Sea Com: The Origin

"This high-tech sonar is incredible. Anyway, keep me posted." "Yes sir." With that, the image faded, and Sharp turned his attention back to the screen before him. The probe lights were functioning and Sharp now watched intently as they illuminated the ocean

Mario R. Sarmento

Sea Com

depths. In a few minutes the probes had arrived at the site of the readings. Sharp leaned forward to get a better look at what the probe cameras were relaying, and after a few minutes he began to realize what he and his crew had discovered. "Captain, that’s the strangest craft I’ve ever seen," the ensign said. "What is it?" "Hovercraft," Sharp slowly replied, surprised that he still remembered his seacraft history. He examined the vehicle more closely as parts of his sea history training came back to him. "They were developed in the nineteenth century and modified in the twentieth, but they were never well-utilized because of all the problems the government encountered while using them. How many are there?" "The probe has located five, sir. It looks like they were abandoned a long time ago," the ensign said.

"Yes it does," Sharp said, watching as the probe closed in on one of the discolored craft. "Get the scavengers out there with the winch and tow. Let’s see if we can pull them out of there and drag them back with us. Notify Admiral Griggs. If you need me I’ll be in my chamber." Sharp then left his seat and strolled to the lift.

At the second level Sharp exited the lift and walked down the antiseptic white corridor, which ended at his room. "Sharp in," he stated, and the door slid open. He then walked to his bunk and pulled out his desktop. "Computer," Sharp began, "bring up all files and diagrams on display pertaining to hovercraft." After seconds of processing Sharp got what he wanted. He pored over the information and there was no doubt in his mind that he and his crew had indeed stumbled across a fleet of hovercraft. The design specs were impressive but due to a lack of technology the hovercraft never became an essential part of the navy. Production on hovercraft had ended in the early 21st century

Mario R. Sarmento

Sea Com

due to problems with the turbines and the skirt, with the skirt being the same part that gave the hovercraft its hovering capabilities. The craft were all but forgotten by the time the Interplanetary Wars began. But Sharp was now convinced that with the technological advancements of civilization in the century since the hovercraft had been discontinued the craft could be modified and could become a great asset to the Federation. Sharp was satisfied by what he had found in the files, and now he believed more strongly than ever that the Maribel had to complete its task of recovering the hovercraft. After half-an-hour of reviewing the files, Sharp’s holo-phone crackled to life, with the young ensign’s visage appearing before him. "Sir, we managed to load three of them into our cargo bay, but the other two will have to be towed with power cables. Would you like to come down and have a look?" Sharp’s response was a quick yes, and he shut down the desktop and headed for the lift.

The metallic door slid open and Sharp made his way towards the cluster of technicians who were huddling beside one of the craft. As he approached, one of the men in a white jacket rose to greet him.