The Genesis Illusion

Chapter 7

"Something's wrong," Nara shouted. "Get him up. Get him up now!" His voice trembled with fear as he desperately scanned the water surface for his friend.

The grinding gears of the safety winch recovered the lifeline winding it inch by inch on the reel. Deckhands readied themselves to hoist a body into the research vessel. The AED (Automated External Defibrillator) was open, charged and ready for use. Although the fifty foot ship had a roomy diving platform, the two divers taking part in the test and the others now waiting to help with emergency response crowded the deck.

Placid Guloni Bay was the perfect location for testing the Innovatism Institute's newest invention, the in-mouth re-breather. A short distance offshore from the capital of the tiny island nation of Haulu it was convenient for both US and Southeast Asia country representatives. Nara and Paul liked it because it was between their lost seaman demonstration site in the Sea of Japan and Singapore, their next destination.

Paul used nanotechnology advancements he invented to engineer the new device. It worked by filtering carbon dioxide from exhausted air and recycling the remaining oxygen. Older re-breathers required a small oxygen tank and a specialized face mask. Paul's invention fit entirely within the mouth and didn't need supplemental oxygen for a twenty-minute dive. Lightweight, it was perfect for firefighters and recreational divers.

"Here he comes," a deckhand said, alerting the rescue team to be ready.

Their first site was of limp head and arms slumped to one side of the safety harness. Lifting the body the crew swung the winch arm to position it over the diving platform. Unbuckling the restraint, the body crumpled onto the deck. Nara leaned over the upper deck railing straining to get a glimpse through the crowd crouched over the body.

"I don't have a pulse. The AED!"

The captain started the engine powering the sleek white ship toward the mainland dock, radioing ahead for an ambulance to meet them.

"Move back, the AED is cycling." The crewman triggered the first shock.

Only a few minutes passed before they docked, paramedics rushed onboard and with the help of the crew carried the body to the waiting ambulance.

"No pulse." Nara overheard one deckhand say.

Stranded on the dock he ran to the nearest street to hail a taxi. Turning to look back at the dock he saw the ship's crew nervously loitering as a news crew arrived. The taxi driver started his engine with a roar and sped Nara through the chaotic traffic to the island's only hospital.

~~~

Innovatism Institute CEO Dies in Diving Accident- World News Press

Paul Jacobs, the CEO of the New York based Innovatism Institute, died in a freak accident while testing an amazing invention in the waters near the Pacific island nation of Haulu. V.K. Nara, his longtime colleague and Institute CFO, told World News he drowned while demonstrating a revolutionary underwater re-breather. The device allows users to breathe submerged with no need for air tanks and fits entirely within the mouth. Authorities are still investigating the accident cause but there is no sign of foul-play. Nara said, "We have lost a uniquely gifted individual whose innovations changed the world."