Free Unearthly Power by R. K.

compass fluctuated as if it too was affected like the electronics. The underwater current readings were extreme, if they could be trusted. If he were superstitious, he would swear that something was plotting against him. When he circled the area where he was sure the wreck was located, he dropped anchor at fifty fathoms. Professor James joined him on deck.
    “Strange sight,” he said referring to the cloud cover.
    “Yeah, I was thinking the same thing myself.”
    “You think we might have a chance to go down today?”
    By ‘we’ he meant me , Sean thought to himself. “Right now the currents are too strong. We’ll take some more readings around noon to see what we are dealing with then. By logging in the changes we will not only know when it is safe to go down, but also learn the times of day that are best. That way, when we do go in, we’ll make the most of each opportunity.”
    “How many dives do you think will be necessary?”
    “Honestly professor, I have no idea. I only promised to bring you this far and to do the best we can. Other than that, it’s all up to the sea.”
    Unlike last night, Professor James was not bothered by his lack of positive assurances. He simply nodded in understanding and stood there for a while longer, captivated by the strange formation of the cloudy sky surrounding them.
     
    That evening after dinner, following another day of inactivity, Sean, Alex, Dee, Tori, and her father remained in the galley engaged in small talk as a result of having nothing better to do. The other three men followed their regular routine of eating quickly, speaking briefly only when spoken to and then leaving for their room. From time to time Marcel could be engaged in moderate conversation, but he too seemed to be uncomfortable with any lengthy discourse. To those in the room, it felt as if there were two entirely separate groups of people on the ship: the regulars and the men in black. At least that was the joke among them.
    Conversation eventually broached the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle. While the full scope of the Triangle stretched from Florida to Puerto Rico to Bermuda and back to Florida, they were close to the heart of that area. The Bermuda (or Devil’s) Triangle was not recognized by name or distinction by the U.S Navy or certain other government and nautical agencies. Sean was surprised it hadn’t come up sooner.
    “Do you think the stories are really true? I mean, did you see those clouds out there today?” Tori said to everyone at the table.
    “Nothing more than myths of fantasy to explain away that which has not been solved yet.  Nothing more.” Her father replied.
    “I don’t know about that,” Alex chimed in. “I can understand ships being lost at sea, and even the odd plane or two, but our Navy lost an aircraft carrier and a submarine in these waters. That seems to give it more weight than just calling it a fantasy.”
    “Really?” Dee asked. “I never heard about the submarine.”
    “I think it was back in the sixties,” Alex said.
    “What about you, Sean?” Tori asked. “Do you think there is something mysterious about this part of the ocean?”
    By this time Sean had left his seat to refill his mug. He stood with his shoulder against the door frame and with one foot crossed over the other. “I sure do,” he replied. When he had everyone’s attention he continued, “This boat and its crew. I don’t think you will find anything more strange and mysterious than that for miles around.”
    Tori threw a towel at him while Dee gave her brother a sour look. Sean smiled with a self-satisfying grin. Even Professor James lightened up and seemed to be enjoying the moment. Sean decided to do a little background checking while his guests were at ease. When he was spending time alone with Tori he wasn’t exactly interested in comparing full personal histories. As long as he was asking such questions about her in open discussion he didn’t think her father would mind