by Razi Imam
For now, they had survived, but they were still trapped underneath the bedrock dome. Michelangelo surfaced and swam to Shiloh, who stood on shore anxiously.
“I need a heavy rock, quickly!” Michelangelo yelled. Shiloh shot up one side of the dune and down the other, running toward the rocky terrain of the reef. He found a rock that probably weighed over forty pounds and carried it over the dune, almost tumbling down the other side. Michelangelo lifted the rock with one arm and swam back down to the bedrock. Nidal was still at work, his hands expanding the edges of the crack.
Michelangelo brought the rock down with all his strength, but water resistance wasn’t letting him get the leverage he needed. He wedged the rock into the opening and kicked it through the crack, creating a hole big enough for the team to pass through.
Fabienne was the first to go through. Michelangelo helped her to the surface as the rest of the dive team followed. They were soon sprawled on the sand dune, catching their breaths in the morning sun. Shiloh handed his water canteen to Maria, who gave him a big hug before taking several large gulps.
Michelangelo stood nearby, giving them time to recover. “So, what did you get me from Sydney?” he asked.
Everyone laughed, exhausted but happy to be alive. “Nothing from Sydney,” Fabienne said, “but we did get you time nodules. Three hundred of them.” She lifted the glowing bag.
They gathered their things and made the short trip to the anchored Skjold, glad the excitement was over and nobody had gotten hurt. The dive team disappeared into their cabins to shower and change. Fabienne used the galley freezer to secure the time nodules, also transferring the cell samples of the walls and red oval mass they had taken.
Upon hearing the good news, Minh and Adora started preparing breakfast. The team gathered around the mess table after their showers, exhausted, starving, yet incredibly excited about everything they had seen and discovered. For the moment, however, they were immensely grateful to Minh and Adora for preparing the food.
Sebastian took a bite from an impromptu omelet and spicy potato sandwich he’d made, asking Poseidon to connect them to Cebrián. It was time to share the good news.
One by one, Cebrián connected the entire Honeycomb team to the call and shared video clips from Nidal’s diver camera. Everyone stared in silence, absorbing the first ever footage of an entirely new life form.
Sebastian kicked things off. “We’ve collected three hundred time nodules to be equally distributed around the world. We’ve also collected samples of the walls and the big red structure to conduct DNA analysis. We think this may be the first living example of a non-carbon based life form. As you all know, Felisa Wolfe-Simon of NASA was the first to suggest the existence of arsenic-based microorganisms in California’s Mono Lake. But leading scientists refuted her research, and I think they were too quick to judge her.”
He paused to see if there were any questions before continuing. “As you can see, the cavern we were searching for all this time was this life form. It appears to be a complex structure of networked circular Fibonacci staircase formations that either lives in the deep caverns of the world, or perhaps even forms them itself. It has evolved to coexist with carbon-based life forms. The slit we see in the original fish is the means by which the time nodules become a part of them.”
Dmitry spoke up. “Sebastian, I’m confused. Is this footage of the Sydney Opera House?”
Sebastian smiled awkwardly. “We haven’t had the opportunity to discuss internally how that event occurred, but, yes—that’s the Sydney Opera House. We traveled about three thousand miles and back. The Rahpido wall of the life form created a tunnel that operated like a high-speed Hyperloop.”
“How is that even possible?” Dmitri’s voice boomed through the speakers. “If that’s true, you must have been going close to Mach speeds. The G-forces should have killed you.”
“It appears the life form creates a biological pod that envelopes and protects the traveler,” Sebastian explained.
“I don’t understand it. You had no oxygen for three hours?” Dmitri questioned.
“Well, you’re surrounded by Rahpido particles, so you’re experiencing minutes while hours pass outside,” Sebastian replied.
“Okay, one last question,” Dmitri said. “How did you know to go to Sydney and back to the lagoon?”
Sebastian shifted in his chair and then lowering his voice he revealed, “When I touched the red oval mass, I experienced snapshots of information. For instance, I now know that the life form consists of a series of tubular tunnels spread across the Earth, from the U.S. to China, from Paris to Panama, and these structures are constantly changing, evolving, and forming new caverns throughout the Earth’s crust and mantle.
“These Rahpido tunnels open up wherever the obsidian crystal formations are. I remembered Josephine mentioning that a new set of them were recently discovered in Sydney harbor. So when I touched the Rahpido tunnel wall and thought of that particular location, somehow that information was transferred to the creature, and it took us there.”
His explanation was met with silence as everyone grasped the enormity of it all.
“Fascinating,” Omar Tabreze broke the silence. “I’m glad you were able to pick up DNA samples. They’ll help us truly understand this creature.”
“I hate to break up the party, Sebastian,” Cebrián said, “but in a few hours, a Chinese destroyer and the USS Bainbridge will be closing in on your location. They both have hostile intentions to board and take control of your research. I need you to get out of Bombay Reef. I’m working on a plan to get you guys home safely. I’m sending you new coordinates.”
“Wait, I have one last question,” Kabir interjected. “Why did the life form choose to communicate solely with Sebastian?”
“Great question,” Cebrián said. “It’s something I was wondering too. Unfortunately, we don’t have time to unravel that mystery. It’ll have to wait until the team is safe. Okay, signing off.” Cebrián disconnected the call.
Sebastian felt the stare of the team. He could see that they, too, wanted an explanation. “Guys, this whole mission has been nothing but a series of improvisations. We had to smuggle the specimen out of Vietnam, then fight our way out of Guam, almost kidnap Charles and Adora, borrow a Skjold warship, take on Chinese patrol boats, and now this dive to find the life form.
“What I’m trying to say is we’ve had to make some pretty major decisions on the spur of the moment. And when interacting with the creature, I had a choice to either return to the ship and hope to find it again, or take advantage of what I thought I understood. I chose wrong. I put the team in great danger in order to understand the power of this species.”
Nidal spoke up. “We all know what we signed up for. We knew there would be risks. And improvisation is part of that risk. No matter how much we plan, we’re still building the plane as we fly it.” He looked around at the team and back at Sebastian. “We’re Paramarines.”
The team dispersed to make preparations to cast off, but Maria tugged at Sebastian’s shirt, asking him to stay behind. When the others had left, she stared at him critically. “Sebastian, you know something that you’re not telling us.”
Sebastian’s ocean-blue eyes had that mysterious look again. “Maria, I’m still trying to figure out what happened to me.”
Fabienne checked in on Vu, who was now fully coherent. She took him to his room and settled him in, then went to the galley and brought him some leftovers. “Please eat something and gain your strength.”
“Thank you,” he said, lips quivering.
“We have a lot to update you on regarding the specimen,” Fabienne continued. “Join us after you’ve eaten and cleaned up.” She gave him a reassuring smile and headed back to the bridge.
Vu scanned the small, clean cabin, complete with an attached bath. He was happy to see his things were there as well. He was still wearing his torn, bloodied shirt and the gruesome memories rushed back in, making him tremble. He dist
racted himself with the food, surprised at his appetite. After finishing his meal, he decided to take a shower and change into a new white shirt and khaki trousers. He stood in the bathroom, staring at his reflection in the mirror. Something was different about his appearance—he looked younger.
He picked up his tray and stepped out of the cabin, unsure where to go. He started down the corridor and stopped at the galley, noticing a familiar face.
On seeing Vu, Minh almost screamed with joy. She couldn’t believe he was standing in front of her. She ran up to him to greet him and gave a bow, both of them started tearing up.
Minh spoke rapidly in Vietnamese. She took him to the mess area and had him sit in a chair at the main table. She ran up to the bridge and brought back Pham Kai, who was equally glad to see him up and about.
They sat next to the professor and gave him all the details of the last day-and-a-half, including their bold escape from the patrol boats and miraculous rescue by the Paramarines.
It was an information overload, especially coming from two Vietnamese who at best were guessing at a lot of what was going on. Vu couldn’t understand much—their stories sounded more like fairy tales. From the luminescent maroon waters to the life form that went inside the earth for miles, much of it must have been supposition.
The three of them didn’t notice Sebastian approach. He’d never heard Minh speak much, and it appeared she was doing most of the talking. It was as if three friends had met after a long time apart. He realized that for Pham Kai and Minh, being around them had been a foreign experience—reuniting with Vu gave them some much needed social interaction and camaraderie. After a few minutes, he knocked on the door and entered. “Hello, Doctor Vu Ha. It’s good to see you awake and feeling better.”
“S-Sebastian,” Vu stammered.
“Yes, how are you feeling?” Sebastian asked. “
“Thank you, I’m feeling much better,” the professor replied. “I know you have hundreds of questions, Vu, and I promise we’ll answer all of them,” Sebastian said. “But for now, I need Pham Kai on the bridge to help us get out of our current position.”
“Pham Kai on the bridge of this ship?” Vu asked, eyes wide.
“Yes, he’s the most qualified to navigate these waters,” Sebastian said.
Pham Kai had a fair understanding of what was being said, even though Poseidon wasn’t translating. He gave Vu a nod and walked back to the bridge with Sebastian.
“Do you know where the bridge is?” Vu asked Minh.
She nodded, and he followed her through the ship. He marveled at the five large stations of the bridge, with buttons and touch screens, each manned by one of the Paramarines. In the middle were two large monitors, one displaying the scene outside of the ship, and the other a topology map of the area. He recognized Bombay Reef.
Sebastian stood next to Shiloh, noticing Vu and Minh peeking in. He invited them in, pointing to seats next to Adora and Fabienne. He introduced his team. “Vu, that’s Nidal, Michelangelo, this is Shiloh next to me, over there is Maria and Charles, and his wife Adora sitting next to Fabienne, whom you already know.”
Maria turned around when she heard her name. “Vu, we loved your Vietnamese barbecue,” she said, flashing her signature smile.
The team laughed as they greeted Vu, welcoming him to the bridge.
“Okay, folks,” Sebastian said, “we have less than two hours to get out of the area and as close as possible to Cebrián’s coordinates. Pham Kai, help us get out of here.”
***
ONCE AGAIN FULLY operational, the two warships raced to intercept the Skjold—the Bainbridge from the west and the Luyang-I from the east.
Captain Francis Drake sat in his war room, giving final instructions to his Navy SEALs. “Your mission is a go. Your RIBs will reach the Skjold faster than us. Take control of the boat, subdue to the scientists and navigate the boat toward our ship. Godspeed.”
Their plan was simple—upon spotting the vessel, the Navy SEALs would surround the vessel as quickly as possible. They would then pacify any crew they encountered, employing stealth for as long as possible. They had pictures of the scientists, and would use extreme caution when apprehending them—especially the two retired Navy SEALs and the leader of the team, Sebastian Miles.
“Aye, aye, sir,” Captain Rudy Shepard acknowledged, ordering his men to move out. The RIBs headed out in a parallel formation, creating discrete Kelvin wake lines, a beautiful site in the deep blue waters of South China Sea.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
The Attack
“I’ve come to protect your consciousness.
Where has it gone? Come back into awareness!”
~ Rumi
IT TOOK THE team longer than expected to navigate out of the treacherous channel and head out to open sea. They had just begun to make good progress when the Senit 2000 sounded an alarm. The system had identified two warships in close proximity, as well as small inflatable boats heading rapidly toward them.
Michelangelo recognized them as Navy SEAL RIBs. “Folks, we have company. Those RIBs are in attack formation. I believe they’re Navy SEALs.”
“How long before we get to the coordinates?” Sebastian asked.
“Two hours. Not enough time. We’re going as fast as we can,” Shiloh said.
“The two warships are an hour away,” Michelangelo informed the team, “and the Navy SEALs should reach us in about fifteen minutes.”
“Shiloh, slow down and bring us around. Michelangelo, open all weapon bays.” Sebastian said.
“What? Slow down?” Shiloh asked, alarmed by the orders.
“Yes,” Sebastian confirmed. “Running away from them won’t work.”
“What do you have in mind?” Nidal asked. “I don’t recommend hostile action against our SEALs.”
Sebastian nodded. “We need to slow them down.”
“How? Are you thinking of a standoff?” Maria asked, looking at the monitors.
“Something like that,” Sebastian replied. “Except we’ll add the element of shock and awe.”
“What do you mean?” Nidal asked. “How?”
“I have a wild idea,” Sebastian explained. “Remember when Maria was solving the laser maze challenge, and we ended up seeing multiple images of her in different positions?”
“Keep going,” Shiloh said, slowing the ship and turning it around.
“What if we generated a Rumio time field and moved our boat laterally several times?” Sebastian said.
Shiloh shot up from his chair. “I think I know where you’re going with this. Rumio particles create a temporal loop, where we repeat our actions, but don’t remember repeating them. Viewers outside the temporal field would see multiple images of us.”
“We’d create multiple boats ready to engage. We may confuse them enough that they may call off their attack,” Sebastian said.
“It would buy us some time,” Michelangelo chimed in. “But how will we track how many times we repeat our movements?”
“Easy, we’ll give control to Poseidon via Bluetooth,” Shiloh answered. “Poseidon will shut down the time warp device after we repeat our actions ten times. The mental effects of the particles only work on biological entities. No offense, Poseidon.”
“None taken,” Poseidon answered.
***
CAPTAIN DRAKE, THE XO, and the senior officers were gathered in the war room when Rudy’s voice came over the speakers. “Captain Drake, sir, did you not say there was just one Skjold to board?”
“Affirmative,” Drake responded, frowning. “The operation involves the boarding of a single vessel.”
“Sir,” Rudy said, “we’re facing a fleet of ten fully-armed Skjold warships. They have weapons bays open and stand ready to engage. There’s also a kind of pink mist all around them.”
“Ten ships?” Drake yelled. He turned to his radar technician. “What is he talking about?”
The officer typed away on his keyboard, bringing up a live satellite
image of the area. “Sir, I’m not sure how this happened, but he’s right. There appears to be ten vessels.”
“Where did they come from?” Drake shouted. “For the last forty-eight hours, we’ve been chasing down a single Skjold. How is this possible?”
“Sir, shall we continue our approach and attempt to board one of them?” Rudy asked.
“How would you know which one to board? No, abort the mission and return to the Bainbridge,” Drake ordered. “We’ll need to figure this out before attempting anything else.” He turned to his senior staff. “I need answers. What in the name of God is happening?”
“Sir, if I may?” The XO requested.
“Go ahead,” Drake replied.
“I think they may be using the very technology we’ve been sent to retrieve against us,” the XO explained.
“Open a channel with them,” Drake ordered.
Moments later, Skjold’s bridge speaker crackled, and an authoritative voice came through. “This is Captain Drake of the USS Bainbridge. We’re ordering you to close your weapon bays and prepare to be boarded. Any resistance to my orders will be met with lethal force.”
Sebastian walked over to the communications station and pressed a button. “Captain, we’re private researchers on a sovereign Norwegian vessel. With respect, you have no jurisdiction to board us.”
“This must be Doctor Sebastian Miles,” Captain Drake replied. “I’ve been reading reports about you and your team. For the national security of the United States of America, we can’t allow you to continue. Close your weapon bays and stand down.”
“Captain,” Sebastian said, “since you know so much about me, you must also know that my team and I are not ones to give up. We’ll not close our weapon bays, and we’ll do everything humanly possible to defend our research and our lives.”
