Chapter One: Descending

Inside the research station, it was grim, and the patter of rain on the windows blended perfectly with the tension in the room, Clair was the first to speak up,

"Don't lose hope, I'm sure they're just taking a while to get here!" she tries to reassure her fellow scientists but they both just turn and frown.

"Come on, Clair. Do you honestly think they're coming in this weather?" Boran sighs as he stands up and stretches.

"They better. If they don't we'll lose all the funding for Expedition MT-01!" Kit spits out, clearly taking it harder than the others. They frown and look out the window at the endless ocean. "What good is this research station if we're not allowed to research!" they whine like a baby.

"Guys, we—" Clair is interrupted by the door swinging open and two scientists entering with a briefcase covered in rain. One of the men sets the briefcase down and opens it, and the other doesn't say anything.

"The government has allowed full funding of Expedition MT-01 with the stipulation that any and all research be uploaded directly to their servers. Details and equipment will be placed inside the submarine and we're supplying two Pressure Stabilizer and Equalizer(P.S.E.) Mechs." the scientist says as he looks at the three of them.

"Who's in charge here?" he asks

Clair clears her throat and nods,

"That would be me sir." she shakenly responds, something about these men is unnatural.

"Then from now on any communication will be from you, good luck and goodbye," he says and exits the room with the other scientist leaving the three researchers alone, they all shrug and laugh awkwardly.

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(16 Hours Later)

Clair wipes the sweat off her forehead and turns to the others. They load the PSE Mechs on the submarine and give her the thumbs up. She smiles and walks into the sub, making sure everything is ready and detaching from the research station. Boran and Kit walk into the control deck and take their seats, confirming they're set and ready. Clair nods and opens the bay doors. The sub plunges into the ocean and starts its descent.

Clair starts her audio log motioning to the others to keep quiet,

"Audio log #1 we are currently on our descent into the Mariana Trench, our goal is Challenger Deep at 35,853 feet deep. Hopefully we can make good time. The sub is fully stocked with enough air and supplies to last us 2 months if need be. We'll check back in at 15,000 feet. This is Clair White signing off." Clair finishes and switches the device off turning in her seat and smirking at the others,

"Ready?"

They both nod and smile,

"I was born ready baby" Boran snorts in his thick Turkish accent.

Kit laughs and pats Boran on the shoulder extremely excited,

"I hope we see a sea dragon or something!" they say practically jumping in their chair.

Clair laughs, and raises the blast shields on the sub-windows, leaning back in her chair as the descent begins.