Chapter 6 - Into the Deep
The freezing Hudson water was already up to Julian's knees within seconds. The pumps were reversing, intentionally flooding the lower compartment to drown them in the steel tomb.
""The main hatch is sealed from the outside,"" Julian shouted over the roar of rushing water, throwing his weight against the steel door. It didn't budge. ""Electric magnetic locks. Victoria wants no survivors.""
Emma lifted Leo onto the highest cargo crate, keeping his small frame dry. ""The ventilation shaft above the engine intake! It's too narrow for us, but it leads to the upper deck.""
""Leo can't climb that alone,"" Julian said, his eyes scanning the ceiling. The water was rising rapidly, touching Emma's waist.
""He won't have to,"" Emma said, pulling an emergency rescue harness from the wall locker. ""We anchor the pulley line through the vent grate. I'll hoist him up, and you blow the hinge pins on the hatch with the mercenary’s breaching charges.""
Julian grabbed the tactical pack off the unconscious guard. He found two C4 breaching strips. ""If I detonate these in an enclosed space, the pressure will rupture our eardrums, and the hull integrity might fail.""
""Do we have a choice?"" Emma asked, locking eyes with him through the spray of salty water.
Julian gritted his teeth. ""No.""
He rapidly affixed the charges to the door hinges. Meanwhile, Emma secured Leo into the harness, her voice calm, projecting absolute safety to keep the toddler from panicking. ""Leo, listen to me, sweet boy. You're going to play a game for Mommy. You're going to climb into that bright tube and crawl straight until you see the stars, okay? Just like an astronaut.""
""Will you come, too?"" Leo whimpered, his teeth chattering from the cold.
""Right behind you, baby. Go!""
With a mighty heave, Julian helped Emma guide the child into the maintenance shaft. As Leo’s sneakers disappeared into the vent, Julian grabbed Emma, pulling her behind the reinforced steel pillar at the far corner of the cabin.
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""Brace yourself!"" Julian roared, shielding her body with his own as he triggered the detonator.
The world vanished in a blinding flash of fire, thunder, and crushing water.
