Somewhere in the depths of the ocean.
A fleet of fifteen ships was sailing toward the unknown. The flagship of that fleet was precisely the Napoléon I. On the prow of the ship, at that moment, Simón was standing looking toward the infinite sea. No one could know what he was thinking.
After a while the vice-captain of the ship, named Ulises, approached him and said:
"This time we have come as far as never before. I have the presentiment that soon we will arrive at our destination."
"I feel the same. I have had a strange presentiment; my heart does not stop accelerating at moments. Being here I relax a little," Simón answered, sharing Ulises's thoughts.
"I believe it is the fear of the unknown, my lord."
"I think the same as you. So try to keep our men in a state of alert. Perhaps soon we will have news."
Saying that, Simón headed to his rest cabin while the fleet continued sailing toward the depths of the ocean.
One week later
That morning, like any other, Simón put on his coat and went out to the prow to watch the sunrise at dawn. Soon the light began to win the fight against the darkness and the sea began to illuminate. Then Simón saw something shocking in the distance.
"What the hell is that?"
A strong shout pulled Simón out of his stupefaction and his mind began to function rapidly, trying to figure out what was in front of him.
"My lord, I believe what is in front of us is a gigantic tsunami," said Ulises, who hurried to place himself next to Simón and gave his speculations about what they were seeing.
"If it is what you are saying, I am afraid our expedition has reached its end here. It seems I am going to fail my lord. Perhaps my father also encountered the same thing on his voyage," Simón said with great sorrow and regret. His soul would not have peace if things ended like this.
The crew of the ship observed with astonishment the horizon, where a dark and threatening mass rose in the ocean. The tension in the air was palpable while the members of the crew exchanged looks of concern.
Simón came out of his shock at once and tried to seek a last hope. Experienced and decided, he took command immediately. He ordered all the members of the crew to secure themselves and prepare for the impact.
The team divided into several tasks. Some secured the loads and the equipment, tying down everything that could be dragged by the force of the water.
After facing bravely the chaos of the supposed tsunami, the crew finally began to notice that something did not add up.
They discovered with astonishment how the horizon transformed before their eyes. Instead of the feared tsunami, they found themselves with an immense mountain of ice that extended as far as the eye could see. The sea was covered by a massive and dazzling layer of ice that seemed to extend in all directions.
The initial commotion turned into a reverential silence while the members of the crew contemplated the magnitude of the natural phenomenon. The mountain of ice created an imposing image, with brilliant reflections that played on its surfaces. Although the initial surprise was evident, a feeling of respect for the powerful force of nature was also breathed.
Simón, conscious of the need to evaluate the situation and take prudent measures, convened a meeting of the crew on the bridge. Together they discussed the best way to proceed before this new scenario. It was decided that the ship would maintain itself at a safe distance from the mountain of ice to avoid any risk of collision or danger.
After the meeting a consensus was reached: to navigate parallel to the ice toward the north, trying to find some channel or leave the ice behind to continue their voyage.
While the ship continued its route, the crew had the opportunity to observe the mountain of ice more closely. Intricate details could be appreciated on the surface, such as cracks and caverns. Some members of the crew used binoculars to capture the magnificence of the moment. It should be said that André had ordered the construction of a large quantity of binoculars for the crew before their departure.
Roar! Roar! Roar!
Suddenly, a thunderous noise could be heard beyond the ice, in front of the fleet.
Everyone's hair stood on end and their nerves tensed, including Simón. The cold they felt at that moment from the ice multiplied by three. No one could imagine what type of beast could cause such a thunderous roar.
Simón reacted at once and ordered the fleet to stop, to maintain itself at a safe distance, and to observe the changes in the situation. Soon all the ships formed a fan and pointed their cannons toward the place from which the roar proceeded.
"Stay alert and prepare for the retreat at any moment. We will wait one hour. If nothing has happened, we will send an exploration team," Simón ordered. The order was transmitted rapidly to all the ships of the fleet.
One hour seemed a century to all the crew members of the ships. The sound did not repeat itself.
"I want an exploration team of fifty persons to depart as rapidly as possible. We have to find out what the hell that thing was," Simón ordered Ulises, who was at his side. The latter nodded and departed at once to organize the team that would leave to explore the origin of that sound.
With great efficiency, Ulises only took twenty minutes to gather the candidates for the exploration.
"My lord, the team is ready to depart at any moment. We only await your order," Ulises informed upon appearing outside Simón's cabin.
"Wait a moment while I get ready. I will also depart with them," Simón said, leaving some surprising words that caused Ulises, who was outside, to enter into panic.
"My lord, you cannot go on that exploration mission. It is too dangerous. As commander of this expedition it is too responsible to expose yourself to danger."
The door of the cabin opened and Simón came out, ignoring Ulises, who was trying to convince him to change his opinion. While he headed toward the exploration team, Simón stopped and spoke suddenly:
"You know, Ulises, this exploration mission is of great importance, even more than the expedition itself. I have to find out personally what the hell that sound was, because it could bring danger to the lord's territory, and that is intolerable. You will be in charge while I am not here."
Simón joined the exploration team without caring about the perception of Ulises or the rest of the captains of the ships. Soon, under the gaze of all the crew members, the exploration team climbed that one-hundred-meter mountain of ice and disappeared from everyone's sight.