[SUMMARY] = after the invention of extremely resilient construction materials, humanity has spread to the ocean floor. We are now facing global food crises as the oceans ecosystems are disrupted beyond apparent recovery.
===
Chapter 1: The Depths Below
Dr. Aiden Gallagher pressed his forehead against the cold glass of his submersible, eyes darting over the illuminated expanse of the ocean floor. The abyssal plains of the Atlantic spread out before him, an alien landscape encased in perpetual darkness, punctuated by the occasional glow of a bio-luminescent creature or the distant twinkle of a neighboring underwater city. His city, New Atlantis, hung suspended in the depths, a lattice of gleaming domes and dark spires that defied the crushing pressure of the ocean.
He exhaled slowly, watching as the moisture from his breath fogged up the glass. The submersible was silent except for the hum of the engine and the gentle hiss of the oxygen recycler. A lifetime of marine biology hadn’t prepared him for the desolation that met his gaze now. It was the weight of the world, pressing in from all sides.
He was shaken from his thoughts by the crackle of his comms unit. “Control to Gallagher,” the voice said. “You’re drifting, doctor. Please confirm status.”
“I’m here,” Aiden replied, adjusting his course. His work was crucial in understanding the ecological shifts occurring in the ocean due to humanity’s migration underwater. The food web was a delicate tapestry, and it was beginning to unravel at the edges.
Hours later, he docked his submersible at the New Atlantis research station. The large, dome-shaped facility was a hive of activity, people in lab coats scurrying about, screens blinking with data, the low murmur of serious conversation filling the air. Aiden’s home, his world.
He was met by Dr. Rina Patel, his long-time colleague, and friend. Her dark eyes were serious, lined with worry. “Another barren sector?” she asked, no preamble.
Aiden simply nodded. The implications were clear.
That evening, Aiden sat at his desk, poring over the day’s findings. The silence of his office was a stark contrast to the busy station outside. His fingers traced the topography of the sea floor on his holographic display, the barren areas growing with each passing day. It wasn’t just about the fish, the coral, or the microscopic phytoplankton – it was about humanity. If the oceans died, so would they. The stakes were as high as they could get.
He stayed there for a long time, staring at the hologram, lost in thought. Then he leaned back in his chair, rubbing his tired eyes. The enormity of the problem was overwhelming, yet he could not afford to look away. This was his world, his responsibility. He made a silent promise to the cold, dark ocean depths outside his window. He would find a way. He would fix this.
Finally, he shut down his display and left his office, the station’s lights dimming as the artificial night cycle began. As he walked the silent corridors, his mind teemed with ideas and unanswered questions. A single day had passed in New Atlantis, but for Dr. Aiden Gallagher, it felt like a lifetime. He knew he was standing on the precipice of something immense. The ocean had always been a mystery, a siren’s song luring him into the depths. Now, it was a challenge. And he was ready to dive headfirst into the unknown.
[SUMMARY] = after the invention of extremely resilient construction materials, humanity has spread to the ocean floor. We are now facing global food crises as the oceans ecosystems are disrupted beyond apparent recovery.
===
Chapter 1: The Depths Below
Dr. Aiden Gallagher pressed his forehead against the cold glass of his submersible, eyes darting over the illuminated expanse of the ocean floor. The abyssal plains of the Atlantic spread out before him, an alien landscape encased in perpetual darkness, punctuated by the occasional glow of a bio-luminescent creature or the distant twinkle of a neighboring underwater city. His city, New Atlantis, hung suspended in the depths, a lattice of gleaming domes and dark spires that defied the crushing pressure of the ocean.
He exhaled slowly, watching as the moisture from his breath fogged up the glass. The submersible was silent except for the hum of the engine and the gentle hiss of the oxygen recycler. A lifetime of marine biology hadn’t prepared him for the desolation that met his gaze now. It was the weight of the world, pressing in from all sides.
He was shaken from his thoughts by the crackle of his comms unit. “Control to Gallagher,” the voice said. “You’re drifting, doctor. Please confirm status.”
“I’m here,” Aiden replied, adjusting his course. His work was crucial in understanding the ecological shifts occurring in the ocean due to humanity’s migration underwater. The food web was a delicate tapestry, and it was beginning to unravel at the edges.
Hours later, he docked his submersible at the New Atlantis research station. The large, dome-shaped facility was a hive of activity, people in lab coats scurrying about, screens blinking with data, the low murmur of serious conversation filling the air. Aiden’s home, his world.
He was met by Dr. Rina Patel, his long-time colleague, and friend. Her dark eyes were serious, lined with worry. “Another barren sector?” she asked, no preamble.
Aiden simply nodded. The implications were clear.
That evening, Aiden sat at his desk, poring over the day’s findings. The silence of his office was a stark contrast to the busy station outside. His fingers traced the topography of the sea floor on his holographic display, the barren areas growing with each passing day. It wasn’t just about the fish, the coral, or the microscopic phytoplankton – it was about humanity. If the oceans died, so would they. The stakes were as high as they could get.
He stayed there for a long time, staring at the hologram, lost in thought. Then he leaned back in his chair, rubbing his tired eyes. The enormity of the problem was overwhelming, yet he could not afford to look away. This was his world, his responsibility. He made a silent promise to the cold, dark ocean depths outside his window. He would find a way. He would fix this.
Finally, he shut down his display and left his office, the station’s lights dimming as the artificial night cycle began. As he walked the silent corridors, his mind teemed with ideas and unanswered questions. A single day had passed in New Atlantis, but for Dr. Aiden Gallagher, it felt like a lifetime. He knew he was standing on the precipice of something immense. The ocean had always been a mystery, a siren’s song luring him into the depths. Now, it was a challenge. And he was ready to dive headfirst into the unknown.