by Scott Todd
I was on a useless roll, but I continued: "What a befitting, timely end for our species. And you wonder why I chose to end those lives on the mountain, while I had the chance? We need another damn way, Ben. It's time people took responsibility for their own governance, and never let others dictate their fates again. We need to kill politics, even worse than we need to ban all organized religion. I believe that had Science been in charge and not enslaved, that internal scientific consensus would have prevailed over political urges- and this would not have happened," I finally finished, content with my diatribe- but sad to have said it.
Ben seemed moved, and just stared at me for a long time, speechless. Then finally he disengaged, put his head down, and reengaged his instruments with a seemingly careless attitude.
"I don't see how we are going to get out of this one, but if we do, we need to consider carefully how to rebuild a society- that much I'll agree with, and your ideas are noted," he said in a daze, staring blankly at several instrument panels.
"Well I am still confused about how that gas could have become so unstable so quickly down there, even with the hole they drilled. From what I had read, I thought gas expansion was held in check by pressure," I said, bewildered.
He briefly looked up. "Well I am still working through that one myself," he said. "But magmatic gas probably started chemical expansion slowly at the bottom of the hole when the crust was pierced. That hole removed the necessary crust pressure to contain it. Then it probably overcame the ability of the relatively small drill hole to relieve the overexpansion pressure. This would have forced cracks in the sides and bottom of the drill hole, releasing still more gas, and snowballing over the course of days or weeks into even more of a massive gas release. There was probably a huge ocean current created from this activity above the drill hole initially.
"But by the time anybody figured out why they were getting big waves on the coasts, and why tsunamis were occurring seemingly out of nowhere, it had progressed into such a rapid and colossal gas release that the snowball effect went into hyper drive, cracking huge expanses of oceanic crust, and releasing still more and more gas. And with all that water filling those cracks and then eventually reaching that monstrous magmatic body- that created steam- to make a catastrophic situation even worse. It was so much pressure pushing upwards over such a large expanse of relatively thin ocean crust, that I believe all those factors combined to cause the first explosion.
"The second, even bigger explosion was probably a result from the tremendous damage that the first explosion caused down deep. I think it repeated the whole process again, except on a much faster and even bigger scale, until it created a hole big enough in the ocean bottom to arrive at a constant equilibrium between massive magmatic and steam degassing, and a suitable release valve big enough to let it out consistently.
"And it's also possible some other, unknown factor could be involved. One thing I thought of was that the gas composition in that particular spot might have contained, or been mixed with, methane. There is plenty of methane down there, and we were discovering more and more of it all the time, venting from the ocean bottom.
"Now clearly I am not sure of any of this, but as far as I can tell, it's about the best I can come up with as to why this happened. The existence, and massive scale, of the ultra low velocity zone there was not in question. And as you probably know, the ultra low velocity zone refers to a place where seismic waves move much slower through it than solid crustal rock- implying the existence of molten rock, or gas pockets, or a combination of both.
"The rapid uplift and subsequent huge earthquakes around the Pacific rim, however, was unprecedented. No one saw that coming. At least not for a very long time, and certainly not in OUR lifetimes. What we thought should have taken millions of years, started happening in a micro fraction of the time. Hell, we had just discovered that anomalous zone in the last few years. So that uplift was a shocking surprise, and frankly, I thought it would just subside- as so many other scientists did.
"But it kept growing and growing, way too fast to allow any of us to face the truth with known facts. Expeditions were difficult that far out in the ocean and extremely expensive. And worse, we had trouble getting the political and financial support we needed. It was way ahead of us and stayed ahead of our ability to respond," Ben finally concluded.
"Well maybe the Japanese sensed that, and had to try and do something," I added.
"Well yes," Ben replied, "But drilling a hole in it would be extremely dangerous, and they knew it. They decided to take the calculated risk that they wouldn't be able to drill deep enough to pierce it. But what they didn't know, was exactly how thin the crust would be where they drilled- or what lay directly below it."
"So in a sense they played Russian roulette, and picked the chamber with the bullet in it- except they were risking the entire planet's lives as well as just their own," I surmised in utter disgust. "That should have never been allowed to happen, even if it meant war. Even war would have been better. But now we have both- a broken planet AND a nuclear war."
"Yes, it appears so," Ben agreed with a quiet sigh. And to seemingly accentuate the point, a deep ominous rumble was heard in the distance outside the sub.
Suddenly Gary appeared. "Ben, I will take your seat if you can check on that to make sure that was... an earthquake- and not another nuke. Down here so deep it's really hard to tell, so we could use a quick analysis of the wave data to be sure, please," Gary asked.
"Not a problem, and that's a good idea," Ben responded. Then he hurried off to another part of the ship.
Chapter 58: The Code of Living
"How's that radar?" Gary asked, slipping down into the planeman's seat, and checking the instrument panel.
"Pretty quiet since that last episode," I responded. "Haven't heard or seen a thing more since. So you think they'll keep coming after us?"
"Hard to say at this point," Gary said. "I've been racking my brains thinking, and trying to anticipate their next potential moves, given the circumstances. Which is another reason I came up here- because I need to discuss some things with you all and get your opinions.
"Earthquake... No question," Ben said, arriving back amazingly fast.
Then Terry appeared, followed by Jan. "You rang?" Terry said, a little sarcastically. Jan smirked at her remark, and proclaimed "Ok, I'm here. The ship chef at your service..."
Gary grinned for a split second, but quickly got serious. "Well the reason I have asked us all to meet is because we have some planning and discussion to do. And it's probably best that all of us do this together," he began.
"We have multiple scenarios to consider," Gary continued. "And none of them are good. But the objective here is to find out opinions on several crucial matters so that we can achieve consensus wherever possible. And where we can't, we will have to compromise until we can. Together we stand, and divided we fall. And I can assure you that now is no time to be divided.
"So first, I'd like to find out what each of you considers to be THE MOST IMPORTANT THING that we should try to do right now. Given that our immediate food and water needs are met, what do you feel is the very next thing to do? How about we start with Terry. Terry, so what do you think?" he asked.
"Well I suppose, since we are being attacked, that we should stay hidden at all costs," she responded. "Because if we are discovered by them, we are dead."
"Ok, good," Gary replied. Jan?
"Well I agree with that, but I also think we need to find out exactly what is going out there, and who is at war with who. We need to find out what and who exactly is left... And where."
"Ok, that's good too," Gary said. Brian?
"Well agreed as well with all of what they say, but I also think that we need more information about what is happening at the event site. There is still so much that is unknown, and we could be in for more giant waves, explosions, and overpowering water currents," I remarked.
"Ok, that's fine... Points noted," Gary said noddin
g. Ben?
"Well as soon as we possibly can, I feel that we need to make some kind of contact- not with our attackers obviously, but with anyone else that may still be left. We need to find a way back to a shoreline somewhere and forge alliances. Only then can we proceed to assess the situation at the event site- because the rest may not matter until we know what exactly is going on there. We're going to need a plane, for example."
"Ok, good points as well," Gary noted. He thought for a minute, and then finally said:
"Well I might point out that in order to do ANY of that, which is ALL important, first we have to survive. Not only do we have to survive the rushing ocean currents and debris, but now we have to survive against nuclear weapon attacks. And so to go back to what Terry said, for a time I feel we MUST remain hidden at all costs. Or we ARE going to die- one way or the other."
He looked around at everyone carefully, but we were all silent.
"So can we all agree that maintaining complete and utter stealth is our absolute priority number one after eating and sleeping?" he asked quietly, but intensely. We all looked at each other, and finally started nodding.
"Ok, that is great, and so let us base our existence- for the time being- around that premise for maximum protection- until such a time that we discuss it again and make a change. For what it's worth, I'd like to call these discussions our own 'Code of Living,' or COL for short. I propose that we each keep this and all discussed and agreed upon COL points at the forefront of our thoughts and actions daily if we are to have any chance of further survival at all.
"And so on that point of maximum stealth, it is VITAL that we each agree to be as quiet as humanly possible, in everything that we do. Jan in the kitchen for example. One dropped pot at the wrong time could cost us all our lives if that noise is picked up and amplified by an enemy ship or sub. Or if one of us trips and knocks something over, it could be the same result. So PLEASE everyone: Get this, and let it sink deep into your souls. Think about it very hard. We must maintain silence, because we don't know what is out there or what may be coming- especially after all the noise those nukes made," Gary finished saying softly, to underscore the point.
"I can see the COL becoming the new 'laws' down the road," Jan said quietly. And I'm SO sick of laws. So let's keep the COL to an absolute minimum, can we? Is there a point number two yet?" she asked.
I tingled with agreement on Jan's words, and looked over at Ben and Terry- who were both clearly amused.
"Yes, if can agree upon it," Gary smirked. "And that is that we all agree to abide by this 'minimalist' COL. And we all agree that no point can be changed on it until a group consensus has been reached after a suitable discussion, with all parties present," he concluded. "That way there is no confusion, and everyone has a say."
He looked around. "Agreed?" he asked. We all nodded.
"Then great," Gary proclaimed, in a near whisper. "Let the Code of Living be born and observed by all.
"Here," Ben said, handing Gary a piece of paper with the new wording spelled out concisely- and a pen. "Initials here and... here, to cover the first two points: Abide by stealth at all times, and agree to group consensus before changing any of the COL. Pretty simple so far, but I have a feeling that document is going to grow," he quietly surmised. "So pass it around I guess..."
After all of us initialed it, I had visions of a new mini society being born, and my mind ran wild with all the things that I wanted to see on that document. But I knew I was in for a lot of discussion first- and that was fine. After all, if we were going to make a new Constitution, in effect, then we might as well start there. Short and simple was good.
Moods seemed to shift to a lighter tone after that, and looking around I could see hope in everyone's eyes. I may have even detected a smile or two. But I could sense that I wasn't the only one dreaming up points for the COL. Everyone was going to have their points too. And the quiet that ensued assured all of us of two things: 1) that we all understood clearly point one of stealth, and 2) that all of us were looking down the road, and already concerned with what that document might ultimately contain.
"Ok then, well we can develop this further later, but now we have to get back to where we were going," Gary said softly. "And I remind you all again that we are in a state of war... I think."
We all went quiet and tensions rose again at the thought.
"We better get back to our stations," Gary whispered, and off he and Terry went, leaving Jan, Ben and me on the bridge.
Chapter 59: The Ocean Road To Somewhere
"And speaking of which, where exactly ARE we going?" Jan asked in a curious whisper.
"Well right now we are headed northeast into the Atlantic ocean, trying to stay away from any major, recessing currents," Ben quietly said. "But we really have no particular destination yet. We haven't had a chance to discuss it. I was hoping to travel far north and try to find land in Europe somewhere. Or perhaps northern Canada.
"It's difficult to say what will be left that was high enough to avoid the water. I have no idea how bad it will be. We may find entire expanses of land that were completely washed clean and then left exposed again after the water partly or fully receded- depending on the area and elevation. It's really anyone's guess, but I have been working more on projections with a world map, and I think we ought to at least try to see what is left of the United States- if anything," Ben said with a dire tone.
"But what about the Rocky Mountain range?" Jan whispered. "Wouldn't that stop the water from going further east?"
"Temporarily it may have," Ben said. "But unfortunately, while there were many high, majestic peaks in that mountain range that might have survived the water, there were also many low points that would have let much of the water through. And once it's through, water on that scale takes no prisoners. There was probably enough water to breach all the mountain ranges in the west- and what it couldn't go over, it went around. Much like what happened to us at Mt. Mitchell. I imagine some of those mountain peaks are still there."
"And so that means there may be people, like isolated hikers and such, still alive," I quietly interjected. "But that's assuming they weren't nuked afterwards, like we were."
All our heads lowered in terror and sorrow at the thought.
"Yes," Ben whispered. "But that's an awfully huge and long mountain range. I can't imagine the Russians or Chinese were able to bomb all of it. On the other hand, if there were only twenty peaks or so left visible, it's possible they did. That still has me furious. I just can't believe they'd do such a thing."
"Yeah well, never let a good crisis go to waste," I just had to mention. "That seems to be the operational model lately with all the wars and such. They're probably thinking of a new world without the US, and happy to seize the reigns."
Gary finally appeared, breaking our long, contemplative silence. "So where is it we are going?" he asked. We noticed he was talking in full voice volume, and we all looked at him, startled.
"Oh yes, I forgot," he said. "At the current time we are clear from any signals whatsoever. No sonar signals, no radio broadcasts, no anything. So it is probably ok for a while to speak normally. Now that doesn't mean go make noise and bang pots and pans around. But yeah, we can talk. What's weird though is I have never heard it so quiet like this before. There is usually always something. Some kind of noise, or something. But it's like the ocean is dead. I mean COMPLETELY DEAD. No whales, no ships... Nothing. Pretty scary," he said with his head down.
"Well any chance we could surface then, and take a look around?" Ben asked, a little excited. "I'd like to see what the skies are doing, and the weather and temperature."
Gary though a minute, then finally said "Well we have no way of testing the air up there. It would be pretty risky to open the hatch with all that sulfur, but it might have cleared- like it did with the changing winds for a while back on the mountain. I suppose we can try and at least take a peek with the periscope first. Here..."
He took over contr
ols from Ben, and began to surface the sub. That was going to take a while, since we were so deep. Finally we started feeling some water turbulence, and Terry appeared, wondering what was going on. But within minutes it got so bad that we had to abort. The sub was being tossed around like a toy. We couldn't even make it to periscope depth. We promptly dove right back down where we were, and stayed there.
"Must be the water still receding," Ben lamented in disappointment.
Then he looked up with a bad omen in his eyes, after thinking a minute. "Well either that, or... The weather may be really deadly up there," he continued. "I have been suspecting this for a while, the more I have thought about the global disturbances the changing temperature will bring. You know what happens when hot air and cold air mix. There could be super storms up there, the likes of which humanity has never witnessed before. It may be some time before things stabilize. IF they stabilize at all."
