After the impact, Alexander sat on his bunk for a while, recovering.

  — Starting system diagnostics, — Laura's voice rang out in the speakers.

  Alexander raised his head. — Incident number 3? What does that mean? Do you already know what happened? — he asked, trying to maintain composure.

  — External impact, third registered case.

  — ... Were the first two the same? — he asked with a delay.

  — Different. I categorize incidents by their nature; the classifier is embedded in my code. Situations involving external impacts may have different causes and characteristics of consequences. At the level of diagnostic logs for the first and second incidents, I can state that they differed in causes.

  — Can you be more specific?

  — Information regarding previous incidents is blocked. Initial results of the current diagnostics show a decrease in oxygen pressure in the climate control system. Preliminary analysis indicates depressurization of one of the pipelines. Diagnostics are continuing.

  Alexander stood up and walked to the communications panel. — What does this threaten us with?

  — The decrease in oxygen levels in the bay is not yet critical, but the oxygen generation unit will operate with overloads, and the manifestation of other malfunctions is possible. Oxygen loss is around 4%, pressure in the pipeline has dropped to the minimum. The oxygen leak is slow but constant. There is no dynamic change. Without manual intervention, the situation may worsen, — Laura answered.

  — What should I do? How can I help? — he felt his breathing tighten, though he understood it was likely a psychological reaction.

  Half an hour passed while Laura answered all of Alexander’s questions unambiguously and evasively. And he inspected all accessible rooms of the bathyscaphe, examining all their corners in hopes of finding deviations. It was useless, but it helped pass the time. The schedule of the day was disrupted. Breakfast became unnecessary; the feeling of hunger was overridden by the expectation of something new, albeit dangerous.

  — Alexander, according to the emergency protocol, you are granted access to the engineering systems of the bathyscaphe for diagnostics and repair. Entry to the technical bays is authorized.

  — Are you sure? Before, I couldn't even enter them, let alone get answers about them from you. Except that I saw the technical documentation, but I didn't really understand anything from it and didn't remember anything.

  — This is not a problem. All information is available to me online. Please follow my instructions.

  Alexander quickly put on a work jumpsuit and headed to the nearest hatch leading to the previously closed sections of the technical block. He found the hatch to the maintenance crawlspaces, the indicator near which lit up green.

  — Laura, — he said, checking the tools in his pockets, — what exactly will I need to do?

  — The damage location may be at the connection of the climate control system unit and the pipeline coming from the oxygen generation unit.

  — Roger that, let's take a look!

  He barely fit into the narrow hatch. Behind the hatch, the space was larger, but not enough to crawl on all fours. Sometimes he had to crawl, curving his body around hull elements, panel mountings, and pipes. Bundles of wires hung like lianas in his path and hindered his crawling, clinging and forcing him to wriggle like a worm. Following Laura's instructions, Alexander made his way about 3-4 meters through technical cavities that sometimes resembled tunnels. Then he lifted himself a step higher and advanced another couple of meters until he reached the main unit of the climate control system.

  — Are you sure the cause is somewhere here? — he asked, examining the entanglement of pipes, wires, and fittings.

  — Confirmed. The blue pipe above, entering through the hull, is the oxygen supply. Before the unit, there is a connecting element on the pipe...

  — Wait, — Alexander paused, — I see the pipe, but its length here is at most a meter and a half... and there is no damage on it. The connection is also intact; I don't sense any leaks. The blue pipe enters through the hull and also bears no signs of damage. I see no violations.

  — The result of manual intervention is recorded in the protocol. Alexander, you may return. If you pull your legs under you now and turn onto your left side, regrouping the body in the opposite direction will become accessible. Use the recess on the right.

  — You know, Laura, — the equipment on the bathyscaphe seems reliable, serving for so many years, but that is absolutely no reason for designers to make such inconvenient tunnels for maintenance, — he grumbled with pauses, groaning while performing acrobatics. — We aren't, after all, in a coffin thrown to the bottom of the ocean to not imply such a thing at all.

  With these words, he managed to extend his legs to the right and turn around. In this position, he could see that he was at the level of the command bay, access to which remained restricted. Exactly the same hatch through which he got here was right in front of him; through its grille, the name of the room on the wall was visible.

  — Laura, I have a question!

  — I am ready to answer.

  — Am I authorized access to the command bay? — there was slight anxiety in his voice, but Alexander's eyes glinted.

  — No, access to the command bay is still prohibited.

  — I expected that answer. Laura, you can, of course, record... — followed by a sharp blow with both hands — ... in the protocol that the only occupant of the shelter grossly violated the rules — he didn't really finish the phrase due to loud laughter.

  The grille to the command bay flew off with the second blow; it was light enough, but durable, which could not be said for its hinges and the lock, near which a red indicator was still burning. No answer followed from Laura. He instantly looked around inside the command bay, finding himself there, simultaneously straightening his shoulders and cracking his left knee.

  — Laura, I am in the command bay. What do your protocols say?

  — This situation is not provided for, but in case of unauthorized access to premises, the general protocol provides for ensuring exit from it. I have unlocked the entrance door.

  — If I go out, I won't be able to enter again?

  — Yes, the door will be locked again. Although the alternative path into the room remains accessible to you, and technically you will be able to return to the command bay while the emergency protocol is in effect and until the emergency situation is eliminated.

  — Laura, do I understand correctly now that the blue pipe goes through the hull under the outer plating, access to which we have only from the outside?

  — That is correct. Taking into account the conducted inspection, detection of the malfunction is possible only with access from the outside. Surfacing is required — action unavailable.

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  — If we surface, what precautionary measures do we need to take before that?

  — The bathyscaphe is designed for diving to depths of no more than 300 meters; the pressure inside the hull is acceptable for the human organism. Upon surfacing, no additional measures are required. But there is no data in the bathyscaphe's database about the state of the air on the surface, so it is recommended to wear a protective suit and scuba gear before performing surfacing. The air supply in the scuba gear should last for 40-50 minutes provided they are fully filled at standard pressure.

  — Understood. Well... I already found the manual surfacing lever, I think I don't need instructions on how to use it. And I see the suit, it's here... So just help me with the scuba gear.

  — Alexander, there is one more technical requirement when abandoning the bathyscaphe — the protective suit must be synchronized with the bathyscaphe's system. This way we will be able to continue communication, I will monitor your vital signs and be able to give recommendations.

  — Good, how do I do that?

  — Take the helmet of the protective suit and find the control panel on the back wall inside; it is covered by a casing. Initialize the suit with a fingerprint of the index finger of any hand. Wait for the blue indication above the display. Successful completion will be confirmed by the suit's lighting turning on for 3 seconds.

  — What is this? Bluetooth? ... and what is that ... I remember the word, but not its meaning.

  — It is a wireless communication standard ensuring data exchange between devices based on ultra-short radio waves. It was widely used in technology in the early 21st century.

  — Hmm, that didn't make it much clearer. Don't bother with explanations, Laura; I have scraps of memories pop up, the meaning of which I cannot explain myself. Especially in dreams.

  Alexander took the helmet, as Laura indicated, and inspected the protective suit for the first time. It looked impressive — dense material with a slight metallic sheen, reinforced plates on the shoulders, chest, and limbs, hermetic connections at the joints, and narrow strips of indicators that blinked with a faint bluish light. The suit was massive, but somehow seemed flexible, as if created specifically for movement in confined spaces. He felt both admiration for the engineering thoughtfulness and slight anxiety — putting on this suit, he seemed to finally realize the seriousness of the situation. And what if she is waiting for me somewhere? — thoughts in his head returned to the dreams, — I've been here for some time, and she has clearly become older ... if she is still alive, when all this happened and if it happened at all. Maybe I'm seeing hallucinations or this is a memory of some movie. But, damn it, I so want to know that you are needed, needed by someone ... that you are waited for. If only I knew why I am ... here, lay low in Bruges ... in the bathyscaphe.

  Taking a deep breath, holding it slightly, he ran his finger across the panel, watching the indicator light up blue. Alexander put on the suit, and at that same moment, Laura's voice rang out inside the helmet, sounding louder than usual, right in his ear. He winced and mechanically touched the speaker: — Laura, turn down the sound, or I'll go deaf.

  — Settings updated. Volume reduced to 40%, — she answered in an even tone.

  Alexander spent the next ten minutes listening to Laura's instructions on the operation of the protective suit and scuba gear. He had to study in detail how to activate the emergency air supply, check the tightness of connections, and use the communication system. Despite the fact that the "instructor's" voice was calm and patient, the process quickly bored Alexander. He caught himself zoning out from time to time, missing part of the information, but immediately tried to return to reality so as not to miss something important. When the training finally ended, Alexander sighed and ran his hand over the helmet.

  — Well, ready, it seems, — he said more to himself than to Laura, feeling his heart start to beat faster.

  — Alexander, you need to be attentive and focused. The current situation requires caution, — Laura reminded him.

  He looked at the manual surfacing lever but was in no hurry to touch it. Anxiety grew inside. Alexander felt fear of the unknown that awaited him on the surface, and of the sudden changes that could have occurred after long monotonous days in the bathyscaphe. He felt lost again: who he was, what he was doing here, and why he ended up in this place — answers to these questions still eluded him.

  — Laura, tell me ... where are we now? Is this actually a lake, a sea, or a whole ocean? At what depth are we? — he asked, trying to hide the tremor in his voice.

  — This information is unavailable. Data is blocked, — Laura answered without a shadow of emotion.

  Alexander chuckled, though the smile came out nervous. — Well of course, as always. And the terminal in the command bay? Is it also blocked, right?

  — Yes, the terminal is blocked. Indicators of the bathyscaphe control system are unavailable.

  He fell silent, feeling the anxiety intensifying. Finally, he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and put his hand on the lever.

  — Well, Laura? Godspeed! — he said and resolutely pressed it.

  The bathyscaphe immediately came to life; a low hum filled the enclosed space, making Alexander feel the vibration through the floor and walls.

  — Initiating surfacing system. Initializing compressed air supply to ballast tanks, — Laura pronounced, her voice even as always.

  A hissing sound rang out inside the bathyscaphe, as if someone had released a powerful steam valve somewhere nearby. Then something buzzed in the pipes overhead; air began to move, creating rhythmic, slightly rattling sounds. For a moment, the bathyscaphe lurched to the right, as if an invisible hand had hooked it, and Alexander instinctively braced his hands against the nearest wall to keep his balance.

  — What was that? — he asked.

  — Presumably mass displacement. Ballast jettison continuing, — Laura answered. — Hull condition normal.

  Another jolt, stronger, forced the bathyscaphe to list to the left. Alexander lost his balance and fell. Then everything suddenly froze for a split second before a crash rang out, as if something large rolled down the plating.

  — Laura, what is happening?!

  — Systems stable. Continuing monitoring. Presumed cause: external obstacle. Confirming: ascent has begun.

  Alexander stood up. Inside the protective suit, the sound was muffled, but his brain strained to listen to every sound. The hum continued to grow; periodic strikes of air in the pipes, resembling a heartbeat, were added to it. All this was accompanied by gentle rocking, as if the bathyscaphe was a giant boat slowly freeing itself from invisible chains.

  — Current depth: 51 meters. Hull condition within normal limits. Vital signs: mild tachycardia, insignificant increase in cortisol level, — Laura rapped out. — Ascent speed 0.8 meters per second. Expected time to reach surface: two minutes.

  — Yeah, "insignificant," — Alexander grumbled, feeling his heart pounding in his chest.

  He sat down by the wall, trying not to think about what was happening. The hum of the ballast tanks and the movement of air in the pipes was practically hypnotic, but suddenly a sharp metallic click made him flinch.

  — Laura, what is that?

  — Pressure correction in ballast tanks. Systems operating in standard mode. Please remain calm.

  The ascent continued, and every sound, every jolt reverberated in Alexander's body. It seemed to him that he tangibly felt every second of the way to the surface, as if the distance was measured not in meters, but in heartbeats. However, soon the vibrations began to weaken, and the sounds — to subside. The bathyscaphe moved smoothly, without jolts, leaving a feeling of anxious anticipation.

  — Laura, we weren't that deep underwater. At such depths, our communication system should have worked?

  — Yes, the communication system can receive signals at depths up to 100 meters. All communication system diagnostic protocols continue to cut off at step 4. The target for manual verification is the external unit.

  — Ok, when I get out, tell me where it is located. I'll check it ... Laura, and what should I do when the bathyscaphe rises to the surface?

  — After surfacing, it is necessary to conduct a check of the external environment. I will activate the scanning system to analyze main parameters: atmospheric pressure, air composition, radiation background, and temperature. Based on the collected data, a report on environmental safety will be generated.

  — And if something goes wrong? — Alexander swallowed hard, still feeling agitation.

  — If external conditions prove unsafe, you will be recommended to remain inside the bathyscaphe and given recommendations for safety of staying in such conditions. In any case, manual opening of the outer hatch is available.

  — And that's it? — Alexander frowned skeptically, as if expecting more.

  — At this stage — yes. Your further actions will depend on the results of the environmental analysis.

  The hum of the surfacing system gradually died down. After a few seconds, the bathyscaphe froze, swaying slightly, as if finding balance. Laura pronounced: — Ascent completed. We are on the surface. Starting environmental analysis.

  Quiet splashing of water became audible from outside. Alexander froze, listening. Agitation was replaced by sudden curiosity.

  — Laura, what's out there? Is there air? Radiation? — he asked, feeling excitement growing.

  — Analysis started. This will take a few more minutes. Temperature outside is 4 degrees Celsius. Radiation level normal. Oxygen is present. Completion of air composition analysis expected in 40 seconds.

  Alexander approached the hatch and put his hand on the cold metal. He wanted to open it immediately, but common sense held him back.

  — Analysis completed. External environment safe.

  Suddenly, a knock on the hatch rang out from the other side.

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

  TIMESTAMP_18:51:14.024

  Sound recording (transcription): "If you can hear us, you can open the hatch and get out of the bathyscaphe. We have been looking for you for a long time. We need Alexander."

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------