。 A moment later； the grid went out； too。
〃No power 。。。〃
〃I tried to tell you；〃 Barnes said。
There was a whirring sound； and the lights flickered； then came back on。 〃We have internal power； we're running on our diesels now。〃
〃Why？〃
〃Look；〃 Ted said； pointing out the porthole。
Outside they saw what looked like a wriggling silver snake。 Then Norman realized it was the cable that linked them to the surface； sliding back and forth across the porthole as it coiled in great loops on the bottom。
〃They've cut us free！〃
〃That's right；〃 Barnes said。 〃They've got full gale…force conditions topside。 They can no longer maintain cables for power and munications。 They can no longer use the submarines。 They've taken all the divers up； but the subs can't e back for us。 At least not for a few days； until the seas calm down。〃
〃Then we're stuck down here？〃
〃That's correct。〃
〃For how long？〃
〃Several days；〃 Barnes said。
〃For how long？〃
〃Maybe as long as a week。〃
〃Jesus Christ；〃 Beth said。
Ted tossed his bag onto the couch。 〃What a fantastic piece of luck；〃 he said。
Beth spun。 〃Are you out of your mind？〃
〃Let's all stay calm；〃 Barnes said。 〃Everything's under control。 This is just a temporary delay。 There's no re