The Portal 3: Hard Science Fiction (Portal to Xibalbá) by Brandon Q. Morris & Tim L. Rey

Author:Brandon Q. Morris & Tim L. Rey [Morris, Brandon Q. & Rey, Tim L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hard-SF.com
Published: 2024-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

Xibalbá, July 4, 2045

SHAW

The taste of iron filled his mouth. It was an unpleasant metallic taste, but not unfamiliar. It was the taste of blood.

He slurped and spat to get rid of it, but it persisted. And so did the red light penetrating his closed eyelids.

Suddenly, the memories returned. The storm, their dive, the relentless underwater current, the jellyfish, and El Flaco with the knife.

Shaw’s eyes flew open and he blinked in the red light. Particles drifted past his face in the water. He saw the outline of the Mexican opposite him. He was curled up on his side in a fetal position and appeared to be asleep. He couldn’t see the knife, but he saw the jellyfish, which they were still inside of. Shaw couldn’t tell what was happening on the outside. It was dark and hazy out there.

He turned his head and saw the Marine to his left. He seemed preoccupied and was fidgeting with his depth finder.

Depth. Shaw looked down and discovered that they were out of the danger zone. They were a mere ten meters below the surface.

He couldn’t believe it. It saved us. The jellyfish carried us up.

He couldn’t say whether it did so voluntarily, or if El Flaco hurt the animal with his knife. Shaw didn’t care. He was too exhausted to keep his eyes open.

But someone shook him awake. It was the Marine, who had noticed him stirring. He gesticulated and Shaw blinked at him until he understood the gestures. The man just wanted to know if he was OK.

Shaw shrugged, held up a thumb, and turned it horizontal. The Marine nodded and signaled to Shaw to get some more rest. Shaw didn’t need to be told twice. His body felt brutalized. The taste of blood in his mouth was disgusting. He must have bitten his tongue or cheek as he slept. Or burst some blood vessels from diving too deep.

He didn’t care about that either. He was alive, and they appeared to be safe inside the jellyfish for now. Safe. With that thought in mind, he dozed off again.

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