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The lieutenant chuckled. "Ships, my boy, they're called ships." He began pointing them out. "Those big ones are dreadnoughts. They're primarily used for troop transport and for major expeditions."

"Why aren't we using one of those for our expedition instead of the Gloriana?"

Briarson sighed. "Well, the navy sent out one already to see what they could find at the object's crash site. Unfortunately, it seems to be completely under water. The only way to access it is with a submersible. The scientists will use diving suits to go out and conduct their research." He pointed. "See that vessel sitting low in the water? She's the Gloriana: the crown jewel of Her Majesty's submersible fleet."

Jonas followed the line created by Briarson's finger and terminated in a ship just slightly ahead of them and to their left. It was a long, thin vessel that appeared to be nothing more than a glorified metal tube. Two towers jutted from the dorsal region of the ship. The first was small, only large enough for a man to stand in. The second dwarfed the first, and Jonas could see several men climbing around the top of it. One man was actually climbing down a ladder built into the side of the tower. In front of these two towers was a huge section that was plated with enormously thick glass. Jonas could not see how large this enclosure was, but he assumed it was rather large because he could see light shining out from underneath the water as they drew closer to the vessel.

The Gloriana was not at all what Jonas had expected, and his dismay must have shown on his face. Briarson chuckled deep in his throat.

"What, were you expecting something pretty to look at?"

Jonas glanced at him and shrugged. "I suppose so. The only boats I've ever really seen have been pleasure yachts and river barges. I guess I was thinking this crown jewel would have a bit more luster about it."

Briarson stepped in front of Jonas and affected an offended look. "Mr. Cuthbert, you cut me to the quick! The Gloriana may lack for aesthetics, but she has many fine qualities that any submariner can admire. She's fast, quiet, and can dive to a depth of five hundred feet! She can sneak up on any enemy without them even knowing that she's lurking down below. Come on, let's get you below."

They walked toward the ship briskly and crossed over a narrow bridge. Jonas felt a knot of fear constrict in his throat as he stepped onto the hull. It sloped sharply and there was nothing to prevent a person from falling into the frigid water. The lieutenant took him gently by the arm.

"It's only a few steps, and then we'll be going inside." Jonas nodded, pushing his fear as far as he could into the recesses of his mind. They crossed the short distance at a hesitant, careful pace and then descended into the bowels of the ship.

If the ship had seemed narrow as they stood on the pier, Jonas was shocked to find how constricting the inside of the Gloriana actually was. The sailors constantly were contorting out of each other's way as they walked down the corridors. Jonas, who was far from tall, had to stoop every time they came to a doorway to keep from banging his head into the iron lintel. He also had to lift his feet like a heron to keep from tripping. There was also a smell to the confined space. It was the ripe odor of too many perspiring bodies close together. Jonas, used to the open spaces of the electrical plants, found the environment overwhelmingly dismal.

Briarson led him down several halls and into a room that contained cots stacked from floor to ceiling. He leaned up against the left wall and placed a hand on