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stations!”
    The kids spent the rest of the morning learning how to steer, dive and surface a sub on the simulator, using planes, a rudder and high-pressure air. They even got to react to a simulated torpedo attack and a close-aboard explosion and lived to tell about it.
    Finishing up their training just before noon, the children thanked Chief Gartrell, piled into a Suburban with the Admiral, and drove back to Nick’s house.

    Tree House
    Chrissie was the first one out of the SUV and climbed up to the top of the rope ladder upon arriving at the tree house. When the door opened, her eyes opened wide in surprise as she gazed into a fully occupied tree house.
    “Mom?” Chrissie gasped as though she’d been caught red-handed doing something wrong. She looked back at her friends below. “We are so busted.”
    As it turned out, the moms of all the children were inside the tree house waiting for them - and that’s not all. Their mothers had already filled backpacks with breakfast bars, laptops, water bottles, phones, snacks and other supplies for each of the children.
    “This is so not happening,” Mike sighed.
    “Time for lunch,” announced Nick’s mom. “You’re going to need your strength in order to take part in an important mission like this.”
    “How did you know about this; and how come we’re not already grounded?” asked Nick.
    “I told them last night.” Admiral Connery spoke up. “We need their help to pull this off. They won’t be with us on the Alaska, but they have other important and risky tasks to accomplish.”
    “Granddad, I don’t want them involved in anything that could get them in trouble with the Navy,” Caroline protested.
    “Speak for yourself,” Caroline’s mother Julia retorted. “Your fathers are our husbands. If there’s even the slightest chance that they’re still alive, then there’s nothing we won’t do to try to get them back.”
    “Listen, everyone,” the Admiral spoke. “This is going to be an extremely dangerous mission and there’s probably more that can go wrong than any of us have considered. If we’re successful in stealing the sub, the entire US Navy will be coming for us. In order to save your fathers, we’ll probably find ourselves leapfrogging Osama bin Laden on America’s Most Wanted list.
    “The SEALs already capped him,” Nick pumped his fist in the air.
    “Right. Regardless, the President won’t take kindly to having his gold watch stolen.”
    “Gold watch?” Annie looked puzzled.
    “The Trident submarine is the most powerful weapon that the President has at his disposal,” the Admiral replied. “It’s sometimes referred to as his gold watch.”
    “Oh,” Annie nodded.
    “Listen, I don’t have a sword or any sand to draw a line in, but I want you all to know that you don’t have to participate in this endeavor,” the Admiral continued. “You’re all very smart and very brave and I see a lot of your fathers in each of you. If they could see you now, I know they would be very proud. Once we start this mission, though, there’s no turning back. It’s unlikely you’ll ever be able to return to your old lives as normal kids in school.”
    The Admiral paused to let the gravity of his words sink in.
    “If you’re with me, I want you to come over here and put your hand on top of mine.”
    The Admiral reached out his hand.
    “I’m with you, Granddad!” shouted Caroline, as she sprung to her feet and placed her hand on top of his.
    “I’m with you too,” said Nick, placing his hand on top of Caroline’s.
    “Me too!” yelled Chrissie, running over to place her hand on top of Nick’s.
    One by one, the rest of the children and all of their mothers rushed over to place their hands on top of each other’s like a football team in a huddle.
    “Go Panthers!” Caroline yelled out evoking their Poulsbo Middle School mascot.
    “Yeah, go Panthers!” Mike echoed.
    “Panthers! Panthers! Panthers!” everyone chanted excitedly as