“Just hurry,” I said.

He nodded, and donned the diving suit as I scrutinized the submersible controls. It appeared to be fairly simple to pilot, should the need arise.

Crankshaft clipped a line to his belt. “Keep an eye on the line. If I pull twice, hard, then pull this lever to reel me back in.”

I nodded, and he entered the airlock. A moment later, I could see him out the front of the submersible, trotting off into the darkness.

Minnow was oddly quiet and still, staring out into the ocean...