In Deep Water: Chapter Six

“She’s gotta be at least five hundred years old.” Nathan rechecks the sample of organic material on his desk for the fifth time.

Sophie digs her palms into her eye sockets. “That’s impossible.”

“I know.” Nathan huffs.

I stare at the three-dimensional image on our photogrammetry software. The jagged remains of an immense vessel lay crumpled on the ocean floor, a giant hole where her center used to be.

Xander points at the screen. “That hull is steel.”

“I see that.” Nathan takes a sip of his Mountain Dew.

“Could the fossil have been on the ship at the time of its demise?” I prop my feet on the mini fridge.

Nathan says. “The surrounding sediments are consistent with this area.”

Sophie fidgets in her chair. “We need more samples.”

“I agree with Soph. It’s the only way to figure out what we’re dealing with.” I palm the tension in my left shoulder.

“I got you, Em.” Xander waves my hands away and starts massaging my neck. “I have the ROV team on it right now. And we sent a team down early this morning to start excavating. Perhaps there’s something we’ve missed buried in the sand.”

“Any updates from the lab?” Nathan taps the keys of his computer, flicking through images taken from the wreck. Sponges and Anemone speckle the ship’s exterior, climbing its abandoned decks.

Sophie sighs. “Not since you asked five minutes ago.”

“I already asked that?” Nathan frowns.

I snicker and glance at the clock. “We’ve been at this for hours. How about...continue reading Chapter Six at Coffee House Writers.