They squeezed down into the metallic hollowness of the interior and Julie screwed the hatch shut, a Mason lid inappropriately on a can of sardines.
There were a lot of white-on-black dials that completely baffled Danniels. He had never been particularly mechanically minded. His field was closer to pure science than practical engineering. Because of this, rather than in spite of it, he had great respect for engineering.
It bothered him being in such close quarters with a woman after the months of isolation as a Jonah, but he had enough of the conventions of society fused into him and enough other problems to attempt easing his discomfort.
"It isn't much further," Julie at last assured him.
He was becoming bored to the point of hysteria. For the past several months he hadn't had much diversion but he had not been confined to what was essentially an oil drum wired for light and sound.
One of the lights changed size and pattern.
He found himself tensing. "That?" He pointed.
"Sonadar," Julie hissed. "Patrol boat above us. Don't make any noise."
Danniels pictured the heavily equipped police boat droning past above them and managed to keep quite silent.
Something banged on the hull.