OFF SANTA BARBARA ISLAND
19 AUGUST, 2007

The recovery had been planned for a while. The attempted smallpox attack had forced a delay, but for Ken Williams, it was well worth the wait. Especially when he considered how long it had been. A little extra time would not do too much. The fact that he'd used this salvage vessel before eased the concerns of the Coast Guard and Homeland Security.

Williams was young (in his late 20s) for someone doing what he was, specifically, he was semi-retired and engaged in a very expensive hobby - actually a passion. He restored aircraft, and his favorites were ones he "adopted" and put back into flying condition after he had retrieved them from the sea floor. This one was going to be the granddaddy of them all, primarily because it would be a challenge to get done.

RONALD REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT
23 AUGUST, 2007

Summer Pitt returned to what was home with mixed emotions. On the one hand, it would be good to be back home and to spend some down time with her dad, brother, and stepmother. On the other hand, the break-up with Ted was weighing on her mind. A lot.

Well, you knew when you took that project in the Pacific that this was a possibility, she told herself. She took one look to her left, looking for Dirk...

"Sorry."

She stopped, seeing someone standing about her height... well, maybe an inch shorter.

"My fault," she said, "I was looking for someone."

"But I was busy reading this article in the nespaper. Or, more accurately, trying to believe it," the guy said.

Summer looked. NAVY EXERCISE HALTED OVER BEACHING.

"Yeah. I've heard about that. Don't you think marine conservation is important?" she asked.

"It's important, but so is keeping the Navy ready to fight. History has shown that military forces fight as they train. If the Navy can't get realistic training for its sonar operators, it's going to cost lives. Lots of them," the guy pointed out - not raising his voice, but trying to bring up a point.

"Is it really needed?" Summer responded. Dad might have a few words to say to this guy about his concern for marine life, she thought. But still, there was something about him... he hadn't been condescending.

"Well... we have the pros saying it is. Folks who have spent their entire adult lives hunting subs say we need systems like SURTASS LFA. How much time have the folks at NRDC or EDF served? How much do they know about anti-submarine warfare?" the guy responded as they continued walking towards the baggage claim area, not raising his voice, instead talking about it in a reasonable manner. "Why don't we talk this over more over dinner this coming Monday?"

That was a surprise, Summer thought. Okay, Dad would probably have a fit over his discussion on this, but he hasn't been condescending, either. He's worth a shot... whoever he is. "Sounds like a reasonable offer, if I can get your name."

"Ken Williams."

"Well, Ken, we have a date," Summer said, smiling. After an exchange of cell phone numbers, they went to their seperate baggage claims. Summer had to admit this guy was intruiging. Ken was far more intellectually stimulating than her previous boyfriend. Dinner would be interesting, to say the least.

Very intriguing indeed. I will wait patiently for more. w:

Is the main character going to be Summer??

Yeah, but Dirk Jr., Dirk Sr., Loren, and Al will have at least appearances.

That's pretty cool HaroldHutchison

BTW welcome aboard w:

Yes, welcome!! w: w:

Nice to have some fresh blood here! I...uh...mean new members! Welcome, and great start!

Welcome to the forum! Keep it up with the story! p:

Tweaked the prologue around some.