By: Bull Gator

Chapter 3 in a series about a unique Royal Ranger Outpost.

In our last episode the Rouyal Rangers set out take the UWL to it's anchorage somewhere off the coast of Florida. When satan tries to stop them. God intervened like Moses and the Red Sea. What other adventures await ULW20?

"Anchor's away!" commanded Jim. The first mate released the 2-ton anchor. "Divers ready?" said Bob. He got a thumbs up from the six divers who would go down and replace the anchor cables. The operation was supposed to nly take about an hour, but the bolts were so rusted they had to be cut loose with a torch. Consequently it took almost 3 hours to cut away the old anchor cables. The old cables had lines attached and they were hauled aboard the Stallion for disposal when the ship returned to port. There was only two hours of daylight left, so the decision was made to remain aboard the Stallion tonight and they would refloat the UWL in the morning. So until darkness fell, all the foodstuffs that were to be transferred were bought up and stored aboard the UWL. No personal belongings were taken aboard yet.

The night was clear and the stars were extremly bright. The cook set up a large grill and made steaks for everyone. After a dinner of grilled steaks, baked potatoes, fresh corn on the cob and ice cream for desert, Commander Bob held chapel."I was saving this message for our first night on the UWL, but the subject fits here just as well." He talked about our committment to things we believe in. How that committment had resulted where they were this very night. "This till applies even though we sit here on the deck of this vessel, look up at God's majesty and grace." As everyone cast their eyes to the sky, it was almos on cue, a comet streaked across the sky. It emphazed the awesomness of God's grace and love for his children. "Guys" continued Bob, "we have accomplished something here with the grace of God that even this country's government could not do. Let us never forget the things our God can do!" With that he started to sing the chorus "Our God can do anything". After they had repeated the chorus no less than 20 times, they all joined hands in prayer. Even Jim and his crew joined in. As they were praying the tide changed and the Stalling swung gently on her anchor chain. Her bow now pointing west with the stern facing the rising moon in the east. The light from the full moon made a path directly to the UWL and bathed it and the emblem it bore in moonlight. This caused there not to be a dry eye among those present.

All the rangers elected to sleep on the deck tonight, after all they would be closed in the UWL for at least 10 days until the mail and supply boats came out. In 30 days they would bring out a new group of rangers for their tour of duty in the UWL. As Bob walked among the boys sprawled over the deck, Jim was sitting on the rail sipping a cup of coffee. He poured one for Bob from a thermos at his side and the two friends sat quietly for a few minutes, each deep in their own thoughts. "I never did get a chance to thank you Jim for all you've done. I know that the boys appreciate it also, Thanks." "You might not want to thank me after you receive my bill for my services." Bob took a deep breath, got ready and wavied for Jim to continue. "As you know, I used to be a Royal Ranger" Bob nodded as Jim continued. "Number 1, I'd like to become a ranger again, now I know I might be a tad bit old for the Discovery program, but I was thinking more in the lines of becoming a commander. I'd like to join this/your outpost, if that's ok?" "Gee Jim, I don't know, I mean I'd have to go all the way down to my cabin to get the LTC I brought for you. Of course you can join us, right guys!" Jim hadn't noticed but the boys had heard the two men talking and now supported Jim's decision with a cheer and multiple slaps on the back. Jim was taken aback and surprised all at the same time. Bob nodded to the Sr Guide, who went below and quickly returned with one of the UWL20 members' vest. On the name tab was stencled the name "Commander Jim Robinson". Jim was almost to the point of tears as he slipped the vest over his salvage company shirt. "Does this mean I can come aboard the UWL?" asked Jim. "We'll all be disappointed if you didn't." said Bob. "Thank you guys, thank you all" said Jim. Each and every ranger there shook his hand and hugged his neck.

"Flood 1 and 3... flood 2 and 4!" As Jim gave the command the stern of the Stallion slowly started to lowere itself into the water. The uwl had already been unbolted from it's cradle and now free floated with lines attached to it. "Up anchor, ahead slow!" The stallion inched forward until the UWL was directly over the anchorage site. "Release restraints!" the rear restraing bars were pulled back and now there was nothing between the UWL and the open water. "Full flood, all tanks!. The rear deck of the Stallion was almost awash now as the ship slipped away from the UWL. Soon the only thing between the UWL and the Stallion were the tether lines. "All stop! slowly the vessel stopped, "Blow tanks! was the next command and soon the deck of the Stallion was back to it's operational level.

In the water four divers each held on to four bouys which had a new cableing system attached to each of them. This new system would lower the UWL automatically. The pressure inside the UWL would keep the sea from rushing in the open bottom. "Hook UP!" was the command, and the four divers dove with their bouys and attached them to the undeside of the UWL. When the connections were complete and each diver surfaced with a thumbs up Jim verified their presence and initiated the crank down via a remote control attached to the UWL. Ever so slowly the UWL sat lower into the water. Jim stopped the winches to check that the pressure aboard the UWL was stablized. Once this was verified he restarted the winches, as soon as equal tension was on all four cables the UWL started her final descent. It would take about 30 minutes for the UWL to reach the depth of plus or minus 45 feet. There were sensors built into the hull of the UWL to keep it at a constant depth, so that even during a running storm it would self adjust. The constant air pressure in the UWl would keep the open portal at hull level. The portal was large engough for a small two man sub to enter it and surface inside.

"20 feet!" came the call, "25 feet!...30 feet!...35 feet!...40,41,42,43,44,45... all stop! "45 feet standard" reported the seaman monitoring the system. "Lock and set!" said Bob. As he turnewd to the assembled rangers he said, "Let's go home guys!" A cheer went up and they starting tossing things overboard. Every item was tied or hooked to the previous item to form a long chain of containers destined for the UWL. A long leader would be taken aboard when the main computers and life support systems were activated. It would then be reeled in like a giant fishing reel. Bob tiuned to Jim and said, "Jim there are not words enough that could express our graditude for all you've done." "I appreciate that Bob" said Jim. "We're going to stay anchored until tomorrow. Maybe I'll come down and have supper with you guys, if you don't mind that is?" "Hum, what do you think guys, Can Commander Jim have supper with us tonight." asked Bob. The enthusiastic cheer from all the rangers was answer enough. "OK" said Jim, " see you at 1800 hours. All the rangers snapped to attention and saluted "1800 hours...sir" they all said. Jim returned their salute, proud to be part of this outfit.

It was kind of erie on board the UWL, with no one on board. It was as quiet as a tomb, a watery one. These and other thoughts were going though Bob's mind. Are all the systems going to work?... Ar all the seals going to hold?... Is this really a good idea bringing a bunch of boys down here. Immediately Bob realized that the devil was trying to put doubt into his heart. He starting praising the Lord as he made his way to the command center. He was still wearing his air tanks because the air systems had not been cleared as of yet. He had a check list in his hands as he went through the start-up procedure. One by one Bob brought them into service. The last one would be the constant strobe in the center of the ranger emblem. a visable marker seen from the surface 24 hours a day. "UWL to Stallion" called Bob. "This is Stallion" answered Jim. "How's it going down thereBob?" he asked. "Good" said Bob, "I've got green across the board, have the guys unplug the umbilicals." "OK" said Jim as he gave the sign, two divers went below to pull the plugs, but not befoe he cut power from the source on board. It would not be a pretty sight to have a live electrical and a fully charged air line loose in the water. In a few minutes after they had sumberged they resurfaced and raised their hand. Mission accomplished. The UWL was now self sufficient, providing its own power and atmosphere. The support cables were reeled back aboard the Stallion and secured. One by one each of the rangers shook Jim's and the rest of the crew's hands and then dove overboard. They positioned themsellves about 10 feet apart on the container line in order to guide them aboard. When all were in position they raised their hand. "UWL this is Stallion, reel away." said Jim. He watched the slack get taken up and then as the line of containers and rangers got futher away he watched until they disappeared below the surface. Jim watched until the last boy turned saluted and then disappeared below the surface. He returned the salute unseen bt the already submerged ranger. Saddened now by the absence of the boys and Bob. "Oh Well" he said outloud to no one in paticular, he had plenty to do until 1800 hours.

Everyone of the boys had spent time in the UWL during the refit, but as each on surfaced in the diving pool they looked around like they'd never been there before. Each member took his equipment to the numbered rack that matched with the numbers on his wetsuit, fins, mask and tanks. Each person was responsible for his own equipment. The number also matched three other things on board. First was the bunk number, the duty roster number and finally the personal storage number. Each number was assigned a storage area on board. Everything down to their underware was tagged with this number. Just in case...

A meeting was called for 1300 hours in the main dinig room, all were required to be present. After everyone was assembled, Commander Bob raised his hand. Soon everyone in the room was silent, despite the tremendous excitement that was plainly evident. "Well guys" started Bob. "We did it!" Everyone cheered. "Commander Bob?" said the youngest ranger present. "yes Uhh?..." the boy turned around, "OK yes number 13?" "Sir I think we need to thank the Lord for everything." "My setiments exactly number 13, would you like to do the honors?" figuring the boy would back down. "Yes sir!" he exclaimed.

Don't miss Chapter 4 in this great adventure.

See ya next time!

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