***** Vol.1 Chap.29 Meeting her nemesis again *****
With that disturbing news buzzing in her mind and the urge for her to be on Mayflower, Kristin immediately ran to talk to Jonas. En route, all kinds of people and commotion crowded the research wing. Some prominent scientists, having taken an overnight flight, had already arrived. Many staff members running around all over the place getting ready for the launch of the Mayflower in the afternoon. The whole NOAA facility reverberated with a beehive of activities.
A staff member came out of Jonas’ door. Quickly, she dashed over to the door and knocked. No answer. She knocked harder.
“Come in.”
“Captain Jonas.”
“Kristin, is this something urgent? I have no time at all this morning.”
“I would like to be the pilot of Jennifer again on the upcoming voyage.”
She blurted out.
“I already have a full ship with prominent scientists from all over the country.”
Jonas continued to shuffle papers on the desk and never looked up.
“You need someone to pilot the sub.”
“As is, I already have to cut back the number of officers to a skeleton crew to make room for the passengers.”
“I am the only one who knows the sub and knows how to pilot the sub. After all, I designed it.”
“I have as much to do with the design of the sub as you do. Besides, I have two other officers on my crew who had completed training on the sub already. They will pilot the sub and carrying out the research. We have a full agenda of research projects and we intend to full use the sub while we are there.”
“You need a backup.”
She knew she lost the battle already, nevertheless she persisted.
“I already have a backup. Besides, I need officers who will listen to my commands.”
Ouch, that knife driven right into her heart.
“I need to be on that ship.”
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
“Perhaps next time. Perhaps never. Now, if you have nothing else, I still have the sleeping arrangements to make and the supplies list to complete.”
“Captain Jonas. I need to be on that ship.”
“Kristin, your record of disrespect, disobedience, and disregard of property spoke loudly against you. You will never be on the Mayflower again. NEVER. Now, close the door on your way out.”
Jonas ordered pontifically and then returned to his stack of papers.
She hesitated.
He picked up the phone and called his secretary.
“Christine.”
“Yes?”
“Kristin is on her way out. Please make sure I am not disturbed for the next half hour.”
“Will do.”
With no further need to stay and talk to Jonas, Kristin stomped out, sorely disappointed, although she had expected the outcome even before she walked into Jonas’ office. She had to try.
She milled around the lobby area, wondering what she should do next. The yearning within her to get on board had not diminished, but seemed to intensify by the minute. She spotted the Mayflower out of a lobby window. The sight further intensified the urge to get on. The pull to the ship was almost unbearable.
Maybe she should knock on Jonas’ door again? But what was the use? Jonas had already decided. Not in a million years would Jonas ever let her even get close to the ship or the sub again. He had skillfully denied her from her achievement and her career. He would never let her come back. Perhaps she could plead her case with the Vice President of NOAA, but that option seemed remote and futile. He seldom overruled the decisions of his directors. Besides, such diplomatic games took time to cultivate, and she had no time nor appetite to play these political games.
She walked slowly back to her office, deep in resentment and disappointment. Her anger rose and boiled over. She wanted to go back to Jonas’ office and punch him on the spot. But that would only make things worse, though that idea entertained her delightfully. In mock action, she raised her arms and punched the air in front of her several times. Then the idea of strangling the newly trained officers surfaced in her mind, yet she doubt she could approach them on the ship.
Mayflower…
Yes?
Mayflower…
The urge to get on the Mayflower grew stronger and stronger.
If walking up the Mayflower was not an option, perhaps she could sneak on board. George would take care of her once on board. Even if discovered, Jonas would not turn back and jeopardize the mission. Perhaps while at sea, she would wait for another opportune time to talk to Jonas again to give her another chance to pilot the sub. Perhaps…
I just need to get on board. I need to be on board. The urge multiplied.
Back at her office, she combed through all the information regarding the incident, specifically the location of this event. She was pleasantly surprised to find out that the area of the sighting was close to the first rescue event.
Strange.
If the location is similar, then the sonar images from her recent event should help her become familiar with the topography of the ocean floor in that area. The location of the ridges and ravines might be very useful as identifying landmarks. With a little digging, she located the sonar images and downloaded them onto her laptop.
Next, she retrieved the itinerary of the trip. The latest schedule called for a departure at 5:00 pm. They would speed to the incident site in a day or so, arriving in the early evening depending on the weather and the direction of the currents. From all the forecasts, the direction of the wind and the ocean current were contrary to the ship’s route. Once at the location, there would be a briefing that evening to complete and prioritize the research projects to be carried out.
She logged off the terminal and realized she had exactly five hours to get on board the ship.