Far From The Sea We Know

by Frank Sheldon

  “Even if you’re right, unless they can account for those subs and their crew soon, they are not just going to pull back to sit and wait.”

  “Do you have any confidence they can be found one way or the other?”

  “Thank you for your concern. We absolutely will not stop until we find them, but it could take days or weeks or longer. All those men have people that care deeply about them. Wives, children. Mothers and fathers.”

  He paused for a moment. “Look, I haven’t given up hope. No one has. It’s still possible they are alive, but we’ve spent years making these vessels extremely difficult to locate, so it won’t be easy.”

  “When is your deadline?”

  “Twenty-four hours.”

  “Then they’ve already begun ramping up for some kind of assault, haven’t they?”

  “The subs could still make contact before the time is up. If not, or if we find some sign such as debris or bodies, the Navy and other forces will approach the dome. If they are attacked or compromised in any way, they will take it out.”

  “What makes you believe they can do that?”

  “I’m not at all sure they can. Listen, there were some higher-ups who wanted to go in long ago, and with this, it’s now unanimous. Those men on the subs may all be dead now, and maybe because of me.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  He paced back and forth, then looked at his watch as if waiting for a sign. He looked out at the sea then back at her. “I asked them to let us try one more time to make contact. Before this situation gets out of control.”

  “And it will, if they move in.”

  “Already is, truth to tell. Only thing we have left is to throw a Hail Mary pass. Otherwise, it’s the locker room for us, and they send in their own team.”

  Some of the anger she had been directing at Chiffrey, ever since he had arrived, should probably have been aimed at the source of these decisions. He was trying to play both ends against the middle, perhaps, but now he himself had become the middle and was being squeezed like a fender between two ships.

  “Okay,” she said, “What does Captain Thorssen say? And my father?”

  “I gave them two options. Wait twelve hours and then have the Valentina escorted out of the area. Or wait twenty-two hours, and then we’ll all be choppered out. If we leave the Valentina here, they’ll provide a crew to move her out of harm’s way. You civilians all have the option of disembarking by air any time from now on. You can be out within the hour.”

  “I’m not leaving,” she said.

  “Your father and Captain Thorssen told me the same thing, but after I tell everyone their options, there may not be enough hands left to crew the ship.”

  He scanned the horizon again as if watching for an adversary. “This was already working its way to the top of everyone’s pile, but with the subs missing, it’s now a flashing red light. For the president, the secretary of defense, all the intelligence agencies. If you’ll remember what I said before, it takes time for things to filter up, but they have, and we’re in full-blown crisis mode now. No one here can tell me why or what the dome is hiding, so I have nothing to offer Command.”

  “All right, I get it.”

  “Not quite. Until now, we had a standoff of sorts, and no one had been hurt. Losing two attack subs is not just another inexplicable incident to be pondered. They were both fairly new, but proven. We are talking the absolute standard in hardened, hidden, and therefore almost unassailable, assets. Anything that can take them out must be assumed absolutely lethal.”

  Penny looked at Chiffrey’s hands. The blood was draining out of his fingers from gripping the rail so tightly.

  She understood. “They see the loss of the subs as the first shot already fired.”

  “Exactly, and they want to make sure the next shot is theirs because it may be the only one they get. We have to move fast, and there will be no reprieve this time. Use what little time we have left wisely.”

  He turned and walked away without another word, perhaps the clearest indication of the seriousness with which he took events as they were unfolding. They had to come up with something, and she now saw the only thing it could be.

  CHAPTER 52

  She entered her father’s cabin to find that Chiffrey was also there. She just came out with it before anyone else had a chance to speak. “We need to send the Bluedrop down again.”

  “And why do you think that?” her father asked, seemingly not surprised.

  “To provoke whatever’s down there, of course.”

  “Am I missing something?” Chiffrey asked.

  “We only have twenty hours now,” she replied. “Unless we make contact, the military will make their move with everything they have. Even nukes, right?”

  “Not really,” her father said calmly. “They have missiles that can take out an enemy sub, and they include nuclear-tipped missiles, but we can assume they will start with conventional armaments first.”

  Chiffrey shook his head. “I’m afraid I have to inform you that they will use any means necessary. ‘Any’ means any.”

  “Are you insane!” her father yelled. “I realize the situation is critical, but have they lost their minds?”

  “I’m sorry, Doctor. It’s not my decision or recommendation. The President herself authorized it, although they won’t take that step easily. The loss of the subs changed everything.”

  Her father sighed deeply and looked at each of them one by one. “I had no idea we might get into anything like this.”

  “It’s not your fault,” Chiffrey said.

  “Not so sure about that, but Pen’s right. Let’s go down again and knock on the devil’s door. We have nothing to lose.”

  “Your lives, perhaps,” Chiffrey said.

  “Anyone who wishes, with your help, can leave the Valentina, and no blame. Offer’s still open, I assume? Good enough?”

  “If we do send the Bluedrop down,” Chiffrey said, “there is every reason to believe that the same thing—or worse—will happen again.”

  “I will be counting on it,” her father said. “That’s what you were thinking, Pen. Yes?”

  “Something like that.”

  “And she’s right. It’s clear to me now. This may be the only way we have at the moment to establish a line of communication. Risky, no doubt, and that is why I’ll be going down solo.”

  “I knew you'd say that,” she said. “No, full stop, to you going alone.”

  “Doctor Bell, I understand you feel responsible,” Chiffrey said, “but are you absolutely sure?

  “I am. This is long past being an interesting phenomenon. It’s clear to me that whatever we have stumbled upon could be one of the most significant events in human history. We can’t let that turn to hell.”

  Her father turned his gaze toward her for a long moment. The trace of a smile was on his lips as he said, “That is the big picture, but my personal reason for going is Matthew. Deep down, my bones tell me there is no real malevolence here. We have to demonstrate that to those with their finger on the button. As long as the power possessors involved don’t know what they are in front of, they have no way to determine whether there is a real threat and they will do what they must. The risk is acceptable, given what’s at stake.”

  Penny had listened quietly, having already prepared for his response. When she finally spoke, she did so as calmly as she could. “If we agree to send you down to act as a lure, you will not be going alone.”

  “I’m certainly capable of handling the Bluedrop solo.”

  “This has to include me,” she said.

  “And why, exactly, is that?”

  “There were four people on the Bluedrop, but only Matthew was taken. Why?”

  No one said anything, so she went on. “Matthew had more contact with the lead whale we were tracking than anyone else. Even before coming onboard the Valentina. It was contact of a special kind, and I believe that is why he was taken. Or maybe chosen. Later, most of the others here wer
e touched somehow on the day the whales vanished, but not me. If I’m right, I am one of the few people on this ship who was unaffected by whatever happened that day. Maybe the only one.”

  “Hmm,” was all her father said, while glancing at her with his “let’s-discuss-this-later” look.

  In spite of that, she continued. “Ask the people who were there. When the whales disappeared, it didn’t even cause me a flutter. I looked around and everyone else was strewn about like so much wet laundry.” She glanced at Chiffrey. “Even you didn’t look so good.”

  “Little motion sickness was all.”

  “While I was in great shape. Listen, if whatever occurred the last time down there happens again, I might be the only one who could remain conscious.” She leaned a little closer to her father. “You couldn’t remember a thing, after all.”

  Her father frowned. “Are you saying you have your own private immunity?”

  “You cannot count on a repeat performance,” Chiffrey said to her. “If I were you—”

  “But you’re not me, are you? You can save your concern for someone else. Becka, perhaps.” She looked her father straight in the eyes and said, “I’m going with you.”

  “Penelope, of course I can’t let you,” he said, but she could tell he was softening.

  “Why not?”

  “For one thing,” he said, “you are my daughter.”

  “Dad…”

  “Yes, I know, I know. Some things I can’t outgrow. If anything should happen…how can I allow you to take such a risk?”

  “You mean like the ones you always seem overjoyed to take on a regular basis? You’re on the thin edge there, not me. In addition, I have a connection with Matthew. I need to be there. You have the final say, but I am definitely going with you.”

  Her father, exasperated, looked at Chiffrey. “This is our family’s version of ‘being reasonable,’ in case you’re wondering.”

  Chiffrey came close to smiling, but seemed a little disappointed. “Okay, supposing you both go down, and one or both of you go missing like Matthew. Then what? Aren’t we right back where we started? I mean, we could try putting a tracer on you, I guess,”

  Penny glanced at her father who shook his head and said, “We’ve already seen how easily communications can be lost. Matthew’s clothes were left behind, so I wouldn’t give any kind of radio tag much of a chance.”

  “But that doesn’t matter,” Penny said. “If we make it there and back, then it’s likely we’ll have something new to report. If one or both of us go missing, that will give us a better chance of making some kind of contact. And that is what we need. We all know that.”

  Chiffrey looked weary. “This is nothing more than a shot in the dark.”

  “You’ve grown surprisingly cautious lately,” she said, narrowing her eyes as she stared at him. She didn’t want to talk about her dream and the drawing, so just added, “I assumed you’d think this was a great idea.”

  “I don’t want to lose anyone else.”

  Her father looked at her and said, “Your mother will not be happy, but your company will be welcome. And at least I’ll be able to keep my eye on you.” He smiled at Chiffrey. “It is our decision, Lieutenant. We have our course set.”

  Chiffrey still appeared doubtful. “This is not really a plan.” To Penny he added, “It’s worse than what you were accusing me of not so long ago. Being chum in the water just to see what bites.”

  Before she could reply, her father said, “‘Change changes everything.’ It’s what we have. Get the warships to move back. I’m convinced it will increase our chances of success. Put it to them that way.”

  “I’ll put in the strongest request I can. The fact that you are going down again will put some weight behind it. How about forty klicks from the center? All except the ships searching for the missing subs, and only as long as we remain unprovoked. Is that sufficient?”

  “Of course, we don’t know. And I appreciate even that, but must there always be a loophole, Lieutenant?”

  Chiffrey seemed almost sad. “Whatever you may believe, no one is looking for a fight. A decision to use force will not be taken lightly, I assure you. When can you go?”

  “If the crew gets to work now, the Bluedrop can launch at five tomorrow morning.” Her father scowled. “And that means getting up at four. Though it may not be easy, get some sleep, everyone.”

  CHAPTER 53

  She woke up in her bunk, breathing hard. Another dream, but all the details forgotten save one: Matthew had been there. She grabbed her alarm clock and saw immediately that she hadn’t set it right. Four-thirty, and the light of dawn was already glimmering on the rim of the porthole. The Bluedrop would be launched in half an hour. Damn!

  She leapt off the bunk, splashed water from a bottle onto her face, and started to dress while scanning the other bunks. All empty.

  Why hadn’t anyone woken her? Why—

  There was a knock on the door.

  “I’m up. I’m…thanks.”

  “Penny, the mission’s been canceled.”

  She flung open the door. Chiffrey looked startled for once as she glared at him. “What!”

  “You’d best have a look yourself,” he said.

  His eyes flickered down for a moment and she brought together the front of her unbuttoned shirt.

  “Just come,” he added. “It will be quicker than trying to explain.”

  “I’ll be there in three minutes.” She slammed the door shut and immediately began yanking on her still-tied sneakers, not caring about the pain from the scraped flesh. She finished tucking in her shirt as she ran along the companionway and up the steps to find what seemed like the entire crew on deck, gazing in reverence at the Bluedrop’s shiny yellow hull. It was still sitting on its cradle and the crane was not even hooked up. She slowed her approach. Her father turned her way, a twinkle in his eye.

  “Our friend below seems to have other ideas about how we will spend our morning.” He sighed softly. “Pity they couldn’t have let us know last night. I really could have used more sleep.”

  She slid in between them all and looked at the Bluedrop.

  “What’s the problem?”

  “You don’t see?” her father answered.

  She looked again, but it seemed fine.

  “The hatch, Pen.”

  “Where…oh, no.”

  The hatch was gone.

  Only a few days ago, she had stood with Emory, helping him open it, straining on the wheel with all her strength. Now the hatch was simply not there anymore, and she could barely see where it had been. She stepped forward, climbed a stepladder and ran her hand over the area. Warm. It was as if the opening in the hull had grown over, healed like a wound, yet leaving no scar. Even the texture of the paint matched. The color seemed almost the same, yet when she really looked at it, oddly different. She looked at Andrew.

  “Found the people on watch asleep,” he said, answering her unspoken question. “They remember nothing.”

  Her father shook his head. “And we can’t hold them responsible. They were clearly rendered unconscious, perhaps the same way we were while down in the Bluedrop.”

  “This can’t be a coincidence,” Penny said. “The dome knew we were coming.”

  “Would seem that way,” Andrew said.

  “You think this is a message for us?” Chiffrey asked her father. “As in, ‘stay away or you’re next’?”

  “I don’t detect aggression here at all. Quite the opposite.” He glanced up at where the Bluedrop’s hatch had been. “I’m not sure what the entire strategy is, but part of the reason for this may be to prevent us from getting hurt. And, I’ll have to say, the means were concocted with a fair dose of humor as well.”

  Penny looked at him, surprised only for a moment, then it was as if a few pieces of a jigsaw puzzle had fit together all on their own. Not for Chiffrey, though. He looked incredulous and was puffing up for a speech.

  “You’ll have to excuse me for b
eing a bore, Doctor,” he said, “but I’m having trouble finding the humor in the loss of two attack submarines and their crew.”

  “If that truly happened, Lieutenant, I would be the first to call it a terrible tragedy, but I’m still betting against it.

  “The propellers.” Everyone looked at Andrew. He was leaning against the Bluedrop’s crane and looking squarely at Chiffrey. “In the photos you brought, the propellers were found in the middle of the Pentagon courtyard. Dead center. One on top of another, the five blades pointing to the five walls.”

  Her father laughed. “Yes, in some kind of logic, perhaps the perfect place for them. The same with the divers. They went down to see what had happened to those same propellers and emerged later as poets and prophets, at least from what you’ve told us, Lieutenant. Whether they were spouting the ravings of madmen or the wisdom of the enlightened, perhaps we’ll know one day. But it all is beginning to strike me as resembling something out of the Odyssey. And as long as we’re on Greek classics, what about Lorraine, our TV news reader, turned sibyl and seer?”

  “You’ll have to excuse me, Doctor, as I’m afraid I still can’t quite make out the humor,” Chiffrey said, “but that is an insight I’d love to explore another day. Thing is, we’re running out of time. What’s next?”

  “Don’t you understand?” Her father looked up a moment as if beseeching heaven. “We are dealing with a totally different kind of intelligence, another order entirely. Although some of the actions taken toward us may seem almost nonsensical at times, there is a pattern here if we could but see it. One thing does seem abundantly clear and that is that we are not welcome closer to the dome. So at this point, I see nothing wiser than simply standing by.”

  “If I tell Command the dive is cancelled,” Chiffrey said, “let alone why, and then say our reaction to that is to just wait and see, they will immediately go to plan B, which means you all get pulled out of here. So while we’re standing by, you might as well start packing—ah, Malcolm? What’s up?”