Rival of Atlantis

XI

THE SUBMERSIBLE THAT WAS DUBBED with name of Bullet Horse by its designer and creator shot through the flooded mining tunnel with ease. Summer's pride was steeled as the vehicle, which consumed countless time, coffee and brain cells from drafting paper to assembly, traversed under the water along with 12 people as its burden. From the drafting papers and assembly, it is the first time that the Bullet Horse will be put in actual use.

The vehicle belongs to the family of wet submersibles. A sub-aquatic vehicle is a type of underwater vessel wherein passengers are out in the open waters and were equipped with diving gears. There is another type submersible wherein passengers are able to enjoy dry environments inside acrylic bubbles. Summer is yet to come up with her own design of a dry submersible.

Inspired by the thought of using a submersible when conducting researches done under the waters, the Bullet Horse was incepted in her mind. The submersible's hull was inspired by torpedoes and its nose was taken from the concept of a rifle bullet, both features allow an easy passage under the water. The submersible is powered by a high breed 4-stroke single piston engine that uses both electric and gasoline to send the twin screws at the aft end in motion. The screws, which is guarded by rails made with round and flat stainless bars that was adopted to the sign of infinity, is made of platinum alloy and can push the vehicle with an amazing speed of 35 knots or 65 kilometers per hour.

Summer also designed the submersible with brakes that instantly turns off the spinning of screws and put in on reverse the very next second. A brake lever will put the transmission and screws on a 30 KPH deduction for the momentum while double brakes applies a full 65 KPH dead stop. She also designed it to carry extra oxygen tank inside its aft hull with the capacity of 4 diving tanks. The oxygen tanks is also connected to an extra underwater ignition system located at the center of the twin screws where an amount of oxygen depending on the throttle gauge can burn the escaping combustible air at the tiny tube at its center the way nitrous are used in cars. The extra combustion can double the speed with the cost of the oxygen. The vehicle also floats and go under the water using twin ballast tanks that sucks in air or water from a pair of slits made like fish gills on the sides. Handles are made on an around the hull in no definite patterns for groping.

Now, as the vehicle that Summer never thought will have its debut a rescue craft, swam through the waters, the engineer in her was the proudest since she can remember. Using only the high breed engine, she can still push Bullet Horse, with all the burden, in 30 KPH top speed of a swim. The double purpose oxygen tank is also doing one of its jobs in supporting lives of the rescue victims.

After 30 minutes of enduring the curves and length of the tunnel, the Bullet Horse broke on the surface of water at the other entrance of the tunnel system. There were cheerful claps and yells as the victims' heads popped out of the water one after the other.

A rope with knots, tied in intervals on its length, came down and was used by the victims to navigate their way up the slippery stairs. Ready hands hoisted them back among the group of the living as they were welcomed by cheerful embraces and laughter. Charlie was strapped on a spine board that was readied when Gillian and Summer submerged in the water. He was carried by other six men towards the facility's clinic where the company doctor will see to his care.

The two companions of Ensign Thomas were already plunging in the water to help Gillian and Summer. The chain was reattached to the submersible but now to a handle nearest to the forward tip. It was hoisted up in the boom and was later lowered on the ground.

The navy troopers, now soaked in water, went up to the mouth of the tunnel and helped Gillian as she and Summer removed their diving gears with exception of the propane suit. From the buoyancy compensators, dive tanks and everything they detached from their body, all was being handed up to the navy troopers. When the last of the diving equipments was handed up, Gillian allowed herself to congratulate Summer.

"Bullet Horse made it on her first debut," she said with a tap on her shoulder. "Her name stands for what she can do."

"It was never meant for rescue services," Summer humbly said and was glad to hear her friend's voice that was not emanating through the radio.

Hands from the two wet navy troopers were extended down on them and they gamely held unto them on their way up. Embraces and jolly words said in between laughs are still going on at the mouth of the tunnel when they came up. As if two goddesses in propane suits commanding respect, the celebration was cut when they saw them.

Ron strode towards them as they slithered out of the suit. He wished to thank his knights in shining armors and perhaps offer them compensation for saving ten lives but he was dumbstruck when he saw they are women. Words of gratitude were dissolved in instant in his mind when the survivors saw that they are not only women, but in fact a pair of gorgeous heartthrobs.

His jaw dropped and it felt for him like time stood still as his eyes probe every feature of Gillian. He cannot believe that all those times, he was rescued from an apparent danger by a pair of beautiful maidens. He will not be surprised if he and the others were saved by a duo of females but at least he expected someone who are on the boyish side and not a pair who may male magazine centerfold models cry in envy.

The navy troopers are handing them their uniform tops when they were off the suit but Ron's eyes are still on them, unable to decide which one to appreciate first. Before they wrapped themselves in the navy coats, he has already drunk a lot of details about them. Their contour curves, smooth skin and healthy breasts clad in two-piece of bikini did not escape his scrutiny. The occasional scars registered in his mind too.

"I must say," Engineer Martinez's voice came from behind him. "I am surely impressed."

"In what?" Gillian's voice reinforced with icy steeliness surprised Ron.

"In your marvelous rescue to save our boss," the engineer said with a tap on one of Ron's shoulder.

"For a second there you doubted our capabilities," Summer uttered acidly and her pronouncement erased hopes inside Ron's heart that she is not as cold as Gillian.

"I admit. I am not used to women pulling up impossible task." Martinez said trying to mask up embarrassment with an apologetic tone. "I believe introductions are necessary." He looked at Ron and nodded.

"Ronie Madison," he said extending a hand towards Gillian while the two girls buttoned the borrowed coat.

"The COO," Gillian uttered obviously void of any emotions. He reached for the hand after buttoning the coat all the way down. "Gillian Brown, Special Research Director of SAR."

"SAR?" Ron's mind was sent in circles. The acronym failed to register in his mind. He took his grasp off her hand. "I never heard of it."

"Special Advanced Research. We are a new outfit under UNESCO. It's not a surprise you never heard of us, we are kind'a the new kids in town."

"So you are not from US Navy rescue services or the likes of it."

"Far from it," Summer stuck out her hand. "Summer Santos. We're researchers."

Ron took her hand and clasp it in a vice-like grip. It dawned on him that the delicate fingers of the lady may not endure the handshake he was accustomed to. He is about to soften the grip when he noticed that Summer did not flinch.

"Scientists?" Ron's eyes was drawn upwards the sky. He is beginning to wonder how a duo of researchers came to their aid. Two gorgeous scientists are the last persons he expected to rescue them from the scythe of the grim reaper.

"We would like to refer to ourselves as researchers. Scientists are more like green people with big round eyes and protruding things out of their forehead like antenna." Summer said with a hint of sweet smile and hand gestures for the antenna.

Ron noticed that the steeliness in these iron maidens had soften up. And not only that, he is surprised on how Summer can c***k a joke. He felt like dealing with a different duo compared to the two ladies earlier that seem they can chew speeding bullets and spit it out in a reverse direction.

"Tell me," Ron said after a couple of seconds of silence passed through them. "How did two researchers got involved in a rescue mission."

"A long story," Gillian said casually as she walked to her dumped garments. He noticed that one of the staff gathered around the tunnel entrance moved out of earshot and talk to someone briefly on his mobile phone.

"Not so long," Summer trailed her best friend. "But a complicated one."

"Might as well tell me over dinner? I'm going to throw a celebration as a one of the signs of gratitude."

"Done." Gillian shot at him as she moved to wear her garments.

They gave the girls time to put on their garments. After that, it was a short walk towards the main building complex where the girls were given temporary rooms and was allowed to rest. Their things like the diving gear, the wet submersible and John's toy along with the used chutes were attended by the mining staff and were packed neatly back in the crate. Female staff was asked to lend them the best clothes they have while the garments they used to come here were washed and dried. The kitchen staff was also sent into frenzy as they prepared what look like to be a luxurious gratitude for the two. The US Navy troopers were also asked to stay until the dinner is through.

The rest in the posh room that was given to them took until sundown. No one bothered knocking at the door even as much asks what they need. It is the most restful sleep they had for over a month.

When the sun has sunk down the woody horizon, Gillian was already up and opted for a shower. Asked by Summer why she signed on for the dinner celebration, she answered that it is just in fact a way to kill time before she phones the Director of SAR, Patricia Laurent, on the new assignment that will be given to her. After Gillian's shower, Summer came next and together they helped fix each other up.

A flow of Jazz music was flowing through high-fidelity speaker system in the dining area when Gillian and Summer walked in. Heads instantly turned at the doorway and clustered talks were cut in an instant. Wearing same outfits they used earlier this morning, the girls' astounding beauty seems of a little bit more with their lengthy rest. Summer had her hair in a bun while Gillian was fashioned in braids courtesy of her best friend. A couple of wine flutes were given to them by one of the mining staff acting as one of the waiters for the hasty occasion.

They were ushered at a long stainless table draped with clean white cloth where Ron is seated at the head. Ensign Thomas and the two navy troopers were on his right side. Charlie who was already conscious was seated on his left. The girls got seated beside Charlie, Gillian first then Summer.

A quick study revealed that Ron and Charlie were dressed in fitting business suit as if attending a project launching. Thomas was still in his full military gear. The other two navy troopers don't have their military tops, which are still in the possession of the girls, but are dressed in white round neck shirts. Gillian was impressed that the trooper’s garments are already dried up, making a guess that the facility staff took care of washing them or they simply let it  get dried up on their body. She also noted that their service firearms were leaning on the table next to the bearers.

Dishes were served and it made an impression to the two ladies. Crisp bacon with tomatoes, borlotti beans and herb oils were served as appetizers. Chicken soup with sweet corn chowder came next. There were sea bass fillet and roasted chicken breast dressed artistically with poached asparagus, rosemary jus and curried chick peas were served for the start of a main course. Just when they thought desert will be served, char-broiled fillet mignon and baked herb crusted rack of lamb came next. Dark chocolate crowned with maple almond and crunchy praline was for dessert. It felt like they accidentally stumbled in a hotel diner in the middle of the forest.

Over the dinner, Ron enlightened them on the mining facility's story. He also boasted them about his feats across the globe as mineralogical engineer. Ensign Thomas filled in them with the latest non-top secret news about the military. The dinner was then finally over and they ended up sipping a Moet and Chandon Imperial Brut white wine.

"So," Ron came from the head of the table. "You girls owe me a story on how did you two end up as rescuers from being researchers."

Gillian opted for her story first. She gave them a brief walkthrough on her curriculum vitae and jaws literally dropped when they learned she carries a doctoral degree in biology and was a former US Air Force pilot and pararescuer. Summer opted for her short story and how did he came to be a SAR researcher from being a mechanical engineer and a combat engineer carrying the rank of major. There is a newfound respect when they were through their career track.

After the stories, Gillian went on their hunt for the traces of the golden toad. "We are researching about the golden toad at Monteverde Cloud Forest. Our director, Patricia Laurent, hailed me over the Sat-Phone and ordered us to aid in rescuing you."

"Your government said it cannot fast-assemble a rescue team and hailed for help to the US government with knowledge that a few ships are nearby," Ensign Thomas cut through. "Some top politicians tapped us but we cannot spare rescue units for they are needed in the exercise done in a distance from here. So, our government decided to hail international outfits if there are rescuers that can be fast-assembled nearby. We are on our way to get back to the ship after refueling when we were asked to alter our route and fetch these two ladies in the middle of the forest."

"That's when our boss called," Gillian went on again. "She said a bird is going to pick us anytime. Now I wonder how did you know where to find us?"

"A call from SAR San Jose headquarters relayed a message to our ship with your coordinates. We were ordered to drop the ladder on the given coordinates."

"Why does it not surprise me that our computer wizard can locate us in seconds?"

"Maybe you carry GPS devices."

"That, plus he can triangulate our location from the broadcast of the Sat-Phone."

"So," Summer's magnetic voice cut through the conversation. "We were dropped here and it seemed for a while that we are not welcome. I would also like to stress that we carried no diving equipment upon arrival. By the used of our computer wizard's latest toy, the crate with the wet submersible and diving gears was dropped from one of our cargo planes. Then we arrived when we did in that chamber."

"How did you know where to find us?" Charlie asked after being silent all those times.

"A lucky guess. We surmised that with the crawling smoke and rising water, the only place left to go was that high chamber."

"Good guess. But still, ladies, we owe you our lives. Let me know if there's any way I can repay you."

"We'll let you know," Gillian shot at him in an instant. "We are not yet short of funds but I'll sure tap you when we need something you can provide. I'll be taking it down in a note to ask for a repayment any time."

"I'll be happy to oblige," Ron said with a hand on his chest. "My life is not worth a chopper but I'll be happy to donate one."

"You sure have deep pockets," Gillian said with a raised eyebrow.

"The company and all its subsidiaries are deeply in your debt," Ron casually said.

"Speaking of choppers," Ensign Thomas nodded at the navy troopers. "I believe dinner will be soon concluded. You boys might want to get the bird hot."

"On it, sir" the nearest trooper to Thomas gladly said. Then he looked around on them. "If you could just excuse us."

The navy troopers stood and bolted out of the door. Just as they left, Summer walked towards the bar built at the far corner of the dining area. She asked for a shot of Martini. Thomas came trailing at her wake to ask about the designer of the wet submersible. Ron excused himself to look around on how the staff that was trapped earlier are doing in the occasion. Gillian silently pushed her chair away from the table and walked out of the dining area. Charlie was left there, contemplating if he is really still alive after all of what had just occurred.

Gillian walked out of the building complex where the tentacles of the playing jazz music cannot reach her. Aside from getting as far away as much as possible from the music, she do not want anyone listening to the conversation that she is about to make over the Sat-Phone that is in her shorts' pocket.

Walking a casually, she inhaled the night cool air and gazed up the moon hanging up the stripes of white clouds. The surroundings of the main building complex are bathed in white flood lights that are installed in posts or trees. She saw two figures heading towards the chopper where it is definitely dark aside from the light coming from the moon.

She pulled out the satellite phone from her pocket and dialed for SAR's director, Patricia Laurent. There was long silence on the line before the phone on the other end went ringing. It was on the first ring when Gillian involuntary ended the call attempt when her eyes caught something odd.

She was sent hastily back to the dining area in a half-jog while her eyes studied the surroundings. In the mazes of her mind, Gillian is coming up with possible plans against the incoming danger. She knows it will not be her ordinary night and she has switched on her iron maiden persona.