Guardians Of The Deep - Part IV

GUARDIANS OF THE DEEP - Part IV

Work at the Metro branch office continued on as usual. Even though Ned had healed quite well, he was given a few weeks off before returning to work. In between assignments and missions, the men spent their days at the station pushing paper, attending seminars or keeping in shape in the exercise rooms. The agents attended the weekly boardroom meetings and so it went.

Meanwhile, Agent Rona McKinney finally received her final orders for her new mission, Operation "Hidden Bubbles". She was going to the Far East to a tiny country in the Pacific. When she arrived at her destination, she was to ask for Mr. Sarno, although he was actually Tech Specialist Sarno.

After considerable travel, she followed instructions and found her first contact, a women’s dress shop in a well-populated village. The doorbell clanged loudly as she entered the store. Behind the counter was an elderly woman sorting apparel. She looked up when she saw Rona.

“How may I help you, miss?

Rona responded as she reached the counter. “I was told that I would be able to contact Mr. Sarno here. I have an appointment with him this morning.”

After announcing her name, and the code, "Operation Bubbles", the aging clerk escorted Rona through a narrow door behind the counter. She was ushered through still another door, and then the clerk closed the door behind her.

Rona sat herself in a plush chair just to the side of a highly polished mahogany desk. She was lost in thought, 'I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.'

As he entered the room, Tech Specialist Sarno announced, “Yes, isn’t it beautiful? The desk is an antique. I had it sent here from the States. There aren’t too many of these beauties left in the world.”

Rona extended her hand to her greeter and mused, 'What is he, a mind reader?'

After formal introductions and exchange of credentials, Tech Specialist Sarno ushered Rona through a door that was hidden behind a wall full of books from floor to ceiling. She followed him into an elevator that swiftly took them down far below the surface.

When the elevator finally stopped, Rona inquired, “How far down did we go?”

“Deep!” was all that the Tech Specialist said.

Then Sarno motioned for Rona to exit the elevator. As he followed behind, Rona let out a slow whistle. He walked in front of her and extended his arm to the open space.

“You are in one of the largest base headquarters of our operations.”

She looked around at all the activity in the enormous warehouse. She couldn’t see the ceiling without tilting her head back against her shoulders. The lighting was as bright as sunlight, yet somehow soothing to the eyes. There were rooms of all sizes scattered as far as the eye could see, but they were all opened at the top. White stairways were scattered about everywhere, some leading to the top of rooms and some attached to walking ramps, wide enough for a small vehicle to travel back and forth. The flooring throughout was spotlessly clean and done in blocks of white and black marble. Rona noticed huge tanks that were filled with water. Men in white suits were busily attending to various projects.

Still waving his arm about, the Tech Specialist continued. "This is where we test weaponry, invent new underwater gear, experiment with the latest gadgets, and make repairs. You are to familiarize yourself with some of these things in your spare time. But you must be tired, young lady. One of the workers will show you to your quarters downstairs west of here. There’s change of clothes at your disposal. Just pick up the intercom if you want refreshments sent to your room. Rest well, Agent McKinney. You’ll find further instructions in your room and where to meet me this afternoon. See you then!”

There was no need to rest. She wasn’t tired. She waved on the Telewall in the room, and watched something for a while. When it was near time for her meeting with Sarno, she showered and then changed into white coveralls. As instructed, Rona tossed a wet suit into a small bag, and made her way upstairs to meet with her instructor.

The Tech Specialist was engrossed in examining a transparent plastic material on a table. He didn’t even turn his head when she approached him, yet he knew she was there. He raised his right hand outward and motioned for Rona to look at the material. She was by his side in a flash, and again was impressed with his foresight. 'It's uncanny! He can see from the back of his head.'

“Agent McKinney, feel how soft this material is. This is the front of the underwater suit that you will use in your mission. Just run your finger in this area and it will part." Sarno pointed to a booth nearby. "Change into the suit over there. I’ll do the rest when you come out.”

Rona came out of the changing booth wearing the plastic like suit. You could see right through it and it covered every part of her body, yet it did not touch her skin or under clothing. At this moment, she was wearing a rubber wet suit underneath.

Shaking his head in disbelief, Sarno exclaimed, “No! That won’t do at all. You don’t have to wear anything at all underneath, but I suggest you wear a bathing suit. What made you put on the wet suit?”

Rona’s face turned red as she mumbled, “It was hanging on a hook in the booth.”

The Tech Specialist had difficulty trying to conceal his amusement. “No matter! The suit is water tight and self-repairing should the need arise. It continuously uses the very air that you breath out as carbon dioxide to create fresh air. There are invisible compartments and other helpful gadgets in the suit. One of the technicians will go over everything with you, so you’ll be comfortable with the suit and its workings."

With a serious tone in his voice, Sarno continued on, “It has been decided that you’re not going to be alone on this particular mission. The Federation has received critical information from our counter agent 777. He was successful infiltrating through the M-rots ranks and became a staff member. 777 has been with the dreaded M-rots from the very beginning of their operations. The M-rots are in liaison with uninhabited aliens from another planet.

Our man has been in contact with our headquarters at all times. He now reports that the M-rots’ special operation is ready. They are going to shoot a pocket missile up to the surface. The target area is unknown, but the missile is of the type that will do irreparable damage to humans. It will render them docile and susceptible to command. In fact, it will make humans mindless slaves who will respond only to pre-set radio commands. The missile, once detonated in mid air would spread its rays throughout a 50-mile radius. Now that’s a lot of people affected.

They worked on this project long before establishing temporary base quarters in that area of the Pacific. We can’t let these oppressors of the Federation of Right Way succeed in this heinous attack on the people. Once inside the base, it’s up to you to retrieve the pocket missile and hide it in your suit, and then return to base. Your partner will be wearing regular water gear, since only one plastic suit was made, and it’s too late to fashion another. Be suited and ready at 3 o’clock tomorrow morning, Agent McKinney. You’ll be transported to a waiting water conveyance.”


Just one more chapter and you're finished. Please read "Guardians Of The Deep - Part V"