Page 33 of Hainn

“After the dive is done,” Jezari promised, eyeing the way his morning erection was tenting his pants. “We can have our delayed date.”

She wasn’t hungry but Hainn insisted they each grab a couple of survival ration bars and a nutrition drink, which they consumed as they walked. She had to make a stop at the Daughters’ residence to change into her swimsuit and put her clothes on again over the one piece. Hainn waited outside.

“Keshara said she and Gabe will be there shortly,” Jezari reported when she exited the cave. “I guess everyone who was at the council meeting yesterday wants to watch this effort. It’ll be boring for those on shore while we do a two-mile dive.”

“The Alphas and others want to show their support for you and the team,” Hainn said as they walked in the direction of the lake.

Jezari had specified the spot where she always departed from the shore, which was deep in the woods where humans weren’t allowed and far from the usual areas the Badari frequented. She was a little regretful today as so many people had to make their way to the place but she didn’t want to do anything differently on this all important dive. Aydarr had agreed with her and added he didn’t want curious valley resident onlookers watching either. As she and Hainn proceeded, she found the Supreme Alpha had posted guards to ensure no one uninvited stumbled over the starting place.

Aydarr, Jill and MARL were waiting, along with almost all of the meeting attendees plus Daegan’s chosen group of SouthSeas warriors. MARL had made noises yesterday about going on the dive but had been firmly told it was impossible. Jill worried about his condition and what would happen if he had a malfunction in the depths of the lake. Daegan had also vetoed the idea but Hainn told her later it was because his pack didn’t trust the alien AI much and even less so after the revelations of the day.

As she drew closer, Jezari heard a number of voices in her head and stopped, mouth open in shock. Hainn regarded her with concern. “What’s wrong?”

“I can hear Daegan and the others,” she said. “Telepathically. He’s reviewing my instructions from yesterday for the men diving with us.” With a giggle she added, “And telling them to pay attention to anything I say while we’re diving or on the site.”

“I let him know you can hear us now,” Hainn said hastily.

Yes, Daughter, an unexpected blessing. I wasn’t looking forward to relaying orders and information through Hainn today. Too clumsy and time consuming.Daegan’s voice was strong in her mind.

“There’s an art to telepathing just one person versus all of us,” Hainn said to her. “Takes practice so for today I’d pretty much assume whatever you say will be heard by all of us.”

“Thanks for the warning. Maybe the goddess gifted me the ability last night when I beheld her at the stone circle.”

“Did she touch you?”

“She stroked my hair as if I was truly her child—it was comforting.”

“That may have been the moment then.” Hainn nodded. “The gift is encouraging for the day’s ultimate success. Of course the question of whether whatever module Daegan and his group brings up will help MARL is another thing.”

They joined the group around Daegan and Jezari checked to make sure each man had his breather. Daegan had assured herall of his pack members were experienced divers, although not to the two-mile depth but she’d insisted on the extra equipment just in case. It was impossible to surface in a hurry from two miles below the surface if one of the men miscalculated his lung capacity and needed to breathe. She was worried about everything to do with this dive if the truth be known but tried to keep her fears to herself.

Aydarr approached them. “Are we ready to commence the operation?”

Daegan took charge. “Of course.”

“May the Great Mother bless this effort,” the Supreme Alpha said. “We’ll be here, waiting.”

Jezari wanted to get on with the task. Her nerves were bothering her so she waded into the water and at the point where the bottom fell away she began swimming strongly toward the spot where she’d begin the descent. She heard splashes behind her and soon she was surrounded by the Badari team. Daegan and Hainn flanked her, moving easily through the water. At one point in the planning it had been suggested a flyer be used to drop them off at the proper place in the lake but Jezari vetoed the idea. “I’m only sure where to dive when I’m actually in the lake,” she said. “Not flying above it.”

Then there was a proposal for using a tractor beam to pull up the modules MARL wanted, which was also discarded after discussion. Jezari told them the wreck was unstable and Elianna, called in to consult, agreed the tractor beam might damage the spaceship pieces further. If the wreck was broken up, the necessary modules might be lost in the mucky bottom or swept away, never to be found.

“Hands and eyes are the best tools for this job,” Jezari said. “If we do this ourselves there’s much less chance for error.”

Now she was at the dive point. She paused to take a few deep breaths and make sure her inner beast was ready for the longsubmersion. Daegan and the others watched her closely, which was disconcerting but she tried to ignore the scrutiny and knifed into the water, heading to the bottom two miles below. Daegan and his team dove with her. Hainn and his two helpers waited at the surface. The plan was for Jezari to guide Daegan into the part of the wreck which held the control chamber and show him the areas which had power. The Alpha and his men would take it from there.

Jezari would then meet with Hainn’s team and guide them into the submerged hold to retrieve the container preserving the body of Nindjak’s alien woman victim.

She descended, fighting the urge to rush. She’d found it was much better to take her time and proceed in an orderly fashion. The water felt silky against her skin, but confining like a tight garment. She wished this was the ocean, which had seemed so alive and refreshing.

The Badari warriors formed a circle with her at the center and she realized they were protecting her from anything which might swim by. Jezari had to smile. The biggest predator in the lake was a heavily armored, spiky creature the humans had dubbed a snapping turtle but although the animals could grow quite large, they didn’t bother with a Badari unless cornered.

We’re beginning our descent now, Hainn said from far above. Reflexively she looked upward but the lake was too murky and she was too far below him already to catch a glimpse. She wanted to respond but remembered what he’d said about all the Badari being able to hear her at this early stage of her telepathic abilities and decided to stay silent. She heard the message repeated and Daegan acknowledged it crisply.

They’d descended perhaps a mile when Daegan asked her how much longer until they reached the bottom and she was happy to tell him they’d accomplished half the trip.

As she approached the last few yards and could see the wreck below, she said, “Remember not to touch the actual lake bottom. The muck may be quite deep and we don’t want to stir up the mud either. Follow me to the main part of the spacecraft.” Jezari swam above the debris littering the lake floor and Daegan and the others followed her smoothly. She was reminded of the schools of fish she’d seen at the reef and smothered her amusement.

Pausing at the access path she’d identified into the portion of the ship where the control chamber or what was left of it was located, she held onto the edge of the metal carefully and said,It’s dark, the way is twisty and there will be things floating in the water so try not to get wrapped up in anything or cut by a rough edge of torn hull. Best if we swim slowly.

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