My Journal

By Harriman Nelson

16

I’d barely bitten into my sandwich in the Wardroom when Sparks informed me over the PA that the president was on the line for me. Videophone preferred.

“I’ll keep your meal safe from predators,” Chip said.

I simply raised my eyebrow.

“Honest, sir. In fact, I’ll go take this to galley so they can keep the soup warm and the sandwich cold.”

“Thank you, Chip,” I replied, not quite believing he’d be able to keep from finishing it off. After all, Cookie had prepared an exceptional Chicken Salad today. Still, Chip had already had three such creations, augmented by two snack sized bags of potato chips and one of Cheetos. Followed by two Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.  Where did he manage to put it all? And not add an ounce of weight.

When I got to my cabin, the videophone was already on ‘standby’ waiting for my iris and fingerprint scan. After all this call was from the president.

In seconds the screen cleared. Lee was in the Oval Office. Empty of everyone but him. The sun was shining through the windows, and he looked, for him, pale. And the white of his eye was red, with a few drops of blood from the tear duct.

“What the hell?” I shouted, terrified.

“Just looks bad. The surgeon general simply removed  some non-essential tissue from my eye to help the aliens form this,” he said, indicating a specimen jar containing a little bloody tissue in a green fluid. “First step for tissue regeneration. The captain’s taking it back up where they’ll begin the process. Takes a few steps. Part of the payment for the salt. And of course, once the harvesting begins, if it begins, they’ll explain the entire process of tissue regeneration to the AMA. But that’s not the only reason I called. First, did you catch the broadcast?”

“Yes.”

“Melody’s heartbroken that there wasn’t more enthusiasm. She wants so hard to fit in.  I’m disappointed too, but not all together surprised.”

“I know it must hurt.”

“Excuse me, Lee,” Joe asked as he knocked, not waiting for permission to enter. I supposed he had been of such help that Lee didn’t mind. And the Secret Service couldn’t complain about it. “Oh, good afternoon, Admiral. I hate to cut your visit short, but Premier Chung is on the line again.”

“Now what?” Lee asked, irritated.

“He insists you give his overture of friendship credence.”

“After what he and his government have done to us over the years? Repeatedly? He was even personally behind the attempt to make me betray my country and to try to kill Harry!”

“His government’s had a ‘change of heart regarding the west’ he says,” Joe said sarcastically, “and he’s offering to make amends.”

“The hell he does. He simply wants to get to the aliens through me to try to sell him the sea salts from their territorial waters, no matter the volume, to get their advanced technologies, including weaponry.”

“Your adivsors want you to talk to him at least.”

“My advisors are asses. What about the Joint Chiefs?”

“Two out of five agree with the other advisors.”

“Secretary of defense?”

“Says it will be a cold day in hell before the president of the United States agrees to any kind of ‘settlement’ between our nations.”

“Good man.”

“But,” Joe sighed, “it’s gone public. The premier’s gone online saying the past is the past and it’s time for a new beginning for world peace. Doesn't say or admit to anything he or his government have done, however. And..he promises to assist with the fight against global terrorism.”

“When he’s behind some of it,” Lee said, running his hand through his hair yet again.

“Shall I tell him to ‘go to hell?’ for you again?” Joe asked.

“No, let me.”

“Lee,” I warned…

“Just kidding, Harry. Go ahead and pipe him through on the orange line, Joe. ‘Speaker’ setting.  I want Harry to listen in.”

“Premier?” Joe asked after punching a few buttons. “The president is on the line…”

“Good afternoon, Mr. President,” Chung said. “Have you re-considered my offer?”

“I agree it’s time for an end to hostilities, but you have to understand that I’m a little hesitant due to the  history between our countries.”

“But we have entered a new age. We need a new relationship. A civil relationship. Mutual trade, friendship, and disarmament.”

“I’ll take your offer under advisement.”

“The sooner the better. I’m sure you’re most anxious to conclude the heady business of leadership before your happy day.”

“As I was aboard Seaview, I’m always ‘on duty’. I’ll discuss this with my advisors and joint chiefs more before I make a decision. And remember, it would have to clear congress.”

“Perhaps I should speak with them.”

“Be my guest. They’re all in the book. I really have to go now, Mr. Premier.”

“Of course, duty waits for no leader. And, congratulations on your coming wedding.”

“Thank you. Goodbye.”

With that Joe disconnected the line, Lee leaned back in chair and closed his sore eye.

“I think I want to throw up,” Lee said. “The sheer unmitigated gall of him! Joe, send a voice and email memo to all members of congress, both houses….”

He waited until Joe had punched in some numbers on the phone and pressed one of the green ones.

“Very well,” Lee said, closed his eye again, and began to speak,  “Premier Chung will be contacting you soon with a proposed change of status between our countries. He will wax on about the need for progress, but due to the long term and continuing  animosity between us, including the capture and torture of many of our citizens and even of his own, the price for the change he wants between us is too high to be seriously considered at this time. President Nelson-Crane.”

Joe clicked off the button with a grin.

“Was that okay, Joe?” Lee asked, opening his eye.

“Damn good, Mr. President…oh, by the way, Melody wants to go shopping for the wedding dress. In person. The Secret Service told her it would be too dangerous. But she said she was going anyway.”

“She’s a brave girl, my Mel,” Lee said proudly. “When will my mother be arriving at the airport?”

“Not long from now.”

“Good. Tell Mel that my mom will want to go with her. She can’t argue if the Secret Service demands they accompany the mother of the president.”

“Sneaky bastard,” Joe said, “yeah, I know. Part of your job description.”

With that he left and Lee returned his attention to me.

“How did the first test go?”

“My calculations are pretty much in agreement with the SEA, in fact, better.”

“I know I wanted three tests, but…the sooner we present the results to congress the better. Cancel the rest of the tests. I want you and the SEA to present your results at a congressional hearing before the proposition is handed over for the full vote…how is Lt. Numbers doing as a guest of Seaview?”

“Well, he drank an entire bottle of Johnny Walker down without any harm. In his quarters right now…and the bug hasn’t picked up anything.”

“Have Seaview head to Washington. I feel a little bit like a lamb to the slaughter with all the negative stuff going on since the broadcast. Just having her nearby will make me feel better and of course, everyone aboard is invited to the ceremony when it happens. Can you believe it, the switchboard’s been flooded with calls. So far about split down the middle with congratulations vs protests. Joe tells me the internet is so active with everyone putting in their two cents that some of the social networks and emails have been delayed or overloaded, bringing some of them to a standstill.  And, Ronald and Jessica are still berating me too. They’re right outside the gate now,  shouting that I’ll burn in hell for bestiality!”

“Oh, son…”I moaned, then noticed that he wasn’t wearing his beloved black onyx ring.

He saw my look of confusion and grinned.

“Well, I had to give her an engagement ring, didn’t I? Only thing I could think of just then. She’s wearing it on a borrowed chain around her neck. While she’s out shopping with Mom, I’ll ask Joe to tag along with me to the closest jeweler for a better token of my affection.”

“Why not have the jeweler come there? They can bring a tray of rings. Avoid the press and protesters.”

“No,” Lee sighed. “I’m in this for the long haul. Besides, if Mel is willing to go out and yelled at, or even attacked, who am I to hide in here? Any ideas for a stone? Stones looking like diamonds are bad luck on their world."

“Well, she has yellow eyes, so perhaps some kind of yellow stone. I know there are yellow sapphires and something called citrine. Women like it when you match their eye color with jewelry.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“You’re not an old married man yet.”

We both laughed.

“It’s kind of amazing,” Lee said. “Before I met Mel, I thought I’d never find the girl of my dreams. And now, I’m marrying her. And probably only in a few days. Harry, I’ve been wondering…if D.C. has the same kind of temporary officiant  system, I’d really like you to perform the ceremony for us.”

“Lee, I’d be honored.”

He broke into his sunshine smile. He almost looked normal again, even with a sore eye, and no prostheses. But the creeping streaks of grey at his temples had removed his ‘boyish’ look, except when he smiled.

“Great. I’ll get the paperwork rolling, if they have such a thing here that is.”

“By the way,” I said, “I had Angie book a hotel suite for Emmie and me. She’ll be coming out here soon. Wants to meet Melody. Too bad it won’t be soon enough to go shopping with her.”

“Well, if know women, they’re all sure to have a few hen parties when they’re all together, just the same!”

A knock on the door interrupted.

“Mrs. Crane will be landing  at the airport shortly,” a Secret Service agent said, “Commander Jackson’s gone to pick her up. Bound to be press going to crowd her. All they need to do is get a list of passengers from the freedom of information act and….”

“Not if she’s using a fake name,” Lee interrupted with a smirk. “Thanks, Spike.”

“Mr. President,” Spike said with a slight bow of the head, and left, but not before Melody came in. She was dancing around in circles, wearing a light green dress with pink flowers on it. Ugliest dress I’d ever seen, but she was happy, so who cared. Unfortunately I knew several people would be. People whose opinions didn’t really matter to me anymore.

“Good Afternoon, Admiral,” she said after giving Lee an embrace and a loving finger near his sore eye.

“Harry to you, my dear,” I said.

Her smile reminded me of sunshine, Like Lee’s smile always did, except for her canine teeth, which curved a bit more like fangs, and reminded me of the ‘dog’ comments. I shook my attention back to the happy couple. Lee had whispered something to her and she proudly took out the chain holding Lee’s ring out from behind her bodice.

“Official!” she giggled.

“I hope you have a pleasant day with Mrs. Crane.”

“Even if others don’t want me to, I will, Admi…Harry,” she added sweetly, looking for a moment like a sixteen year old with her Prince Charming. Even if there never was such an odd couple.

I said my goodbyes, giving them a little time alone.

I let Chip know what Lee had ordered Seaview and called for the volunteer pilot and co-pilot.

And soon  Lt. Numbers and I were being whisked away by Kowalski and Patterson while Seaview changed course and headed to Washington at flank speed.

 I wasn’t so sure about how the crew was going to handle the news. Yes, most would follow Lee into hell if need be, but this was different. He was going to do something beyond the scope of what anyone on Earth had done before and some were mighty unhappy about it. Mighty unhappy indeed.