Tucker could even finish speaking, Stephen Frost took out several printed photographs from the side pocket of his black shirt, unfolded them, placed on the table and said:
– I don’t want to mislead modern science either, Mr. Hughes, so I just suggest you look at something very interesting.
Tucker began examining photographs of the same object taken from different angles and with different degrees of brightness. For several minutes he assessed every detail of the object.
– You know, I would like to say that this is a montage, but I cannot say the opposite with 100% accuracy, because…
– Look at this – Frost interrupted, handing Tucker the phone with the video recording. – Taken from our unmanned deep-sea vehicle.
Tucker pressed play. Half a minute later he returned the phone.
– And do you have the coordinates of the location of these remains?
– Of course. Information is too valuable to be ignored. Have you ever seen anything like this? – Frost asked.
– During my student years, I was lucky enough to get to the excavations that were carried out by our university in the east of Algeria. There the professor asked me and my partner to take the tools and increase the depth of the hole, since he assumed that some fragments of the Spinosaurus could remain just below. The main part of the skeleton had been removed before us, so we expected to find some crushed bones, and that’s all. But while we were digging, a small part of the soil on the side crumbled, and we saw some kind of protruding bone. We thought it was another fragment from our dinosaur. We keep digging and digging, but the thing turns out to be huge, and has nothing to do with the Spinosaurus. It was a whole separate skeleton. I have no right to say what exactly it was. Bound himself with an oath. But I can say one thing – if information about this find is made public, then we can safely rewrite all the history textbooks about the Cretaceous period. And to answer your question, I won’t lie. Yes. I saw a lot of damn things that are difficult to explain.
– And what can you say about this find? – Frost asked, pointing to the photographs.
– Judging by the structure of the skeleton, from the outside it looks like a mermaid. But it’s hard to say. Half of the skeleton is buried. – Taking a deep breath, Tucker returned to the main topic: – Well, okay. What is this expedition like?
– You dive into the waters of the Atlantic and follow a given route. Your responsibility is to use the manipulator to pick up all finds whose dimensions allow this to be done. Those, that are too large, you will need to carefully film with a drone, record the location coordinates and do a superficial investigation, resorting only to visual contact. In the future, if these finds are worth it, the company will take steps to bring such remains to the surface. We will entrust the study of them to the one, who discovered them. As for the timing, the voyage will last about two months, maybe another week, taking into account delays on site to study the finds. The amount due for your services is indicated on the back of the photo.
Tucker didn’t look at the back of the photo, but immediately asked:
– When are you planning to sail?
– In a few days the submarine will be launched into the water. Practical tests will be carried out for some time and, if the ship demonstrates itself in accordance with all the declared characteristics and everything goes according to the established plan, then the expedition will start in three months.
The scientist looked somewhere into the distance towards the ocean and said:
– You know, I could refuse, because there are enough remains of all sorts of prehistoric creatures on earth. But I’m already tired of studying dinosaur bones, and then, who knows, maybe in a place, where no one has ever been, there’s a much greater chance of finding something extraordinary.
After finishing his tirade, Tucker Hughes extended his hand to Frost. Frost shook it and said:
– I will be sincerely glad to our cooperation. And since you’ve already made your decision, I have to add something. You will need to arrive at your destination two weeks before departure. You will undergo a medical examination so that your body is ready for the dive; You will also have to undergo instruction in the operation of the submarine, which will become your home for two whole months, and a few other minor procedures. Do you have any questions for me?
– None.
– In that case, I will leave you my contacts…
– I’m afraid, Mr. Frost, it’s useless. You see, my colleagues and I are now facing an alcohol marathon, and by the morning I will no longer be able to find my pants, not to mention your business card.
Stephen Frost spoke in a serious tone:
– Mr. Hughes, I think you didn’t quite understand the essence of the whole situation. You will have to maintain a sober mind, because other people should not find out about our conversation.
The paleontologist lowered his eyelids in annoyance, and when he raised them, he said:
– Of course.
– That’s wonderful. I was sincerely glad to have our conversation.
On that note, Frost rose from his chair.
– Me too – Tucker answered, languidly shaking Frost’s hand.
The waitress immediately brought a glass of water and handed it to Frost.
Returning to the table with his colleagues, Tucker called the waitress and ordered a non-alcoholic beer.
– I don’t understand – Fernando said indignantly.
– Yes, Mr. Hughes – Jan supported. – We planned to relax.
Taking a deep breath, Tucker replied:
– That’s right, we wanted to relax. I don’t want to relax too much today and have my head tense tomorrow morning.
5. PREPARATORY BASE
His name in the company was known only to those who headed it. He always wore same clothes – strict suits in dark tones of black or gray. It is noteworthy that shoes, polished to shine, always matched color of a suit. Short-haired, clean-shaven and with a low, ringing voice. On his left wrist he always wore a watch from an elite brand, which he changed in the same way as his ties – separate ones for each day of the week. Everyone addressed him as «Mr. Smith» or simply «Smith». He was appointed curator of the expedition.
He provided the recruit with information about scientists, whose candidates, in his opinion, were most suitable in order to attract them to work on board the submarine. But his main competence is considered to be the ability to obtain, buy, extort and steal data from closed archives. Thanks to successful work in this direction, Smith made the upcoming expedition possible. With the information, that he managed to collect, diving into the depths of the Atlantic will not be pointless and, most importantly, will not be conducted blindly, but along a clearly defined route.
The day of departure was approaching. The stage of physical
