The submersible launch bay was a surprise to Toll. He had
expected a large affair, with rows of subs ready to deploy like jet fighters,
but instead they entered a room not much bigger than the launch bay at the recycling
station he had worked at before he hijacked the gate.
“Only two subs?” He asked.
Carter nodded. “This isn't much more than an airlock for
research runs. We have emergency escape pods located all over the base and mass
transit bays are centrally located.” Toll laughed. Carter cocked his head to
the side. “What are you laughing about?”
“You sounded like a tour guide just then.” Toll said while
taking a pressure suit and helmet from the wall.
Carter shook head and smiled. “Well then, prepare to laugh
your ass off because, in the event that your submersible looses pressure
containment or becomes immobilized, your suit acts as a floatation device. Just
press the red buttons on both wrists cuffs at the same time and your suit will
auto inflate taking you to the surface. Your suit has a re-breather system that
filters air out of the water insuring that, regardless of depth, you will never
run out of oxygen.” Carter pointed to a stall door. “Change in there.” Toll
nodded and entered the stall to change.
A few minutes later Toll exited the stall wearing the clingy
pressure suit and carrying the helmet. He stopped at the closest submersible.
“How do these things work?” He asked.
Carter knelt down next to the submersible and opened the
cockpit hatch. “Exactly like every star fighter you've ever flown, with one
huge difference. You don't move through water like you do through space.”
Toll laughed. “I'll figure it out. Let's go see this
squidputer thing of yours.” He put his helmet on and it sealed the connection
to the suit. He then dropped into the cockpit of the sub.
Carter spoke to Toll using the communication system built
into their helmets. “I appreciate your enthusiasm, but these subs cost about
two million credits apiece so, please, show a little self control.” he could
see the color drain out of Toll's face. “Relax you big baby! I'm not going to
make you buy another one; just try not to crash into a coral reef or anything.”
Carter dropped down into the seat of his own sub and put his helmet on.
“Oh sure. Take away all my fun.” Toll snapped.
The attendant in the control bay spoke into a microphone on
his console. “Ready for launch Doctor?”
Carter nodded “Yes, and don't call me doctor.” The attendant
flipped the switch to release both subs allowing them to sink into the water
and out of the bay.
