Securely fastened to a full-length flatbed trailer, the Marlin had been loaded nose first. This left its circular, tilting white shroud and single propeller directly facing them.
While the crew joined the MAC team as they prepared to extract the mini-sub completely, Lansford stepped aside to get a better view of the whole picture. It was as the tractor cab began backing its way up the C-5A’s extended-lip cargo ramp to attach itself to the flatbed trailer that Lansford noticed that another individual had just left the plane’s forward hatch. Dressed in khaki pants and a denim work shirt and wearing a Dodger baseball cap, this tall, tanned figure seemed vaguely familiar. As this newcomer started walking down the stairs Lansford placed his face, yet still failed to remember his name. They had worked together several years before, when an Air Force F-15 Eagle had crashed off the coast of Southern California. As a scientist with Nose, he had aided Lansford considerably, for he had been able to give a detailed description of just what the sea floor looked like in their search zone. Assuming that he was still with Nose and was there once again to help him, Lansford walked over to greet the man.
“I believe we’ve worked together once before. I’m Lieutenant Colonel Todd Lansford, your host here at Vandenberg.”
After scanning the officer’s face, the newcomer smiled in recognition.
“Of course. We pulled that Eagle out of the waters off Carlsbad. I’m Dr. Richard Fuller.”
The two traded handshakes and Lansford continued, “I didn’t realize that you were coming along with the Marlin. Your presence here is most appreciated.”
“Why, thank you. To tell you the truth, I’m as surprised to be here as you are.”
“Is this your first visit to Vandenberg?” asked the lieutenant colonel.
Fuller nodded.
“That it is. I’ve certainly read a lot about this place, though. I understand you’ve got quite a facility here.”
“We sure do,” responded Lansford.
“As soon as you get settled in, I’d be happy to show you around the place. In fact, I just have to make a quick stop at my office before dinner. I’d love for you to join me. I’ve got some excellent charts of the area’s waters there that I’m sure you’d be interested in taking a look at.”
“Sounds good to me,” replied Fuller, whose attention was drawn to the C-5A’s nose. There the diesel truck cab had just linked with the flatbed trailer on which the Marlin was strapped. As the DSRV began inching its way out of the cargo hold, the two men were joined by the vessel’s grayhaired Officer-in Charge
“Is everything all right with you. Commander Pierce?” queried Lansford.
With his eyes still glued to the trailer. Pierce answered, “It looks good so tar. Exactly what’s on the agenda after we get Marlin out of there?”
Lansford found himself having to raise his voice to be heard over the straining grind of the diesel truck’s engine.
“The Marlin’s to be pulled to Vandenberg’s Point Arguello dock site That’s approximately twelve miles south of here. The submarine U.S.S. Razorback is currently awaiting your arrival there. The Marlin is then to be loaded onto the sub, with your first cruise scheduled to begin tomorrow morning.”
“What are the facilities like at this dock site probed Pierce.
“I think you’ll find them most satisfactory,” returned Lansford.
“It was formerly a 1930’s-era Coast Guard lifeboat station, now specially modified to receive the space shuttle’s two 154-foot-long 69,000-pound external tanks. Not only will you find a variety of transfer equipment there, but also a well-lit, spacious work area. And by the way, the route your trailer will be following out of the airport is the same one the shuttle follows. The roadway south of here has been designed to carry its seventy-six wheel transporter.
Rocky hillsides have been excavated, and you’ll find all turns have a minimum radius of 162 feet.”
A contained chorus of cheers broke from behind them as the Marlin was pulled completely out of the C-5A’s cargo hold. Conscious of what this meant, Lansford added, “Looks like you’re in business, Commander.
Would you like to join Dr. Fuller and myself for some dinner now?”
Pierce patted his abdomen.
“Though my stomach says yes, I’m afraid I’m going to have to decline the offer, sir. It’s best that I stay with the Marlin while she’s being moved down to the water.”
“I understand, Commander. I’ll be down at the dock site myself right after chow. If it’s all right with you, I’d like to quickly brief you at that time as to what we’re looking for out in the Pacific. And please, if you encounter the least bit of difficulty, don’t hesitate to call my office. Making your stay here as smooth as possible is what I’m here for.”
Tipping his hat in response to this. Will Pierce turned to rejoin his men. While the crew of the Marlin loaded into an awaiting Air Force van to begin the slow trip to Point Arguello, Lieutenant Colonel Lansford escorted his new guest into the confines of his station wagon. Before taking off themselves, they took a last look at the Marlin as it began its journey off the taxi-way. Looking like a huge, beached whale, the black DSRV sat squarely on its transport. Following attentively behind was the van holding its weary crew. Confident that they would encounter few difficulties in their journey, Lansford initiated the short drive to his office.
As they sped down Airfield Road, Lansford addressed his guest.
“Well, Commander Pierce certainly seems like a grizzled old veteran. What do you make of the rest of the crew. Doctor?”
With his gaze focused on the passing landscape, Fuller answered, “They’re young, but extremely competent.
You should have seen them in action off the coast of Kauai. Without a second’s hesitation, they took the Marlin into depths plagued by tricky currents and vicious riptides. Because of this effort, over one hundred brave submariners survived an incident that could have had a very tragic outcome.”
“Sounds like just the sort of crew that we need around here,” commented Lansford.
“By the way, are you still with Nose?”
“That I am,” replied Fuller.
“Since we’ve worked together last, I’ve been involved with the Naval Weapons lab. My present work concerns the sub-launched Tomahawk cruise-missile program. How about yourself, Colonel? How long have you been here at Vandenberg?”
Lansford was quick to answer.
“Actually, I left the Tactical Air Command shortly after the F-15 incident.
At that time I was transferred from George Air Force Base to the Space Command Center in Los Angeles. After a full year of training, I was assigned to the Space and Missile Test Organization here at Vandenberg.”
As they began passing through the main administrative area, Richard Fuller viewed a series of simple, multi-storied brick structures. One of these buildings had a full-scale model of a Minuteman missile perched at its entrance. While studying this object’s sleek lines. Fuller spoke out directly.
“You know, Colonel, I’m aware of the fact that something awfully damn important must have been loaded aboard the Titan to warrant calling the Marlin out of Kauai. It’s not every day that the Navy leaves one of its 688-clas8 submarines laying on the sea floor completely disabled. Tell me, does its payload have something to do with the Strategic Defense Initiative?”
Lansford grunted a response.
“No, it doesn’t. Doctor.”
Not put off by the officer’s recalcitrance, Fuller tried again.