Chapter 11 #2
“Or could be Malone did something to agitate Erebus and it’s about to explode and that’s why the sensors aren’t working.”
“The scientists I spoke to this morning didn’t seem all that concerned, citing equipment failure as being the most likely cause.” A statement given by Noah but lacking conviction.
“One or two devices at a time I could see, but you implied it was more than that. How many did they lose?”
“A dozen or so.”
My lips pinched tight, but I still blurted. “Are they dumb?”
“Apparently, it’s happened before when they updated the software and a bug in it brought the devices offline. However, given there is some uncertainty about the cause, we’re erring on the side of caution. Hence the C17 that will be arriving shortly to begin evacuating.”
“Meaning tonight we’ll be somewhere warm, maybe with a bigger bed,” I teased.
He shook his head. “As one of the essential personnel, I won’t be leaving unless there is an actual eruption, and even then, I’ll be one of the last to go.”
“Oh.” For some reason it hadn’t occurred to me that he’d stay behind. “You won’t be in any danger, though, right?”
“Hopefully not. In good news, I don’t need a runway to take off with my heli.”
“To fly where?”
“There are a few other stations. None as nice as McMurdo, but they’d offer enough shelter until rescue arrived.”
The danger he might be in bothered, but not as much as the realization that the pleasure of last night might not be repeated. It led to me asking, “Once I leave, will I see you again?”
He didn’t look away as I asked, nor did he lie. “Probably not. My rotation here isn’t due to end for at least six more months, assuming they don’t extend it.”
“And if the volcano does blow?”
“Then I’ll be posted somewhere new.”
“I don’t suppose there’s a chance it would be New Jersey.” Damn me, why did that sound so wistful?
He laughed, not maliciously, and dragged me close. “I’m not ready for things to end already, either. So why don’t we both hope the sensors come back online and tell us nothing is wrong?”
“Fingers crossed.” Because then I could stay and drag out my job for as long as the captain intrigued.
“How much longer do you think those two need?” He glanced at Joslyn kneeling and capturing more images while Vernon held out his mic over the rushing water.
“I’m sure they’ve got enough footage. We can head back anytime.”
“Which would leave us with a few hours before they begin loading the C17.”
“A few hours to do what, Captain?” I murmured.
“I can think of a few things.”
“Me, too.” Which was why I hollered, “Okay, guys, time to head out.”
The roaring of the gushing water drowned out my voice. I couldn’t capture the attention of my crew.
“Warm up in the chopper while I go get them.” Noah strode in their direction, and, as I watched his confident stride, desire stirred. I’d have to make the most of our last hours when we got back to the station, assuming he didn’t get pulled away by duty.
You can’t leave.
The voice, inside my head, had me frowning and turning. The mountain caught my gaze and held it, for I recognized this view from my dream.
This was the spot.
I glanced at my feet and the solid ice underneath them.
Ice strong enough to hold the weight of a helicopter.
It wouldn’t suddenly crack because of my one hundred and fifty pounds.
Still, discomfited, I went to pivot, only to suddenly find myself flung to the ground.
The sudden quake gave no warning and proved to be the most violent thus far.
The groan of ice heaving and cracking had me glancing around, mouth and eyes wide.
Water from the lake underneath bubbled through newly formed fissures, but of more concern, the quake had yet to stop, and the hunk of ice I lay on rocked.
Get off of it before it dumps you in the lake. My inner voice, known as self-preservation, screamed at me.
I scrabbled to my feet and drunkenly raced to get off it even as the piece began to tilt.
Like a contestant on a game show where contestants competed in ridiculous obstacle courses, I raced up the angling piece of ice and leapt from it. I landed hard but had no reprieve as the hunk under my hands and knees bobbled.
Up I got, running again, deafened by creaks and the groan of ice separating, the rumble of stone as the mountain reacted to the quake. So much noise, I couldn’t even hear myself panting, but I did hear the roar of the helicopter as its motor engaged.
Having hit the edge of the lake, where the ground still trembled but didn’t threaten to dump me in glacial waters, I took a moment to whirl and seek out the chopper.
My heart stopped. My dumb ass had run in the opposite direction of the heli and making it back would require me risking my life navigating the unstable and rocking ice chunks.
Too dangerous, and I didn’t have enough time. The chopper swayed as its landing spot destabilized, and I saw water sloshing over a ski. It rose abruptly and my glance followed its path, staring at the windows where I could see Vernon and Joslyn’s faces pressed, probably looking for me.
I waved my arms, hopping up and down. “I’m here!”
And then I suddenly wasn’t.
The ground underfoot turned out to not be so solid, and, like in my dream, it cracked open and I fell.
However, unlike my nightmare, when I hit the bottom, I lost consciousness.