Unrolling a bolt of red carpet over the perforated steel flooring on the dome, the orange-uniformed crew cycled down a ladder attached to the ceiling, and one technician climbed up quickly. Checking the validity of the magnetic seal, he released the mechanical lock and spun the wheel on the top hatch. The circular slab of metal swung off on a silent pivot flange. Set within a recessed area a good meter in height was another hatch with a similar locking wheel, both moist with sea water. Rapping three times, then three times more, on the second hatch, the technician undid the second mechanical lock and spun the wheel, undogging the smaller hatch. This one swung upward, exposing a sternfaced Emile standing like a statue on the other side, pack on his back, wand in hand and Grand glowering from a shoulder. Dumbfounded, the norm was unable to speak for awhile. Emile was not surprised at his reaction.