The Sleeping Army Awakes

Part 59 Stalking Granddad Carp

The sub was now making steady, rather than speedy, progress as it made its way toward the centre of the lake on the surface. The dual pedals were connected with the tail fin to propel it forward just like a real fish using an elaborate system of pulleys, nylon ropes and eccentric levers. The squeaking and groaning of the mechanism was almost deafening. The brothers had worked together designing the project on paper for months before they had even bent their first panel into shape and it had taken even longer to construct. Today was an exciting and auspicious day for a maiden voyage.

"That was easy bit." Bláznivý Marek said. "Any leaks yet?"

"No My end is dry." Slepý Bobek called out, "How is your end?"

"Happy to report my end is also dry."Bláznivý Marek said.

"Are we going for test dive?" Slepý Bobek asked.

"OK flooding tanks!" Bláznivý Marek said pulling levers, which in turn, pulled on the nylon cords, attached to the levers, on the valves that controlled the inflow of water, into the tanks midships and fore.

"Angling fins for dive." Slepý Bobek announced pulling on further levers.

Bláznivý Marek pulled the lever that flooded the aft tanks and the boys continued pedalling. Fish-sub stayed stubbornly buoyant.

"Nothing happens!" Slepý Bobek called out, " Even with extra cylinder! Flood yours some more! Make them floodiest they can be."

"I am Kapitán not you!" Bláznivý Marek assertd. "I make orders! In any case they are pretty floody already you bullock!" And just to punctuate this he sneezed all down Slepý Bobek's back.

"Now even my back is floody! Slepý Bobek complained. "How you going to wear oxygen mask if you are sneezing all time?"

"Dunno!" Bláznivý Marek said. "I cross that one when I get to it. Maybe that was last ever sneeze in my life." But to contradict this he sneezed so hard that Fish-sub shuddered.

Bláznivý Marek flooded the tanks completely and slowly Fish-sub decended until only the top of the fin was visible into the muddy waters.

"You know this Fish-sub steers like cow on Auntie's cider and I can't see anything!" Slepý Bobek said. "What if after we submerge completely then maybe we go round in circles! I think we are off course my Kapitán."

"Maybe use less fin or pedal harder," Bláznivý Marek commented, "and she is not our auntie she is Eliška's."

"But Uncle Vladimir said that after two jars of cider she is anybody's," Slepý Bobek said. "and that makes her mine as well!"

"I understand your logic but I'm not sure that it is what he meant. Mind you... is amazing she still lives after two jars!" Slepý Bobek commented. "hey don't stop pedalling. More fin on left side you bullock."

There was a loud noise and a very large bump.

"Are you thinking what I am thinking?" Bláznivý Marek asked.

"How do I know what you are thinking?" Slepý Bobek asked. "until you tell me what you are thinking you bullock!"

"I think that Granddaddy carp thinks that we are great big fat lady carp." Bláznivý Marek speculated.

"You Bullock!" Slepý Bobek replied. "Thank you dear lord that is bull carp and not just bull. That was big bump."

"Well at least we can escort nice bull to fishing party if we can work out where they are." Bláznivý Marek suggested.

"And simply continue to let this bully carp rape our poor virginal craft you bullock?" Slepý Bobek asked.

"She must make her sacrifice for good of mankind and science." Bláznivý Marek said. "She won't feel thing! Maybe you fall asleep in fish reproduction lesson? Is strictly non contact sport. Is simply invitation for lady fish to lay eggs somewhere nice and safe then a man fish comes and fertilises eggs."

"Ach Takhle!" Slepý Bobek asked "Does Granddaddy Carp know this?" sadly as the little craft was buffeted yet again by the amorous suitor. "You poor little cow! You take one for team."

"He is just being friendly to beautiful lady fish!" Bláznivý Marek stated.

"Thanks Mr God he is not angry with big lady fish!" Slepý Bobek replied.

Just then as if this situation wasn't bad enough suddenly Eliška's voice startled them.

"Boys there's problem!" Eliška warned, "You'd better get back to the boathouse as soon as possible, some maniac is going to blow the reservoir! There will be millions of litres of water flooding down hillside straight into the lake soon."

"Maybe we sink to bottom of lake and we be OK!" Bláznivý Marek replied. Maybe all extra water just flow on top of us."

"You will do nothing of the sort!" Eliška said. "You will surface immediately and make your way to somewhere safe!"

"She will not go backwards!" Slepý Bobek said. "Fins and tail aren't set up that way."

"Well you should  have thought about that before you set out."Eliška said.

"Some of our calculations weren't accurate."Slepý Bobek defended. "We expected her to be more maneuverable than she is!"

"Well youwill have to do something!" Eliška warned them, "go around in semi circle or something!"

"No will take too long to turn around!" Bláznivý Marek asserted. " We will have to make it down to river to the dock. Is our only chance!"

"Please tell Greta and Stepa to go to higher ground away from reservoir!" Slepý Bobek pleaded.

"Ah so you do like them after all!" Eliška thought and her laughter filled their heads, her concern lifting for a moment. "Yes I will tell them. I don't care where you go. Just get somewhere safe uphill!"