第31部分(第5/7 頁)

〃Active　off。〃

Once　again；　they　heard　the　hiss　of　the　hydrophones。　Then　a　distinct　clicking　sound。　Norman's　eyes　burned。　Sweat　had　rolled　into　his　eyes。　He　wiped　his　forehead　with　his　jumpsuit　sleeve。　The　others　were　sweating；　too。　The　tension　was　unbearable。　He　glanced　at　the　video　monitor　again。　The　sphere　was　still　closed。

He　heard　the　hiss　of　the　hydrophones。　A　soft　scraping　＇＇210＇＇　sound；　like　a　heavy　sack　being　dragged　across　a　wooden　floor。　Then　the　hiss　again。

Tina　whispered；　〃Want　to　image　him　again？〃

〃No；〃　Barnes　said。

They　listened。　More　scraping。　A　moment　of　silence；　followed　by　the　gurgle　of　water；　very　loud；　very　close。

〃Jesus；〃　Barnes　whispered。　〃He's　right　outside。〃

A　dull　thump　against　the　side　of　the　habitat。

The　screen　flashed　on。

I　AM　HERE。

The　first　impact　came　suddenly；　knocking　them　off　their　feet。　They　tumbled；　rolling　on　the　floor。　All　around　them；　the　habitat　creaked　and　groaned；　the　sounds　frighteningly　loud。　Norman　scrambled　to　his　feet…he　saw　Fletcher　bleeding　from　her　forehead…and　the　second　impact　hit。　Norman　was　thrown　sideways　against　the　bulkhead。　There　was　a　metallic　clang　as　his　head　struck　metal；　a　sharp　pain；　and　then　Barnes　landed　on　top　of　him；　grunting　and　cursing。　Barnes　pushed　his　hand　in　Norman's　face　as　he　struggled　to　his　feet；　Norman　slid　back　to　the　floor　and　a　video　monitor　crashed　alongside　him；　spitting　sparks。

By　now　the　habitat　was　swaying　like　a　building　in　an　earthquake。　They　clutched　consoles；　panels；　doorways　to　keep　their　balance。　But　it　was　the　noise　that　Norman　found　most　frightening…the　incredibly　loud　metallic　groans　and　cracks　as　the　cylinders　were　shaken　on　their　moorings。

The　creature　was　shaking　the　entire　habitat。