Tom Swift and His Subocean Geotron by Victor Appleton II

Author:Victor Appleton II
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-03-03T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 12

UNDERSEA GHOST FIRE

"IT CAN’T be what it looks like," choked Bud in faint voice. "Nothing artificial could be that huge!"

"If that were some sort of physical, mechanical device, the ends of those ‘spokes’ would have to be moving at something like thirty miles per second," Tom pronounced. "I can’t say that’s impossible. But it would have to stir up the waters like a kitchen blender!"

"And yet the surface is entirely calm and undisturbed," nodded Mr. Springthorpe. "And there was not the slightest sound. It began suddenly, in an instant. The crew called me up on deck to see it."

"Those things that look like spokes must be light beams," Bud declared suddenly. "Sure, that’s it! There must be a bunch of super beamers—like your Swift Searchlight, Tom—attached to something rotating on top of a sub."

But Tom shook his head in disagreement. "It can’t be that simple. Taking perspective into account, the ‘beams’ don’t widen out as they spread from the hub, and they all terminate abruptly. They look more like giant neon tubes—solid objects."

"Objects that pass through water like ghosts," stated Springthorpe. "Keep watching."

Seconds later the wheel abruptly vanished, leaving only the shadows of the deep. "It has not reappeared since then."

Tom asked if other seacraft had reported the phenomenon. "I’ve asked, but there are no definite reports," he replied. "Not entirely surprising, though. At this time of year especially, that little corner of the South Pacific doesn’t see much traffic, commercial or otherwise.

"But there are a couple more points I’ll mention," Springthorpe went on. "I’ve read of reports, some very old, that seem to describe similar phenomena in various places across the southern Pacific. And Moreno has mentioned a few vague stories floating around Hanga Roa recently."

"What kind of stories?" asked Bud breathlessly.

"Stories passed around by religious cultists; in this case, followers of an ancient spirit being who is said to live beneath the ocean here in the area of the Yupanqui Basin― "

Bud gasped. "Good night—that ghost-man who has fire under the sea!"

"Professor Tyburn said he was named Moai-kava-kava, I think," Tom confirmed. "Bud and I might have already had some... contact with a few of his modern-day followers."

"Then that’s what Rogerio was referring to, hmm? He mentioned the incident that gave you two your bandages. At any rate, that’s my pitch, Tom. Can you give us a nod?"

"I’m grateful for what you’ve shown me," was Tom’s careful answer. "All I can say is—it depends. Tell the Institute that I said it looks, given this, like a possibility—if this ‘light wheel’ turns out to have something to do with our search." Springthorpe expressed beaming gratitude and provided Tom with the exact position from which the Luciente had observed the phenomenon, as well as a copy of the digital video. Tom expressed thanks to Springthorpe.

Tom and Bud returned to the Sky Queen in a pensive mood. "It can’t be mere coincidence," Tom insisted as he told Ed and Nee the story.

"Hardly coincidence. The Pacific’s pretty large, and for the

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