Its attempt to find the others who had helped capture and contain the entity proved fruitless; it appeared as though it was the only one that remained in this time and space. The others must have faded away long ago finding no compelling reason to continue on in this plane, no longer interested in what transpired across this universe. It was now The Keeper, the last pledged to keep those at bay that would seek an end to what is. The lack of allies concerned Keeper making it far more imperative that the enemy be stopped before it managed to breach its cell.
The more Keeper pondered the enemy's actions and influence on the space around it, it came to the conclusion that it had somehow managed to get hold of a physical talisman such as a power stone through which it could harness and focus energies beyond its own to manipulate forces outside its cell. The question was how. They had taken every precaution to ensure that it had been contained in a sterile cell with no access to outside materials. How had it managed to gain possession of such a tool, locked away supposedly blind to all around it?
Keeper stretched its mind back through time and space replaying the history of the small blue planet and groaned in dismay at the simple answer to that question, their lack of foresight may have just sealed this universe's doom should it manage to escape. The small planet since its birth had been subject to a constant barrage of meteors of varying size and composition throughout its existence and some of those meteors carried quantities of power stone. Once deposited on the surface the material became part of the planet's geologic life cycle transported from the surface by the physical processes of wind and water to the various subduction zones to be eventually pulled into the planet's interior and within its reach. The enemy, apparently not as powerless as they had assumed, had managed to obtain a power stone thereby allowing it to tap into and utilize the energies around it.
As it watched the history of this orb Keeper readily recognized its foe's influence on the life that came and went on this small planet, its most telling success evidenced in the actions of the current dominant species. It had pushed and prodded at this life form, humans they called themselves, from the moment they had developed a conscious mind. It infiltrated their dreams when resistance was lowest to influence those of weak will to carry out its instructions. It sought out those hungry for power at any cost and exploited that appetite to push them toward planetary destruction. It had come closest to its goal a mere galactic heartbeat ago as the humans engaged in a global conflict for control of the planet.
It was there fueling the aggressor's side, urging them on to horrific acts of barbarism and targeted genocide thus enraging and spurring on the defenders to develop weapons of cataclysmic potential to beat back and punish those who tried to lay claim to the planet. It was only through the narrowest of margins they as a species had avoided global extinction. Even now Keeper could feel its enemy's attempts to sway the human's behavior to let loose their tools of war to supposedly silence the tremors that threatened to shake their world apart. It wondered too at the other's extremely focused interest in a single location on the planet.
Keeper needed to act and act now if it were going to have any chance at keeping this malevolent force contained. Though certain it would be more than a match for its foe, it would be far better for the universe as a whole to prevent its escape. It would need assistance but was not sure where to look now that the others were gone. As its enemy sought to urge the humans to act in its favor so too could Keeper. It would need to enlist their aid to take control of their destiny and silence the entity locked inside. Keeper had an advantage over its enemy; it could interact with the humans directly as opposed to trying to influence them through dreams and delusions. Keeper once more scanned the planet and it too found the small vessel submerged beneath the ocean cautiously working its way toward its enemy's cell door.
()()()()()
Kendal completed her briefing to the captain and XO regarding the results of her research and theories then watched their faces expectantly just waiting for the looks of disbelief and dismissal of her conclusions as they sat there silently in the admiral's cabin. Lee shot a quick glance at Harri then Chip in what appeared to be a silent conversation between them. Years of working closely together in life and death situations had forged bonds between these men that allowed them to communicate almost telepathically asking and answering questions with only the slightest of nods or a shift of their eyes. The dynamic between them fascinated her.
"Dr. Ferguson," Lee finally said. "Where do you think this intelligence is operating from, a terrestrial location or somewhere off planet?"
Lee's question stunned her and she stared at him momentarily surprised. 'My god he believes me' she thought to herself. She was totally caught off guard by his rapid acceptance of her theories. Past experiences with the military had always left her digging in her heels in defense of her position. She hadn't really considered Harri as 'military' because his interests and focus was on science and exploring the unknown. She fully expected to have to rely on his pull to back her up and convince them to give her ideas the consideration they were due. She flushed momentarily in embarrassment at her own lack of confidence in Lee's and Chip's ability to honestly listen to and evaluate her theories. She had to quit judging these particular handsomely bound books by their covers.
"Well Captain my guess would be that the source is terrestrially based somewhere in the earth's core. Our attempts to scan certain regions of the trench have been systematically thwarted as we have modified our sensors to try and overcome the interference we've encountered. I would also place it here because of the marked acceleration in the migration of magnetic north and our earlier work suggesting the change in orbital paths of the other planets in our solar system could be traced back to earth. Once I noticed the patterns I contacted some colleagues at SETI* and asked them to review their radio scans for any anomalous transmissions towards this area of the earth. They indicated there was almost a dearth of even background noise usually found in this region. It's as though there's a cone of silence over the area and someone or something is trying to hide what's going on."
"Do you have a hypothesis for the purpose of this focused seismic activity?" Chip asked.
"I've been giving that considerable thought," Kendal replied slipping quickly back into her scientific mien. "Given the fact that the focus is on an area where tectonic plates intersect and represent one of the weaker points of the earth's crust one might surmise that whatever is causing this activity wants to either gain access to the outside world, destroy the planet or both."
Both men sat there quietly considering her responses. "Admiral, do you concur with Dr. Ferguson's assessment of the data and the implications to the planet?" Lee asked.
"Yes Lee or I wouldn't have asked her to present her findings. I think we are once again under attack by some entity bent on destroying our planet," Nelson replied. "I've thoroughly reviewed Kendal's findings and can't readily identify a more logical reason for the dramatic shift in the magnetic north, the extremes in seismic activity along the Aleutian Trench or changes in planetary orbital trajectories. Plotting out the seismic events since our arrival at the trench the pattern damn near resembles a heartbeat given the regularity of the events and the moderated magnitudes."
"Do you think the moderation of the seismic activity since our first experience in the trench is to ensure that we remain in the area Admiral?" Lee asked as he recalled the first earthquake they experienced while deploying the first sensor.
"That's a distinct possibility Lee. I get the oddest feeling that whatever this is it wants us to continue our research and continue moving down the trench toward the epicenter of activity," Harri replied.
"Given that belief sir do we keep on track or back away rapidly and return to Santa Barbara?" Chip asked.
"I think turning tail and running really isn't an option right now. If we were to do so I envision the return of the more extreme seismic events which could have disastrous repercussions on coastal areas in this hemisphere. My inclination is to stay the course but slow down our advance and try to come up with a way to increase the information we're gathering on our scans and hopefully gain a better understanding of what is hiding below," Harri answered. "What do you think Lee?"
"I agree with you sir. I think we should proceed cautiously gathering as much information as we can so we're ready to respond to the greatest extent possible. Am I correct in my assumption that we are going to keep this to ourselves for now?"
"I think that's best, don't you Lee? There's no doubt in my mind that whatever is down there is not our friend and I want to know what we're dealing with before politicians start sticking their noses into the situation. I also want to have some answers before I have to face them." Harri replied. Lee pinched his lower lip considering all that could occur should they notify the government of their suspicions then nodded in agreement.
Kendal watched in rapt fascination as the command crew of Seaview began working through their plans in preparation of taking on this unknown foe. The rapid exchange of ideas and expected consequences for each action proposed flew rapidly between the men as they moved towards a plan of action. After a few moments Harri seemed to realize that she was still in the room.
"Kendal you have a choice you need to make now. If you want we will fly you back to Santa Barbara and you can proceed with your research from the safety of land, or you can remain aboard Seaview and take your chances with us."
Kendal smiled broadly in response to Harri's question. "I'm here until we bring this to a successful conclusion Harri. I've worked my entire life in hopes of encountering an alien life form, I'm not going to turn tail and run now. I'm here to provide you with any assistance I can to make sure we have the best available information before this comes to a head," she replied fervently.
The three men smiled and nodded in approval at her decision and they quite obviously welcomed her skills and abilities as they prepared to move forward. "Well then I think you best pull up a chair and get engaged in what we are planning," Lee replied as he shifted his chair over to allow her to join the group. Kendal returned their smiles and even blushed a bit as she slid her chair between Lee and Chip feeling extremely honored to be included in defending their planet.
()()()()()
They intentionally slowed their progress towards the deepest section of the trench having concluded this is where the entity wanted Seaview most. Harri and Kendal modified their research approach quadrupling the amount of time taken to position each sensor and conducting multiple AUV and ROV runs over multiple days to scan the area. This extra time gave them opportunity to experiment with multiple scanning patterns and programs to try and overcome the dead zone Kendal had discovered. As they added the information they obtained from each successful scan they were slowly developing a more detailed picture of what existed below them.
The pieced together scans were revealing an area of concentrated energy, somewhat similar to a uranium deposit but with a significantly higher energy content. Harri had encountered similar readings before, he recognized the telltale signs of carnotite** immediately. Carnotite was an extremely rare electro-radioactive ore that had only been identified within the last 70 years. Promising almost unlimited power as a fuel for reactors or as a reactive element for nuclear weapons it was incredibly dangerous to work with because of the high levels of theta radiation it emitted. If the entity below had amassed carnotite all it needed was a sufficiently large nuclear detonation to initiate a chain reaction capable of blowing apart the geologic rift where the tectonic plates met and destroying the earth.
()()()()()
Eight weeks into the mission Seaview finally arrived at the epicenter of the seismic activity just above the deepest section of the trench, some 26,600' below sea level. The crew was busily running through their routines readying the diving bell for their initial deployment at this location. This round Harri and Kendal were going down to place four different types of sensors, conduct a series of sweeps with the AUV and collect the requisite samples from the very bottom of the trench.
Up in the control room the crew was closely monitoring the area around them, the hefty shake they had received two days earlier had increased their vigilance a thousand fold. That quake had been a healthy 7.9 on the Richter scale and had seriously tested Seaview's mettle as the vessel pitched and yawed in the roiling turbulence that followed the quake. They had sustained some internal damage almost to the point of ending the mission but their ingenuity and determination in making repairs forestalled that decision for now. Lee moved slowly between the various stations checking with his operators and looking over the readings.
"Skipper!" Kowalski cried out. "Sir there's something huge coming up directly under us and its getting bigger by the second. Estimated contact in 30 seconds."
Lee darted to the sonar station and took in the reading. "Oh my god, Chip sound general quarters have everyone rig for collision! Everyone brace yourselves!"
They had just sealed the door to the bell and Sharkey prepared to give the command to hoist it up for deployment when, the emergency klaxons sounded momentarily freezing everyone in place. "All hands prepare for extreme turbulence, repeat all hands prepare for extreme turbulence. Brace yourselves contact in 15 seconds!" called out Morton's voice. Everyone in the room scrambled to find a handhold to avoid being tossed around the boat yet again.
It started slowly like a subtle shaking then the boat began to roll and pitch wildly from side to side as whatever was below them rose up to encompass the boat. Seconds later they found themselves in a state of freefall as the boat plunged precipitously down through the water. Seaview plummeted like an airliner that had hit a pocket of clear air turbulence suddenly falling thousands of feet into the abyss below. Those crewmen not belted in or otherwise secured found themselves flying up towards the decking above them as the boat dropped like a rock. The freefall seemed to go on forever until they hit what felt like some kind of elastic barrier that slowed them down then slammed them to a halt.
As suddenly as it started the turbulence came to a halt. It was pitch black on the boat, all main systems were offline and the emergency systems had yet to kick in. There was an eerie absolute silence that seemed to grip the boat. Even Seaview had not so much as given up a creak or groan following that horrific ride. After a moment moans of pain could be heard from those injured in the fall all across the boat.
Lee laid there stunned trying desperately to regain his breath. Giving it all he had he slowly rolled over onto his side then gasped in agony as he felt his ribs shift and grind. His head felt as though he'd rammed into a concrete wall and he could feel a wet stickiness rolling down the side of his face and neck. He steeled himself against the pain then pushed up to his feet where he swayed precariously for a moment until he was able to reestablish his equilibrium.
He shuffled forward carefully trying to find a bulkhead or some other structure that would let him reference his position in the blacked out control room. As he reached forward his hand brushed against the periscope railing and he sighed in relief now knowing where he was. His hand moved unerringly to the mic. "This… this is the captain, damage control parties report. Engineering report."
A moment later the emergency lighting kicked in and Lee let loose one more sigh, there was at least someone still alive in engineering. In the smoky red light Lee surveyed the control room around him. Anyone not belted in was now lying dazed or unconscious on the deck, even those attached to their seats had been stunned and sported cuts and bruises from contact with the consoles or equipment in front of them. The captain moved cautiously through the room checking on each man as he came to them to determine what if any medical assistance they might need.
"Ski you okay?" Crane asked as he reached the rating struggling to wake up.
"Yeah…I think so, sir…I just wish the guy with the drum inside my head would knock it off."
"Are you all right to check on the men on the other side of the room?"
"Yes sir," Ski replied as he undid his safety belt and pushed unsteadily to his feet.
"Take a minute to get oriented Ski, I don't need you passing out and causing more damage to yourself," Crane said with a smile as he supported him by the arm until he seemed stable.
"Aye sir, you've got that one right. I'll check the guys then start working on getting the systems up here on line again."
"Thanks Ski," Lee said patting his back then started moving forward again in search of his XO.
He was nearly in the nose now and was becoming concerned having not found Chip. As he rounded the chart table he froze as he spied the unconscious body of his best friend and self-appointed big brother splayed across the floor. He moved as quickly as he could to his side, knelt down and gently laid a finger on the side of his throat in search of a pulse. He let loose a sigh as he detected a steady beat. He could see a dark blotch spreading from his left temple and surmised Chip had made contact head first with one of the bulkheads or the table.
He reached up and grabbed the mic on the side of the table. "Sickbay this is the captain."
After what seemed an eternity he finally got a response. "Sickbay here sir," Jamie replied sounding as shook up as he felt.
"We need a team up here ASAP Jamie, Chip is down and it doesn't look good."
"Aye Skipper. We'll get there as soon as we can muster a team to reach you. How many others require assistance?"
"I can't really answer that yet Jamie; there are at least two other men out cold and a lot of cuts and bruises. Once we get a better handle on things I'll get you an update. Just make it up here when you're able." Lee wasn't about to move Chip not knowing what other injuries he might have sustained. He reached into his back pocket pulled out his clean handkerchief and applied it gently to the gash on Chip's forehead. "Hang on bro Jamie's coming," he said quietly as he gently squeezed his shoulder.
"DC party to Skipper."
"This is the captain, go ahead."
"Sir it looks as though we're tight and dry. The engines, environmental systems and much of the electrical systems including communications are currently out. Teams are at work in each area trying to return control. Engineering estimates 12 hours before they can get the reactor and the engines back on line, the other systems should be operational within the next 1 to 2 hours. The biggest problem we've got is that there are men down all over the boat in need of first aid," Patterson reported.
"Okay Pat keep me informed on the DC's progress. Also get teams together to render first aid to those who are injured until Jamieson or the corpsmen can get to them. Coordinate with sick bay for those that need immediate attention." Lee replied.
"Aye, aye sir."
Lee moved back towards the control room assessing systems and any readings available as he went. He assisted one crewman struggling to rise to his feet. "Gage, are you okay?"
"I…I…think so Skipper. I'm just real wobbly at the moment. Everything seems to be moving including the room."
"Here let me help you up front. I want you to sit down next to the XO and keep an eye on him, along with Rod and Phipps. If any of them starts running into problems call out."
"Aye sir," Gage replied thankful for the opportunity to sit.
"Alright all of you that are able, start checking your systems and let's see about returning operations and finding out where the hell we are," Crane called out. He was met with a number of less than rousing 'Ayes' but if they felt anywhere near as bad as he did that response was as enthusiastic as a cheer.
"Missile room, this is the captain, report."
"Missile room, Skipper," Sharkey replied after a moment.
"What's the status down there Chief? What's the status with the bell?"
"We're tight and dry Skipper, the men are pretty well shaken up with a couple of broken bones but on the whole we came through in good shape given that wild ride. We had yet to start lifting the bell so it's here in the missile room; the admiral and Kendal are still inside. I was just on my way over to crack the hatch when you called, sir."
"Excellent Chief get the bell open and ask the admiral to contact me if he's able."
"Aye, sir." Sharkey shipped the mic and continued over to the bell. He spun the wheel on the hatch and pulled the door open. He was more than thrilled to find a slightly ruffled admiral and doctor inside rubbing their heads where they had made contact with some of the control panels during their rapid descent.
"Admiral, Kendal are you both okay?" Sharkey asked urgently.
"Yes, yes Chief other than being more than a little shaken up. How about you?" Nelson replied as he stepped out of the bell.
"I'm doing fine sir," he replied as he extended a hand to assist Kendal.
"Good to hear Francis," Nelson answered as he patted Sharkey on the shoulder and looked around the room. "What the hell happened?"
"I haven't a clue sir, the world just went crazy there for a minute. I've never in all my days felt a boat drop like that. Sir, the Skipper would like you to give him a call if you're able."
Nelson nodded, moved over to the side of the dive chamber and picked up the mic. "Crane this is Nelson."
"Crane here. Good to hear your voice sir, are you and Kendal all right?" Lee replied, the relief in his voice very evident.
"We're shaken up a bit but no significant damage. How about you and the rest of the crew?"
"I'm fine sir. Chip is down hard, looks like he rammed head on into a control panel or the chart table and there are a couple of others here in the control room yet to regain consciousness. I've talked to Jamie and he indicated that he was okay and was trying to assemble teams to start retrieving the injured and getting them to sick bay. The bulk of the damage seems to be to personnel as opposed to the boat so Jamie and his boys are really going to have their hands full patching everyone up."
"What about the boat?"
"Miraculously everything remains tight and dry. Most major systems are offline but DC indicated that electrical and environmental systems should be back within the hour. The reactor and engines are going to take about 12 hours to be repaired and brought on line. The majority of control room personnel are in good shape and already working on returning our eyes and ears as we speak."
"Okay, now here's the million dollar question, what the hell happened? That didn't feel like any burst of turbulence I've ever experienced."
"That's a fact sir. Just before we got hit sonar picked up a huge mass rising from the bottom of the trench. I think it was a massive gas bubble somehow released from the ocean floor. There was so much gas and the area so wide it reduced the density of the water and it was no longer capable of supporting Seaview. We dropped like a rock through basically clear space until the gas passed by us and no longer displaced the water," Lee offered.
"Oh my god! Skipper you gotta see this," Ski cried out.
Lee moved quickly over to where Ski was working on the fathometer. "What is it Ski?"
"Sir, look at this. It says that we're over 19,000' below crush depth." Ski said grimly.
"That's not possible," Lee replied as he quickly reset and tested the gauge.
"Nelson to Crane, what is it? What's wrong?"
"Sir, are you able to come to the con?"
"On my way Lee," Nelson replied. "Chief, please escort Kendal back to her quarters."
"Harri I'm fine. If it's all right with you I'll head down to sick bay and see if Jamie needs any assistance. I used to work as a ski patrol to finance college so I've had quite a bit of first aid and EMT training and experience," Kendal offered.
Harri smiled and squeezed her arm. "Thank you Kendal, I think Jamie will be thrilled with the extra help."
"Great, I'm on my way then," she said as she headed out the missile room hatch.
()()()()()
As Lee moved from station to station trying to confirm Kowalski's reading the lights and ventilation suddenly clicked on resulting in a relieved sigh from everyone in the control room. Moments later Doc stepped through the aft hatch along with a couple of crewmen and a stretcher.
"Glad to see you Jamie," Lee said as he and the doctor exchanged appraising looks of each other. Jamie knew immediately Lee was in pain most likely covering up at the bare minimum damaged ribs and a concussion but had to let it drop for the moment. "Chip is up near the chart table and Rod and Phipps are nearby; Gage has been sitting with them keeping an eye on them."
Jamie nodded and waved his team forward. He knelt down next to the exec and began conducting a preliminary assessment of his condition. There was a sizeable gash under the handkerchief Gage kept pressed against Chip's head; his pupils were reactive but unequal signaling a concussion. As he checked the rest of his body for injuries he found a couple of broken ribs and a fractured right ulna.
Jamie quickly applied a dressing to the head wound and immobilized the fractured arm then his corpsmen gently placed him on the stretcher and prepared him for transport to sick bay. As he was being carted out Jamie moved to each of the other injured men and conducted similar assessments of them. The two men still unconscious had injuries similar to Chip's; he applied quick field dressings to the cuts and splints to the fractured limbs. Once done with that he did a quick review of the walking wounded and was relieved to find nothing more serious than bruises, cuts and scrapes. He applied bandages where needed happy no one needed more significant immediate medical attention with the probable exception of the captain.
"Lee you need to come down to sick bay and let me take a look at you," Jamie said as he more closely scrutinized the skipper. "At the very least you have a concussion and by the way you're limiting the use of your left arm and your shallow breathing I'm willing to bet you've cracked or broken a few ribs."
"Not right now Jamie, I've got to get things back on line and see about getting us out of here before I can allow myself to fall into your clutches," Lee replied with a small smile. "With Chip down I have to be here. Once things have quieted down I'll come see you."
Jamie nodded knowing there was no way he'd win this battle given their current situation. "At least step into the nose and let me clean and bandage that wound on your head."
Lee quickly scanned the con and was satisfied with the crew's progress towards making repairs. "All right Jamie I'd appreciate that and maybe a couple of aspirin too if you've got 'em."
They turned and walked to the admiral's porch where Jamie had Lee sit down then quickly cleaned the cut above his left eye; it really needed to be sutured but the odds of pulling that one off were slim to none. He applied a couple of butterfly bandages to the cut to hold things together until he could properly stitch it shut. As he was finishing up Nelson entered the control room and spotted them forward in the nose.
"Lee I thought you said you were fine." Nelson said his voice full of concern.
"I am sir. Jamie is just cleaning up a cut that's all," Lee replied with a smile.
"He most certainly is not fine, but that's not unusual Admiral. He's got a concussion and most likely cracked or broken ribs. I'm not naïve enough to think I can get him down to sick bay for an exam so I'll leave him here under your watchful eyes until you can pry him out of the con," Jamie stated with a hint of exasperation.
Nelson nodded knowingly. "In any other situation I'd order him down to sick bay but we need him here as long as he's able to be here without causing further damage himself. Once things are better under control you will see his reluctant six come across your threshold, Doctor. This also gives you a chance to take care of the rest of the crew without having to keep your eyes on him to prevent an escape."
Lee let loose a frustrated sigh and rolled his eyes. He hated being talked about as though he was a five year old. "I'm sitting right here and I'm quite capable of taking care of myself you know."
"Not so we've noticed," Jamie shot back. "I need to get back to sick bay, call me if you need me." Harri laughed and nodded while Lee just scowled at him as he left the con.
"Come on son, show me what has you so concerned," Harri said as he helped Lee to his feet.
"Sir according to the fathometer we're over 19,000' below our crush depth. There's no way that that is possible but we are currently sitting at roughly 24,000' below sea level."
Harri's eyes grew wide as all the implications of their situation hit him. "You're sure?"
"Yes sir, we've got enough of the systems up and running to confirm our depth. I have no clue as to what is keeping the outside pressure from crushing us like an empty beer can but for the moment I'm thankful. I'm not sure if you felt it during our descent, but there was a moment when it felt as though we had hit something almost rubbery which slowed us down rapidly then we jerked to a stop. I'm wondering if we're somehow trapped within a gas bubble of sorts." Lee explained.
"Yes I noted that as well. It kind of felt like a parachute opening up and the rapid deceleration you experience as it deploys."
"Exactly."
"Have you checked the outside cameras yet?" Harri asked.
"No I haven't had a chance to do that. I've been too focused on getting the critical systems back on line. James, are the cameras and outside lights available?"
"Yes sir, we've just returned power to all the external systems. I'll turn them on for you now sir," Lt. James replied.
As the lights flared to life outside the sub, Harri and Lee moved towards the front windows to check out the view. The lights revealed a dark and foreboding landscape unaccustomed to light of any sort. Fish resembling something from a nightmare moved slowly past the windows as they investigated the intruder to their realm. At the very edge of the light's reach there seemed to be a reflective membrane or barrier that they could just make out. Harri moved to the bank of video monitors and turned them on to view the rest of the area around the boat. A similar sight was evident all around Seaview, a fly trapped in a bubble encased in black amber jumped to mind.
"I think your theory of us being inside a bubble is pretty close to correct Lee and you're right there's no way we should even be alive," Harri replied.
"So now for the big question, how do we get from here to the surface without popping said bubble and compressing ourselves into the proverbial pancake? We have no idea how delicate that structure is and what might cause it to rupture. I don't even want to risk launching the emergency locator beacon for fear of tearing the membrane."
"Agreed, we don't want to start moving around until we have some idea about what that is. I'm hesitant to release any sort of external probe for fear that we might puncture the structure and…well you know. Are our external sensing systems back on line yet?"
"Yes sir. We've got radar, sonar, hydrophone, fathometer and radiological detection systems operational," Lee answered.
"Good I'm going to start pouring over the readings and see if I can discern anything about that thing's structure. In the meantime why don't you head down to sick bay and let Doc check you over?"
"No sir. I still need to get down to engineering and check on things there along with the circuitry room and environmental control. This little adventure has left us extremely short handed for the moment so I need to make sure we've got things covered. When I know we're as stable as we can be then I'll drop down and check on Chip and the rest of the injured."
"Lee you do us no good if you collapse from your very apparent injuries," Nelson pointed out. Lee's expression hardened letting Harri know there was no way he was taking a chance on winding up confined to sick bay while his boat was still in disarray. "Alright but take it easy son."
"Mr. James, you have the con," Lee said over his shoulder. The transfer of command was readily acknowledged. Lee smiled at Harri then turned and headed slowly out the aft hatch to conduct a thorough inspection of his boat and to touch base with his men to let them know they were working on a way out of this mess.
()()()()()
It had the vessel; it had captured them and pulled them deeper into the trench closer to the ocean floor. It nestled them gently as though the boat were a small bird in the hollow of its hands, protected from the crushing forces all around it. They had the tools it needed to successfully breach the rift and release it from its horrid prison but much to its dismay it had been unable to convince them through its whispers in their dreams that setting off their bombs would resolve their problems. Those who commanded this vessel were unmoved or immune to its subliminal messages. How could it urge them, cajole them, force them to let loose their nuclear weapons here at the bottom of the sea?
Those that controlled this vessel were not like most it had dealt with in the past; they resisted its prods and held resolutely to their own ideas and beliefs. Logic seemed to rule their world, actions and potential reactions were always examined before they moved forward. They had no lust for power on the grand scale and wanted only to find a way to preserve their planet not rule over it. They seemed steadfastly opposed to using their weapons as if they somehow knew they would ignite a reaction that would not stop until their planet existed only as fragments floating in space. Even those who followed them rebuffed its message, they implicitly trusted those who ruled them and gave no thought to seizing control or releasing the weapons themselves.
It fumed and fretted in its tiny cell, the key to its release was so tantalizingly close yet just out of reach. It howled in anger and frustration. It needed to find a way to shatter their resolve and force their hand to meet its needs. It focused its huge and terrible mind on the problem desperately looking for the chink in their armor that would turn them to its will. As it ran through options it noticed something different in its prison for the very first time. Regarding one small section of its' cell it found pinpoints of light, light from the outside world now shone in the darkness like distant stars. It reached out and touched them and as it touched them it smiled.
()()()()()
* Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence - the collective name for a number of activities undertaken to search for intelligent extraterrestrial life. SETI projects use scientific methods in this search. For example, electromagnetic radiation is monitored for signs of transmissions from civilizations on other worlds.
** Season One: Mutiny