《Beneath Crimson Waves》 Chapter 1: Descent Day 1 1700 Hours The submarine; intended to hold ten, is more than a little crowded by its twelve passengers. Less than half way into their descent, the air has already started to smell stale, with more than a hint of sweat and fear. Every breath seems somehow worse then the last. A nervous looking man wearing thick glasses slides his hand over his pale face and takes a deep breath for perhaps the tenth time in as many minutes. His skin looks clammy as he chews a stick of bubblegum. Across from him a petite young girl sits with her feet on her seat, a laptop computer balanced on her knees and headphones over her ears. If you listen closely, you can just hear the heavy metal music playing. A smattering of freckles are barely noticeable across her caramel skin. Meanwhile a group of four people, three men and one woman, and each having an air of danger about them, huddle in the back of the passenger space talking softly between themselves. All three men look like they would be right at home in any gym, yet the girl looks right in place among them. Huddled close together is a couple, the man''s arm around a woman who looks half his age. The woman holding his hand with one of hers while idly turning the wedding ring on his finger. On her own finger is a matching ring. A disheveled looking man sits tucked between two bundles of gear, somehow managing to look isolated even in the crowded compartment. In his hands is a tattered old copy of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. His dark lips move to the words as he reads silently. Silently until he suddenly grins and reads a section out loud. "The sea is only the embodiment of a supernatural and wonderful existence. It is nothing but love and emotion; it is the ''Living Infinite''...The globe began with sea, so to speak; and who knows if it will not end with it? In it is supreme tranquility." He smiles as everyone turns to look at him, one of his hands brushing over the reddish stubble covering his chin. "Seems fitting doesn''t it? Can you imagine the kinds of things we''re going to learn down here? A whole, . . . . " Under the scrutiny of a hawkish looking woman, he trails off and after one last look at his other companions in search of support, he returns his attention to the book in his hands. Another half hour passes in near silence as the submarine continues its journey into the depths. The only sounds being the occasional creaking of the hull and the soft hum of the submarine''s engine. "We''ll be coming up on Leviathan Station in about fifteen minutes. Make sure everything is secure before then. The station has been alerted to our approach, but someone is sleeping at the job because all I got back was the automated signal." The man driving the submarine has a barely noticeable Hispanic accent. From his tone, it''s clear that he''s not bothered by the lack of response, sounding more bored than anything else. Just then a dusky woman with short cropped curly hair peppered with gray sits up from among the luggage, rubbing the sleep from her dark eyes. "We there yet?" She asks while stifling a yawn. The man sitting with his arm around the young woman slips his arm free and stands. All eyes are on him even before he clears his throat. "As you''ve all been briefed, the Leviathan is a state of the art research station. And while we haven''t been given a lot of details because of security concerns it was made clear to me that each of us are the best our fields of experience have to offer." His eyes dart toward the four people huddled by themselves before continuing. "Though I suspect we all have our suspicions given the range of talents on this submarine alone." He grimaces for a second, clearly not comfortable with public speaking but determined to power through it. "It seems to me that if we''re going to be living down here together, that it might be nice to know who everyone is."If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. There''s a few nods among the people listening. "I''ll start." Placing one hand on his own chest, he continues, "I''m Doctor Kelvin Booker. I was told that I''ll be taking over the Biology department upon arrival." The woman he had been sitting with before raises her hand, "And I''m Doctor Lisa Booker, his wife." There''s a hint of possessiveness in her voice as she says the last. At the front of the sub, the pilot raises one hand in greeting, not bothering to look over his shoulder, "Euan, but my friends call me Goose. I''m the taxi service." Fiddling with his book, the disheveled man uses one finger as a bookmark and smirks, "Clifford Gibbs. Archeologist. Did they find a-" Kelvin raises one hand to silence him. "We all have more questions than answers, we can compare notes when we get our briefings." Clifford nods in understanding, though the disappointment is clear in his hazel eyes. Still looking half asleep, the woman who just woke up raises one hand. "Mable York, if it''s broke, I can fix it. If I can''t fix it, I can make something to replace it." There''s a simple certainty in her voice as she speaks. Realizing that everyone is still looking at her, she allows herself a lazy smile before shrugging. "Sergeant Lester Kerr, United States Marine Corp." the oldest of the three burly men announces before nodding to the other three. Taking his cue from the Sergeant, a man so dark he seems to absorb the light around him stands stiffly. "Corporal Aran Chen." Immediately the woman of the group stands to join him. "Corporal Violet Hodges." The fourth member of their group stands to join the others, his movements lacking the same rigidness of the others. "Lance Corporal Hussein Peterson, at your service." He takes a casual bow at the end of his introduction before straightening suddenly when he sees the anger in his Sergeant''s eyes. As the four soldiers take their seats, the severe woman speaks. "Doctor Patricia Wolf. I am a chemist." Adjusting his thick glasses before raising a hand to draw attention to himself. "I''m Kaden Richardson. I''m a geologist. So I guess you could say I''m the guy who likes to play with rocks." All eyes turn to the last person on board the submarine. "Ma''am?" Kelvin speaks to her as he steps close. It''s not until his shadow falls over her that she looks startled and pulls her headphones from her ears. For a second, her fingers dance over her keyboard before the faint sound of music dies. "Sorry, I was listening. You, uh, want me to introduce myself too?" Her voice is soft and child like. Kelvin nods before stepping back. The girl swallows, looking impossibly young. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath that she lets out slowly. "I''m autistic. I don''t really like people because I don''t understand them. I like computers, and I like patterns. I see things other people don''t. My name is Sabrina Bryan. There''s something wrong on the Leviathan." Every word she speaks is matter-of-fact. Euan turns in his seat to look at her, concern on his features, but Doctor Wolf speaks before he has a chance to. "What do you mean?" Her tone is hard, making the younger woman flinch back and visibly withdraw. Kelvin shoots Doctor Wolf a hard look before giving the girl a friendly smile. "Why would you say that?" The girl can''t quite look him in the eye as she replies. "Because it''s true." There''s a murmur among the submarine''s passengers. "How could you know that?" Kelvin kneels in front of the girl to look her eye to eye. Wilting beneath the attention of so many people, she seems unable to speak. After a few seconds, Euan speaks up. "She''s probably just a little nervous about the trip since I can''t get anyone on the horn. Da fuck?!" Just then something hits the submarine, sending a long shuddering groan through the hull and leaving everyone wide eyed. Kaden mumbles something under his breath that sounds like a prayer. Euan talks into the headset, "Leviathan Station, please come in. This is Neptune 3 on approach. ETA 7 minutes to arrival. Is everything ok over there? Amanda, I know you''re supposed to be watching for me, this is Goose." An edge of panic starts to seep into Euan''s voice, raising the tension in the chamber considerably. The seconds tick forward, stretching into nearly a minute before Private Peterson asks the question that everyone wants to know, "Anyone else wondering what we just hit and why it spooked our driver so bad?" TO BE CONTINUED Chapter 1: After Action Report The Neptune 3, filled with replacement crew and supplies for Leviathan Station make their descent into the black depths of the ocean. As they approach, they are unable to get a response from the station. When the Neptune 3 prepares to make its final approach, something strikes the submarine. Leviathan Personnel Scientists: Dr Kelven Booker Status: Alive Relations: Lisa Booker (Wife) Description: A wiry man with peppered hair and an easy smile. His flinty eyes hint of his intelligence. Role: Head Biologist Dr Lisa Booker Status: Alive Relations: Kelven Booker (Husband) Description: Attractive with skin the color of caramel. Can be a little possessive. Role: Biologist Professor Clifford Gibbs Status: Alive Description: A redheaded man with about two days of stubble on his chin. He''s prone to speaking his thoughts out loud. Likes to read Role: Archeologist Dr Kaden Richardson Status: Alive Description: A slightly overweight man in his 50''s. Tends toward a nervous disposition. Role: Geologist Doctor Patricia Wolf Status: Alive The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.Description: Hawkish features and lacks any sense of humor. Her hair is as dark as her skin is light. Role: Chemist Military: Corporal Aran Chen Status: Alive Description: A young black man with a powerful build. Has just a hint of Asian features from a distant ancestor. Role: Classified Sergeant Lester Kerr Status: Alive Description: Middle aged Caucasian man. Physically fit with an imposing demeanor. Role: Classified Corporal Violet Hodges Status: Alive Description: A powerfully built woman with scars evident on her arms and face. Role: Classified Lance Corporal Hussein Peterson Status: Alive Description: A young Caucasian man with tanned skin and an easy manner. Sees himself as a funny man. Role: Classified Support Staff: Euan "Goose" Barnett Status: Alive Description: Of Hispanic descent, middle aged and prone to wearing a red baseball cap. Role: Submarine Pilot and Mechanic Sabrina Bryan Status: Alive Description: An autistic girl barely out of her teens. Timid and withdrawn, but observant. Is a genius with an exceptional talent for computers. Role: Data Analyst Amanda Davila Status: Unknown Description: Works the communications station on board the Leviathan. Role: Systems Manager Mabel York Status: Alive Description: An older black woman. Confident and direct. Role: Engineer and Mechanic Leviathan The Leviathan is a state of the art underwater research station that rests at 47¡ã9¡äS 126¡ã43¡äW, 4,339 meters down. Capable of housing up to 60 personnel at any given time, including forty scientists from varying fields and the personnel needed to run and maintain the station. Neptune 3 A submarine capable of deep dives nearing 6,200 meters. Retrofitted to transport personnel and supplies needed for the Leviathan research station. Can transport up to 12 people uncomfortably. Chapter 2: Arrival Day 1 1756 Hours "What was that? I''m catching a lot of static." Even through the slight tremor in his voice, Euan somehow manages to sound both worried and relieved at the same time. As every head in the submarine turns toward Euan as he converses with someone through his headset, Sabrina pulls back slightly, eyes avoiding everyone present as she slips her headphones back in place. Sergeant Kerr starts moving toward the front of the sub, his expression hard. Only Kelvin is quicker, never seeing the way the Sergeant glares at the back of his head. "Everything ok?" Kelvin''s voice is soft and measured, calculated to calm those behind him as surely as it is to seek answers from the submarine''s pilot. Still a little wide eyed, Euan glances at him, then back toward the forward viewport. "I think, uh, . . . it was, . . ." He swallows visibly, "Yeah, there uh, was an accident. I was asked to dock at ring two." There''s a hollow tone to his voice as he focuses his attention on the controls in front of him. The next few minutes are unnaturally quiet in the sub, the sound of the submarine''s engine and the whisper of the overhead vents blowing air are almost deafening as the blackness outside of the submarine seems to press ever inward. At first, there''s the faintest of glows to the water in front of the submarine. Glows that slowly become points of light that in turn begin to illuminate the Leviathan. Sprawled across the ocean floor, supported by stocky round pillars, is a series of round domes of various sizes, connected by long tubes. Every passing second makes it increasingly obvious that the Leviathan lives up to its name in the form of a sprawling undersea research station. There''s a hint of awe in Clifford''s voice as he leans forward, "Would you look at that?" It''s only then that the wreckage comes into view, one section of the station twisted and mangled. Part of the largest dome visible looks like it imploded, leaving only a partial shell and the tube connecting it to the next pod shows signs of damage. All around the destroyed dome is rubble, scraps of metal, machinery, and anything else that might have been in the pod at the time. As the Neptune 3 starts to pass over the facility, two figures suited up in heavy diving suits can be seen making their way across the sea floor toward the wreckage. Then the Neptune 3 starts to turn, making a wide arc even as it slows. In doing so, a large portion of the Leviathan crosses in front of the submarine, every second making it more obvious than the last that the research station is truly massive in size.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! However in the distance, looming just at the edge of where the light can touch is something else, dark and looming in the gloom. Two tubes stretch from the Leviathan toward whatever rests in the distance, one continuing to where it intersects whatever it is while the other veers off at about a 45 degree angle. "If everyone can take a seat and buckle in. We''ll be docking shortly and you might feel a slight bump." Euan''s voice is soft, not even acknowledging the sight filling his viewport. The submarine dips slightly, slowing more before coming to a near stop. Even the hum of the engines is lost for a moment behind the whisper of the vents circulating air inside the submarine. A nearly imperceptible shudder goes through the submarine, then there''s a sound like a hammer striking steel. Euan turns in his seat to look at the passengers. There''s a slightly wild look in his eyes like he could easily slip into panic as he speaks. "Welcome to the Leviathan." What follows is a flurry of activity as those inside the submarine gather their things and prepare to disembark. When the overhead hatch swings open, there''s a rush of cool air that smells strongly of chemicals and smoke, accompanied by a strobing red light and the sound of distant claxons. A second later, a balding man, wide eyed with sweat beading on his brow moves into view "Amanda Davila, Mable York, we need you both to report to McMasters in engineering," The stress in the man''s voice is as obvious as the sweat on his brow. He moves a piece of paper into view where he can see it, then continues, "Dr Lisa Booker? You''re got medical training? We''ll need you in medical. Everyone else stay put and someone will be here to collect you shortly." Corporal Chen exchanges a look with Sergeant Kerr, the latter giving a small nod. "Sir? I have medic training," Corporal Chen says as he steps forward, "I''d like to help if I can." For a second the man seems to consider, then nods, "We''d be grateful for the help." Before the man finishes talking, Corporal Chen is already moving toward the ladder stretching up toward the porthole. The man is just starting to pull back from the porthole when he catches sight of Euan, "Goose? You too, Captain Nunes said anyone who can turn a wrench." Before the man can complete his retreat, Euan calls after him, "Christopher! What happened?" Freezing in place, the man closes his eyes tightly and takes a deep breath before replying, "We lost the archaeology lab." Clifford raises a hand like he expects to be called on, then takes a half step toward the porthole, "What do you mean, lost?" There''s something haunted in Christopher''s eyes as he turns to regard Clifford, "Implosion. It''s gone, took most of corridor twenty seven with it," The man''s features harden suddenly as he pulls back, "The names I called, up and out. We need all the hands we can get." In the relative silence that follows, several of the submarine''s occupants exchange looks, Kelven Booker giving his wife a chaste kiss before she climbs the ladder out of the submarine behind the others who have already exited. Several of the remaining occupants settling back into their previous positions inside of the submarine. "Told you something was wrong," Even though Sabrina''s voice is soft, her words seem to fill the space around them. As nearly everyone remaining on the submarine turns their attention toward her, she shifts her gaze to the laptop in her lap and presses her back a little more firmly against the bulkhead behind her. Chapter 2: After Action Report After striking something in the water late in its descent, the Neptune 3 finally docks with Leviathan station. Upon arrival, it''s clear that something is wrong, smoke and noise drift into the ship as soon as the airlock opens and the Leviathan''s XO is already present to order several of the submarine''s occupants to vital parts of the station to help. Leviathan Personnel Scientists: Dr Kelven Booker Status: Alive Status: Alive Location: Neptune 3 submarine Relations: Lisa Booker (Wife) Description: A wiry man with peppered hair and an easy smile. His flinty eyes hint of his intelligence. Role: Head Biologist Dr Lisa Booker Status: Alive Location: Leviathan Station, in rout to Medical Relations: Kelven Booker (Husband) Description: Attractive with skin the color of caramel. Can be a little possessive. Role: Biologist Professor Clifford Gibbs Status: Alive Location: Neptune 3 submarine Description: A redheaded man with about two days of stubble on his chin. He''s prone to speaking his thoughts out loud. Likes to read. Role: Archeologist Dr Kaden Richardson Status: Alive Location: Neptune 3 submarine Description: A slightly overweight man in his 50''s. Tends toward a nervous disposition. Role: Geologist Doctor Patricia Wolf Status: Alive Location: Neptune 3 submarine Description: Hawkish features and lacks any sense of humor. Her hair is as dark as her skin is light. Role: Chemist Military: Corporal Aran Chen Status: Alive Location: Neptune 3 submarine Description: A young black man with a powerful build. Has just a hint of Asian features from a distant ancestor. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.Role: Classified Sergeant Lester Kerr Status: Alive Location: Neptune 3 submarine Description: Middle aged Caucasian man. Physically fit with an imposing demeanor. Role: Classified Corporal Violet Hodges Status: Alive Location: Neptune 3 submarine Description: A powerfully built woman with scars evident on her arms and face. Role: Classified Lance Corporal Hussein Peterson Status: Alive Location: Neptune 3 submarine Description: A young Caucasian man with tanned skin and an easy manner. Sees himself as a funny man. Role: Classified Support Staff: Euan "Goose" Barnett Status: Alive Location: Leviathan, on his way to Engineering. Description: Of Hispanic descent, middle aged and prone to wearing a red baseball cap. Role: Submarine Pilot and Mechanic Sabrina Bryan Status: Alive Location: Neptune 3 submarine Description: An autistic girl barely out of her teens. Timid and withdrawn, but observant. Is a genius with an exceptional talent for computers. Role: Data Analyst Amanda Davila Status: Unknown Location: Unknown Description: Works the communications station on board the Leviathan. Role: Systems Manager Christopher Marino Status: Alive Location: Docking Bay 2 Description: A balding middle aged man. Treats Captain Nunez'' word as law. Role: Executive Officer Thomas McMasters Status: Alive Location: Leviathan, Engineering Description: Runs the engineering department on the Leviathan. Role: Chief Engineer Captain Gertrude Nunez Status: Unknown Location: Unknown Description: As serious as she is competent. Runs a tight ship and tends toward taking a hands on approach to leadership. Role: Captain of the Leviathan Mabel York Status: Alive Location: Leviathan, on her way to Engineering. Description: An older black woman. Confident and direct. Role: Engineer and Mechanic Leviathan The Leviathan is a state of the art underwater research station that rests at 47¡ã9¡äS 126¡ã43¡äW, 4,339 meters down. Capable of housing up to 60 personnel at any given time, including forty scientists from varying fields and the personnel needed to run and maintain the station. Neptune 3 A submarine capable of deep dives nearing 6,200 meters. Retrofitted to transport personnel and supplies needed for the Leviathan research station. Can transport up to 12 people uncomfortably. Chapter 3: Just another day. Day 1 1521 Hours Dr Jennifer Hayes looks up at the clock on the wall, trying to forget the smell of the man''s foot as he slips his sock back on. He grimaces through his stubble at the sight of one toe sticking out of a hole before thrusting the foot back into the work boot. "Jason, I''m serious, apply it twice a day, even after the itching stops. If you don''t, it''s just going to come right back." Jennifer looks back at the him as she speaks, her dark eyes centering on him even as he clearly checks her out. She does her best to ignore it, wondering in the back of her mind if the pimple she found near her hair line this morning can be seen against her reddish skin. "Tell the other guys on your crew too. Keep your feet clean and dry. I''ve got more important things to do than treat your athletes foot." Jason grins, looking sure of himself. "Like letting me buy you a drink over at the pub?" For the first time, the hint of a smile touches Jennifer''s lips. "No firewater for me." While her delivery is flat, there''s unmistakable humor in her eyes as she says the words. Jason''s expression sobers as he finishes buckling the straps on his heavy boots. "Thanks for everything Doc." He holds up the container of cream she had given him minutes earlier as if that''s somehow a promise to actually use it. "I should get going. Need to be suited up in about half an hour. They want, . . . . " Jason trails off as he sees her interest waning. "I''ve got work to do." One final nod and he''s exiting the Medical pod. Seven minutes later, Jason is just entering Dive Room 1. "Noah!" Jason raises a hand in greeting as he sees the barrel of a man. Noah''s head comes up from the computer he''s hunched over. As soon as his eyes find Jason through his thick glasses, he grins, causing his bushy blond beard to bristle. "We just picking up where the last shift left off? Or we got some real work to do?" Noah reaches up and scratches at his beard, his dirty fingers vanishing into the tangle of hair as he does so. "Archaeology put in a request to check out their pod. They say they''re getting a bunch of weird sounds from the hull and it''s making people nervous. We''re supposed to check and figure out what''s causing it."You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Jason nods. "Starting there then?" Looking back at the computer, Noah looks over the screen for a second. "Might as well." The next half hour takes place in relative silence, both of the men suiting up, double checking their own gear, then checking each other''s gear. Only once both men are absolutely certain that everything looks good do they move to the dive platform that will lower them to the sea floor. "Always freaks me the hell out." Noah speaks through their shared channel as the water slowly rises to engulf them. "Out near the twilight zone, always feels like something is watching from just past the lights reach." Jason shakes his head, a little smile on his face as the water passes his face. "Ain''t nothing out there. We''re down in the black, ain''t nothing watching us." Slowly, Noah turns toward Jason, his expression dead serious. "If there isn''t anything down here, then who, or what, built this city?" Those words are more than enough to sober both men''s thoughts. When the dive platform reaches the sea floor, both men move to double check their gear one final time before starting their slow trek across the seafloor to the Archaeology pod. Upon arrival, their inspection of the pod begins, each man following the pod around in an opposite direction. Jason nearly reaches the half way point when he sees something. "Uh, Noah? You might want to come take a look at this. Looks like a crease in the steel." His eyes taken in the area. "Counting seven of them." Jason reaches out, touching the nearest mark. "Must be a loose piece of equipment somewhere. Looks like claw marks, would take a pretty sturdy bit of steel to leave a mark like this." He half smiles, a smile that quickly fades. "Noah?" Jason takes a deep breath. "Everything ok man?" A soft sound, saturated with fear, comes through their channel. "Oh fuck." The words are followed by a deep thump that reverberates a second later through the water. Heart suddenly racing, Jason takes another step, then stops dead in his tracks as he catches movement from the corner of his eye. Frozen in place, his eyes try to search everywhere at once. "Noah, this isn''t funny." Just then there''s movement to his other side. He turns trying to make sense of what he is seeing as what appears to be a glove bouncing along the seafloor. As the implications sink in, there''s a sound. A sound so deep that he feels it in his chest more than he actually hears it. Fumbling to switch over to the public channel, he stammers as he whispers. "This is Jason Phil outside of Archaeology. There''s something out here." More movement at the edge of his vision, leaving him wide eyed as he pivots toward it. He doesn''t even have time to draw the breath to scream before it hits him, slamming him against the Archaeology dome with bone breaking force. Before he can even begin to recover, he feels something grip him, followed by the sound of his suit starting to rupture. There isn''t time to consciously realize he''s dead before his dive suit implodes. Inside of the Archaeology dome, two of the archaeologists look up from their work as a faint shiver goes through the dome they are in. After a few seconds, both return their attention to the sphere in front of them, their eyes drawn to the luminescent green glow of the engravings along its surface. The woman on the right suddenly frowns, her brow creasing as she reaches for her forehead where a single drop of water is running downward toward her nose. A second strikes an inch lower, causing her to flinch. Her fingers don''t have time to touch it before sirens begin to blare, red lights beginning to strobe. Over the sound system, an emergency message begins to play. "Please evac-" Over 5500 pounds per square inch of pressure rips through the Archaeology dome, shredding the dome itself and turning every living thing inside to pulp in a heartbeat. Emergency bulkheads begin to slam closed, sealing off the dome from the rest of the research station before the hull breach can destroy the entire underwater station. A ripple goes through the Leviathan setting off a series of emergency protocols even as the Captain Nunez raises her voice to demand answers about what just happened. Outside of the Leviathan, something moves in the eternal darkness that surrounds the research station, and a small round sphere glows where it rests on the sea floor, surrounded by mangled steel and gore.