I nodded. "Not this particular model, but I've been on my fair share of submarines and submersibles."
"It's like an alien world down here. So blessed to be on this adventure. I'm just sorry we’ve experienced something so tragic already. I mean, you know the danger when you sign up, but you never think something’s going to happen. Leastof all something like this. I hope this does not cut the mission short."
"As far as Tristan is concerned, it's full speed ahead,” I said. “But that might change when he finds out we’re dealing with a homicide.”
Trask frowned.
I stepped back into the main control room and found Commander Wong. "I just have a few more questions for you."
"Certainly. Anything I can do to help. I am at your disposal.”
17
“I’ve got comms back online, if you want to contact the surface,” Quinn said.
“Yes, I do,” I replied.
I video-called Brenda on the way back to the engineering compartment.
She picked up after a few rings. "I thought we lost you there for a minute."
"It seems the habitat is experiencing numerous technical glitches.”
"That doesn't sound reassuring. What's the situation?"
I filled her in on the details, then turned the camera around and filmed the scene, then closed in on Weyland’s body. I set the phone on a small portable tripod, and she walked me through the examination. I noted the current time, body temperature, and supposed time of death. The current ambient temperature in the habitat was 72°. There was no blood spatter near the body, and no wounds. No ligaturemarks, no abrasions. But he did have thermal burns on his hand and charred skin. I palpated Weyland's limbs for fractures.
After I finished the evaluation, JD and I wrapped Weyland's hands in bags to preserve any trace evidence, then bagged the body.
Weyland’s remains would have to decompress like any living diver, otherwise sensitive tissues could rupture, making autopsy difficult if not impossible.
After I finished with Brenda, I asked her to put the sheriff on, and I filled him in on the details.
"You're telling me this is a homicide?” he said with a groan.
"It's looking that way.”
"I suppose you two want to stay down there and see this thing through."
"You read my mind. It's a contained environment. There's no way off this habitat except for the diving bell. I don't have to worry about my suspect escaping.”
"I'll talk to Tristan and recommend he abort the mission, but ultimately it's his call.”
"I'd rather sort this out while I have a captive audience.”
"Be careful down there. Whoever killed Weyland might not be done yet.”
The sheriff conferred with Tristan, then he got on the call.
“We will move forward as planned,” Tristan said. “This changes nothing. I am saddened and deeply sorry for the loss of Commander Weyland, but we must continue. If weabort now, it will throw off our entire timeline, and we will miss our moon launch window.”
"What about Judy Weyland?" I asked. “I'm not sure she's in any condition to continue this mission."
"I don't mean to sound callous, but if she's not in the condition to continue this mission, she's not in the condition to go to space or Mars. What would happen if such an event occurred in space?”
Tristan had a point. He saw things in a clear way, often devoid of emotion. His focus was on accomplishing the goal he had set for himself and the team.
"I would like to talk to her in private and give her an opportunity to express her wishes,” he said.
