He had to get indoors, but he couldn't bear to knock on anybody's door. His shirt was already wet, and now it clung to him and froze him to the bone. No ma'am, it's like the devil himself, that's what it's like The spirit of evil How'd you get snow clear down your shirt? She moved her fingers to make a fending, and whispered a word to hold him back. He would've done it, too, except that when she saw the look on his face, all twisted up with shame and rage, she didn't know that he was angry at himself, she just knew that he was hurting her, and so she did what come natural to a woman who grew up like she did. That was his thinking, and he was about to throw himself on his knees and bawl like a baby and beg forgiveness. When he said "yell," he knocked her back so far she stumbled down on the floor. When he said "love," he took her by the shoulders and gave her such a shake her hair broke right out of the bun she'd made of it, and fluttered around her head. When he said "preach," he shoved her harder, and she stumbled back. "Evil's in you so deep that I can't pray it out of you, and I can't preach it out of you, and I can't love it out of you, and I can't yell it out of you" When he said "pray," he shoved her a little, just to make his point. After years of being married, she still put her faith in witchery, just like her kin.
That him having no hidden power, there wasn't a thing he could do to help anybody. Maybe she didn't mean to sound so contemptuous. "Forgive thou my unbelief" He recited a litany of self-excoriation, he rehearsed all his failures of the day, until at last he was exhausted. Thrower knelt at the altar and cried out the name of the Lord.
As much as the rest of the world disparages the United States and its foreign policy, it still doesn't stop them from looking to us for leadership during a time of crisis-and now we are leaderless, rudderless.I know what you 'was just.' Poor little Armor, you just pat him like a little boy and he'll feel better. But never under such circumstances, in the middle of a worldwide catastrophe. 'It's more than just the President, Jack. We at least come to port every now and then. He ran down the predive safety checklist with Lisa, who was in the Fathom's pilothouse.Ĭlose enough. Once settled, he hooked up the Bio-Sensor monitors and attached his microphone. Dressed in his blue Norseman dry suit, he climbed into the cockpit of the Nautilus 2000, squeezing into the cramped seat. Three hours later Jack found himself back on the Deep Fathom, but not for long. Jack looked up at the Jamaican geologist. All eyes remained on Jack and his tiny sub. Overhead, & Sea Knight helicopter buzzed by. Off to the south, the Gibraltar filled the horizon. The water line climbed up the dome, swamping over Jack's head.Īround the Fathom, the other search ships were spread in a wide circle. He took on ballast and the Nautilus began to lower into the surf. He engaged the thrusters, the sub humming under him. We need a body we can bury with the usual pomp and ceremony. For order to be restored, we need concrete answers. Some say it's a conspiracy tied to JFK The admiral shook his head. Some are claiming terrorists-Arabs, Russian, Chinese, Serbian, or even the I.R.A. Before Nafe can be sworn in, we need to put the fate of President Bishop to rest. I see you at least keep abreast of current events out here, Houston teased lightly, but his voice quickly grew sober again. The admiral gave him a tired smile, then left, closing the door behind him. I have a few last minute details to address, but help yourself to the sandwiches, Jack. Houston released him and headed toward the door. The nervousness in her voice could not be hidden. For the first time in a decade, he sensed the eyes of the world again looking in his direction.Īnd the Navy is the real world? Jack snorted. The gravity of the situation began to press on him. Check everything twice, he had drilled into them.Īlone, Jack sank into one of the seats. Jack had done his own check, but his crew were taking no chances. Just ask, and I'll do it.Ĭharlie worked atop the submersible as it floated behind the Fathom, stomping around, visually checking seals, while Robert, in mask and snorkel, swam under the ship. I'll do my best to help, he said sincerely. Jack had never seen Mark Houston look so worried. You sure about this, monl That's a long way down. Once done, Charlie gave Jack a thumbs-up and dove off the sub, joining the marine biologist in the water as Jack finalized his checklist.Ĭharlie clambered over to Jack.
Then Charlie lowered the acrylic dome over Jack's head and screwed it into place. Jack reached out and clasped the large man's hand.
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