull.
“Didn’t I tell you it was spectacular? As you can see, nothing like it exists. Even the outer hull is made from new materials. This is Dr. Morgan,” Peter said by way of introduction, “Doctor, would you show them what makes the hull so special?”
“Certainly,” he said and turned to a large control panel.
“As you can see the outer hull is covered with what we affectionately call pods. These pods have the ability to change color to blend into to the surrounding conditions. Right now, the dials all read ‘zero’. When we stimulate the pods, the color will change. The hull appears black now. That’s because the material inside the pods are clear. But when I add stimuli,” he said, turning the large dial in the center, “the colors change.”
Within a few seconds the hull changed from black to a blue-green color. The submariners watched in amazement.
“Add a little more and....it changes again.” The color turned to a darker blue.
“By regulating the different pods we can change any part on the ship's color,” he said demonstrating the effect by setting different sections to change to different colors. The Chameleon took on a spotted look with various shades of blues and greens.
“The computer will control the exact levels of stimuli. She can blend into almost any environment,” he said, changing the dials once again. The DSV became the color of sand. They watched dumfounded.
“Thanks doctor,” Peter said, and led them toward the interior of the boat.
Along the way he pointed out the various functions of the boat, the dive planes, torpedo tubes, observation windows and the expulsion system. They may have thought they were ready for all of this but it was easy to see that they weren’t. How could they be? He led them inside.
“This is the control center area. Over here is the main computer bank and over there is the backup unit. Almost every system has redundancy built into it. Because of the depths we are capable of; it has become rather an obsession with us. Here is the main control console. There are both analog and LED readouts. The main control resem
bles the popular Thrustmaster gaming controls used by serious game players on home computers. It is just bigger and has more functions,” he explained, “We will be using percent power settings rather than the usual Full Speed and Flank Speed delineations.”
He led them on to each compartment explaining the main features as he went. They all commented on the decking. It was made of a rubber compound.
“You will be issued magnetic badges that you swipe for access to your particular area. Some places, like the main machinery room are restricted to appropriate personnel only. The cards have several other functions built into them such as carbon monoxide and dioxide monitors, as well as nitrogen loading abilities.” They ended up in the forward torpedo room.
“As you can see we have two tubes and we only carry four fish. We have no rear torpedo tubes. Just these. We are a deep submersible. Our primary mission is exploration. Our best defense is stealth and camouflage, that and the fact that we can go deeper than any submarine ever built.”
Peter introduced them to the installers and scientists whenever he could.
“Well, I told you she was unique. I think the Admiral has a few more words to say before you are dismissed. Admiral.”
“Tomorrow we begin. You will have the rest of the day to get settled in over at the barracks. I’ll let you know when you can move into the boat. I know you’re all anxious to get started but get a good night’s rest. You’re going to need it. Any questions before we go?”
“Do the babes on board go with us?”
“Son, since you’re a sailor I’ll let that pass, just this once. The women on that boat are some of the best scientists this country has to offer. They are to be treated with respect at all times. They have been working twelve to fifteen hours every day, seven days a weeks for months. The next time I hear a remark like that, the person making it will find himself pulling duty on a garbage barge. Now, you are all dismissed.”
* * *
- DSV-1 USS CHAMELEON –
Peter went back into the boat and found James and Ted working on tubing.
“What are you guys up to?”
“One of the side thrusters is not working properly. We thought it might be the plumbing but everything checks out fine in here. I guess I’ll just have to replace the unit itself.”
“Have you had a chance to check out the ballast system?”
“You bet. It’s 100 percent functional. Works like a BCD that scuba divers use. It can be regulated to stay at any set depth. It’s accurate up to plus or minus two feet.”
“How are we coming with tying into the main computer?”
“Pretty well,” Ted said, “Vicky and Susan have been encoding the material all day.”
“I thought so. I’ll go check with them and see how it’s coming along,” he said and went forward.
He found them deep in thought.
“Hi guys. How is it going?”
“Not bad. We’re getting a little punch drunk after twelve hours of this stuff. The General Dynamics people are totally online. They have been super to work with,” Vicky said.
“Your navigational systems are all installed as well. Everything appears to be checking out,” Susan added.
“And the main control panel?”
“We’re working on it boss. We’re getting there. It’s the last real hurdle. Once we are finished with that, we will be ready to start static testing and debugging the systems,” Susan said.
“We’re looking good,” Peter said.
“Give us the weekend and I think we will be ready for sea trials,” Susan informed him.
“Ah. A light at the end of the tunnel,” Peter said, forming a tunnel with both fists and holding it up to his eye.
“We all see it and believe me, we are all ready.”
Peter ran into Luke as he was headed for the gangplank.
“Hey Luke. How are you doing?”
“So-so. I’ve been thinking about this alien stuff. It doesn’t really surprise me that they are here on earth. I just didn’t expect them to come from our own solar system.”
“I don’t think anyone did,” Peter said.
“All you have to do is look up at the stars and it’s easy to believe that we aren't the only creatures in the universe. That doesn’t take God out of the equation. We could be just one of the races he created. I can live with that.”
“I think we all have to accept that,” Peter confirmed.
“Man has a lot of room for improvement. Maybe this was His way of pointing us down the right road.”
“Only He knows the grand plan. I just have to put my trust in Him,” Peter said.
“Amen.”
“Say, not to change the subject, but have you talked to Liz?”
“Sort of. I talked. She didn’t say much. I didn’t call for a few days to see how she would react. Nothing. Pete she just doesn’t care anymore. I don’t think it’s going to get any better.”
“Have you told her what you’re contemplating? Divorce, I mean.”
“Not exactly.”
“Why. It’s time.”
“Pete that’s easier said than done. I love her. I don’t want to lose her. I guess I’m afraid of what she might say,” Luke answered.
“You’re chicken?”
“Gee Pete. Kick me while I’m down. That’s fifteen yards for unnecessary roughness.”
“Luke it’s time. Past time, actually. You need to face the music, old friend,” Peter said trying to provoke Luke to see if he really believed his marriage was worth saving or if he had actually given up.
Admiral Marcus interrupted their conversation. It was just as well that he did. It was going nowhere fast.
“Would you mind covering for me the next few days. I’ve been called back to Washington.”
“Sure. No problem.”
“I appreciate it. I need to run. I’ll call you if anything interesting comes up.”
“Have a safe one.”
Peter turned to Luke, “Look if you want to talk about this any more you know where to find me.”
“I know. Thanks for everything. I’ll talk to her soon.”
“I know. Call me if you need me.”
“I will. I always do.”
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
- NEWPORT SHIPYARD -
At long last, everything was ready. They had tested and retested every system and gone over the procedures for dealing with any equipment that might fail. DSV-1 was ready to head out for sea trials. Peter and Admiral Marcus were going over the route and the series of tests that they wanted to conduct.
After testing everyone on the retractable manipulator arm, it was decided that Morgan would be the operator. No one had totally mastered the arm but he had proven to be the most proficient.
The initial sea trials were straightforward. It was now Monday and they were taking on provisions. All water, liquid oxygen, and nitrogen tanks would be topped off on Tuesday. The crew would secure the boat for sea duty. A complete check for any misplaced tools, rags, or miscellaneous gear would be conducted by all members. They would depart on Wednesday at 0600 and head directly down the coast to New London, Connecticut and procure four of the Navy’s latest Mk 71 torpedoes.
Once loaded, they would proceed due east and conduct tests in the area of the George Bank and the New England seamounts. The tests would be conducted over the following four days and they would return to Newport, on Monday evening.
The White House had been briefed as to the plan and the President was ecstatic that the Chameleon had been readied so quickly. The observer, Lt. Commander Price, had arrived and was briefed about the sea trials.
Price had been assigned by Admiral Zoren to observe on behalf of his staff. He was pleasant enough but he knew he was viewed with suspicion. It went with the territory and he accepted it. Admiral Marcus was surprised that Zoren hadn’t sent a higher ranking officer as an intimidation factor.
“Skipper, the water tanks are topped off. The generator is operating up to spe
ed and ready to switch over from shore power. Do you want me to have them make the switch?”
“Sure thing. We might as well test it out now. Have them leave the water hoses connected until the last minute. I want to leave with all tanks topped off,” Marcus said.
“Aye, Aye, Skipper.”
Everything went as planned. The lights blinked twice, and flickered for a second while synchronizing phasing and then settled down as the onboard generator equalized the load. Other than the water, they were on their own power at last. The dry dock had been flooded two days earlier and all seals and openings had been tested and were found to be secure. Pressure testing on the hull and fittings had gone without a hitch. The Chameleon was ready to get underway.
The crew was issued special uniforms with thick rubber soled shoes. A total of thirteen people would make up the initial sea trial crew. Two minute showers, every other day, was the water ration rule they were operating under. The magnetic badges would activate the showers and flow meters would determine the water gallons allowed for each person. The scientists, uneasy at being in such confined quarters, were just glad the trials would only last a few days. They could not imagine someone living like this for weeks on end.
The Chameleon’s mother ship for the trials would be the USS Galapagos and she had already gotten under way on Sunday. The Galapagos had been refitted for the special needs of the Chameleon and would assist in gathering data and evaluating performance standards. They would rendezvous on Thursday morning at 0700 and begin testing.
* * *
“One day and counting,” Peter said to Marcus as they left the boat on Monday.
“We’re as ready as we are ever going to be at this point. Tomorrow should be an easy day. I want everyone to knock off early and to get as much sleep as they can.”
“That’s a joke right? We civilians are so keyed up it will take us a week to calm down,” Peter replied.
“Yeah, I remember my first boat ride. I don’t think I slept the entire time we were at sea. At least that’s how it seemed at the time,” Marcus said.
“I know I’m excited. I can’t wait to get going.”
THE BRINK - OPERATION DEEP FLIGHT Page 27
