“It’s not here. Wait… there’s somethin’ buried. I think it’s the sub. Ashlynn, the sub’s covered. Can’t find the arse end tae load the air. Give me a moment tae rest.”

“No! True, listen to me. There’s a good chance they’re already out of air. If this rescue is going to happen—”

“Bloody hell.”

“What is it?”

“There’s water streaming around my legs. Holy shyte, looks like the beginning of a flash flood.”

“True, the tide’s rising. In a few minutes you’ll be underwater.”

“Water’s clearing the debris off the sub, but I’m sinking deeper. Where’s the bloody outlet for the fiber-optic… ? There ye are. Ashlynn, be a good lass and take up the slack from the cable before my ride home’s washed away.”

“Acknowledged. True, describe what’s happening.”

“The water’s knee-high. I nearly lost the air tanks beneath the sub. Plug’s now locked intae the outlet. Ye should have power to the sub.”

“Yes, we’ve reestablished contact. We’re opening the chassis now.”

“Okay, lass, I’m in. Six empty tanks. Popping out the cylinder in slot number one… tha’ was easy. Bugger! Havin’ trouble lifting the replacement with this bloody clasper. Come on, ye bastard. Okay, tank one’s connected.”

“Roger that. Opening tank one now. Good job, darlin’.”

“You sweet vixen. I ken ye liked me. Stand by, this river’s startin’ tae float the boat. Tank two and three are in. Talk tae me, sweetie. Tell ol’ True whit ye like aboot me.”

“I like my men rough and tough.”

“An’ I like my women wit’ blonde streaks in their hair. Four’s in. Ah, shyte! Come on!”

“What’s wrong?”

“Five’s jammed, and the water’s gettin’ deeper.”

“Skip five. Replace six and get the hell out of there!”

“Right. So? Does the carpet match the drapes?”

“Get back up here and maybe you’ll find out.”

“Ugh. The water’s pushin’ up the back of my SAM suit, pinning me tae the sub. Okay, six is in. Seal the—ahhhh… bloody hell!”

“True, are you okay?”

“I’m neck-deep underwater… both legs stuck in the mud. The current’s too strong.”

“Don’t fight it; use it to push you up the bank. True?”

“Stand by. Okay… okay. Found some rocks. I’m underwater, fightin’ my way up the northern bank… . so tired. Head’s above water again… twenty paces from the Valkyrie. Everything’s danglin’ above the river. Ashlynn, I’m going tae wade downstream. When I say, get yer lads to let out the slack, and I’ll try tae grab hold of the bloody laser.”

“True, don’t go out too far. You’ll get swept away.”