Into the depths

Posted on Sun Mar 1st, 2015 @ 8:10pm by Lieutenant Carl Baumann

Mission: Bloodpath
Location: 4000 feet under surface

ON

The Deep Submersion Vehicle (DSV) Beagle seemed as at home in the depths as a star ship among the heavens above her. The silence was not quite the same as Space but more so than the 'noises' of the surface world.

Baumann stood in the Observation Dome in the nose of the Beagle, named after the vessel that Darwin used for his voyages Baumann was at peace with his location as much as the ship herself. The two had an undying urge to explore the depths, the enhanced lighting from the Nose mounted Spotlight was more for show, the sensory data and tactical Head Up Display (HUD) could give him a more accurate picture but sometimes he just liked to look out into the darkness as a star ship Captain looks to the stars.

The depth he had chosen for this is a simple one 4000 feet, a really deep dive for most vessels before the Beagle , but then she could go so much deeper, miles into the depths if so needed. With thermal layers and such even advanced sensor beams would have trouble tracking the Beagle if she 'went dark' and hid. Baumann knew these practices as well as some others should he need to defend his ship under the waves.

SOmething pinged off the hull, Bauman felt it and heard the soft touch.

"SOnar?" Baumann called out as he dashed out of the Observation Nose , up some steps to the Control Room.

=^= Biological Signal Sir.=^= The OPerator Simms informed. "Powerful but definetely biological, the pitch is distinct. =^=

"Yellow alert." Baumann said uncharacteristically. "What kind of Biological uses dat much power to sense something?" He went to what is traditionally called the "Sonar Shack' but is in reality the Sensor Control panel and far and away more advanced than the system that gave this part of the ship her 'nickname.'

"The trenches below Skipper." Simms reported. "Signal orginates from there." He highlighted the section of terrain. "It was a strong return I can assure you."

"SOmething big down Dere." His German accent always came heavy when he was stressed. "Bring us to ahead slow." Baumann suggested. "I want sensory readings of that." He thought for a second. "Prepare the Star Fish for launch." He said as he could do little more than wonder what is down there.

"I have the signal source but it is mixed in the rock formations and getting an exact readings is not that easy sir." Simms continued.

"If that is a large Biological and uses that strength to 'find food' I tink we should be ready to sail the hell avay from here at top speed should ve get a hint of danger." Baumann. "Ve are here to explore not hunt for a record catch in sports fishing."

"I'll keep my eyes peeled sir." Simms nod. "But the source seems stationary..." Another ping was felt by the sensory net as well as a soft tap to the outer hull.

"Helm all stop." Baumann ordered. "Prepare for all back." He looked at the console. "Maybe it is a warning, if we get too close it strikes?" He was thinking more along the lines of being 'prey' compared to an explorer. "Helm, back us away slow, one quarter reverse, both drives." He knew there would be some calvatating even with impeller ; or what is often called 'Caterpillar ' Drive.

The concept is like a sea jet engine; suck in water at one end and spit it out in the opposite direction. Nealy silent compared to propeller Drives and easier to have the Beagle blend into her surroundings.

The Beagle slowed her forward motion and started edging the opposite way, Baumann could not have the rigid hull bends around like a whale or dolphin and whatever was watching them might not know what to think but it is the best option he had. The vessel was gaining speed as he had the options going through his head; he had to think defensive in a worst case scenario.

"No movement yet Skipper." Baumann heard Simms.

"All back one quarter." Helm informed.

"What iz da angle of a ping?" Baumann asked. "I vont to get owt of direct range and den see what happens?"

"Three clicks should put us in a shadow from the source coming out of the depths, the rock formation shadow in essence." Simms reported. "You thinking of going back?"

"With the Starfish." Baumann said, and drop to the depths closer to the formations to hopefully sneak up on the source for a better look?" He smiled.

Baumann loved mysteries of the depths.

TBC