full metal panic deep gambit ch2

Full Metal Panic!Chapter TwoDeep Gambit

By Steve Edward

Saturday, 1100 hours, Melida Island Command Center

Commander Lewis Strong tapped the joy stick of his wheel chair and backed away from his desk as Captain Andrew Simms entered the command center foyer. Commander Lewis Strong a paraplegic, had lost use of his legs in an aircraft crash 10 years earlier after staying with a failing Navy F/A 18 too long. His act saved the lives of those living in a base housing complex, but had cost him the use of his legs.

Greeting the captain, Commander Strong motored ahead of Captain Simms where they entered the situation awareness room and Captain Simms took a seat. Commander Strong stopped at a consol then typed a series of commands and spoke, “The daily situation as Mithril knows it as of now. Regional wars, spats, disputes etc., all rolled into one. The more serious ones are in red. Of course Africa and parts of the Mid-East highlight the trouble spots that bear close watches. Oh hello, a little red just popped up on the European continent, let’s see what happened there.”

Commander Strong clicked on the region in Western Russia and spoke, “Local Politburo member assassinated, well that should be minor; and will be down graded shortly to yellow and then green,” as Captain Simms replied “That kind of detail must be draining on Mithril Commander?”

Lewis replied, “Not really. News reports are monitored automatically world-wide for key words among other things and assigned a classification on the fly which in turn is studied closely by Mithril intelligence personnel like Lieutenant Taz Norton. They review all possible outcomes and then downgrade or confirm that things are getting hot and the big guys at Mithril take in the reports for further review and possible action. Hence your shuttle bus act over the past two months. When you thought you were done, up goes another situation and you have to run over and put out that fire. It just goes in cycles.”

The reference to being like a shuttle bus was not lost on Captain Simms. After the Yemeni mission, the Samuel Eliot Morison had planned on returning to Melida Island, but little hot spots came into being and Morison carried out numerous missions. The main reason Morison had returned to Melida Island was for rearming and resupply, because the submarine had finally exhausted its supply of Tomahawk cruise missiles, and hampered by not having a permanent combat team that was her only option short of launching air strikes, which Captain Simms had conducted three. Major Gonzalez of the 7th Air Wing loved to fly but even he admitted that there were times that it was best suited to send a Tomahawk calling card instead of an F-35 B.


By Steve Edward

Commander Strong looked at the situation board as a soft chime sounded and spoke, “Ah, already being downgraded; should be in the green by dinner and a new appointee in place by Sunday or Monday.”Captain Simms studied the world view. Incredibly complex in nature, nations with different cultures managing to interact with others most of the time with little conflict; but then there were those who had dreams of conquest, power, and motivated by greed who sought to upset the peaceful balance by any means because perhaps they did not like the ideological thinking of another nations view of religion, politics or even the freedom it afforded its people. It was those that Mithril had to contend with, and if the need came the Tuatha de Danaan and the Samuel Eliot Morison would respond accordingly.

Commander Stone spoke, “So Andrew, wondering what Tessa is up to eh?” Andrew turned to Lewis, “Well I thought you would never get to that, so just what is Madam Captain up to?”

Commander Stone pulled away from the consol and motioned for Andrew to follow, “I’ll show you in Mission Briefing. Tessa is hunting for a needle in a hay stack and its somewhere in the Pacific.”Entering the Mission Briefing room, Commander Strong closed then electronically sealed the door and spoke as he displayed a photograph of what looked like peanut brittle on the monitor, “Looks appetizing, but in reality it is one nasty narcotic. Odorless to normal detection methods it looks like candy you would buy in stores, minus the peanuts.”

Tapping the mouse, Commander Strong continued “Made its first appearance on the European continent in Amsterdam nearly three years ago in their drug district. Rash of overdoses and deaths, it has several delivery methods which includes it being able to be absorbed through the skin, sort of like those old style nicotine patches, dissolving in water and being injected to being eaten and some favor the powder delivery too. The drug is not of synthetic origin and contains biological compounds and enzymes that have so far defied scientific analysis. In short scientists who have been studying this narcotic do agree it is of biological origin but from exactly where has been the question mark.”

Captain Simms spoke, “What made Tessa think, the origin of the narcotic is in the Pacific?” Commander Strong replied, “About a month ago, Los Angles Police received a report of a drug party taking place, so they raided the place. It was in an affluent suburb, from what I hear the average house there goes for a cool 3 million and that is a starter house in that hood. Well they get there, cars are every where, music playing etc., but no activity, and so they go in and find the party participants scattered around the house.”


By Steve Edward

Commander Strong clicked though a series of photographs and they were of bodies of the young victims many in various stages of undress and in unusual places. The photograph of the master bath where six were found was both bizarre and sickening. If Tessa had viewed these very same photographs it was no wonder she was going on the war path.

Commander Simms spoke, “How many overall Lewis?” Commander Strong replied as he brought up a photograph of a cellophane wrapped package “Out of the forty found, thirty-eight deceased and of the two remaining, only one is still currently alive and on life support. The one that died later came to briefly and said they had eaten the candy. The only clue found was a curious little stamp in blue on the packaging itself “PAC-A”. Also the packaging is water soluble and edible that’s if you want to eat it, not that I recommend it with what it is protecting. The LA Police got lucky with that find as it was so far the only known intact packaging found still intact.”

Captaian Simms replied, “That is potent. So it is not synthetic, but biological based. Plant or animal?” as Lewis replied “Getting out of my league there my friend; you should go talk to Doctor George Albert your ships medical doctor as he has been in medical since you got back. Tessa conferred with him before she left.”

Getting up from his seat and turning to leave he looked at the photograph once again, musing as he left, “PAC-A. Could mean any number of things, could even stand for a country or a region. But what ever this crap is, it needs to be stopped.” Pushing the foyer exit door open, Captain Simms heard another chime and turned in time to see another red spot appear on the global situation map in the Middle East. Shaking his head at the senselessness of it all Captain Simms walked out.

Saturday, 1600 hours, Sea-Alfa Pacific, The Grand Sea Hotel

The newly built hotel still showed its newness. Surprisingly, it had rates comparable to surface hotels which allowed for a tourist economy to develop. Drake Ward stepped off the elevator and entered the dinning area, where there two ways to eat. Buffet style or the old fashion way, order a specific item. Charlotte and Raymond would follow shortly, so Drake decided that it would be buffet style today. Reserving a table, Drake stood to meet his wife and son when familiar voices came to his ears.

Turning slowly to see if it was who he thought it was; Drake spied both Kaname Chidori and then Sergeant Souska Sagara who was in the process of getting whacked by the ever present fan, which Kaname carried with her. Souska dodged the first, but catching sight of Commander Ward he froze in place as their eyes met and Kaname landed a perfect strike as Souska spoke, “Good afternoon Commander.”


By Steve Edward

Charlotte Ward did not miss the greeting and spoke to Drake, “Ok Mister? Just who is that guy?” as Kaname Chidori turning to see who Souska had greeted, added her own “Commander Ward? What are you doing here?” Drake rolled his eyes briefly as the awkwardness of the situation grew.

Charlotte looking at both her husband, Souska and then Kaname spoke “Ok, Drake you had better start explaining things now. Just how does she know you were a Commander in the Navy and the same goes for her boy friend?”

Kaname tensed but held her temper, “Boy friend? You have this all wrong” as she replied. Souska spoke, “We are summer interns for the company he works for, please pardon our intrusion. I am Souska Sagara and she is not my girl friend but a fellow classmate from the high school we attend called Jendi High School. She is Miss Kaname Chidori.”

Ward gave silent thanks and replied, “So Mister Sagara what are you and Miss Chidori here for at Sea-Alfa Pacific?” Souska replied, “We are on a class field trip to study how living and working in an undersea city is accomplished, and will be participating in numerous work studies over the coming week.”

Charlotte Ward observing other Jendi High School students beyond Kaname and Souska spoke, “Well I hope all of you enjoy your field trip. I think some will like the agricultural domes. As for the intrusion, that is ok, I just did not expect to meet any of my husband’s co-workers.” Raymond Ward interrupted, “Mom? Dad? Can we get something to eat now?”

Excusing themselves, Kaname and Souska departed and returned to their table where Kaname spoke, “Souska? So his wife does not know yet?” Souska Sagara replied, “No Miss Chidori, it is likely she does not so it would be best to keep up the deception that we are summer interns for his company, otherwise Mrs. Ward will grow suspicious.” Kaname glanced briefly at Charlotte Ward, who was laughing at something that her husband had said. She wondered how long Drake would have to drag out his secret.

Saturday, 1800 hours, Melida Island Administration Building

Captain Andrew Simms adjusted his uniform coat then entered the officer where Sergeant Major Guan-yin Wu waited with Sergeant Graham Jaunay and Sergeant Olina Pedersen, the Morison’s permanent combat team.


By Steve Edward

Calling her team to attention, she waited as Captain Simms stopped in front of her. Wu could not help but look downward, as Captain Simms own height was lower than hers. His eyes met hers and drilling intently into hers the captain spoke, “Sergeant Major Guan-yin Wu? Is your team ready to accept assignment to the Samuel Eliot Morison on a permanent basis and accept any and all missions regardless of severity and risk of death?”

Sergeant Major Guan-yin Wu spoke “I am and my team are ready to accept sir.” Captain Simms seemed to nod, but turned and stepped in front of Sergeant Olina Pedersen and repeated the question but differently “Sergeant Olina Pedersen formally of Norway, do you accept assignment on a permanent basis to the Samuel Eliot Morison with the full knowledge that by doing so you will likely be tasked with assignments that will be of high severity and could carry a risk of death?” Without hesitation, Sergeant Pedersen replied, “I do so with high honor.”

Turning and stepping in front of Sergeant Graham Jaunay, Captain Simms spoke again the same question, “Sergeant Graham Jaunay, formally of Australia do you accept assignment on a permanent basis to the Samuel Eliot Morison with the full knowledge that by doing so you will likely be tasked with assignments that will be of high severity and could carry a risk of death?” Snapping his heals together sharply and saluting, Sergeant Graham Jaunay replied “With respect and my families honor I accept, Captain Simms.”

Taking a step back and repositioning himself, Captain Andrew Simms spoke “I officially accept you as my assigned combat team. Among my first orders are that all of you are to join me at dinner, dress is to be informal. Second, Sergeant Major Guan-yin Wu you are to cancel the training session for tonight as I want your team well rested for tomorrow, and third Sergeant Major please take this key card, because you and your team will need it to get into Hanger A-2, which is where you three will find tomorrow three brand new and uninitialized combat ready M9’s waiting for their pilots which are you. The M9’s you have been working with are merely training units. The ones in A-2 are the Morison’s. That will be all. Dismissed. See you three in thirty minutes.”

After Captain Simms left the office, Sergeant Pederson spoke “Guan-yin? Is he serious? Brand new M9’s?” Wu replied, “Yes Olina, he is. Graham, Olina. Do not be late. This will be opportune time to learn about our new captain, instead of listening to scuttlebutt.”Graham replied, “Well that will be the truth. Frankly I am looking forward to this.”


By Steve Edward

Sergeant Major Guan-yin Wu and her team found dinning with Captain Simms was completely different experience than any had, and they were not alone. Ensign Aryl, Lieutenant Alice Wren, Sergeant Troy Gallium and the ship’s doctor, Doctor George Albert were present as well. The warm and friendly atmosphere promoted kinship and all the while routine business could and would be openly discussed if it did not concern privacy issues.

Lieutenant Alice Wren spoke, “Load out of the Tomahawks were completed at 1700 hours and base technicians are conducting final testing. The underwater hull survey was completed, and no major issues were uncovered except for an old fishing buoy line that was found wrapped around the port lower stabilizer and that was removed.”

Andrew replied, “Major Gonzalez mentioned something about replacing one of the F-35 B’s with a base spare. What is the status on that Alice?” Wren replied, “That was carried out at 1500 hours, the major was concerned with the vertical lift fan on the rear of the aircraft in question, so he requested the replacement previously and Mithril had already approved of the replacement.”

Turning to Doctor George Albert, Andrew spoke “George, I know you still have not had much time to focus your studies of that mystery narcotic but have you learned anything new since we talked last?” George replied, “Very little, but it is made up of both plant and animal enzymes. The carrier if you will is a sugar/salt concoction. If it did not contain the narcotic, the worse it would do to you would be to give you a sugar high and maybe a cavity. But the key is the enzymes and other chemicals that make it up. The enzymes match no known plant or animal secretions on the earth’s surface. In effect, you could say they are of alien origins.”

Ensign Aryl replied, “Has consideration been given to enzymes being aquatic in origin? There are both aquatic plants and animals that produce enzymes or secretions that are used in a variety of ways like attracting prey or protecting them from predators.”George nodded in thought then spoke, “That has been considered Ensign, but no matches have been found in existing data bases.”

Sergeant Olina Pedersen spoke “What kind of living conditions would such animal and plant life would be existing doctor, if one was to survive in very hostile terrain?” Doctor Albert replied, “Well frankly, the kind of conditions would have to be very hot, near or above boiling point of water. Then there was the matter of some of the trace chemicals. They are remnants of what one might find say around an erupting volcano.”Andrew replied, “You made mention of the volcano theory to Tessa?” George replied, “Of course Captain.” Andrew now knew what Tessa was doing, and that was hunting active volcanoes.


By Steve Edward

Saturday, 1900 hours, Tuatha de Danaan TDD-1

Commander Mardukas spoke, “Surveillance over flights and insertion of ground teams has found no evidence of recent human habitation. Plant and animal life is minimal and scarce. There is very little in the way to support human or animal life on that small island Madam Captain.”

Tessa replied, “Very well Commander, let’s proceed to the next known active volcano and conduct the same evolution. Please tell Sergeant Major Mao and Sergeant Weber to stand down for now.” Rising from the command seat, Captain Testarossa departed the bridge for her cabin exhausted.

Sunday, 0500 hours, Melida Island Athletic Field

Sergeant Gallium cast an eye to Ensign Aryl as she ran in formation with Captain Simms who was maintaining a much slower pace for her benefit. The Morison’s combat team to their rear brought up the group as they completed the final lap of a 6 kilometer run. Lieutenant Wren provided more moral support by occasionally switching around and running backwards and talking to Aryl as they ran, but not verbally. Sergeant Gallium had seen both in “Whispered” communication before and Wren coming to a stop next to Captain Simms spoke to Aryl, “Well that’s a good start to the day. Let’s hit the showers.”

Returning to the gymnasium, the group went to their respective showers and then rejoined for breakfast at the cafeteria. Except for the combat team, Sunday would be a day off; though it was likely the M9’s would have an audience when activated for the first time.

Sergeant Olina Pedersen had broached the subject of how all had come to be with Mithril during the previous evening dinner. Sergeant Major Guan-yin Wu had tensed when Captain Simms had openly answered, which paved the way for the others to talk. She had nearly sacrificed her life for the sake of a dead and destroyed village, Olina spoke of the sadness of loosing her parents to a terrorist bombing in Norway and Graham her Aussie sharpshooter spoke of loosing a brother. The brother had died in an all too familiar place for Captain Simms, Afghanistan. The brother was not a soldier, but a civilian engineer on contract. He died in a hail of gunfire while attempting repairs to a battered cell phone tower.


By Steve Edward

Wu pondered the closeness of the group. Captain Simms devoted an extreme amount of his time to those around him. Other enlisted that had spoken of Captain Simms did so using his first name only vice his full rank. One crew member told her “If Andrew tells us we are going to take the Morison on dry land and pursue some bad ass terrorists the only thing I’ll ask of him is where did Tessa put the button for the tank treads!”

Then there had been Commander Andrei Kalinin “Andrew will at times confound you and he is an open listener. He is not one to rush into a situation, but will give pause then act accordingly. You will see that at times his thinking can be construed as chaotic, just ask Lieutenant Alice Wren and Ensign Aryl, however once he sets a goal he never let’s go and will carry it out, no matter what it takes.”

After breakfast the group dispersed. Wren and Aryl to the base research library, Gallium to the Morison to make the morning rounds of a yard crewed submarine and Wu and her combat team headed for Hanger A-2. No one had noticed where Captain Simms had gone, at least till Wren and Aryl found him in the library.

Sunday, 0700 hours, Sea-Alfa Pacific, The Grand Sea Hotel

Drake Ward left the room early, promising to meet Charlotte and Raymond at the breakfast buffet, but along the way he found a public communications terminal that allowed private communications and it featured a system to utilize secure scrambler cards.

Sea-Alfa Pacific belonged to no one nation, but was a privately funded venture by conglomerates who footed the bill for construction, operation and maintenance of the growing undersea city, that had an official population of 1,500 but had the capacity for nearly 6,000. Since one never knew who might be eaves dropping, Drake took no chances and utilized the Mithril communications card which contained a chip that possessed an algorithm developed by Captain Teletha Testarossa that had proven so far to be unbreakable.

Dialing the relay number in Tokyo, Drake was greeted by a splash screen then the voice of Andrew who instructed the caller to leave a message, which Drake did “Hey Andrew, how is it going? Hope all is well. Just to let you know I am with Charlotte and Raymond at Sea-Alfa and man this place is just mind boggling. I’ve run into some old friends of ours, Sagara and Miss Chidori”


By Steve Edward

Drake gave pause to let that sink in and continued “Yeah the crazy slap happy girl that keeps whacking that Sagara fellow all the time. Seems that they are here on a field trip with their high school class; anyway when you get the chance take a look at the brochure that I left on the office desk in the administration building. Hardly does this place justice, heck they are using geo-thermal volcanic vents for power, they have huge generators sitting atop of those things. I think you would like to visit this place too. Well when you get this message, I can be reached at the Grand Sea Hotel room 400-B if you need anything. Take care. Ward out.”

Drake opened the door, but found himself face to face with his wife Charlotte who’s tapping foot signaled trouble, “Drake? Why were you speaking to Andrew? And where the hell is he?” The command voice that spoke, Charlotte had not heard in months “You and I will discuss it later after we eat and send Raymond on one of those guided tours, until then woman, just where the god-father to my son is right now no business of yours! Now let’s eat.”

Sunday, 1100 hours, Melida Island Test Range

The muted rumble of the M9’s as the machines charged at speed across the test range belied the speeds that each was traveling. Sergeant Major Guan-yin Wu’s own M9 attuned to her physical makeup was exhilarating to operate. Olina and Graham had made similar comments. The service tech had been correct to suggest that the initial operation by a live pilot for the first time would imprint that pilot’s personality into the machines operating system; even Captain Simms observing from a safe distance noted the differences.

Seeing the red flag go up and the voice of the range master calling a halt to the operational testing, Wu gathered her team in a semi-circle as the Jeep carrying Captain Simms approached. Parking the vehicle away from the semi circle, Captain Simms walked the remaining distance and was joined on the ground by Wu. Andrew spoke, “I can see the investment is worthwhile. How is it handling Wu?” The Sergeant Major tried to keep a serious face but failing broke into a smile and as Olina and Graham joined them, Wu glanced around and spoke, “Ok guys you did not see this!” and promptly embraced Captain Simms on the spot.

Stepping away and blushing, Wu came to attention. “I am sorry sir that could not be helped sir!” as Olina applied another embrace to the by now stunned captain who turned and looked at Graham, “So help me if you try that, I’ll deck you!” Graham replied nonchalantly, “All due respect Captain, but can we shake hands instead?”


By Steve Edward

Which they did, as Captain Simms spoke “The techie types said it would be best to run them through a variety of drills and maneuvers so you have three additional hours of operating time to do, so make the best use of it, then take the M9’s to the dock, get them cleaned and serviced. I want them on the Morison by 1600 hours. Any further drills that you think you need to carry out Wu are to be done using the training units. Then after that, take the remainder of the day off, and that is an order Sergeant Major! Dismissed.”

Walking back to the Jeep, Andrew pondered just how soon Olina’s and Guan-yin’s display of affection would make the rounds of the base. Looking at the observation tower and frowning, “Tessa probably will be opening an e-mail in an hour reporting this. Oh well. Women. What can I do? I am surrounded by them.”

Sunday, 1100 hours, Sea-Alfa Pacific, Aquatic Tour

Charlotte Ward held her husband’s hand as they sat on a bench placed at an observation window, where aquatic life attracted by special lighting swam by, “All these months? Why Drake?” Drake Ward spoke, “Because I had to. Andrew blew his own career for the sake of a thousand or more refugees on a leaky ship that would have eventually gone to the bottom on its own had it not run aground.”

Drake turned to his wife, “Charlotte, Yes maybe I overreacted and maybe my resignation did little to help, but Andrew suffered the worst end of it. He was labeled a coward within the Navy, and to the rest of the world a blood thirsty killer by an unforgiving and manipulated press because of some jackass in Washington wanted to save what was left of his political career.”

Drake spoke, “I am sorry Charlotte, but there can be no turning back. Once I tell you of certain things, that is if you want to hear it our lives will change forever. You can never tell another soul, much less Raymond at least until he is fully understanding of our little secret.”

Charlotte glanced briefly at a strange fish swimming past that bore what appeared to be a blinking headlight on the end of an organ shaped like a fishing pole and spoke “I married you for better or worse when you were in the “Secret Service” so for the sake of Raymond and my sanity, let’s hear about this new “Secret Service.”

Getting to his feet and aiding his wife to hers, Commander Drake Ward of the Mithril Submarine Samuel Eliot Morison stepped onto the moving walkway with his wife and began to speak, “Well it all began for me, 11 months ago when Andrew . . .”


By Steve Edward

Sunday, 1400 hours, Melida Island, Officer Living Quarters

Andrew slid another data chip into the reader and resumed reading. Printed books had become mostly a thing of the past and were now mostly bought by collectors. With electronic media so prevalent in today’s society “books” came on electronic media and if errors were found, corrections could be immediately issued. However many learning institutions still insisted on using text books that were either severely out of date or contained glaring errors. Andrew’s experience of teaching a history class several months earlier at Jendi High School had been a trying experience. Spending hours after the student body had left; inserting correction stickers onto various sections was more than he had cared to do.

The electronic note from both Alice and Aryl had led him to a geological reference book where he watched a video clip play out before his eyes. The video shot in the early 2000’s, taken from a deep diving exploration submarine named the “Alvin” now housed in the Smithsonian showed the volcanic out gassing from a vent far beneath the sea in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of the United States, near what is now called New Cuba.

What drew his interest was the sea creatures and then of course the plant life actually living around the volcanic vents in the video. Then there was a strange unidentified species of fish. Andrew replayed the fish video watching the creature swim pass the “Alvin” while it filmed. The headlight like organ shaped like a fishing pole blinked continuously.

Book marking the page, Captain Simms noting the message waiting light on his terminal was blinking, played the video and audio greeting from Commander Drake Ward. The news of the Jendi High School students some of whom he had taught were visiting Sea-Alfa Pacific managed to illicit a laugh as Ward spoke of Kaname’s slap happiness with her fan against Sagara in full view of his family, but Ward’s mention of the geo-thermal volcanic vents and how they provided power to Sea-Alfa Pacific caused him to pause the message. “No frigging way!” as Captain Simms reversed the message the I.D. Icon in the lower corner of the screen wavered. Nearly transparent but still readable, it displayed “PAC-A”.

Captain Simms placed several phone calls and bolted at a dead run for his jeep which he drove to various parts of the base. First stop the main dock, where the Samuel Eliot Morison was moored.


By Steve Edward

Sergeant Major Wu and her combat team startled by their captain’s sudden appearance and his orders to get into the jeep caused Wu some alarm as the Captain burning rubber on asphalt did a wild 180 degree slide on the pier and entered the service tunnel at high speed. Wren, Aryl and Gallium were next. None of them seemed too concerned as Captain Simms approached a speed hump and he never even slowed down. Graham latched onto Olina as she nearly went skyward, “Well lass! We got adventure now! God help anyone in our way, because the Captain he isn’t slowing down!”

Sunday, 1500 hours, Tuatha de Danaan TDD-1

Sergeant Kurz Weber rubbed the back of his head, “Mao? What did I do now?” as Mao turned back and replied “You idiot! Tessa said just to check around the crater not inside of it! You are damn lucky that the M9 withstood that lava dunking, but now it will take maintenance a week to get that crud off and you know Tessa does not like a lot of banging taking place when we are doing are sneaky stuff!”

The voice of Commander Kalinin spoke echoing about the hanger, “Sergeant Major Mao, Sergeant Weber, report to Main Briefing immediately!” Mao turned back and whacked Weber again, “Now you have done it. We are both in hot water now. Let’s get this over with Weber. Move you lunkhead! Before we both get shoved into an airlock!”

Captain Testarossa turned in her chair as Mao and Weber entered the briefing room and spoke, “Weber we will discus your swim in the lava pool later. Captain Simms please proceed with your report.”

Mao looked to the video screen which displayed not only Captain Simms, but a good portion of his crew including his new combat team and Commander Strong as Andrew replied, “Very well Madam Captain. You can stop looking at active volcanoes or for that matter inactive ones. Our alien biological enzymes come from sea life and plant life that live around these things, volcanic vents. The video you see was taken by the research submarine Alvin nearly thirty years ago in the waters of the Caribbean Sea near what is now New Cuba. These very same vents exist in the Pacific, very much near the Sea of Japan and Pacific dividing line.”

Commander Strong tapped the mouse for Captain Simms as he continued, “Yes that is Commander Drake Ward. He sent me a message which was recorded and that I only just recently played. Madam Captain pay close attention to the lower right corner if you will. Commander Strong, please enhance and magnify.” Tessa watched as the image jumped and came into view, as Andrew spoke “Remind you of something? Next photo Commander.”


By Steve Edward

Tessa replied, “Commander Strong please match the two images.” Lewis smiled at Andrew, as he did so he replied “Madam Captain, the images are an exact match. The logo from Commander Ward’s message belongs to a facility at the Pacific Shelf; it is called Sea-Alpha Pacific.”

Commander Mardukas spoke, “Captain Simms? Very good work. About Commander Ward, is he there on business or pleasure?” Andrew replied, “Personal time Richard. He is with his wife Charlotte and his son Raymond. Also Tessa you should be aware that Sergeant Souska Sagara and Miss Kaname Chidori are present at Sea-Alfa Pacific as well. If I remember correctly a school field trip of some kind which deals with learning about how humans cope with living under the sea.”

Commander Kalinin spoke, “Captain Simms, this changes things entirely. Contact Commander Ward immediately advise him to contact Sagara and brief him on our problem, but he is to stress to Sagara that he must be very discreet in his investigation. Furthermore I will begin contacting those responsible for the day-today operations of Sea-Alpha. I highly doubt they would sanction or even condone such activities, and because they utilize their own mercenary forces for protection and law enforcement there is officially no recognized single nation law in effect which adds a new and unexpected issue of circumventing many national and international narcotic laws.”

Tessa spoke, “Commander Kalinin will arrange for proper paperwork to be sent to Commander Ward to be listed as the official Mithril representative on site. Captain Simms, please prepare to depart when the Morison is ready in all respects for sea. You are hereby further ordered to load Arbalest. If push comes to shove, Captain Simms retrieve Sergeant Souska Sagara and deploy Arbalest to destroy the manufacturing facility and laboratory that is being utilized at Sea-Alpha Pacific. It must be surgically done without endangering innocent lives.”

Captain Simms spoke, “Very well Madam Captain. Considering the circumstances, I will not approach Sea-Alpha Pacific till I have direct clearance, because no matter which way you look at it, both the Tuatha de Danaan and the Samuel Eliot Morison are clearly military vessels and with that private fleet of Sea-Alpha they just might shoot first and ask questions later.” Tessa replied, “Very well Captain. Commander Kalinin will endeavor to have clearance for the both of us. However, I am now 48 hours away, unlike you which is closer and 24 hours away. Depart as soon as you can, Testarossa out.”

Captain Simms stood, “Ok, you heard her orders. Let’s get moving. Lewis? Can you get Arbalest moved for load out?” Lewis smiled, “Andrew. Arbalest will be on your deck in less than an hour. Get moving and for gods sake be careful out there.”

full metal panic deep gambit ch2

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