Leviathan egt-4

by David L. Golemon

  "It seems kids are very popular here," Mendenhall ventured from the far end of the table.

  "It brings up the perplexing question of the morality of destroying this vessel with children onboard," Alice said, looking from the children and young midshipmen to the faces around her own table.

  For the first time, everyone looked at Jack for a direction. He shook his head and placed his water glass down.

  "I have one duty at the moment, and no magic answers for any of you. I plan on getting us off of this technological menagerie as soon as I can find a way. Those children are a part of what's going on here, and whether we find out what that is or not, it makes no difference." He looked from person to person. "We are getting out of here, and letting the professionals who can fight this woman do their job."

  None of them had ever heard Jack speak in that manner before. The one man who always knew his duty and what was to be done for the greater good of the country now saw things differently. Sarah, for her part, was looking at Jack and seeing a change in him — one that was disturbing to her.

  The din in the mess area quieted. All eyes looked to the far end of the galley as a hatch opened. Standing there was Heirthall. She was resplendent in a navy blue frock coat that trailed all the way to the floor. Her white blouse was collarless, and her blue pants cut short to the ankle. Her black hair was shining, pulled to one side, and flowing over her right shoulder.

  Jack, Carl, Will, and Ryan stood so they could get their first look at Captain Alexandria Olivia Heirthall.

  "Whoa," Ryan mumbled to Mendenhall.

  "Take it easy. I have a feeling she isn't your type," Will mumbled.

  As for Everett, the first thing he noticed from across the room was the way the woman stood, statuesque, framing herself so that everyone inside could see her. He didn't know if this was arrogance or her natural way. He would hold all his opinions in check until he could see more. One thing was sure in all of their minds — this woman was definitely in her element.

  As she stepped inside, the small children, the eldest of whom looked no older than eight or nine, broke from the table they were sitting at. All thirty-two of them rushed toward Captain Heirthall. For the first time since their arrival, Niles and the others saw a smile break out wide across Alexandria's face. She held out her arms and allowed the children to crowd in close. They were reaching for her, and she played her hands over as many of the heads as she could reach. Adult crew members tried their best to hold the children in check.

  Alexandria waded in to the children. She was smiling, touching, and then placing her slender fingers along their small faces. The children in turn reached out as if it was the one thing they had to do. Heirthall waved off the adult crew members and midshipmen as they tried to calm the children.

  Heirthall plucked one of the younger children from the group — it was a girl, maybe three or four years old. She had been standing on a chair to see the captain. Alexandria kissed the girl on the cheek, hugged her, and then gently handed her off to Samuels, who had joined the captain. The commander leaned in, whispered to the captain, and then nodded toward their table. She looked at the Event Group people and her right brow rose. Then she held her arms up and the room started to settle.

  "Our babies… welcome aboard!" she said as the older crew members applauded politely.

  The midshipmen escorted the small children back to their table.

  Alexandria started toward the Group's table, followed by Samuels. When she neared, Niles, Lee, Jack, Carl, Mendenhall, and Ryan stood and half-bowed their greeting, as military men were trained to do.

  They watched her smile and nod politely at their gesture, and then the men saw who had joined her. Gene Robbins was now dressed in a blue jumpsuit with the standard [?]L[?] on the breast pocket.

  "These," she started to say as she gestured toward the children, "are why we are doing what we are doing. They are our life, our light, and I daresay, our future — orphans from your world who came here and found a family."

  "Captain, we fight for children all over the world — live and die for them. Can you explain why one group of children is worth the murder of multitudes, while others starve in isolated pockets throughout the world? Just why are these children any different than those whom you will starve and freeze with your actions?"

  "By helping this special group of children, we may help others, Dr. Compton. May I sit and join you? I'm quite hungry."

  Compton dipped his head. He looked to the other standing men of his group, gesturing for them to sit also, as his eyes fell on Dr. Robbins. "If it's all the same to you, Captain, I would prefer if this man ate at another table," Niles said.

  "Hear, hear," Lee agreed.

  Robbins had the extreme audacity to look stunned and hurt as he faced his former friends.

  "I can assure you, Dr. Compton," Alexandria said, pulling out her chair, assisted by Robbins holding it for her, "Gene Robbins is a man of the highest character. His only crime is that he has a higher priority than most. He loved your Group, and for every little bit of information he passed on to me, he forfeited some of his soul."

  "Not enough," Niles said, placing his napkin back into his lap. "However, madam, it is your table and your vessel; I bow to your wishes."

  Alexandria patted Robbins on the hand and whispered to him that he should sit.

  "Captain, I would not want to ruin the appetites of your guests. Perhaps I can visit with the children for a while." He tried to look at Carl, but found he couldn't hold the captain's gaze.

  "You are excused, Doctor. We can talk later."

  Robbins half-bowed and then walked over to Everett.

  "You don't understand anything, Captain, but then again, how could you?" He leaned in close to Carl. "You always act without thinking." Robbins then dropped something in Everett's lap. The move was quick and no one sitting at the table was the wiser. Robbins looked at the others and then left quickly.

  "He has been hurt deeply. He asked that he not be released from his duties at your agency if he was able to pass on information to me without getting caught." Alexandria looked at Everett. "He said he had found a home with people he admired and trusted. He singled you out, Captain Everett, as a man he admired."

  Everett stared back at the captain. He didn't rise to any bait she might be laying out; instead he placed his hands in his lap and found the item Robbins had dropped.

  "You will learn before we set you ashore that he had the highest motives," she said as her salad was placed before her. She immediately started eating.

  "I've noticed a change in you since the last time we saw you, Captain. Can we explain that away by the presence of the children you have picked up here on Saboo?" Alice asked.

  Heirthall dabbed at her mouth with her napkin, then looked from face to face as she placed her elegant hands underneath her chin.

  "Yes, you can," she answered, and then she turned to look at Jack and Sarah with mild curiosity.

  "Captain, I'm curious, the treasure mentioned in regard to your ancestor — was it real, or was that just a flight of fancy by Alexandre Dumas?" Ryan asked.

  "The subject interests you, Lieutenant Ryan?" she asked, her eyes finally leaving Jack and Sarah.

  "Only from a standpoint of…" He looked at Jack and then Everett."… literature, of course."

  Alexandria smiled. She liked the young naval officer; he was blunt and forthcoming, and did not hold a lie well.

  "Yes, Mr. Ryan, the treasure really existed, or still exists, I should say, as I have explained to your companions. Of course, we need none of it today; we have found plenty to keep our operations safe and secure without ruining the values of every precious gem, gold, or antiquities market in the world."

  "Is it onboard?" Ryan asked with hopefulness in his eyes.

  "No, the weight of it alone would sink Leviathan right to the bottom of the sea. It's in one of the most inaccessible places in the world."

  "Is it—"

  "Lieutenant, I think we've co
vered that subject about as far as we need to," Jack said, frowning at Ryan.

  "I have a question, Captain," Collins said, turning away from an embarrassed Ryan.

  "Yes, Colonel?"

  "Your security force, how large is it?"

  "One hundred and seventy. We can deal with most land elements in Special Operations if need be."

  "I would think that is a rather large contingent just for the security of Leviathan," Jack said, probing.

  Heirthall pushed her plate away and looked at Collins. She was silent for a time as she studied him.

  "You need not make any bold plans, Colonel. The reasons for bringing you aboard… well, to put it frankly, they are moot at this point. Plans have changed. Your time onboard Leviathan is at an end."

  Samuels, sitting next to Heirthall, barely moved his eyes, but Jack and Niles saw that this information was news to him.

  "All hands, prepare for getting under way. We are at defense condition two throughout the boat. Midshipmen, secure the young in the aft pressure dome." The announcement ended their lunch.

  A young lieutenant gave Commander Samuels a message, then left the table. The first officer passed it onto Heirthall, who wadded the flimsy thing into a ball and stood. She was tense as she half-bowed and then left the table, quickly escorted by four of Tyler's security men.

  "If you'll come with me, we're preparing to dive. We have detected the Missouri sitting offshore, so we will immediately run into deep waters," Samuels said as he stood. "Security will take you to the observation deck."

  "You'll not take offensive action against Missouri, will you?" Lee asked.

  "Our actions will be defensive in nature, Senator. Leviathan will run deep; no vessel in the world can out-dive us. If they choose to follow, that is of no concern to the captain. Now, please, follow me."

  "How deep can this thing go?" Mendenhall asked nervously as he stood with the others to follow the commander.

  "I don't know," Ryan said to him, "but the crush depth for most American boats is sixteen hundred feet, some even less."

  "Oh, shit," was all Will could say as he and the others felt the first tingling of fear.

  * * *

  As they were on their way to the observation deck, escorted by ten security men, Everett slid in beside Jack and handed him something. Collins, without acknowledging the move, deftly opened a small piece of paper that had been folded several times.

  "It's from our little computer nerd. He passed it to me in the mess."

  Jack quickly looked down at the precise block letters of the note. It was only five words: SOMETHING is WRONG WITH HEIRTHALL.

  "What do you think?" Everett mumbled.

  "This only confirms what we already suspect. The added element here is that our Dr. Robbins is saying the captain has changed since their last meeting. That means if he's worried, we should be, too."

  Sarah stepped in to ask what was up when Sergeant Tyler and another security team approached them. They were all heavily armed, and they all sported their Nomex/seaweed assault gear. The Event Group was surrounded just outside of the observation deck.

  "The use of deadly force against you has been authorized by the captain if you attempt any sort of offensive move, or if you attempt to communicate with the outside world. This status will be in effect until you depart this vessel." Tyler looked directly at Collins, then gestured for his men to take the Group into the observation deck. He then grabbed Jack's arm and held him in place.

  "It's time you and I had a little talk, Colonel."

  Collins didn't say anything. He looked from Tyler to Sarah, who hesitated at the door. Then he rose, looked at her sternly, and nodded toward the hatchway, indicating that she go with the others. Niles placed his arm around Sarah, and with a stern look at Tyler moved inside the hatchway. Everett, Ryan, and Mendenhall followed — each giving the sergeant warning looks. When they were all inside, one of the two security men reached out and dogged the hatch.

  "I need to know why the captain was adamant about having your people aboard Leviathan, and don't hand me that crap about needing information about what your agency knew about her and her family."

  "Even if I remembered my time onboard Leviathan the first time around, I wouldn't tell you a damn thing, Sergeant."

  "Colonel, if I don't get an answer as to why your director and the others were brought here, I will find a way to kill someone very close to you. Now answer me."

  The cold demeanor of the security man brought Jack to the conclusion that Heirthall had lost control of at least part of her command. If Tyler was against her in some form or another, Collins knew he might have to take his chances with the madwoman over the man standing in front of him. His instincts told him that this man was a killer — once more, he could see in his eyes that he enjoyed it.

  Jack didn't respond to the threat he had leveled at Sarah. He just smiled, his eyes never leaving Tyler's own.

  "Why are you here?"

  "Tyler, I will say this to you. You are one of those people I will not mind killing."

  The sergeant smiled and acted as if to turn away, but instead brought up the sidearm hidden at his side and smashed Jack on the side of the head. Collins staggered, then went down to a knee. Tyler stood over him and brought the pistol down into Jack's skull. The colonel collapsed to the deck.

  "What is the meaning of this?!"

  Tyler turned to see Samuels standing at the junction of the companionway. His face was screwed into an angry mask as he quickly stepped to where Collins was trying to rise. Samuels assisted Jack to his feet.

  "What in the hell do you think you're doing, Tyler? Consider yourself on report. Now get to your diving station and remain there. You'll be brought up at captain's mast. Now get out," he said with a growl. "Colonel, we have to get you attended to."

  "Take Captain America here to sickbay," Tyler ordered his two men, and then he turned and walked off without acknowledging Samuels.

  Heirthall's first officer felt the authority of the chain of command starting to slip away as Leviathan ran full speed into harm's way.

  16

  Niles and the other members of the Event Group were seated in front of the observation windows as Heirthall walked over to the main console lining the inner hull and depressed the intercom.

  "Mr. Samuels, take Leviathan down to three hundred feet. Maintain zero bubble, keel at thirty feet above the cave floor. Prepare for a flank run out of the access tunnel to the sea just in case our unwanted American boat is still watching."

  "Captain, with the repairs incomplete on the damaged sections to the hull and planes, we will leave a wake and sound signature."

  "I am well aware of that, Mr. Samuels. You have your orders. As soon as we have entered the access tunnel, have Mr. Tyler set off his mainline detonation." Heirthall turned away from the main console and sat in a chair fronting the observation windows that now held the hologram.

  * * *

  The great black hull of Leviathan slipped slowly under the calm waters of the interior lagoon. As her hull started taking on the minute pressures of the shallow dive, her amazing skin started to depress in on itself, actually getting stronger as the pressure increased. There were seventeen layers of spun titanium and nylon material in her hull that could depress and expand with the rigors of deep ocean travel. This makeup of hull matrix, and the difficulty in making the elements adhere to each other in its composite form, was one hundred and twenty years ahead of the General Dynamics Electric Boat Division of the United States.

  Leviathan went to three hundred feet; her giant thrusters fore and aft maneuvered her until she was pointed toward the thousand-foot access tunnel that would lead her to her natural element — the open sea.

  On the hologram projected onto the closed observation doors, the control center was shown in bright detail from three decks below them. The image only took up a portion of the viewing screen. The rest showed a computer-generated image of the access tunnel and the waters beyond. Niles watche
d as the crew of Leviathan went about their work. Commander Samuels was in his normal place, standing beside the empty captain's chair with his arms crossed over his chest.

  "Helm, steer three-five-seven, all ahead at ten knots. Increase speed by increments of twenty knots as we traverse the cave."

  "Aye, Mr. Samuels, estimate full speed will be achieved upon exit of the tunnel at one hundred thirty-seven knots."

  "Thank you, Mr. Hind."

  Heirthall closed her eyes and smiled as Leviathan started her forward run. To Compton it was if she herself were Leviathan, and it seemed Heirthall felt better as she began to move.

  "Sergeant Tyler, you may do your duty," Samuels said on the hologram.

  A hundred feet down the long row of technicians, Sergeant Tyler was sitting at one of the ten weapons stations.

  "With the captain's permission," he said, flipping up a plastic door and then, without hesitation, pushing the red button underneath.

  The cave walls and ceiling gave a mighty heave as the two-megaton nuclear weapon detonated. Leviathan heaved forward when the first pressure wave struck her, and was suddenly pushed to the side as heated water from the cave fought to escape the collapsing home of the great boat. Her port thrusters shot out twenty thousand pounds of water pressure to keep the giant submarine from smashing into the cave's wall.

  Heirthall now stood as the first of the tremors settled far behind them and the giant submarine finally settled.

  "The first home I ever knew is now gone," she said beneath her breath. "Commander Samuels, take us out of here. I'll be in auxiliary control." She turned and faced Virginia. "Ginny, would you care to accompany me?"

  * * *

  On the surface of the Pacific, Saboo Atoll exploded. The mountainous center fell in and then expanded outward, forming a mushroom-shaped cloud filled with microparticles of melted rock and coral that had made up the small atoll.