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color from the light-blue shallow waters to the deep dark-blue of the extreme depths.
    It is along th e Tongue of the Ocean that the AUTEC—Atlantic Underwater Test and Evaluation Center—Naval Bases are situated. With appropriate credentials and forewarning, one of the bases is open to the public, not much is known about the others. Via satellite images, the submarine channels cut into the ocean are clearly visible, some are marked on the map, and some are not.
     
    ***
    Albuquerque, New Mexico
    A man sat at a bar drinking Puerto Rican rum directly from the bottle. A tattoo of an anchor wrapped by a sea serpent was visible under the sweat beading on his left bicep. The television behind the bar droned on, unnoticed by most of the occupants. Newscaster, Jeff Landro, was reporting the disappearance of an eighty-year-old woman, who by all accounts had simply vanished in front of a crowd of onlookers.
    The man, clearly intoxicated , started shouting at the bartender when the story finally entered his muddled brain.
    “There, you see —” he slurred his words and nearly fell off his chair “—it was just like that. It’s aliens, I’m tellin’ you.”
    “Okay Jake, I think you’ve had enough,” the bartender walked around to the other side of the counter, and forcefully encouraged the man to leave.
     
    ***
    Mark and Stewart had been systematically following their list of reported incidents. Stewart specialized in underwater technology and the equipment on board was top of the line. They had instruments usually reserved only for the military, including a sub-aquatic wireless broadband system. Of course, they wouldn’t be surfing the Web from below, but the many wireless sensors they had placed would greatly simplify the data retrieval process.
    Mark was determined to make some kind of rational sense out of all the Bermuda Triangle stories. He would have chalked it all up to nonsense and folklore. However, one of his most respected friends from UCLA, Dr. Nathanial Growlier had told Mark a personal story that could not be ignored. Furthermore, it had ignited a fascination in him that could not be easily quenched.
    It had been nearly a week since Ashlyn’s arrival. In their rare moments alone, Stewart had tried to talk to Mark about his concerns of distrust, but Mark was clearly smitten and didn’t want to hear it. Ashlyn was beautiful, a good diver, and a terrific cook. She was even adept at computers and technology—a perfect asset to join them in their research. She seemed pleasant enough except for that first day, but he was still wary; it was all too convenient.
    They docked at Bimini Island for a few supplies. Mark took Stewart with him to help carry the provisions back while Ashlyn stayed behind on the yacht to finish a book she had been reading.
    “Her story seems a bit fishy if you ask me,” Stewart said, trying to break through Mark’s stupor.
    Mark studied Stewart’s face for a moment, wondering if that was meant as a joke. The book was about fish, literally, the undersea types that were native to the Bahamas.
    “Are you joking, trying to be punny—” Mark asked “—what is your problem with her?”
    Stewart genuinely hadn’t noticed his pun, and laughed aloud when he got the point, “I guess that was kind of funny.”
    “ Listen—” Mark pressed “—you have got to get over your jealousy of Ashlyn.”
    Offended, Stewart glared at him and spo ke angrily, “Seriously, jealousy? I’m not in love with you.”
    “I didn’t mean it that way—” Mark shook his head “—she’s just good at everything. I’m not surprised that you feel intimidated.”
    “What? Honestly, you haven’t been listening to me at all—” Stewart threw up his hands in frustration “—I don’t trust her, there is a huge difference. I think she is dangerous, and I don’t know what she is after.”
    Mark stopped , and turned to face Stewart, “Okay, tell me why.”
    “I don’t know exactly—” Stewart was