The submarine swept silently through the dark depths near the Piccard Walsh Station. A habitat designed to house a combination of scientists and engineers overlooking the Marianana Trench.

Captain Adrian Wilkes stood ramrod straight, fingering an old pocket watch he kept for luck. It was a nervous habit and one he knew he should break. “There’ll be a time when confidence in you is more powerful than public information and if that confidence breaks because the crew knows your tells, you’ll have a goddamn mutiny on your hands.” Sound advice from an admiral long dead now.

A young man glanced up from his communications board and signaled for the Captain.

Wilkes shoved the watch back into his pocket and nodded to the junior officer.

“You’re not going to believe this Captain, but the Research Station is asking for our help.”

“What could they possibly need from us?”

“Uh sir, they say there is a lion loose inside. Four dead, three wounded.”

“Why would they- Never mind, just tell them that we’re on our way.”