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TRWD19
My Journal
By Harriman Nelson
19
Lee, Winston, and I returned to the nose to an ecstatic welcome while Chip and O’Brien arranged shore leave schedules.
“About time, Harriman,” Jiggs said as Mrs. C. and Emmie embraced us both again.
“Skipper?” Kowalski, just one of the crewmen still hanging around waiting for his shore leave schedule asked,
“Me and the guys are wondering…do you think the People’s Republic was telling the truth? About their missile
being sabotaged? I mean, even though you told the press that we didn’t have all the facts….”
“None of your business,” Jiggs interrupted.
“It is their business,” Lee corrected, “it’s everyone’s. Well, Ski, while it’s true that
we don’t know all the facts, personally, and keep this to yourselves, I’ve rather come to doubt the People’s
Republic word about anything.”
“Yes, sir,” Ski and his buddies said, then he continued, “And how’d you rig your fake eyeball to do
all that stuff?”
“Just a little electrical engineering,” Lee said easily.
“I think we might want to break out the champagne,” Mrs. C. said.
“Sorry, Mom, we used that up when I came aboard from Washington. I think we have some Johnny Walker.”
“And perhaps the family label,” I said, and picked up the mike, “Galley? See if there’s a crate of
the Nelson Family Boston Brew in stores. We may want to break it out.”
“Aye, sir.”
“Neither for me, Harry,” Lee said, “Actualy I could use a peanut butter, banana, and jelly sandwich.”
“Oh, gawd,” Jiggs said, “Elvis lives.”
“Skipper?” O’Brien’s voice came over the PA, “President Hodges is going live.”
The monitor came to life…
“…My fellow Americans,” Hodges began, seated in the oval office, “first let me say that the chairman
of the People’s Republic has assured me their test launch had been sabotaged in an attempt to overthrow their government.
However, any further launch from their shores, even a test launch, that broaches our airspace will be shot down by them as
a precaution against any further sabotage.
“…All charges against the captain have been dropped and apologize to him and to the nation for my ineptitude regarding
a potential threat that he, in his wisdom saw and acted upon, even against my orders. It has become apparent to me that I
am unable to satisfy the special demands upon a president for sound judgement, especially during a possible crisis.
“…Therefore, in the best interest of the nation, and to our allies, I have decided to step down and Speaker of
the House James Avery, will immediately take the oath of office, presided by Justice Baker.”
Avery, looking decidedly dismal, and took the oath.
"I do solemnly affirm that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of
my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States…’d like to add my own apologies
to Captain Nelson-Crane. He is again in command of the Seaview, and he and his submarine have been returned to civilian status.
More talks have been scheduled with the People’s Republic to assure us all that there will be added security precautions
to prevent any further outright acts of sabotage.”
“Sabotage, my ass!” Jiggs spouted.
“…We can all sleep easier tonight as we too, have upgraded our own security measures as well, thank you.”
The screen went blank.
“Well, Lee,” Mrs. C. said, “at least Hodges took responsibility and apologized.”
“Political maneuvering, that’s all,” Jiggs said.
“Joe?” Lee asked, “Come with me to my cabin.”
“What about that sandwich?” Jiggs asked.
“I’ll let Cookie know and I’m sure he won’t get lost getting to my cabin. Mom, you go ahead and enjoy
the Johnny Walker or the Boston Brew, if there is any.”
“Sweetheart?” Mrs. C. asked him, “is something wrong?”
“I’m fine, just have a lot of paperwork to do. Come along, Winston.”
I raised my eyebrow, which he saw and gave me a slight negative nod of his head of warning for me not to pursue the matter.
Then he, the dog, and Joe were gone.
Just then Riley and Patterson appeared with a bottle of the Nelson Family Boston Brew and small plastic cups.
“Sorry, sir,” Riley said, “This is all there was of the Nelson stuff. Like, it’s kind of dusty.”
“On the table,” Jiggs said. “Well, Harriman, you want to pour it out or should Morton? He’s got the
shore leave schedule. Ladies first though.”
We limited the men to one drink each as we certainly didn’t want to dishonor our host country with drunken sailors,
some of whom were anxious to go ashore. Not that cold winter winds would make for any kind of pleasant outing. Chip made sure
they understood that it would be best not to answer any questions the lingering press might have and the best way to make
friends with the locals was to spend money.
In fact, I wondered if I should take Emmie to town for a little shopping and sightseeing to take everyone’s mind off
of political matters.
Though, that family label tasted better than I’d remembered. Perhaps another snort or two was in order.
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