by Mark Lemke
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Out in the brush near the intake, I could hear a PA announcement being made, but I could barely make out what was being said.? Had this been daytime, I never would have heard it. I got on my phone and called Prichard.
"I assume that announcement was related to shutting down the circ water pump?"
"That's correct," Prichard confirmed.
"Good job," I told him.? "If he has the pump off line in twenty minutes, I'll be in the water box sixty minutes later.? Have Dave open the east water box hatch at 0200."
"I suppose it's foolish to ask you to reconsider this plan," Prichard said one last time.
"If you have a better idea, now's the time."
Prichard said nothing.
"It's too late to turn back now, anyway.? Plans are in place and we have no choice now but to see them through."
"Okay.? I'll tell Street.? And Nick?"
"Yes?"
"Good luck, man."?
"Roger that," I said and hung up.? I then dialed another number.? "Red Two, this is Red One.? Green light to proceed at 0200."
"Copy that, Red One.? 0200.? Out."
I put my phone away and quickly moved down the embankment toward the water and the skiff still floating there up against the rocks, out of sight of the Intake security cameras.? One false step and I could lose my footing and plunge into the dark, icy cold water below.? There was no beach here.? I had to climb down the rock face and into the skiff.? The fog was getting thicker and the rocks were becoming dangerously slippery. ?