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| The War Monsters - Part Three; "Aboard The Aurora" | |
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| Topic Started: Apr 1 2007, 10:21 AM (306 Views) | |
| packmule | Apr 1 2007, 10:21 AM Post #1 |
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Part Three-Aboard The Aurora Civilian research ship Aurora, on station with U.S. Navy destroyers Cassidy and Ricketts, along with two USMA Class A salvage barges, approximately 130 miles off the southwestern coast of Alaska - Thursday, January 19th, 1000 hrs Commander Jim Powers and Lieutenant Commander Clifford Mason eased into their seats at the briefing table in the closed off helo hangar of the Aurora. Powers looked around. Some fifteen people had gathered for the briefing. Many of the faces he recognized: Dr. Taryn Bauer, a marine biologist, and Dr. David Bauer, her brother, an oceanographer, both temporarily on loan to the National Security Agency. Also seated at the table was Captain Nils Larssen, the Aurora civilian commanding officer, Harold Meekins, the Aurora's chief engineer, Lieutenant Loren Wescott, Naval Intelligence attache, and a half-dozen technicians that Powers guessed, by their ID badges, were working under the supervision of Dr. Taryn Bauer and her brother. Seated beside Taryn Bauer and her brother was a civilian Powers didn't recognize, an older, balding, gray haired man in a dark suit. Dr. Taryn Bauer, tasked with running the briefing, rose out of her seat. “Okay, we better get started. We have a lot of work to do today,” the blonde scientist stated clearly. Captain Larssen cleared his throat. “We've got two Russian trawlers on our horizon,” the blond, full-bearded Captain stated sourly. “Our two destroyers are jamming their sensors skipper. No worries,” Powers said quickly. Larssen looked at Powers for a moment, then nodded his head and sat down. “Commander Powers, since you volunteered for a watch in the overnight hours why don't you fill us in on security,” the dark suited older man said from the end of the table. Powers turned to him. “I'm sorry, I didn't get your name,” Powers said evenly. “Ziker, Talman Ziker. I work for the NSA. I'm here on their behalf,” the suited, gray-haired man said blandly, looking directly at Powers. The Navy Commander cleared his throat. “There's not much to tell, Mr. Ziker. I would have expected more of a reaction from the Russians, honestly. There are two AGIs out there, on the outside edge of our destroyer's radars, so they know there's something going on. We might get a visit from one of their destroyers, even a cruiser, depending on what ships they have deployed around here. They have, historically, always had some kind of naval presence in the Bering Sea. Nothing big, mostly frigates and destroyers, and a submarine or two,” Powers said clearly. “Should we be concerned about the Russians?” Dr. Taryn Bauer asked. “Concerned? Yes. Worried? No. I don't think they'll start anything. Everything we communicate to our escorts, and the salvage vessels, should be done on a secure channel, obviously,” Powers finished. “So the Russian spy trawlers will come no closer?” Ziker asked. “No they won't,” Powers said clearly. The blonde scientist cleared her throat. “As most of you know, several days ago a 9.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska, it's epicenter directly below us. The earthquake generated large tidal waves, and there was catastrophic damage to the Alaskan coastline, the coastlines of Washington, Oregon, and most of California, due to tidal swells. Three islands in the Aleutian island archipelago were wiped clean by a wave reported to be over two hundred feet high. Anchorage suffered heavy shock damage. We have confirmed reports now of over four thousand dead and twice that many wounded. The dollar loss in property damage is estimated at a billion dollars. The commercial fishing fleets were hard hit as well-hundreds of fishing vessels washed out into the Gulf Of Alaska. The Navy and Coast Guard will be very busy in the coming weeks-they were both hit hard too,” Taryn Bauer said evenly. The blonde scientist paused, momentarily, before speaking again. “Which brings us to why we are here. I know all of you want to know. NSA satellite images taken of the impact area two hours after the event showed two large objects, one hundred and eighteen feet apart, lodged on a rocky abutment about 700 feet below us. It was this image that convinced me and David, that is my brother Dr. David Bauer, that we were dealing with an ocean impact generated tsunami,” she said clearly. “What about other satellites?” LCDR Mason commented. Taryn Bauer nodded no. “Ours was the only one over this area when the two objects touched down, both, I'm guessing, somewhere between 400,000-500,000 tons each. We believe their rate of descent at impact was well over over six hundred miles per hour, the enormous energy release generating giant swells that radiated outwards at two, even three hundred miles per hour. This accounts for the unusually large, 100 foot waves that struck parts of Alaska and the western U.S. Coastlines, and also for the 200 foot monster that destroyed part of the Aleutians,” Taryn Bauer said. “The enormous energy release from these impacts also caused the Aleutian Trench, already weakened from an earthquake back in 1946, to rupture. The rupture, I'm guessing, is probably between one hundred to two hundred miles long. Scientists from the USGS will confirm this officially later. No one, outside of this ship, except for about ten people back in Washington, DC, know about the impacts. As far as we can tell, there were no witnesses to it. The media is going to be informed that the earthquake was due to a random rupture in the Aleutian Trench. Since it happens periodically anyway the media, and general public, should buy it without question, or suspicion. We...have picked up, on our initial sonar scans of the objects, some unusual audio,” Dr. David Bauer said, pausing, allowing his statement to sink in among those seated at the table. There were expressions of surprise, and a few muted mumbles rumbled about the table. “So what are they Doctor Bauer?” Commander Powers asked, looking directly at the blond-haired scientist. “My sister and I believe them to be biologic...in origin,” Dr. Bauer replied, adjusting his glasses. “So, are you saying that some kind of outer space aliens are inside these objects?” LCD Clifford Mason asked sourly. “It's possible these rocks are some sort of transportation. The satellite images tell us they are both nearly three hundred feet long, about one hundred and twenty feet wide, and about fifty feet thick,” David Bauer stated. “Sounds like a rectangle, or something like it,” Captain Larssen growled. “Yes, which is why I believe them to be extraterrestrial in origin, and not just random meteor chunks of iron-nickel from space,” David Bauer said urgently. “We're going to bring them to the surface,” Dr. Taryn Bauer said briskly, her remark silencing, momentarily, the various chatter going on between those seated at the briefing table. “Is that...possible?” Lieutenant Loren Wescott said, hesitantly, here dark eyes blinking in surprise. “No one has ever attempted this with something of this tonnage, but we believe we can do it,” David Bauer said. “Commander Powers?” Taryn Bauer said, casting the dark-haired, bearded Powers a glance. “The Navy tried this back in 1960, after we were asked to assist a civilian salvage company in raising the Titanic. The wreckage was deemed too fragile for the attempt, and the whole project was shelved,” Powers answered blandly. “But would it have worked otherwise? If the wreckage had been stable?” Taryn Bauer asked quickly. Powers looked around the table. All eyes were on him. “I think so. We designed propulsion balloons-attached to predetermined points on the hull the plan was to raise the wreckage in this manner to a depth of one hundred feet, then send down a team of divers to attach cables around the hull, and fin stabilizers just below the waterline on both port and starboard sides of the wreck. Remember that this hulk was no more than 60,000 tons Dr. Bauer. Your two rocks 700 feet below us weigh nearly seven times that,” Powers remarked clearly. “We're going to use more propulsion balloons,” Dr. David Bauer shot back. “How many?” Powers asked. “Enough. We need you and LCDR Mason to go down there and set charges, to break them free of those ridges. Not many men in the U.S. Navy have dived to that depth, Commander. You and your friend have,” Dr. Taryn Bauer said, lighting a cigarette. “What kind of charge?” Mason asked. “Tactical nuke. They are the latest design, made by your Navy, Commander Powers. Model Mark-17A,” Dr. David Bauer stated. Powers cast Clifford Mason a glance. “They only recently were cleared for regular loadouts on minelayers, Doctor Bauer,” Jim Powers said, looking directly at the brother-sister scientists. “They're safe,” Taryn Bauer said. “What's the yield?” Powers asked. “About the same as your ASROCS,” Talman Ziker said, the National Security Agency field agent lighting a cigarette. “Be more specific, Mr. Ziker. After all, it's my ass down there,” Powers snapped angrily. “Five kilotons,” Ziker said, smoking. “You clue the skippers of our destroyers in on this?” Powers asked clearly. “They were briefed separately,” Ziker said calmly. Powers shook his head, looking at Mason, the light skinned black Lieutenant Commander also appearing unhappy. “When do we go down?” Powers finally asked. “Tomorrow morning at 0800 hours,” Dr. Taryn Bauer answered, removing her glasses. “We are getting the suits ready for you right now. I have men working on it,” Harold Meekins, the Aurora's chief engineer said, looking directly at the Navy Commander. “We'll meet up again tonight in groups at 1900 hours to go over a few things. Commander. I'll find you later. You and Lieutenant Commander Mason too. This meeting is over,” Taryn Bauer announced loudly. “Know something Mase?” Jim Powers said, looking over at his friend and comrade. “What Jim?” Mason said. “I should have joined the Army.” Thursday, January 19th, 1915 hours Jim Powers leaned over the small metal sink in his quarters and splashed water on his freshly shaven face. The Navy Commander toweled his face off and cracked his neck, walking shirtless over to his bunk. He fumbled through the pockets of his khaki uniform trousers and then emptied out both pockets onto the bunk. Powers was a lean, broad-shouldered and sinewy man, standing five foot ten inches tall, on a sturdy, athletic, muscularly well defined 180 lb frame. He hair was dark brown and thick, worn in a short crisp style that was almost U.S. Marine standard. He was a ruggedly handsome man, with dark brown, penetrating eyes, a fairly square jaw, and abundantly hairy chest and torso. He had been compared, often, regarding his appearance, to actor Hugh O'Brien, except with darker hair. Powers had managed, over the years, to maintain his general fitness, from his days at Dive School, where he had gotten into the best shape of his life. Powers had developed a reputation over his career as a methodical "plodder", always reliable, always "by the book". Powers was also perceived as a hard ass, but who was also intensely loyal to those who ably served with him on his various commands, Clifford Mason being one of them. For all his success in the Navy, Jim Powers had managed little in the way of social life. The travel and busy schedules left him little time for a relationship, let alone marriage. At first he had chafed about not having time to try and settle down, even start a family, but as the years went by Jim Powers found himself gradually losing interest. Only with his impending departure from the U.S. Navy had the thought of meeting someone of the opposite even entered into his mind. One such person was Lieutenant Loren Wescott. Powers placed a fresh cigar in his mouth and lit it. There was a knock at his cabin door. "Come in," Powers said loudly. Lieutenant Wescott entered. "I can come back if-"she started. "No, I was just about to go down to the galley. I haven't eaten anything yet," Powers said. The petite, slender brunette coughed. "Sorry, let me put this out," the Navy Commander said quickly, stubbing out the cigar in the tray. "Nervous about tomorrow?" the slender, dark-eyed brunette asked, managing a grin. "Yeah. Been a while since I've been down. Nothing I haven't done before, except for the nuke that is," Powers said wryly. Loren Wescott laughed. "What's so funny?" he asked. "Just the way you say things...sometimes," Wescott answered. Powers placed on a t-shirt and then a cotton uniform shirt. "So are we going to have dinner in the galley?" Powers asked. Loren Wescott nodded yes. "I haven't eaten either. I've been back and forth between meeting with Ziker and the radioman on this ship. The outgoing messages, I have to write them," the brunette said wistfully. "That's important work," Powers reminded her, studying her expression, something he found enjoyable, as she was very pretty. "I know," Wescott lamented, she and Jim Powers exiting his quarters and starting down the passageway. "Jim!" Powers turned around to face LCDR Mason, who had appeared at the other end of the corridor. "What's up Mase?" Powers said, frowning. "You better come up to the pilothouse. Larssen's on the horn with the CO of the Cassidy. Seems they've found something," Clifford Mason said urgently. "Maybe I had better stay down here," Loren Wescott said. "It's alright. Come along, if you want," Powers said. "Okay," the brunette naval intelligence officer replied, following the two men down the passageway... Powers, careful not to undermine Captain Larssen's authority, remained, as did Clifford Mason and Loren Wescott, in the back of the Aurora's pilothouse, listening to the research ship captain as he communicated with the commanding officer of the U.S. destroyer Cassidy. After a moment Dr. Taryn Bauer and her brother, Dr. David Bauer, appeared in the pilothouse. Powers motioned for them. "What's going on?" David Bauer asked quietly. "We'll know soon enough," Jim Powers said clearly. He watched as Captain Larssen hung the mike back on the overhead panel, stepping out onto the starboard bridgewing. "Wait here a minute," Powers said to the others, and he stepped out onto the bridgewing beside Larssen. "Good evening skipper. Is everything alright?" Powers asked. The wind was brisk, the air cold, the sun nearly down. Larssen placed a cigarette in his mouth, and patted his pants pockets. "Here," Powers said, lighting Larssen's cigarette with his zippo lighter. Larssen took a deep drag off the cigarette. "The CO of the Cassidy just informed me that one of his lookouts has spotted a slick, off their port beam," Larssen said, looking at Powers. The Navy Commander shrugged. "A slick?" Powers repeated. "Yes, between us and the Cassidy," Larssen said. Powers' dark eyes blinked. Clearly the Aurora skipper was disturbed about something. "What's wrong?" Powers said clearly. "The slick is large, perhaps two hundred feet wide. Commander Tappen says they dispatched a small boat detail to retrieve some of it. He says it's not oil," Larssen said. Powers looked over Larssen's shoulder as Taryn Bauer and her brother David, appeared behind Larssen. "What else could it be...doctor?" Powers said, looking at the brother-sister pair of scientists. "I need to get over to the Cassidy Captain Larssen," Dr. Taryn Bauer said urgently. "Too much wind for safe helo ops," Powers objected. "There's no need for helos. They're sending a sample of it over by boat, in about thirty minutes," Captain Larssen said, nervously smoking. "Did I miss something here?" Powers, blinking in confusion. Larssen looked at Jim Powers. "They think it's blood," Larssen said stiffly. "A dead whale maybe," Powers said. "Wouldn't leave that much blood...not even a blue whale carcass," Taryn Bauer said, looking at her brother David. Powers had had it. "I'm going to go below to get something to eat. I'll be in the galley if you need me," the dark-haired Navy Commander said, abruptly stepping inside the pilothouse. "What's going on?" Mason asked. "I don't know Mase," Powers growled. "Ill hang out up here for awhile Jim. I told Larssen I'd spell for his watch officer for a couple of hours, anyway," the black Navy officer said. "Okay. I'll be in the galley with Lieutenant Wescott here if you need me," Powers said. He and the brunette descended the bulkhead mounted deck ladder. January 19th, 2345 hours “What do you think they found Jim?” Loren Wescott asked, the dark-eyed brunette easing into her chair inside the Aurora's galley. Powers had pushed his empty plate away, most of his dinner uneaten. “Who knows?” the Navy Commander said, rolling his neck. He watched Loren Wescott eat. He noticed her wearing civilian clothes for the first time, her dark brown hair down about the tops of her shoulders. Glancing at her he was startled at how lovely she was. “You look great...you know, out of uniform,” Powers managed. “Thank you. You should try it sometime,” she said with a mild laugh, eating her tuna salad. “Yeah...sometimes this uniform feels like an outer skin,” Powers grumbled, running a hand through his short brown hair. “Did you really mean what you said...about having dinner, when this is all over?” Loren asked. Powers began to reply. “I mean, if you were just kidding that's okay with me,” the brunette said, her dark eyes blinking. “I meant it,” Powers replied clearly. “Okay,” Loren Wescott said, managing a grin. He rose out of his seat. “You didn't eat very much,” Loren commented, frowning. Powers shrugged, discarding the unconsumed leftovers on his plate into the nearby garbage bin. “Truth is, the food on this ship stinks,” Jim Powers grumbled. Loren chuckled. “It's not that bad,” she said. “I'll see you tomorrow. Good night Loren,” Powers said, giving her a casual hand salute. “Goodnight Jim,” the naval intelligence attache said, watching him ascend the bulkhead-mounted ladder. “David, take a look at this,” Dr. Taryn Bauer, stepping back from the microscope and rubbing her eyes. Her brother, David Bauer, peered into the microscope lens. He looked up, frowning. “I can't identify it for sure, but it looks almost...reptilian,” David Bauer said, casting a prolonged look at his biologist sister. “That was my...reaction,” Taryn Bauer said, clearly troubled by the small sample of mysterious fluid under the microscope lens. “Is it...blood?” David Bauer asked. “It...looks like it. But what could make a slick of it that large? And remember what those Navy seamen said, the ones from the small boat? The sharks...swimming around in it. It's blood sis. It's got to be,” David Bauer said clearly. “Assuming it is, then why wouldn't it have mammalian characteristics? You saw those platelets. David, this is blood from something reptilian, and over a hundred miles offshore,” Taryn Bauer said. Her brother lit a cigarette, the brother sister pair of scientists holed up in the deck two main laboratory of the research ship. “You gonna mention this to Powers, or the captain?” David asked his sister. Taryn shook her head, letting out a nervous laugh. “No, I'm not, and neither are you,” she said, her smile gone, as she stared at her oceanographer brother. “Alright, alright. I won't say anything. God...what does this all mean?” David Bauer asked his sister, half out of curiosity, half out of dread. Taryn Bauer was silent. “Maybe aliens-” "Stop David. Stop. Let's just...turn in, and see what happens tomorrow,” Taryn said sharply. She and her brother turned off the lights to the laboratory and exited the Aurora's laboratory, closing the hatch behind them. |
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