Dangerous Ground

Ugh, it smells worse than a locker room in here! Hardy, you did that on purpose!”

Everyone on the bridge, Hardy included, roared with laughter.

As Memphis rounded the peninsula near the Scottish town of Gourock, they met a Royal Navy tug. Jerry, Millunzi, and the pilot stood elbow to elbow as Jerry made his approach. The breeze now worked for him, pushing Memphis onto the pier. The landing went smoothly, with Memphis lightly bumping up against the pier’s rubber camels. Bair gave Jerry a thumbs-up as the line handlers scurried about the deck, working feverishly to make Memphis fast to the pier.

Their reception committee filled the pier. Several military trucks, vans, and cars lined one side. Jerry could see Royal Marines scattered along the pier, establishing a security perimeter. Some blocked the access to the pier, while others took up positions along the seawall.

A medium-sized crowd was also waiting and started to file aboard as soon as the brow was put over. A knot of high-ranking naval officers and civilians led the way.

Jerry could see Hardy on the aft deck, nervously waiting to meet the first of the visitors, a vice admiral who saluted the ensign and then answered Hardy’s salute. “That’s the Director of the Submarine Warfare Division,” Bair told Jerry. He was smiling broadly as he greeted the Captain, so Jerry took that as a good sign. Jerry recognized the Squadron Commander following the Admiral, and the two senior officers were followed by a gaggle of aides and attendants.

Half a dozen armed Royal Marines, led by a junior officer, came next. They quickly took up stations in pairs, fore and aft on the hull and next to the Manta cradle. The officer tried to look fierce, but the rest managed the effect without effort.

They were followed by a group of workers in radiation suits. They headed aft toward the now-empty docking skirt, and even before they reached the aft deck, a wheeled crane rolled down the pier, lifting tackle already in place.

Jerry managed to observe all this as he finished supervising the rigging of Memphis’ mooring lines, hooking up shore power, and securing the bridge watch. Lieutenant Commander Bair nodded approvingly as Jerry finished the checklist and transferred the watch to the Command Duty Officer. “Nicely done, mister. Now get your butt down to the engine room. Mr. Ho’s waiting for you.” Mitchell badly wanted to watch as their hard-earned prizes were unloaded, but he had to work on his qualifications.

The engineers secured the plant, with Jerry serving as assistant Engineering Officer of the Watch. Like his stint on the bridge, he’d prepared by memorizing the many commands and procedures. He wasn’t perfect, but he managed to satisfy Lieutenant Commander Ho’s requirement to actually locate many of the controls and describe what had to be done with them to safely secure the propulsion plant. Ho was delighted when in the middle of the process, a pump bearing started running hot. Jerry dealt with the minor casualty correctly, if not swiftly. Both Ho and Jerry smiled as the Engineer signed off another section in his qualification book.

Once the maneuvering watch had been replaced by the inport reactor watch, Jerry hurried topside, planning to get his first look at the Manta cradle since they left New London. He stopped momentarily at his stateroom to drop off his qualification book and grab his jacket before heading up to the control room. There, he found Emily Davis, with a rating standing by to take her bags.

“They want us on the same plane as the weapons,” Emily explained hurriedly.

“And you’re okay with that?” asked Jerry, smiling.

“It’s got to be safer than being on this sub,” she retorted, but she was smiling.

Jerry was glad to see their mission finished successfully, but knew he’d miss them, even Dr. Patterson. It was hard to put his feelings into words, though. After a moment’s awkward pause, he asked, “How long until you have to leave?”

“Now,” Emily replied.

“We’ll take good care of Huey and Duey.” Jerry grinned. “I’ll read them a bedtime story every night.”

“You’d better. I’ll meet Memphis when she gets back to New London and I’ll take them back to Draper.”

“I’ll look forward to seeing you, then.” Jerry realized he might have put more meaning in that than he’d planned.

“And I’ll look forward to seeing you and Memphis again,” she replied.

Jerry started to lean toward her, then quickly pulled back. Hardy’s prohibition still loomed over him. “Ah, where’s Dr. Patterson?” he asked.

Emily nodded toward Hardy’s stateroom. “She’s going over the mission report before we leave.”

As she spoke, the door opened and Patterson stepped out, followed by Hardy. “Mr. Mitchell, please find the XO and tell him I want all officers and chiefs on the pier — and anyone else who wants to say good-bye to our guests.”

Jerry found the XO in the wardroom, talking to the submarine warfare director and the squadron commander. Bair immediately pulled him over. “Admiral Barber, this is Lieutenant Mitchell.”

He couldn’t salute indoors, of course, but Jerry instinctively braced. Some of his anxiety must have made it into his expression, because Barber laughed warmly and offered his hand. ‘‘Relax, Lieutenant.” As Jerry shook it, the admiral said, “It sounds like the aviation community’s loss is our gain. Well done, mister.”

“Thank you, sir. I’m glad it worked out.”

Barber, still smiling, asked, “Which one: you or the mission?”

“Both, sir.”

“And both appear to have succeeded beyond our expectations. As I said. Mr. Mitchell, I believe the submarine community has gained a valuable member. Expect to be put to use.”

All Jerry could say was, “Yes, sir,” as unformed possibilities ran though his mind. He remembered the Captain’s message and passed it on to the XO. Bair dismissed him after that and Jerry hurried up and onto the pier.

Jerry got topside in time to see the second warhead case being lifted across to the pier. A forklift then placed it into one of the trucks, where it was quickly tied down and covered. As soon as the warheads were loaded, the marines and technicians piled back into their vehicles and the entire convoy drove off, headed for the military terminal at Glasgow Airport.

A car and driver remained for the ladies, and with more room on the pier, Memphis’ crew filed off the deck and waited in the summer twilight.

Emily Davis, followed by an enlisted man with her bags, was first, and crossed the brow to scattered applause. “Are you that happy to see me leaving?” she asked, smiling. She came over and stood with the several of the officers, including Jerry.

The XO came next, just a minute later, carrying a folded seabag. He stopped at the quarterdeck for a moment and Jerry heard the word being passed on the IMC. “Dr. Patterson and Dr. Davis are departing.” A few more sailors hurried off the boat, and Jerry saw that almost every sailor not on watch was on the pier.

It was another few minutes before Captain Hardy appeared, followed by Dr. Patterson, and then two ratings with her luggage and instruments.

Bair didn’t form the crew into ranks. He did call, “Attention on deck” as Hardy stepped onto the pier. The Captain immediately ordered, “At ease,” as he waited for Patterson and then escorted her over to the group.

Hardy said softly, “Gather around,” and the crew formed a semicircle, with the Captain, Bair, and the ladies in the middle.

The Captain was silent for a moment, even after everyone had settled into position. Finally he spoke, and Jerry was amazed to see him smiling. “I’m sure everyone remembers that I was not enthusiastic about women aboard Memphis” That got a laugh, and he waited, then continued. “I’m still not convinced it’s a good idea, unless it’s two very special women.”

Jerry could see both Patterson and Davis blushing, even in the darkness, as Hardy continued to speak. “Doctors Patterson and Davis — Joanna and Emily — have shown us that skill, bravery, and dedication are not peculiar to the male sex. They have become such a part of our crew that it will be hard to image Memphis sailing without them. But I think the XO will nonetheless be happy to get his stateroom back.”

“Hear, hear,” shouted Bair enthusiastically.