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By: Bull Gator
Chapter 4 in a series about a unique Royal Ranger Outpost.
In our last episode the Royal Rangers get the UWL to it's anchorage somewhere off the coast of Florida. Now it's time to se up housekeeping, there may be a few surpises awaiting them...
"UWL this is Stallion, come in please". "Hey Commander Jim" said Tommy. He was the ranger on duty at the present. "Who's this?" asked Jim. "Number 7" said Tommy figuring he'd stump Jim. "Oh, hi Tommy" said Jim as he folded his cheat sheet that Bob had given him earlier. "Could you get Commander Bob for me please?" At that moment Bob walked into the communications center. "Commander Jim is on the line sir, he wants to talk to you, boy is he good. He knew my voice." Bob laughed because he knew the truth. "I'll watch the radio if you want to go and get a snack." He didn't have to say it twice, Tommy was out the door and heading toward the galley. Bob chuckled as he picked up the radiophone. "Hey Jim" he called. "Hey yourself" came the reply. "I was calling to let you know the ABC affiliate will be sending a chopper here tomorrow at noon. They want to interview us both as they hover and then after they land on my deck they want me to bring them down there, any problems with that?" "Nope, no problem" said Bob. "Oh by the way, are you still planning on coming down for supper?" "1800 hours why?" asked Jim. "Did you need something?" "Well..." said Bob "it's kind of embarassing, but I forgot to get the paparika, does cook have any to spare?" Jim almost fell out of his chair, he was laughing so hard. "No problem" he said "Anything else?" "Just one thing," said Bob "pack your PJ's, the guys have a little surprise for you." "OK will do" answered Jim. "See you in about two hours, Stallion over and out" "UWL out" said Bob. About that time Tommy came back with a big sandwich, an orange and a bananna not to mention a large soda. "Hey! take it easy dude" said Bob "dinner is in three hours" "That long?" said Tommy, "I better get some chips and dip." And with that he was gone again. Bob just shook he head and smiled, he waited for Tommy to return to his station.
Jim entered the water at 1745 and began his descent to the bottom of the UWL. He was still a 100 yards away and could see the lab already. He had to admit to himself it was a beautiful sight. He secretly was wishing that he could spend some time aboard. "Well, I've got vacation coming up... maybe then" he thought. As he approached the lab he saw two divers preparing the new underwater garden. They waved as he swam by. The UWL looked much larger here beneath the surface. He passed under the vessel and started up toward the diving pool. He was bathed in light as he surfaced inside the UWL. Two rangers were there to assist he in stowing his equipment in the racks, they then led him upstairs to the living level. All the rest of the off duty rangers were assembled in the dining room. One of the members piped him aboard with a seaman's whistle.
"Commander Jim!" said the patrol guide, "You are out guest of honor, without your help and the Lord none of this eould have been possible. We have something we'd like to show you." They escorted him down the campanioway to the quarters area. They passed Commander Bob's cabin and stopped at the next one. Set in the door on the name holder was a gold nameplate which read "Commander Jim". Jim's eyes filled with tears, he was so overcome with emotion and graditude that he didn't know what to do. They opened the door and on the walls were a series of pictures of the UWL in various stages of the refitting. The one thing that was plainly evident was that Jim was in every picture. In the closet was a brand new dress uniform and several work uniforms. Each with the number "2" stenciled on them. Dinner in 10 minutes Commander said the guide as he closed the door behind himself. As he changed his uniform, he once again felt the old surge of pride of being a Royal Ranger. He noticed that there were blue Lt. Commander's bars on his collar, these would remain until he completed his LTC and the be replaced with the Outpost Commander's bars.
AS he entered the dining room, the guide said "Commander on Board!", immediately all the boys stood at attention. "At ease gentlemen" said Jim "thank you guys, you've no idea how much this has meant to me. Thank you agian, so let's eat!" A round of applause and then the guide asked if Jim would give thanks for the food. Afterwards Jim could not remember ever having such a good time. When desert was over, they gave him a tour of the entire facility. Even though he'd seen it all many times before, it all looked new and different. Before it was empty and stark and now it supported life. He stopped by the radio room, and told his crew that he was staying aboard the UWL. He then went to the large viewing port on the upper deck. It was a new addition to the UWL. It used to be a large watertight door where the large computer systems were loaded and unloaded. Now it was a 4 inch thick plexi-glass viewing port into the watery world outside the UWL.
Thw two commanders shared a common bathroom, called the head. Jim was shaving when Bob came in for his shower. "Well, how'd you sleep last night?" asked Bob. Jim responded with amazement on his face. "I can't remember ever having such a good night's. I don't know whether it was this place or what!" The two men finished getting ready and then went for breakfast together. The cook on duty had fresh OJ, omlettes, hasbrowns toast and coffee for his commanders. The radio man came in with a message and handed it to Bob, "The ABC chopper's ETA in two hours." he said. Jim finished his coffee and said "Well I guess I'd better get on up there then. See you in a bit my friend" As he left he hollared to the cook. "Thanks cookie, that was great!" The young boy couldn't have appreciated it more, he was smiling from ear to ear. "Good morning ladies and gentlemen, the video you are watching is live from the former oceanagraphic research facility anchored some 45 miles off the coast. The group who now occupies the facilty is called Royal Rangers. They are a Christian scouting group. As we hover over their position you can plainly see their emblem on the top of the UWL even though it is below the surface of the water." The commentor went on to describe the events which led up to the rangers occupancy. As they began their approach to aft deck of the Stallion he continued. "We now have with us via radio phone the man who put this whole thing together. Commander Bob are you there?" "Yes Lee I'm here" said Bob. "Welcome to Outpost UWL20, we're glad you could come and see us. And welcome to all the viewers back on the mainland. I'm sure that all my members here will want to say hi to all their famly and friends. We're receiving your broadcast and can see what your viewrs are see right now" "What I'm seeing is mighty impressive Bob" said the newsman. "I'm looking forward to our tour, the oly problem is that neither myself or my cameraman are divers." "Not a problem" replied Bob. Once you land on the Stallion which is anchored nearby, Commander Jim will ferry you down in a mini-sub." "Well folks, you have it, we're in position above the Stallion; a commercial salvage vessel. In a few minutes we'll be landing on her deck. Then we will go aboard the UWL via a submarine, not an average assignment for this reporter. Film at 6, we now return you to our regular broadcast."
The chopper touched down on the deck of the Stallion, the pilot was an ex-Navy man so he was used to landing on a vessel at anchor and he timed his landing perfectly. The cameraman jumped out first and then the machine again raised into the air an did the whole landing thing again so that it could be caught on film. Finally as they cut power and the deck crew secured the machine to the Stallion, the reported climbed out, microphone in hand. Jim came over and told th epilot that there was sandwiches and coffe in the dining room to help himeself. After a brief on-film introduction Jim took the cameraman over tothe submersible so he could get an action shot of them getting in, they would submerge then resurface and pick him up then he could film from inside the sub. As he did his backgroung filming which included shots of the Stallion and their crew, he turned the camera on Jim. The anchorman asked, "Are you sure this thing is safe?" "I'm betting mine and the lives of you and your cameraman on it, it had better be." said Jim Laughing."Yes it's perfectly safe. Climb aboard. "Well folks," started the newsman. "We've taked to the UWL landed on a ship in rolling sea, met her captain and own wer're going down in a submarine to go aboard the UWL for the first ever view of this amazing place. First Jim climbed aboard and then the newsman as the camerman filmed from above. He started the vessel and submerged to 20 feet just deep enough so they dissappeared from view. He counted to 20 and then resurfaced and popped the hatch. After the camerman climbed aboard and got setteled the newsman gave a running commentary on the sights and sounds enroute to the UWL.
"Pony to UWL" called Jim. "Permission to surface?" said Jim into the microphone. "Permission granted, Pony Welcome aboard." Jim made a slash across his throat so they would cut sound and video. "UWL, Pony, permission for double surface for documentation?" "Roger Pony" came the reply, "double surface for documentation." Jim chuckled to himself as he heard the camerman mutter something about a star. The forward movement of the little vessel halted and it began to rise vertically. As it broke the surface inside the diving pool, the cameraman jumped out and started filming some background as the sub submerged. Jim went through the radio call sequence again and this time it was filmed from the UWL. So that whenb the edited it for view they could switch back and forth. As the tiny vessel surfaced again inside the UWL the cameraman was in position. He was opposite the main body of the reception committee. As the hatch opened music was piped into the area, the song was "Our God is an Awesome God". The newsman had his mic in his had and after making sure he got the thumbs up from the cameraman began his narration.
"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, moms and dads, boys and girls, we have just arrived aboard the UWL which is anchored on a coral reef 45 feet below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean. You see before you the members of Outpost UWL20, who are the current residents." All the rangers waved their greeting to friends and familes and others who might be watching. "This is Commander Bob, the man responsible for all this" said the announcer as he swept his arms around to take in everything. "Not completely Lee" said Bob "everyone here and others still to come did all the physical work and refurbishment of the facility. It took a lot of sweat, tears and most of all prayer for all this to happen." Lee was sort of flustered by Bobs reply. "Now!" said Bob we'd like to give you and yopur viewrs a tour of the UWL." All the man could do was nod and say "please". Bob led the way and after an hour's tour and explanation, a lunch of fresh fruit and ham and cheese sandwiches they were led back into the diving pool area. Each ranger had been given 5 minutes to said his personal hellos and good wishes to friends and family.
The Pony was still there, waiting for its passengers. This time the departure events were a little different from when the news team left the Stallion. Commander Jim was carrying back a bunch of support equipment and there was only enough room for one passanger at a time, so the cameraman opted to make the second trip. "Any last words Commander Bob?" asked the newsman. "No sir, just thanks to everyone who helped make this possible through their support. All are doing well and we'll see you in 28 days, God Bless!" With that the hatch closed and the Pony slid beneath the surface. After it was gone and the cameraman had put away his equipment, Bob asked him if he'd like some pie and coffee. "Sounds great!" he said. "I'm plum tuckered out. I do all the work and he gets all the glory and money to boot." "Hmmmm" said Bob as the entered the dining salon. He flipped the switch, number 9 answered, "Yes Sir?" "Number 9", he began. "I need you to do two things for me please. One radio Pony and tell Commander Jim to hold off returning until or if I call him. Two connect me to our ABC affiliate in Miami, patch it up to the observation deck when you get it set up." "Yes Sir!" came the reply. "Grab your pie and coffe and follow me" said Bob.
No sooner had they entered the observation dec and closed the door for privacy when the phone buzzed. "Hello? Hey hi Tom" said Bob. "Yeah things are going great, your crew did a bangup job. Hey Tom, I've a big favor to ask you, your cameraman uh....?" "Richard" said the man. "yeah Richard, is really good. None of us here are that adapt at video and we'd like to keep him here until our supply boat arrives in about 10 days, if that's ok? that is? Gee I dont't know, I never asked, he's about to leave, let me see if I can catch him hold on. Bob pushed the hold button and poured himself and Richard anothe cup of coffee. He nodded at Richard to pick up the phone. "Hello?" said Richard. "Oh hi Tom, yeah it went good, unhuh I guess I could do that, I'll need to send the equipment in with Lee on the bird though. Yeah I thought about that too, I probalby could rig it up with no problem. OK see you in 10 days boss." As he hung up the phone, Bob stuck out his hand and said "Welcome aboard mate" "Alright!" said Richard, "this is going to be great. Oh by the way Tom said to keep the equipment here and see if we couldn't rig a live feed through the comcenter. But we've got to get the film from today to the chopper before it leaves." "Not a problem" said Bob. He reached over and flipped the intercom, "Number 7 report to the observation deck on the double." Less than 30 seconds later a tall rangely young man stood before them. He was already in his wetsuit, as it was his shift outside. Bob handed him the waterproof container and simply said get this to Commander Jim ASAP." "Yes Sir" came the immediate reply. Less than five minutes later he could be seen swimming to the surface. "UWL to Stallion," called Bob. "UWL this is Stallion, 1st mate speaking sir" "Hey Mike" said Bob. "Listen tell the newsman Lee to go ahead back to the mainland, his cameraman is going to stay here for a while. We're sending the tape from today for him to take back to the studio. Tell him his boss will have a tech waiting at the helo-pad to proof it out for the 6'oclock" "OK Bob, your diver just arrived and is already on the way back. Cookie gave him a five gallon container of strawberry ice cream. We'll be leaving shortly, catch you on our next trip out." Thanks Mike" said Bob have a safe trip. UWL over and out".
The next five days were a whirlwind of activity. There were well wishers and friends coming out almost every day. One vessel actuall dropped its anchor on top of the UWL. Fortunatly there was no damage to the UWL, onlt a scratch on the ranger emblem. Bob and Richard developed a bouy system that was placed 100 yards away from the UWL at the NSEW postions, these had strobes that flashed when a vessel came too close. Other than those minor instances everything was quiet on the UWL. That was about to change.
Don't miss Chapter 5 in this great adventure.
See ya next time!