"For an extinct reptile that preferred warmer climates?" It was my voice, strong and sure, but it'd been so long since my ego had donned its Superman tights that I scarcely recognized its return.

The crowd parted, revealing my presence to Hoagland and the BBC cameras.

"And who might you be?" the German adventurer demanded.

"Zachary Wallace, marine biologist, and the man who's going to make you and the rest of these dinosaur hunters look mighty stupid."

A woman's voice crackled over a loudspeaker, "An' how're ye goin' tae dae that, Dr. Know-It-All? By searchin' for a legend ye don't even believe in?"

Two berths down, Brandy stood brazenly atop the Nessie III's wheelhouse. Megaphone in hand, she gestured at me with her bronze, oiled physique, which caught the crowd's attention as much as her verbal challenge. "Why don't ye let the experts see tae their business an' keep yer Americanized opinions tae yersel'."

The crowd cheered, the cameras rolled.

Hoagland fought to take back the spotlight. "Where's your vessel, Mr. Marine Biologist? Where's your sonar equipment? Or do you intend on locating Nessie by hiking through the woods?"

"I don't chase after water creatures, I prefer to find ways to make them chase after me."

The crowd oohed and ahhed.

The BBC reporter recognized me. "That's Zachary Wallace, the man who located a giant squid."

"Well, then," Hoagland said, "let's give him a hand in locating our Nessie."

Before I could react, three of Hoagland's goons jumped down from the deck of the ship. Two grabbed hold of my arms, one my legs, and together they began swinging me.

"Eins… zwei… drei!"

I flailed in mid-air, then plunged backwards into Loch Ness, the freezing waters jolting me as if electrified.

I thrashed and kicked, too terrified to reason, my overloaded backpack filling quickly with water, weighing me down like an anchor. I fought and struggled, but my negative buoyancy was too much, and I slipped below the surface and sank backwards like a dead turtle.

Sound deadened.

My pulse thundered.

The water changed quickly from iced tea to ink, blanketing me within its paralyzing darkness.

I was in serious trouble.

Think! Reason! Get the damn backpack off!

I struggled to unclip the backpack's metal clasp but my numb fingers couldn't budge the stubborn device.

Deeper I fell, twenty feet, thirty… my ears ringing, my chest on fire, my body heaving in spasms as the Loch's icy fingers pried their way in.

Where was the crowd? Where they even a bit concerned?

"Awggg!" I inhaled a mouthful of acidic water as a viselike grip clamped down upon my right forearm, dragging me sideways in its teeth.

I fought the beast, lashing at its flesh, until I realized I was being dragged to the surface.

Whoosh! Sound returned with the daylight as my head cleared and True towed me to shore.