Underwater volcanic studies were something of a rarity. It was more difficult to collect data, especially when there was plenty of live flow accessible on ground. But the lava and sea interacted in fascinating ways that had yet to be fully understood. For example, the lava helped maintain the ocean’s salt levels. The prospect of new discoveries thrilled Annie.
The dolphin chattered and zipped away, then rose in her dolphin dance and splashed Annie. She pulled her mask into position and brought the regulator up to her mouth. Fawn joined her in the water, and they both struck out for deeper water with strong strokes. “Give us an hour,” Annie shouted to Jillian.
Jillian nodded, and the boat pulled away. It wasn’t safe to anchor the boat here. The water was too hot to properly cool the engines, and the ash suspended in the water could ruin the engines as well. Jillian would come back and look for their buoy.
Nani came close again, and Annie reached out and grabbed the dolphin’s dorsal fin. Nani pulled her to the edge of the cliff, then dove along the underwater slope. Schools of brightly colored fish darted across her vision: butterfly fish and yellow tangs. A bright blue parrot fish peered into her mask, and she paused to enjoy the experience. A sea turtle did a lazy turn just below her. The visibility was better than usual, so the vent must not be spouting off too badly today.
Fawn touched her shoulder and pointed down. Annie saw a mound of pillow lava. Underwater, the lava cooled so quickly that it formed a crust over the molten stone and resembled a pillow. A small crack showed the hot glow within. The noises of hissing and popping filled her ears. They’d have to watch out for explosions.
They could go closer to examine the pillow lava, but they needed to train Nani so they could take her to Loihi. The dolphin zipped past them and swam down to the oozing sore. The instruments strapped around her would gather the information they needed. They would take water-temperature readings, test for gases and salt content, and collect numerous water samples to evaluate the processes that control the earth’s chemistry. This use of the dolphin had been a brilliant stroke of genius on Jillian’s part.
Annie took temperature readings and checked oxygen content. She found it hard to concentrate on the work at hand amid so much beauty. Sharp lava cliffs rose to her right, and the mystery of lava tubes and caves beckoned. She’d explored some of them over the years, but every time she came down here, things changed. It was always new and exciting.
Her light passed over something brightly colored on the seabed. She peered at it through her mask. What could it be? It was fluorescent green and didn’t look like coral or anything natural. Maybe a diver had left an article of clothing behind, though it had to be wedged under a rock to be down here instead of washed ashore with the tide.
She could go get it herself, but she might as well use the opportunity to direct Nani. She pushed on the clicker in her hand to call Nani. The dolphin swam to her. Annie wondered if she could get the dolphin to understand she wanted her to fetch the item on the ocean floor. She pointed, and Nani swam around her for a few moments. She pointed again and this time made the clicking sound with the device in her hand. The dolphin zipped down again and nosed along the seabed. Maybe she’d realize Annie wasn’t interested in anything natural like rocks and fish.
Nani’s nostrum touched the fabric, or whatever it was. Annie couldn’t see exactly what the dolphin was doing, but she seemed to be trying to grab it in her teeth. Nani finally turned, and Annie saw she had it in her mouth.
The dolphin swam close to Annie and nudged her with her nostrum again as if to tell her to take it. Annie saw it was a slipper. Just one. Surfah brand, bright green. She took it from Nani’s teeth. Leilani had slippers like this, and so did a zillion other residents and tourists. But Leilani’s were missing from her room, so she must have been wearing them the day she disappeared.
Annie turned the thong over to check the size. Seven, just like Leilani wore. Fawn was looking over her shoulder at the slipper as well, but Annie knew her coworker would have no idea what it could mean. Maybe she was jumping to conclusions. These slippers were a dime a dozen, and this shade of green was popular. But the lump in her throat refused to be swallowed down.