Deep Blue - The Descent

40: Out of the Fire

"How high can it go?"

"I don't believe we've ever set the aeration system to its highest setting.", Syndi replied. "Would you like me to do that now?"

"Yes -- no, no not yet.", Nick corrected himself. He had what seemed like a million things running through his head, the torpedo, finding a way to get Eugene outside, and then figuring how they were going to rapidly retreat back to the Naval station on Guam.

He looked at Eugene, who returned his gaze with his oversized reflective eyes. Before Nick even said a word it looked as if the creature was already working things out.

"I don't know if you can understand me", Nick began, "but we've got to get you outta here. Your buddies are waiting just past the ridge. I'm hoping if we can get you outside, they'll send a rescue team and be able to take it from there."

"Sheppard, what are you doin'? We're a little short on time son.", the doctor asked over the station's communications system.

"I've got an idea Doc.", Nick replied. "I think I know how to get Eugene out, just give me a second."

"I'm not gonna lie," Nick said returning his focus to Eugene, "this is probably going to hurt like Hell. But I think it will get you outside."

The creature, seemed to understand the Lieutenant Commander and gave the faintest of nods as he slowly raised his right webbed hand to the glass. Nick mirrored his hand on the opposing side of the surface.

"You're probably going to want to hold your breath -- or whatever you do.", Nick said as a final warning.

"Syndi. Raise the oxygen output to its max level as fast as you can.", Nick ordered. "Give her all she's got in one shot."

"Yes Lieutenant Commander.", the A.I. answered as an explosion of millions of tiny bubbles flooded the tube from below and a burst of oxygen blasted its way through the tube.

The buoyancy of the rush of bubbles carried Eugene straight up and out of the observation tube. By the time the rush of bubbles had passed, Eugene was gone.

"It worked.", Nick said with an unexpected smile.

Doctor Marshal watched the maneuver from the control console display and smiled, "I'll be damned. He got him out."

While the doctor was relieved that the creature was free of the station, he quickly found that with all the dirt and sand disturbed by the earthquake and falling debris, he instantly lost his visual on where Eugene went. It was as if he was swallowed by the thick murky water.

"Nice job Sheppard.", the doctor said through the intercom. "Now get your butt back to the moon pool. The Commander's got your super suit."

"On my way doc.", Nick answered over the comms.

"OH! And bring the crystal with you.", the doctor added.

Nick entered the moon pool door at a sprint holding the crystal and containment sphere under his arm like a football. Commander Kennedy was standing near the control console with the doctor with the M.A.N.T.A. suit slung over her shoulder.

"I brought you something a little more appropriate to wear.", Jordan grinned as she held out the suit.

Nick placed the spherical container and enclosed crystal on the control console.

"Did he make it back to the ship?", Nick asked as he grabbed the suit and began to put it on.

"No idea.", the doctor said as he motioned to the views of the exterior cameras that were a solid gray. "Can't see a damn thing in all this muck."