In Too Deep 7

British English language and spelling. In some stories the processes or facts may be incorrect, it's only a story and in my world that's how it happened. A warning to those who steal stories to use on YouTube channels, I am watching and will hit you with a copyright claim.

In Too Deep

Lieutenant Matt Fellows strode towards his car, his day had finished early for a change. Matt had spent the last five years of naval service attached to a unit specialising in deep water research. Matt was a qualified diver as well as an instructor, recently he had been testing a new deep sea sub. Today a part failed, giving Matt a perfect excuse to leave early.

Matt had a short drive to the house he shared with his wife Jane and son Lewis. Apart from spending more time with Lewis, Matt wanted to talk to Jane. He was concerned about their marriage. Matt could remember the times when his being away bothered Jane, she hated to be left alone. Recently Jane didn't seem worried if Matt was at home or not. As he drove home he thought of the recent changes in his wife, the drop in their sex life as well as her general attitude towards him. Matt had started to suspect Jane of having an affair, in reality he hoped he was wrong and this was just a phase she was going through.

Matt walked from his car towards the house, he could hear Lewis running around in the back garden. Matt decided to walk around and surprise his son, as he passed an open window, he could hear Jane on the phone.

"You know I miss you. I will try and find out when Matt is away next, I miss your body next to mine."

Matt stood and listened to Jane talking, she had just confirmed his suspicions. Matt listened some more.

"No, Matt has no idea that Lewis is not his son. I don't think he even suspects that I have been seeing you for all this time."

Angry, Matt turned and walked back to his car. After what he had just heard, facing Jane was not an option, especially with Lewis around. Matt drove to the local pub, conveniently situated between home and the naval base. Sitting with a drink Matt wondered who Jane was talking to, initially he suspected his long time friend Steve Lake. Steve and Matt joined up and progressed through the service together, Steve held the rank of Lieutenant.

Steve appeared to have been avoiding Matt recently, Matt wondered if the affair was the reason. As Matt was about to order another drink, his mobile phone rang.

"Fellows." Matt answered.

"Lieutenant Fellows, I have a message for you from Admiral Ramsey. He wants you in his office at O seven hundred hours."

"Very well, tell the Admiral I will be there." Matt ended the call. Not wanting to rush home Matt ordered another drink and some food. As he sat eating Matt thought more about Jane. Why had she started an affair? Who was she seeing?

How long was easy to answer, if Lewis wasn't Matt's son, she had been seeing someone for almost six years. Matt finished his meal and decided to head home, he had a plan to avoid a confrontation with Jane. He wanted a lot more information before he said anything to his wife.

"You're late." Jane commented as Matt entered the house. "Dinner is almost ruined."

"Don't bother with dinner for me. I have to return to base, I will be there for a few days." Matt replied as he walked upstairs.

"What's wrong?" Jane asked, as she watched her husband pack a bag. Matt caught sight of the worried look on Jane's face. Matt knew that Jane could easily attract another man, he always hoped she would stay faithful. Her slim body and flowing brunette hair made her stand out in the crowd.

"Nothing. Just a bit of a flap and I will be needed on base for a few days." Matt grabbed the bag and walked past Jane, he didn't stop to kiss her or say goodbye. He did say goodbye to Lewis before he left. Jane watched as Matt drove away, she got straight on the phone.

"It's me. I think Matt knows about us, if not he definitely suspects something."

"He doesn't know anything, stop worrying." The voice replied.

"You didn't see him when he left here, I'm telling you he knows something."

"If he does know something, what can he do? Nothing, that's what. If he starts trouble, I'll make his life a misery. I might even ruin his career if he gets funny."

"Please, don't think Matt is a pushover, because he isn't." Jane listened as the other person told her to calm down, he would deal with Matt.

Matt spent the night in a bunk room on base, the room was kept in case officers had to occasionally spend the night. As expected, he didn't sleep well at all, what pissed him off was the thought that Lewis wasn't his son.

The following morning Matt headed for Admiral Ramsey's office. Plush carpet lined the corridor, the Admiral's office was at the far end.

"Come." A voice bellowed in response to Matt's knock on the door.

Matt entered and saluted the Admiral. Ramsey gestured for Matt to sit down. There were two other people in the office, a young woman and an elderly gentleman. Admiral Ramsey introduced Matt to the couple.

"Lieutenant Fellows, this is Professor Edward Hartley and Doctor Faith Hartley."

"Father and daughter." The woman replied, with a smile. Matt smiled, he had hoped they were not married given the obvious age gap. Matt shook hands with them both and sat down. He recognised the couple from the start of the DSV project, at the time he didn't take much notice of them. He listened to what he needed to hear and that was it, at the time he thought the young woman was an assistant or secretary to the old man.

"Matt, what we are about to discuss is not to be repeated outside of this room." Matt nodded. The admiral addressing him by his christian name wasn't unusual, Ramsey had known Matt for years. Both men had a mutual respect for each other.

"What do you know about HMS Cambridge?" Ramsey asked Matt.

"Not much sir. It's a new guided missile frigate, currently on manoeuvres in the Pacific."

"Partly correct." Ramsey replied. "The Cambridge sank two days ago, all crew are accounted for except for one engineer. From what we have learned it appears there was an explosion and the vessel took on water, at this moment in time sabotage is not suspected." Matt listened as Ramsey continued.

"The Cambridge was equipped with a new experimental missile guidance system, for this reason we cannot allow the ship to be discovered by a foreign government. The Cambridge is currently resting nine thousand metres on a ledge in the Mariana Trench. We believe that the depth of the trench could be as much as thirteen thousand metres, obviously we cannot be sure of this. If the Cambridge went that far down it could be twenty years or more before any gets near it, by that time the system will be outdated and not worth bothering with."

"I take it we are not planning to recover the ship, or the guidance system, especially at that depth?" Matt enquired.

"No." Ramsey declared. "We cannot get divers down that deep to attempt a recovery operation of any sort. That said, we cannot take the chance that someone else might try to recover the guidance system in the future. That system is years ahead of anything else, even the Americans have nothing as accurate. What we are proposing is that you take the DSV (Deep Search Vessel) that you are currently testing, place some explosives and shift the Cambridge off the ledge."

"With all due respect sir, the DSV has only just finished the testing phase. It has been down at a reasonable depth, but nothing like you are suggesting. I know the DSV is supposed to go down deeper than any other vessel we know of, but it's a hell of a risk for whoever crews it, sir."

Ramsey smiled. "That's why I suggested you for the mission Matt, you know the DSV better than anyone." Matt could sense there was no getting away from what was being asked of him.

"You know it's going to require another person sir, I can't control the DSV and lay explosives. There is only one other person who has anywhere near the same knowledge of the DSV as myself, that's Chief Lake." Given that Matt suspected Steve Lake of being his wife's lover, he certainly didn't want to spend any amount of time with him. "Sir, can I talk to you alone?"

Ramsey nodded and asked the two civilian guests to step outside for a minute. When the door closed Ramsey asked Matt for an explanation.

"Yesterday evening I discovered that my wife has been having an affair for several years, there is a chance my son might not be mine. I suspect the other person might be Chief Lake, for that reason I do not want to be close to him right now."

Ramsey nodded. "Matt, I can assure you that Chief Lake is not the person having an affair with your wife, right now I cannot say anymore. Trust me, when this mission is over everything will become clearer." Ramsey stood and opened his office door, inviting the two civilians back into the room.

"Doctor Hartley will accompany you on this mission."

"With respect sir, I do not have the time to train Doctor Hartley on the DSV. I need someone who knows what they are doing."

Ramsey laughed and looked at the woman. "Doctor Hartley designed the DSV, Matt. She knows more about it than you do." Matt looked over at the woman, her expression gave nothing away. She looked like a typical scientist. Her hair was up in a bun, she wore glasses and her clothing was far from flattering.

Matt apologised. "Sorry Doctor. I didn't realise you knew so much."

"Not a problem Lieutenant. I can assure you I will not be excess baggage on this mission. Now shall we discuss the specifics?" The old gent smiled at his daughter's remark.

The four of them discussed and agreed on how the mission would proceed. The DSV would need a small modification, this was currently being carried out. The plan was for the DSV to be loaded on board a Hercules transport plane and be flown to Singapore, from there it will be loaded aboard HMS Lancaster and transported to the site of the wreck. Matt returned to his bunk room to collect his overnight bag, he was slightly pissed off that Admiral Ramsey appeared to know who was fucking his wife. He wondered how many more people knew, and if they were laughing at him behind his back.

Matt changed into the uniform coveralls he wore during testing of the DSV. Admiral Ramsey met Matt by the DSV. "Chinook to the airfield, then your flight to Singapore. Here comes the good doctor."

Matt turned to see Doctor Ramsey dressed in a matching mission jumpsuit, he noticed it fitted her better than her own clothes. Matt smiled at the doctor.

"Dressed for the part I see doc."

"Please call me doctor, or Faith. I hate being called doc!" Matt nodded and smiled.

The Chinook was noisy, conversation was impossible during the short flight. Matt offered to get himself and Faith a coffee. "Tea for me please, coffee upsets my stomach." Faith replied as she watched the DSV loaded and secured inside the Hercules.

As the Hercules made its way on its flight to the far east, Matt sat and contemplated what he knew so far. Doctor Hartley busied herself checking over the DSV. Matt thought about Jane and her admission of an affair. He already had a rough idea of how long it had been going on, what he didn't know was why and who was she fucking. Matt reckoned that the reason why wasn't really important, he thought he had always been a good husband. Never spending too much time away, despite being in the Navy. For Matt, who Jane was sleeping with was more important. Whoever it was, would be in a world of pain when he got through with them. Matt was so engrossed in his thoughts he hadn't heard the doctor calling his name in the headset. When she tapped his shoulder it startled Matt.

"Sorry Lieutenant, could you give me some assistance?"

"Sure. Sorry about that Doctor, I was miles away." Matt stood up and stretched before walking to the DSV.

"Lieutenant, Matt, may I call you Matt?" Doctor Hartley asked, Matt nodded his approval.

"If you are worried about the mission, please don't be concerned. The DSV is more than capable of going to the depth needed for this mission, my research has shown that we could possibly get to fourteen thousand metres before we encounter any problems." She reassured Matt.

Matt nodded and smiled. Right now, if he was to fail and die then he would more than likely get some sort of hero status, he wondered if that would fuck up Jane's plans. He even thought that dying on the mission might be a better option than dealing with the shitstorm his life was about to become.

"It's not the mission Doc, sorry Doctor." Matt corrected himself quickly, the last thing he needed was another female pissed off at him.

"Please call me Faith." The doctor replied, smiling.

"Okay Faith it is. Now what do you need me to do?" Matt asked.

"Get inside the DSV and turn the power on please. I need to check some things from out here."

Matt did as he was asked, he watched quietly as Faith leaned across and connected a laptop to the craft. As he watched her Matt smiled, from the way her jumpsuit fitted she appeared to have a good figure. Matt wondered if she was one of these geeky women who was married to her job, after all she wasn't wearing a wedding ring, in fact she didn't seem to be wearing any jewellery.

"Okay Matt, you can turn the power off now." Faith disconnected the laptop and waited for Matt to get out of the DSV.

"Everything okay?" Matt asked.

"Yes, everything is fine. I just modified the power settings so we have more power if we need it." Faith replied. "Do you want to talk about what is bothering you? We have a good few hours before we get to Singapore."

Matt thought briefly before deciding. He reasoned that if Ramsey knew about Jane, it was hardly a secret. "Not much to say really. I found out yesterday that my wife is, and has been having an affair for several years. It kind of knocked the wind out of me to be honest."

Faith looked at Matt with some concern. "If it will help to talk about it, feel free. Whatever you tell me will stay between us."

Matt sighed and sat down. He told Faith all about hearing Jane on the phone and his suspicions of who the other person might be.

"Is that why you asked to talk to the Admiral alone?" Faith asked.

Matt Nodded. "I said I didn't want to spend time around the person I suspected of being Jane's lover, that was when Ramsey assured me it wasn't who I thought it was. He promised to explain everything when I get back from this mission."

"Through my father I have known the Admiral for a long time Matt, if he says he will tell you, then he will."

"So what's your connection to Ramsey and the Navy? If you don't mind me asking?"

"My father was in the navy years ago. He served for six years then left to raise me and continue with his research. Admiral Ramsey is also my godfather."

"Probably a silly question, but why didn't your mother raise you?"

"My mother and your wife have something in common, Matt. She left my father for another man when I was two years old. I haven't seen her since the day she walked out of our house. With the help of my grandparents and my aunt, my father brought me up. From a very young age I developed an interest in the ocean, more specifically what lies beneath it. I did the usual school, college and university, then I started to work alongside my father."

For the next hour or so Matt and Faith shared their life stories. Matt was able to work out that apart from one serious boyfriend, Faith had remained single for most of her life. Matt at thirty-six was two years older than Faith, she in turn was three years older than Jane.

Eventually the conversation stopped as they both dozed off. Matt was woken by the load master letting him know they were thirty minutes from landing, Faith stirred and Matt relayed the news to her.

"Thank god for that. These seats are uncomfortable to say the least."

Matt laughed. "I have a feeling this mission is going to be a lot more uncomfortable before it's over."

Jane had received a call from her lover, it was to let her know that Matt would be away for several days.

"Will I get to see you?" She asked. The caller assured Jane he would arrive later that day when she had Lewis settled in bed. Jane was looking forward to spending the night with her lover, apart from the sex she wanted to discuss when they would drop the bombshell on Matt. Jane wanted out of the marriage, she wanted custody of Lewis and support for both of them.

Jane sat and thought of how she hoped her life would be in the future. Hopefully married to her lover, Lewis's father. He had often mentioned leaving the service when the time was right, recently he hinted that time was close, very close.

Matt watched from the loading door as the DSV was unloaded and readied to be lifted by a Chinook helicopter, Faith was fussing like a mother watching her child. Faith's concern didn't ease until the DSV was lowered onto the deck of HMS Lancaster. An officer walked over to greet them.

"Lieutenant Fellows." The man extended his hand. "Captain Newson, welcome aboard."

"Thank you Captain." Matt saluted the senior officer. "This is Doctor Hartley, she will be accompanying me on this mission."

"Ahh. I have quarters ready for you both. Forgive me but I assumed the doctor would be a male, I will move a crew member to accommodate the doctor."

"Please don't go to any trouble on my behalf, Captain." Faith explained. "I am sure Lieutenant Fellows and I can manage in one cabin for a few days." Matt shrugged his shoulders as the Captain looked confused.

"My orders from Admiral Ramsey are to assist you in any way I can, Chief Connor will be your liaison. Is there anything you or the doctor need from me?"

"Just our quarters for now Captain. Oh, and a speedy passage to where the Cambridge sank would be helpful." Faith replied as she and Matt waited to be shown to their quarters.

"Better than I expected." Faith mumbled as Matt closed the cabin door. "I'll take this bed, if that's okay with you Matt?" Matt nodded, he wasn't bothered about which bed he slept on.

Matt tossed his bag onto the bed before sitting down. Faith rummaged through her bag.

"I am going to take a shower." Faith started to unzip her jumpsuit.

"I'll take a walk on deck." Matt replied as he stood up. He wanted to get out before he embarrassed himself.

Faith laughed. "I am not the first woman you have seen naked, Matt. Don't feel you have to leave on my account." By now Faith was standing in just a plain white bra and panties, her slim but well proportioned figure was not lost on Matt.

Faith had a nice firm arse and a pert set of tits, when she finally let her hair down Matt realised how attractive she was. Faith was oblivious to the looks of admiration from Matt, she picked up her towel and went to the private bathroom.

"Jesus Christ!" Matt muttered quietly. He wasn't sure if Faith was teasing him or whether she really had no idea of the effect she was having on him.

With the pitiful sex life he had with Jane recently his cock stirred as he quietly admired Faith's body. When Faith returned wrapped in a towel, Matt said he was going to take a shower.

"Please don't be too long Matt. I'm hungry, but I will not go to the galley on my own." Matt nodded and turned towards the bathroom.

It had been sometime since Matt had taken care of his own needs, he didn't want to do it with Faith in the next room. After a quick shower Matt dressed and entered the cabin. Faith sat on her bed wearing the jumpsuit waiting for him. She smiled as he entered the room.

"Let's go and eat." Matt suggested. He hadn't told Faith that females served on the Lancaster, she was surprised when they entered the galley to see women sitting among the men.

Naturally the strange officer and his female companion drew looks from the other crew members, Matt suggested the sit and see if any questions were thrown their way. Nobody spoke to them, although Faith drew some admiring glances.