Death Beyond the Deep

By John Bolstridge

You are about to read about a nuclear submarinecalled the Black Scorpionthat goes down to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, which is well over seven miles deep in parts, with a main goal to find new commodities for mankind. But all sorts of mysterious events happen, with death and injury to the crew.

Follow the crew members, Captain Fletcher, Professor Gibson (civilian), and First Officer Donald Carter (Rambo), who encounter four-feet-tall crabs, with one claw that can take off a mans limb with one snap, three-feet-long hornets with spear-like barb tails, and many more. This book will keep you on the edge of your seats with every step of the way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Apr 2, 2015
• ISBN: 9781504939591

John Bolstridge

I my names John Bolstridge, aged sixty-eight and brought up in the 1950 with a very poor education. With leaving school at fifteen, I could not spell to save my life.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

We pick up this Story on the 13th March 2032, with Captain Chris Fletcher a Nuclear Submarine Captain, who retired from the Royal Navy Submarine core in 2031. Enjoying his retirement doing what he loved best, and that is fishing.

He is driving up to Scotland to do a little fly fishing, when his in car mobile rings and he presses the answer button.

Hello Fletch here, just how can I help you?

Fletch It’s me, Gibbo, long time no see. (Gibbo is Professor Don Gibson, who works for fuel Enrichments Technology.)

Well-well if It’s not my old pal Professor Gibbo how are you doing my old mate.

Fine thanks, the reason I’ve called is to ask you if we could meet up next week and talk over a new out of this World adventure, which we are going to go on. And I would like you to be included into the programme.

Out of this world, you aren’t telling me that you are going to go to Mars. (Fletch laughing while driving.)

No nothing like that, let’s just meet and it will all be made clear to you.

Fletch reflect for a moment and tells the Professor.

OK how about next Wednesday at 12.30pm, at the Rose Bowl pub you know Gibbo the one that was at the top of our list of old watering holes back in the good old days.

That will be fine and then I can put you in the picture, and have your answer. OK till Wednesday then I will see you there then fletch.

Fine all set up; now back to the matter in hand a little fly fishing. Bye Gibbo.

He ends the call and carried on driving up to Scotland. Fletch had a good time fishing, and back home on the Wednesday he is at home with his wife Mary Ann, they have been married 20 years. Fletch had retired at 40 years of age from the Navy and was enjoying his retirement, but is wife who is also 40 years of age still works and runs the local shop in the village where they live. On the day of the meeting with Gibbo, Fletch tells her that he is going to see an old friend in the Rose bowl that lunch time, and if she could get time off from the shop, to pop in on her lunch break.

Mary sets off to open the shop and leaves Chris to do a little tidying around the house, and she will see him at lunch time. Fletch drives to the Rose Bowl, and pulls up in the car park at 12.30pm, and just getting out of his car was Professor Don Gibson.

Gibbo, my old mate how the devil is you. Fletch walking up to him with his hand out stretched to greet him. They stand shaking hands and one quick hug, and they both go walking off towards the pub. They order their drinks and find a quiet booth to sit in, and the Professor pulls out paper work from his briefcase.

Right Fletch, why I have asked you to come today, is because the Government and the Navy have agreed for us to make a journey by a Nuclear Submarine, to go and dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the deepest place on Earth at 7 miles below the surface of the Pacific Ocean.

What you are kidding me, who is funding this, and how can you go that deep in a submarine. I mean at that depth it would implode under all that pressure.

No that is where you are wrong, for let me start by telling you that over the last 10 years they have been working on having a sub that can dive that deep. And you are appropriately aware of Russia, and the U.S.A, that are funding billions of Dollars to adventure into outer space. But we have not discovered our own Planet yet. Please say yes, for next week the final crew and times of departure are going to be announced, at a secret meeting with those involved, and I would like you to be in charge of the civil side of the expedition. Fletch is rubbing his chin at the thought of going one more time to the bottom of the sea, in a brand new sub. He looks up to the professor and came straight out with.

Count me in Gibbo; just tell me the time of the meeting, and where it is to be. The professor shakes Fletchers hand and telling him.

You won’t regret this, for we are going to have a great adventure. I will phone you as soon as I have the day and time of the meeting. They are still shaking hands when Mary Ann comes walking up to them.

Professor how nice to see you again, how have you been?

The Professor stands and kisses Mary Ann on the cheek and tells her.

Fine I have been working on a new subject that I would like you’re husband to come along, I’m sure he will tell you all about it. Must go for I’ve a lot of sorting out to do. I will give my bye and will be in contact with you Fletch later in the week. He leaves the pub and Mary Ann sits and asks Chris.

What’s he on about, a new subject and he would like you to come.

Well to tell you the truth love, It’s a new adventure mixed with Government funding, and might I say the Royal Navy also involved to go down to the bottom of the Mariana trench, the deepest water on Earth well over 7 miles down.

You are kidding me, after 20 years of worry you are going to do it all over again. What about your retirement and enjoying fishing, and being with me.

Come on now, how could I refuse an old friend and it will be my final dive, just one more time and go where only a few have gone. Mary Ann sits there shaking her head, for she knows that once he had something in his head he will do it.

Well promise me, that this will be the last and no more.

You’re a star sweetheart and that is why I love you. One more drinks to celebrate, before you go back to the shop. Fletch goes to the bar with an extra step at knowing that he is going on an adventure into the unknown."

Mary Ann watches him go and at seeing how he looked and just tells her self.

Men just like kids, bless them. She drinks her last drink and heads back to the shop, telling Chris.

That I will be home by 5.30pm. And one more thing, doesn’t burn the soup, and don’t let the potatoes burn the bottom of the pan. Mary Ann going out of the door with one or two of the customers looking at Chris. All that he did was look back at them and say.

She’s always trying to show me up.

By the Friday Chris had a phone call from Gibbo, telling him.

Fletch It’s all set up for Tuesday, at the New Royal Navy Base in Portsmouth at 10.30 am. All that are going are going to attend, so after we can get acquainted with the rest of the crew.

No problem Gibbo, I will come on the Monday night and stop at a Travel Lodge, so that I will not get caught up in any traffic Jam.

Fine Fletch, will go because I’ve another 29 calls to make to tell the others. They give their bye’s and Chris sits pondering over all that had happened and what laid ahead for him. That night Chris and Mary Ann are relaxing in the garden having a glass of wine, and Chris tells her about Monday and going down to Portsmouth for the meeting Tuesday.

How long will you be gone for, on this so called last adventure? Mary Ann putting it to Chris.

I will know better on Tuesday and my estimate is about 3 weeks, but we should be in the know by then. Mary Ann clicks her lips and lifts her eye’s at Chris.

Come on baby I have promised this is the last time, and our about I take you away on a Sunshine break when I’m back.

I’ll keep you to that, and no Skegness on the East coast.

No somewhere nice and Sunny abroad.

You’re on, another wine please dear. Mary Ann holding up her wine glass for Chris.

The weekend goes quickly and Monday Morning soon comes round, and Chris is off down to Portsmouth that afternoon. He takes a small hand luggage case and puts it into the boot of his car, he then starts to get into his car, and Mary Ann is there to see him off.

You drive carefully and I will see you back here Wednesday afternoon, if you are back give me a ring and you could come and pick me up from the shop, and we could have a drink on the way back home.

Will do love, and I will see you Wednesday. I love you babe bye. Chris driving off and waving to Mary Ann, who is standing in the doorway.

Bye sweetheart and I love you too. She stands waving to Chris going down the road. It takes Chris 4 and a half hours to reach Portsmouth and his Hotel that he had pre-booked, and he parks up and goes to reception to book in.

Good afternoon my names Chris Fletcher, and I do believe you have a room booked for me.

Let me see Sir. He runs his finger down the book and tells Chris.

Yes Sir Monday night, Tuesday night leaving Wednesday morning. I’ve put you in room 6 ground floor just through those doors there Sir, and down the passage on your left.

Thanks for that, and what time can you eat from here at the hotel’s restaurant.

6pm Sir till 10pm. The reception man passing him his key and wishing him a good stay. Chris goes to his room to freshen up after the long drive down there. He showers and dons a pair of trousers and a clean shirt and the time is approaching 6pm. He goes down to the bar and orders a drink and sits at a table, and starts to read the local paper of the news that day.

Into the bar come two Naval Officers and get their drinks and they approach Fletch and ask his.

Excuse me Sir are these seats taken. Chris looking up from his paper and tells them to help themselves, he cannot help but notice their uniforms and asks them.

Hope you don’t mind me asking, are you stationed at Portsmouth Sir.

No just down on Navy things, meeting tomorrow and then back to base.

I too meeting then back home on the Wednesday, it would be funny if we were going to the same meeting. My meeting is with Gibbo, sorry nick name, I mean Professor Don Gibson. The two Navy Officers look at each other and then back to Chris and tell him.

We two are meeting said man tomorrow. My name is Commander Ray Bates and this is First Officer Eric Gates.

Well-well, it’s a small world, my name is Captain Chris Fletcher, Fletch to my mates, nice to meet you too. They sit shaking hands and formalities over they start to chat.

CHAPTER TWO

Captain Chris Fletcher, that name rings a bell. Isn’t you the Captain that had recently retired with over twenty years’ service, and full honouree medals for bravery in the line of fire. The Commander asking.

Please Sir I do not like to talk about that. All that I have been told is that I will be in charge of the civil side of the mission.

Please let me shake your hand for the report that I know about was a full honouree fight that you in counted, and might I say under heavy fire to do what you did. The Command shakes Chris’s hand and stands and salutes him. Then the other Officer did the same and all that Chris said is.

Please sit down you are embarrassing me. Finally they do sit down and start to talk about what they know about the mission. Most of the talk was just surmising what it was all about and going round in circles. In the end they all decide that all will be reviled in the morning. Chris gives his leave for he tells them that he is about to take an early evening meal. Stands shake their hand and heads for the restaurant. Leaving Commander Ray and First Officer Eric Gates alone. Then the First Officer asks Commander Ray, what he actually did to earn honours in the line of fire. The Commander still watching Chris go into the restaurant tells him.

"It was two weeks before he was due to retire, and he was deployed on a maiden trip on his first Nuclear Sub out of the gulf, when its main reactor developed a fault and left them stranded on a river bank. And it came under heavy fire from terrorist with one aim, and that was to take over the nuclear sub. On deck were 8 Seamen armed with automatic guns that came under fire with over whelming fire power, from the terrorists and were trapped.

The Commander told them to leave the crew and do nothing for the goal was for them to defend the sub first. But Chris told him that he could not just forget his eight men and he just told him.

Fuck you, they are my shipmates and do not deserve to die alone, I will help them while you sit and watch. He goes and straight up to the deck and under heavy gun fire makes it to the automatic machine gun on deck, and with three bullets that had struck him fires at the enemy, and cuts them down and drives them back. And he saved not one but all eight crewmen. Killing over forty of the terrorist."

You telling me he did all that and disobeying orders from his Commander. Eric Gates looking at Chris in the restaurant at his table ordering his meal.

"Not only that, while he was rushed to hospital to tend to his wounds, the Commander tried to take out court martial proceedings against him, but he had is comeuppance, when himself was demoted for sitting back and doing nothing. And Chris went on to receive the utmost reward for his bravery. That’s why I salute the man, for he is truly a man who would not leave his fellow man in jeopardy. The Commander Stands again and salutes towards the restaurant where Chris was eating his meal. The First Officer did the same, and stood and he too was saluting Chris. People were walking past them and wondering what they were doing.

After Chris had eaten it was a few drinks in the bar and a little looking at the news on the TV, and at 9.30pm he retired to bed and slept well. The next morning Tuesday, it was shower breakfast and then he leaves for the naval base at Portsmouth.

He arrives at 10.15 and is told where to go for the meeting. He opens the door and there were about 20 others there, he nods and goes and sits at the back. 10.25am and Professor Don Gibson arrives and sees Chris sitting at the back and calls him to come. Chris stands and goes and the Professor tells him

Come on Chris you are at the front with me and the Main man when he comes. At precisely 10.30am the door opens and two senior figures walk in and go to the front where the Professor is with Chris. They take their place at the table at the front and one stands and addresses them.

"Good morning Gentlemen, my name is James Robson Head of home defence and Government funding. The man on the right is Commander in Chief of Navy fleet and War lord. Sir John Ward. To my left Professor Gibson and retired Captain Chris Fletcher V.C. (Victoria Cross.)

Some of you know that this is a combine venture by the Government and Royal Navy, and Fuel Enrichment Technology. To go and explore our own World beneath the sea, for any new ways of obtaining new usable energy commodities, and fuels. Not like our allies the Americans, and Russia, who are going into outer Space. We are going to dive in a top of the range Nuclear Submarine, which has had a total face lift, you will see later and will serve our purpose, and could still be used to defend our Nation." Then one of the ratings asked him.

Sir Will it carry nuclear warheads while on this deep sea dive. Sir John Ward answers the question.

Your answer to the question is yes, It’s a first class 12 launch tubes and 12 fully armed warheads, capable of wiping out a City the size of London and the surrounding area. Thank you. Then James Robson continues.

We intend to go down to the bottom of the Mariana Trench which runs several hundred kilometres southwest of the U.S. territorial islands of Guam. Then another question.

How deep is this trench Sir?

Over seven miles deep, deepest place on Earth. Then another question asked.

Sir the sub will implode at that depth surly.

That is where you are wrong, for the Sub could well exceed that depth and more, and we will not be the first to go down there for the Film Director James Cameron had already been down there in a one man sub, and might I say very cramp conditions indeed. Then Sir John Ward tells them.

Gentlemen we will take a short break and resume in 15 minutes and I’m sure he will tell you about the submarine and It’s workings next, thank you. They all leave and head for the restaurant and a cup of coffee and tea. They are all in groups and talking about the trip and what will they do when they are down there. And before they knew it they are being called back to the meeting to resume the talk. All seated and James Robson starts is talk again.

Right Gentlemen hope you enjoyed you’re drink and now a little about the vessel itself.

He turns and goes to a board and lifts the page, and what they see some were laughing and some were murmuring amongst them self’s, not be leaving what they are looking at on the chart.

What they were looking at is one of the latest developments of the Navy for years. There are a lot of murmuring and James Robson calls for order, and they all settle back down and he thanks them, and starts to explain at what they are seeing.

Please look at the top photo what you see is a 12 missile carrying

Nuclear Submarine, with a glass front nose cone made of four feet reinforced glass, for four men to sit and observe the seabed. It will hold a 30 man crew with living quarters and sleeping beds for 30 men and might I say the average crew is 90.

The second Photo shows the sub with Its six tracks deployed and yes for those who were giggling it can walk along the seabed, and the advantage is in shallow waters it can sneak into and out of harbours without being detected, with the new outer black shell making it imposable to see under any radar sonar, or any other detecting device. In fact yes the first all Stealth walking submarine. Then one of the men shouts out.

What next jet fighters that can dive like a bird and go along underwater. One or two burst out laughing at the comment he made.

Gentlemen after the meeting and you have refreshed there will be a bus out front to take you to an indoor dry dock where the submarine is housed, then please laugh if you still think that it is funny. He carried on telling them all about the submarine and It’s workings.

"Some of you might be saying why a nuclear sub, well I will tell you for those who need refreshing.

A nuclear submarine powered by nuclear reactor propulsion being completely independent of air, frees the sub from the need to surface frequently. Longer interval between refuelling throughout their 25 years lifespan. The first nuclear submarine was the U.S.A USS Nautilus (SNN-571) the first nuclear sub launched in 1954. Any questions Gentlemen before we retire for lunch." They are silent with what he said and he tells them.

One hour for lunch break and I will see you out front at the coach after you have eaten. Thank you.

CHAPTER THREE

After lunch they are all gathered outside waiting for the coach. Captain Chris Fletcher is standing with the Professor and he asks him.

Gibbo your honest opinion, what the hell do they want to spend all that money, on a trip to the bottom of the sea for.

Well in my opinion, the British Government is funding 80% of the fund, and its goal is to find new resources, for fuel and other Technology down there.

Well there is one thing Professor, I’m looking forward to sitting at a seat at the front, when the sub is walking along the bottom.

Me too I will make sure two seats have reserved put on them. The Professor smiling at Chris. They are all gathered after lunch outside.

When the coach pulls up and the 30 gathered there start to board to go and see this so called walking submarine.

The coach pulls away and It’s not long when it pulls up at a very large indoor dried dock, and they all disembark from the coach. The Leader tells them.

Please all follow me please, and before we go my name is Sir Gordon Whitehouse Head Director of the project that you are about to see.

He walks off with the 30 men that are going to become the crew on this expedition down to the bottom of the ocean in the Mariana trench. They come to a viewing room and enter, and the first thing they notice is a very large viewing window with a cover over it. The Director when they were all in goes to a button and presses and the shield starts to rise, and when it was halfway up there comes one or two gasps at what they are seeing. The Professor turns to Fletch and he said.

What an amazing sight. For they were looking at one dark black Nuclear Submarine standing majestically, with a large glass window at the front.

Gentlemen what you are looking at is a brand new nuclear Submarine class one, called the Black Scorpion. The most deadly nuclear Submarine in the British Navy, if you look on deck you will see the twelve tubes for firing nuclear warheads at the enemy. God willing we will never after use them, for they could well destroy the size of Great Britain. Then the Director picks up the phone and tells them to deploy the tracks, and when fully deployed to lower ramps supporting the sub in dry dock. The tracks start to come out of the side of the sub all six of them, and they clang into place, and then the ramps are lowered and she stands majestically there on her own support, ready to move forward or backwards. There is a lot of talk amongst the crew and then the director tells them.

Please come this way and we will take a look at the outside and inside of the Black Scorpion. He leads them out of the room and down onto the dock side, where the closer you get the more mighty and overwhelming she looks. The Professor and Fletch stop at the back tracks and the Professor tells Fletch, while holding one of the giant runners on the tracks. I would never dream that it could look so over powering to the eye, I can see why they called it the Black Scorpion. For just like a Scorpion it will come to attack you with its tail raised, and the Black Scorpion with those menacing and deadly nukes would look the same." Fletch tells the Professor.

I have worked on both types of Submarines, during my Navel carrier but never thought I would see something like this. The Director shouts to them to come for they are going to go aboard the Black Scorpion.

They go to a lift that takes them to the deck and start to cross the Sub to the stern where there is a door open on the conning tower for them to enter into the Sub. The Director tells them.

Please Gentlemen make your way down and I’m sure I do not have to remind you to be careful on decent into the sub, and please wait at the bottom thank you. They all go down and stand in the heart of the Scorpion and that is the control room below the conning tower. They are all reassembled and the director starts to tell them.

Well Gentlemen most of you will be familiar with the controls of the Sub, so I will not start to explain the functions with you already being in the know with the controls. But if you would like to follow me to the bow I’ve something to show you about this Sub. He starts to walk off and to the Bow, (That’s the front to those who do not know what bow is.) and they come to the missile room part of the sub and start to go through. They pass a very large cabinet and the Director stops and tells them.

With this being a nuclear submarines every sub as an armoury for the protection of the sub against enemies who try to get their hands onto it. Please follow.

They come to the bow and the director opens the hatch, and they go in and they are totally set back at what they see. For there is this massive glass dome spreading from top to bottom of the sub, with four seats within the dome to sit and observe what is outside. There are controls for turning and moving outside lights. And most of all controls for the movement of the tracks along the seabed with the tracks deployed

This Gentleman is where those who are going to guide and observe the seabed will be, and at the moment the view is not spectacular, but I can reassure you that it will be out of this world by the time you get down there. The professor goes and sits in one of the seats and is eyes light up at the feeling he is getting, knowing that he will be one of those who is going to be sitting there. He is so excited that he turns and shouts out to Fletch.

Fletch come sit and feel what It’s going to be like down there. Fletch sits with the professor and tells him.

Well Gibbo I will know where to come and find you once we are under way. They are all looking out of the glass and then the Director asks them.

Is there any questions you would like to ask me. Then one rating asks.

Please Sir with the pressure on the hull at being seven mile down, what about the glass at that depth.

I can reassure you that the thickness and the test that it had gone through this four feet thick glass could withstand a nuclear explosion and it would not break under pressure.

They spend two hours going around the Black Scorpion and then the Director tells them.

Please could we all make our way back to the coach, and we will go back to the conference room for your job rolls and, then you can introduce yourselves to other members that are going. They all return and when they are back they all sit and in front are the Director and Sir John Ward. Sir John Ward stands with a list of names and he began to talk.

"Gentlemen the mission on board Black Scorpion will launch over a week to day, Friday at 11 hundred hours. Please listen carefully to your name and roll within the Scorpion, for over the next week you will have final instruction, and anything you need to know will be ironed out before the launch.

First the Commander of the Black Scorpion will be Commander Ray Bates.

Then second in line will be First Officer Eric Gates. I must stress that the next will be Professor Don Gibson, why do I say stress. He is a non-commissioned Officer but what he tells you goes, for he over rules any other on any life or threats from other forces. Also we have on board one Captain Chris Fletcher V.C. Under any situation his word of Command will be final, and must be obeyed at all times. If any serious events accrue there will be one Donald Carter ex-S.A.S First Officer. And finally any issue with nuclear problems you will have one Scott Williams nuclear specialist. And lastly the ratings who will run the Black Scorpion on the running of the Sub. Any questions Gentlemen." Then Chris Fletcher asks.

Going back to the refit, does the Scorpion have any other means of experimenting on the seabed. We all know that she is equipped with nukes, but what about the advancement of the science side of it.

Good question, your answer is yes it does have means, for in the front where observes sit looking out. There is also a section under the tracks at the front that can deploy drills and scoops for taking samples. I’m sure the Professor will be shown how to use them next week before she sets sail for the Mariana trench. Any more questions Gentlemen. There is quiet as he looks round, them he announces.

Well that includes this meeting and please all report for final training on Monday, before sailing next Saturday. I will leave you now and let you associate others before you head of back. Good day Gentlemen. He salutes them and leaves with the other officer, and the rest start to shake hands and introduce them self’s even the ratings. The time is approaching 5pm and Fletch and Gibbo are in the car park, when the Professor asks Chris.

You heading back home tonight, or are you stopping over.

Stopping over and yourself Professor.

"Off