Chapter 15

Chip wasn't really surprise to see Seaview surface a hundred yards off to starboard, and he was pretty sure that the officer who appeared in the sail was Lee Crane.

"Seaview to Morton, come in please, over." Sparks voice called over the radio.

Chip picked up the mike to answer. "Reading you Seaview."

"Mr Morton, what the hell do you think you are doing? Get back here, now." Lee replied.

"Sorry, Skipper. I can't leave until Commander Collins gets back," Chip knew from Lee's tone that he wasn't happy, and that he was pushing his luck, but even Lee knew the rules of salvage. Any vessel unattended could be claimed as salvage.

"I am sending a boat over with two crewmen. One of them can stay aboard until Commander Collins gets back. You will return to Seaview. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Sir," Chip watched as the inflatable was launched and headed in his direction. He had no excuses for what he had done. Lee wasn't just his captain, he was his friend, and he could not stand by and let Rosjohn get away with what he had done to Lee.

xxxxxx

Lee climbed down the ladder, dropping the last few rungs, into the control room and waited for Chip to follow. This was one situation he thought he would never have to face and he wasn't looking forward to it. They had known each other a long time, Chip had been his exec every since he'd first taken command of Seavew, and he could not imagine commanding her without Chip at his side. The blond was more than just his Exec, he was his best friend. He watched as Chip descended the ladder, agonizing over what he had to do.

For a moment Chip's blue eyes regarded him before he spoke. "Captain."

Lee sighed. "At ease, Chip." He was aware that some of the crew had turned from their stations to watch, and he wished that he could have had this happen in private. "I'm sorry, Chip, I am going to have to confine you to your cabin until we return to Santa Barbara."

"I understand, Lee."

Lee nodded to the M.A.A. "Escort Mr. Morton to his cabin, and post a guard outside."

"Aye, Sir."

Lee watched the two men leave the control room. He hated to have to do this to Chip. It was going to be a difficult trip back to base for both of them. Lee knew that Chip would go stir crazy confined in his cabin, but Nelson's orders had been clear. Suddenly he was feeling angry at Nelson for forcing him to do this to Chip, and angry with Chip for putting him in this position. But just as suddenly he felt guilt, Chip had done what he done for him. That was typical of Chip, putting him first, and somehow he had to make things right with Nelson. Turning his attention back to the control room, he looked around for O'Brien; as soon as the crewman was back aboard, they would head back to Santa Barbara.

xxxxxx

Time had done nothing to improve Nelson's mood, especially after he had learnt that Rosjohn was dead. He regarded the young officer standing to attention in front of his desk. "Well, what have you got to say for yourself, Mister?" He asked angrily.

"I did what I felt was right. Maybe it was the wrong choice, but someone had to do something, Sir," Morton replied stiffly.

"I WAS doing something, Commander! Thought the proper channels," Nelson raged. "What sort of an example does it set the crew when Seaview's Executive officer goes AWOL? You could have caused a diplomatic incident that would have seriously damaged the Institute's reputation, not to mention the re-percussions for our government. DAMN IT, Chip, what the devil were you thinking?" Nelson demanded in exasperation.

"It was personal, Sir."

Nelson shook his head. It was bad enough that he already had one impulsive commanding officer who was prone to going off on a personal vendetta. Now it seemed that Chip Morton was taking a leaf out of Crane's book. "I suppose you realise the damage you have done to your career?"

"Yes, Sir. I'm sorry if I caused your or the institute any embarrassment. It was not my intention," Morton apologised.

Nelson sighed. "I'm sorry to, Mr Morton. You leave me no choice..."

"That won't be necessary, Admiral," Chip interrupted, taking his fail-safe key from around his neck and placing it on the desk. "You have my resignation, Sir."

"No you don't," the voice of Lee Crane interrupted, as he entered the office, closely followed by Collins.

"Lee, what are you doing here?" Nelson glared at him, annoyed at the interruption. "And don't you ever knock?"

Lee walked up to Nelson's desk. "It looks like I got here just in time."

Nelson opened his mouth to tell him to stay out of this, and then changed his mind. Losing his temper with Lee would only make matters worse. Lee was stubborn, and this was Chip. Nelson knew that Lee would not give up on his friend without a fight. "Captain Crane, I was just about to discipline Mr Morton, but he has saved me the trouble by resigning."

Lee picked up the fail-safe key. "I will not stand by and let the best first officer in or out of the navy walk." Lee handed the key to Morton. "I owe you my life, Chip. Please reconsider."

"Now just a minute, Lee," Nelson protested.

Lee turned back to Nelson. "If he goes, I go."

Nelson looked from Lee to Chip and back to Lee, shocked at Lee's threat. He didn't want to chance losing Lee. He was too important to him, not just as Seaview's captain, but as a friend. "I can't just ignore what he's done."

"It's okay, Lee. The Admiral is right, I knew what I was doing," Chip said calmly.

"No, Chip. I cannot accept that. I don't want to lose you, not like this."

Nelson frowned. Lee sounded desperate, and that desperation was clear in his eyes as he turned back to him. Nelson didn't want to push Lee into making a rash decision that they both might regret later. Lee was still recovering both physically and mentally from the attack on him, he didn't need the added stress of losing his friend.

"As long as I am Captain of Seaview, discipline is my responsibility." Lee told him.

Nelson was tempted to remind him that he was officially still on sick leave, but he was interrupted by Collins.

"Admiral, if I might say something? Mr. Morton is not responsible for Rosjohn's abduction or murder. I took him off Seaview and I killed him. Morton merely stayed with the boat while I went ashore with Rosjohn. He didn't know what I had planned. However, if that is not satisfactory, I can say that he was working for Her Majesty's government, and give him emergency diplomatic status. Once it has been confirmed we can issue him with a British passport."

"Admiral?" Lee asked.

Nelson shook his head. "Very clever, Captain." Resting back in his chair with another heavy sigh, he turned back to Morton. "Mr Morton, you are suspended from duty until Seaview is ready to sail again. If that meets with your approval, Captain?"

"Yes, Admiral. Thank you." Lee smiled, before turned to Morton. "Come on, Chip, we're going fishing." He said, putting a hand on Chip's shoulder.

"We are? Don't I get a say in this?" Chip objected.

"No, Chip and you're driving." Lee told him.

Nelson watched them go. Once more he had let Lee get his own way. You're getting soft Harry. He told himself, shaking his head.

End.