Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, except those who were not in Matthew Reilly's novel Ice Station, I take credit for those.
Author's Note: The story is almost over, bear with me… I'm posting a few more chapters today and I'm hoping to get a lot more of it transferred to the computer over the next week (now that midterms are over)!!
ICE STATION CONTINUED
Part 10
"I've paired everyone up as old with new, meaning old members with new members. Rebound and Hare, Gant, you're with Ruger, and Princeton, you'll be with me. Don't get distracted. I'm hoping this will be a simple in-and-out mission, picking up some information to relay back to headquarters. All of us will be equipped with our radios, body armour and everyone will have an M-16E assault rifle and a Colt .45 with extra clips for both. Again, I stress that if you have a problem, use your headset. That is all. Get a good night's sleep, you'll need it." As everyone filed out of the office, Mother approached Schofield.
"Sir, I appreciate you trying to get me a piece of the action, but I can stay back here with Hawk if you'd prefer it."
Schofield raised an eyebrow, then smiled.
"Mother, you're a great soldier and I'm sure you'll take good care of Officer Lowe. He's not used to this type of thing."
"Aw, shucks, Scarecrow. You make me blush!" Mother replied sarcastically.
Schofield nodded. "Look, Lowe is a naval officer and he probably hasn't had a first-hand experience with dead bodies, let alone six scientists who could be bloodied up pretty badly."
"I won't let you down." Mother replied, winking before leaving the room.
"Be home by five!" Hawk yelled as the rest of the team departed in the truck. "I don't want you kids getting into any trouble."
Schofield gave him a half-salute with a grin before getting into the truck and speeding off towards the coast to meet the boat provided by USMC.
"There it is." Rebound pointed over the steering wheel towards a small dock with a Zodiac tied to it. The rubber boat with an outboard motor was just large enough for the eight marines and their equipment. They loaded the diving equipment in first before piling in themselves.
"Alright Officer Lowe, this is your job." Schofield raised his voice over the roar of the engine.
Lowe sat at the bow, trying to figure out the location of the Constitution's demise. He knew they had been only a few miles off the coast where the S.A.L. was located and he told Schofield this.
"Okay, so we head there first. We'll check out the lab while you scout for clues."
Curry almost laughed. It sounded like they were a bunch of kids on television. Solving some great mystery while spouting tired lines and cliches while hunting for clues.
Although Curry had been in previous units, he felt more anxious about this mission than anything he had been through before. His past supervisors and unit leaders were nothing like Lieutenant Schofield. They were strict and socially inept while Schofield, though being strict made Curry feel more at home, like he was among friends. Schofield had an easiness about him that made Curry not want to let him down, especially on this first mission.
"Lieutenant!" Lowe called from the bow of the boat.
"Lieutenant, I'm quite confident that this is the location. The lab should be just a few miles to the west."
"Great. Good work. I know this must be hard for you, but I truly appreciate it. Mother, keep a lookout for anything suspicious."
Schofield turned towards the remaining marines and Curry felt the excitement knot in his stomach.
"Alright guys, suit up and grab a tank. Keep close to me and I'll signal when we get there."
The six marines donned their wetsuits and helmets. Curry helped Gant strap on her oxygen tank and then she helped him with his own. He heard his radio crackle.
Rebound and Hare are to go first, then Fox and Ruger and Princeton and I will take up the rear.
Curry watched as the first two team members splashed into the dark Pacific waters. Gant gave him a thumbs up and they jumped over the side of the boat. He felt the cold bite into his wetsuit, making him shiver. There was another splash and two figures were suddenly in front of him.
You okay, Ruger? He heard Schofield's voice over his radio, and then one of the two figures in front of him gave a thumbs up. It was Schofield and Princeton.
"Yes, sir. I'm fine." He replied.
Good, this would be hard without you. Now let's go. Schofield waved Gant and Curry forward. Hawk, Mother, mark time as 0830 hrs. If we're not back by 1700 hrs, report back to USMC headquarters immediately. I don't want you risking your lives for what may be a lost cause. Is that understood? Curry's radio crackled again.
Yes, Scarecrow. Hawk responded.
Sure, sir, but we all know that's not going to happen, don't we? Be careful, Scarecrow. You deserve a long vacation after this. Mother replied. Curry could hear her laughing.
Thanks, Mother. Okay, Fox, Ruger, stay close to me. We have to catch up to Rebound and Hare.
The four marines simultaneously dove downwards, trying to catch a glimpse of the others.
Rebound, Hare, take a breather while we try to catch up. Schofield chuckled.
Sorry, sir. I guess we got a bit carried away. Hare replied.
Schofield, Princeton, Gant and Curry finally saw two shadowy forms in front of them.
"How much farther do you believe it is, sir?" Curry inquired, as he looked around instinctively, fearful of what the dark waters might hold.
Maybe a few hundred metres. We've been diving for an hour and a half.
Many minutes passed as the six divers continued to swim towards the bottom of the ocean.
Suddenly, Schofield stopped them all. He informed them that they had to swim due west for about ten minutes to reach the side of the cliff in which the lab was built. Curry felt excited, anxious and nervous all at the same time.
They arrived at a large overhang jutting out from the cliff's side. There was a large chunk of rock missing from it and the rock face surrounding the hole was scorched black.
What do you think happened, sir? Rebound asked, touching the black surface.
The answer lies within. Schofield replied in a tone that sent shivers through his Marines.
This lab supposedly has a radio. I'm hoping that whatever did this left evidence… as in a radio message. He explained before swimming under the overhang. He arrived at a small metal cover placed in the rock above his head. There was a handle on it and an arrow pointing to the left. Schofield took hold of the handle and twisted it to the left. There was a hissing noise and a spray of bubbles shot out from a gap in the metal. Schofield pushed upward on the cover and it popped out of its space to fall back on its hinges.
Follow me up one by one and each pair will take a section of the lab. Schofield ordered before reaching up through the opening and pulling himself through it.
