Ivan didn't understand what Stone meant by reliability, but emotionally, he strongly agreed with Stone's assessment of the good quality of older machines. Take this submarine, for example. Although its surface was covered in rust, with exposed wires and steam pipes everywhere, and some parts were inoperable due to years of neglect, its propulsion and weapon systems were still functioning. Moreover, this kind of old submarine had an advantage: veteran submariners like Ivan could repair most malfunctions with just a wrench. Unlike modern submarines, which are so precise that the average person can't even locate the parts.
" Mr. Stone, what exactly are you looking for in this sea?" Ivan vaguely acknowledged the question about the machine, but he still hadn't gotten the answer to his first question. This was the edge of the South Pacific Basin, and further north lay the Tubuai Islands. Finding something in this vast basin, over 15,000 feet deep, even a large underwater reef, was no easier than finding a sesame seed in a swimming pool.
"Actually, I don't know what I'm looking for. Because what I'm looking for is definitely not here now. But I think I can always find some clues."
Stone's words only confused Ivan more. He decided not to ask any more questions. In any case, the fuel in their old, metal contraption was enough to keep them afloat for another month. As long as they could return within twenty days, there was nothing to worry about. For Ivan, getting into the submarine was like coming home, but how long could this clean-cut, almost excessively handsome Mr. Stone last?
"Sir, is there anything else you need? I have canned fish, coffee, and pickled vegetables— China pickled vegetables, and Japan... Japan DVDs. If you need them..."
Ivan stared at the two computers in front of Stone, still puzzled as to why only one was on. He had never seen Stone use both computers simultaneously.
Stone smiled at Ivan and said, "No need, you can go ahead and do your work."
Ivan left and returned to the command center, sitting in his seat. Since they were now on the sea, the command center was well-ventilated, and everyone inside was smoking.
"Watch out for the fire," Ivan warned.
"It won't burn!" Boris handed Ivan a cigarette. "This junk is so damp it's practically infested with maggots, no wonder it won't burn!"
"I meant be careful with the wires and fuel," Ivan said, taking the cigarette.
He used to be a non-smoker; smoking was strictly prohibited on submarines during his military service. But after retiring, he hung out at various docks and learned to smoke, and he became quite addicted.
"I know," Boris said. "These aren't the first time any of us've been off the submarine; nobody's stupid enough to go to the engine room with a cigarette in their hand."
"That's good," Ivan said.
"Speaking of which... Ivan, who exactly is that guy? He's not lying to us, is he?" Boris asked.
"What are you trying to lie to me about?" Ivan asked sternly.
Boris was a little guilty. "I'm afraid he won't pay me after he's done the job. Look at this huge basin, what can we possibly find by just wandering around aimlessly?"
Ivan said, "Didn't we already give you half? Even if we don't get the other half, this trip has already been worth it! Besides, he just told me that after this mission, I can take my wife and kids to Hawaii or New Zealand and never have to do this kind of dirty work again."
"Ha, that's no small sum. If it's true, you're in for a treat!" Boris took a deep drag on his cigarette.
Ivan spat and said, "Why do I smell something sour? Don't worry, I won't abandon my brothers to enjoy a life of luxury alone. If I can take my family to New Zealand and live a good life, I'll definitely let you buy a ranch there too."
"Is it really that good?" Boris closed his eyes, looking very longing. "But this Mr. Stone seems quite extraordinary! I've never seen such a handsome and elegant China man."
How can you tell he's China?
"Although he has some Italy or France aristocratic features, he looks distinctly Asian!"
"The East isn't just China, so why can't it be the Japan?"
"No, impossible," Boris said with absolute certainty. "I've dealt with the Japan many times. They are shrewd, warlike, quick learners, and very polite, but they can never cultivate truly refined and noble people. They just brandish their samurai swords at their stomachs, using this laughable bravery to mask their cowardice in the face of defeat."
"You really know them!" Ivan said with a smile, knowing that Boris had been whaling at sea after retiring and had clashed with Japan whaling ships. He then tossed his cigarette butt into an empty fish can filled with water. "Alright, guys, finish your cigarettes and get back to your posts! Whether they pay us or not is their business; whether we do our job well is our business."
Boris asked, "Are we still just wandering around aimlessly?"
Ivan said, "Continue cruising, maintain a speed of eight knots, dive to a depth of 500 feet, keep an eye on all the detectors, especially the gravity and magnetic detectors. Remember, report any anomalies immediately."
Ivan stood solemnly in front of the control panel, his face as composed as a true submarine captain. The people who had been laughing and joking just moments before all stopped laughing and returned to their respective posts.
"Should we inform Mr. Stone before we dive again?" Boris asked.
Ivan thought for a moment and said, "No need."
The submarine submerged again and hovered at a depth of approximately 150 meters.
"Actually, I'd like to know if Mr. Stone was a submariner before," Boris said, adjusting the components on the dashboard in front of him.
"Why?" Ivan asked.
"Have you seen him since he boarded the ship? Has he shown any signs of discomfort? And he's just been staying in that lounge, staring at two beat-up computers, only watching those old-fashioned sci-fi movies."
Boris's question was also Ivan's question. He wanted to ask Stone several times, but he held back the words. Although he wasn't a regular mercenary, he knew very well that once he boarded this submarine, he was no different from a mercenary.
Stone gave him enough money to repair the submarine, refuel and equip it with weapons, and also to purchase several advanced detection instruments.
Before this mission was completed, Stone was his employer. His task was to complete the tasks assigned to him by Stone and protect his employer's safety. During this time, he knew what to say and what not to say.
"Something seems off with the magnetic field detection," one of the workers said, pointing to the instrument in front of him. " Ivan, come take a look. I don't really understand this thing."
Ivan went over and took a look. He noticed that on the instrument panel, which resembled a computer screen, the previously steady flashing and drawing lines on the left were now twisting and turning like snakes, while on the right, rows of incomprehensible numbers were scrolling incessantly. He had no idea what this meant; such instruments hadn't been found on older submarines.
"Let me see, I'm good at this," Boris exclaimed.
"You know about this?" Ivan asked curiously.
"Didn't I tell you I spent two years in the Arctic after retiring? Hehe, actually I snuck onto an Arctic research vessel. It had all sorts of instruments, and I was assigned to monitor the magnetic field."
As Boris spoke, he walked to the magnetic field monitor and frowned as he looked at the lines and numbers. His expression gradually became more complex, as if he had seen something strange.
"What's wrong, Boris?" Ivan asked.
"The magnetic field indicates that there should be something in front of us," Boris said.
What is that?
"I don't know, it seems like... it's... a ship?"
"No, that's impossible," said the guy in charge of sonar detection. "The sonar system shows there's nothing ahead."
"Halt!" Ivan decisively ordered. "I'll go inform Mr. Stone."