The Genesis Illusion

Chapter 2

The icy blue sky above the choppy gray Sea of Japan spread endlessly overhead as Paul and Nara observed the scene from the fore-deck of the R/V Johnson. The specialized ship designed to conduct a variety of ocean research assignments sailed from Yokosuka, Japan several days earlier on its mission to test Paul's newest invention.

Nara shuttered folding his arms around his bulky coat bracing himself against the stabbing cold December wind, and said, "I wish we could go inside. This is brutal."

Paul pulled his woolen watch cap down over his ears ignoring Nara's whining. Ensign Williams, a young but experienced junior officer, accompanied them on the deck straining to see through the low clouds.

"This should be a good test," officer Williams said. "The weather is pretty nasty and there's nothing within sight. Finding a stranded person in the water out here would be nearly impossible. The choppy waves make it difficult to see anything in the water behind them."

"Yes, if this works like we expect, it will prove its value," Paul said. "This could really revolutionize the ability to rescue people lost a sea."

"The water is so cold if you weren't located in just a few minutes hypothermia would set in and your body would shut down," officer Williams said. "It wouldn't take long before anyone out here would be a goner."

"Hey, guys, I'm from Singapore so the temperature out here is at least fifty degrees below my comfort zone," Nara said. "Can we observe from inside, on the bridge where it's warm?"

"Okay, I guess we've tortured you enough," Paul said wrinkling up the edges of his lips in a Cheshire cat smile. "No need for us to stand out here freezing. Let's go in."

They found their way to the bridge where Capt. Pelloci and other members of the crew scanned the horizon with binoculars. The Captain watched the three shed their many layers of winter gear, glad he didn't need to be outside. While peeling off his hooded sweatshirt Paul's unique dress shirt turned inside out exposing its waterproof pockets.

"What kind of shirt is that?" Capt. Pelloci asked.

"It's my design," Paul replied. "The pockets are waterproof and hidden on the inside so it looks like a dress shirt but I can store things without adding bulk."

"You carrying your gadgets as usual?" Nara asks, already knowing the answer.

"Of course," Paul said. "My Strong-Arm, the night vision contacts, and the re-breather. I was a scout, you know. Be Prepared." The others smiled humoring Paul's little joke.

"I'm sure you will need night vision contacts out here," Nara said, poking at his friend for his obsession.

~~~

"God dammit," Paul shouted out loud, to know one but himself, alone in his apartment. The evil thing sat innocently in a drop of clear liquid on the mirror lying on the table only two inches from his face. A solitary contact lens perched defiantly on its shinny throne. Crap. I invented this thing and I can't even use it.

Paul's night vision contacts replaced the bulky goggles used by the military. He had been trying for days to put them in so he could try them out. When he found out he couldn't just pop it in, because he blinked involuntarily, he practiced touching his eye with his finger. He finally succeeded by holding up his eyelid and straining to overcome his auto-blink reflex.

Inserting the contact proved even harder. He received too much advice from his friends who wore contact lenses. Following these suggestions he put together an area where he could concentrate. A clean white cloth covered his dining table where he placed a round chrome framed mirror flat on the surface. This allowed him to look down at the mirror as he attempted to put the contact on his eye. On the cloth around the mirror he placed the contact lens solution and plastic lens case. Everything was ready.