Rapture's Visitor


"Things are not always as they seem"

The sound of the waves crashing against the rocky shore stirred Garth from unconsciousness. He tried to stand up and a wave of pain coursed throughout his body. He staggered as his eyes adjusted to the darkness. There wasn't much around him other than the ocean and a lighthouse with a stairway behind him. His clothes were soaked with saltwater and rubbed roughly against his skin and the only relief was the cold rainwater hitting his skin. He felt like he was about to fall asleep, so he tried going up the steps in hopes of finding a place to stay warm. At the top of the steps was a large, looming metal door. Using the last of his strength, Garth managed to push open the door and stepped inside. It was dark inside, enough so that one wouldn't even be able to see their own hand in front of them. The door closed shut behind him as a series of lights lit up the interior of the room. He huddled up in a corner as he tried to warm himself up. He managed to find bits and scraps of paper, and even a lighter, and made a fire. His mind started to wander and recall the events leading up to his current state.


It had been a very pleasant evening onboard Garth's cruise liner. He was throwing a party to celebrate the recent success of one of his many companies. He owned several industries and was very well known in the business world. He had risen up from almost nothing to a financial genius. He was tall and rugged, very handsome too. His unusual hair color, white, and red eyes seemed to attract attention to him wherever he went. He was about to become 30 as well, yet he retained his sharp looks no matter how much he aged. Everything a man could ever want was his, and yet, he felt an emptiness inside of him. For years he had searched for it with no success. He leaned against the railing and looked up at the night sky. He could hear the sounds and noises of the other partygoers off on the other side of the ship. He let out a deep sigh and thought to himself, What's the point of it all?

"If you wish to know, I can tell you." Garth turned quickly to get a look at where the mysterious voice had come from, but no one was there.

"Who's there? Show yourself!" demanded Garth.

"My identity is not important. However, all of your questions, as to who you are and what your purpose is, shall be answered in due time" said the voice.

"What are you talking about? How do you know what I'm thinking?!"

"In approximately 1 minute there will be an explosion in the engine room. I suggest you get your guest off to safety" and with that the mysterious voice disappeared.

Did I just imagine that, or was it…before Garth could finish that thought there was a large explosion and the sounds of people screaming. No time to think about it! thought Garth as he ran towards the control room.

"What happened?!" asked Garth as he burst in.

"Captain! An explosion in the engine room has created a large hole in the side of the ship! We're taking on water fast!" said a crewmember.

"We need to get everyone to safety! Are we able to get an S.O.S. out?" asked Garth.

"No sir! The communications radio is out!"

"Damn! Alright then, everyone focus on getting the others to the lifeboats! I'll work on the radio" ordered Garth.

Much after that was a blur. Garth made several attempts at contacting another ship, only succeeding in time to see a piece of the ceiling fall on him and knock him out. How he survived was an unknown miracle, and the next thing he remembered was being in a violent storm with only a piece of driftwood to hang on to. He didn't know how long he was out, but he was glad to still be alive.


Garth shook himself awake after realizing that he had fallen asleep. The fire had burned out but at the very least his clothes had dried. He had used his outer coat as fuel earlier, so all he had left was his red vest, black dress shirt, slacks, and dress shoes. He stood up and slapped the sides of his face in an effort to stay awake. Well, no point in staying here he thought to himself, and started making his way down the stairs. There were plaques alongside the stairs with words depicting science, art literature, and other such embodiments of culture. What caught his attention though was the large bathysphere at the bottom. Seeing as there was nowhere else he could go, he decided to go ahead and climb in.

Once the door shut closed behind him, the lights inside went out, and a film was projected onto the wall in front of him. Several images filled the screen as the voice of a man could be heard saying, "I'm Andrew Ryan and I'm here to ask you a question: Is a man not entitled to the sweat of his own brow? No, says the man in Washington. It belongs to the poor. No, says the man in the Vatican. It belongs to God. No, says the man in Moscow. It belongs to everyone."

Who is this loony? wondered Garth as the recording continued.

"I rejected those answers. Instead, I chose something different. I chose the impossible. I chose…" as he spoke these words the cover on the front of the bathysphere removed itself and what Garth saw amazed him. "…Rapture."

A city under the sea? He's either got to be loony or a genius to be able to do such a thing thought Garth.

The recording went on to say, "A city where the artist would not fear the censor. Where the scientist would not be bound by petty morality. Where the great would not be constrained by the small. And with the sweat of your brow, Rapture can become your city as well."

Looks like he's both concluded Garth.


The bathysphere reached its destination and as the door opened he could see signs of chaos and strife within the station. But what really attracted him was a cylinder glass tube with the words 'Vita-Chamber' on the top. Walking over to it, he read the description panel next to it. Revitalizes one's self? Just what I needed he thought as he pressed open the door and stepped in. The chamber started up and Garth could feel a jolt throughout his body as the fatigue and muscle sores faded away. Once it had finished and he had stepped out he felt better than he'd ever felt before.

I'd like one of these on my office he thought as he noticed that even his clothes had been repaired. His thoughts were interrupted as the sound of luggage being moved and falling alerted him to the presence of another person. Apparently, I'm not alone here. He reached for the nearest object that could be used as a weapon (an old lead pipe) and, for the first time in his life, was glad that he had taken those sword mastery classes. It's a shame I don't my sakabatō with me (note: sakubato=reverse-edge Japanese sword).

Garth moved slowly over to where the sounds had emitted from, careful to avoid bumping into the various suitcases and other luggage around him. The sounds of mumbling could be heard and Garth spun around, placing the tip of the pipe at the throat of a slumbering figure.

What the… Garth couldn't help but notice the figure's peculiar outfit; he was wearing an old British gentleman's suit, with a coattail, top hat, cane, and even mustache and monocle. Even more odd was the fact that he hadn't waken even with the pipe pressing against his throat. Garth didn't know if he should wake the man or not, and after some thought, taking into account the fact he didn't look dangerous and that he could probably tell him what happened, shook him awake.

The man stirred a bit before sitting up and rubbing his eyes. "~Yawn~ Morning already? Breakfast ready yet?" he asked, before noticing the tall and frightful looking man looming over him (in that lighting, almost anyone would look scary). "Good Heavens!!" he exclaimed as he jumped a few feet up into the air and hid behind a pillar.

"Have some decency, good sir! You nearly gave me a heart attack!" then he noticed Garth's attire and how it didn't look like crap. "You're not from around here, are you?" he asked.

"My name's Garth," Garth told him, "And I'm not here because I wanted to. For that matter, where is 'here' anyway?"

The man stepped out from behind the pillar and gave a formal bow before answering, "Well, my good sir, you are in Rapture! Well, what's left of it. Allow me to introduce myself: I am Thompson Thomson, but you can call me Thompson" he said.

Weird name. "So Thompson, know what's going on here? Or more importantly, how I can get out?"

"I wish I could tell you the way out, unfortunately that's what everyone else wants to know! As for what's going on, well the city's falling apart, everyone's gone mad, and there's a battle for control of the city between Andrew Ryan and a man name Atlas. I believe that sums up the most of it" explained Thompson.

"Sounds pleasant. I'll just be on my way then" said Garth.

"Wait!" shouted Thompson, "You look like the sturdy type? Mind if I come with? I'm an inventor you know, I'm sure to be of some help!"

Garth thought about it for a moment. "…Don't see why not. You probably know this place better than I do" he said.

"Good show, sir! You won't regret your decision! And I promise I won't kill you then loot the body, no sir!" shouted Thompson.

"…I'm just going to ignore that last part" added Garth.

"Righto then! Let us go! This way!" Thompson shouted as he started walking down the room.

I wonder if I really won't regret this pondered Garth as he followed Thompson into the darkness.


"No Gods, or Kings, only Man"

End Chapter One