Larry Bond - Dangerous Ground

Hardy didn’t praise their performance, but made only a few desultory criticisms. Jerry noticed the crew smiling, almost as if he had complimented them.

There were no further drills that morning, and Jerry spent the time trying to catch up on several days of paperwork and qualifications. He kept waiting for the general alarm to sound, but after an hour or two had passed, he started to believe that Hardy might be easing up.

Because he had the twelve to six Diving Officer watch in control, Jerry ate lunch at the first sitting. The atmosphere was more relaxed than it had been for days, and he even thought the food tasted better. The talk at the table was still muted, but things had definitely improved.

Lieutenant Commander O’Connell, the Navigator, broke the relaxed quiet. “XO, sir, I’ve refined my figures, and it appears we’ll be crossing sixty-six degrees thirty-two minutes North latitude around 1600 tomorrow.”

The sixty-six degrees thirty-two minutes North latitude marked the Arctic Circle, a milestone on the way to their destination, but O’Connell said it with a formality that implied something more.

Then Jerry remembered — the Bluenose ceremony. He immediately looked at the two ladies, both seated to the left of the Captain. The XO was studying them as well, and after a few moments of silence, said, “Ladies, as Mr. O’Connell indicated, we will be crossing the Arctic Circle tomorrow afternoon. I’m sure you’ve heard of the ritual that occurs when you cross the Equator.”

He waited for moment and both of them nodded. He continued, “There is a similar ceremony when a vessel crosses the Arctic Circle. We ask permission of Boreas Rex, Ruler of the North Wind and Sovereign of All the Frozen Reaches, to enter his realm, and if we are judged worthy. ”

“Sounds like a silly initiation, like some seagoing fraternity.” Patterson’s critical tone was even harsher than her words.

“Calling us a ‘seagoing fraternity’ is not an insult, if that was your intention,” Captain Hardy replied tersely. “These traditions have a long history, and we respect them, even if you do not.” He looked over to the XO, prompting him to continue.

“By tradition ,” the XO put emphasis on the word, “anyone who crosses the Arctic Circle has the option of participating or not, as they choose. Although you’ve made your feelings clear, Doctor, we did want to invite both you and Dr. Davis to join in the festivities.”

Patterson met the XO’s statement with a stony glare, but Emily Davis asked, “What’s involved in this ceremony?” Her tone implied that she expected it to be unpleasant.

Bair smiled. “His Majesty’s representative, Davy Jones, will board us tomorrow and receive the petitions of those who have not entered the frozen realm before. Then King Boreas arrives with his court after we cross the Arctic Circle. ”

“Guess who was Boreas the last time we went north?” interrupted Frank Lopez.

Bair shot him a hard look, but then smiled. He continued and his smile widened. “The exact details of the ceremony are a deep secret, known only to those trusted members of the Royal Court. But essentially, the hot-blooded neophytes will petition His Majesty to enter his domain. They will then be brought before King Boreas, who will stand in judgment over them before the Royal Court and the Captain of the Royal Guard. If they are found pure of heart, they will be baptized and then admitted to his realm. All in a politically correct and tasteful way, of course,” he added reassuringly.

Riiiiight, Jerry thought. He’d heard horror stories about line-crossing ceremonies since his Academy days. It could be a grotesque, almost revolting, ordeal. The presence of the ladies would certainly tone it down some, even if they did not participate. Jerry, however, found himself hoping they would, not only because it would make them more a part of the crew, but also because the more “petitioners” there were, the less time “the Royal Court” could spend on each one. Safety lay in numbers.

“There’s a really nice certificate,” Berg offered helpfully.

“It’s an idiotic male ritual, and I will take no part in it,” announced Patterson disapprovingly. As she rose to leave, she looked over at Davis, who said, “I guess I’ll pass as well, sir.”

As the two departed the wardroom, Lenny Berg remarked. “She’d make a fine Queen of the Snows. She already has a chilling personality.” Looking at his watch, he motioned to Jerry and said, “C’mon, Jerry, we need to go and relieve the watch.” Turning toward Hardy, he added “Excuse us, Captain.”

Hardy nodded stiffly, but said nothing.

As Jerry and Berg headed up to control, Jerry asked, “Is it my imagination or is the CO more depressed than usual?”

“Hard to say, Jerry. He has his ups and downs like everyone else. It’s just that his downs tend to significantly outnumber his ups. But if I had to guess, I’d say that the enormity of just how hosed up this mission is might be starting to sink in,” replied Berg. He started climbing the ladder to control.

Jerry followed him up and went over to Ensign Jim Porter to begin the watch turnover at the Diving Officer station. Looking around, Jerry didn’t see Chief Gilson anywhere in control. This was strange, because Gilson had the watch officially. Jerry was still standing it under instruction.

“We pumped sanitaries during the last watch, and we’re still making water with the 10K evaporator,” said Porter during turnover. “The trim appears to be good, but at sixteen knots it’s hard to tell. You’ll probably slow down during your watch to make sure that the boat has a satisfactory one-third trim.” Porter was referring to the fact that at higher speeds, a submarine can carry more water in its variable ballast tanks because of the greater hydrodynamic forces generated by the fairwater and stern planes. By slowing down, to ahead one-third, these forces are reduced considerably and Jerry could figure out whether the sub was heavy or light and if the distribution of water among the tanks was correct to maintain a good fore and aft balance.

“If you don’t have any questions, then I’m ready to be relieved,” stated Porter.

Jerry looked around the control room again; still no Gilson. “Jim, I’m sorry but I can’t assume the watch without. ”

“Yes you can, Mr. Mitchell,” thundered Reynolds, who appeared suddenly from the navigation equipment space behind control.

“C–COB?” Jerry stammered, quite confused.

“I’m taking the watch for Chief Gilson. I want to see how well you can balance this boat,” replied Reynolds firmly. “I’ll be here in case something goes wrong, but you have the watch, sir.”

Surprised, Jerry just stood there and stared at the huge man. Reynolds waited a moment, then motioned toward Porter and said, “You can relieve Mr. Porter, sir.”

Jerry turned slowly to Porter and said, “I relieve you.”

“I stand relieved.”

As Jim Porter reported to the OOD that he had been properly relieved, Jerry sat down at his station and looked at the indications on the ship control panel. After a few minutes of careful watching, he couldn’t determine if the trim was good or not. Porter was right; they’d have to slow down first. Looking over his shoulder, Jerry saw Master Chief Reynolds leaning up against the bulkhead next to the plotters. He seemed far away, even though it was only about twenty feet.

After all the stations had changed over, Berg announced, “Attention in control, my intention is to slow to ahead one-third and conduct a baffle clearance maneuver to the right. Once the maneuver is completed, I’ll let the Diving Officer check the boat’s trim before we resume our transit speed. Carry on.”