Stealth Journeys with the Steam Mapper

Chapter 55: Breaking the Silence, "Kraken the Ice"

Watching out the porthole, and wishing to hear another voice, instead of the humming and beeping of equipment, StLF decided to be the first to speak.   "Is your code name VLAD because your first name is Vladimir?"   "No", the Ukrainian replied. "I chose it because my lifelong work has been at the Vladimir Vernadsky Research Station.   It is the most technologically advanced research station in the world."

"Oh, I know about it", responded StLF, happy to have something to discuss to "break the ice".   "It is in Antarctica, not so very far from here.   The British sold it for one pound, because it was too expensive to dismantle it.  My parents traveled there on a cruise to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary back in 2013.  Mom told me about the beautiful icebergs, the nine buildings, including the world's southern-most gift shop, and the great hospitality.  They are famous for finding the Ozone Hole.  Dad sent me lots of pictures."

The Ukrainian had nothing more to say about his beloved research center.  Apparently StLF's comments had minimized its importance.  Or maybe the man had revealed too much.   Perhaps it was no longer the quaint friendly "visitors welcome" research center.   Mindful, of the agreement made with MYKA, to keep observant and share later, the young oceanographer thought it wise to drop the subject.

StLF hoped to find plumes and smokers with the possibility of active bacteria in big supply. The afternoon was a boring disappointment.   Time passed slowly and finally it seemed time to try again to spark a conversation.   "Where are all the species?"  "Maybe a plesiosaur, or even the Kraken would liven things up!"  StLF quickly swung around hoping to see bemusement.   Instead, the older profile showed consternation.   Embarrassed by the response, it was time to quickly resume gazing out of the port hole.   A humorless voice, gravely asks, "What have you heard of 'Kraken 3rd Millennium'?"

StLF was taken aback and replied evasively, "Oh, only rumors from the 'Mirror' and other tabloids and other unreliable sources."  Back in 2012, pictures from Google Earth caused a commotion with fringe scientists seeing sea monsters on the photographs and pronouncing them as evidence.  What is this identification of 'Kraken 3 M' that the Ukrainian speaks of so solemnly?   "Wow I touched a raw nerve, for sure".  VLAD and StLF finish their shift into the early afternoon in complete silence.   A couple of U.S. scientists took the submersible down in mid-afternoon. The batteries were changed out, and the research vessel has been moved northward about 15 miles along the same trench, after another "look" with the MAPR.   StLF was happy to be back in the crisp fresh air but tired out from watching intently for eight hours straight.

The lack of sleep and the boredom of seeing nothing had set in.   Stef wished for the hot crispy pizza slices shared with Mom and Dad on their last visit in Bremerton at their favorite pizzeria. "No pizza ovens onboard ship", joked Mom.   "Enjoy this memory."  Stef now longed for canned tomato soup and Hot Pockets from the microwave.   "I'll make a beeline for the galley, right after a visit to the head."  "PB4UGO" didn't accomplish the same results on an eight-hour dive. The "conveniences" installed on a submersible were the last resort.   Space diapers were the way to go.

The MAPR used the day before indicated plumes.    Smokers or vents of some kind should have been spotted.  The biggest success would be finding evidence of the bacterium species that feasted on carbon dioxide.  Early lab work indicated that replicating the species in labs required something in the fragile ecology had been overlooked.  The entire smoker would be harvested and brought up to the lab onboard the ship for further study.  Perhaps it would be found tomorrow at the new site.

The next day was successful.  A cluster of vents with evidence of the bacterium was found.   The robotic arms broke free a "chimney" and it was brought up to the surface ASAP.  The moment it hit the deck, a crew ready and waiting submerged it into a specially prepped tank, pressurized to the correct atmospheric pressure readings to match its original location.  The tank also had a swirling concoction of chemical compounds thought to be the missing ingredients used in the last attempt.  Score one for the Team Cousteau chortled MYKA to StLF when the two were alone.  MYKA's first time down was with a female Japanese scientist.   StLF wondered if any interesting conversations had taken place, and could barely wait to compare notes at bedtime.