It was noon when Professor Robert Goodwin gave the order for the VS Rosanne 7 to surface, and amidst the constant blue of the sea, Elsie was of course the first person to emerge from the hatch. Smiling, and stretching her arms towards the sky, she acted as though she had been holding her breath for a week, and was overcome with joy. This was the first time since commencing her voyage that Elsie had been outside. Above the Rosanne, where the hatch was located, was a large oval-shaped platform with a guard-rail all about. The rest of the Rosanne stretched seventy meters exactly from stem to stern.copyright protection175ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0MshlpstP
It was a wonderful day to be outside, and leaning against the metal rail, Elsie gazed blissfully over the ocean, which now possessed a certain enchanting serenity that she had never quite known before. This far out to sea the waves that swirled by took on a frighteningly dark shade of blue, and the ocean, all at once, became a mystery. Elsie was not afraid of the sea, although she did notice that when the clouds passed overhead, the water below seemed to be almost black.copyright protection175ＰＥＮＡＮＡczzevdDYC1
It was by the guard-rail that Professor Goodwin found her standing shortly afterwards, and there they spoke for a while. “You remind me of your father,” he was saying. “Yes, the way you stare over the sea like that with the world in your eyes. You are indeed the daughter of Theodore Heartwing in that respect. I’m finally beginning to see your ulterior motive!”copyright protection175ＰＥＮＡＮＡA19uwzJTeR
“I don’t have an ulterior motive,” she said, defensively.copyright protection175ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXSipaDOC7
“Why, of course you do. The reason you’re here right now is the same reason why you’ve been staring out at the sea, wondering what you might find if you sailed beyond that horizon.” Elsie smiled but remained silent, until the professor said, “I don’t doubt the love you bear for your brother, but I know your family, Miss Heartwing, trust me, adventure is in your blood.”copyright protection175ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOHe3crGa3
Elsie turned towards him. “And what about you, professor?”copyright protection175ＰＥＮＡＮＡHK4QfBpZuE
He seemed bemused. “Me? Ha! Perhaps once, but I’m afraid those days have left me.” His gaze became distant. “I’ve seen enough horizons to last me two lifetimes, but now I’m old, and the world has far too much noise in it for my liking.” He took a deep breath, taking in the sea air. “Let me give you some advice: if ever you go looking for trouble, don’t be surprised when you find it. Adventure comes in all kinds of shapes and sizes, oh yes, and it’s often the small adventures that are most precious to us.”copyright protection175ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0BJi1TWQw
Afterwards, as their conversation drifted, Elsie felt the need to inquire as to what exactly the professor was researching. “Your research, and this investigation, it wouldn’t have anything to do with those missing ships, would it?” She couldn’t think of anything else so classified that would be worth the professor’s time.copyright protection175ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ukLIoXa48
In answer, the professor chuckled, and said, “Oh no, my dear, my work is of a different nature. I am, chiefly, just a biologist after all, and that’s one mystery I’d rather not trouble myself with.”copyright protection175ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMTiD8U38p
“So what are you doing, then?”copyright protection175ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZpiIHjCDa
But then the hatch behind them opened up and Herschel Adams popped out. There was a sense of urgency to his voice. “Professor, I’m afraid you’re needed in the map room.”copyright protection175ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HEttnRqxW
Goodwin glanced at Mr. Adams, and then at Elsie, and then back at Adams, and patting Elsie on the shoulder he left her alone atop the Rosanne, and she returned to staring over at the horizon.copyright protection175ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLIs4mBZpJ
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