Megan Renee Essays - Guiding Light, Free Essays, Term Papers

Megan Renee Essays - Guiding Light, Free Essays, Term Papers Megan Renee Megan Renee Please, just let me hold her, she pleaded, just once? Im sorry, replied the plump nurse coldly, but I have my orders, and besides, it will only make things that much worse. To an outsider, it was a heart-wrenching scene. To the hospital, it was something that they dealt with on a daily basis. To her family, it was a mistake that never should have happened. To Sara, it was a day that changed her life forever. Katie, I cant look-tell me what it says, requested Sara Holten. Do you really want to know?asked her best friend Katie Landiman, comparing the results to the package instructions. I have to know, I dont have a choice here. Its positive Sara, youre pregnant, Katie said reaching out to comfort her friend with a hug, wishing she could help more. How could you do this to us? was the only thing Mr. and Mrs. Holten said when Sara told them. Her mother cried, and her father just turned away from her and didnt say anything. Her boyfriend Joel just reminded her that he had a football scholarship, and that he was in no position to take care of a child. He offered to pay for her to take care of it, and she left before he could say another word. Sara was only sixteen, but up until now, she was considered very mature and responsible for her age. She had a 3.7 grade point average in high school. She was going to graduate a year early, and had even begun to take classes at the local community college. She felt that she could, and wanted more than anything to take care of this baby, but They wouldnt allow it. Once her parents finally decided to talk to her, they gave her a choicewell an ultimatum really. They first tried to convince her to have an abortion, it will solve everything, they insisted. When she refused to even talk about it, they then suggested adoption. They told her that they could send her to a special place where there were other girls in trouble like her. She would have the baby and then it would be given to a nice family. Sara kept it as a suggestion, hoping that her parents would eventually come around and let her keep the baby. Then they told her that was it. If she didnt take one of those options, she would be kicked out with out a penny of support. They gave her one-month to decide. Sara knew that she could never live with herself if she had an abortion, it was not even a possibility. She wanted this baby so much and just knew that it was a baby girl. She even named her Megan Renee. She pictured what she would look like. Blond hair and soft blue eyes. The tiny little fingers that would clasp around hers, the little legs that would kick in excitement. She wanted so badly to see her baby girls little face, to hold her in her arms and rock her to sleep. She told her parents she would go to the home, but secretly she was trying to figure out a way to make it work. She knew deep down though that it never would. She had no real money of her own, and she didnt know anyone who would or could take her in. When she was six months along she finally gave up and decided that the best thing for Megan was to find a good home for her. She started to interview potential parents-to-be. She went through eleven couples, and ruled out six right away. Not that they wouldnt make good parents, she just didnt think that they would make the right parents for her baby. She finally narrowed it down to two couples. They were very nice people and had a little boy who was six. They had a little girl also, but she died when she was only four days old. After three miscarriages, they couldnt bare to try any more. They had a beautiful house, and their son Alex was so sweet. Sara knew right away that her baby would be in good hands with this family. The other couple

Investigation into the effect of Concentration on Rate of Reaction Essay Example

Investigation into the effect of Concentration on Rate of Reaction   Essay Example Investigation into the effect of Concentration on Rate of Reaction   Essay Investigation into the effect of Concentration on Rate of Reaction   Essay In this experiment, my aim is to investigate the rate of reaction time it takes for me to get 15ml of CO2 from reacting different amounts of hydrochloric acid with marble chips. I will be investigating the time differences with different amounts of acid and water.I will be collecting 15ml of CO2. I have planned a fair and safe test because without a fair test, I would get inaccurate results which would make the experiment pointless. Safety is a big factor in experiments and I will ensure I behave sensibly and wear safety glasses to protect from any spills with the acid.I will change the acid/water 4 times so I will end up with 5 results for each test.I will need the following equipment:-1) Conical Flask2) Delivery tube + Bung3) 2 measuring Cylinders4) 1 basin half full of water5) Stop Clock6) Hydrochloric Acid7) Marble chips8) Water and acidThis is the word and chemical equation for my experimentCalcium Carbonate + Hydrochloric Acid Calcium Chloride + Water + Carbon DioxideCaCO3 + H cl CaCl2 + H20 + CO2(Solid) (Aq) (Aq) (Liquid) (Gas)In my experiment, I am dealing with concentration which means the stronger the acid, the quicker the reaction. I can now predict that the quickest test will be when there is 50ml of acid and 0ml of water.I will be keeping these factors the same:-1) Amount of marble chips (5g)2) Combined amount of acid and water (50ml). (However the ratio if these 2 will change)3) Size of marble chips4) Temperature of acid (30oC)5) Same size conical flask6) Volume of gas to be collected (15ml of CO2)I will change this factor:-1) Acid content in the 50ml (I will change this 4 times)When the marble chips react with the hydrochloric acid it gives off CO2 up the measuring cylinder. I start timing when the acid is added with the marble chips and when I have collected 15ml of CO2, I stop the clock.I predict that the more Hydrochloric Acid present, the quicker the rate of reaction. I base this prediction on the collision theory because from that, I know t hat the more concentrated the acid, the more molecules present hence the more collisions. This in turn will increase the Activation Energy Level which causes more reactions and all this will ultimately result in a quicker reaction. My trial run and common scientific knowledge helped me make this prediction.I will make 6 measurements will the following acid/water concentrations.0/50 10/40 20/30 30/20 40/10 50/0For the first ratio for example, I will be using 50ml of acid and 0ml of water.1I will try to ensure my experiment goes to plan and that I have no problems or accidents. I will try to stop the clock exactly when it reaches 15ml of CO2. I will try and use marble chips that are of the same size and shape. This is vital because a bigger piece with a different shape may have a bigger surface area which means it will react quicker. Therefore, I will have to be consistent in choosing marble chips which are identical throughout the experimentIF my results do not match my prediction wh ich, is backed up with scientific knowledge, I will share results with others to see where I may have gone wrong. I will repeat the experiment once and then use both sets of results for averages.Before I started my experiment, I did a practice run to get a feel of what I would be doing in my real experiment. I found that the more acid present, the quicker the reaction. This has helped me to plan my prediction because I now know what to expect for the final outcome.ObtainingI performed a safe test with no problems or accidents occurring. I collected 2 sets of results which I put into a table.I tested 6 different concentrations and I have 2 results for each concentration.Here are my results for the 6 different concentrations:-Water/Acid0/50ml10/40ml20/30ml30/20ml40/10ml50/0ml18 seconds36 seconds52 seconds66 seconds77 seconds99 seconds22 seconds34 seconds59 seconds70 seconds80 seconds102 seconds20 seconds35 seconds55.5 seconds68 seconds78.5 seconds100.5secondsThe first row represents t he water/acid measurements.The second row represents the 1st set of results.The third row represents the 2nd set of results.The fourth row represents the averages taken from both sets.The time is measured in seconds.The measurements are taken in ml.I repeated this experiment once to get 2 sets of accurate results. However, I noticed that both sets are very similar which shows the accuracy I took with the experiment. They also back up my prediction so I feel no need to share any results with other people. I made sure I used the exact same amount of acid each time. I also made sure that I used the same size (5g) and shape marble chip for the reasons I said above I my planning. However, I realise that I cannot exactly get 5g but I made sure I got as close as possible.AnalysingIn my experiment, I have found that the reaction is quicker when there was 50ml of acid and 0ml of water which backs my prediction up perfectly.I made 3 graphs with the results I recorded and on my graphs; you can see that as the water increases, so does the time. This is apparent in all 3 graphs and it means that as I add more water, the rate of reaction is slower because I am taking HCL molecules away which slows the rate of reaction down. This fits in with my prediction and the collision theory because I have more acid molecules to react with meaning the reaction will be quicker.From scientific knowledge and my results then, I conclude then that the more acid present in the acid/water ratio, the quicker the rate of reaction.Here are the 3 graphs, 1st set, 2nd set and 3rd set (averages)EvaluatingI think that the investigation was a success because I have received accurate results without any accidents or mistakes. My results fitted in with what I expected to happen which was obviously helped with my trial run at the start. I believe the evidence I collected was accurate and as best as I could. As I stated before, there were no results that stood out in my tables which show my accuracy in t his experiment. I believe my careful and planned method was responsible for these accurate results and I think I have investigated the question quite well. However, if I had the chance, I would have maybe added more results to my method, i.e. maybe seeing how long it would take with 80ml, 100ml and even 150ml of acid. In doing this, it would have given me a wider set of results but I believe my 5 separate results were sufficient to support my prediction.I think my results support my conclusion because they both state that as I add more acid, the rate of reaction quickens. My results are reliable and I received no anomalous results. I believe this reflects on the effort I put into the investigation. One interesting thing that I noticed was that as the reaction started Hydrochloric Acid near the chips would have been depleting which means that the concentration of the acid around the chips would be less than average. One way of solving this would be to constantly stir the acid around covering the chip with new acid all the time.

Parenting Styles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Parenting Styles - Essay Example Authoritarian parenting style is fraught with strict disciplinary principles and temperament problems. Such parents do not present explanations to their children rather they expect them to follow their orders silently, due to which such children develop low self-esteems. Authoritative parenting, on the other hand, is different from the authoritarian style in the sense that such parents are responsive to their children’s demands and when children fall short of expectations, then their parents are quite forgiving and understanding towards them. Children brought up under this parenting style are found to be more supportive, understanding, and responsible in their adult lives than those persons who have had harsh parental experiences in their childhoods. Parents practicing permissive parenting style expect very little from their children, rather they are particularly fond of indulging their children with many luxuries. Such children are found to behave improperly in the schools an d cannot understand the importance of authority in their practical lives. Uninvolved parenting is such a style in which parents communicate little with their children due to which they feel detached from their parents and a huge generation gap is developed. (Cherry).

Seminar paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Seminar paper - Essay Example In Mona’s school, there is a girl known as Danielle Meyers. This girl is somewhat of a competition for Mona and she even gives us a detailed description of her that Danielle Meyers wears blue mascara and that she is said to have kissed two boys (Gina, 1999). Danielle Meyers is said to have French-kisssed one boy and given the other boy a regular kiss since he had braces. This story of kissing two boys makes Mona envious and she herself begins looking for a boy that she will kiss in order for her story to be passed round (Gina, 1999). Mona lies to her friends that she knows karate since her ancestors, the Chinese, are believed to have been skilled in karate. This is just a lie but Mona does not mind as she would do anything for fame (Gina, 1999). Mona is that type of person who tells one lie after another without even blinking. She tells her friends that a woman can get pregnant from drinking tea. She also tells them that the brains of monkeys are a delicacy for the Chinese (Gina, 1999). Most of the cultural food of Chinese is tomatoes, nothing resembling monkey brains. Mona brags about how her mother’s cooking is off the charts that her cooking is not even in the cookbooks. The jealousy of Mona towards the fact that Danielle Meyers kissed two boys drives her to peer pressure when she starts looking for a befriend to kiss too so that her story will be aired by everyone. Mons’s teacher introduces Sherman to Mona as the new boy in class that she may guide him in the first few days at school. Mona thinks that Sherman is cute and begins falling in love with home (Gina, 1999). Mona is crazily in love and does a lot to show this such as decorating his books, having lunch always with him and taking him places such as the candy store and the bagel store which turns out to be great since Sherman is crazy about bagels (Gina, 1999). It comes a time where Mona knows that Sherman will be leaving in a month. Mona is only worried

The Trend of Logistics Development in China Essay Example for Free

The Trend of Logistics Development in China Essay With China’s entering WTO and the coming of the economic globalization, modern logistics has stepped into a far increased stage. In 2003, the logistics in China occupied RMB 240 billion dollars, compared with that in 2002, which increased by 26%, it is also estimated that during 2000 – 2005 the increasing rate of the 3PL marketing will reach 25% in China. Logistics industry, which is related to the producing manufacturing industry and commodity circulation industry, not only can help the enterprises optimize the resource configuration, lower the product costs, but also improve their competition capability. Logistics is also a systematic project that includes manufacturing, purchasing, storage, transportation, forward, distribution and sale. Now days, logistics and the supply chain management is becoming the core issue in world business field. Facing the immature logistics market in China, as far as the manufacturing, producing industry and the circulation industry are concerned, it is most important and urgent to positively evaluate the development tendency and meet the international requirements on the logistics as soon as possible. Development of Logistics Industry in China  The larger of Chinas logistics, but the rationalization of logistics gaps. Chinas logistics industry has yet to establish a statistical system based on, cannot accurately reflect the overall size of logistics. The performance of the logistics organization is not quite reasonable, subject to resource distribution, circulation system, the industrial layout and organization of production, materials far away, circuitous flow is serious; a large number of logistics activities, the lack of specialized logistics services organization, logistics and high cost. Other logistics companies generally low level of Information technology, as a constraint to the development of logistics enterprises in China the biggest bottleneck and obstacles. Current logistics enterprises in the Computer software applications, most still at the point-type application and the application of a sector, individual enterprises of the enterprise information Management, with customers to achieve some or all of the information between the shared computer network is only a few very small number of home. Logistics information technology has become mandatory access developed countries eligible for logistics enterprises, such as Just In Time(JIT), Material Requirements Planning 1(MRP1), Material Requirements Planning 2(MRP2) and so improve logistics efficiency and reduce logistics cost of modern management model is built on the information to adapt its technology to support the premise developed the Chinas logistics market is fiercely competitive low-end but high-end logistics market, but few people interested in the phenomenon exists, the overall low level of information, it cannot be implemented as JIT, MRP1, MRP2 and so improve logistics efficiency and reduce logistics cost of modern management model, naturally only in the low-end logistics market flame. Quality of personnel logistics enterprises, in particular the quality of leadership is difficult to adapt to the requirements of modern logistics operations. Chinas abundant human resources, labor costs are low, employment or logistics enterprises in the selection of mechanical equipment with modern, often choose to replace some of the modern employment of machinery and equipment more economical, because it has certain substitutability between. But man is no substitute for modern information technology to bring the efficiency of the logistics enterprises, the current leadership of the state-owned logistics enterprises personnel structure are mostly the end of the planned economy to work, go step by step in the enterprise leadership positions, management and thought leader in the factors that can not completely avoid inbreeding, plus has not been enhanced, the theoretical knowledge of the Training system, making it difficult to adapt to new business ideas and forms of development, lack of awareness development. Computer application is limited to mechanical and electrical integration from abroad, no paper into the main features of the distribution automation, modernization far, Chinas logistics industry, the biggest difference between the developed countries a direct manifestation of this is it. Therefore we can say, Information technology logistics industry in China the biggest gap with developed countries, but also restricting the development of logistics industry in China is a bottleneck. Development trend of Chinas logistics industry As economic integration, and Computer and communication technology continues to develop, greatly promoted the development of the logistics industry, to quickly become a global logistics industry with great potential and the development of new service industries. Modern logistics has been our government, enterprises attach importance, and there has been rapid development momentum. A high degree of government from the industry will support the development of modern logistics as the sustained economic development, improve the investment environment, improve Social and economic benefits, reduce social costs, make full use of the important strategies of social resources, production and logistics as a business enterprise to the third profit source and access to enterprise competitive advantage of strategic opportunities, traditional logistics (transport, warehousing and other enterprise) to the development of modern logistics as the re-build companies, seeking new business profit growth, further development of the enterprises strategic objectives. In China, the main trend of development of modern logistics in the following aspects. Integration of logistics operations the essence of modern logistics in its system integration concept that integrates the traditional area of operation, the production, arketing, packaging, handling, transportation, storage, distribution, circulation, processing, logistics and Information processing, decentralized, activities across the enterprise sector integrated, organic combination, as a system to manage, the operational aspects of the logistics activities effectively combined to form a comprehensive customer service-oriented capabilities, saving distribution costs, improve circulation efficiency and effectiveness. Logistics Management Information system is a large span system. Not only a wide range of logistics activities, involving many departments, and has been in a dynamic process. With the global economy, goods and production factors in the global free flow of an unprecedented rate. Logistics activities, flow rate also entered an unprecedented phase of development, logistics positive globalization, networking and information-oriented, EDI technology and Internet applications, so the logistics efficiency depends more on information management technologies ; the popularity of Computer and general application of bar code technology, provides a more demand and inventory information to enhance the scientific level of information management, demand for the commodity level in a variety of flow more easily and quickly. Information has become the core of logistics activities has become the driving force of logistics innovation. Social logistics resources with market-oriented economic and social development, on the one hand more and more detailed specialization, on the other hand the increasingly close cooperation between professionals. Production enterprises and the retail industrys need for raw materials, intermediate products, and final products are mostly made up of d ifferent logistics centers, wholesale centers and distribution centers in order to achieve fewer inventories and zero inventories. Trend of modern logistics community social and economic activities is the development of economies of scale in logistics, logistics inevitable result of comprehensive utilization of resources. In the big cities or professional modern integrated logistics park, logistics center, logistics base has become a common phenomenon. Integrated logistics system cannot do without transportation and warehousing logistics. Storage requires a high degree of mechanization and modernization, automation, standardization, Information, and to organize efficient, machine, material systems; and transport modernization requires the establishment of railways, highways, waterways, ir and pipeline integrated transport system, which is essential to the modernization of logistics conditions, survival and development of modern logistics necessary condition. Integration of third-rate general circulation in accordance with Law, business flow, logistics, information flow is the separation of the three streams. To flow of material can be achieved using the value, after the business flow, material information on the change of ownership; logistics solution is the production of material from its geographical area of the displacement of its consumption cannot change the ownership of material; information flow solution the flow of information between the main transmission. In modern society, due to the different materials, products, or the transfer of goods means the formation of the circulation and marketing of different forms, in order to adapt to this change, there are many countries in the world of logistics centers; distribution centers have basically achieved the flow, the unity of logistics and information flow. In addition, the agency also made the implementation of modern logistics more scientific and rational, because the circulation system in this manner more conducive to the implementation of third-rate one. Third-rate one has become an important symbol of modern logistics. More competitions in further from the foreign investment and private enterprise in China After China entering WTO, the distribution system has opened to the outside. The logistics and transport are facing the same situation. The foreign investment corporation will be allowed to open in the full sides. Because of the large logistics demands and weak supply ability in China, many foreign logistics companies gave expected too much for the market. Some of them, have entered into the Chinese market and taken part in the competition, such as UPS, FedEx, DHL, TNT etc. Some of them allied the domestic companies to reform the professional logistics. On one hand, they provide their customers with the professional services, which include national wide distribution, international logistic service, and multimode transportation. With more open policies issued by China’s government, the private corporations will bring more challengers to the traditional state-owned companies in the long time. The Corning of the integration Storm in China According to the industry evolution from the international famous consulting corporation, the evolution of a industry usually includes four stages: primary establishment, normalization stage, centralization stage, balance and unification stage. When a industry state in a go-between stage from the primary establishment to the normalization, there will be many combinations and reorganizations in which some small companies will be absorbed, reorganized, even died; meanwhile, the large enterprises will improve their impacts further. As for Chinese logistic market, its development just belongs to this stage. Conclusion The logistics resources in China are very rich, As for the storage are, there are more than 250000000 square meters in circulation field, which is distribution in the station, dock, port, warehouse, stock etc. this kind of distribution has formed the nation-scattered condition. Many of them have been regarded as the collection of enterprises, funds, information etc. and are full of powerful potential. In order to ensure the logistics development in a fast, healthful way, and China’s government should enact more advantages policies and measures, give more support; for logistics enterprises after seeing the development tendency and the industry characteristics, they would choose the personalized way. Generally speaking, our companies of China can have clear view on the further development; take the opportunity to succeed in the future competition.

Research on early fathers and mothers involvement and childs later educ

In 2004, the British Journal of Educational Psychology releases a report on a research that was conducted by Eirini Flouri and Ann Buchanan dealing with the correlation of early interaction of parents and the future assessment of their children in school. Previous to this article, little research was given to the individual long-term contribution that early parent involvement had in a child’s success in school. Flouri and Buchanan had three particular goals in mind while completing this research: (1) To explore the role of early father involvement in children's later educational attainment independently of the role of early mother involvement and other confounds, (2) to investigate whether gender and family structure moderate the relationship between father's and mother's involvement and child's educational attainment, and (3) to explore whether the impact of father's involvement depends on the level of mother's involvement (www.Ingentaselect.com). The study was provoked by t he considerable amount of research presented by the United States that suggested that early father involvement would lead to positive outcomes in children; Flouri and Buchanan wanted to evaluate if this was the case in the United Kingdom (www.literacytrust.org.uk). The researchers had positivistic basis for obtaining their study. It was solely an attempt to reveal patterns and regularities dealing with the subject manner. They gave a secondary analysis of work that was deductive of longitudinal data coll...

Deception Point Page 105

127 The Triton fell†¦ Michael Tolland staggered to his feet on the inclined deck and peered over the anchor spool at the frayed winch cable where the Triton used to hang. Wheeling toward the stern, he scanned the water. The Triton was just now emerging from under the Goya on the current. Relieved at least to see the sub intact, Tolland eyed the hatch, wanting nothing more than to see it open up and Rachel climb out unscathed. But the hatch remained closed. Tolland wondered if maybe she had been knocked out by the violent fall. Even from the deck, Tolland could see the Triton was riding exceptionally low in the water-far below its normal diving trim waterline. It's sinking. Tolland could not imagine why, but the reason at the moment was immaterial. I have to get Rachel out. Now. As Tolland stood to dash for the edge of the deck, a shower of machine-gun fire exploded above him, sparking off the heavy anchor spool overhead. He dropped back to his knees. Shit! He peered around the spool only long enough to see Pickering on the upper deck, taking aim like a sniper. The Delta soldier had dropped his machine gun while climbing into the doomed helicopter and Pickering had apparently recovered it. Now the director had scrambled to the high ground. Trapped behind the spool, Tolland looked back toward the sinking Triton. Come on, Rachel! Get out! He waited for the hatch to open. Nothing. Looking back to the deck of the Goya, Tolland's eyes measured the open area between his position and the stern railing. Twenty feet. A long way without any cover. Tolland took a deep breath and made up his mind. Ripping off his shirt, he hurled it to his right onto the open deck. While Pickering blew the shirt full of holes, Tolland dashed left, down the inclined deck, banking toward the stern. With a wild leap he launched himself over the railing, off the back of the ship. Arcing high in the air, Tolland heard the bullets whizzing all around him and knew a single graze would make him a shark feast the instant he hit the water. Rachel Sexton felt like a wild animal trapped in a cage. She had tried the hatch again and again with no luck. She could hear a tank somewhere beneath her filling with water, and she sensed the sub gaining weight. The darkness of the ocean was inching higher up the transparent dome, a black curtain rising in reverse. Through the lower half of the glass, Rachel could see the void of the ocean beckoning like a tomb. The empty vastness beneath threatened to swallow her whole. She grabbed the hatch mechanism and tried to twist it open one more time, but it wouldn't budge. Her lungs strained now, the dank stench of excess carbon dioxide acrid in her nostrils. Through it all, one recurring thought haunted her. I'm going to die alone underwater. She scanned the Triton's control panels and levers for something that could help, but all the indicators were black. No power. She was locked in a dead steel crypt sinking toward the bottom of the sea. The gurgling in the tanks seemed to be accelerating now, and the ocean rose to within a few feet of the top of the glass. In the distance, across the endless flat expanse, a band of crimson was inching across the horizon. Morning was on its way. Rachel feared it would be the last light she ever saw. Closing her eyes to block out her impending fate, Rachel felt the terrifying childhood images rushing into her mind. Falling through the ice. Sliding underwater. Breathless. Unable to lift herself. Sinking. Her mother calling for her. â€Å"Rachel! Rachel!† A pounding on the outside of the sub jolted Rachel out of the delirium. Her eyes snapped open. â€Å"Rachel!† The voice was muffled. A ghostly face appeared against the glass, upside down, dark hair swirling. She could barely make him out in the darkness. â€Å"Michael!† Tolland surfaced, exhaling in relief to see Rachel moving inside the sub. She's alive. Tolland swam with powerful strokes to the rear of the Triton and climbed up onto the submerged engine platform. The ocean currents felt hot and leaden around him as he positioned himself to grab the circular portal screw, staying low and hoping he was out of range of Pickering's gun. The Triton's hull was almost entirely underwater now, and Tolland knew if he were going to open the hatch and pull Rachel out, he would have to hurry. He had a ten-inch draw that was diminishing fast. Once the hatch was submerged, opening it would send a torrent of seawater gushing into the Triton, trapping Rachel inside and sending the sub into a free fall to the bottom. â€Å"Now or never,† he gasped as he grabbed the hatch wheel and heaved it counterclockwise. Nothing happened. He tried again, throwing all of his force into it. Again, the hatch refused to turn. He could hear Rachel inside, on the other side of the portal. Her voice was stifled, but he sensed her terror. â€Å"I tried!† she shouted. â€Å"I couldn't turn it!† The water was lapping across the portal lid now. â€Å"Turn together!† he shouted to her. â€Å"You're clockwise in there!† He knew the dial was clearly marked. â€Å"Okay, now!† Tolland braced himself against the ballast air tanks and strained with all his energy. He could hear Rachel below him doing the same. The dial turned a half inch and ground to a dead stop. Now Tolland saw it. The portal lid was not set evenly in the aperture. Like the lid of a jar that had been placed on crooked and screwed down hard, it was stuck. Although the rubber seal was properly set, the hatch-dogs were bent, meaning the only way that door was opening was with a welding torch. As the top of the sub sank below the surface, Tolland was filled with a sudden, overwhelming dread. Rachel Sexton would not be escaping from the Triton. Two thousand feet below, the crumpled fuselage of the bomb-laden Kiowa chopper was sinking fast, a prisoner of gravity and the powerful drag of the deepwater vortex. Inside the cockpit, Delta-One's lifeless body was no longer recognizable, disfigured by the crushing pressure of the deep. As the aircraft spiraled downward, its Hellfire missiles still attached, the glowing magma dome waited on the ocean floor like a red-hot landing pad. Beneath its three-meter-thick crust, a head of boiling lava simmered at a thousand degrees Celsius, a volcano waiting to explode. 128 Tolland stood knee-deep in water on the engine box of the sinking Triton and searched his brain for some way to save Rachel. Don't let the sub sink! He looked back toward the Goya, wondering if there were any way to get a winch connected to the Triton to keep it near the surface. Impossible. It was fifty yards away now, and Pickering was standing high on the bridge like a Roman emperor with a prime seat at some bloody Colosseum spectacle. Think! Tolland told himself. Why is the sub sinking? The mechanics of sub buoyancy were painfully simple: ballast tanks pumped full of either air or water adjusted the sub's buoyancy to move it up or down in the water. Obviously, the ballast tanks were filling up. But they shouldn't be! Every sub's ballast tanks were equipped with holes both topside and underneath. The lower openings, called â€Å"flooding holes,† always remained open, while the holes on top, â€Å"vent valves,† could be opened and closed to let air escape so water would flood in. Maybe the Triton's vent valves were open for some reason? Tolland could not imagine why. He floundered across the submerged engine platform, his hands groping one of the Triton's ballast trim tanks. The vent valves were closed. But as he felt the valves, his fingers found something else. Bullet holes. Shit! The Triton had been riddled with bullets when Rachel jumped in. Tolland immediately dove down and swam beneath the sub, running his hand carefully across the Triton's more important ballast tank-the negative tank. The Brits called this tank â€Å"the down express.† The Germans called it â€Å"putting on lead shoes.† Either way, the meaning was clear. The negative tank, when filled, took the sub down.