Chapter 24
"You know a guy named Nathan Mercer?" I asked Tristan when I called.
"Yes. How do you know him?”
"I don't, really. But I know he is dead.”
"Dead!?" he said in shock. "That would explain why he missed our meeting.”
"You were scheduled for a meeting?”
"He no-showed. I called, texted. Couldn't get hold of him. I figured he had gotten cold feet. Nathan was an odd bird. He could change his mind at the drop of a dime. It wasn’t the first time he had scheduled a meeting with me only to no-show.
Brilliant guy, but eccentric. My patience was running thin with him. What happened?"
I told him the story.
"I saw that on the news, but they never identified the victim. I got so busy, it just didn't click that it could have been Nathan.”
"What was the meeting about?"
"I can't discuss that at this time.”
"He was assassinated.”
Tristan went silent. "Concerning, but not surprising. Do you know who’s responsible?”
"We're still trying to figure that out.”
Tristan paused again.
"I need to know what Nathan was working on.”
"Not on an open channel,” Tristan said. “We can talk on an encrypted app. But even then, I'm cautious.”
"He had a briefcase with him. Do you have any idea what was in the case?”
"Yes.”
"It's safe to say that somebody wants it.”
"If what he claimed was true, I can think of a lot of people who would want that prototype."
“Prototype?”
“That’s all I can say.”
"Who would kill for it?”
"At this point, it would be simpler to say who wouldn't?” After a small pause, Tristan asked, “Where is the case now?”
"It’s someplace safe.”
"How safe?”
"Safe.”
"Okay. This is going to be a discussion for when you return to the surface. Along those lines, how's it going? Are you making any progress?”
"We’re moving in the right direction. It's just going to take time.”
“You’re convinced he was murdered?”
“Yes.”
“Well, you know you have my full support. Whatever you need. But the sooner you can wrap this up, the better. That storm is closing in faster and stronger than anticipated. It’s getting pretty rough up here.
Soon, we may have to retract the satellite buoy and solar panels.
If it gets bad enough, the DSV may have to return to base.
Don’t worry, the habitat can fully support itself for the duration of the mission and beyond. ”
“I’ll try to wrap this up as soon as possible.”
“If you need to contact the outside world, do it now. I can’t guarantee how long external comms will be available.”
“Thanks for the heads up.”
I ended the call and relayed the information to JD. He made a call to his daughter, Scarlett. I called the sheriff and touched base. We chatted for a bit, then I called Teagan.
"How long are you going to be down there?" she asked.
I shrugged. "As long as it takes, I guess."
"It's getting pretty nasty here,” she said, fear in her voice.
“Why don’t you close up the restaurant. Secure everything, and keep it closed during the storm. Get out of town if you need to. Take the animals, make sure they’re safe. Keep yourself safe.”
“What about you guys? Are you going to be okay down there?”
“We’re underneath it all. Don’t worry about us. We’ll be just fine.” It was an optimistic statement. I didn’t want to freak her out. “I’ll keep in touch as best I can.”
“You guys stay safe.”
“We will,” I assured before ending the call.
JD and I found the others and figured it was time to rustle up something to eat. Without daylight, it was easy to get turned around down here.
In the mess, we joined the others for dinner. Freeze-dried beef stroganoff noodles, thermostabilized green beans, and a fudge brownie. The rehydrated food wasn’t the Five Fathoms, but it wasn’t bad. It tasted pretty bland, but it would get the job done, especially when hungry.
Judy didn't join the crew for dinner. It was understandable, given the situation. She needed time alone. But she also needed to eat and keep up her strength.
Wong sent Dr. Norrington to check on her.
He returned a few minutes later. "She says she’s not hungry.”
"At least bring her some dessert after dinner. Try to get her to eat a little," he said.
It was a somber meal. Not much conversation around the table.
After we ate, Commander Wong got everybody's attention.
“This has been a tragic day. Commander Weyland was a dedicated leader and passionate about this project.
I know he would want us to continue forward.
I have talked to Tristan, and that is the plan.
The mission continues as scheduled. I know this is an emotional time.
Take a moment to grieve in the appropriate way.
" He nodded to Elana. "Our resident psychologist can offer better counsel than I can, but holding in repressed grief is not a good thing and can take a toll on the body.
If you need to cry, cry. If you need to scream, scream.
But we must steel our resolve and carry forward.
Tristan is right when he says we don't have the luxury of turning back or aborting the mission.
That will not be an option in space. And it's not an option here.
" He took a deep breath. "Which brings up another issue. If the deputies are correct in their assessment, and Commander Weyland was actually murdered, that means we have a killer in our midst.” David glanced around, making eye contact with everyone.
"Someone at this very table is responsible. Not only for the murder, but also for the attempt to dismantle and disrupt our mission. One could not commit such a heinous act without considering the long-term ramifications of what that would do to this project. We are all so fortunate to be a part of this historic moment. It’s unfathomable that someone would do this.
I don't know about you, but I take that personally.
I'm angry. Angry at the death of Commander Weyland.
Angry about the attack on this mission. Angry that I feel powerless to do anything about it.
As you're aware, the deputies will be staying with us until this matter is resolved.” He paused to let it sink in.
The crew exchanged awkward looks with one another. Everyone started to look at each other with suspicion.
Wong continued. "Even if we wanted to abort the mission and return to the surface today, the weather conditions are making that unsafe.
We are down here for the duration." He paused.
"It's been a long day, and I want you all to get rest and clear your heads. First thing tomorrow, we are going to run a full systems diagnostic and make sure everything is working properly. I want to address the battery recharge issues fully. And we will also be making an exterior examination of the hull to assess structural integrity. With the recent tremors, we must stay vigilant about the integrity of this structure. Our lives depend on it.” He looked at Jack and me.
"I understand this is your investigation, but I have command authority over this habitat. You will defer to me for all safety concerns. Are we on the same page?”
I gave him a mock salute. "It's your show.”
After dinner, Elana and Ross took nightwatch.
JD and I shot the breeze with Flynn in our berthing compartment. We kicked around theories for a bit, then Flynn retired to his bunk.
I brushed my teeth and settled in for the evening. Something told me tomorrow would be a long day. Jack sealed and locked the hatch to our compartment. At least I wouldn't have to sleep with one eye open.
As isolated and as dangerous as it was, there was a certain peace about the habitat.
The constant sound of the ocean and the hum of the equipment.
Knowing that you could do nothing about anything that happened on the surface.
There was a different kind of stress in the habitat, but at least the worry of daily life was gone.
It was almost like going on vacation. Disconnecting and detoxing from reality. This was another world.
I had just fallen asleep when another unsettling tremor rumbled the habitat. An alarm sounded. The grating buzz of the klaxon sprang me out of my bunk.
This couldn't be good.