The sky was overcast. Beneath the lead-gray clouds, the waves grew choppier. Several fish leaped from the sea, only to plunge straight back in.
Splash.
The bow cut through the waves, sending pale foam spreading slowly to either side.
"Good thing we didn't go looking for the Wheel of Moxie ourselves." Manhunter pulled out the Laser Cannon's mount and secured it to the deck. "Otherwise, sonar never would've spotted it in advance!"
"Keep your voice down," Carson warned.
As he spoke, he took out a sheet of paper and began sketching on it.
"According to sonar, Code 18 is about twenty-three degrees north of northwest. The engine's off now, so we can approximate our speed as... By that calculation, once we come to a stop, the bearing to the monster will be eighteen degrees north of northwest. Manhunter, adjust the Laser Cannon to about nineteen degrees north of northwest."
Manhunter stared at Carson. "Damn, you really know your stuff?"
"Quiet," Carson warned him again. "The Laser Cannon has a high-powered scope. Keep an eye on it."
"Don't worry, I've got it!" Roman said with a smile, leaning over the Laser Cannon's scope.
Xia Lun leaned against the deck railing and gazed across the surging sea. Beneath the murky sky, the water stretched to the horizon, with no sign of the Wheel of Moxie.
They could not see the Wheel of Moxie with the naked eye, but while the Oceanographer and the Attendant were fighting, the Submarine's sonar had happened to pick up its trail.
Splash, rush...
The seconds ticked by, and the Submarine gradually slowed. Above and below deck, everything fell quiet.
The waves kept rolling, while the oppressive air over the sea made it hard to breathe, as though the leaden weight of it were pressing into their skulls.