by Michael Bray
“Hello, hello, are you there?”
For a moment, Rainwater didn’t respond, he was stunned by how cruel fate could be. He lifted the radio to his mouth and pressed the talk button. “Yeah, we’re here. We found the pods.”
“Alright, get in. I can talk you through the launch sequence by patching into the radios in each pod.”
“We have a problem down here,” Rainwater said, still dazed.
“What kind of problem?”
He didn’t answer at first. He looked at the wall, two of its five pods already ejected, then looked at the three others in the room with him. “We’ve got more people than pods.”
On the surface, Groves grimaced. He looked at those around him, unfamiliar faces, who were waiting for him to make some kind of a decision. He tapped the radio against his head, then spoke into it.
“Maybe we can fit two of us into a single pod and the rest can have one each?” Rainwater’s voice crackled over the speaker.
“No,” Groves said. “That won’t work. The creatures can sense the electromagnetic pulses given out by these things. You need to shut down all systems apart from life support as soon as you launch, leaving the natural buoyancy of the pod to bring you to the surface. If two of you try to ascend together, it will be too heavy and you will sink.”
“I can live with sitting on the seabed if you can come and get us later.”
“No, that won’t work either. Your air will have run out long before we can get any help out here.”
Groves waited, listening to static and knowing what was coming next.
“So what do we do?” Rainwater asked.
Groves sighed, searching for the best way to put it, then realized it was impossible. He cleared his throat and pressed the talk button.
“You have a decision to make. One of you is going to have to stay down there.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Decker couldn’t believe his luck. Groves hadn’t even bothered to follow him. Drenched from the violent storm, he fired up the Incognito, its twin Mercedes engines growling to life the first time. Outside, the Triton Spire rocked from side to side as the boat was tossed around. He put the vessel into reverse, frowning and wondering why the boat wasn’t moving. He wondered if Groves had done something, perhaps some kind of engine immobilization. It would explain why he hadn’t bothered to give chase.
“You bastard, you fucking bastard,” Decker screamed increasing the throttle, the engines whining in response. The boat however, didn’t move. Decker was about to give up when a revelation came to him, one that made him hate himself for his own stupidity. He put the boat back into neutral, and ran through the wheelhouse and into the galley and into the violent conditions on deck.
The boat was still tied to the dock, the lines on its bow and stern stopping Decker from making his escape. He ran to the stern line, the thick blue rope drenched with water. He clawed at it, trying to free it, but the rope was tied tight, and his rich man’s hands were no match for the rough hemp. He knew it was fruitless. The boat would only be freed from its berth by unhooking the looped end of the rope which was tied to the dock, and there was no way in hell he was going back down there.
You’re going to get caught.
He ignored the voice in his head, admonishing it for not realizing just how determined a man he was. He ran back into the galley, shivering from the cold. He took the samurai sword which hung on the wall, its value and expense secondary now to its more practical use. He ran back on deck, almost losing his footing on the slick hull. The boat rolled underneath him as the wind screamed in his ears. He didn’t even know if the blade was sharp. This was the first time he had handled it since he had bought it. He hacked at the bow line, desperately trying to ignore the frothing, violent ocean below him. A wave or vertigo overcame him, and for a second he thought he was going to pitch over into the ocean. Somehow, he steadied himself, and raised the sword overhead, bringing it down hard on the line. The rope frayed, and creaked but didn’t snap.
“Fucking cut!” he screamed, then hacked at it again, and again. On the fourth time it gave, the severed line pinging back and almost hitting him in the face. He started to cackle, and realized that the sound disturbed even him. The boat was already moving, its front end swinging out as it pivoted on the stern line. Decker ran, desperate to be away, this time he did lose his footing, his expensive dress shoes completely unsuited to the saturated deck. He went down hard on his side, knocking the wind out of himself, the sword skittering across the wet boards. Decker’s eyes grew wide as he watched it slide towards one of the drainage holes in the hull.
“Nononononono! He grunted, scrambling across the deck in a half walk, half crawl. He snatched at the black handle of the sword, missing it as its momentum began to tip it towards the ocean. His fingertips brushed it, then it was moving, dipping towards the ocean. It would have surely been lost if not for the swell that pushed the boat into the air, at the same time altering the trajectory of the sword. It skidded harmlessly against the side of the hull then into the grateful hands of Decker, who clutched it gratefully. The vessel was swinging wildly now, held only in place by the rear line. Decker swung at it, again and again, but the rope was thicker than the one at the bow, and Decker’s stamina was waning. Instead of hacking, he started to cut, furiously sliding the blade back and forth and wishing it was sharper. The rope began to fray, the smaller coils fraying and breaking away one by one. When it snapped, Decker was caught off guard, thrown off his feet as the line sheared away. He lay on his back on the deck, sword discarded, watching the undulating form of the Triton Spire drift away from him as the Incognito was taken by the ocean.
I’ve done it. I’m free.
Decker scrambled to his feet and ran back to the wheelhouse, ignoring the nausea as the landscape swayed and rolled ahead of him. He put the boat into gear and the Triton Spire at his back, heading to freedom, to his new life, away from court cases and prison cells. He had even started to formulate an idea about sinking the Incognito somewhere and faking his own death so that nobody would try to find him. It was possible, all of it, just as long as he escaped.Decker headed out to sea, unaware that the churning of the boats engines had been registered by the creatures almost a mile beneath the surface, who set out to investigate.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
“I’ll stay,” Rainwater said, trying to sound convincing despite the fear which was spreading through him and filling his veins with ice.
“No, I’m not prepared to live with that,” Jade said, folding her arms.
“Somebody has to. We don’t have time to debate it.”
“So why you? So you can be the hero? It’s selfish.”
“Come on, don’t make this hard.”
“The lassie’s right,” Ross said, standing beside her. “You can’t just volunteer. Maybe I wanna volunteer too?”
“Ross, come on. This way makes sense. All of this, everything that has happened traces back to me. To that first day out on the Red Gold when I first saw one of these creatures. No matter how you look at it, this situation goes back to me.”
“Nah, I’m not having that, lad. We all made decisions for ourselves. Nobody is to blame for this.”
“I’ll stay.”
The three of them stopped arguing and turned to look at Greg. He was standing by the door, arms hanging by his sides.
“Why you?”
“Why not. Better to go this way than face the consequences of whatever waits for me up there. I can’t go to prison, I know that much.”
“You expect us to be able to live with you killing yourself for us?” Jade said.
Greg shrugged. “Why not? You don’t know me. None of you do really. You’ll get over it. Trust me, I want it to be this way.”
The structure groaned, shuddering slightly before settling once more. “You don’t have time to think it over. I’m staying. End of story.”
Ross shrugged. “I don’t have a problem wi’ it. You and yer pals came in all g
uns blazin’. Rather you than me.”
“What about you?” Greg said to Jade.
“We don’t have a choice. Like they said, someone has to stay.”
Greg turned next to Rainwater. “I owe you this. You understand what I’m saying, right?”
Rainwater nodded. “I do.”
“Then let’s get this done.”
They went to the task, none of them wanting to think too much about what had just happened. Rainwater helped Jade into one of the pods as Ross climbed into the other. “Remember, we have to disable the power for these as soon as we launch so those things can’t detect us.”
“Will we be safe?” Jade looked at him, searching his eyes for some kind of hope.
He forced a smile, trying to put her at ease. “Of course we will. It’s almost over. I’ll see you up top.” He sealed her pod, watching as it slid back, the airtight door sliding down in its place. Ross was already in his, the door closed and in position.
Rainwater turned to Greg, unable to find any of the hatred he once held. Greg looked at the pod, then back to Rainwater. “You’re not going are you?”
Rainwater shook his head. “No. I want to stay. You were right. None of this is down to you. It’s not your fault.”
“Your friends might not agree. They already hate me as it is.”
“They’ll understand. Ross especially.”
“They would never have let you stay if you’d told them, would they?”
“No. that’s why I didn’t argue when you made the offer.”
“I know. I could see it in your face. Someone would have had to drag you into that pod to get you out of here wouldn’t they?”
Rainwater nodded again. “Yeah.”
“And you’re sure about this? This isn’t something you can change your mind about. Once that pod is launched….” He trailed off and lowered his eyes to the ground.
“I know what it means. I knew when I saw how many pods were left. You get why I’m doing this, don’t you?”
Greg nodded. “Yeah, I get it. I understand.” He glanced again at the pod. “I guess this makes us even,”
“More than even.” Rainwater confirmed, wincing as the structure groaned. “You better get going. This place could go at any time.”
“You’re sure about this?” Greg said as he climbed into the sole remaining pod.
“More than anything else I have ever done.”
“I meant what I said. Prison isn’t something I’m looking forward to. I’m happy to stay behind. I’m not trying to worm out of this.”
Rainwater nodded. “You won’t go to prison. Not when they find out why you did the things you did. You were threatened. Blackmailed. You’ll be fine.”
“Why do you want to do this?” Greg asked as he strapped himself into his seat. “I mean, I get why you didn’t want the others to know you intended to stay, but that still doesn’t explain it.”
Rainwater thought about it. He realized he wasn’t sure he knew either. “It feels like the right thing to do. All I’ve known since this whole thing began is loss. I’m tired of it.”
Greg nodded. “I get that. I understand it.”
“Just do me a favor when you get up there?”
“What’s that?”
“Don’t waste any more time. Look after that wife and kid of yours. God knows, it’s important.”
“I will. I’ll never forget this. What you did for me here.”
“Good. Remember how close to the end we all came, and enjoy every day from now on with your family. Now get the hell out of here.”
Rainwater activated the controls, the pod door sliding closed. He watched as Greg was sealed in, then like the others the pod slid back, the airtight door sealing behind it. Rainwater stood, staring for a moment, then picked up the radio. “Groves, it’s me.”
“What the hell are you doing down there, I told you to get to the surface ASAP.”
“They’re on their way. I’m staying.”
Silence.
Rainwater waited, wondering if Groves was gone altogether, when his voice crackled through. Rainwater was expecting him to ask questions he had no answer to. Whys and how’s. Groves, however did none of that. Rainwater hoped it was because he appreciated the sacrifice he was making.
“Is there anyone you want us to call?”
“No, there isn’t anybody,” Rainwater mumbled, saddened at the harsh truth of his statement. “There’s just me.”
“If you want me to stay on the line until—”
“No. It’s alright. I think I’d rather be on my own. Just make sure the others know this wasn’t Greg’s fault. He’s a good guy. He was a victim in this as much as anyone.”
“We’ll take that into account.”
“There’s one other thing I want you to do for me.”
On the surface, Groves listened, hating that things had played out the way they had. “Alright, I got it. I’ll make it happen. Is there anything else we can do?”
“No.” Rainwater’s voice was quiet over the speaker. Distracted somehow. “Thanks for saving us, Groves. You sound like a decent guy. Tell Andrews I asked after him.”
Groves smiled. “I’ll do that. I guarantee it.”
“Look after my friends. They had nothing to do with any of this.”
“I will.”
“See you later, Groves.”
“Yes. See you later.”
The radio clicked off, leaving a static hiss behind. Groves stood for a moment, wishing he had been able to get to know Henry Rainwater a little better, then, remembering there was still a job to do, turned to the frightened staff. “Alright, we need to evacuate. Everyone onto the other boat. Calmly please.”
They did as instructed, filing out into the storm and boarding the vessel. It was plenty big enough for all the staff to fit comfortably. Groves watched them go. “I need a couple of volunteers to help me. We have some survivors coming up to the surface.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
The helicopter cut through the storm, bucking and rolling in the wind. Andrews had a set of night vision goggles pressed to his eyes, looking down at the Incognito, which struggled against the violence of the oceans. He swung the goggles towards the rear of the vessel and the three grey streaks which followed beneath the surface. Andrews lowered the goggles and pressed a button on the console, opening an encrypted radio channel.
“Big Bird this is Sky Eye. What is your E.T.A?”
Twenty miles away, the jet black B-2 bomber cut through the sky, its flat sleek body making light of the conditions. On board, pilot David Coates responded. “Sky Eye this is Big Bird. I am inbound and will be with you shortly.”
“Roger that, Big Bird. Prepare payload for delivery. Target is in the water but civilian is present. Stand by for further instructions.”
“Roger that, Sky Eye. Will maintain holding pattern and await the go.”
“Copy that. Stand by.”
Andrews turned his attention back to the scene below. As he watched, the creatures in pursuit of Decker separated, the largest staying at the vessels rear, the two smaller signals breaking off to each side and flanking the Incognito. Andrews watched, mesmerized and powerless to interfere.
II
On the Incognito, Decker wrestled with the controls, knowing that navigating such violent seas was way beyond his skill level and as a result had put hardly any distance between himself and the Triton Spire. The only thing that drove him on was the will to escape and start his new life. He stared out of the window, squinting past the driving rain the waves a moving, writing mass that seemed almost alive. He saw the flash of green in his peripheral vision through the wheelhouse window, just seconds before the devastating impact.
In a perfectly coordinated move, the two creatures which had flanked the vessel slammed into the fiberglass hull at speed, one at the front, the other impacting the rear, the devastating concussive force tearing the vessel almost in two. Decker was thrown over by the impact as the forward portion
of the Incognito rolled towards the ocean, charts falling, alarm bells screaming their warning as the splintered vessel came apart. Decker screamed too as he felt the icy water at his back, the ocean washing over him as he scrambled to cling onto something to help keep him afloat. The vessel was obliterated, the destruction amplified by the relentless waves which slammed into the crippled boat, further breaking it up. Decker stared out of the shattered window as the front of the Incognito began to dip towards the ocean, lifting him up on splintered deck boards and rolling him into the console. He scrambled for the door on all fours, tumbling out and, instead of landing on the deck, fell into the debris-filled ocean. Decker screamed, clinging onto a floating seat cushion from one of the bar stools as the rear of the Incognito twisted away from the front and sank beneath the waves, the ocean bubbling and broiling as it filled the spaces and dragged it to its watery grave. Decker kicked and spluttered, teeth chattering as the ocean threw him around at will amid the debris field. He could see a helicopter above, and started to scream and wave for help.
#
Andrews watched through the night vision goggles and was able to see what Decker couldn’t, which under the circumstances was a small mercy for the stricken billionaire. The three creatures were now circling the wreckage slowly and deliberately.
“Sir, we can get the cage down there and pull him up.” The pilot said, his voice crackling over Andrews’ headphones. Andrews didn’t break his view, watching as the creatures drew closer to their intended prey.
“Sir?” the pilot said again.
Andrews lowered his glasses and turned to the pilot. “Fuck him.”
#
Decker kicked, wondering why the helicopter didn’t come. From so low in the water, the waves looked like giants, undulating mountains growing out of the ocean, a seemingly endless valley of them displaying the full destructive force of nature at its most violent. The cold was starting to get to him now, and he started to tremble.