From The Depths: A Deep Sea Thriller

by JE Gurley

  Bodden was at the wheel. Germaine sipped coffee while propping one foot on the aft starboard rail. He held a cigarette in his other hand. The other two crewmembers were rigging the gaff foresail on the aft mast for added speed. Germaine shouted occasional insults at their ineptness, but to Josh who had helped raise the sails once before, they seemed to move adroitly and speedily. Finally up, the sail caught the wind, and the boat surged forward.

  The sea was much calmer, but wind-driven spray from the bow splattered Josh as he walked out the door onto the deck. Germaine saw him and called, “Beautiful day.”

  “Are we making good time?”

  Germaine inhaled, exhaled a cloud of smoke swiftly ripped away by the wind, and shrugged. “About sixteen knots. We’re tacking against the wind right now. We’ll pick up a few knots when we change direction.”

  “Change directions?”

  “We headed a bit east last night to avoid the worst of the storm,” Germaine explained. “The wind’s from the southeast this morning.” He used the coffee cup as a compass to indicate the directions. “We’ll head due west shortly to reach the area Professor Hicks expects to find the beast.”

  “Is the sonar operating?” The Navy had augmented the Miss Lucy’s sonar gear with modern, government-issued equipment.

  “I decided to keep it off until we get where we’re going. If you’re right about the creature detecting sound … well, we might want to sneak up on it.”

  “Any word from the Andrews?”

  “No messages, but I caught a glimpse of her before dawn. She’s following about eight miles to our east. I just bet her captain’s bitching about having to crawl along behind a sailboat.”

  Germaine didn’t look too perturbed by the idea.

  “How’s the professor?”

  “Still sleeping. He had a rough night.”

  “And our lady friend?” Germaine grinned and winked.

  Josh shrugged. “She’s getting ready for her shot.”

  “She’s a cold one. Beautiful but deadly.” He closed his eyes and shook his head one time. “I like that in a woman.”

  “What about our other friend?” Josh asked, meaning the black ship.

  “A quick blip on the radar a few hours earlier, but then nothing else. She’s out there all right, but she’s keeping well clear of us.”

  “She’s headed for the Russian freighter for a bit of salvage work. I don’t think she’ll bother with us.”

  Germaine raised an eyebrow. He flicked his cigarette over the side and watched it drift away. “Then why are they traveling with a Navy frigate?”

  “You think they’re after the creature? Then why is the Navy helping us?”

  “Doubling their chances. If we capture it first, all they have to do is move in and take it from us.”

  “You’re paranoid. The professor would go straight to the press as soon as we returned to port. They’d never get away with it.”

  Germaine nodded. “If we returned to port.”

  Josh stared at Germaine. Was he suggesting …? “You’re crazy. They would never do something that stupid. Even if they sank us, someone might survive.”

  “Not if we were dead before we sank.” He turned toward the cabin. “The corporal is a killer. Why send a killer to capture a sea monster?”

  “Because she’s good at her job.” As his words sank in, he realized the captain was getting to him. “She wouldn’t.” He wasn’t sure why he was defending her. He didn’t know her or what she was capable of doing. Was he letting her good looks color his opinion of her? “She wouldn’t,” he repeated.

  “Maybe, but I’m keeping that shotgun you brought aboard handy. I picked up some shells in Kingston. If you’re right, no harm done. If you’re not … I won’t give in so easily.”

  “You’re wrong about her.”

  “We’ll see.”

  The two new crewmen stood staring at them. “Get below and eat breakfast,” Germaine bellowed at them. He pulled another cigarette from the pack in his pocket and lit it, and then turned to Josh. “There’s a Webley revolver behind a loose board in the bulkhead of my cabin above the door if you need it. It fires a .455 caliber slug that can knock a man backwards at twenty paces. Remember, there’s more out here to worry about than our feisty little sniper.”

  He walked back to the cabin and took over the wheel from Bodden. Josh remained on deck considering what Germaine had said. He might be paranoid about Elansky and the black ship, but he made sense about other things to worry about. The closer they got to the Trench, the likelier they were to encounter more creatures from the depths. Looking at the surface of the sea, it appeared tranquil and safe, beautiful even, but the sea was a shadow hiding monsters in its dark folds, nightmarish creatures that haunted the wildest dreams of the insane. They were real and they were deadly. He couldn’t let his professional curiosity overwhelm his common sense.

  It was odd that water could be so dangerous. The human body was composed of up to seventy percent water, but water wasn’t man’s element. Adapted for dry land, humans had barely explored the depths of the seas. To remain beneath the water for more than a few minutes, he must carry his own air supply. To explore the depths, he must surround himself with a pressure-proof shell of steel and Plexiglas. The depths were as foreign to man as the dark side of the moon. Only a tiny fraction of the ocean’s bottoms had been observed, and what has been seen was strange and mysterious.

  Whether created by nature, or as they now suspected, by man’s folly, the creatures of the Cayman Trench were dangerous and deadly. Killing them would be difficult, capturing one even more so. Common sense dictated a safe retreat to land, but men such as Professor Hicks, and admittedly, himself, were driven to understand what brought these creatures into being. Sometimes curiosity was a dangerous compulsion.

  As he moved forward, the sharp odor of Germaine’s cigarette smoke mingled with that of frying bacon. Germaine was humming softly to himself as he leaned against the ship’s wheel. Two sandwiches lay in a plate on the chart table, as well as a thermos and a cup. Germaine glanced over his shoulder as Josh entered the cabin.

  “Bodden brought up some bacon and egg sandwiches, and coffee. Have some breakfast.”

  Josh wondered how the aroma of food cooking was affecting the professor’s touchy stomach. To Josh, the smell was enticing. He poured a cup of coffee, picked up a sandwich, and took a bite.

  “Tell Bodden thanks,” he said around a mouthful of crunchy bacon and soft scrambled eggs with cheese.

  “We received a radio message from the Andrews. One of her choppers spotted something in the water about fifteen miles from here, a lifeboat. There are three people in it, but they didn’t see any movement.”

  “Survivors from the Neptune?” He was thrilled that more people might have escaped the sinking ship, but had they survived the long exposure?

  “Possibly. They’re sending out a boat to pick it up. The chopper is remaining in the area.”

  “We should go.”

  Germaine cocked an eyebrow at Josh’s suggestion. “Why? We’re still a long way from our destination. Let the Navy handle it.”

  “They might have seen something.”

  “If they’re still alive,” Germaine reminded him.

  “We should go.” Was concern or curiosity what drove him to insist? He couldn’t drive the old man who had spotted him, Crabtree, from his mind. He had wanted to commit suicide. Had the creatures done the job for him, or was he on the lifeboat?

  Germaine shrugged and turned the wheel a few degrees to starboard. “Makes no difference to me.” He leaned over the steps leading below and yelled down, “Bodden, Odette, Miguel! Get aloft and adjust the sails.”

  The three men raced onto the deck and began moving the sails to catch the best breeze. Elansky followed a few moments later. She held the tranquilizing rifle in her arms and a .45 rested in its holster on her hip.

  “Anything?” she asked Josh.

  “Just changing course. One o
f the Andrews’ helicopters spotted a lifeboat.”

  She nodded and relaxed her stance. “Any survivors?”

  “They don’t know yet.”

  She moved to the door and glanced out. “The weather cleared. Good. It’ll make the shot easier.”

  “If we find the creature.”

  Her face hardened, and she narrowed her eyes as she spoke. “It’ll find us. It’s a hunter.”

  “We’re running silent.”

  “It’s out there. I can feel it.”

  Her tone made him jumpy. “It’s a big ocean.”

  “It’s territorial. It knows its boundaries, and it’ll know when someone enters it.”

  Josh followed her gaze to the water, but he could see nothing. What did she see? “If it’s attracted to sound, it should follow the Andrews, not us.”

  She faced Josh. “Are they sending a launch to investigate the lifeboat?”

  “Yes, why?”

  “The creature might not attack something as large as the Andrews, but a motor launch might be worth the risk.”

  “It sank the Neptune,” he reminded her.

  “It was following the Bristle worms. The Neptune rammed it.”

  “How did you …” He started to ask her how she knew about the Neptune, but realized that her superiors had probably briefed her. She undoubtedly knew more about the incident than he did. The captain would have sent out a distress signal of some kind. It would be unlikely he would not mention the cause of the distress.

  “How’s the professor?” he asked.

  She smiled. “Poor man. He’s awake, but he’s not eating. He took some Dramamine with a cup of coffee. He’ll be up on deck soon.”

  “He doesn’t travel well, but it’s difficult to keep him down for long.”

  “Do I detect admiration in those deep blue eyes?”

  Josh blushed and averted his gaze, unsure if she was complimenting him or making fun of him.

  “Did I embarrass you?” she asked.

  “Not at all. You just caught me off guard.”

  “I do that with people. They can’t figure me out and that frightens them. Are you afraid of me?”

  “I’ve never met a woman who could kill at a thousand yards.”

  “Twenty-five hundred yards,” she corrected, “but I’m more dangerous close up.” She took a step nearer. Josh resisted the impulse to back up. She wore a light floral fragrance that tickled his nostrils. He found the scent arousing but slightly disconcerting emanating from a Marine. Germaine broke up anything that might have happened next.

  “If you two are through playing house, the captain of the Andrews wants to speak with someone.”

  She smiled and walked to the rail. Josh swallowed hard and rushed to the cabin. He snatched the microphone from Germaine’s hand.

  “This is Peterson.”

  “Mister Peterson, this is Captain Tremaine. I’ve sent a launch to investigate the lifeboat. Our helo has confirmed three bodies aboard, but no movement so far. It’s remaining on station to assist. Sonar is tracking something large at a depth of three-hundred-fifty fathoms and rising fast about two clicks to our port. It might be your monster. I suggest you get here ASAP.”

  Germaine nodded and whispered, “Twenty minutes.”

  “We’re on our way. We’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

  “Don’t be late. Out.”

  “Here we go,” Germaine said. His hands gripped the wheel tightly. He kept his eyes focused on the horizon. If he harbored any trepidation about meeting the creature, he didn’t reveal it in his stance. He appeared determined to get the job done.

  Josh leaned over the stairwell and yelled down, “Professor. We’re close.”

  A minute later, Hicks appeared, disheveled and pale. His glasses set crooked on his nose. He forced a smile to his lips. “Good morning, Josh.”

  “Are you feeling better?”

  He nodded. “Yes, thank you. I should be fine.” He adjusted his glasses. “Have they spotted the creature?”

  “The Andrews has something large on sonar. They also found a lifeboat adrift. They’ve sent a launch to see if anyone is alive.”

  The professor grew concerned. “They shouldn’t have. A small motor might entice the creature.”

  “It might be a lifeboat from the Neptune.”

  “Then let us pray there are survivors.”

  Josh glanced out onto the deck. Elansky was cradling the rifle in her arms as she sat on the hatch cover. She appeared calm but intent. A second shell containing MS-222 lay beside her just in case. They knew nothing of the creature’s physiology, but based on its estimated weight, they had derived what they hoped was the proper dosage. Too little and it might attack. Too much and they might kill it, losing it forever.

  The next few minutes were nerve racking. Germaine and Bodden were both as stoic as ever, but the two new crewmen stood together whispering with looks of fear on their faces. They had heard the rumors, but desperate for work, they had still come. What type of man would willingly face a monster? Josh wondered the same thing about himself.

  The Andrews appeared over the horizon, smoke pouring from her stack. A second speck, the helicopter, was hovering so close to the water that it appeared to be floating on the surface.

  “Should I switch on the sonar gear?” Germaine asked.

  “No,” Hicks answered. “The helicopter should have dropped a sonar buoy. Our receiver will pick it up. That way we won’t be sending a signal.”

  Germaine switched on the sonar receiver. A steady beeping filled the cabin. “If I’m reading this correctly, our Cere is two hundred feet down and circling the lifeboat.”

  Now Josh could make out the lifeboat. It looked like the sister to the one he had escaped in, but he couldn’t read the name. The Andrews launch was alongside. The helicopter, an S-70B Seahawk, was a large craft, a Navy variant of the UH-60 Blackhawk. Its powerful rotor blades raised small waves around the two boats. They rocked in its wake.

  The radio startled Josh as Captain Tremaine announced, “One passenger is still alive, but two are dead. We’re retrieving them now.”

  Professor Hicks took the microphone. “Captain, you should have the helicopter move away. The creature is near.”

  “We’re following it on sonar. The helo is standing by for the rescue.”

  “I’m afraid I really must insist. The noise, the vibration is attracting the creature. They all could be in danger.”

  “Professor, a Seahawk carries two Mk-46 torpedoes and a GAU-17/A mini-gun. It’s a lethal anti-submarine weapons platform. It’s quite capable of …”

  “We’re here to capture it, not kill it.”

  After a moment of silence, the captain of the Andrews replied, “Affirmative, Professor. I’ll advise them to move away.”

  Hicks sighed with relief when the helicopter rose and moved back toward the Andrews. However, his relief was short lived.

  “It’s surfacing!” Germaine yelled.

  The Andrews’ motor launch lifted into the air as the ceresiosaurus breached beneath it. The launch rolled off the creature’s broad back, spilling the crew into the water. It crashed upside down onto the lifeboat, crushing it. Now, four men were floundering in the water, including the lone survivor from the lifeboat. Josh watched helplessly as the creature lifted one of the men from the water in its enormous jaws and bit into him. One severed leg fell into the water. The man’s scream was faint, blown away by the wind, as the creature swallowed him and submerged.

  Josh had glimpsed the ceresiosaurus for less than a minute on the Neptune, and it had been dark. In full daylight, it appeared much larger and more menacing, a mythological creature from a macabre fairy tale. This was no Nessie, no harmless myth for tourists to seek to photograph. This was a specimen from the Jurassic Age, evolved over millions of years to be a deep-sea predator. It might have been the basis of many of the ancient sailor tales of sea monsters, when maps had ‘Here be dragons’ emblazoned on their edges.

 
Germaine slammed his fist on the wheel and cursed, urging the Miss Lucy to go faster, but they were still several hundred yards away. They could do nothing to aid the men in the water.

  The Neptune’s lifeboat had cracked in two beneath the weight of the launch and was gone, sunk beneath the water, its cargo of dead with it. The survivors clung desperately to the wreckage of the upside down launch. The helicopter saw what was happening and reversed course. The Seahawk reached them quickly and hovered thirty feet above the men, as a slender cable with a rescue belt lowered to them. They could be brought up only one at a time. Josh feared for their lives.

  As the Miss Lucy neared the wreckage, Elansky took her position beside the forward rail. Josh hoped she got her shot. Their carefully crafted plans to lure the creature into the area with the Andrews had fallen apart. It was as if the Neptune had reached up from its grave with its lifeboat to stir the waters.

  One man slipped his shoulders through the belt. The Seahawk began lifting him from the water. One of the helicopter crew leaned out the door steadying the cable. Dangling like bait on a hook, he proved too difficult a lure for the creature to resist. The massive head, half as large as the helicopter, rose from the water until it was level with the screaming man. It turned its head one way, and then other, reptilian fashion, to observe its prey. The Seahawk couldn’t fire on it without hitting the man suspended from the cable. It attempted to pull away. The creature closed its jaws over the man and submerged.

  The weight of the creature on the cable dragged the six-and-half-ton helicopter down. Its twin GE T700 401-C turboshaft engines were capable of producing 3400 horsepower, but they were no match for the ceresiosaurus’ strength. The fifty-four-feet diameter rotor blades churned the air valiantly, but to no avail. The weight of the creature was too much. The helicopter rolled until it lay at an impossible angle. The blades hit the water, sending a spray of water over the survivors. Then, the blades snapped off, beheading one of the men in the water. The man operating the winch hung suspended by his arms from the open doorway. He finally let go and spilled into the water. The chopper landed upside down on top of him and sank rapidly. An underwater explosion hurled a plume of water fifty feet into the air. A thin column of smoke rose from the helicopter’s watery grave. Josh watched but didn’t see any of the four-man crew surface. Now, two men remained in the water. The Andrews was approaching rapidly but was still half a mile away.