Before the planned diving day another problem was pointed out by Thomas.

“I have a problem. The target place is in the Japanese EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone). To enter this area we need the permission of Japanese Government.”

However Japan had already stood in China’s side. It would never issue such permission. On the centrally they might be captured by the Coast Guard.

“Something wrong?”

Gengo, the Old Boy, joined their conversation.

“Yes, we have a problem. The target point is in Japanese EEZ. We cannot approach.”

“Hum, such problem. We will do poaching, won’t we?”

“Poaching?”

“Yes, Chinese. They always do that. That place is the very good fishing ground. Poaching and escaping before captured. They know the Coast Guard doesn’t come at least 8 hours. It takes time to pursuit. Really like a thieving cat.”

Gengo spat out.

“Well, give me a time. I will consult with the Captain.”

Thomas murmured.

The next day.

“We have got the conclusion. Do poaching. It is an order from the US Government. Our mission has a great justice to save the human race from the Global Warming. We should achieve this mission by no means.”

They started the planning meeting.

“To reach the target point we need about 2 hours and another 2 hours for diving. That means we need 8 hours only for going and returning. No working time at the bottom.”

“Can you make it a little more quickly? Even 10 minutes may be useful.”

“One hour for working. It is really the very betting. If we are lucky, the Coast Guard will not come in time.”

“If they come, what shall we do?”

“In that case we will expect the US Defense Force.”

“OK, done. Dismissed.”

Soon later the ship had crossed the border.

Diving works had started after sunset. The time limit is the next dawn.

Akane, Youichi, Thomas and a helmsman got on board the Challenger. They were surrounded by the complete pitch-black at the center of the Pacific Ocean. The submarine continued sinking quietly. They spent really a choking time.

After 2 hours diving they reached the bottom. It was 10 thousand feet depth.

All of them were astonished with that strange spectacles. It was far from those of this world. It looked like on another planet.

Many chimney shaped squirting holes of the hot spring were spread as far as they could see. The search light could illuminate only a part of them.

“I had never seen such huge hydrothermal deposits.”

Akane shouted.

The chimney had grown 3 meters tall with accumulated minerals and were gushing out hot water with numerous small bubbles. Such chimneys were spreading all over the place.

Around those chimneys various strange shaped lifeforms were gathering. Tube worms, shrimps, crabs and all kinds of strange deep-marine creatures. And that devil fish, Aquanoproteus, the Sea Catfish.

“Let’s start the work. We have not so much time.”

Being urged by Thomas, Akane and Youichi manipulated the robotic arm. They shot a glass cylinder in to the mud. After collecting samples they checked the contents by the microscope.

“No, nothing found.”

After several trials Akane murmured with a little irritated voice.

“Shall we move ahead a little more?”

Thomas suggested.

“Can we approach that area?”

“No, it’s too dangerous. The submarine would not hold. The temperature had been already 300 degrees.”

The helmsman opposed. The place which Akane pointed out was very close to the mouth of the submarine volcano. They could see the red magma springing up one after another from the deep sea bed.

“There is no lifeforms in such a hell.”

A helmsman shouted getting angry.

“No, some Archaea are fed with sulfide compounds. We have a chance to find out something.”

“How many minutes can you hold the submarine?”

“Only 2-3 minutes. No more.”

“Ok. Do it now.”

The submarine slowly approached to the target point.

“The temperature was 500.”

With that reading voice Akane pushed the button for shooting a cylinder.

At that moment a huge rock was collapsed and the magma showed its red tongue in the water. A big explosion occurred and a strong shock wave attacked the submarine.

“Immediate Evacuation! Maximum speed.”

After fierce trembling they were thrown away on the floor. The warning horn had echoed.

“Are you all right? No injury?”

Thomas shouted and stood up.

“Stupid. We were almost dying.”

The submarine had been receded and held its position narrowly. When they saw the place they had been just before, only a vacant big hole had remained with the dense mud.

Paying no heed to such accident, Akane collected the last sample cylinder and set the contents under the microscope.

After long serious inspection Akane finally raised her thumb. Everyone applauded and looked into the microscope one by one.

There were many Archaea which contained the granulated solid methane. The solid methane was glittering like a pearl in the pearl oyster. It was the first time for human being to get such Archaea during this 300 million years. It would be the Messiah to save humans from the Global Warming.

To be continued