“Oh god, a whale.” Greg exhaled, almost giggling. “It’s just a freaking whale.”

“Nearly no dorsal fin, and a blow hole, so definitely a cetacean.” Cate leaned forward. “But not sure what type; maybe of the baleen family, but can’t really see…” She turned to Abby. “…means no teeth, just a feeding comb. Not a big one, smaller even than a humpback.” She sat back, feeling a huge lift of relief in her chest. “What do you think, Greg?”

“Certainly has some baleen characteristics of a longer skull, but there are features there I don’t recognize.” Greg pointed at the huge mammal now hanging stationary in the water. It returned the scrutiny. “It seems to have an extended snout, just like some of the first toothless baleen whales. Going out on a limb here and saying, maybe it’s a Eomysticetus or even a Micromysticetus.” He grinned. “They were around in the late Oligocene, about thirty million years ago.”

“Very good, Greg. Impossible to verify, but can’t fault your analysis.” Cate lifted her light.

“I’m hoping it’s just checking us out,” Jack said. “They’re intelligent and inquisitive. We’re the ones who are the strangers down here.” The whale floated a little closer, it’s eye turned to them seeming to move across each of their faces. It turned a little more onto its side and a flipper rose momentarily.

“Holy shit, look! See that? It’s still got a bit of a forearm, and thumb.” Greg pointed, an excited smile plastered on his face.

“You’re right.” Cate rose from her seat.

“Sit down, please,” Jack warned.

“It’s far more primitive than we thought. They were land creatures once, whose limbs evolved for water living. This creature might even be some sort of transitional form.” She grinned. “Now what do you say, Greg?”

He nodded, enjoying the game. “Okay, what about a Rodhocetus?” He shook his head. “Nah, they were only about eight feet long; this guy is easily twice that. Okay, something more our pal’s size…” He rubbed his chin, and then clicked his fingers. “Durodon.” His smile suddenly dropped. “Oh shit. Those guys ate meat.”

“Yikes.” Abby pulled her arm in.

The ancient cetacean continued to glide closer, its huge intelligent eye still watching them. “Hey big guy, don’t suppose you can give us a lift to Heceta Island.” Greg pointed, his arm out over the water. “It’s thatta way.”

Jack used the oar to paddle backwards, keeping some distance between the raft and the creature.

“Be careful. I’ve dived with humpbacks, and seen orcas from a cage. They’re usually pretty sociable, but they have a habit of breaching and landing in your boat.”

Greg pulled his arm in. “Easy there, jumbo. We’re mammals, just like you.”

He waved, and the huge beast rolled and sank. It rose again another forty feet from the raft, and then went down for good.