The Bermuda Triangle Expedition

[BlueEyedLady]

Lydia Walker

Lydia's smile flashed again. "An interesting name, Dave," She said and then turned to the professor.

"I assume the group is all assembled. Now, about the details?"

Her face was animated and interested. She had been waiting a long time for this and was as ready as everyone else to get things on the road.

 

[Destiny]

Janie

A nod is sent to all the members of the expedition as Janie moves to take a seat. her hands sliding along her chest to lift the camera from around her neck. Placing the camera on the table she waits as the rest of the group begins to settle down into their seats. The camera dings a few times and a light flashes along the view finder as she looks over the pictures she took.

Seemingly satisfied with the pictures the camera is clicked off and the cap replaced, Janie begins to give the group her undivided attention. A smile is tossed toward Jim as he settles into a seat beside her and then she slides a hand up to slip a strand of hair back and along her temple.

 

[PVodogaz]

Proffessor Joel Thorne

The last person in the expedition walked to the table sitting Proffessor Joel Thorne and the other three members. Again he stood for the last time to greet this last expedition member who was a male.

"Ahh, this wouldn't happen to be Joel Thorne and his group for the Bermuda Expeditionary, would it?"

"Yes, it sure is. And I'm Proffessor Joel Thorne, but call me Joel."

Well, I just want to apologize to you all, especially..Especially you, Professor Thorne, " The Last member was David Hayter.

Joel smiled at him and they shook hands briefly but firmly. "No worries glad you made it that's all. Have a seat."

Joel watched as David introduced himself to the others and they all said their hello's to the newcomer. When he was seated, Lydia turned to Joel and asked about the expeditionary details.

And Proffessor Joel Thorne begins;

"Greetings and welcome to you all, glad to see everyone made it out here safe and sound. This is Day 1 of the Expedition into the well renowned Bermuda Triangle. Shortly we will step outside into the Marina and we will board the Bermuda Coastal that will be our already refitted expeditionary sea-vessel. I will introduce you to the Captain and the crew who will show you all around the ship and show you the spacious living quarters."

"Look guys, we will be spending around 3 months out on the seas and in that time anything can happen and I'm talking in relation to relations between yourselves. If there developes any affairs or relationships thats fine. But I want to make one thing clear, this is a research mission into unchartered waters and possibly unknown circumstances. I know how things....of the heart work."

"Now I want to assign research fields for you all. One by one can you tell me what your fields of interest/skills are and what equipment will be brought onboard. After this we will go to the waiting ship and the depart at 11.00AM."

Joel waited smiling sofly at each person in the expedition. Unconciously as he waited he brushed a tuft of hair from his forehead.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Lydia

Lydia gave a small chuckle at Joel mention of relationships between them.

"Don't worry," She said with a twinkle in her eyes. "I think we all know that the expidition is of utmost importance no matter what develops between anyone on the trip."

Then she continued. "As for expertise. I have none, really, except that I have gone on several excursions of different types and have experience in meeting unexpected challenges. I'm not a scientist and have no formal training."

She raised her eyebrows. "Except, of course what has been paid for from privat funds." She was not going to mention her father's money. As far as she was concerned, she was on this expedition on her own merits and not because her father was a wealthy man.

"I will be doing grunt work, mostly," She said, laying the foundation for them to see that she intended to work and did not intend to be pampered. "I have brought video and camera equiptment to record this expidition. I have a laptop computer for notes and, if we run into an area that does not let electrical equiptment function, I have plenty of pencils, pens and papers. Other than that, I will be doing whatever our host needs me to do."

Lydia shrugged. "If we get into trouble, I am proficient in fire arms as well as personal combat. I can use a knife as well as other weapons though I have brought only my own personal firearm...just in case."

Looking up at Joel, she asked,"I hope that was what you were looking for."

 

[PVodogaz]

Proffessor Joel Thorne

Proffessor Thorne did not have to wait long for a responce to his enquiry to the group as Lydia answered first. As she spoke his eyes caught site of hers and Joel saw the twinkle that shon breifly in her eyes when she mentioned his comments on inter-personal relationships in this expedition.

The Proffessor would have been lying if he said that the two women in the group were not appealing and beautiful. Joel knew the answer and that was they both were attractive - but he had to lead by example, this expedition was not a holiday cruise but a research expedition. He was not looking for love on this expedition but at the same time, if something eventuated, he would not look the other way. Because in the end Joel Thorne was a human being and needed the emotional and physical touches that came with a type of relationship.

Joel listened to Lydia and as she stated her comments he had the perfect expeditionary project for her. She was no scientist as she said, but he would put her other equally as important skills to use.

He nodded and smiled at Lydia. "Yes that's what I'm looking for. I have a dual role for you Lydia, if you don't mind that is, you can be the daily record, event keeper lets say like a reporter or a scribe. You can be in charge of recording what you see and hear as well as any test results. What do you think?"

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Lydia

Lydia's smile widened. "Sounds like it's just up my alley. I have a penchant for detailed notes. My father drilled that into me when I was little."

She laughed then. "No one wanted to borrow my notes when I was in school. They complained that there was just way too much to wade through and that they could read the textbook with less trouble and time."

 

[PVodogaz]

Proffessor Joel Thorne

Proffessor Thorne nodded when Lydia finished her answer.

"Perfect, I'm glad your rapt."

He looked at everyone else around the small canteen table;

"Anyone else?"

He dotted down next to Lydia's name what she was gonna do on the expedition and looked up awaiting a responce.

 

[delphicRENDERER]

David Hayter

David glanced between the others of the group, and then noticing nobody had responded to Joel, he opened his mouth - his hand sort of raising to speak.

"Well, as I've said in my email.." he started, his leg beginning to rock up and down in anxiousness, "I'd consider myself great with navigation - maps, compasses.. natural instincts." He had a sort of smirk on his face as he continued, "You see.. I drive out to the deserts of Arizona by myself probably every other week; no map, no real plans - and I always seem to find my way back."

Dave leaned forward in the chair which he had seated with the backing to his front, a quiet sigh leaving his breath while looking between the two women. "Of course, it could be attributed to the fact that I know the location, but I don't find strange locations to be much of a challenge."

He sort of stretched his legs and arms out, it was a long drive from Arizona to Florida. "I may be able to provide the group with food, should we run out or get stranded."

 

[Destiny]

Janine

She continued to listen intently to all of the conversations as they each in turn began to speak and leaned forward into the conversation more.

Her arms came to rest on the tabletop and she held one hand in the other and gave each person her rapt attention as they spoke.

When Dave seemed to be finish speaking her eyes flickered toward Joel as she smiled slightly and started to speak.

"I have an undergraduate degree in medicine. I also have been studying for the last two year at UCLA the currents that effect our weather with each passing day. How the loss of ozone is heating up the oceans each year and we are loosing the icecaps which in turn are causing the oceans to rise. I have a minor in photography and I also brought along my laptop and my recording equipment to include 4 digital cameras, and paraphernalia to match in one case."

Janine indicates those bags near her feet and then adds in," The other two bags hold my clothing."

Her voice through the whole conversation was light as she listed off her accomplishments and also held that lazy southern drawl as she finally said,"I have had a fascination with the Bermuda triangle for a long time Joel and I do appreciate your offer to allow me the opportunity to study it at length at least for the time of the expedition."

 

[PVodogaz]

Proffessor Joel Thorne

Proffessor Thorne did not have to wait a long time for only a few moments passed after Lydia finished talking when another of the group spoke up and it was Mr David Hayter.

They all listened to David as well as Joel did. He wrote down 'Navigator' against his name on the pad he was holding infront of him. When David finished, Joel spoke up looking at him.

"Thanks David. You're our expedition navigator. This means you and the Captain will be in consultation and you will plot the course and be in charge of where we go. Just let me know course changes or points of interest so I can keep a track of our mission direction."

"About the last part. You're our back-up incase something happens to the ship's cook. I doubt anything's going to happen but I will bear in mind your culinary skill."

Joel smiled at David and looked at Janine who was about to say something....

 

[PVodogaz]

Proffessor Joel Thorne

Next to speak was Janine and Proffessor Thorne looked at her as she spoke. He saw how she didnt look away from his stare as many had done back at the University he lectured at.

"Your welcome Janine and I'm glad to have you in our group. Really that goes for all of you. Janine, I will give you two research projects and it's up to you which one you want to focus on more. You can be our medical officer, and as well you can on this expedition continue to study climatology. I see your equipement and I want to talk to you and Lydia after we get on the ship about using the equipment to create a feed via satelite to my university."

He wrote down climatology and medical against Janine's name. Looking back up he smiled at them all. "It's exciting isn't it, the wait to go to explore the unknown."

 

[slowandeasy]

Jim

Feeling more and more comfortable with the group as they discussed the contributions that each of them would be making Jim began to relax. To be in the company of two beautiful and intelligent women, and two intelligent, asertive men, had at first been somewhat intimidating but when the four of them seemed to accept each other in a warm and personal manner he found himself looking forward to this trip even more. When it was his turn to addd his information he had no trouble expressing himself as they all seemed to be as intentive to him as they had been to each other.

He told them about his four years in the Navy that it had been six years ago but that he was familar to this area. His nautical experience would be an asset and he would be able to assist the crew in the event of turbulant conditions that he knew were inevitable in these waters. He told them of his diving experience and that he wanted to bring his scuba gear along hoping to find it of some use and also to once again experience the beauty of the undersea world. He had two units as he knew it was unsafe to dive alone and he would be glad to teach anyone who was interested how to use his gear and share with them a world below the surface that he knew they would fall in love with.

"One more thing." he added as he sought out each one of their faces. He pointed to the smaller of the two bags. "y one regret after leaving the Navy was that I didn't keep track of the people, places and events. Not that I am a keeper of records but rather a writer of fiction and have discovered much to my chagrin that real experiences are what good fiction is built upon."

"In that bag is my manuscript for a novel I am presently working on, What I hope to do on this trip along with whatever duties I am assigned is to reawaken some of those feelings about how it was the last time I was here and of course add some new ones.

He chuckled pushing back a lock of fine hair that had fallen across his face. Before I publish I will send all of you a copy, perhaps you will find a bit of yourselves in the characters I am creating and discover a connection to the tale I am weaving.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Lydia

Lydia smiled as Jim spoke. When he was done, she pipped in.

"Well, I have done some diving, myself. Taken lessons and done some pleasure diving. If you need a partner, just yell. I'm probably not as proficient as you but I can hold my own."

She perked up in interest at the mention of a book about the expidition.

"If you get that book underway, and Joel says it's okay, I'll give you a copy of my notes on the expedition. They should help. And, do send me a copy of it when it's done. If it's any good I might know someone who would be interested in publishing it."

The fact was that Lydia's father owned a couple of publishing companies and was always looking for new authors. He believed in giving the talented starter a chance. She would be able to submit it to the editor of the company and have him look over it to see if he thought it was any good. Without anyone really knowing that it had gone through her father first.

 

[PVodogaz]

Proffessor Joel Thorne

The last person in their small group to talk was Jim. Proffessor Joel felt easy and secure with this crew of people that had shown interest and joined the expedition. They all were interested and probably were just like himself, wanting to get the expedition started and set off for the unknown.

Joel listened to Jim, who told them his background and credentials. Joel was impressed and silently approved of having a ex Navy trained man on the mission for the dives. Joel had experience in underwater archaeological dives and was glad there was another in the group who had experience in the diving expect.

"Thanks Jim, I will put you in charge of all the underwater studies and the instruments on the vessel as well as control of the dives. I see Lydia as well has experience in diving and so do I."

He wrote marine project and diving control next to Jim's name on the pad. He listened to Lydia in regards to Jim's book and nodded his approval.

"Jim and Lydia exchange info, even work together. I would love a copy of the novel once finished personally."

With that he checked the time and it was just after 9.20am. He looked at the group and smiled cheerfully. "So shall we head to the ship? Or are their any last minute questions?"

 

[Destiny]

Janine

Looking from Lydia to the man next to her Janine merely listened and then remarked casually," We used to go snorkeling on vacation but no diving that might be interesting." She smiles gently toward Jim and then looks toward the Professor of the expedition and shakes her head,"I don't have any further questions, except when do we start?"

Leaning forward to reach for her bags she lifts one up to shoulder it as she waits for the answer. She then remarks to the rest of the group,"if possible I would like to get some shots of all of you as well before we begin, unless you would like Lydia to do that? It is merely for my own recording as well."

 

[PVodogaz]

Proffessor Joel Thorne

He smiled at Janine's question about a group picture. Standing he said "That's a fabulous idea Janine. Let's take a picture here before we head out for prosperity's sake."

Joel moved toward Janine and said softly. "We leave ourselves in your capable hands Janine for this picture. If you also want to do one Lydia its up to you."

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Lydia

Lydia shook her head and rose. "I think I'll just get a copy of Janine's picture."

With a questioning glance at the other woman, she asked,"Where did you want to take the picture?"

 

[delphicRENDERER]

David Hayter

David paused for a moment as the others began to rise from their seats. This is it, he thought to himself, his muscles feeling tense in anticipation now before rising from his own chair and sliding it back from where he'd gotten it. One thing that seemed to slip his mind from all the packing and driving was the vehicle he came in! "Errr... shit!" he muttered quietly to himself.

He could naturally do a couple things: Go quickly to the nearest car dealership and trade in the vehicle for a sum of money, or leave it a parking garage he had passed while on his way here. He seemed to wince in the thought of doing either, but he merely sighed before finally piping up.

"My belongings are in my Jeep, which I just realized I need to take it to a nearby parking garage while we're gone." The thought of them not returning from their expedition never really seemed to cross Dave's mind, as he always figured he'd manage to find a way home before.

"Let's take this picture, first," he said with a soft smile. "Then I'll just call a cab back to the docks with my belongings and myself."

 

[slowandeasy]

Jim

discoverign that Both Lydia and Joel had diving experience made Jim even more positive about this adventure they were about to undertake. He turned to Janine as he got up forthe group picture and said softly not wanting to leave her out If you've done some snorkeling, I'm sure that in no time we'll have you scuba diving in a short time. And you too Dave if you're interested he added. And thanks to all of you for the positive feedback on my creative endeavors. all in al he thought The meeting had gone well, although there appeared to be a bit of competitiveness between the two women he was sure they would work it out amicably. There existed between them all a sense of a need for cooperation that he knew would be necessary when the situation called for it and he knew that time would come when they least expected it.

"Where do you want me to stand. Maybe if you get the waitress to take one we can all get in it. I'll stand betweeen you two lovely ladies sort of a thorn between roses, right."

He had no idea why he had said that perhaps he wanted to separate them until they had a chance to find their own special place in the group. Or maybe he was just wanting both of them feel his sense of connection.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Lydia

Lydia gave a laugh and smiled at Jim. "Humm, wonder if there's an alternative motive there."

To Janine, she she said,"If I may make a suggestion, in front of the ship would be a good place for the photo. We could get the name of the ship in it for record keeping purposes."

 

[Destiny]

Janine

She looked toward David as he began to speak about his Jeeps,"Janine smiled toward him and nodded,"I know the feeling of vehicles, I left my own back in California." Beginning to rummage through her back as Jim leaned toward her she blushed slightly and nods,"I appreciate it, I have always wanted to learn and well, I just didn't have the time."

Rising with the rest of the group, Janine withdrew a digital panasonic 200mega pixel beast out of the bag and then grabbed a few zip disks as well," Well I was thinking in front of the restaurant first as the meeting place for us all to begin the photos. Then we can proceed to the boat for the more recoding type pictures. I also have a few under water cams as well I used on my last vacation those will be some beautiful pictures I am sure."

Shouldering a bag she then reached down and grabbed her other two still holding the camera in her hands as she begins to move away from the group. Her blonde hair sliding along her shoulders as she moved, she was thankful for the cooler shorts and the tank top she had grabbed from her bags at the airport and was now wearing. Pausing near the door she stopped the waitress and asked,"Would you mind taking a few pictures of our group, All you have to do is aim and shoot."

The waitress looks dubiously at the complicated camera and she finally nodded and then Janine remarked,"I will take the first two and you can see how easy it is,alright?" Looking more confident now the waitress began to move from the restaurant and out into the morning light as Janine began to explain to her about the camera assuming the rest of the group was following.

 

[PVodogaz]

Proffessor Joel Thorne

Proffessor Joel Thorne took his notepad and pen with him as the others rose. His body relished the anticipation for every second brang them closer to departure and the beginning of the expedition and the voyage into the unknown. But presently there were some issues that needed to be sorted out.

They all captured the first picture with one of the waitress' taking their picture as a group.

David had left his gear in the car and was wondering what to do with the car. "David, I have a better idea, I spoke to the marina owner who is incidentally good friends with the Captain and he said it would be fine to keep any cars in the Marina Staff Carpark which is under constant lock and key. Your choice, if you want to take that road, just see one of the worker's at the canteen they have been briefed," said Joel.

They walked out of the canteen into the open morning brisk air of the marina. They were still talking, Jim was offering to teach people who had never dived before a quick learning to dive course. To Proffessor Thorne this sounded like a good idea. Who knew what lay ahead for any of them?

Joel walked in front leading small group down the cement walk ways toward the medium sized vessel right at the end of the Marina. The ship the 'Bermuda' was large enough for their needs and it glistened in the crisp morning sun and a figure on the top deck walked around ordering people around, doing last checks and inventory studies.

Joel recognised the man as the wily Captain who looked down and saw them and waved. Joel smiled and waved back and the Captain looked back giving grunts at his fellow crew bellowing good natured insults at them.

Proffessor Joel Thorne could not talk for the others but he was beginning to feel a sense of connection to this group, he could feel that this was the right mix of people. They were all excited and anticipated the expedition none more-so than himself.

Finally the reached the side and the end of the walkway and the side of the ship. It was cool in the shade of the leeside. "Okay shall we take a picture?" Joel ventured.

This would be the group's second picture together just on the side of the ship with the golden handwritten name of 'the Bermuda' just above them. These pictures would become integral in the future as they travelled into the belly of the Bermuda Triangle.

 

[delphicRENDERER]

David Hayter

"David, I have a better idea, I spoke to the marina owner who is incidentally good friends with the Captain and he said it would be fine to keep any cars in the Marina Staff Carpark which is under constant lock and key. Your choice, if you want to take that road, just see one of the worker's at the canteen they have been briefed," said Joel.

David flashed a quick smile as he nodded, "I'll do just that then," he said. He'd join the rest of the group outside after a moment or two in which he stepped back inside the canteen to speak with the marina owner. He'd given them the keys to the Jeep, which he almost felt saddened having to part with - but alas, a Jeep out in the ocean would not do the expedition any good.

Returning to the outside, David grabbed a medium-sized backpack and slung it over his shoulder. He then grabbed 2 medium-sized luggage bags, both which he carried in one hand - and then returned to the group shortly afterward.

"Nice ship..," David said as his eyes ran over it while setting his bags down.

 

[slowandeasy]

Jim

Jim had like the way Lydia laughed and returned his unpretensious remark with one of her own. Now as they lined up to get the first picture he found himself standing along side of her, wanting to get to know her better.

He pondered this thought for a moment." Spending three months together in the limited space of this ship the five of them would undoubtedly get to know each other in ways none of them could presently predict. They would have to learn to accept and respect each others personal space yet be willing to reach out to each other if they felt the need for closeness. A sense of humor would help aleviate some of the stress that would no doubt be felt from time to time.".

Between pictures he turned toward the Burmuda familiarizing himself with it's structure.

The gangplank was already in place bridging the gap between the dock and the ship was amidship on the port side so that when they faced the ship it pointed to their left and seaward He assumed the sleeping quarters would be below the fantail, the aft portion of the ship and the galley adjacent to it. During their time at sea this would be the most comfortable portion of the ship. Towards the bow and below the bridge would be the storage area and the sleeping quarters for the captain and crew crew as this area would be close to the engine room, the electrical generator and other working areas where most of them would be if not attending to lines and above board gear. Two small dingys were lashed to the rails, one on each side.

The pictures finished, Jim moved toward the ship and then stepped to the side waiting for Joel to lead them, even though he was anxious to get aboard and underway.

It was picture perfect day, the sun high in the cloudless sky was a sign that on their first day out they would be greeted by a relatively calm sea. The bay was a mirror of crystal blue water though once they entered open sea Jim knew they would find the water not so smooth. It never was, but they would soon get their sea legs and learn to move with the rocking motion of the ship. Hopefully none would suffer the adjustment too violently.

 

[Destiny]

Janine

Moving toward the ship her eyes flickered over the white boat dropping her bags near the base of the gangplank she turned toward the rest of the crew and snapped off the last picture not really minding that she was not in this one. She wasn't much for pictures of herself.

Waiting for the disk to stop whirring around she popped open the door and withdrew the floppy disk that contained the pictures and placed it in a plastic protective box in one of the bags now at her feet. Restoring the camera back to the case as well she moved everything back into the pockets that were for storage and closed the bag and then stood up waiting for Joel to lead the way up onto the deck of the ship.

Lifting her hand to her eyes to shade them she looked along the length of the ship completely unfamiliar with the lay out of anything beyond a motorboat. She looked over a few of the crew as they were ordered about by the captain and saw him beginning to make his way along the deck of the ship toward the gangplank and move toward Joel. He definitely didn't look like a captain. She smiled to herself having imagined a pirate and got an ordinary man instead.

As they began to talk and Joel began to introduce them around she nodded to the man that would be leading the ship out into the waters of the ocean and she liked his easy manner and his booming voice. Th his was going to be a fun journey as well as informative she hoped. She didn't like to make assumptions about anyone and she wouldn't start now as she watched David and Jim and Lydia preparing themselves in their own ways for the adventure ahead of them.