“Sorry to interrupt you guys. We’re about to start the debrief.”
Nathan looks up at me, his eyes a question.
“We’ll be right out,” I say. Not sure what else to do right now, I hold Nathan’s hand and we walk back outside. The briefing’s already underway.
I’ve got a decision to make, but I’ll sit on it.
“The water is getting too hot for standard methods of cave diving,” Finn says.
He’s drawing shallow, uneven breaths as he lies back on the lounge chair, his fingers tightly gripping the notes in his hand.
“You think?” Jamie mutters under his breath.
“Do you need some water?” I ask Finn.
He shakes his head no.
“To continue exploring the system, we’re going to need alternatives. Unfortunately, exposure suits and atmospheric diving suits won’t work in this situation,” Finn says.
“What about ROVs and AUVs?” Margaret asks. “Those are used to explore hydrothermal vents. The small ones can fit in the caves.”
“Remotely operated vehicles are a logical first choice, but those will only get us so far. Their lack of dexterity is less than ideal in a constricted environment like caves. They’ll be clumsy, and with their tethers, we’ll probably lose more of them than we’ll gain distance. Autonomous vehicles aren’t any better.”
“So, what’s your solution?” I snap. I’m not sure what the others are thinking, but the last thing I want to hear about is all the things he already knows won’t work.
“To reach the heat source at the speed we’ll need, we need a different suit. Fortunately, one already exists.”
Everyone looks at each other. Confused but curious.
“I just had a quick word with Navy and DARPA officials a few minutes ago. There’s no holding them off now—they’re already on their way. The good news is they have exactly what we need, and I’ve worked with them before.”
“As a JASON,” I blurt. He looks my way, amused.
“What’s a JASON?” Jamie asks what everyone else is thinking.
“Ask him.” I snap my shoulder toward Finn.
“JASON is a scientific advisory group of which I’m a part. I know you won’t believe me, Crystal. You’ve been wary of me since you met me. But they’ve got nothing to do with why I’m here. And until now, neither did the government. I swear it.”
“Right.” I stare.
“The Navy. DARPA. They trust my judgment, and they’re involved now. My history with them gives us a measure of influence over decisions. We need that. Because now that this is being treated as a potential national security matter, there will be no shortage of ideas on how to handle it. Some of them will do more harm than good.”
“Since when does the military care about coral reefs?” I ask.
“What they care about is there’s something heating the water that they don’t understand.” He breaks off, coughing uncontrollably.
I glare at him.
But then I can’t help but feel sorry for him. He’s sick, and I do believe he’s sincerely sorry. It doesn’t make him any less dangerous, though.
Jamie throws him a water bottle. He takes a few rapid swallows.
“Tell us more about the suits,” Nathan says, putting his arm around me. He’s trying to dampen down his excitement, but it’s not working. He’s like a kid in a toy store.
Clearing his throat, Finn continues. “For years, DARPA engineers have been developing specialized dive equipment built for thermal-gradient protection in underwater environments where a diver has to operate in confined spaces and extreme heat.”
Another round of coughing and a swig of water.
