Chapter Six of a serialized novella
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Oscar was surprised at how easily he found the professor. The man had one weakness: a love of Cuban cigars. He had a habit of lighting one up after dinner, so it wasn’t surprising to find him on the deck, smoking. What did surprise Oscar was finding the man alone.
Had the Kraken done the same thing with the professor’s men that he’d done with the guard near the dock?
He might not be alone for long...now’s the time, Oscar...just do it.
Upon hearing Oscar approach, Professor Bellowes turned around.
“It’s a beautiful evening, is it not?”
Oscar paused, then nodded. “Yes, it is.”
The professor peered at Oscar. “You look familiar. Do I know you?”
The diver wanted to punch the man in his mouth, but refrained...he had a message to deliver. Once that was done, he’d think about retribution.
“Yes, but that’s not important. I’ve got an important message for you...one that I think you’ll like.”
“Oh, well, I was just going in, but I suppose I can give you five minutes. Will that be enough?”
Oscar pulled the oval disc from his pocket and held it up for the professor to see. “I’ve been told that this will open the locked cylinder we pulled from the dig site.”
“We pulled? Oh, yes, now I remember you. You’re that loud-mouth diver. Didn’t I fire you, or?”
Oscar took a deep breath and clenched his knuckles until they turned white. It was all he could do not to smash the man in his mouth.
“Like I said, this key will open the cylinder. The Kraken told me the cylinder holds something that is much more useful than what Poseidon has promised you.”
“Kraken?” The professor laughed. “There’s nothing in the records to indicate that the Kraken is anything more than a wild beast...one that Poseidon controls. The god is probably testing us right now. I don’t believe your story.
“Besides, what could be more important than free energy? Pshaw.”
Oscar frowned and considered his options. He could run like hell or accept his fate. I’m thinking a bullet to the head would be faster...how do you run from an ancient entity?
Hearing footsteps, he turned to see Frank, who looked at him, then the professor, his eyes wide. “Oscar...what are you doing here?” he said.
Oscar glared at the man before responding. “That squid you and Mack ran from? It was the Kraken, and he’s given the professor a key to unlock a canister filled with something more valuable than even free energy, only the professor isn’t interested.”
“Really? What?”
Oscar shrugged. “Not sure exactly what it is, but the Kraken said it would make the professor as powerful as a god.”
“Professor,” said Frank, “what if Oscar’s telling you the truth? What do you have to lose to just go look?”
Fellowes stood nose to nose with Oscar. “Do you think I’m an idiot? Who have you told about our find? You were out there, you had plenty of time to...”
“Nobody knows but us, professor,” said Oscar. “And, of course, the Kraken. What do you think will happen when Poseidon finds out you’ve betrayed him?”
“What do you mean? I’ve kept my end of the bargain.”
“Are you sure about that?”
The professor scowled, “What do you mean?”
“The Kraken told me that if I didn’t return with an answer by sunrise that he’d tell Poseidon about the little stash of scrolls and temple gold that’s not been included in the inventory.”
The man glanced at both men, snatched the key from Oscar’s hand, then pointed towards the hold. “Fine. Let’s go take a look at this cylinder.”
That was too easy...what is he up to?
Oscar shivered. The hold was colder than he remembered. The damp air settled in his lungs, and his eyes were slow to adjust to the low light. The professor had insisted that they not add too many lights, as he was fearful the relics would be lost to time if exposed to modern light.
Although he’d been there for most of the discoveries, Oscar was still amazed at the massive find. The treasures were priceless, especially the knowledge they held.
But history wasn’t on everyone’s mind...treasure was.
“Okay. Which cylinder?”
Oscar scanned the room. When it had touched him, the Kraken showed Oscar which cylinder to look for. He remembered retrieving it...it was the last one they’d removed from the temple, the same day that poor kid was crushed by something unseen.
He remembered tucking it in the far corner, all by itself. With any luck, it hadn’t been moved. There were hundreds of cylinders, and he didn’t want to stay here any longer than he had to. He still wasn’t sure how he’d escape, but that was something he’d deal with when it came time.
“If nobody has messed with the relics since I was here last, it should be in the far corner of the room, leaned up against the wall.”
“Okay, then go get it and we’ll see if you’re lying.”
Oscar thought about arguing, but decided against it. Maybe he’d have a chance to slip away when the professor opened the cylinder.
“Fine.”Oscar mumbled. The cylinder was right where he’d left it. Thank God for small favors. The relic was a long, metal tube made of heavy brass lined with gold.
An intricate oval indentation lined the top of the lid, which matched the key the professor now held. Bellowes cautiously opened the cylinder, then peered inside. He paused, then eased a large scroll out of the tube.
“So far so good,” said Fellowes. “Now that we’re here, what did the Kraken tell you this was?”
Oscar sighed. “He said it was a...well, he said it was a formula for putting Poseidon back to sleep.”
The professor scowled. “What? Why would I want to do that? The god has promised me knowledge of the free energy source that the world knew before the great flood.”
“Yes, but the Kraken won’t give you what he has until you’ve put the god back to sleep. Once you’ve done that he will give you the plans for a...a time machine.”
The room was filled with an awkward silence before the professor laughed out loud. “Time machine?” The man nodded at his guards, who grabbed Oscar by the arms. “Lock him in his bunk...and have someone stand guard.
“We’re going to see about this Kraken and his time machine business,” said the professor. “I make the decisions around here, not some stupid squid.”