Season-1: Echoes From Abyss
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Morning News Bulletin…
"=The information gathered so far regarding the monstrous marine entities discovered at various oceanic points around the world by the Chinese Marine Research Authority and the government-authorized anti-bioterrorism organization 'Elfex Organization' is as follows:
1. Pacific Point—
Codename: Ocean Terror – Leviathan Prime
Classification: Abyssal Colossus-Type Entity
Field Name: "Deep God"
• This massive creature dwelling in the abyss of the Pacific Ocean is large enough to swallow multiple submarines at once. Its mouth contains countless sharp teeth that emit a faint bluish glow in the darkness. Its terrifying roar can generate water pressure waves reaching up to 30 kilometers. It resembles a gigantic seal-like creature with a massive head, though there are many differences. Its estimated length ranges from 47 to 50 meters.
2. Atlantic Point—
Codename: Ocean Terror – Abyss Serpent
Classification: Titan Serpent Entity
Field Name: "The Coil"
Its body is long like a serpent, covered in black scales. Its height is approximately 18 meters, and its length can reach up to 40 meters. It has the capability to coil around any large creature or machinery and crush it within a short time.
3. Indian Point—
Codename: Ocean Terror – Rift Stalker
Classification: Thermal Predator Entity
Field Name: "Heat Phantom"
Detected near a marine fissure close to the Fani Maore Volcano in the Indian Ocean. Its body resembles cracked fire, emitting hot vapor. Its estimated length is around 35 to 39 meters. It may resemble a massive turtle-like creature, possibly having a rock-like shell structure on its back.
4. Arctic Point—
Codename: Ocean Terror – Frost Abyss
Classification: Cryo-Colossus Entity
Field Name: "White Silence"
A white-bodied creature inhabiting icy waters. As it moves, the surrounding water begins to freeze. It moves silently. It has a serpentine form. Its estimated size is between 35 to 43 meters.
5. Southern Point—
Codename: Ocean Terror – Void Maw
Classification: Abyssal Consumption Entity
Field Name: "The Hollow"
Its mouth resembles a dark void where even light cannot escape. It completely consumes its prey, leaving no trace behind. Though comparable to the hypothetical creature "Bloop," it is believed to possess 15 to 22 tentacles.
These discoveries were made using advanced technological systems in collaboration with leading marine researchers around the world. Their presence has been detected at depths ranging from 700 to 1000 meters.
Temporarily, several countries have closed their maritime boundaries. All sea transportation has been suspended.
These events are believed to be connected to the Chinese ship incident on September 3. International organizations are currently discussing the matter. If this continues without resolution, it may lead to global economic instability and continuous inflation in commodity prices.
We conclude with a request for cooperation from everyone.="
---
Elfex Headquarters, Zurich
Time: 10:56 AM
"Since the first phase of Mission Deep Silence did not proceed according to our plan, we have lost 65 of our soldiers. Although our operating room detected unusual low-frequency sounds, unknown moving mass, and sonar distortion before the incident, it failed to transmit any warning, because the creature's roar disrupted communication, causing the sensors to overload and crash.
However, through sonar mapping, sound analysis, and pressure signatures, we have now learned a great deal about these creatures.
Furthermore, biologists have confirmed that the DNA samples found in the Ashville creatures, the parasites extracted from epidemic victims, and the DNA sample recovered from the Pacific Point all match.
It is evident that someone is deliberately orchestrating this to create chaos in the world, and they have engineered these creatures through mutation. This is nothing less than a horrific crime—bioterrorism. The most covert attack we have ever witnessed.
We must stop this at any cost. From now on, Elfex will officially act against them. And our modified mission will begin: Mission Deep Silence Extreme.
Let today's discussion end here. Everyone, return to your duties."
Everyone came out of the large hall.
---
"Louis?" Rex called out. Louis was heading toward the operating room.
"Yes, go ahead," he turned back.
"Where is Commander Jacob?"
"I don't know, I think he's in the high-command room."
"I needed to talk to him."
"About what?"
"I think we should trace those terrors. To track their movement, we need to observe ocean flow, pressure, vibrations, and signals caused by them using satellites."
"Why? What exactly are you thinking?"
"Then we'll be able to understand or at least estimate where they were spawned. Once we figure that out, it's enough. I think they were all released from the same place, and then they traveled toward different lab points. Most likely, they were being tested on how they move.
Maybe if we hadn't failed to find those labs, those creatures would have remained there. But they somehow realized that we knew everything.
Now, if we act quickly, we can solve this problem. Otherwise, they'll gain time and regain control over the creatures and attempt to fulfill their objective. They have already abandoned seven labs. We must finish this before they can form a new plan."
Rex explained.
"Excellent. That's a great point. I think we should talk to Commander Jacob right now."
"I'm saying the same."
At that moment, a voice came from behind—
"No need for that." Jacob said.
"Commander, I think Rex is right. We should give him a chance. You know how sharp he is," Louis said.
"No such orders have come from higher command. Therefore, nothing like this can be done. And this won't lead to anything. So Rex, do your own job. Work in field operations. You don't need to worry about this."
"But Commander, I'm explaining the matter to you. I think it will work," Rex said calmly.
"Didn't you hear? I'm forbidding it," Jacob said firmly.
"Why are you refusing?" Rex asked with slight suspicion and courage.
"Because that is the order. No member has the authority to make decisions on their own unless it's an extreme emergency."
"I'm explaining the process. Just talk to high command once. Why are you doing this?"
"Rex!" Jacob snapped.
"Do not go beyond what you are told. Don't forget—you are just a commander under this organization. Don't think too highly of yourself. Do I have to explain what I should or shouldn't do?"
Rex froze—not in humiliation, but in realization that Jacob is acting unusual. He knows that how and when a man acts strange. But Rex won't risk his self- respect.
"Yes, I am a member of this organization, but not a servant. I came here willingly, and I have the right to question anyone. Everyone under this organization must be accountable when necessary. So I don't think I did anything wrong by questioning you."
Louis was panicking inside, afraid things might escalate.
Jacob softened a little.
"Rex, stay within what I've said. I'm not saying your idea is wrong, but everything doesn't work everywhere. Prepare yourself. Mission Deep Silence Extreme will begin tomorrow morning. Start working immediately."
Jacob left.
"Why did he act like that?"
"You should know that better, Louis Watson."
"Don't worry. Maybe he just wants to follow orders strictly. No one will know."
"What do you mean no one will know?"
"Tonight, we'll secretly enter the operating room. If we try now, someone might report it. Many people don't act without official reports. I have access."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Some things we have to do ourselves. I've been finding Commander Jacob's behavior strange for a few days. Even when the secret labs were discovered, he prevented the tech unit from tracking their activities for the next four hours, and only allowed it later. I think they escaped during that time."
"Wait… do you think he intentionally gave them that time?"
"He said it was high-command orders. And Aran wanted to send Sheri to the capsule hall for safety—but he didn't allow that either."
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"What would I say? That I suspect my own father?" louis said it out of frustration.
"Look, that's not something to be ashamed of. I'm sure he's being forced for some reason. Otherwise, maybe we're overthinking. Anyway, after midnight, we'll do what we have to."
Louis nodded.
---
Barnes stood in front of the large green screen inside the lab. His assistant came and stood beside him.
"Is Charlotte ready?"
"Yes, boss. You killed Sylvie, used Charlotte for several missions, you softened Sheri for your wife—now she's no longer needed. So I was wondering, will you give her a new name?"
"I was thinking about that. Since she'll be used for operations on land… hmm… Terra. That would be good."
"One human, yet so many forms, so many names. But you should remember—even if she's a biological weapon, she is still your daughter. And her true identity is Sylvie."
"There is nothing like real or fake in her. Everything that exists is created by me. She is like glass—I will melt and reshape her however I want. Every breath she takes will be by my command, by my signal."
Barnes had absolute confidence in his control over Sylvie.
September 1 was the end of her Charlotte form.
Her identity as Sheri, which lasted nine years, has now met its end.
Sylvie died back in late 1997—whether truly or not, no one knows.
But how destructive Barnes will make and use this 'Terra'—only time will tell.
---
12:00 p.m.
"You're saying Rex himself was inspecting the med-sector incident?"
Aran spoke while sitting at a café beside the road, just outside the gym. His gaze was fixed through the glass wall of the gym at Rex, who was practicing inside. Normally, he trained at home every day, but since he was in another country, he came to the gym. This was part of his routine—something he never skipped without a serious reason.
Louis replied,
"Yes, that's true. First of all, he wanted to personally investigate Sheri—meaning Charlotte, or whatever she is—Sylvie's matter in secret before anyone else. He was afraid that if the organization found out, Sylvie might be harmed. You know how he always thinks there's a traitor inside. He suspects everyone, deep down."
"That fear turned out to be true. But after Sylvie disappeared, what did he do? How do you know?"
"That so-called traitor—one of his own force members—reported that Rex escaped from the med-sector. After that, they tried to trace him secretly across different parts of the country with the help of local police."
"Elfex already did that once."
"He didn't believe it. Now I don't know if he ever found any real lead. Maybe because of Sylvie, he's being this active and interfering in everything now. Otherwise, haven't you seen? Before, he just did whatever he was told—completely indifferent."
"But why Sylvie?"
"He's extremely self-centered. He doesn't care about anything outside his personal issues. Sylvie met Rex on the day his mother—Ilara aunt—died. He thinks those two events are connected. That's it."
"I thought Rex had a crush on that girl."
Hearing that, Louis nearly choked on his coffee.
"This is exactly why Rex used to get so irritated at you. What kind of nonsense is that? Is this the time to think about such things? And Rex having a crush? Have you lost your mind? He only intended to use that girl for his responsibility and to uncover the past. But that intention wasn't fulfilled."
"Why are you getting so worked up? It's just us here. I said it casually," Aran mumbled.
"…Though, I did think that once too," Louis admitted, looking guilty.
"During my father's birthday… when Dr. Barnes was invited… that's mainly when it crossed my mind."
---
After finishing 225 push-ups, Rex got up and sat down at one corner of the room. The muscles in his arms were swollen. He was drenched in sweat.
While drinking an energy drink, he took a short rest. There was a faint trace of fatigue in his brown eyes.
He took out a small charger fan from his bag, turned it on, and brushed back his brown hair.
At that moment, the boy at the gym counter played a popular French song that had spread across the world, trying to cheer everyone up—
"La nuit fut inattendue mais étoilée et magnifique
(That night was unexpected, yet star-filled and magnificent.)
Sous le ciel silencieux, ton regard était magique
(Beneath the silent sky, your gaze was magical.)
Les ombres dansaient doucement sur nos âmes perdues
(The shadows danced softly upon our lost souls.)"
The song struck a memory in Rex's mind—Sylvie had sung this too.
As he looked toward the counter, trying to trace the source of the song, he suddenly froze.
There—sat a girl.
Curly black hair parted on both sides of her shoulders. She wore a white gown embroidered with golden threads.
Her eyes were closed as she sang the song in a soft, sweet voice.
In the very next moment, the illusion shattered.
Rex blinked.
Gone.
Nothing.
His neurons fell into confusion—was that a dream?
And even if it was… a dream like this, in broad daylight?
Rex couldn't understand what was happening.
But he convinced himself of one thing—
he had probably been too busy,
or maybe he had taken too much rest without doing anything.
Without thinking further,
he walked out of the gym.
---