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limit the number of combustion engines down here. It’s the military’s small contribution to cavern preservation.” Ashley remembered Ben’s scowl as they traveled across the base, grumbling the entire way about the blatant abuse of the fragile ecology. Still, Jason’s pout drew back her attention. She brushed some loose strands of hair away from her face. “But, Jason, that’s not all they have planned. There’s also fishing, basketball, you name it. Plenty to keep you entertained while I’m gone. And if you do well with your studies, Dr. Blakely has promised you can join him in the control room and help monitor our progress. You’ll even be able to talk to me.”
    â€œWell, I guess that’s okay,” Jason said, still pouting a bit.
    â€œFinally,” she said, pointing back into the main room of the suite, “they have cable. A hundred and fifty channels, all decoded.”
    â€œWow, I gotta check that out.”
    She caught him by the sleeve as he barreled past her. “Whoa, there, sonny. First, we have dinner in a half hour. Go get yourself cleaned up.”
    â€œGeez, Mom. Can’t a guy have a little fun?” He stomped toward the bathroom.
    She grinned. Just like home. Only two miles below the bottom of the earth’s surface.
    *     *     *
    â€œSo what do you think, kid?” Ben asked as he approached Linda’s back.
    She stood at the edge of the lake, nicknamed the “Bottomless Pit” by the grunts. Only a foot away, black water lapped at a rock from the waves created by a passing Navy pontoon boat.
    He scratched at the stubble on his cheek.
    She glanced over at him, the light of the camp dancing in her eyes. “It’s wondrous.” She pointed at the ceiling several hundred feet up. “It’s like being outside.”
    He nodded, then shrugged in the direction of the water. “Thinkin’ of skinny-dipping?”
    She smiled. “No, but you could.”
    â€œOh, no, you’d snatch up my skivvies and have the whole base laughing at me.”
    She grinned wider, more relaxed. “That’s not what I meant. I meant you could actually swim in there. I’ve heard that some of the Marines do it. The water is quite warm. Eighty-two degrees. I tested it. Heated by volcanic vents.”
    â€œSeems strange,” Ben said. “Up above, it’s ice and freezing winds. Here, it’s bathwater and tropical breezes.”
    â€œNot really so strange. I’ve heard that the seas around Deception Island off the coast of Antarctica sometimes heat to spa temperatures. The volcanic activity is so pronounced that often the water actually boils. Just meters away from a glacier.”
    â€œUh-huh,” he said, arching his eyebrows as if he doubted her.
    She nudged him with her elbow. “It’s true.”
    He smiled. “Actually, I believe you. I’ve been in other caverns warmed by subterranean rifts. Not really that rare. I was just testing you.”
    â€œYeah, right,” she said, rolling her eyes.
    A glowing amber fish jumped a yard from shore, causing Linda to let out a quick gasp. Ben’s eyebrows narrowed. “Listen, lass, there’s something I want to talk to you about.”
    She wiped damp strands of hair from her face. “What?”
    â€œI’ve been watching you, and I . . . well, I—”
    She held up a hand. “I’m sorry, Ben. I know we went dancing in Buenos Aires, but that was only to let off a little steam. I want to keep this experience purely professional.”
    Ben grinned, realizing Linda thought he was making a pass at her. From her looks, she must get that a lot. “Whoa, there, lady. That’s not why I’m here.”
    â€œWhy, then?”
    â€œOver the years, I’ve led bushels of tourists into caves, and . . . well, I can smell trouble. Since our night out dancing, I’ve been