Deep Storm

EDITORIAL REVIEW:

*Twelve-thousand feet beneath the Atlantic Ocean . . . scientists are excavating the most extraordinary undersea discovery ever made. But is it the greatest archaeological find in history—or the most terrifying?*

Former naval doctor Peter Crane is urgently summoned to a remote oil platform in the North Atlantic to help diagnose a bizarre medical condition spreading through the rig. But when he arrives, Crane learns that the real trouble lies far below—on “Deep Storm,” a stunningly advanced science research facility built two miles beneath the surface on the ocean floor. The topsecret structure has been designed for one purpose: to excavate a recently discovered undersea site that may hold the answers to a mystery steeped in centuries of myth and speculation. Sworn to secrecy, Dr. Crane descends to Deep Storm. A year earlier, he is told, routine drilling uncovered the remains of mankind’s most sophisticated ancient civilization: the legendary Atlantis. But now that the site is being excavated, a series of disturbing illnesses has begun to affect the operation. Scientists and technicians are experiencing a bizarre array of symptoms—from simple fatigue to violent psychotic episodes. As Crane is indoctrinated into the strange world of Deep Storm and commences his investigation, he begins to suspect that the covert facility conceals something more complicated than a medical mystery.The discovery of Atlantis might, in fact, be a cover for something far more sinister . . . and deadly. Like Lincoln Child’s spectacular bestsellers coauthored with Douglas Preston (*The Book of the* *Dead*, *Relic*), *Deep Storm *melds scientific detail and gripping adventure in a superbly imagined, chillingly real journey into unknown territory. Child is a master of suspense, and *Deep Storm *is his most ambitious novel to date.

Deep Storm

Book Jacket

Rating:

Tags:
Fiction, General, Mystery & Detective, Suspense, Thrillers, Fiction - Espionage, Mystery And Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Espionage, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Body, Lost continents, Atlantis, Mythical Civilizations, Atlantis (Legendary place), Geographical myths, Technological, Mind & Spirit

EDITORIAL REVIEW:

*Twelve-thousand feet beneath the Atlantic Ocean . . . scientists are excavating the most extraordinary undersea discovery ever made. But is it the greatest archaeological find in history--or the most terrifying?*

Former naval doctor Peter Crane is urgently summoned to a remote oil platform in the North Atlantic to help diagnose a bizarre medical condition spreading through the rig. But when he arrives, Crane learns that the real trouble lies far below--on "Deep Storm," a stunningly advanced science research facility built two miles beneath the surface on the ocean floor. The topsecret structure has been designed for one purpose: to excavate a recently discovered undersea site that may hold the answers to a mystery steeped in centuries of myth and speculation. Sworn to secrecy, Dr. Crane descends to Deep Storm. A year earlier, he is told, routine drilling uncovered the remains of mankind's most sophisticated ancient civilization: the legendary Atlantis. But now that the site is being excavated, a series of disturbing illnesses has begun to affect the operation. Scientists and technicians are experiencing a bizarre array of symptoms--from simple fatigue to violent psychotic episodes. As Crane is indoctrinated into the strange world of Deep Storm and commences his investigation, he begins to suspect that the covert facility conceals something more complicated than a medical mystery.The discovery of Atlantis might, in fact, be a cover for something far more sinister . . . and deadly. Like Lincoln Child's spectacular bestsellers coauthored with Douglas Preston (*The Book of the* *Dead*, *Relic*), *Deep Storm *melds scientific detail and gripping adventure in a superbly imagined, chillingly real journey into unknown territory. Child is a master of suspense, and *Deep Storm *is his most ambitious novel to date.

This document was generated by
ABC Amber Palm Converter program

C:\Documents and Settings\Chris Walker\Desktop\Child, Lincoln - Deep Storm (v1.0 PalmDoc).PDB

PDB Name:
Lincoln Child - Deep Storm

Creator ID:
REAd

PDB Type:
TEXt

Version:
0

Unique ID Seed:
0

Creation Date:
8/16/1973

Modification Date:
8/16/1973

Last Backup Date:
1/1/1970

Modification Number:
0

Deep Storm - (c) 2007

By: Lincoln Child

To Luchie

Acknowledgments

At Doubleday, Id like to thank my editor, Jason Kaufman, for his friendship as well as his tireless assistance in countless matters. For their consistent enthusiasm since the beginning, thanks to Bill Thomas and Adrienne Sparks. And thanks to Jenny Choi and the rest of the gang for their dedication, hard work, and support. Eric Simonoff at Janklow & Nesbit and Matthew Snyder of the Creative Artists Agency were, as always, indispensable and irreplaceable.

Thanks also to my wife, Luchie, and my daughter, Veronica, without whom this book could not have been written.

Doug Preston writing partner, brother from another mother was right there with me in the trenches during the creation of the novel. He made literally dozens of contributions, both large and small, to my conception. His importance to the story cant be overstated.

And to the many others who helped Deep Storm become the book it is especially Claudia Rulke; Voelker Knapperz, M.D.; Lee Suckno, M.D.; and Ed Buchwald my deep appreciation.

It goes without saying that Deep Storm is a work of fiction. All persons, places, locales, incidents, corporations, government institutions, or facilities are either fictitious or used fictitiously.

PROLOGUE

STORM KING OIL PLATFORM

Off the Coast of Greenland

It took a certain kind of man, Kevin Lindengood decided, to work an oil rig. A certain screwed-up kind of man.

He sat morosely before his console in the Drilling Control Center. Outside, beyond the reinforced windows, the North Atlantic was a blizzard of black and white. Spindrift frothed above its surface, churning, angry.

But then again, the North Atlantic always seemed angry. It didnt matter that the Storm King oil platform towered more than a thousand feet over the surface: the oceans vastness made the platform seem tiny, a childs toy that might be swept away at any moment.

Pig status? asked John Wherry, the offshore installation manager.

Lindengood glanced down at his console. Seventy-one negative and rising.

Pipe status?

All readings nominal. Everything looks good.

His gaze rose once again to the dark, dripping windows. The Storm King platform was the northernmost rig in the Maury oil field. Somewhere out there, forty-odd miles to the north, was land, or what passed for it around here: Angmagssalik, Greenland. Although on a day like this, it was hard to believe there was anything on the surface of the planet but ocean.

Yes: it took a screwed-up kind of man to work an oil rig (and they were always men, unfortunately the only women ever on platform were company relations flaks and morale officers who came by helicopter, made sure everybody was well adjusted, then left as quickly as possible). Every man seemed to bring his own portion of unfinished business, personality tic, or lovingly tended neurosis. Because what drove a person to work inside a metal box suspended over a freezing sea by steel toothpicks? Never knowing when a monster storm might come along, pick him up, and fling him into oblivion? Everybody liked to claim it was the high pay, but there were plenty of jobs on dry land that paid almost as much. No: the truth was that everybody came here to escape something or more frightening escape to something.

His terminal gave a low beep. The pigs cleared number two.

Understood, said Wherry.

At the terminal next to Lindengood, Fred Hicks cracked his knuckles, then grasped a joystick built into his console. Positioning pig over well slot three.