Chapter 1

2012

With the US still fighting a war in the Middle East, more drastic tactics were taken into consideration. The US government hired a team of scientists, led by Dr. Howard O'Brien, to create new strains of viruses to be used in chemical warfare. With the economy still in a dire state, Dr. O'Brien posed an interesting idea: appeal to the indigent Americans and pay them to volunteer as test subjects for these strains of diseases and promising no long-term side effects. The first group to volunteer, citizens of the Blackwood Underwater Mining Facility, were injected with a mutated form of the flu virus, which seemed harmless enough. Test subjects were men, women, andchildren. However, this strain, known simply as pandora was named fittingly so...for it opened a pandora's box.

Once the virus became integrated with human blood, it mutated drastically once again, something that had not occurred in initial tests on lab rats. And, these mutations had side-effects that could not be cured by the antedote the scientists had created for the initial strain. It began with an aversion to sunlight, which didn't seem all that harmful. However, as the virus took over, more appalling side-effects began to show.

It began with a young girl about the age of sixteen named Gabrielle screaming in pain as the virus coursed through her body. Essentially, she was dying. But, as the scientists found there was nothing they could do to help her, they did nothing to ease her suffering in any way, even though she begged them to do so. After several days, Gabrielle's lifeless body still remained in the facility. Scientists in hazmat suits came in to dispose of it but were surprised when Gabrielle opened her eyes...and her mouth, which showed two sharp, pointed fangs where her eye teeth used to be. Since there was no precedence for these symptoms, the scientists were unsure what to make of it, but they had not time to discuss it for Gabrielle seized her opportunity, beginning with Dr. O'Brien. She struck at him with the speed and agility of a jungle cat. Dr. O'Brien was so overcome by the strength of the young girl that he hadn't time to fight back as she tore the hazmat suit open to expose his neck. She quickly bit down, draining him of his blood and effortlessly tossed his lifeless body aside as though it were a rag doll.

Then, she turned to the other scientists, blood running down the corners of her mouth, fangs bared ready to strike again. They ran from her only to find others in the facility had made the same transformation. The pandora project had met its fate and so did the other scientists; when the government learned of the disaster, it ordered the facilty to be closed. The virus and all evidence of the incident was destroyed, and it was thought that all residents of Blackwood were exterminated.

2018

Lieutenant Tim O'Neill said, "Captain, we have a distress call coming in."

"A distress call from where exactly?" Nathan Bridger asked.

"It appears to be from an abandoned mining facility." Tim typed a few keys on the control panel in front of him. A red dot appeared on a map in front of him. "According to this, it's coming off the coast of California. Blackwood Underwater Mining Facility."

"Blackwood?" Nathan repeated. That name sounded so familiar, though he didn't know why. "Uh, what's the situation?"

"It appears there is a small group of people trapped there," O'Neill stated.

"Let them know help is on the way," Nathan told him. "We'll organize a rescue mission." He took out his PAL and called Lucas.

"Yes?"

"Lucas, find all the information you can on the Blackwood Underwater Mining Facility; meet me in the ward room in twenty minutes."

"On it."

Twenty minutes later, Nathan and the senior staff members sat around the table in the ward room discussing the details fo the rescue mission.

Lucas shared the details of what he found about Blackwood. As he brought up pictures and information on the vid-screen, he began, "Blackwood was one of the first underwater mining facilities, started in 2011. However, with the problems with the US economy at the time, Blackwood's citizens felt the strain as well. Apparently, in 2012, the government lobbied the citizens to help with some type of top secret research. It was after this that the facility was said to be destroyed."

"That's it?" Nathan asked.

"That's all I could find," Lucas explained. "There was very little about it. Someone took great lengths to conceal whatever happened there. No one was supposed to survive."

"Well, apparently someone did. Two females and two males," Nathan stated.

"A family?" Kristin asked.

'I'm not sure," Nathan said. "But, what I do know is that these people need our help."

"If they've been down there for six years, why in the world are they just calling for help now?" Jonathan Ford wondered.

"I think they were afraid. Whatever they experienced down there, I'm sure it's more traumatic than any of us can imagine," Nathan explained. "The rescue team is as follows: Dr. Westphalen, myself, Commander Ford, and Commander Hitchcock."

"Can I go too?" Lucas asked.

Nathan shook his head. "No, Lucas, it might be dangerous."

"But I heard one of them is around my age...just a kid. Please let me go. I might be able to help," Lucas pleaded.

Nathan sighed. Lucas did have a point. If there were kids near his age down there, Lucas could be of assistance, especially knowing that the people left in Blackwood were frightened. Lucas may help them earn the crew's trust. "Alright," Nathan agreed.

"Yes," Lucas said with a smile. "Thank you, Cap."

"OK, people," Nathan said. "Let's get ready."

A short time later, a launch headed for Blackwood. Lucas talked excitedly. "I can't wait to meet someone my own age."

"Just remember not to come on too strong," Kristin reminded him. "These people are frightened, Lucas. We have to be careful."

"I know, I know,' Lucas said. "I just want to help them."

"We all do," Nathan said as the launch arrived at a docking area of the facility.

The rescue team entered the facility and were met with an overwhelming stench.

"Ugh, what's that smell?" Lucas asked, covering his nose.

"It smells like a slaughterhouse," Katie Hitchcock commented. "When I was a child, my uncle worked in one," she explained.

"It's blood," Kristin stated. Everyone turned to look at her. "I-I'm sorry, but blood has a distinct smell. I'm used to it."

"Yes, well, there has to be a lot of it to smell like that," Ford said.

Nathan passed out flashlights; everyone switched them on since the facility was so dark. As they shone their flashlights around, there were indeed blood stains on the walls and the floor. Nathan turned to the others. Everyone stay behind Ford and me; we don't know what we're dealing with.

Kristin, Katie, and Lucas exchanged worried glances as they followed Ford and Nathan. As they went deeper into the facility, they came upon a room filled with buckets. The buckets had words on them, indicating the contents was indeed blood; pig's blood and cow's blood.

"I guess that's what the smell is," Lucas commented.

"Ssshh," Nathan said. "I hear something."

Indeed, they heard all heard footsteps. They turned toward the sound, shining their light beams toward it. They were all surprised to see a child.

"Oh, it's just a little boy," Kristin said, as she walked towards him. "Hello, Sweetheart. We're here to help you. Are you hurt?"

But the boy backed away. He seemed frighted. "It's OK," Kristin said with a smile. "We're not going to hurt you? Where are your friends?"

The boy didn't answer. Instead, he turned and ran.

"Follow him," Nathan said.

Everyone followed the boy. A short time later, an older gentleman in his mid-fifties appeared in their path, startling Kristin so that she cried out.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to frighten you, but Daniel," he motioned towards the boy with his head, who was hiding behind him," is a bit shy. Sorry. My name's Antonio. And, this is Daniel."

"Yes, well, I'm Captain Nathan Bridger," Nathan said. Then, he motioned towards each crew member as he said his or her name, "This is Dr. Kristin Westphalen, Commander Jonathan Ford, Commander Katherine Hitchcock, and Lucas Wolenczak. We're all from the seaQuest."

Antonio nodded. "Yes, I know. Thank you so much for coming to our rescue. No one's ever answered our distress calls before."

"You've put out other distress calls?" Katie asked.

Antonio nodded. "But no one's ever taken the time to help us before."

"Why wouldn't anyone want to help you?" Kristin wondered.

Antonio turned to look at her. "We have a delicate illness."

"I'm a doctor," Kristin stated matter-of-factly, "I can help you."

"Where are the others?" Nathan asked.

"Gabrielle, Sonja," Antonio called. "It's alright. You can come out."

Just then, two young girls, one about the age of sixteen, the other about the age of ten stepped out of a nearby room. They both looked very frightened. "Come out," Antonio urged. "They're going to help us."