Free Cuttlefish by Dave Freer Page A

net. The hatch had at least stopped closing now. Cold and desperately afraid, Clara tried to pull her legs free. Then the hatch that she had her hand on began to open again. And the knife tumbled slowly down into it, after the shears.

    â€œIt looks like she's trapped in the net. There is still net over the hatch. She's still breathing.”
    Malkis nodded. Tugged his beard. Then said, “Empty the forward ballast tank. See if we can raise the bow as much as we can to reduce the water pressure. We should get to within a foot or so of the surface—the tide is going out. We'll close the hatch as much as we dare. Then we'll seal the forward bulkhead and pump air into the escape hatch. Then we're going to open it—with water coming in. And against the water, boy, we're going to have to push you in and close it. You'll have to take the second hookah pipe and cut her free and bring her in. Can you do that?”
    Tim nodded. “Sir.”
    â€œDon't try to do anything else. Just get her in,” said the captain.
    As they opened the hatch, the water sprayed in like a fire hose, bruising hard. Fortunately, it mostly hit the far wall of the escape chamber first. Albert and Big Eddie pushed Tim through, and he grabbed the wall-staple to stop himself washing straight back, as the hatch closed. Then, in the surge of icy water he had to grab the second hookah pipe, and start breathing. He ducked under thesurface to stop the cold water beating at him. Air, precious air, came in through the mouthpiece.
    The chamber filled quickly, and he followed her air-line up. Twisting the screw, he opened the outer hatch as much as it would go. He could barely squeeze out of the gap.
    In the light of the spotlight from the bridge, he could see her in the water. She was trying to pull her legs free of the net, obviously not managing much with numb hands.
    And then she saw him, too. She nearly spat her air hose, with her relief. She clutched onto his arm with hands that were only just warmer than the cold water.
    Tim tried to keep calm, and simply concentrate on cutting the strands of the netting. He got her foot loose, and pushed her ahead of him, to the hatch. She tried to pull herself in, but obviously just couldn't do it.
    Tim pushed her from behind. Got her arms in. Pushed more, grabbed the edge of the hatch and shoved her in with his other hand with all his strength. She kept floating up, of course. So, he realised, was he. If it hadn't been for the net she'd have floated to the surface.
    Pulling down hard with his arms he got his head into the escape chamber. She was bobbing up at him, terribly in the way, trying to move herself, and in danger of floating out again. Tim pushed her away hard, so that he could get in. He jammed his legs across the opening and reached down and started winding the lever to close the hatch. He only realised their hoses were still in the way when the air stopped coming. In a panic he managed to open it a little. He hauled at the hoses with her trying to help, with hands that didn't obey either of them properly. Eventually, they got the hoses in. It seemed to take forever. Then…a turn more and he got the outer hatch closed.
    Tim managed to dive down and hit and twist the purge knob.
    Air began to bubble in, and water drain out.
    The girl, from half-leaning against the wall, sat down suddenly in the water. Well, either sat down or collapsed. Tim sat down nextto her. Put his arm around her to keep her upright. He spat out the hookah mouthpiece. Their heads were above water now. “You all right?” he asked through chattering teeth.
    She nodded, weakly.
    The inner hatch opened and they were both hauled out.

“W ell done, boy!” said Captain Malkis, as someone wrapped Tim in a blanket. “Get them somewhere warm. Hot drinks.”
    Tim shook his head. He was shivering. It was even harder to do this than to go out the first time, but it needed to be done. “Need to go back. More