New Ocean Travels

New Ocean Travels

Sometime in near future.

Mariana Trench

The HMS Plum Harvest floats above the deepest trench in the Pacific Ocean. Several crew members stand by the moon pool as a modified sub is lowered into the moon pool cranes of the vessel. Admiral Amberst is an older white man with a graying red beard and balding head holding his fishermen's pipe wearing his black plum cashmere sweater. He is joined by his team of adventurers. “Lasses and Lads tonight we step one step closer to studying our planet

which continues to suffer from climate change and the dark powers of our noted foes the

Crimean Directorate,”

“We have been asked by the USGS, UK's version, and several other related agencies like the USGS to explore for a new mineral to aid in our impending energy crisis.”

“Dr, Jinn and his team of Gray researchers have managed to develop a modified submarine that will be able to pierce the base of Mariana Trench. PO Berchoff has offered to pilot the sub with the help of Agent Moyer. The team will be led by Drs. Solomon and Dr.

Erickson. We will also include Ana Greer and Vanessa High-Eagle.”

“It will be a dangerous dive but each member has agreed to take the challenge. As a friend to all of you I wish you, lads and lasses, a safe journey.”

In those words, the Admiral salutes his Science and Security team on their upcoming journey into the Mariana Trench. A small gray with a large Hindi head in a lab coat approaches the team of field experts.

“ I thank you for your journey through preliminary tests of the sub have s-showed great s-success. Each of you will have a modified Jimmy Suit and with Gauge as head field engineer will be able to collect the mineral samples that will help the energy crisis. It will be a difficult journey but your safety is well ready. Safe journey.” In those words, the team of divers enters the modified sub.

“SEA SPRITE! READY TO DIVE! CLEAR THE AREA!”

The Admiral and Dr. Jinn stand to the side joined by their intelligence officers. Sapper and Colonel Basket hand the Admiral. Hand over the latest reports. “ How will the weather hold Richard?”

“NOAA claims a small typhoon is rising from the east off the coast of South America but it will probably not appear for three days. Unless the trans-pacific trade winds change quickly. Gauge and his team should be okay.”

“Sapper any Tangos out there, Lad?”

“The only boat we are watching is the vessel known as the Sea Wasp, its owned by Alu-Crad Pharmaceuticals. I ran a background check on it but as far as I know, Alu-Crad is being quiet right now”

“Go to Orange alert in case Alu-Crad tries something.”

“We did pick up an abnormality about three hours ago, but it probably will not interfere with our dive,” comments Basket a lank black man in a black plum business suit and the second in command of the Amberst Enterprises.

“Keep an eye on it Richard does Gauge know?”

We alerted him in last-minute briefing and he got Maria and the girls to load up some security weapons aboard the Sea Sprite.”

“Let's hope this abnormality does not interfere with our work. Stay on orange alert lads.”

“Yes Sir.”

The Sea Sprite enters the moon pool and dives below the surface. Closely monitored by Gray research technicians.

SEA WASP

Twenty-five miles east of the Plum Harvest. Several divers enter a manta-like sub being monitored by a group of winged monkeys in research coasts. Michael Drake is joined by his command officers as the divers start to board the manta-like submarine. “Herr Burke, I am sure you can pilot the sea Hornet with no problems, or do I need to board the vessel.”

“I will not have a problem, Herr Drake, it has been a few years since I piloted this type of sub but with the added workload by the winged ones the Mariana will be a challenge. Though my curse will make it tricky down there we will manage thanks to a few payouts on members of the research crew of the Americans.”

“Excellent, what about this abnormality?”

“I have looked into my love comments the seductive Dr. Mao “but it is not on any records

of the winged ones.”

“Very well. Herr Burke grabs what you can before the Americans so our new allies of the winged ones can make us the new OPEC of this planet.”

“It will be done, Herr Drake. Dr. Mao is ready to join us.”

“Yes, Herr Burke is the suits created by the winged ones working?”

“Yes, the dive suits or as the Americans say the Jimmy Suits are ready.”

“Remember Herr Burks, do not be afraid to use force against the Americans.”

“Armed and loaded Herr Drake.”

“Enjoy your hunt, Herr Burke,” comments Drake as he steps away from his mercenaries with his cobalt and bloody red necktie with his business suit.

Diving Waters

Passing through the dark sea waters near the trench, The D7 team works their magic aboard the Sea Sprite. Slipping their hands across the keyboards a modified grating box below the vessel starts to collect samples of the lower depths. In the small lab, Dr. Erickson and Dr. Solomon review the minerals being collected and filed by Vanessa and Ana. The team wears black plum BDUS in the vessel. Gauge and Maria pilot the vessel. “We are about to pass through the trench all so you better buckle down because we have picked up a few pockets of air that have shaken the Sprite.” comments gauge in the small PA system of the vessel.

“How long will our ears be popping, Gauge?”

“Just a few moments since the Sprite needs to adjust to the outside but Dr. Jinn and his team

adjusted it to avoid the “bends” going down and going up.”

“And you have done this before in the Navy?”

“ Not at this level, Opal but I have done it in other areas.”

“Start to activate the helium mix for us and our team. Do it slowly so we don't blackout.”

“Gotcha.” As she starts to turn the dials to adjust the helium-oxygen mix again. “Attention all we are now going to be talking like Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck. Adjusting helium base.”

The team adjusts their masks as Opal turns the dials.

“We are now entering the trench brace yourselves.” comments gauge in his Mickey Mouse voice over the PA systems.

The sound of pings goes throughout the sub as it passes through the Mariana Trench.

PING PING PING

“Adjusting IR lights on outside Gauge” directs opal in her Mickey Mouse voice.

Gauge shakes his head as the outer dark seas change to an IR version on the big screen.

“It's beautiful down here comments Maria in her high-pitched voice.”

“Beautiful but deadly. See for yourself. As the two spots a pair of large great whites circling around a group of lava volcanic tubes in the distance. “Get ready to release Sprites 1-3 for their recon. And sample pickup Opal.”

Sprites 1-3 water drones are released into the Mariana Trench. In the shape of ROVs three drones pass through the dark waters scanning the water with their modified searchlights.

“Sprites are on the move, any direction doctors?” replies the high voiced Vanessa High-Eagle

“If you can manage to have one of them move closer to the lava tube and get some soil samples it will help us with our studies.” comments the helium voice of Dr. Solomon.

“As instructed.”

As the drones begin to collect the soil samples Vanessa who is piloting the drones spots something in the water. “Pick-Ax, take a look at this, carter you might want to see this as well.” The two doctors join Vanessa at her station.

“What is it, Nessa?”

“I'm not sure it looks like a sandcastle made out of those tubes. Take a look.”

Both doctors move closer to the mysterious undersea building. “ What on Earth? Do me a favor Ms. High-Eagle circle back for us.” Comments Solomon

“Agent Opal is the drone feeds adequate?”

“Yes, Dr. Solomon I tested myself, Why?”

“Because we seem to have found something out of Atlantis stories.”

“You got to be kidding Dr. Solomon. But in this business, I would not be surprised. I will slow the Sea Sprite down.” mentions Gauge as he turns the vessel in the direction of the mysterious tube castle.

Meanwhile, The manta-like sub travels a distance from the American vessel. Like the Sea Sprite, the vessel passed through the difficult trade waters of the Mariana Trench. “Cap'n you might want to check this out. The Americans are slowing down ahead of us.”

“What are you talking about Petty Officer?”

“Sir, it seems they found something with their ROVs. Take a look.”

Burke joined by Mao approach the sonar station manned by the PO. “Dr. Mao, I think our competition is on to something. It seems something caught their John Wayne eyes.”

Mao pushes aside the sea wolf hybrid Captain. “Can you zoom in PO?”

“I will have to release one of our ROVs but I can keep it a distance from the Americans.”

“Than do it.”

Moments later a drone in the shape of a manta ray skims through the dark waters to do a Recon on the D7 team.”Here we go Dr. Mao, we are about 3 clicks from the Americans but with the modified cameras I can get within 1.5 clicks from the Americans.”

“Don't tell me what you can do PO just do it.”

“Yes, Mamie.” Moments later the ROV zooms in on the D& team and their discovery.

“Fascinating, it looks like the Americans found a hidden gem in the seas. Kind of looks like a castle, Mamie.”

“Zoom In, PO.”

After switching a few keys the tube-like castle appears on the screens of the controls of the Mercenary sub. “Hmm...get me Herr Drake on the phone.”

Thirty minutes later.

A group of Sea Devils ride a group of sharks as mount and begin to open up on the Americans with their modified harpoon rifles. The harpoon explodes a short distance from the Sea Sprite.

“OH CRUD! BATTLE STATIONS TEAM!” orders Gauge in the PA System.

“What are those things?” questions Greer

“Something in the sea we call Sea Devils. Saw them my first time on an operation recovering a crew of Russian Scientists on an oil platform in the North Atlantic.”

“They are not friendlies I take it, Gauge?”

“No these guys are meaner than the vampires we hunt at times. They think the ocean is theirs and some stories say they destroyed part of Atlantis if you believe those stories. Buckle Up.”

“Opal hand out our toys to the team.”

“You got it Sea Ape.”

“Doc I need one of you to take Opal's position as my copilot. Think you can do that?”

“Sure just tell me what to do,” responds Solomon as he presses his hands on the raggedy gloves he has and instantly a pair of gauntlets appear in the place of the leather gloves.

“Neat trick, Doc,.now grab hold of the wheel. Opal, how is it coming with those weapons?”

“Just going over the security protocol safe, Sea Ape.” As Opal hands out a pair of underwater rifles to Greer and Erickson. She hands a pistol to Vanessa who prepares a medical kit.

Moving quickly Opal moves to the pilot seat with a larger underwater rifle for gauge. “ Here is your heavy-duty gun, Sea Ape.”

“Thanks, Opal. Take my seat.” Gauge turns to Solomon. “ Okay Doc, do what the lady says and you will live. I need to kick some ass against these Sea Devils.”

“Understood,” answers Solomon as gauge walks back to the rear of the vessel.

“Doc Erickson help me get in my jimmy suit.” Orders Gauge. Erickson joins him near a jimmy suit locker armory.

Meanwhile. The Sea devils separate their unit and begin to attack the mercenary submarine.

The PO turns to Burke. “ Cap'n we got some tangos coming our way.”

“Go to red alert, PO. Gentlemen open the armory and get our gear.” The remaining mercenaries acknowledge their commander. The mercenaries start to hand out similar weapons as the D7 team is using.

Adina Mao joins Burke in the armory room aboard the ship. “ I spoke to Drake. He says the creatures are Sea Devils and he wants us to try up and work on a truce with the master of the

Sea Devils. He doesn't trust them but a relationship with them is a bonus check for our organization.”.

“I hope you have a translator lady because these guys are not being friendly to us.”

“We will work something out captain just use stun charges against these creatures.”

“You heard the lady, men. Nonlethal force if possible. Our great benefactor wants to make a deal with these things.”

The mercenaries acknowledge their commander on his rules of engagement.

To be continued...

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