The Gray-Finned Dolphins Arrived

The alarm rang three times in quick succession.

Morel did not rush to the rail. He first swept his gaze over the sea, then switched his pipe to his other hand and headed toward Pushi. Captain Nishimatsu had already turned around and roared several orders across the deck.

"Starboard warning!"

"Sonar operator, report the coordinates!"

"Everyone on deck, stay away from the railings!"

Pushi cowered in a corner, clutching that old cloth bundle tightly to his chest. His head was bowed so low it was nearly buried against his chest, and he kept repeating the same words.

"They're here."

"They're here."

"They're not fish."

"They're things that obey the door's words."

The back of Bai Zhu's neck tightened as he listened. Milluki adjusted his mask and shifted half a step behind him.

"I'm starting to suspect this old man was born to predict disasters."

Bai Zhu replied.

"And he does it for free."

Pushi suddenly raised his head. His teeth chattered, but his words were sharply enunciated.

"Don't answer them."

"Don't look at the water."

"Don't turn on the lights."

Morel crouched in front of him, resting his pipe against his knee.

"Pushi, what's coming?"

Pushi shrank back, hugging the cloth bundle even tighter.

"Things that obey the door's words."

"Things that obey the door's words."

"Things that obey the door's words."

Seeing Pushi turn into a broken record again, Morel did not press him further. He stood and beckoned to Captain Nishimatsu.

"Nishimatsu."

Captain Nishimatsu answered crisply.

"Here."

"Bring the speed down to the minimum. Keep the heading steady, and don't touch the Old Trench yet. It isn't time to go in."

"Understood."

"Split the crew into three groups: deck, cabin doors, and engine room. No one runs around alone."

"Understood."

Morel raised his pipe and exhaled.

"Deep Purple."