“We’ll never catch ’em,” he admitted.
“That thing was built for more than scientific research. What the hell were they up to?”
Bear didn’t respond as he slowed the DSC-6 until it floated in a stationary position just above the ocean floor. Both of them studied the sonar as the other vessel slowly disappeared off the screen.
“I guess we’ll never know,” commented Cam. “Let’s finish up and then pick up our boy. We’ll have a great story to tell.”
Bear turned the submersible and headed back toward the very end of the U-boat where the bow had embedded into the sand when it sank. They planned on picking up their video survey of the wreckage from that point and then meeting up with Gunner at the stern where he initially entered the submarine.
They turned and were on their way when suddenly the sonar caught Cam’s eye. “Are you kidding me? Bear, they’re coming back.”
“Why? It’s not like we can square off in a gun battle.”
Cam focused on the radar and the speed at which the other submersible was travelling. “We can’t, but what if they can?”
“Shit, you’re right. But what are we supposed to do? We can’t haul ass. We gotta get Gunner.” He pointed toward the digital clock display on the console. Cam had scheduled the rendezvous time on the countdown clock to remind them to be at the extraction point.
Cam watched the vessel approach at a high rate of speed. They were running out of time. Then she had an idea.
“You know what? They don’t know that. They know as little about us as we know about them. Turn this thing around and charge them like you’re ready to fight.”
Bear began the turn as he made eye contact with Cam. “What if they do have some type of weapons like a torpedo or explosives.”
“Then we’re screwed,” she replied matter-of-factly. “Bluffing is all we’ve got.”
“Can’t argue,” said Bear as he set his jaw and navigated the DSC-6 directly for the oncoming submersible. Then Bear smiled. “Hey, I’ve got an idea.” He doused the external lights.
“What did you do that for? They can still track us on sonar.”
“True. Listen, didn’t those guys on the ship tell us the manual spotlight has multiple colored lenses?”
“Yeah,” replied Cam. “White, yellow, and red.”
“Let’s simulate weapons fire. Change the lens to red, flash the light for a two-count. Turn it off and then flip it over to yellow while holding it steady for a three-count. Repeat. Make them think we’ve launched something at them.”
“That’s freakin’ brilliant!” exclaimed Cam.
“When you’re ready,” said Bear as he slowed the DSC-6 to avoid reaching the other submersible. If they got a closer visual, the ruse might not work.
As Bear instructed, she initiated the light pattern. Then she repeated it again. The results were obvious.
“Hell yeah!” shouted Cam as the two of them exchanged high fives.
“Tuckin’ tail and haulin’ ass, baby!” exclaimed Bear proudly.
“They left just as fast as they came back.”
“I think we’re done here. Let’s get Gunner and head up.”
Chapter Forty-Four
Inside the Wreckage of German U-boat 1226
The Puerto Rico Trench
Depth: 27,840 feet
Fathoms: 4,640
North Atlantic Ocean
Gunner took a gamble and turned off his exterior light kit. Thus far, based upon the other diver’s deliberate, workmanlike movements, he hadn’t been noticed. There was no evidence the diver was attempting to evade or escape. Once the lights were off, Gunner carefully felt his way through the center of the U-boat, using his hands to guide him.
“I’ve got another diver down here,” he whispered although that was unnecessary. No one could hear him even if he shouted at the top of his lungs. “I’ve shut off my lights to avoid detection. The problem is the other diver is able to move away from me faster than I can feel my way through the sub.”
Gunner picked up the pace. Then suddenly, the other diver’s lights disappeared.
“Dammit!” he yelled to himself.
He still resisted the urge to flip on his lights. He cussed the exosuit designers for not incorporating night vision. But why would they? Who would envision a situation like this one?
Gunner had to move quickly now. He focused on the point where he last saw the diver. Using his side-mounted propulsion, he maneuvered his body into a prone position and then gave his feet thrusters all the power that the exosuit supplied.
He rocketed blindly through the wreckage, disregarding the unforgiving decayed-steel hulk that could tear his exosuit, resulting in his brutal death.
At least it would be fast, Gunner thought to himself.
Gritting his teeth, he twisted his upper body to avoid several steel rods that reached out from the sides of this passageway like the arms of an octopus. The vision popped into Gunner’s mind of the suction-cup arms plucking him out of the water like he was a plump, tasty fish.
He turned off the propulsion system and coasted to a stop near the point where the other diver had ascended through the sub. Gunner looked up and caught a glimpse of light.
“There you are,” he mumbled.
After positioning his body, he once again gave his feet thrusters full throttle. Gunner blasted thru a gaping hole in the once solid floors of the sub. The light emitted from the other diver’s suit was growing larger in his field of vision. He began to extend his arms so he could grab the diver’s legs before he exited the U-boat.
That was when he crashed into a steel beam that extended into the void. Gunner groaned as he sideswiped the beam, causing him to twist and spin in the open space. Out of control, Gunner struck the exterior hull of the ship. The blow was so hard, his exosuit’s computer system shut down temporarily, leaving him gasping for air from the impact and the diminished oxygen.
He struggled to regain his composure. He tried to slow his breathing and settle his nerves while also searching the pitch-black waters for signs of the other diver.
He caught a glimpse of light
