***** Vol.1 Chap.25 Surprises at the news conference *****
The disembarking party, with Jonas, the two survivors, and Kristin, strolled directly to the auditorium in the NOAA facilities near the dock. Reporters scrambled to get a front-row seat and video camera operators lined up along the side of the auditorium near the aisles. When all the commotion finally subsided, Jonas, with head held high, marched up the podium with a bright smile on his face. All his medals in his captain’s uniform glistened in the spotlight. He took his time and waited for all the flashes to stop before he began.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for coming to this press conference. On behalf of NOAA and all the crew and passengers aboard the USS Mayflower, I would like to welcome you today for this historic announcement. NOAA has asked me to be the official spokesperson for this unusual event. So, for the next few minutes, I like to recount for you what has transpired at sea with the USS Mayflower over the past few days. I believe that after listening to me, you will agree with me that this is indeed a historical occasion that could very well usher in a new era in conquering the last frontier, our ocean. In order not to lose the continuity, I would like to ask that you withhold questions until the end of this presentation. Thank you.”
Pausing with a big grin on his face and allowing time for all the reporters to get his picture, he briefly shuffled his notes and began in a dignified voice.
“Four days ago, the Mayflower with me as captain for a research trip was on location at 25 degrees 36 minutes North by 78 degrees 15 minutes West. That region is very near the western tip of what is commonly known as the Bermuda Triangle. During the early morning time at precisely 7:08 am, we received an SOS message from a yacht called the USS Molly. A brief message. Let me read the message received, ‘Giant bubbles, SOS, 25 degrees N by 78 degrees W’. We knew we were close to that location and we radioed back, saying we were coming. Unfortunately, we never received a radio reply. The USS Molly never had time to receive our message and subsequently to reply. After sending the SOS, the yacht was engulfed by gas bubbles. When an unusually large bubble burst near the yacht, the explosion caused the bow of the yacht to heave up. Tragically, in the vertical position before righting itself, the yacht sank, carrying with it our dear US Senator Hatch from Texas and his friend.”
Jonas extended his hand to the Senator and his friend who were seated in the front row on the platform, while Kristin noticed she was placed behind them in the second row.
“After receiving the SOS message, we contacted the US Coast Guard and were told that no other vessels were within the immediate area of the yacht. My ship, the USS Mayflower, was the only vessel closest to the location. The Coast Guard asked for our help in assisting the rescue operation. We, of course, immediately complied and accepted the offer. From the coordinates given, our ship was within 25 knots of the given location. With all our engines at full speed, we sped to the area specified by the SOS message. We arrived in exactly one hour and twenty minutes.”
Jonas had a nautical map shown on the projector and pointed to the locations of the prior locations of the Mayflower and the sunken yacht.
“To locate a sunken yacht was not a straightforward task by any means. The ocean is deep and has many ridges and ravines below. Fortunately, we had been outfitted with the latest experimental three-dimensional (3D) sonar equipment. The new sonar equipment uses an array of sensors and the latest computer imaging techniques to reconstruct the 3D image of the ocean underneath the ship.”
“For those who would like to have more information on this new 3D wonder equipment, I have already prepared a non-confidential introduction. Copies can be obtained at the table outside the auditorium. You can pick up a copy when you leave after the briefing. For more technical questions, I refer you to Dr. Samuel Tron. His contact information is also printed at the back.”
Jonas made a hand gesture pointing to the back. Most of the reporters turned their heads to look while a few reporters actually got up and headed to the back to make sure they received a copy.
“We put the new 3D sonar to work immediately. I ordered the XO to steer the ship in a spiral pattern at the incident location. As we circled, the 3D sonar images impressed us greatly and was extremely useful and instrumental in seeing the profile of the ocean floor. I have instructed our media people to make a copy of some of the images that shown on the monitors during the search. If any of you are interested, please give your name to Barney, the Director of Public Relations. He will make sure that you get a copy of the video before you leave today.”
“Barney, where are you?” Jonas looked around while Barney stood up. Jonas pointed to Barney. “There, there is Barney.” A few people stood up and moved towards him who quietly exited briefing with a few reporters trailing him.
“With the 3D sonar, we could speed up the search significantly. We could see three times farther and the images are much clearer. We also have the zoom capability to magnify any part of the image that we want to examine in more detail. This new equipment had helped us tremendously and had significantly sped up the search. Still, it took us over thirty minutes before we finally located the sunken yacht.”
Jonas took his time boasting about his ship and its abilities. Kristin wondered why the details and the boast.
“Besides the 3D sonar, we also have an experimental submersible on board of the Mayflower. Even four years ago, I foresaw the need for such a sub and lobbied hard for its construction. My dream became a reality, and we indeed had the sub on my vessel for the first time. So, once we found the sunken yacht, I immediately ordered Dr. Kristin Sobinowski to pilot the sub, Jennifer that I had designed to survey the situation so that I could plan the rescue operation.”
Kristin thought he used too many personal pronouns here.
“With me here is Dr. Kristin Sobinowski.” Jonas turned to her and clapped his hand. A short applause followed.
Surprised with what he said, she just waved and smiled back behind her poker face in front of all the camera flashes; though her disdain for the speaker rose by the minute.
“Regarding the technical capabilities of the submersible and a nice color picture of it, I have another handout ready at the table outside the door.” Jonas gestured towards the door. “Note that I was the primary designer of the submersible and I have specifically designed the submersible to be versatile so that it can handle any underwater tasks. I must say that the recent events have more than justified my design of the submersible.”
Kristin could not believe her ears. The design of the submersible was never Jonas’s idea and, in fact, he fought hard against the design in favor of another much simpler design. She wanted to prance up and punch him in the face, but this was not the time or the place.
The man is shameless. Unfortunately, only she knew the truth.
“I ordered Dr. Sobinowski to take the sub down and to report on the location and condition of the USS Molly. She reported the sub had been compromised and that part of the stern was fractured. Some images sent back to the Mayflower are also on that information package that you can get from Barney.”
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“From the condition described to me about the sunken yacht and from the video images, I was very optimistic that the occupants would still be alive. I immediately ordered Dr. Sobinowski to stay close to the yacht to monitor the situation. In the meantime, I was working with my officers to formulate a rescue plan. Note that I have never given up hope about the rescue operation the entire time.”
“What a blatant lie!” muttered Kristin.
“I knew the trapped occupants were alive on the yacht and we knew we had to act fast. My officers offered several alternatives. But in the end, I was the one who came up with the idea to conduct the rescue using the sub. I gave explicit instructions to Kristin on how to carry out the rescue operations. I told her to first secure a cable from the sub to the USS Molly to prevent it from any further sliding. Then I told her to use the sub to lift the yacht and tow it to the surface without breaking the seal on the cabin containing the trapped air for the survivors. She had indeed performed her duties like a veritable expert.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, I think she deserves a second round of applause.” Jonas turned to Kristin and applauded with a big smile on his face.
Instead of gratitude, somehow, she sensed a knife was jabbed into her heart and someone was twisting the handle mercilessly. What Jonas had said was far from the truth. Under the circumstances, she put on a fake smile with her poker face, faced the crowd, and waved.
“In summary, I want to reiterate a few points. This rescue operation was possible only because we had many technological advances installed and a dedicated crew on my ship, the USS Mayflower. We have proven that the experimental 3D sonar on the Mayflower was indispensable in all underwater activities. We have also proven that my design of this versatile submersible was up to the task. But most of all, I and my crew had never given up hope on this rescue mission.”
Applauses broke out spontaneously when the Senator himself also clapped his hands. Kristin had the distinct feeling, without counting, that Jonas had used too many “I’s” and “my’s” in his recount of the achievement.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is truly a historical moment.” Jonas raised his voice. “The events in these past days showed that we have the technology to conquer the last frontier on this planet. We no longer need to fear the depths of the ocean. We can subdue the oceans and reap all the riches of this ocean. I am more than convinced that soon, the Bermuda Triangle will no longer be a place of mystery or a place to fear. A whole new page has been opened to humanity. Well, I hope that you all are as enthusiastic and excited as I am.”
So inspiring! Kristin thought he was really beside himself and had become much larger than life now.
More applause.
“Finally, I thank you very much for coming to this press release and for your attention. As a last reward for your coming and as a surprise, may I present to you the Honorable Senator John Hatch.” Jonas turned and clapped his hands loudly as his officers wheeled the senator towards the podium. “Senator, would you like to say a few words?”
“Thank you, Captain Jonas. Please excuse me for not standing up.” Laughter broke out spontaneously.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I am here alive because of the courage and dedication of Captain Jonas and his crew. I feel so happy to be an American today because there are fellow Americans like Captain Jonas. With the USS Mayflower in US waters and Captain Jonas to help anyone in distress, I feel very secure in the ocean. I have been given a second chance at life because of the courage of Captain Jonas.”
More applause.
“I would like to use this opportunity to make this announcement. When I go back to Washington, I will work hard to lobby for an increase in funding NOAA. In particular, I would like to ask for an additional fifty million dollars be given to NOAA to further develop the technology for underwater research and rescue. My aides have just given me the numbers regarding the lost ships and lost planes. Just in the Bermuda Triangle alone, there were over 100 incidents of lost ships and lost planes every month. Now, I don’t think fifty million dollars is a steep price to pay. It is a bargain if we can save the lives of all those trapped in the lost ships and lost planes. After all, how can we put a price tag on human lives?”
A great round of applause broke out, and the Senator got a standing ovation for a long time. As the flashes came, he motioned for Jonas to come and they both held their hands high. More flashes came.
“Before I stop, I have a little of good news for my dear friend Jonas. I have asked the NOAA administration, and I just got the confirmation in an hour ago of my request. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you the new Director of Underwater Research, Captain Jonas Tontere. I have great hopes and aspirations that under the vision and direction of Captain Jonas, we will enter a new era of underwater research.”
The senator himself now clapped his hands towards Jonas.
Huh? Director of Underwater Research? Kristin was flabbergasted.
She thought she was the Director of Underwater Research, well, at least up till one second ago. Did she get fired? Did she get replaced by someone who stole her glory, her sub, her research, her career, and her life? Did she get set aside to be replaced by her nemesis, by someone she despised the most? What happened here? She had no answers to comfort herself. Shocked. She sat dazed and paralyzed.
“Thank you, Senator Hatch. Thank you. That was indeed a big surprise and an immense honor. I am proud to accept such a responsibility for my country.”
Surprise? Ha! You have orchestrated that the past few days to get me out of the way. Kristin finally understood what had happened.
The fury inside Kristin reached new heights far beyond control. With great self-control was she able to control the rising bile so as not to puke in front of all the reporters.
Then Jonas turned to the press and said, “I just want to remind you that a complete copy of my detailed story is available at the table outside the auditorium. I will be glad to answer questions from the press now.”
A few questions arose from the reporters, and Jonas came well prepared. After about ten minutes of questions, Jonas announced that champagne and hors d’oeuvre were prepared for the reporters in the lobby area. The room cleared out rather quickly.
Jonas shook hands with Senator Hatch and his friend and showed them the way to the lobby. He told the senator that he would be with them momentarily.
Then, turning to Kristin, he smiled as diplomatically as he could. “Well, thank you so much for coming. I thought the press conference came off well, and the press seemed to eat it up.”
She thought to herself, does the man have no shame at all?
“Jonas, I don’t believe that you were telling the truth during the entire press conference!” She protested.
“I thought I reported the whole incident rather truthfully.”
“You forbade me to go outside, remember?”
“Minor details.”
“You never gave me instructions to go save those people.”
“Minor details.”
“That is pretty major.”
“Kristin, you only see things from your angle. You should look at the big picture.”
“I am looking, I am looking, and I don’t see it.”
“That is precisely my point, Kristin. To study the living patterns of a few jellyfish had never gotten NOAA any money from Congress. You know that.”
“Not jellyfish, but dolphins and whales. And for your information, they are a very intelligent species.”
“Whatever. Look, we have now advertised to the entire world that we have superior underwater capabilities. Not to mention that we also have a gracious gift from Congress to the sum of fifty million dollars at our doorstep.”
“At your doorstep.”
“It is for all our benefit.”
“I only see you as the one benefiting from all this.”
“Try to look at the big picture, Kristin.”
“Sorry, I don’t see myself in the big picture.”
“Well, you need someone with a real vision who can see the big picture.”
“And you have to take my job?”
“I did not ask for it. It was the Senator’s idea.”
“That is a lie.”
“Believe what you want.”
“I just can’t believe what you have done, Jonas.”
“Oh, before I forget, Mr. Charles Towson asked me to tell you that you have been promoted to be the new Director of Tour Guides. You are to report to Barney next Monday. I told him you should be given a few days off.”
Ouch! That really hurts! That was adding insult to injury.
“I have nothing to say to you.”
“Good, then let’s get back to the reception.”
“I am not interested.”
“Suit yourself.”
With that comment, he waltzed his way towards the lobby, leaving her standing there dazed, lost, angry, mad, disappointed with every other emotion in her rising and ebbing from her subconsciousness.
We need you…
Among all the thoughts and emotions, there was a sense of calling.
We need you…
Who needs me? She pondered and was more baffled than ever. She believed her calling was to contribute to human-dolphin communication. That was her lifelong goal. But this goal was dashed to pieces at a moment’s notice.