The Gambler's Chase: A Chase Fulton Novel (Chase Fulton Novels Book 21) by Cap Daniels

Author:Cap Daniels [Daniels, Cap]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Anchor Watch Publishing, L.L.C.
Published: 2023-03-19T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Saving the Planet

As I sat alone at the table in the op center pondering Singer’s admonition, Skipper took a call at her console.

“Op Center . . . Sure. In fact, he’s right here. I’ll put you on the overhead. Stand by.”

She spun to face me. “It’s Captain Sprayberry.”

I nodded and looked up at the overhead speaker as if I could see his voice leaving the black box. “Good afternoon, Captain Sprayberry. How are things aboard the Lori Danielle?”

“We’re shipshape here, Chase. I’ve just taken over as officer of the watch, and I have some conflicting instructions. You want me to dump the scientists and meet you in the Dominican Republic. Is that right?”

“Not exactly,” I said. “To be honest, I forgot about the research team. How many of them are there, and where do they want to be?”

“There are eighteen of them, and if I were guessing, I’d say they want to be back in Antarctica to finish their study, but that’s not really what you’re asking, is it?”

“No, it wasn’t. I really want to know where you can put them ashore that won’t ruin your shot at getting another research grant from the National Science Foundation.”

“Don’t worry about the grants. They’ll come without any problem. This is the most high-tech research vessel afloat. Nobody else can compete with our capabilities. I could drop the scientists off in a life raft and still be flooded with funding.”

“In that case, put them ashore in Santo Domingo, and take on fuel and supplies. I’ll pay the airfare to get the scientific team home, wherever that is.”

“Home is the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science in Miami.”

I said, “Something sounds familiar about that school, but I can’t quite remember why. Have you and I discussed it before today?”

The captain said, “Not that I know of. I’ve not seen you in a couple of years, so I was afraid we might never get to do anything exciting again.”

“Don’t worry, Captain. The next couple weeks of your life are going to be more than enough excitement to make up for two years of peacetime.”

“I can’t wait to have you brief me in.”

Skipper snapped her fingers. “Masha!”

I cocked my head. “Masha?”

“Yeah, Masha. Hank’s granddaughter from the Ocean Reef Club Airport. She was going to the Rosenstiel School for her PhD. We wrote a check to help cover her tuition.”

“That’s right,” I said. “Did you hear that, Captain?”

“I did, and you won’t believe it, but we’ve got a Hungarian researcher named Masha on the boat. What are the chances? Maybe you can see her when we make the transition in the DR.”

“I’m glad to hear she’s still with the program. We’ll see you tomorrow morning. Let Skipper know if you’re going to be delayed.”

The captain chuckled. “We’re the fastest thing on the water. Nobody can catch us to delay us, so we’ll be there.”

Skipper cut the connection and raised an eyebrow. “You may not want to exchange pleasantries with Masha tomorrow. If she’s one

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