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EVOLUTION

iUniverse, Inc.

Chapter One

31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.

Genesis 1:21–22, 24–27, 31 (NIV)

A sea chopper roared over the malevolent blue ocean at high speed, buffeted by strong winds and surrounded by water as far as the eye could see. The powerful machine flew toward its destination, which was located just beyond the steam and methane gas clouds in the distant horizon. The pilot and his passengers heard the sound of the waves rising and crashing in the turbulent water a hundred feet below, overpowering even the noise of the humming lift engines whose beat thumped in the passengers' chests as it whizzed over the water.

"It's time!" the pilot shouted to the four scientists seated in the back.

Smiling in eager anticipation, the scientists slipped into white jumpsuits, not an easy task in the cramped space of the fuselage, and zipped up from ankle to neck. Thick boots and protective gloves completed the outfit as they prepared for departure and the exploration of a lifetime.

The lead scientist gazed out the window, watching the rocks that jutted hundreds of feet out of the water's surface and surrounded the approaching land mass. They seemed to grow even larger as the aircraft neared their destination—the rim of a volcanic crater that formed an island, partially below sea level and camouflaged by dense steam vents, left unexplored for millennia. Anticipation and excitement filled the lead scientist's head as they approached the rocky edges of the island and entered the low-lying clouds. He was surprised how refreshing the cool, misty breeze felt that drifted through the open doors of the vehicle and caressed his face.

Aside from its misty shroud, sheer cliff faces, narrow and sharp, encircled the land like an opaque wall. Many were overgrown with algae and hanging vines, offering industrious climbers a place to grab hold. The island had been formed by hundreds of similar rocks laid out in circular rings, one inside another, each smaller than the previous, having been worn away by erosion. The outermost rocks angled outward a fair distance from one another, buffeted by strong surf that splashed loudly against the jetties and broke along their surface. A few rows in, sharp, pointy formations drew closer together until the innermost configuration became completely solid, closing off the inner sanctuary from heavy currents and smashing waves.

"Doors closed," the pilot urged with trepidation. "We're approaching the methane plumes. You won't see or smell it, but breathe it in and it will kill you without warning. The lower air density will wreak havoc on our stability. Hold on; it may get a bit bumpy."

This would be an impossible journey by boat; such narrow passageways would be difficult to navigate, even without the powerful surf and ten-foot swells that could easily overwhelm any vessel small enough to fit. The current would smack it against the rocks and tear it to shreds. To make matters worse, the bubbling methane gas beneath the sea floor made it impossible for boats to stay buoyant. Seamen often told legends of such a place, but that's all they were—legends and folklore, used to instill a paranormal fear in anyone foolish enough to consider making an attempt.

"My father knew this place was special," the lead scientist shouted over the noise of the rotor. "He worked the seas around these parts and, despite the danger, spent several years trying to reach the interior. Then one day, the waters took him from us. He believed the legends of our beginnings and the stories protecting it from intrusion." He paused a moment and then continued. "If I could finish his work and prove he was right, it would be my way of honoring him and our family name."

"What stories, sir?" asked a fresh-faced assistant who had recently finished his studies.

"What stories?" The lead scientist was surprised at the question, but after considering the assistant's youthful features, he smiled and pointed at the rocky formation that surrounded the isle. "The stories the ancients told of a giant sea monster that sleeps at the base of the island, protecting it from intruders. Those rocks that surround the island are not rocks at all but the armored plates on the spine of the `Protector,' more commonly known to seamen as the island monster—a long, snake-like creature that is curled around the isle at least a dozen times.

"The beast is said to be ten miles long and half a mile in circumference at its thickest point," he continued. "Its scaly back has protruding armored nodules that stretch as high as three hundred feet. Its breath—a noxious gas that suffocated nearby living creatures. Only the plants have learned to adapt and live in harmony as one with the beast. Each time the creature moves, it creates massive waves. Any boat attempting to pass over its body would be smashed to bits and the passengers eaten alive. The monster can swallow boats whole, leaving them to float in the darkness of its belly while deadly corrosive stomach acid slowly digests them into a slimy gel."

All heads peered down at this legendary island. Toward the middle, the passages between the juts of stone became too narrow to navigate; not even a diver or swimmer trying his luck against the bubbling undercurrent and sharp rocks would fare well. Even if he were strong enough to make it to the inner ring, there was no way to climb the five-hundred-foot cliffs. Trapped and kept pinned against the wall, the foolish diver would find no escape.

The small, ring-shaped island rose from the ocean floor on the other side of the innermost wall. In the center, a calm, shallow pool of water a few hundred feet in diameter sparkled as it reflected the sun's rays. The crater must have been the site of a spectacular eruption long ago. It had a greenish glow from thriving algae and plant matter—a beautiful, pristine sanctuary, untouched by living beings. The pool had been quarantined naturally—from the ocean, from animals, and from other life forms—for millions of years. Only a crevasse, too small even for a person to squeeze through, allowed the overflowing water to leak into the ocean. The mist from waves crashing against the other side of the rocks kept the air cool and the water fresh and replenished.

The air ship...