Season-1: Echoes From Abyss
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03:01 AM…
Mission: Deep Silence…
As the first step, seventy members of Unit One, numbered 006 through 012, departed from their base on Elufa Island near Mexico aboard ten underwater submersible ships. Their objective: to investigate a high-tech underwater structure identified at nearly 1,100 feet below the Pacific Ocean at the Anosentric Point, named for the mission's purposes. This operation was undoubtedly crucial, for they understood the immense maintenance required to operate a secret lab at such depth—and whether anyone had ever achieved this, and if so, who was behind it and why, was precisely what this mission aimed to uncover.
The submersibles gradually descended, with the command unit leading, followed by seven troop-carrying submersibles, and finally the two support and tech units, all proceeding in formation toward the ocean floor.
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As they sank deeper, darkness enveloped them. Beyond 300 meters, the world dissolved into pitch-black obscurity. Conducted under the cover of deep night to maintain secrecy, the soldiers found themselves further disoriented amid the suffocating tension and darkness, the only light emanating faintly from the submersibles.
Every member heightened their senses, preparing for any unforeseen event. At a depth of 1,050 meters, they finally detected a massive structure. Moments later, it came fully into view.
At first glance, it seemed like a pile of rocks hidden in the ocean's abyss. Upon closer inspection, however, it was entirely sheathed in iron.
Illuminated by a pale blue light, the structure's size was almost unbelievable—vast, modular units connected by tunnels, forming a complex network like an intricate web. The officers were awestruck. How could such a structure withstand the crushing pressure of so much water at this depth?
They took a moment to organize while the tech team worked to bring all internal systems under control. Once the submersibles secured positions around the structure and connectivity with the operating room was reconfirmed, they prepared to enter.
Everyone knew that a single misstep could completely alter their lives. Silence, unease, and vigilance prevailed; only the soft sound of breathing and the hum of the submersibles could be heard. The command unit's submersible slowly approached the docking chamber, followed by the first troop submersible. One by one, they entered the airlock system. Having prior knowledge of the structure and partial control over its systems, they encountered minimal resistance—but they were unaware that everything had already been prepared for their arrival.
As the metallic doors of the airlock sealed, water slowly drained away. Eyes met across the chamber, bodies tensing under the unknown depth and darkness.
They advanced into the first corridor. Beyond the glass walls, the ocean's abyss loomed, dark and dense, with only the faint light from the submersibles revealing anything at all. The subtle yet grave hum of the vessels, the slow vibration of machinery, and the hiss of pressure valves kept everyone on edge.
Following location data and instructions sent by the tech team stationed outside in the submersibles, they moved slowly toward the research sector. Every door was secured with automatic pressure locks. Soft blue light bathed the corridor, glinting off the metal pathways. Armed with shotguns, they remained alert.
Upon entering the innermost chamber, they were confronted with the central control room: glass panels, touchscreen displays, and holographic maps of the lab, all familiar to them. Their reflections shimmered on the metallic floor. Yet, they found nothing unexpected.
"Search quickly. See if any data can be recovered," the commander of 007, leading this sub-operation, ordered. Everyone began searching. It did not escape the perceptive officers that the opposing forces had anticipated their arrival and removed everything—but they continued their investigation regardless.
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04:25 AM…
"Nothing recovered, Commander. Everything was removed long ago," reported forces 006, 008, and 009 to the command unit, 007. Units 010 through 012 were still en route, searching the lab's southern wing.
"How did they know we were coming?" the thought unsettled everyone.
Forces 009 and 011 soon returned. At that moment, a voice pierced the tension:
"Leading Commander, Commander!" members of force 010 rushed in.
"What happened?"
"We found a genetics lab in the southern section. Although most items were removed, in one corner, hidden from view, we discovered something strange. Perhaps they forgot it—or left it intentionally; we cannot tell."
A small cryogenic vial was presented. Inside, strange fibrous organic strands floated. Semi-transparent and glowing a neon blue, they moved gently as if some living structure were suspended in water. It was clear this was not merely a sample, but a vital genetic blueprint.
With extreme care, the genetic blueprint was sent first to the base via Submersible-4, ensuring no delay. They had no idea that leaving immediately would have been reckless.
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As the remaining nine submersibles prepared to depart…
Suddenly, an unknown roar surged from the abyss, its echo forcing the submersibles to collide with surrounding rocks. Catastrophic damage occurred instantly; lives previously participating in a peaceful mission were thrown into mortal danger. Through the shattered glass of the ships, they glimpsed a grotesque, gigantic marine creature—a face swollen and distorted, countless jagged teeth, a body resembling a whale yet melted and grotesque. Amid otherworldly roars, they witnessed what could have been their final moments.
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04:45 AM…
"Emergency landing completed. Passengers, disembark carefully and swiftly," the aircraft pilot commanded.
As planes and helicopters landed on the grassy field, green and white lights danced across the terrain. Rex was the first to step down, followed in formation by his force.
Force 001 safely landed near the Tyrrhenian Sea's Orvexia Island under urgent orders. This island hosted Elfex's highly secure base, along with a controlled refuge zone, from where Units 034 through 047 would proceed to the Atlantic Point.
However, a major complication suspended the mission indefinitely. The forces 006 through 012 of Unit One, en route to the Pacific Point for the first step of Operation Deep Silence at 3:00 AM, had lost all contact for unknown reasons. Only Submersible-4 was recovered. Strange disturbances were still being detected at sea. Rex and his biologist team were ordered to proceed to Elfex's main headquarters in Switzerland, where a special research operation would be conducted, and a high-level emergency meeting with commanders would take place. Their next task was to safely transport everyone from Orvexia Island to Switzerland, about an hour away.
"Commander Rex? When will you depart?" an officer asked.
"Preferably before 5:30. For now, is there a suitable place for our biologists to rest?" Rex inquired.
"You arrived unexpectedly, so no preparations were made, but you may stay in the refuge center until departure. People rescued from previous anti-bioterror missions reside there temporarily, so you will face no special issues. You may also bring necessary supplies and refreshments."
"Thank you," Rex replied, leading his force and Aran's team toward the refuge center.
Rex sat near the window, observing the interplay of light and shadow on the dock. Without turning, he sensed someone had taken a chair beside him. He looked—an elderly man, face lined with age, speaking with a faint Mexican accent.
Mario Morrison spoke firmly:
"So your name is not Tom, and you're not a police officer. Who are you then? Remember me?"
"Yes, forgive me for lying before. Many of you were told to conceal your identity, and I do not reveal my name to strangers."
"You are no child; why avoid giving your name? You must also protect yourself."
Rex remained silent; his neurons sparked irritation at the man's presence.
"Listen, I know your purpose. The path you are following is wrong; you must leave it, or you will never achieve your goal."
It took Rex a moment to comprehend these words. He glanced at Mario, only to find the chair empty—voices were coming from the floor below. He wondered if he could truly achieve what he sought from the organization.
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07:30 AM…
Zurich, Switzerland…
At approximately 7:30 AM, shortly after 6:30 and the first rays of sunlight, Rex's airplane landed at a Swiss airport. They were picked up by organizational personnel and driven to Zollikon, a suburban area near Lake Zurich. Elfex's colony and subordinate officers were based there. Rex would remain until Operation Deep Silence resumed, while Aran's Turkish biochemist group continued research in the main biology research sector.
Standing outside headquarters:
"Will you speak with Commander Jacob?" Aran asked Rex.
"About what?"
"The incident in Zone 077 from 1988, the cosmic object rumors… your father believed it too. And the DNA samples we've researched?"
"Focus first on the DNA retrieved from Submersible Ship 4. The rest may just be rumor; I cannot confirm anything yet."
"Alright, as you think best."
At that moment, a black Bugatti arrived.
"Ren, Aran?" Louis called. Rex and Aran turned.
"Good to see you. Time is short. Tonight's meeting will occur. Meanwhile, damage assessment and searches are ongoing, so you have no further tasks. Rex, you'll stay with me until tonight. I and Commander Jacob will remain at the residence. Aran will lead the biologist team with Joseph to the BRC," Louis instructed, pointing to a nearby man.
"Let's go, Dr. Aran," said Joseph. Aran followed.
"Let's also depart," said Louis.
"What's the status of Operation Deep Silence?"
"I told you—the damage and recovery operations are ongoing."
"How were all submersibles lost except Ship 4?"
"Ship 4 exited first with the DNA sample from the Pacific Point lab. The others prepared to leave after. In that short interval, something catastrophic happened. Even Ship 4's crew reported hearing a final otherworldly roar from the sea, like you did over the Mediterranean. About 27 minutes after network loss, strange sounds and signals were detected from the Southern Ocean."
"Strange," Rex muttered, opening the car door. At that moment, the third-grade Elfex siren blared, calling all nearby officers to headquarters. Rex, never having worked at this HQ before, relied on Louis and headed swiftly to the main operations room, where Louis's force had executed Operation Deep Silence.
"Commander, I just can't believe this. Massive, abnormal marine entities—monsters, fish-like, whatever—have appeared at the designated ocean points for Deep Silence. They are now around 80 meters deep. I suspect a connection to the Pacific Point submersible tragedy. They are also emitting strange roars, possibly trying to communicate," reported an astonished officer to Louis.
Louis was equally shocked.
"What do they look like? Their structure?" Rex asked.
"Horrific. Even the shadows reveal they are not normal creatures; they seem like mutations of multiple marine monsters," said the officer.
"Terrifying. Headquarters must be informed. What shall we call them?" Louis asked anxiously.
"I can give them a name," Rex replied.
"Ocean Terrors."
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