REPORTER: That’s right, Jim. A discovery has been made. On the far end of the five-mile “search box,” researchers spotted a large wreck on the ocean floor, about three miles down. It appears to be lying on its side. Ali Nesser of Nesser Ocean Explorations is with us here in what’s called the “offline room” on the ship. Mr. Nesser, what are you seeing?

ALI NESSER: Late last night, our sonar system detected a large mass on the seabed. The data suggested a vessel approximately the size of the Galaxy, which gave us a strong suspicion that we’d located it. We then sent the Remotely Operated Vehicle or ROV down to take pictures of the wreckage. We received those images here on the screens behind me, and we’re analyzing the data.

REPORTER: What does the data suggest?

ALI NESSER: Well, it’s pitch-black down there, so everything we’re getting is from the lights of our ROV. Still, we’re confident this is the Galaxy. You can see the markings. And that was a pretty unique vessel.

REPORTER: Can you determine what caused her to sink?

ALI NESSER: No one should speculate on that until we have more data. But these images tell you a lot. Look at the hull. It’s light fiberglass, which makes it susceptible to damage.

REPORTER: And by damage, you mean the hole we see?

ALI NESSER: That’s just the bow. Look at this shot from the stern, where the engine room was located.

REPORTER: Those holes are even bigger.

ALI NESSER: That’s right. Whatever happened, happened more than once. It wasn’t one hole. It was three.

Thirteen

Sea

These will be the last words I write, my love. I realize now that you are always with me. I can share my thoughts just by picturing you. But on the chance that someone else finds this notebook, I want them to know the end of my story, and perhaps decide if it means anything at all.