The heavy steel drum of the hydraulic hoist winch began to turn in the adjoining equipment bay, groaning under a sudden violent load.
High-pressure fluid hissed through the overhead steel pipe headers as the automatic cable feed engaged with a sharp mechanical thud.
“The winch kicked on by itself!” Lin Mei shouted, sprinting across the deck plates toward the open steel hatchway of the Bell Winch Room.
“I didn’t touch the console!” Mac Cole roared, his heavy boots clattering right behind her against the diamond plating.
“Someone tripped an auto-haul command from the seabed line!” Mac shouted, his brass prosthetic arm swinging forward in the dim yellow work light.
Julian Vance lunged across the communications desk, snatching his inspection flashlight and clipping his Casio register to his belt.
“Dr. Corvo, grab your kit and stay behind us!” Julian ordered, holding the hatchway open.
“Right behind you, Mr. Vance,” Dr. Victor Corvo said, snapping his leather medical bag shut and following them out of Sat-Control.
