Scyphozoa

"How long have they gone dark?"

"Thirteen days."

"And the rescue crew?"

"Also unresponsive. They were sent in five days ago."

"So, send another team..."

"That'd be a waste. We need more scientists."

"Are you going to help, or not?"

Brian stood there in the office weighing the scales in his mind with Dr.Giddens and Sarah awaiting his decision. It didn't look favorable.

"Why haven't you gotten the authorities involved? Surely they can get to the bottom of this," Brian said.

Giddens shook his head. "Something of this scale? They'll never let us rebuild. We've cataloged dozens of new species. All of our research could potentially be reduced to mere evidence. We can't risk it."

"It's your research now. But why all the secrecy? What's going on?"

Giddens looked over to Sarah with suspicion in his eyes. Sarah remained silent.

"What exactly has she told you?" Giddens asked.

"That there were some power outages in the DSTF. A team got stuck and you needed my console..."

Silence fell over the room.

"I had hoped you would at least convey the gravity of the situation to him," said Giddens.

"It was the only way I could get him here..." Sarah replied.

"Are we done playing charades? What is this about? And why is it so damn tense in here?"

Giddens took a moment. Steeled himself. "D0 you remember the Hermit Drones?"

"Yeah. The little cameras that swim around and record the DSTF."

Giddens moved over to his desk and awoke his monitor. "Well, they picked up some... images."

Brian raised a brow. He looked over to Sarah who was biting her nails, her eyes to the floor. Giddens turned the monitor around to them and displayed a catalog of distorted photos of an underwater laboratory. Brian took it all in.

"If the power's out, how is it that the Hermits can still transmit images?"

"In the event of a power outage, the Hermits prioritize their power by switching to motion detection, only taking snaps of things in motion," Sera said.

Brian stared at the monitor, trying to make sense of the shots. With the Hermit Drones working at minimal capacity, the resolution of the photos was archaic and the endless depths of the ocean shrouded this laboratory in perfect black. The last few photos were close up to a window. Inside were shadows, silhouettes of something.

"Are those... people?" Brian asked.

"We think so."

Brian stood up straight with a hiccup of laughter. "Looks like they're alright then. That's good news."

Dr. Giddens removed his glasses and cleaned them with his coat. "The O2 reserve ran out days ago. There's no oxygen inside. The Hermits should not be picking up anything moving in the DSTF."

A knot formed in Brian's throat. His face was void of color as he swung his attention back to the monitor. Back to where photos of the impossible lay.

"Then, how can..." Brian searched their faces for answers.

"We don't know."

Brian and Sarah sat in an empty conference room as Giddens stood at the head scribbling on a whiteboard with haste in his arm. Just as he checked his watch, the door opened and a stranger of the militant variety entered.

"Sorry, I'm late. If I knew I'd have to travel to the middle of the Pacific Ocean, I wouldn't have stopped to fish."

"It's alright," Giddens said. You're just in time for the briefing."

Giving the new arrival a side-eye as he took his place front and center, Brian couldn't hide the inquiry that lingered on his face. Giddens noticed.

"Ah, captain, I'd like you to meet Dr.Brian Hemlock and Dr.Sarah Harding. They both helped design and run the DSTF.

The stranger turned in his seat and smiled at them. "Nice to meet ya."

"This is Captian Virgil Watts of the National Guard. He's here on a need-to-know basis."

"Just think of me as a field stenographer. If things get scaly, you'll have an official on your side to bail you out," Virgil said.

Brian squinted at the statement and turned his eyes on Giddens. "Why does this feel so shady?"

"Because it is, dear Brian," Giddens whipped a pointing stick against the board where a rough sketch of the DTSF was. "Approximately thirteen days, six hours and twelve minutes ago, the Deep-Sea Trench Facility malfunctioned and lost all power, locking in twenty researchers. Seven members of a rescue crew were added to that. They are all likely dead. We haven't reported this to anyone for the sake of the research. If word got out about what we prioritized, God himself would have to come down with miracles in a briefcase to keep us out of prison."

"But why should I be dragged in? I turned my position over to you years ago. I teach high school biology for christ's sake. I was grading papers just twenty-four hours ago! Now, this?"

"You're obligated to help. You started the research. If we have a breakthrough and complete it, you'll no doubt want some of the credit, yes?" Giddens said.

Brian looked Giddens in the eyes. He would indeed want credit for his work.

"What's so special about this research anyway?" Virgil asked.

Giddins smiled. "Are you familiar with the Scyphozoa species?"

"You know I am not..."

"Well, the Scyphozoa, also known as the true jellyfish, is quite the specimen. The DSTF was built for the very purpose of discovering new species such as them. They are comprised of 90% water and possess healing capabilities beyond anything natural. We've captured some of them and found that their healing properties can be applied to the human nervous system."

Virgil sat up in his chair. His interest peaked. " You mean..."

"Yes. A healing tonic is possible. The applications are endless."

Virgil turned in his seat and looked to Brian, followed by Sarah and Giddens. They all awaited his final decision. Brian took his time. He knew that if he declined, and they were successful, his name would never be associated with one of the most important scientific breakthroughs of the 21st century. On the other hand, if he complied (more like conspired) and they were found out, he could face heavy charges.

"Well, Dr.Hemlock?" Giddens said.

Brian looked up. "What's the plan?"

Delight washed over Giddens' face. "Simple," he pointed the stick to the board. "We head into the DSTF and make our way to the lab in the western wing. From there we'll be able to extract the data."

Brian retreated to his thoughts again. "That's right, the lab has a power reserve that can be activated from the inside."

Virgil stood filled with vigor. "What're we waiting for then? Let's go get our floaties..."

Not ten minutes later, they stood in the hangar in the bow of the ship, putting on scuba gear. In the middle, fenced off, was the entrance to a submarine, bobbing along in its cage. Brian secured his oxygen tank and took a deep breath. Sarah noticed the apprehension in his eyes.

"Oh, c'mon, you deal with teens daily. You should have nerves of steel."

"At least the teens are on this side of the ground and not miles below sea level."

"How many years has it been?" she asked.

"Six. Six years since I turned over the research to Giddens. And I still wasn't able to salvage my marriage."

"I'm sorry, Brian, but we've all made sacrifices working in the Trench Facility. Especially Dr.Giddens."

"How is it working with him?"

Sarah averted her eyes with both eyebrows raised. "He's very thorough. Tough."

"Tough, huh. Didn't cut any slack like I did?"

She smiled. "Are you trying to get me to say who was the better boss?"

"No... but if you had to choose, you know..."

Their smiles bounced off of each other.

Suddenly, the grind of a metal hatch sounded off. Giddens popped his head out of the submarine. "It's time."

The submarine descended three hundred meters into the water where the light from the sun had abandoned them. They floated along a backdrop of black with only sonar technology to guide their way. The abyss was akin to something of a starless space. They may as well have been on-board a satellite craft instead of a marine one.

The sub emerged into an air pocket inside of a subterranean cave. They disembarked with their oxygen on their backs and their helmets locked on their suits. Brian could feel the jagged ground beneath him as he walked across the limestone and took in the cave with his suit-light. It was quiet. Only the sounds of the submarine bobbing in the water filled the hollow earth.

"Good to see nothing has changed," Brian said.

Giddens took point and lead them to a dead end. They all shone their lights on a metal door sealed tightly. Giddens moved over to a control panel nearby.

"Brace yourselves," Giddens said, "The facility has been starved of oxygen for days."

Virgil swallowed heavily and looked at everyone's faces. They were ready. Giddens punched in a code, followed by a hiss that cut straight through the cave. An inward gust of wind sucked the air from inside of the cave, almost sweeping them inside. It was as if the facility was gasping.

They were finally inside the DSTF. As they trekked down a long corridor with their lights pointing outward, they could hear the immeasurable volume of the abyss compressing the facility. Inward and outward.

"Was this place always a nightmare?" Vigil said breaking the silence.

"Well, no. Lights, staff, and some noise made it quite comfortable," Gidden replied.

They came to another sealed door. Giddens punched in his code, prompting another deep gasp of air from the facility.

They stood in the main hall with their mouths agape. Above them was a transparent dome covering the whole ceiling. Nothing could be seen behind the veil of darkness lingering outside, not even the marine life.

Sarah took in the main hall and the mess therein. Paperwork spotted the floor like tile along with carts and broken glass. It looked as though a hurricane had passed through the building.

"What could have made this mess?" She asked.

"When the oxygen ran out, people must've gone mad."

Brian looked around. Not a single staff member was among the mess. "Yeah, but where is everyone?"

"We'll let the authorities figure that out," Giddens started for the west wing of the facility. "Sarah, you come with me to collect the data. Brain and Virgil, I ask that you get the power back on... Our tanks have about twenty minutes left. The irony of running out of oxygen here is not lost on me."

Virgil turned to Brian with comradery in his eyes. "Know where you goin'?"

"I think so..."

Brian led Virgil down the east wing of the facility and through a transparent corridor. Virgil squinted his eyes in disgust at the sight behind the dull glass. The water outside was murky, polluted with some kind of debris.

"What is this?" asked Virgil.

"That's the habitat for the marine life we've captured. With the power out, the filter likely failed..."

Virgil stepped closer to the glass as if trying to shine his suit-light into the water. Teeth suddenly broke through the shadowy depths. Attached to a monstrous shark! Virgil's heart rate spiked as he collapsed on his behind. Brian laughed from the bottom of his stomach, pointing out the shark was dead. Its eyes glossed over as its snout smudged against the glass.

"That's not funny," Vigil said standing to his feet.

"It was kind of funny--"

A sound down the hall. They swiveled their lights to another sealed door.

The sweat on Virgil's brow broke into a stream. "D'you hear that?"

"Yeah. It's coming from where the Hermit Drones picked up the motion."

Brian stepped up to a control panel and input his code. The doors hissed open. A gasp of air.

On the other side of the facility, Giddens and Sarah scrambled across the office compiling folders from file cabinets and desks drawers. Giddens packed it all in a satchel.

"What about the databases? Should we create backups once the power comes on?" Sarah asked.

"The power's not coming back on. Besides, this is all we need to continue the work."

"What do you mean the power's not coming back on?"

Giddens shouldered the satchel and proceeded to the door. "Don't be coy, Sarah. You know no one can find out about what happened here. As long as we have the research, we don't need the DSTF."

Sarah took a step back. "You didn't..."

Brian was working on restoring the power when they suddenly heard footsteps. Soggy ones. The sound was like someone walking around with water-filled shoes. He worked hastily before they would have the pleasure of finding out what was making the terribly wet sound.

"Any luck?" Virgil asked.

"No. I can't bring anything back online. The reserves have been drained. It's as if someone cut the power with no intention of restoring it..."

CLICK! Brian looked up. Virgil was pointing a pistol at him.

"H-hey, man. If you're still sore about a minute ago, I'm sorry..." Brian said.

"Fraid this ain't no joke, pal."

"Then what the hell is this? Do you know what would happen if you fire that thing in here?"

"You won't live to find out," Virgil aimed for the middle of Brian's glass helmet. "Dr. Giddens sends his regards."

Just over Virgil's shoulder was a silhouette creeping closer. A man in a lab coat with a giant hump on his back. Brian's eyes widened.

"What? Is the shark behind me?"

A tentacle shot through the back of Virgil's helmet, breaking the front glass. Virgil squeezed the trigger of his gun, discharging a round into the glass wall. Water poured in and filled the room rapidly. Brian staggered through to the outside and barely managed to seal up the doors again.

He caught a glimpse of it, of the man in the lab coat. His skin was blue, swollen. His veins were saturated with water. And the hump on his back was no hump, it was the bell of a jellyfish.

Scratching and banging sounded off from behind the sealed door. Brian knew the water had filled the other room, but the banging went on without relent. Something grabbed him! He turned--

"It's me!" Cried Sarah.

"What the hell is going on down here?"

"Dr.Giddens. I-I-I had no idea," Sarah studdered.

Brian took a hold of her shoulders and steadied her. "What. Happened."

"He-he was experimenting on people. Merging the Scyphozoa directly to human bodies... He stored them here. When it got loose, he cut the oxygen, killing all of the staff and sealing his experiments away. He came back here to destroy it all!"

He pulled her closer "Where is he now?"

Brian looked over. The murky waters in the marine habitat had drained into the other room. Where there was once a dark aquarium was now empty grounds with shadows standing over the dead fish. A scientist's face stood directly on the other side of the glass. A live jellyfish pulsated on his back. Sarah turned away, repulsed by the sight of it.

"On the count of three, we run," Brian whispered.

Sarah nodded with a tear in her eye.

"1..."

The infected staff members stood still on either side of the glass.

"2..."

Sarah slowly looked over to the face inches away from her behind the glass. Its eyes were seeping water.

"3!"

Brain took Sarah's hand and bolted down the corridor. Glass shattered behind them as dozens of soggy footsteps gave chase. As they made their way back into the main hall, an explosion went off in the east wing, shaking the entire facility.

"He's going to destroy it all... and us along with it!" Sarah cried.

Brian pulled her along again. "He can't be far. He has to remotely detonate the facility."

As Brian and Sarah left, the infected staff filled the main hall from both wings with vigorously flailing tentacles and bloated bodies.

They reached the subterranean cave and found the submarine still there.

"Where is he?" Sarah asked, clutching her aching sides.

Brian followed up by jumping atop the submarine. He turned and held out his hand. Sarah grabbed on. At that moment, Dr.Giddens peeked his head out of the submarine. Before Brian could spring into action, Giddens drew a pistol.

"Good for nothing mercenary. You're supposed to be fish food," Giddens said.

"I don't think I'll be enough for the kind of fish you're feeding," Brian said.

Giddens pointed the gun closer to Brian's face. "You should've just stayed. We could have been richer than any man in history, but you went in chose a fleeting thing like family."

"Giddens--"

"Shut up, Sarah. Your beauty is only matched by your incompetence. I thought we could share the wealth, but you chose your side."

"That's cause he's the better boss!"

Sarah threw herself at Giddens-- In her effort to get the gun, neither Sarah nor Giddens noticed that Brian, too had acquired a gun - Taken from Virgil during the escape from the east wing. Giddens froze at the end of Brian's barrel just as Sarah wrangled the gun from him. Defeated, Giddens threw his hands up and looked at them both with disdain.

"You got me. So what now? Are you going to kill me? Leave me here for my karma and creation?"

BANG! BANG! Brian fired two shots into Giddens' shoulder, collapsing him into the submarine. They climbed inside and found Giddens wincing in pain. Brian mounted him.

"No. We're taking you to the authorities, and we're leaving this mess here for them to find. You're going to pay for this the rest of your life..."

Giddens fainted as the submarine descended into the void.