The Captain of a fishing boat called the Aries was in his cabin getting dressed for the day when a knock came on his cabin door.

"Captain?" It was his first mate.

"I'm up Reyes, I'll be out in a minute!"

"Sir, it's urgent!"

"I'm coming!" The Captain Defries of the Aries finished buttoning his coat after he opened the cabin door. "What's going on Reyes?"

"Sir sonar has picked up something big. We can't tell if it's a whale or what..."

"All right. It's it on the move or just stationary, could just be a ship wreck."

"It's on the move."

"All right let's go." They went to the navigation and sonar helm of the ship.

"We took freeze frames of it."

"All right, let's see." The Captain was shown the images.

"Yeah that looks like a whale. Well, just keep a close watch. I hate to accidentally damage an endangered species. Keep me updated."

"Aye Sir." Reyes agreed.

Ten minutes later an alarm sounded on the sonar.

"What's going on?" The Captain asked.

"Sir, whatever it is seems to be closing in on us."

A sonar operator spoke up, "Sir. What if it's that shark they've been talking about in the news?"

"Well then we're screwed, because that thing is bigger than we are. Sound all hands to secured cabins, yellow alert!"

The first mate called out over the speaker for all hands to secure themselves. They kept watching the sonar. It was closing in fast.

"Brace for impact!" The first mate called.

Everyone grabbed on as they were hit from below. The ship rocked dangerously. As they tried to look out the windows they saw a huge dorsal fin. It turned and dove, coming at them again.

"Sir! It IS the shark! What do we do????"

"Give me the radio." He went to the com's desk and called out an SOS. "Mayday, mayday, mayday!This is fishing trawler Aries. We are under attack from the giant shark that's been in the news! Mayday! I fear we may be capsized! Anyone out there?"

UEO frequencies picked up the distress call.

"Aries, this is UEO rescue services what are your coordinates. We will send the nearest ship to your aid! Over!"

The Captain gave their coordinates. The closest ship was SeaQuest. They called in to Admiral Sharp. Sharp then called Captain Ford.

"We received a distress call out near you. A fishing trawler the Aries is under attack and need your assistance. They may need underwater rescue, they may capsize before you get there. Your orders are to fire upon the animal if you come into contact with it. Ford, I know we wanted to be humane, but the time has come. It must be taken down."

"Admiral if I fire on it, there will be nothing left of it to study!"

"I am aware, but that thing is too dangerous Captain. This is UEO's final decision. Save as many lives as you can. Report back when it is done." Sharp held firm on his orders.

"I understand Admiral." Ford we upset but he knew he had to spring into action. "Ford out."

The screen went back to the blue and gold SeaQuest logo. Ford ran his hand down his face, not even a little bit thrilled about the news he had to deliver to his crew. He hurried up on deck and sounded off yellow alert, general quarters. He called for all officers to the bridge. They all arrived within minutes. Once they were all in front of the Captain he spoke.

"We have orders from UEO headquarters." He made eye contact with everyone, trying not to land on Rose."We have to go on a  rescue mission. A fishing trawler has called in an SOS. They are under attack from the shark. They may be capsized before we get there, thus, this could turn into a search and rescue. We are the closest ship near them. I have given the coordinates to the helmsmen. We have started on course and should arrive in fifteen minutes. Folks, this is not how I wanted things to go, but I must tell you now, our orders are to fire upon the shark in order to save the people of the Aries."

Rose couldn't hold back her shock,"What?!"

"Listen, Lieutenant I wanted this to be a learning mission too. We are a research vessel. My main mission is to learn as much about these oceans and the creatures in them."

"But! Captain! If we fire on it there will be nothing left to study! I've researched our torpedo capabilities!"

Ford sighed."Believe me, I know. I also stressed that to the Admiral. Bottom line, it has become too dangerous for us to let it be."

Rose was so upset. Her face was flushed with anger. "Sir!" She was helpless. Lucas moved closer to Rose. She looked up to him, tears threatening at the corners of her eyes. Lucas reached behind her and placed his hand on her back, trying to comfort her. The panic on her face killed him.

"Lieutenants Harker and Wolenczak, I'm giving you both orders to ready Med-bay in case we have people with injuries to tend to. Understand, I have to follow orders,"his eyes locked onto Lucas and Roses eyes." but I want you to know it is with a heavy heart that I will take care of our duty." Ford locked eyes with Rose. It killed him too. He didn't want to be the one to order the gunny to fire on this beast that may be the last of it's kind. "Rose. I don't want to do this. But it has changed to a dangerous threat level."

"Captain, may I be excused to go to Med-bay?" She pleaded.

"Yes, Harker and Wolenczak, go, get your assistants to help you. They haven't given me a count on passengers. I don't know what we're going to be dealing with. Go now and prepare. To the rest of you, remain at your stations."

"Thank you Sir." Lucas said. He turned to Rose."Come on. Let's go get our people together. We may  have to do triage, we gotta get ready." He escorted Rose to his shop first and picked up his assistant. Telling him to come with them and explaining their situation. Then they went down to grab Liv.

She was just as shocked."They really mean to just blow it up?"

Rose couldn't even speak. All her life had been spent helping animals and only putting them out of misery if they were beyond saving.

"Rose?" Lucas asked as she went to her locker to grab her lab coat. She stood leaning on the open door, head hung low. Shaking it in disbelief. She couldn't hold back anymore. Lucas came to her side. She whimpered softly, trying not to make a scene."Baby?" He asked softly. She turned into him and he hugged her tight. "I'm so sorry." He whispered by her ear. He looked over at the assistants."Uh, guys can you give us a sec. Maybe go down and start making sure we have stuff ready. We'll meet you there. Just need a sec."

"Sure." Liv said. Her eyes going to her boss.

"Got it." Lucas's assistant said.

"We'll be there in a minute."Lucas said.

He felt Rose trembling.

"I can't! There's no where for me to go when they fire the torpedo!" She buried her face in Lucas's chest. "I can't watch it die!"