by Charles Mead
“That remains to be seen,” said Ben.
“See how it goes. Will is similar in a lot of ways, although I suspect he is only in the navy because of family tradition. He’s not really made for battle from what I have heard, but I am told he has great potential as a science officer by Dr Martinez.”
“If you say so, Admiral, where we going to next?”
“The bridge,” replied the admiral as he led Ben down some more corridors.
“If memory serves me, we’re a considerable distance away. Did you put in my maglev to get crew quickly around the ship?”
“No, we didn’t. Well, we put something a bit better in, a hyperloop.”
“That’s old technology, Admiral,” replied Ben.
“In some eyes yes, but it gets the job done,” replied the admiral as he pressed the button to call the hyperloop train.
The train arrived within a few seconds. They both entered the train and the hyperloop engaged. “Next stop bridge. Please be seated NOW!” said the calm voice.
***
They arrived at the bridge stop within less than a minute and exited to face the main doors to the bridge. Admiral Noyce pressed the button to open the bridge doors and the bubble doors quickly opened towards them as a bell sounded. Ben took a deep breath as he entered the bubble-shaped bridge of Proteus for the very first time and observed the activities going on.
“Admiral on the bridge,” said another officer, again resulting in everyone stopping their work.
“As you were,” said the admiral once more.
As they walked onto the cavernous bridge Ben took a look around him as he marvelled that something he had only seen on blueprint screens had been turned into a reality. He also drew some looks of recognition from the crew.
The admiral walked confidently to the man sitting in the captain’s chair.
“Ben, I would like you to meet First Officer Martin Nichols,” said the admiral.
Martin extended his hand forwards to meet Ben’s, but it was clear to Ben that Martin took an instant dislike to him but remained professional.
“Captain Roberts, welcome to your boat,” said Martin, almost through gritted teeth.
“Relax, Commander, it’s not my boat. The admiral is just showing me around,” replied Ben.
“I should have said you designed her, sir, and credit it where it is due, you designed an amazing boat.”
“Thanks Commander, it is certainly a mix of emotions seeing Proteus as a reality, although there have been quite a few changes from what I can see.”
“Yes sir, as you can see, the bridge has been fully updated with all the latest technology. Everything is the latest and best.”
“Does it all work?” asked Ben.
“Just checking it all through now, sir; we’re green on eighty-five percent systems,” said Martin.
Ben turned to the admiral. “Is that going to be enough?” he asked.
“We’ll shortly find out,” replied the admiral.
“Sir?” asked the confused Martin.
“Carry on, Commander, you have an hour to do the remaining fifteen percent,” said the admiral.
“Sir, we need a lot more time than that, several hours at best to get everything done,” objected Martin.
“You’re going to have to take them live, this boat is launching in an hour, Commander,” replied the admiral.
“What’s the urgency, sir?”
“Oh, for Christ’s sake, Richard, you haven’t even told your commanding officer what’s happening?” asked Ben.
“Both of you follow me to the ward room now,” ordered the admiral as he turned and left the bridge. Both men followed behind.
***
The ward room was brightly lit with swim tubes either side of the room pumping in light and a large wooden boardroom table in the middle with several seats. The far wall contained a bank of six large screens cycling through various ship system readings, including GPS positioning.
“So, the colonies did not just have design flaws as reported,” said the commander as a statement more than a question seeking an answer.
“No, Proteus is the best thing out there and the only thing, I think, that can find out what the heck is going on out there and restore some order to what is going on.”
“We can launch, sir, but we don’t have a captain.”
“Well, that’s why I hope Ben here can become captain on this maiden voyage just to get this sorted out.”
“With respect, sir, Captain Roberts left the U.E.S. in disgrace.”
“Yes he did, but things are different from over ten years ago, he has the expertise to do this.”
“Sir—”
“The decision has been made; you will have to work with Ben.”
“Relax Commander, I will take Proteus for a spin, find this submarine, neutralise the threat and then I am back on the beach sleeping in until noon.”
“So that’s a yes, Ben?”
“Yes it is. Now, Commander, bring me up to speed on the rest of this boat, and fast.”
“Err … yes, sir, this way.”
The two men left the ward room and headed back towards the bridge.
***
“And that’s pretty much all you need to know for now, Captain,” said Martin as they entered the captain’s quarters.
“Well, this is very nice indeed, Commander, but as I say, I won’t be staying here that long. I know you want to be the captain of this boat, Martin.”
“That’s not it, sir.”
“So what is it, Commander? If we’re going to stand the remotest chance of succeeding on this mission we have to be able to work together and be frank with each other,” said Ben.
“I object to you being parachuted into this role, sir.”
“So do I, Commander, for one we are underwater—”
“Sir, you know I meant that as a figure of speech.”
“I do. Spit it out then.”
“Until a few days ago, this ship was just secretly being prepared; then all of a sudden we get orders from Herd we have to be ready to go very quickly. Then you come in, a disgraced captain, to save the day. It’s unacceptable to me … sir.”
“Ok , now we’re getting somewhere. I didn’t seek this role, Commander, I was quite happy doing my own thing far, far away from the U.E.S. and its incompetence. I didn’t think I would say yes to it either, I thought I would just see Proteus and then off I would go, perhaps leaving some advice on how to deal with the threat.”
“I know you were sucked into it, but as commanding officer of Proteus I have a responsibility to the ship and crew.”
“As do I as captain, Martin.”
“Yes sir, which is why I need to be sure there will be no repeat of what you did to leave the U.E.S. over a decade ago.”
“Trust me, Commander, those days are long behind me, but, that said, as captain I am going to make strategic calls and I need to know you won’t object to every single one I make, but you will challenge me when necessary.”
“Of that, sir, I can assure you I do respect you as a strategist completely, best I know of in the U.E.S. Placing aside the circumstances in which you have become captain, I do think if anyone can find this rogue sub you can.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Martin. I think as long as we both remain focused on the task at hand we should be fine for our one and only mission together.”
“Yes sir. Right, let’s go to the bridge shall we? Sir, you might want to change what you are wearing first,” said Martin.
“What’s wrong with what I am wearing? I can still captain in these I am sure,” replied Ben as he admired his dirty shorts and T-shirt.
“You can, sir, I just think you should be wearing the captain’s uniform.” He pointed to the uniform hanging up in the wardrobe.
“Right you are, Commander. Give me five minutes and I will get changed,” replied Ben.
***
Ben finished changing and took a quick look in the mirror; it had b
een so very long since he had worn a captain’s uniform. He turned to look to both sides before looking in the mirror and smiling at himself. His thoughts quickly returned to the mission and he left his quarters and headed to the bridge.
“Captain on the bridge,” said Commander Nichols as Ben arrived.
“As you were, everyone, but thank you,” said Ben.
“Sir, Admiral Herd has left Proteus and has advised we can launch whenever we are ready,” said Nichols.
“Thank you, Commander. How do Proteus’ systems check out now?”
“Eighty-seven percent green now, sir, we can launch now if you want to.”
“Any of the remaining systems that are red critical?”
“No sir, not absolutely critical, mainly backup systems. However, they are backups to the backups.”
“Good. Proteus’ weapons systems all available and online?”
“Yes sir, Proteus is ready in that area for any threats we encounter.”
“Excellent, now we just need somewhere to go,” said Ben as he sat down in the captain’s chair.
“Sir, if I may…” said Steve Kennedy.
“You may, now that you are not shirtless and trying to break my nose for a second time today,” said Ben.
“Err … yes sir. Will and I think that this rogue sub can be detected by how it is using the ocean water.”
“Really? It’s powered by ocean water?”
“No sir, but we think it takes in ocean water and uses the salt for some process, it then has to discharge the waste water—”
“So that means we are looking for differences in salt concentration in areas around U.E.S. colonies?”
“Yes sir, or potentially in open water.”
“Is that still like looking for a needle in a haystack, Mr Kennedy?”
“No sir, we don’t think so as we had a look at the environmental data around the previous two colonies attacked. Let me show you on screen.”
“Ok, this is Capricorn One colony in the Atlantic, the first colony to be attacked. Here is the time code in the bottom right of the screen and if we overlay the environmental data you can see here a path comes up on screen, pretty much to the front door of Capricorn. For some reason it waits for twenty minutes and then, at the exact time it fires, you can see the ship following a path away.”
“Very good work, Kennedy. You’re starting to make up for smashing my face in earlier. So now we need to find a path of salt water concentration that matches the above.”
“Already ran it, sir,” said Will Weaver.
“Good stuff. I suspected you were probably more suited to science than water polo, what have you come up with?” asked Ben.
“We have traced a path heading towards the new Deus colony, sir.”
“Christ! The U.E.S. needs to name some of their colonies better.”
“Sir?”
“Never mind. Commander Nichols, advise U.E.S. command we are ready to launch, and jam those other faction satellites. I want as much time as we can give ourselves, especially if we have to go into another faction’s water.”
“Yes sir,” replied Nichols as he began talking into his headset to get U.E.S. headquarters.
“Computer, plot a course to Deus colony.”
“Sir, I am afraid that Proteus is not that automated,” said a lady almost in front of him looking at the viewing screen.
“I see, and you are?”
“Ensign Samantha Dern, sir. I have helm command and will plot a course in for us.”
“Excellent. Proceed.”
“We have our clearance,” advised Commander Nichols.
“Course plotted sir,” said Ensign Dern.
“Very good. Take us out of the dock at flank speed.”
“Err … sir…” said Dern.
“I know Ensign, just trying to lighten the mood. Take us out slow ahead.”
“Yes sir,” replied Dern as she manually guided Proteus out of its docking area with the large joystick attached to her station and into open water.
“All clear now, sir.”
“Excellent, engage full speed to engines.”
Dern pressed a button on her control panel and Proteus gently hummed as it quickly increased speed.
“She handles very smoothly, sir,” said Commander Nichols.
“That she does, let’s hope the satellite jamming buys us some time and gives us the element of surprise.”
“Yes sir.”
“Kennedy and Weaver, I want updates as you have them on that salt water path trail.”
“Yes sir,” they both responded.
Ben settled into his captain’s chair and took in his surroundings. He was back in command, and not only that, of a ship he had designed. He realised he had a slight smile on his face and quickly returned his face to neutral in case any of the bridge crew had noticed.
“ETA to Deus Colony, Ensign Dern,” said Ben.
“One hour and forty-five minutes ,sir.”
“Thank you, Ensign. Incompetent water polo players, how far away are we from intercepting this water path trail?”
“Err…” replied Will Weaver, slightly surprised by the way he had been addressed, “we should intercept the trail within thirty minutes and we can then shadow it if we want to.”
“Great, but we’re not going to shadow it directly, as if we do whatever it is may realise this and we lose the element of surprise.”
“Agreed Captain,” replied a clearly impressed Commander Nichols. “May I suggest we zigzag a couple of times behind the path when we are twenty-five miles away and observe for any changes?”
“You may, Commander. We need to see how intelligent this thing is whilst hoping at the same time that we are quick enough to Deus Colony to help them out. Commander, does this ship have a security officer?”
Before the Commander could answer a voice boomed from behind them.
“It sure does, sir,” replied Daniel Vokes as he extended his hand to shake the captain’s.
“Well, well. Things are desperate if they have put someone like you in charge of security on the ship I designed, Mr Vokes!” replied Ben as he shook Dan’s hand with a warm smile.
“You two know each other?” asked Commander Nichols, somewhat surprised.
“Yes sir,” replied Daniel. “I worked with the captain for many years before he left. I only got on board a few minutes before we launched. A minute later and you would not have had a security officer sir.”
“Fortunate for us all then,” replied the Commander. “You up to speed on Proteus’ weapons systems and tactics?”
“Of course, sir,” replied Daniel, “I am in the process of uploading all your previous battle tactics and programmes to Proteus. All with the same references you previously used, Captain. We will be ready to engage whatever this thing is, sir.”
“What about if we encounter an enemy right now then, Mr Vokes?” asked the Commander, clearly testing Daniel.
“Right now, sir, in the unlikely event we do encounter an enemy in U.E.S. waters so close to our main base, all weapons systems are live and ready for use, sir.”
“How could you possibly know that having only been on board a short time?” asked the commander, incredulous at Daniel’s ability.
“I know my priorities, sir, and I know what’s at stake with this mission, sir,” replied Daniel calmly.
Commander Nichols did not believe Daniel so quickly checked his own console, pulling up the weapon systems availability trying to find anything wrong.
“Something wrong, Commander?” asked Ben.
“No sir, just checking that all weapons systems are indeed available. I am happy to confirm they are,” replied Martin, clearly frustrated at not having found anything wrong.
“Thank you, Mr Vokes, that will be all for now. Please man your station,” said the captain with a smile and nod towards Daniel.
“Sir, we are closing in on Deus station, less than fifty miles out.”
“Thank you, Ensign Dern. Mr Weaver
and Mr Kennedy, you have not said anything at all so I assume you are still tracking and there is no deviation in the path of the salt water concentration you are tracking.”
“No sir,” replied Will, “it is still heading towards Deus station. It is not within laser firing distance yet, sir.”
“Good to know. How far away is it?”
“Around fifteen miles, sir.”
“Good. Let’s see what happens when we cross in its path. Mr Weaver, feed the coordinates of the salt water concentration to Ensign Dern’s station immediately.”
Will pressed some keys on his screen and then replied, “Done sir.”
“Excellent. Ensign Dern, I want you to take us directly into the path of whatever this thing is, hold us there for five seconds or so, and then move us to the side as if it was an accident.”
“Yes sir.”
Ensign Dern switched to manual control and smoothly bought Proteus around into the path of the rogue submarine.
“Look sharp, Mr Weaver and Mr Kennedy. I want to know about any changes.”
“Yes sir.”
Ensign Dern placed the salt water path onto the main screen viewer and steadily carried out the captain’s instructions.
“Sir, whatever it is just slowed to half speed.”
“Very good, Mr Kennedy. We got its attention.”
“Ensign Dern, move us away out of the path.”
“Aye sir.”
“Well, we have got its attention, Commander, and we know it is not an accidental concentration of salt.”
“Yes sir, we should be ready to engage if we have to.”
“Mr Vokes, keep weapon systems offline for now. I want to see if this thing will scan us.”
“Yes sir.”
“We’ve now crossed through the path, sir.”
“Excellent Ensign, maintain current heading and speed.”
“Yes sir.”
“Sir,” said Will Weaver, “the other ship has slowed down further.”
“Good stuff. Ensign Dern, slow us down a bit more.”
“Sir?” queried Samantha.
“A bit, your discretion.”
“Yes sir,” replied Dern as she slowed Proteus down to a crawl.