In the background, an emergency light blinks red, and in the reflection of the glass, a faint silhouette of another person, Elena Vasquez, appears standing in the doorway with cold eyes and a calculated demeanor, holding a diving knife, preparing to make her next move. The scene captures both the isolation and danger of the underwater world, where a sense of claustrophobia mixes with the vast, indifferent ocean outside.
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In the deep darkness of the Pacific where she was three miles deep towards the research station Nereid, Dr. Maya Chen could be seen pressing her hand on the glass hole while watching some bioluminescent jellies pass as they were some falling stars. The research station Nereid was located three miles under the Pacific Ocean. It was an artificial environment with everything recycled, air tight and clean but people still felt like death could easily strike them there.
After switching off her microphone she muttered, ‘Daily check-in control.’ Hearing the click in her ear assured her that she had pressed the button, therefore she opted to leave it at that. ‘At last, now I can have some silence to think properly.’
They were all beginning to crack under the pressure of isolation. Their tempers had become as thin as the walls of the station made of titanium after six months working on the restoration project of deep sea coral. However, what she had observed in there two hours ago had made her feel more than claustrophobic within those close walls.
“I can’t pretend any longer,” she said to herself while walking back and forth between monitors. “It’s a fact that Doctor Vasquez intentionally changed the routine maintenance procedure of the oxygen scrubber. It wasn’t maintenance work – it was sabotage! The coral polyps we have cared for will die by morning – and even if we survive this, our additional life support remains non-functional without primary system.”
As she stopped by the water reclamation panel, she thought of Elena’s flawless operations that involved confident and decisive actions. It was unbelievable that she called herself a mere repairer because what she had was beyond courage.
“But how could she go ahead to do such and mess up with her own research material?” Maya speculated as her voice trailed off and then continued after a moment, “Elena has been determined to show that these GM corals can live at even the deepest parts. Unless…” Some parts fell into place in Maya’s mind. “Or maybe she does not want them to work well. Next week, the committee will arrive for the renewal of the grant. In case we have some good data on our side regarding the project then the money goes towards deep sea conservation but if we fail spectacularly then all of a sudden those military contracts that Elena has been trying for become very interesting.”
There was a flicker in the station lighting system—something that had become so familiar but was ignored before.
"This sabotage is aimed at more than just ruining research funding. She also wants to get involved with weaponized genetic engineering,” said Maya as she stopped walking. “Imagine those types of corals that can grow under extreme conditions; they might just grow so much that they end up blocking subs or creating natural barriers against humans. Do you have any idea what military would give to have such kind of bio warfare tool?”
Maya halted her pacing and saw a movement behind her in one of the monitor screens reflections. Standing at the entrance, Elena Vasquez appeared with her warm eyes looking coldly calculating this time around.
“How long have you been standing there?” Maya asked without facing her.
"It has been some time." Elena's voice was not very steady. “You are such a keen person, Maya.”
Maya noticed Elena’s slight hand tremors and looked at her coworker. “Your radio communication is active; they overheard everything from the command post."
Elena looked down at the headset panel on Maya’s head where there was a continuous flashing of a dim red light. Following her glance, Maya experienced a sinking feeling in her stomach as she noted that the mute button indicated green and not red; it was active, not silenced.
“Topside personnel are now aware…” Maya began but was cut short by Elena.
“That means topside knows exactly what I’ve done and what I’m planning with respect to witnesses.” Elena produced a diving knife from her belt. "It also means that they are aware you see me alone. After you’re gone, I’ll be innocent, and no one who saw otherwise will be alive to tell.”
Maya moved back slowly, until she was right next to the emergency controls. “Elena, think about this. Even if you manage to quiet me, it’s not like they’ll miss what I said. The control is going to dispatch a rescue team.”
It takes eighteen hours for the recovery teams to get down here. That is more than enough time to plan for an incident. Perhaps they will go for explosive decompression. It is so sad that we lost Dr Chen – all because he was supposed to be doing one of those boring maintenance things. When you’re gone I will remain alive but shattered and trying fruitlessly to help you.”
There was a jolt in the station, and Maya knew Elena was enacting her backup strategy already. The warning lights were flashing and there were variations in the pressure readings.
Maya warned that they would all die as she moved closer to the communication panel.
"Just you. I can reverse the damage once you're eliminated." Elena advanced, knife raised. "The coral project fails, you disappear, and I emerge as the sole expert ready to pivot our research toward military applications. Everyone wins."
Maya made a dive for the emergency beacon but Elena threw herself at Maya and they both smashed into the instrument panel. They grappled on the floor and the knife fell beside them while red lights made strange shapes on the round walls.
"Control to Nereid," a voice crackled through the comm system. "We're reading critical pressure loss. Confirm status immediately."
Elena managed to free herself and moved towards the knife, but Maya prevented her from getting the weapon by kicking it away, so that it slid in the direction of the airlock chamber. While the two stood still with fear when they heard some parts of the station creaking under some stress.
“You’ve broken something important,” Maya said as she struggled to stand up using a handrail.
Elena turned pale after checking pressure readings. “No, this can’t be happening. I just wanted to produce a small emergency.”
They both realized at that moment that what they had believed to be Elena’s staged accident was actually a real breach occurring now. The ocean was taking back with slow, inevitable progress their artificial bubble of life.
“Nereid, respond immediately. Emergency ascent protocol is authorized.”
Grabbing the microphone, Maya said, “Control, Dr. Chen speaking. Our facility has experienced genuine structural harm and requires immediate extraction of personnel starting with…” She turned to look at Elena who was desperately trying to fix the hole she had accidentally made in the first place. “Dr. Vasquez is making repairs.”
Their conflict had become irrelevant against the vast indifference of the deep ocean. Elena caught her gaze and they both knew it.
“Maya,” Elena spoke softly, “I apologize. It was not my plan for someone to be injured.”
Maya watched as emergency protocols kicked in and the station started moving upwards in search of safety. Deep down Maya understood that betrayal and avarice were not the most important things. The truth is that people’s dreams die very easily in face of great water pressure around.
The silent witness had found her voice, but the ocean would have the final word.
