South Of Bikini- Newfound Relations free porn video

South of Bikini Episode 3 "Newfound Relations" 1320 hours, Palmyra Atoll, April 3rd, 1944 "Skipper, Admiral Demmit asked me to give you this." My Ex-O said as I reached the bottom of the Bridge ladder. After fixing my skirt and tucking in the loose tail of my blouse, I took the proffered letter from Jack. We had just cleared the Atoll's lagoon/harbor and set course for Hawaii. The note was hand written by the Admiral himself. It read: Cmdr. Steinert, Make your course for the southeastern side of Kauai. I will meet the Sand Dollar there. Stay submerged just off the reef until 1100hrs, April 5th. We need to discuss Lt. Scott's idea of a new base for my new Naval Emergency Recovery Unit. By then I will have chosen several prospective locations for us to visit and appraise. I will bring my own supplies. Rear Admiral Richard E. Demmit, USN PS: Alex, please accept an apology from this old stuff-shirt. I was totally out of line yesterday assuming you had compromised my niece's virtue. I am also sorry I ever doubted your character- before or after this mission. Please accept my sincerest apologies. I still cannot begin to fathom the circumstances concerning your miraculous change, but I will try to accept it nonetheless. Be that as it may, I wish to offer my warmest welcome to the newest member of the Demmit/Scott family, Alexandra. You and Emily stay safe! See you both in couple day, Uncle Rick. "Skip, need a hankie?" Jack quietly offered. I politely declined and went forward to find Emily. "Oh, Alex, I told you he would come around!" Emily said as she finished reading. "I told you he was a big teddy bear!" "So Alexandra, how does it feel to be part of a family again?"Lt. Smith inquired. "Actually, I never really lost my family, Mina. I just added another branch." "Bully for you, my dear!" Lt. Smith congratulated. She pondered a moment. "Surely you don't intend reintroducing yourself to your parents? They would not recognize you, even if they had previously made Emily's acquaintance. They would just see what the rest of the world sees- Emily's sister, Alexandra." "I haven't worked it all out yet, but there has to be some way I can stay near them. They're still my parents!" "Correction! They are Alexander Steinert's parents. To them Alexandra Steinert doesn't exist, Alex." Emily stated calmly. "Perhaps you could introduce yourself as your brother's girlfriend...or fianc?e?" "No!" I screeched then cleared my throat. "I mean, no Mina, that wouldn't work even if I agreed to go along with it." "Why not, Captain?" "Because, Mina, Alex..." "Because, Mina, my parents have already been down that road! I received a letter from them about a year after Brian's death. In it, my Pa stated that a young woman had come up to the house insisting she was Brian's wife- that they had gotten married only a week before the attack and that she had returned stateside afterwards. My Ma and Pa almost bought into her story 'til Ma remembered Brian's last letter. It was dated December 5th, 1941. In it he had complained about liberty being canceled the week before because of several crewmen sneaking ashore, getting drunk, and forcibly returned by the Shore Patrol. She searched through all our letters until she found it. Sure enough, Brain had stated that the Captain had revoked all shore leave for two weeks." I stopped to take a breath...and also to steady myself. This was dredging up bad memories I desperately wanted to forget. Both Lieutenants looked flabbergasted. "Pa took the letter into town and showed the Sheriff, telling him the whole story. When the woman came back later, Ma let her in the house and Pa...well, he held her there with his shotgun until the Sheriff arrived. Turns out she was in possession of a list of crewmen lost on the Arizona that day. How she got it is still a mystery. They never wrote me back with anything further on the subject." I stopped again, this time to ease my anger. "So you see...I can't just show up on their doorstep claiming to be my brother's anything! I won't do that, I can't. I love them too much!" I wiped some tears from my eyes. "My word! How some people can live with themselves! To assume the guise of a grieving widow, probably for financial gain or security, I suspect! The sheer audacity! Of course, I have seen similar in my travels and it should not surprise me. Alexandra, your parents are very wise and observant people. I can see where you get some of your talents from- specifically, your penchant for weapons usage." Lt. Smith said with a mischievous grin hoping to lighten my mood. "Mina, just so you know, every Ozark hillbilly knows how to use a gun! Babies up there teethe on rifle butts instead of lollipops!" Emily giggled as she ran with the jest. "While ya'll are at it, don't fer-git they's a still in ever' back yard an' the whole fam'ly drinks 'shine steada' water!" I growled as I let a severely exaggerated version of my native drawl loose. I realized I sounded exactly like some young, Tennessee farmer's daughter- blonde pigtails and all. Sometimes I hated my new voice. "Oh Alex! You know we're just having some fun! Take it easy!" "I'll take it easy if you stop reminding me of my accent. I've never made fun of yer high an' mighty, nose in the air, all proper, Connecticut Yankee speak, have I?" "Well, no, but...point taken, Alex. Boy, you can be too sensitive lately! Are you sure your not starting...?" "No...I mean...I don't think I...I'll be in my quarters!" I turned, went the few steps, entered and locked my door. As I sat down on my rack, I questioned myself. Could it be starting...? No! I need some rest. "I've never seen Alex get that ticked before, Mina." "We have been quite antagonistic as of late. Maybe a truce is in order, Lieutenant?" "Agreed, Lieutenant. She still needs practice though, Mina." "Practice of what kind, dear?" "Why, practice in the art of argument! Alex still concedes her position like a man- by dramatically exaggerating the topic then retreating." Emily giggled. Lt. Smith carefully eyed up the doctor for a minute. "Of course. Lieutenant, she is still fairly new at this, you know. Gradually she will catch on- faster if we do not nag at her." "What fun would that be, Mina?" "What fun indeed." 0830 Pearl Harbor, April 4th, 1944 "Sir? Major Canton to see you." "Send him in Ensign." "Aye, sir." The Marine Major entered the office and promptly snapped to attention. "Canton, those better be the surveys I asked for." "Sir, yes sir!" "At ease, Major. Take a seat." Demmit said as he motioned to a chair. He gestured to the map tube the marine was holding. Maj. Charles. Canton USMC handed over the contents. "Admiral, you can't be serious about this! What would the War Dept. say? Sir, you must consider your career! You could be laughed right out of the Navy if this got out!" "Let me worry about that Major! I'm well aware of the consequences! I hold myself solely responsible for any and all possible outcomes. Your name will never be used in any communiqu? or reference to this project, Canton." "Sir, I'm just reminding you of what could happen. I know I made my opinions clear on the plane." "So noted, Major. As I said, your involvement will be kept from the record, as will this and every future conversation on the matter. I've listened to and understand your thoughts on the Sand Dollar situation." "Then you understand the situation they place us all in, sir. May I remind the Admiral that there has never been any women serving in command or frontline positions in any military, anywhere?" "Yes, Canton, you voiced that fact many times on the flight back to Pearl yesterday. May I remind you, major, that these women we're speaking of are the foremost submarine crew in the Pacific?" Demmit's voice grew angry. "Yes sir, but..." "Are you also aware that the Sand Dollar's crew- her female crew no less- sank more enemy tonnage on their first mission than any other boat crew to date?" "But sir, they just got lucky..." "Lucky! Major, you are aware that every Captain files an in-depth report of every attack- successful or otherwise?" Demmit growled. "Yes sir." "Hummpf!" Admiral Demmit paused. "Tell me major, when we first overflew, then boarded the Sand Dollar the other day, did you see anything out of the ordinary?" "Well no, sir, they..." "All stations were manned and ready as should be expected?" "Why, yes, sir." "And when shots rang out on the beach, did the crew react with practiced precision?" "Yes." "And in your opinion major, did their reaction time meet or exceed your standards?" "My men could respond no better, sir." Canton admitted. "So tell me again how women can't fight in this war, major? You have just agreed with me that the crew of the Sand Dollar responds equally as well as your marines." "Admiral, they may respond quickly under that set of circumstances, but if they were to see actual close combat situations..." "Read this major! I was hoping I wouldn't have to divulge to you, what have become, classified reports, but you leave me no alternative! Here are Captain Steinert's reports on the Sand Dollar's activities. I must warn you however, that once your eyes focus on these reports, your complicity in my plan is assured. So, if you want your proof, read the reports. Be assured I have never known Capt. Steinert or my niece to lie! Read... then tell me how your soldiers could perform any better given the circumstances, major!" Canton slowly read through the files as if committing them to memory or evaluating them as he went. At one point his face flashed surprise. "She fought off a Japanese officer by herself...after taking fire AND ordering the boat to dive?" "You understand now, major? Men or women, this crew can fight! Maybe the gentleman's club has finally found some competition? You would find her report on the Palmyra incident equally brilliant if I had allowed her to file such a report, but that incident never happened. Isn't that right major?" "Sir, what report?" "Look Chuck, I've known you for a number of years now. If I had expected this much flak from you, I wouldn't have asked you and Redhorse to go to Palmyra with me. I thought I was asking two open- minded soldiers to help me investigate the Sand Dollar mystery. Little did I realize one would basically condemn my decisions and the other would fall hard for her Encryption Specialist! Chuck, this crew didn't ask for this, it just happened! They want to fight! The spirit to fight is still resonating through them, major- just as it rings through you or I. I think they deserve the chance, don't you? Otherwise, what choice would they have? Would you be comfortable sending them stateside to be poked and prodded like lab rats? Because if news of this...this Mahanului, ever got out that is exactly what would happen!" The Admiral paused to collect his thoughts. "Put yourself in their place. Can you even begin to understand how you would feel about suddenly changing from male to female overnight? It sends chills up my spine thinking of all that entails. Yet they have overcome that; they have continued to do their jobs and pulled off some stunning victories in the process. Chuck, I believe them to still be a major asset to the war effort. That is why we need to locate and setup this base for them." "Admiral...if you believe in them as much as you say...why put such beautiful creatures in harm's way. Wouldn't it be safer to keep them here, at Pearl?" "Would you like to go stateside and participate in the war bond campaigns, Chuck?" "No!" "Why?" "Because I was trained to fight. I..." "Now do you see my point, major?" "But they're still women." "Yes, women who use to be men. Just like you or I. Maybe one day they will wish to settle down...maybe after this damn war is over. Right now though, they wish to continue doing what they volunteered for- defeating the Nazis and the Empire. They made that fact quite clear at our campfire the other night. Cap. Steinert also demonstrated to me firsthand how committed they are to stay in the fight." "Sir?" "While on the beach that night, she knew something was going to happen! A minute or so before Sand Dollar signaled us about an approaching vessel. Once onboard, I found out that their Hydrophone operator heard the approaching screws at four times the normal range. She accurately identified it as another boat. Whose it was she couldn't tell because of the echoes reflected by the reef." Canton just sat and listened to the account of the unofficial incident. "After the unidentified boat surfaced, I ordered Sand Dollar to also surface. Alex felt strongly enough to counter my order and stay submerged. She said there was something strange about the boat- something that just was not right about it. Within a matter of moments she had formed a strategy. She ordered Sand Dollar closer to investigate. Both Alex and her first officer sighted the deception and brought it to my attention. She fired two torpedoes at the intruder just before they fired a cannon round at Palmyra air station. It was a brilliant maneuver, major. I have never been witness to such acuity. It was like Alex now possesses some sort of precognition or the like." 1050 hours, Southeastern coast of Kauai, Hawaiian Chain, April 5th, 1944 "Periscope depth, Skip." "Thanks Carroll. Stand by to surface." "Aye! Stand by to surface." Lt. Sheldon relayed my command. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary topside, I gave the order to surface. "Aye, Skip. Surface. Blow all tanks. Lookouts to the Con." "Skipper, RADAR has a target bearing one-nine-two, fifteen miles out and closing." "We'll check it out. Sound battle stations, Carroll." I said as I ascended the ladder. "Aye Skip! Sound battle stations, battle stations!" Within a matter of moments the main deck gun had been manned and readied, as well as both machine guns. I felt nothing but pride for my crew! "Cap, target is coming in low at eight-o'clock. Looks like a PBY." One of the lookouts, Reynolds, said. "He's right on time." I responded. Jack, Emily and Mina joined me on the bridge just before the Admiral's plane overflew our position. In short order, the plane had circled back, descended and taxied to within twenty yards of Sand Dollar. An inflatable containing Adm. Demmit and two sailors launched from the plane and came along side. The Old Man was helped aboard- as was a duffle and crate. Demmit spoke with then saluted the sailors, who wasted no time returning to the plane. Minutes later, the plane having built enough speed, returned to the air and headed back to its base. "Admiral, Welcome aboard." I said as we all saluted. "Captain. Commander. Lieutenants." He returned our salutes. "I hope your trip was uneventful?" "Yes sir, it was." "Good. Have your men...er...crew stow this gear. The duffle goes to my quarters and the crate to the galley." "The galley, sir?" I questioned. "Yes, Alex. I brought my own supplies. I want them to remain separate and only Chief Peterson is to have access. Clear?" "Aye, sir!" "As soon as that is done I would like to meet with you and your officers in your Ward room. I have a few... "Alex!" Carroll shouted from the bridge, "Skip, Randi has a priority transmission for the Admiral coming in from Pearl! They're asking to talk." "Loosening the protocols a bit, Captain?" "No sir! Not at all! I'll remind the Lieutenant of that, sir." "See that you do, Alex." Demmit chided. "Sorry, sir, but sometimes it just slips out. We haven't quite figured out why." I gestured toward my body. Admiral Demmit just looked Emily and I over a few times. He shook his head, and then looked toward Lt. Smith. She in turn winked at him. "Yes...well...get my gear stowed and meet me in the Radio Shack, Alex." "Aye, Admiral. Jack, see to the Admiral's gear and secure from battle stations. Go to general quarters." "Aye, Skip." Adm. Demmit walked over to and stopped at the Conning Tower ladder. "Ladies first," he said with a twinkle in his eye. As with our first meeting since the change, I felt vulnerable, but I was learning. "Admiral, maybe you should go first- it might be very important." I said as I motioned for him to ascend the ladder instead. The man looked disappointed as he started his climb and I felt somewhat vindicated. Not entirely understanding, I glanced back to Emily and Mina- both wore a slight smile. Emily nodded slightly. Once on the bridge, Demmit must have said something to Carroll as she snapped to attention and saluted until the old man dropped through the hatch. As I topped the ladder, Carroll confronted me. "Skip...it was an honest mistake! Hell, I didn't even realize I said it...it just came out! Honest! I would never knowingly..." "Hold it right there, Carroll! I know you didn't mean to break protocol. Just pay more attention next time, okay?" I said cutting her off. As I neared the galley I could hear the Admiral speaking. "Negative. Seahorse is not ready for...No...I'm well aware of the importance...confirmed. Will contact in three. Shortstop out!" The sound of his voice...so...so strong; so self-assured...such a nice deep voice... What the hell was I thinking! "Some bad news Admiral?" I asked as I stopped in the doorway. "Nothing that concerns you, Captain." "Oh, okay. Sir, my command staff is assembled and waiting for us in the Wardroom, when you're ready." "Hilf, I want to know the minute anything gets close to us." I said as we passed through the Control Room. "Aye, Skipper." "By the way Hilf, how are you feeling today?" "A lot better now Skip. I feel like my old self again...well, sort of my old self...um...my new...old self that is." "Radar? Miss Hilf?" I hinted with my finger while holding back a giggle. "What was that all about Commander?" Adm. Demmit growled. "Women's thing Admiral, nothing you want to hear about." "Hummf" "Ladies, let's get this briefing started shall we?" Adm. Demmit said as he motioned for us all to be seated. "As you all know, the past few days I have been looking into possible sites for a new base of operations. I have narrowed my search to three or four locations on the smaller islands of this chain. I believe they all meet our somewhat specific criteria. All are mostly uninhabited. All are isolated enough for your privacy, and all have somewhat usable mooring space. One in particular, peaks my interest. We'll visit that one last as I want you all to see the other locations first before making our decision." Admiral Demmit proceeded to retrieve and unfold charts for three of the northernmost Hawaiian Islands. "We'll start here at Kauai tomorrow morning 0600. Captain, set your course for these coordinates. Once we arrive we'll hold off shore until morning. Now let me brief you on your new mission." "Admiral? Before you continue, did you not forget about something?" Lt. Smith asked. In her hands she held several sheets of notes. "Oh...yes, your highness, I..." "Lt. Smith!" We all contradicted in unison. "Yes, Lt. Smith. If I may?" The Admiral glared at everyone momentarily then turned his attention back to Mina and reached across the table to retrieve the notes. "You will find, Admiral, that my sisters are indeed a diverse group representing many trades and specialties. Granted we may be a bit rusty, but I can assure you we do learn fast." Mina gushed. As Demmit read through the notes, his expression grew more confused. "Lt. Smith, I believe what you told me about this Mahanilui and it's changes, but I cannot believe women as young as yourselves have such vast and far reaching backgrounds. For instance, how could...um" he searched back through several pages until he found what he was looking for, "...how could Ensign Banes have any experience as a Royal Navy Shipwright? I've never heard of HMS Thames." "I doubt you would have, Admiral. The Thames was a Ship-of-the-line that was captured, burned, and sunk during the Siamese Uprising against the Crown." Mina giggled. "Siamese Uprising? I never heard of that confrontation." Demmit was even more confused now. "That is because it gave the British Empire a black eye, Admiral. Rumors had it that several Nobles lost their heads when King Ja..." "Lt. Smith! I doubt the Admiral here wants to be bored by British politics!" I subtlety glared across at her hoping she took the hint. "Quite so. Excuse me Admiral. It has been such a long time since my sisters and I have had men to talk to. Pardon my rambling. Please continue." I could see the Old Man's gears turning- trying to figure out just when this supposed uprising happened. Several minutes passed while Adm. Demmit scrutinized Lt. Smith and her words. My command staff held our collective breath. "Admiral? Could we continue, sir?" I cautiously inquired. "Yes... yes let's continue, Captain." He said while still evaluating the Lieutenant. "This is what I asked for your...Lt. Smith. Thank you. Are you sure you and your girls want to participate in this mission? May I remind you your commissions were only a means of..." "...Allowing our safe passage through the war zone. Yes, Admiral Demmit, we are well aware and most steadfast in our intentions. Please continue, sir." Mina said with confidence and royal bearing. "As you wish...Lieutenant. Captain, you and your crew will become the Navy's new Emergency Recovery Unit. You and the Sand Dollar will provide emergency extraction and medical services to forward locations on short notice. Also some covert reconnaissance may arise. Once we have established the location of your base, I will dispatch a battalion of Seabees to prepare and construct it. The Sand Dollar will conveniently be out on a mission during that time so no interaction will occur. I think it best that your identities be kept secret. I have also prepared a short list of support personnel to help maintain the base. I cannot guarantee a steady stream of assignments to appease your need to 'blow things up', Captain, but you and your crew will have to stay sharp and be on the ready at all times. Think you can handle it, Captain?" I looked around the table for any reactions. All nodded in the affirmative. "Sir, we're ready, willing, and quite able to carry out our new mission. Let me state, for the record that we may look, sound, and act differently than before, but we are still soldiers in the United States Navy and that is what matters most!" "Excellent, Commander!" "Admiral? May I inquire as to the Captain and her crew? Have you decided on a course of action towards their identities?" "Yes I have...Lieutenant. For the time being, Captain Steinert and his men will still exist, if only on paper. I have people lined up to construct official documentation should this change not prove temporary in the six months you have requested." Adm. Demmit looked around the table as everyone except Mina dropped their gaze to the tabletop. "I'm sorry. I could have worded that differently. You all must understand that I need to, at least, plan for the worst case? Look, no offence, but we all know that this is a man's Navy. I doubt that will ever change even though you have proven the Navy and I wrong. However, you have proven to this old seadog, at least, that given proper training women can perform as well as men...if not better in some areas. Hell, I'd bring commendations for everyone onboard if I thought the War Department would believe me!" "Medals and awards will not feed or clothe a crew, Admiral. My inquiry deals in the physical and financial. What of currency, shore leave, and holiday? Are we to be confined to our base for the duration of this war?" Lt. Smith questioned. "No ma'am, I wouldn't expect any of my personnel to be confined or denied leave! I'm still working on those and many other 'special' requirements that have surfaced from your last mission. I will however, consider any and all practical ideas, Mina. I am hoping that once we find a suitable location some of your concerns will have been answered. Captain, do you frequently allow officers under your command to speak for you?" "Women's...Captain's purgative, sir. Now, if I may sir, should I give the order to set course for our first objective?" I caught Emily stifle a giggle. "Yes, Alex. Make for site 'Alpha'. Here are your coordinates." The Admiral said dejectedly as he pointed to a location on the first chart. Carroll and I made for the Con Chief Peterson intercepted me just as we cleared the forward hatch. "Skip, the Admiral...he brought his own coffee pot! Where am I going to prepare things if another pot is taking up the space? As it is I don't have enough space to put things! I can't work like this sir!" Peterson whined. "Look, he just wants to be safe. Think of what would happen if he changed like us. As an Admiral he can help us- as one of us, we don't stand a chance. Just do your best back there." "Good point Alex...skipper." "Lt. Sheldon, submerge the boat and set a course to our first objective. Hold off shore till daybreak surfacing tonight for recharge. I'll have Jack relieve you at 2100 hrs." "Aye, skip! Recall the watch! Ready for dive." Carroll started to relay my orders. I returned forward to the Wardroom. Mina, Emily and Jack were still with Adm. Demmit. Two-Eagles, Randi, and Scott Williams weren't scheduled to report for their duty station for two hours. "Admiral, we're underway. We should arrive on location at 1500 hrs." "Good Alex. Have a seat, please. We have more to talk about." "Sir?" "Mina?" Demmit faced Lt. Smith, who was now on his right, "Is there something you have neglected to tell me, Lieutenant?" "I don't follow sir." "Come on your highness! I may not be as old as you- pardon the inference, but I wasn't born yesterday. I did catch your comment about former-president Roosevelt. How is it you know him, my dear?" the Admiral asked calmly. "Maybe the Lieutenant just got her Roosevelt's' mixed up, sir." I tried to cover. "Yes, maybe Mina just mixed up Theodore for Franklin, sir." Emily added. I noticed Jack started to turn white. "Girls, your uncle didn't get to be where he is today because he missed something that obvious!" Admiral Demmit scowled at the two of us. "Lt. Smith?" He growled then paused. "Mina? You've met the former president haven't you?" The table was eerily quiet. "Lieutenant, does the Mahanului have anything to do with extending one's life? I assure you this will never be discussed or asked again, my dear. You can count on that!" Mina paused then let out a defeated sigh. "And more, Admiral." She admitted quietly. The old man gave a satisfied smile. "I trust you have shared these 'benefits' with the captain and her crew?" "Some of them, yes." "Some of the benefits or some of the crew? Would you care to elaborate, Lieutenant?" Again Lt. Smith paused nervously. "Benefits, sir." We all looked at Lt. Smith somewhat surprised by her admission of withholding information from us. I noticed Mina swallow hard as she glanced around to each of us. "In addition to longevity, our bodies heal and rejuvenate faster. Our senses are heightened, as you already know." She paused thinking how to continue. "Go on. Please continue, Lieutenant." "As your crew is already aware, we pass on these traits to our off- spring. If the Hun or Japanese found us out, they would exploit both us, and our progeny. That is why we cannot be revealed...to anybody...to any government, Admiral." "We know all that Mina. What is it you haven't told us? We're all in this together now! We really should know!" Emily declared for us all. "Well...I may have misled you a bit on the full extent of our longevity. I believe I stated the time factor as roughly two hundred years? It is closer to three hundred, my sisters. Learning of such an excessive lifespan can sometimes be traumatic to some people- I didn't want to frighten you, I'm sorry." Again the table was silent. "Also...we are fertile for most of that. If...if the Mahaului holds true now that we are away from its influence." Mina dropped her eyes. "But we still aren't sure if this will last beyond six months, right Lieutenant?" My Ex-O asked. "I told you, I just don't know, Jacquelyn. That is one thing I cannot promise." "Mina? In the case of your Ensign Banes...when you said she was a shipwright on a Ship-of-the-Line...you meant a real Ship-of-the-Line?" Admiral Demmit asked as the pieces finally fell into place. "Yes, Admiral, Zechariah Joseph Banes was born in the year of our lord 1715, near Hampshire, England. He apprenticed in Portsmouth until age twenty then signed aboard HMS Thames. He and seven others survived the battle and subsequent sinking just off Siam. He had heard tell of Kili Island from an envoy my mother sent out after pirates had pillaged and routed the island. Mr. Banes came to us sick with the onset of the plague. Mariah Banes joined our fold in 1747. She owes her very existence to the Mahanilui- it saved her life." "...So that means that everyone on this submarine...except me..." "...Are in perfect health and should stay that way for a very long time to come, Admiral, yes...provided, of course, the Mahanilui does not wear away in six months as some would hope." "That's not where I was going, Lieutenant. What I meant to say was that no one on board Sand Dollar will ever get sick or die?" "Not entirely Admiral. We can all be dispatched as surely as anyone- it just takes...more severe means. Take for instance our captain; she suffered a severe bullet wound to her leg five days ago. The bullet nicked one of the main veins causing her to bleed profusely as Miss Sheldon can attest to. Despite severe blood loss, here she is. One cannot even locate the site of the injury. She was completely healed the next day!" "You mean to tell me that all of you are some kind of super-humans? From what you have told me you cannot get sick, have extraordinarily heightened senses, retain your youth and beauty, heal faster than normal, are hard to kill, and live three to four times longer than normal people. Does that just about sum everything up, your highness...or is there more?" Mina took too long to reply. I could see her debating the question. The old man took notice also. "There is more isn't there, your highness?" he asked as he wiped his face with his palms in frustration. "Yes, but they vary by individual and are too numerous to list, Admiral Demmit. For instance, my adoptive mother, our former queen could foresee coming events- in fact, she foresaw my arrival to Kili several years in advance. I thought it strange how she welcomed me like a close relative, not the stranger I was. Once I experienced the Mahanului, she explained about her gift and some of the others. I share the gift with my four daughters as does everyone in Kili's royal bloodline." Mina dropped her head as she finished. I quickly began to piece together these new facts. She had the gift of precognition, seeing into the future- seeing what would happen before it actually did. I leveled my glare on the Lieutenant. "You knew!" I hissed. "You knew this would happen to us! Why, Mina? Why didn't you try to stop this?" My pitch went higher. "Did you also know about this, Admiral? Were we just an experiment?" My angry stare was now focused exclusively on the old man. "I can assure you, captain; I had no knowledge of this. I only acted on the request of the Kili government- the queen here. The only prior information I had relating to your mission was the list of names to use for commissions. A list that was forwarded to me by way of our resupply ship three months ago." "So you knew three months in advance that this was going to happen? Mina, we trusted you! You lied to us- why?" This was unbelievable! To know that she could have stopped this change, yet she did nothing. I tried to keep my temper. Mina never moved her glance from the tabletop as we waited for her response. I noticed her facial coloring change to a rose shade. Her breath deepened. I could feel a storm brewing. "The truth, Alexandra? I'll tell you all the truth!" She looked up from the table at me, both fire and tears in her eyes. Her closed fists hit the table in unison. "The real truth is that the alternative was even more devastating than if I had done absolutely nothing at all- if I had simply let our future play out without any interference on my part!" She sniffed hard. "I did you all a favor!" Mina stated in her most angry of royal tones. "Did them a favor! Mina, how could you be so cruel? How could you sentence fifty innocent souls to an unwanted existence?" Emily angrily interjected. "Simply this, doctor. We would all have died had I not interceded- had things not played out according to my carefully re-thought future! That Japanese destroyer that you destroyed after your Mahanului would have caught you dead in the water and fired upon you first!" She paused to let her words sink in, yet her eyes still remained locked on mine. She continued. "Had you not undergone the Mahanilui, you would not have given sunbathing privileges to us, or your crew. With no women sunbathing on the foredeck, the Japanese would not have been distracted nor would they have missed their target, Alexandra! The demise of the Kili civilization would have been guaranteed most assuredly!" Again she stopped- this time to compose herself for what she said next. "This Sand Dollar that you hold so dear would now be lost- crushed and twisted wreckage in five hundred fathoms of water with all hands lost! A mere mention in the history books, if that." She sniffed. "What I gave you all was another chance at life! Because of my foresight and my actions, this miraculous vessel, her crew, and passengers are here today! Believe me; the visions of our demise haunted me day and night until that morning of your change, Captain." Mina closed her eyes as she stopped. Tears squeezed from them and ran down her cheeks. She shook her head slightly as if shaking off some unwanted memory. "To envision ones-self alone, treading water with only fire light to see the horrific seen of everyone here floating, lifeless, as this submarine slipped farther and farther into the unknown depths. You cannot imagine the feeling of your life being squeezed from you by the extreme pressure- knowing that this could have been prevented- that it had to be prevented..." Mina abruptly stopped and buried her head in Demmit's shoulder as she broke down. Admiral Demmit did his best to consul her. I felt an apology was warranted. "We're all sorry, Mina. Had we known you had seen all of that, we would...please accept my deepest apology, your highness. We really do owe you our lives...thank you." I said, trying to keep from getting choked up. "Mina? How long ago was it that you saw your vision?" Jack asked innocently. With a few sniffs, Mina lifted her head and answered, "Five years ago. Five excruciatingly long years." We were all shocked. "How could you hold that inside for so long?" Jack burst out in surprise. "I assure you Jacquelyn, it took everything I am to keep my sanity! That morning, when chaos reigned supreme throughout this vessel...it was pure ambrosia to me! I knew, without a doubt that I had saved my friends and family. I had succeeded in changing history- at least in a small way! Almost immediately, my visions of that averted future began to fade. They will remain- not disappearing entirely, but they have become just bad memories- lessons." "On behalf of the United States Navy, thank you, Mina. What you did for Alex and her crew, though unique and quite unorthodox, is deeply appreciated. We are in your debt, your highness." The old man's words were eloquent and sincere. Without warning 'it' appeared. It was slight but still made itself known. I immediately began my questioning. I think Jack noticed first." "Admiral! Alex." I noticed her pointing in my direction as I concentrated on my questioning. What was wrong? Was Sand Dollar heading into trouble? I received a slightly larger response. I tried to be more specific. Was there an enemy in the area? No response. Is it something to do with the boat? Big response. Should we go deeper? Big response. Should we surface? No response. "Alex? What is it? Are we in danger?" I heard Emily ask. I gave no response- I wanted to narrow things down before replying. Are we under attack? No response. Are we going to hit something? Big response. I should surface and go over something ahead of us? No response. I wanted to better understand what would happen so I rephrased my question. Is there something on the bottom that we will hit and possibly cause us to sink? My head vibrated with the response. Something different then happened. I got the feeling of urgency. I reached for the squawk. "Con, Captain! Blow all tanks! Emergency surface! All stop! Do it now Miss Sheldon!" My commands echoed back down the corridor at us. We felt the bow rise sharply and held onto the table. Within seconds we felt the unmistakable rise then fall of the bow as we broke the surface. Carroll's voice came over the speaker. "We're on top, Skip. All stop." "May I suggest a little warning before you do that again, Alex?" The Admiral said, relieved. "What is it Alex?" I heard as I got up and hurried back to the Con. "Alex...what the hell?" Carroll screeched. I didn't answer. "Sonar where's the bottom?" "Sixty feet, skip....thirty-five feet! Wow that was close Skipper, how'd ya know?" I breathed a sigh of relief. That had been too close. I almost took too long! Somehow I needed to streamline my questioning procedures. I asked myself one more question. Should we stop and look? I got no response. "Carroll, call the lookouts to the Con. Let's have a look at what we almost ran into." "Alex, what is it?" Emily asked as she, Jack, Mina, and Admiral Demmit entered. "We barely missed something big on the bottom. I don't know what it is. Maybe the water is clear enough we can see it topside. Care to join me, Admiral?" Demmit gestured to the ladder. Once on the bridge, it became obvious what we almost hit. "Well Alex, it looks like you found our lost supply ship. She failed to report in three days ago." "I see another problem in the making Admiral!" I said pointing to the masthead peeking above the waves about ten yards off our port side. "Bridge, Con." "Con here, skip. What's going on up there?" "We seem to have found one of the Admiral's lost ships, Miss Sheldon. Rudders amidships and slowly back us away from the wreckage. We're about to foul out on its rigging." "Aye, rudder amidships and slow astern, Skip." "What was she carrying, sir?" I asked as we slowly cleared the twisted mass of steel cables. "My guess, from the damage, would be explosives, Alex." He looked as if sizing me up. "You really saw that coming? Amazing!" "Well, sir, I really didn't see anything. Let's just say something told me it was going to happen- you could call it a feeling." I admitted. "More like underdeveloped precognition, Captain!" Mina said from behind us. A flash bulb went off in my head. "No...that...that can't be" I said to no one in particular. "Excuse me, Captain?" the Admiral asked as we both turned our attention to Lt. Smith. "Did you really think that highly of me at our first meeting, Alexandra?" "Mina, it's got to be a mistake! Yes, I respect you...I never met royalty before. I'm just your normal run of the mill Missouri farm boy! I have no royal blood at all in my family tree! Grandpa once met Samuel Clements before retiring from the river, but that's as famous as the Steinert family gets." I explained. "Captain, the Mahanilui is miraculous, but mysterious at times. It alone decides who becomes what- who gets what- it's most unpredictable." "Just like a woman!" the old man mumbled. "Yes, exactly Admiral, Just like a woman." Lt. Smith agreed. The Admiral just shook his head. "I take it you knew this also, Mina?" I already knew the answer. "Only since the day of your change, Alexandra. As I stated before, once the timeline changed so did future events in it." "But I don't know how to be queen!" "My dear girl, who said anything about you becoming the next queen?" Mina giggled. "I intend to have a long and prosperous reign and then hand over my crown to my eldest daughter, Mia, then to her eldest daughter and so on." "I'm sorry, I just..." "Alexandra, you already are a ruler in your own right. You command your loyal subjects, your crew, as would any monarch. The Sand Dollar is your domain- your realm. But, I suppose your family tree has gotten a trifle larger. I reckon that makes us family now Richard- what say you?" "How would 'Princess Alexandra' here make us related, Mina?" Admiral Demmit asked sarcastically as he gestured to me. "Did you not refer to her as 'Ruthie' at first sight? Did you not officially welcome her into your family via written letter? You freely admitted she reminds you of your late sister, and her physical resemblance to Lt. Scott is remarkable, wouldn't you agree?" "Well, yes, I said and did those things, but how are WE now related, your highness?" "Her gift of foresight, Admiral! The Mahanilui has decided her lineage and therefore brought us together! Do not forget, her gift is considered by my people to be the sign of royalty! I have it; my mother had it; her mother had it; and so on back through Kili history. Now, my sister Alexandra has it- it is also possible that Emily inherited the gift when she participated in the Mahanilui. I have yet to see evidence of it though. So, like it or not Richard, we are now related through Captain Steinert." Lt. Smith smiled then kissed me lightly on the cheek as she hugged me. "Welcome to the family, Alexandra! Oh and don't neglect to rescue the five survivors over on the shore in that small cave right...there. They prove a vital key to upcoming events." She pointed to a small dark opening five hundred yards from us on the rocky cliff rising from the narrow beachhead. Mina then kissed Admiral Demmit on the cheek, turned, and climbed down through the hatch. "Skipper! I have movement on the beach, nine o'clock!" Lookout Masterson shouted. Masterson. It still amazed me how that girl could even stand, or that a flak jacket would still fit her! I decided to test my 'gift' as Mina called it. A simple question to start: should I leave them on the beach? It was no surprise to get a response- the question was rhetorical. Should we rescue them- again a no-brainer? Quiet. Next question: Could they do us harm? I got a mild reaction to that one. Interesting. I tried another. Are they all healthy? Big reaction! Ok, that did it for me. "Bridge, Con." "Con, Skip." "Carroll, lookouts have spotted survivors on the beach. Assemble a landing party and have Dr. Scott report with her bag. We count five, repeat, five." The old man gave me a curious glance. "Aye, Skip, Lt. Scott is already on her way up." "Thanks Carroll. Consult the charts and see if we can get any closer to shore." "Aye, Skip, already on it. Let you know in a minute." "How do you know there are five survivors over there, Alex?" Admiral Demmit cautiously asked as he strained his eyes to count. "Lt. Smith told me before she went below, sir." The old man raised an eyebrow. "All ready to go, Alex!" Emily said as she emerged through the hatch. "How many and is anyone hurt?" "You tell us Lieutenant!" Demmit growled. "You three seem to have the market cornered on predictions!" "What are you talking about, Uncle Rick?" "You, your sister here, and Lt. Smith! Everyone around me today seems to know things before they happen! Maybe I should go ashore and just walk along the beach- let you girls find a location for your own base!" he continued to growl angrily. I got a big response! "Admiral, I would highly recommend you stay aboard!" I reached for the squawk as Emily gave me a strange look. "Con, Bridge. Sound general quarters and get the gun crew topside immediately, Carroll!" "Aye, Skip! General quarters and the gun crew!" "Alex? I don't understand. Why is Uncle Rick angry with us?" "Emily, I'm not angry with you and Alex- or even Mina. I just feel useless! The Captain here suddenly feels the need to surface his boat- had he not, we would be sinking or at least fouled in rigging. Mina tells Alex that there are five sailors on the beach before the lookouts even see anything! Now you show up with your medical bag immediately after Alex calls for a rescue party! Now Alex tells me that I can't go ashore and puts everyone on alert! No crew can be that tight." "Look, Admiral, when you suggested going along I got this huge feeling that you might be in danger. I'm just protecting your brass, sir! I don't know from what yet- I haven't got that far." "Uncle Rick, you're not making any sense! Mina told me to expect casualties so I grabbed my bag and reported to the bridge. I had no idea that I'd be treating a compound fracture or even a deep chest woun...!" Emily stopped short- a look of confusion descended on her. "Just my point, Emily! How do you know what injuries await you?" "I...I...I just...I don't know." Emily stopped and looked around for the answer. "How did I know?" She muttered the question several times before the Admiral interrupted. "Great, I have two Princesses for nieces! Your father will never let me hear the end of this! Alex, I'm going below to oversee some quarters for our guests. Be careful over there, Lieutenant!" After saluting, Admiral Demmit slowly lowered himself into the boat looking back at both of us several times in the process. Before descending the Conning tower ladder to the deck, Emily asked. "Did I miss something, Alex? Uncle Rick looked really out of sorts!" "We'll talk after you get back, sis. Just be careful." I asked myself the question that I would probably ask a thousand times over before the end of this war: Will Emily be all right? I got no response. "Admiral? All five survivors have been brought aboard. As soon as Lt. Scott gets them situated we will be underway." I informed the old man. "Fine, Captain. How are they?" "Emily says they got pretty banged up- a leg fracture and a deep cut that's badly infected just like she predicted.... She's cleaning it as we speak, sir." "Good, Captain. I want to inform Pearl myself if you don't mind. The less said about Sand Dollar the better. I'll have a PBY rendezvous with us at the first destination. Will Emily have them ready for transfer by then?" "She thinks so, sir. She set the leg on the beach." "Ah, she administered morphine?" "No, sir. He was already self-medicated with whiskey. They were all pretty liquored up, she said. One guy started to get rowdy on the way back and almost capsized them. If there had been one more passenger they might have, Admiral. Oh! Because of the alcohol issue I've ordered Chief Peterson to use your food and water supplies- just to be safe." "Well then it's a good thing you forbid me from going ashore now isn't it, Captain?" Was it sarcasm or anger tainting his voice? "Admiral, you're still upset about Emily, Mina, and I? I didn't ask for this you know- neither did Emily, sir." "I know, Alex. It's just hard enough to believe that I now have two nieces. Add to that, finding out that you two have this special 'power' and that Mina and I are related through you both because of it! Buck Rodgers couldn't have a better storyline! I'm not mad at you, Alex- I envy you." He paused to look me over, head to toe. "To be able to know something before it happens! I could think of numerous ways to use that talent. I also realize the responsibility of such a weapon. What gets me steamed is controlling the desire to ask Mina if we will win the war- about how many more men we lose. I hesitate to ask because of the detail she seems to foresee. She only confirmed earlier what I have heard speculated about submarine fatalities. As useful as the information would be, I cannot ask someone to witness such pictures. I have no right." "Richard, you are an honorable and wise man. Most in your position would interrogate until they achieved results." Lt. Smith appeared at the Admiral's doorway. "To answer your questions entirely would be likened to a deal with Lucifer himself. Revealing all would likely change the future and do irreparable harm. No, dear Admiral, I cannot, in good conscience, give you all the details. Instead, I will tell you that this war will continue for some time. The United States and her allies will rise above the Nazis and the Japanese Empire, but at great cost to both sides. The future I have seen is most disturbing and grotesque, but can be changed as I have demonstrated. That is all you need to know, Admiral Demmit- that is all to be disclosed." Lt. Smith looked like she was a million miles away as she spoke- as if in a fortuneteller's trance. She let her last statement hang a moment then snapped out of it. "Yes, well...now that you have your answer Admiral, would you and Alexandra care to join me for a spot of tea?" "Lt. Smith, you are an amazing woman! I would be honored, Ma'am." As we left the Admiral's quarters, Emily caught my attention. "Excuse me Admiral, Lt. Scott wants a word with me. If you'll excuse me, Lt. Smith?" "Of course, Captain. Another time." I motioned Emily into my quarters. "Alex, I'm a little concerned about what happened earlier! How could I possibly know about those injuries?" She sounded unsure of herself. "Woman's intuition?" I countered. "Am I going crazy?" "As crazy as any of us, given the circumstances, I'm afraid." "You're not answering my question, Alex! Why did Uncle Rick include me in his accusations earlier? Why did he call us both 'Princesses'? As far as I know, neither the Demmit's nor Scott's have any noble ancestry." "I have to believe you on that, Emily, being new to the family- but the Smith side does. Remember what Mina said about her adoptive mother's 'gift'? Near as I can tell, when we went through the Mahanilui, we somehow inherited that gift. In her book, that makes us family. She stated that only the royalty of Kili Island have this gift of foresight. Accordingly, if we are now sisters because of the Mahanilui, and I have this gift, you must also. Does that make any sense, sis?" "Too much! Alex, I'm frightened! What have we become? How can we ever lead normal lives? People will think we're some kind of sideshow oddities. Are we doomed to be gypsy fortunetellers and nothing else? Alex, I don't want any of this!" "Unfortunately, we're stuck like this. Hopefully, for just six months, but somehow I have the feeling that it's permanent, Emily. Let me try something." I posed the question: Can we return to our previous selves? "Alex? What did you see? Why are you starting to cry? Alex?" Emily was visibly shaken. "I asked if we could return to our old bodies." I answered quietly- almost at a whisper. "I can't 'see' anything, Emily. I told you, I only get a response to a negative answer." "Then this is..." She gestured to me, "...Is permanent?" "'fraid so, sis. I'm sorry." I felt wetness roll down my cheeks. "Should we tell the crew?" "And have a full scale mutiny on our hands? No, let them have their dreams, Emily. Maybe, as time goes by, they'll forget about wanting to change back and just carry on with their new lives." I dabbed a hanky to my eyes. "Emily, its your turn. How did you know about the injuries? Did you picture them like Mina, or did you determine them through questions like me?" "They just popped out of my mouth, Alex, they just appeared." "Okay." I thought for a second. "So, if I were to ask you...oh...how many children I would have..." "Six. Four girls and two boys." "Excuse me?" "The number of children you have, or will have, Alex. That is what you asked, right? Alex? Alex Steinert don't you dare pass out on me...not again!" That was impossible! Emily was pulling my leg, right? Oh damn! Emily's gentle smacking of my cheek brought me back to reality or was it a nightmare? "You better stop doing that every time you hear something you don't like, Alex. People will think you have a delicate constitution!" "Don't you dare laugh at me, Lieutenant!" "Did I tell you that twins run in the family, sis?" Emily giggled as I felt my face start to drain again. I consulted my gift. Will I have twins? A smile appeared. "You're lying to me! I'm not going to have twins!" "You might not have twins, sis, but they do run in the family. I wasn't lying." "Fine! Can we please change the subject? I don't want to start abusing our gifts. "You're right, Alex, it is frivolous to misuse something so special." Emily stood up to leave. "By the way, sis, how many kids will you have?" She staggered to a stop just outside my door- reaching for the frame to steady her. "Four...four wonderful, children, Alex. Three girls and...a...a boy." She said solemnly. My attempt at retaliation obviously struck a nerve. Getting up to help her I asked, "what's wrong, sis?" "Nothing you can help with, Alex. Nothing anybody can help with." She said as she headed to her quarters and closed the door. Twenty minutes went by before a gentle knock sounded from my doorframe. "Alexandra? Would you please come with me?" Mina requested. "Emily, dear, could we come in?" She asked at her door. Mina didn't wait for a reply and we both entered the cramped room. "So, you found out. That didn't take as long as I thought. Now you know the consequences associated with foresight, doctor." "What are you talking about, Mina? What consequences?" I inquired. "Looking into one's own future can sometimes be disheartening, can it not, Lt. Scott?" "You said the future can be changed...you did it yourself, right Mina?" Lt. Smith sat down beside Emily on her rack and wrapped an arm around her. "Alexandra, come join your sister and I." She patted the mattress beside her. "Foresight is a gift to be used wisely- sparingly. It can be a double- edged sword if not used properly. What you two were doing- what you considered practice- is considered irresponsible by our standards. Alexandra, what you did to your sister was childish." "I just thought since she told me I would have kids that I could get her to..." "Yes, I know! A little sisterly sparring! What you fail to realize is you have not developed your maternal instincts to the same level as your sister. Neither of you have enough experience to fully control your gift. Did it ever occur to you, Alexandra, that something might be wrong with one of Emily's children? You are the captain of this boat- do you not have to consider all possibilities?" I felt her hand begin to rub my back and shoulders. "My sisters, explore your gifts, but consider all possibilities beforehand. Do not use them in hurtful, spiteful ways- or even in jest. I hope you two have learned a valuable lesson or two from this. In answer to your question Emily, the future is what you make it, dear. With enough insight and planning it can be changed. You are a prime example." Mina kissed her temple. "Alexandra, you are learning, but you have yet to reach your full potential. Learn to ask the right questions. In time, and with enough practice, you will achieve that. You have much to do- much to prove- to others and to yourself. Already you have begun to understand what I say is true, for you have asked the question paramount to everyone in this future- Can you change back? Only the three of us know the answer to that mystery. You have shown great wisdom in deciding how to use that knowledge. You have taken the first steps in mastering your gift, my dear." She kissed my temple as well. "We will not speak of this again, sisters. I will, however, leave you with one last bit of advice: In my experience, there is no such thing as fate. All problems have acceptable answers- if not immediately apparent, search for them. There is always a viable option! Alexandra, you understand that concept already. Ladies, I will take my leave." Mina got up and quickly disappeared down the passage. "I'm sorry I put you through that, sis. I just didn't think things through. When you're ready to talk about it I'll try to help you find the right path." "It was disturbing at first, being the first time it ever happened to me, but Mina's right, Alex, our futures are what we make them! She has shown us that things can be changed." "That sounded like Dickens' A Christmas Carol!" "Maybe someone she knows actually knew Dickens- that is more possible than we once thought." "Do we have any Charlotte's on the crew roster?" I said with a slight giggle. Emily smiled with excitement. "Alex, if we do as Mina suggests, the research...the planning...maybe we can change the future! She said you have a lot to prove. Could it be that we're meant to help each other- meant to help the future change- maybe nudge it in the right direction? Sis, what's with that big smile?" "Skip, we've reached our first destination. Orders?" Jack interrupted from the doorway. "Emily, I'll tell you later. Right now let's see if our survivor's plane ride is here then let's have a look at our first site. Are our guests ready?" "Aside from a severe hangover, they should be ready, Alex." "Jack, take us to periscope depth. Let's take a sneak peek at site 'alpha' as we look for that PBY." I said, thankful that my Ex-O had provided a change of subject. My smile was an involuntary reaction to the question I posed to myself- 'were we not meant to help change the future?' and the overwhelming response to that one question. Mina was right! All I had to do was learn how to ask the right questions! "Emily, be ready to get those men topside." "Aye, Skipper." "Thank you so very much for finding us, darlin's!" One of the survivors, Andrew O'Neil said as we helped him into the inflatable. "Just be glad that Capt. Steinert decided to surface! We could have all been visiting that beach for a long time." Emily said in her practiced voice. "From what I've seen below, 'twoulda made the situation bearable if not a downright paradise! Thanks again fer settin' the leg, Lieutenant. Tell ol' Captain Steinert me and the boys owe 'im one!" "We'll remember that Mr. O'Neil- maybe even take you up on it!" I said as Emily followed the sailor into the boat to check his leg splint and dressings. "You take care of that leg and that hangover, Mr. O'Neil." Emily smiled. "Just an ol' fam'ly cure, Doctor- sure your Gram's passed her secrets ta you two darlin's by now?" He looked at both of us but lingered on me. "More than you could know Mr. O'Neil! Have a quick recovery!" I said as Emily looked back at me. "Good winds be with you too, Miss...?" "Steinert, Alexandra Steinert." I immediately realized my mistake. So did Emily. Why did I say that? Why did I break my cover? The man looked confused for a minute then shrugged it off. "I hope you girls get back ta yer base safe 'n sound." Emily finished checking the fifth survivor and I helped her out of the boat. The plane's boat crew shoved off from Sand Dollar. "Hope ta see you again, Alexandra! If ya ever get ta Portland, look me up!" O'Neil shouted and waved as they paddled back to the waiting PBY. "If I ever do, I'll do that!" I shouted as I waved back. Why was my face so hot and stomach so queasy? Emily just looked at me with a stupid grin. "You're sweet on him!" she declared. "Not a chance, Lieutenant!" "Yes you are and I can tell you exactly how you're feeling! Blushing with a stupid smile, butterflies of the stomach, quickened pulse, feigning interest...I could go on if you want me to, Alex. Plus, there's always 'it', dear sister. I can always use 'it'." "You wouldn't...you did already didn't...How could you do that after what Mina said?" "You should talk, Alex, you used yours just now, too!" "Couldn't we just call a truce and agree to plausible deniability?" "Okay, sis, but you're still sweet on him." "Maybe. Let's go below, Lieutenant." I headed aft to the Tower ladder. 0550 hours, Ni'ihau, Hawaiian Chain, April 8th, 1944 For three days now we have been traveling around the three northern- most islands of the Hawaiian chain searching for the perfect spot to build our new base of operations. Admiral Demmit had indeed been thorough in his efforts to provide privacy and security- unfortunately, the locations we had observed so far had had less than ideal mooring conditions. Three days of endless soundings, landing parties, unexpected inhabitants, discussions, and frustration- yet Admiral Demmit seemed unexpectedly upbeat this morning as he entered the Wardroom with his coffee and a plate full of steaming hotcakes. "You're up early again, Alex, having trouble sleeping?" He asked as he put the first forkful to his mouth. "I guess I have a lot of things on my mind, sir. In all truth, I haven't been sleeping real good since this all started." I admitted as I gestured to myself. "Uummm." He nodded then paused as he swallowed. "Well, I can certainly understand that, Alex. I couldn't begin to imagine what you and the crew have experienced." He took another bite as Emily and Mina joined us. "I must admit, though, that you all are the prettiest crew in the entire service! I've found it incredibly hard to concentrate these last few days, captain." "You've discovered our secret weapon then, Admiral." Mina admitted as she took a sip from her teacup. "Hey Masterson, watch where your goin'! I've told you before ta suck 'em in when your passing someone!" The disturbance in the passageway caught our attention. "I'm sorry, Ricky...um...Chief Samuels! These things have a mind of their own. You try to walk with them!" "No thanks, mine are big enough. Now let me pass you ditzy cow!" "Chief? A word if you please?" I raised my voice to be heard in the passage. A quiet "Awe, Damn!" was heard outside the door. "Ya, Skipper?" "Chief, do you really want to be put on report? You do know you already precede yourself into a room quite nicely, or has that valve cover incident been forgotten that fast?" I asked. Her hand automatically came up and felt her right breast. "No, Skip. The pain an' bruise was gone the next day. I still remember how it felt though." "Well, Carter's problems won't go away near as fast! Just think how her back feels after her duty shift ends. Now go apologize to her, Chief!" The Admiral stopped eating and looked around at her, but didn't say a word. "Aye, Skip...I shouldn'ta blew my stack at her. I guess I'm just a bit grouchy today. Sorry for all the ruckus Admiral, Lieutenants." "Miss Samuels, if you would like to know how Miss Masterson feels, I have a cousin that has this fetching little potion that could increase that full bosom of yours. It could take you up two, three, maybe even four cups if you wish." Mina told her while holding back a giggle or two. The pretty redhead's eyes and mouth went wide. "No, Ma'am that ain't necessary! These is more than I can handle now! Excuse me, sirs, I have ta find Carter." In a blink she was gone. "You know? I never thought I'd see the day when Rick Samuels would cower to anyone, Lieutenant. I take it there is no potion or cousin?" Demmit asked. "Do you really want to know, Richard?" She said with a wicked grin. "No." he said before putting another forkful in his mouth. As I went to take a swig of my coffee, a yawn escaped before I had the chance to cover my mouth. "Another restless night, Alex?" Emily asked. "Yes. I just can't seem to get him out of my head, sis." The old man froze with a loaded fork just in front of his mouth. He l