APEX: RISING / PART ONE

 

RISING Part One cover done by @yokaiju

Fantasy, abandoned by reason, produces impossible monsters; united with it, she is the mother of the arts and the origin of marvels. 

~Francisco de Goya

RISING 

Part One 

April 24th, 2013 

Singapore 

Local Time/ 9:00 am

The morning sun has risen over the shapes of creatures that have long been gone. The mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex stood on two strong legs that held its body above the well curated ferned ground that lay beneath it. The forty foot long prehistoric behemoth stood amongst the other technicolor marvels from an age that mankind could only learn about but never experience. This once feared predator loomed over local joggers and layover tourists. This statue and other dinosaurs added a splash of unique color and presence to the hustle and bustle of the Changi Airport in the metropolitan jewel of Insular Southeast Asia, Singapore.

The maritime port that has been an important part of the region for the past millennium was an island city-state that’s international airport matched the seafaring hub in activity and connectedness to the world as a whole. The airport was just as much of a hub for trade as it was for travel. Thousands of people would walk among the crowds of Changi arriving or departing to the various locations that connected the small island to the whole of human civilization. 

And while his fame had aged a bit, he couldn’t believe despite all that, he was still caught. 

With everything going on, this was honestly the last thing Rick Winston needed right now. Sporting a vintage RUSH concert tee with his torn jeans and green laptop bag, he thought that he was low key enough to just look like some run of the mill tattooed white guy tourist in Asia. 

“But of course my passport would flag me,” he thought to himself, “I knew I should have updated it fully instead of just being okay with that damn mark.” 

Didn’t matter regardless though as he was continued to be led by airport security to the customs hub. As they passed through the doors of the hub, one of the guards turned to him and placed cuffs on him. 

“Well that’s unexpected,” he thought as he was escorted into an interrogation style-like room with one of the guards. His bag was taken from him awkwardly, since they didn’t get the bag before putting cuffs on him. The guard that stayed with him took a seat while reaching into Rick’s bag. With his free hand he motioned for Rick to follow suit and take a seat. Rick took it and noticed the guard had his British passport out and was comparing Rick with his much outdated photo. 

“Your photo looks very different then how you are now,” the guard said in English, “and you don’t have an accent despite having the passport?” 

“Yeah my British passport is still being updated, as you can see by the mark by my name. If you want, I think I have a digital copy of my American passport on my phone, if that helps you a bit more.”

“Two passports?” 

“Dual citizen,” Rick responded quickly, “But passports aside, you still haven’t quite told me why I am here and detained in the way I have been.” 

“Your passport was flagged,” the guard said stiffly, “And judging from the information given, we were told to detain you at this level.” 

“I mean I figured it was serious,” Rick gestured to the shiny cuffs on his wrists, “Handcuffs. But what could I have been flagged as if it requires me to be handcuffed.” 

“The American representative from the embassy might be able to answer your questions properly. Until then,” the guard smirked, “handcuffs.” 

“The US embassy,” Rick questioned, “The US embassy flagged by British passport?” 

“I must admit, it surprised us too. But we are just following orders.” 

Rick rolled his eyes and let out a loud sigh. He knew what he had to do but he hated it for a variety of reasons. With another breath he looked right at the guard with a smile and a bit of charm. 

“Okay, I hate to pull this card but, you know who I am right? You’ve looked at my name enough I’m sure you realized who I am. My family more or less is a household name in this and most countries around the world.” 

“I know the name. Wild Winstons right? That show in the 90s,” the guard responded. 

“That’s the show. You a fan?” 

The guard shrugged, “I have seen some of it, yeah.” 

“Well I’m sure if you have seen some you know we recently had a live TV broadcast the other day and I’m sure if you didn’t watch it, the news has definitely been made public about it. And if that is the case, you know why this is honestly the last thing I need right now.” 

“I understand and I am sorry for your loss,” the guarded nodded and put Rick’s passport back in his bag before looking at Rick directly, “but you were flagged at customs and--” 

“I get it,” Rick interrupted with exacerbation, “my passport was flagged. This is protocol. But why? Do you have any information on the exact nature of why I’m being detained at such a level? Is this even legal? I feel like this is as shady as a subway tunnel right now.” 

The guard looked at Rick up and down and then shook his head, “No.” 

“Great!” Rick said, moving back in his seat, “So we are just wasting each other’s time. That’s efficient. Happy these aren’t my tax dollars at work.” 

Before the guard could say anything, a loud knock on the metal door interrupted their 

space. The guard looked at Rick again and then got up from his chair and moved towards the door. From where Rick was, he couldn’t see who the guard opened to but could hear the click and clack of the high heels. 

“Is this where they are being detained?” a woman’s voice said. 

“Yes,”the guard nodded as the presence of the US Embassy official walked into the room, “are you from the Embassy?” 

“Yes I am,” the woman responded. 

She was American for sure and Rick was honestly impressed by a cacuasian who lived in Singapore, she was anything but tan. Her hair in a ponytail to keep the clean and professional look as a representative of the United States. The black rimmed glasses she wore seemed to add to her appearance as someone who is in charge surprisingly enough. Her smile soon faded when she saw Rick in handcuffs. 

“Why are they handcuffed!” The embassy official said, looking fiercely at the guard, “You didn’t have to handcuff them.” 

“It’s protocol apparently,” the guard responded, “just following your Embassy’s rules.” 

“He doesn’t need to be handcuffed,” she responded and then looked at Rick, “You didn’t need to be handcuffed. I’m so sorry.” 

Rick was about to say something but then the guard interjected, “You sure? You never know with-” 

“Release him,” the official interrupted with an authoritative tone. Rick was impressed by her but not really surprised by the guard’s reasoning for the handcuffs. There were now doubts that the embassy wasn’t the one for the cuffs but local beliefs seemed to still bear its shackle. 

“Alright then,” the guard said and with hesitation and removed Rick’s cuffs. 

Rubbing his wrists, Rick looked right in the eyes of the guard and smirked, “Its been a real pleasure buddy.” 

“Likewise,” the guard said and turned to the door before turning his head back to the room, “ma’am.” 

As the door closed shut, the words still lingered in the air around Rick like daggers. It was not a new feeling, but it was a feeling that hadn’t been felt in a spell. 

“I’m so sorry about that,” the official said and took the guard’s set, “I had no idea that-”
“They’d arrest me,” Rick interrupted with a bit of temper in his breath, “You know if this gets out, its going to look bad on everyone. It's no secret that Singapore has certain views on-” 

“That I can assure you Mr. Winston is not the case. It truly has nothing to do with that.” 

Rick, noticing the sincere nature in the woman, realized that he might be a bit more on the defensive then he needed to be. Being more upset than he already was would do no favors and he had to figure out what was going on right now so he could get out of this room and work on what he had to do here in Singapore. 

“I’m sorry. That is usually the first thing most of the time. Some people really can’t see past that particular fact about me,” Rick said gesturing to himself and smiled, “Also just call me Rick. Mr. Winston is my…” 

Rick trailed off, the showmanship in him faded at the realization of what he just said. 

“Mr. Winston was my father,” Rick continued with sorrow leaking from his words, “Woof. I’m going to have to get some new lines on how to respond to being a mister anything.” 

“Then I’m assuming I’m using the right language with you then?” 

The question from the woman snapped Rick back to the present and out of the still fresh past, “Yes no! You are good. Better than most government officials, miss?” 

“Vale,” the woman said, “Mrs.Vale.” 

“Like a veil of mystery then? For a government agent its a good name to have,” Rick mused. 

“It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve heard that joke,” she smiled, “some think I married my husband just so I could get a job like this.” 

The two laughed and Rick was starting to feel a little more comfortable. Maybe he could use the good ol’ Rick charm and get out of this quicker than he thought. 

“Well then” Vale said with a smile, “First and foremost I want to express my deepest sympathies to you for what you have lost Rick. I truly can’t imagine what the past forty eight hours have been for you. Its an unfathomable experience and I can say with a fact that the whole world is grieving with you right now.” 

Rick was impressed with the sincerity of the woman and felt that he could stay on top of it. But suddenly her smile seemed to morph and her face became stern. Professional. 

“Oh right,” he thought, “government agent.” 

“I do have some questions for you though Rick,” Vale said. 

“Ah I see. SO this just more bureaucratic nonsense that our government is known for. I gotta admit though, I’m impressed that you guys even had my British passport under watch. How did you pull that one off.” 

She moved her hands off the tables in a way that seemed to show that she had nothing up her sleeves, “I’m just the messenger.” 

“I bet,” Rick thought to himself. 

“No, I get it,” he replied, “Everyone has a job to do.” 

“Exactly the point Rick; your job was to go straight to Honolulu for your debriefing with the rest of the survivors of the Conan Doyle.” 

“And I am doing that Vale, I--” 

“I’m aware that you have a flight to Honolulu booked in the next few days but you were supposed to be in Honolulu today. And last I checked Rick, I’m a US agent for Singapore and not Honolulu. We weren’t supposed to meet like this.” 

“I get what you are saying. Return to the States. I’m doing that as you said. I’m just doing it kind of the long way round.” 

“You are avoiding the question Rick? Why are you here? You were requested to fly straight to Honolulu. Not take your time to eventually get to Honolulu. You are delaying-” 

“Look!” Rick interrupted her with a raised voice. Silence was between them as Rick could see that she was a bit surprised at his interruption. Rick took a breath to regain his composure. 

“Look,” he said calmly and looked at Vale directly, “Like you said. You are sorry for my loss. And you are completely right; it's an unfamothable and unimaginable loss that I’ve experienced. And in all honesty, I still can’t figure out what happened. But what I do know that did happen is that my father and my step mom are dead. I myself barely survived the sinking of the Conan Doyle. And absolutely the past forty eight hours have been nothing but a hell of attempting some sort of physical, mental and emotional recovery on top of dealing with government meetings, the media and anyone else who wants to know why those two are dead at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean from a horrific and truly unfounded death. So forgive me if I don't go running to Honolulu to be talked down yet again by some military big wig about what must have happened instead of listening to me about what did happen.  

Mrs. Vale took a breath herself. Rick noticed she must have been trying to figure out how to talk to him. The circumstances were truly unique in the case of natural disasters and no one really knew how to deal with a survivor of such an event. 

Not even Rick. 

You are right Rick. The world saw a tragedy that is obviously a lot more personal for you than for myself or others. Again I can’t imagine what you are going through as well as how you are holding up this well with all that has happened out there. But I will speak for myself that this tragedy does effect in such a way just as you said. It was a live event, Rick. In a way we were all there when it happened. 

“What do you mean?” 

“I was watching the live stream.”

“Oh, well then-”

“With my son,” Vale interrupted. Rick went wide eyed at the sight that this agent wasn’t just some person doing their job. But a mother. A mother who had their child see what everyone looking at their screens did. 

“Oh, I’m sorry. Is your son okay?” 

“He is young,” Vale said, not showing an emotional response to Rick, “It was a serious talk afterwards on where his reasons of why he wants to be a scientist when he grows up went.” 

“I apologize.” 

“There is no reason to apologize. You are not responsible for the accident.” 

“Right.” 

“So,” Mrs. Vale said directly, “Why are you in Singapore Rick?” 

Rick didn’t respond right away but didn’t break eye contact with her. 

“I need,” he muttered, “a break.” 

“That’s the answer?” Mrs. Vale said with a confused smile, “I mean sure, Singapore is a nice place to relax but between you and me, I would jump at the chance to go to Hawaii for that.” 

“Yes. That is my answer. I need a break. I need a breather from all this. I came to Singapore cause I’m staying with a friend who is right now the closest thing I have to family this side of the Pacific.” 

“But Rick-” 

“But nothing,” Rick interjected, “My parents are dead. And on top of that, I myself had a near death experience that is to say the least, a lot to deal with. I understand the importance of getting to Honolulu, I really do. That is why you know that I have a red eye flight out of here in the next few days and that me coming to Singapore isn’t me running away. I will make it to the time of the talks with the Navy and whoever else wants to know the “truth” behind the events of the Conan Doyle incident. But I won’t be able to help anyone if I don’t have time to process all of this and it would be nice to at least begin the mental gymnastics I need to do with someone who is close to me and my family before I have to discuss it with all the people you want me to talk to.” 

There was a pause as Rick’s words seemed to have some sort of effect on Mrs.Vale. Hopefully Rick played the card of someone who had a lot to deal with well. Though even he himself knew that while usually this was an act to avoid responsibilities sometimes, deep down Rick knew this was the truth. The fact that he hadn’t snapped quite yet after all that has happened was a personal record for his mental integrity. Vale moves back in her chair and gets up with pulling out a small cell phone from her pocket. Rick took a deep breath and didn’t quite know how to feel about playing the “dead parents” card for the first time. He didn’t know how to deal with that in particular but if playing this new social cue helped his real reasons for being in Singapore and gave him the time he needed to see where the tip of the iceberg of what had happened before getting back to the United States. 

“It will work out. Somehow,” Rick said to himself softly, placing his hand on his forehead and breathing deeply in. This coping mechanism always helped him since he was a kid when feeling overwhelmed and it would stand to reason it would help him out at the moment. 

The door opened and Mrs. Vale, still on the phone, walked back in. She moved towards Rick and was nodding her head to respond to whoever was on the other end. 

“Understood. Passing you to him now,” she said to person on the other end of the line, “Its for you, Rick.” 

Rick took the cellular device, curious on who was on the other end. 

“Hello?” 

“What the hell do you think you are doing Rick!?” 

“Ah,” Rick responded to the all too familiar government agent who was handling him after the Conan Doyle back in Guam, “Agent Mackenzie. Good to hear your voice again.” 

“Don’t ‘Hey Agent McKenzie’ me. You had strict orders for Honolulu. The other survivors are already here in Pearl Harbor as we speak. You made me a promise you would be here on the next flight out of Guam after you to some time to mourn in private.” 

“I mean I am still in mourning, McKenzie,” Rick said, “And I have a direct flight for Honolulu in the next forty eight hours so from where I’m standing, I’m keeping to my word.” 

“I stuck my neck out for you Rick. To fly unescorted I had to put a lot of faith in you. And this is how you repay me? By trying to loophole your way out of our arrangement?” 

“You must have known I was going to do something like this though right? You guys flagged me with my British passport. That is some serious spy shit Mackenzie.” 

“Don’t do this to me right now,” Mackenzie barked on the other side of the phone, “You know damn well that this current situation has already drawn enough suspicion as is. It’s going to be pretty hard no matter what when one of the most focused people in the media right now is moving around like nothing has happened.” 

“If you are worrying about the media getting to me before you guys--” 

“The eyes of the world are watching us right now Rick,” Mackenzie interrupted, “Everyone is trying to make sense of what happened out there and you know damn well we want to know the truth proper before everyone starts going off--” 

“On what actually happened,” Rick sharply interrupted. 

There was a pause as Rick could hear Mackenzie try to regain his composure. Rick had met Jared Mackenzie when they had made it to show in Guam. An American Special Agent, Rick honestly couldn’t figure out which department of US security. FBI? CIA? Special forces? Rick could never figure it out. He once saw a purple circle that held some sort of white sailing boat on a badge Mackenzie flashed, but the agent seemed more than familiar with who Rick’s parents were. And even more so, everyone on the American base in Guam treated Mackenzie with intense respect or had no idea who or what he was. Rick thought it was due to him being a strong looking black man in a government job, an “out of place” kind of sort that was akin to Rick, but it seemed to be more than that. 

“We don’t know,” Mackenzie finally managed to say with gritted calm, “how credible your claim is Rick. You were delirious when we picked you up and other survivors had varying accounts on what exactly occurred after your parent’s sub feed cut.” 

“Mackenzie-” 

“No,” Mackenzie interrupted again, the calm still there but Rick could sense that a serious storm was brewing behind Mackenzie’s words, “You listen to me. You need to get on the next plane to Honolulu.” 

“Is that an order, Agent Mackenzie?” Rick said with snark. 

“Rick. I understand if you are stressed. If you are still mourning. If you are still struggling with the reality of the situation you were in. Before you interrupt me, that does also include the situation you claim to have experienced. But this isn’t the time for your “celebrity” special treatment. We need to figure out--” 

“I’m tired,” Rick said with exhaustion. 

“What?” 

“I’m tired of this!” Rick snarled; his voice trembling. This conversation was scraping against the walls of whatever was holding Rick together. Whatever was preventing him from breaking down to the truth of what he saw that night. The truth of what took his parents and nearly took him down with the ship quite literally, “I already told you what happened. That is what happened. It's’ never not going to be the truth. I know what I saw. And I understand you want to double, even triple check if any of my story is true. But it is true. My parents died more than seven miles down beneath the Pacific and we will never get their bodies for burial. And thank god you guys gave me a phone that no one has the number for cause when I logged online to check my e-mail back in Guam on the computers, it was overwhelming. The world is looking at me for answers. So I thought I could hide from the world. It is well established that Conan Doyle survivors are with military escort to Honolulu. So if I am walking about in Singapore why would anyone think twice? I’m not supposed to be here. No one remembers who I really am anymore anyways. I’m about to try and answer questions that no one ever thought they would have to ask and you expect me to be able to answer them? Those kinds of questions?” 

No answer from the other end. Rick noticed that Vale couldn’t keep eye contact. He knew it was time to bring it home in the hopes that he will get what he wanted. What he needed to do. The real reason why of all the places, Singapore. 

“Like I told your official here,” Rick calmly continued, “I have a red eye flight in less than two days from now. If I remember correctly, talks don’t start till Saturday. My flight will land before then and the moment my feet are on US soil, I will be at you and any other government official’s disposal. You can talk to me and question me till the cows come home. You could make it a freaking holiday for all I care. But right now, I just want to rest. I want to process. And I want to just deal with this loss and put as much of it as I can behind me so I can be at least some good to you guys so we can figure out a proper solution without me being emotional at the drop of a hat.” 

The other side of the phone was still silent. Rick took the phone off his ear to just double check that they hadn’t been disconnected and he wasn’t just making his case to no one but himself and Mrs.Vale. The phone still showed the connection was strong. Mackenzie had heard him. The ball was in his court. If the game was played, then Rick would have enough time in Singapore to actually do the processing he needs to do, but also to see if he can make sure that his theory about what exactly is going on, isn’t. He needed to know the full extent of this Pandora’s Box that was opening. 

After a deep breath on the line, Mackenzie spoke, “You’ve booked a red eye.” 

“By Saturday morning and some time changes, I will be in Honolulu and by extension American soil. All I have is the bag you guys found me with when the Doyle went down and the phone you gave me in Guam. Mackenzie, sir, please. I need to deal with this. I want to be at my fighting best for you guys. Surely you can understand where I’m coming from.” 

“I do.” 

“Well?” 

“The person you are staying with is a civilian? Another scientist?” 

“Yes, a civilian. No, not a scientist. Have you ever heard of the travel writer, Jenn Forest?”

“Yes I know of her. She covered Colleen’s work in Thailand a few years back for National Geographic, yeah?” 

“Yeah. I’m surprised you know of that.” 

“It was a good article,” Mackenzie responded, “Who doesn’t read Nat Geo?” 

Ignoring Mackenzie’s comment, Rick continued, “Yeah well she lives here in Singapore at the moment.” 

“As long as you stick with the currently approved story we agreed with in Guam, I am sure I can get this approved for you. But only if you stick with what we have already released for the public if she asks any questions, right?” 

“Of course!” Rick said with a smile to cover his lie, “Like  you said to myself and the others in Guam. An unexpected typhoon is a lot more believable for a story than the one that I have been telling you guys? You honestly think someone would believe that it was because of a sea mon-” 

“This is not a secure line Rick,” Mackenzie interrupted, “So please no mention of your-”

“Truth,” Rick finished Mackenzie’s sentence without sounding offended, “Yes of course.” 

“Can you give me back to Mrs.Vale?” 

“You got it,” Rick said and handed the phone towards Vale, “He wants to talk to you.” 

Vale nodded and took the phone and motioned to Rick to wait, she left the room to continue the conversation.  Rick sat back down and just tapped at the metal table, waiting for the final decision. He needed to get out of this room. He needed to see Jenn and run his little errand. While he was looking forward to actually processing the event with Jenn, the importance of what he needed to do first was taking much more precedent. He had to know. He had to prove to himself that he was wrong to think that what he saw was the truth. It couldn’t be. If he was wrong, then there was nothing but to accept that he was mistaken. But if he wasn’t proven wrong, then it wouldn’t be just himself to grapple with the truth of what was lurking in what he now was considering; a much bigger world. 

The door opened again and Vale walked in. She was off the phone and Rick perked up, excited to see what the verdict was, “Well? Am I under arrest and being shipped to Honolulu?” 

“No,” Mrs. Vale said with a smile fit for customer service, “You are free to stay for your planned trip in Singapore. Given the circumstances, Agent Mackenzie understands and agrees that you will need time to process the loss of your parents before you go up to speak to the various representatives about the incident.” 

“Rad! Well, if you don’t mind me,” Rick said as he started to get up but noticed that Vale had left a pointed finger up. She still wore the smile but her eyes had a sternness in them that Rick knew meant that was a catch to all of this. 

“Only if you stick to the details you gave to Mackenzie and myself. Stick to the public story. Stick to your plans. And if you stray from any of that.”

“One way ticket with an escort to Hawaii?” 

 “Exactly.” 

“So,” Rick said as he continued to stand up and grab his bag, “I can leave?” 

Mrs. Vale nodded, “Yes. Of course.” 

Rick followed Vale’s lead and the two of them walked out of the interrogation room and back into 

the security hub’s hallways. The guards around didn’t make eye contact with them. It was as if they all knew that whatever was going on, it was above their pay grade. At the door, Vale motioned for Rick to stop before they walked out the door. The government official appearance seemed to falter a bit as she looked at Rick with her own personal cell phone in hand. 

“Rick,” Vale said, “Before you go. Can I ask something of you? Its a little unprofessional but-” 

“A selfie for your kid?” Rick grinned, “No, it's fine.” 

The smile for appearances evolved on Vale’s face as one that Rick was all too familiar with. A smile of a fan. As they went through the motions, Rick was somewhat flattered that even after all this time and change, he was still a celebrity to some. As the interaction continued, the click of the cell phone’s shutter started to somewhat whisper in the back of Rick’s mind the looming reality of his situation. He was only a celebrity in this woman’s eyes because of who he used to be. What he used to be a part of. That even here, on the run from the US government and more things in the world he could count. The one thing he seemed to never be able to escape from, was the legacy of his father. 

“Thank you for that Rick,” Vale said looking at the selfie of the two excitedly, “my son is going to freak!” 

“I’m always happy to help a kid smile,” Rick said. 

“Best of luck Rick,” Vale said as he moved through the door, “with everything.” 

Rick smiled and looked forward, returning once more to the hustle and bustle of the Changi airport. Moving amongst the crowd, once again unseen, Rick managed to get through the crowd and to the baggage claim and arrivals greetings. Families, friends, business folk were either greeted by signs, waves, or nothing as they left this part of their journey to enter the metropolis of the Indonesian waters that was Singapore. Rick had stopped by Singapore a few times in his life so far, but mostly for connections and layovers. This more or less would be is first time Rick would get to enjoy Singapore. Relatively speaking.
“Rick!” a familiar voice shouted amongst the sounds of airport announcements, baggage claim interactions and other travelers reuniting with those who are picking them up. 

“Jenn!” Rick said with a cheer as the lovely fit blonde woman whose attire looked professional in Singapore's heat, though anywhere else it would look like she was about to hit a gym then a meeting. The old friends gave a hug that locked them together. 

“Took you long enough! I was getting worried!” 

“Well luckily for me, it was nothing too big. Just a little detainment due to a passport issue per say.” 

“You were detained!” 

“Yeah. Again nothing too big. I’ll explain later.” 

“Was it cause--” 

“No! Surprisingly! Have some faith Jenn. Its 2013 and I can safely say I think people are finally being a little more opened minded about everything.” 

“Yeah but--” 

“It's going to be okay Jenn,” Rick said and grabbed her hands to reassure her that it would be, “trust me.” 

Jenn looked Rick over and slowly let go of his hands, attempting to hide her concerns behind a pearly smile. 

“Are you going to be okay though,” she muttered, “What can I do for you?” 

“Well, I know I need some food and a shower.” 

“As someone who just hugged you,” Jenn said with sas, “I can tell that easily.” 

“But first, I need to do one thing before we go back to your place. It will be quick.” 

“Oh,” Jenn said curiously, “and that is?” 

“I’ll tell you on the way.” 

April 24, 2013 

Tropical Marine Institute, Singapore 

Local Time/ 11:15am 

Singapore not only was a major port rich in history, but it’s a cityscape that is forever advancing to be a pinnacle of learning. The colleges and universities of Singapore showed that the city exported more than cargo, but a variety of backgrounds that are eagerly sought after by the rest of the world. All backgrounds, from science and technologies to entertainment and entrepreneurship to everything in between, seem to be one step above the rest if they were something learned in the hallowed halls of Singapore’s educational centers, especially those learned at the National University of Singapore. This prestigious university, founded in 1905 as a medical school, grew over the decades to educate and become leaders in business, arts, sciences and everything in between. The university did not just teach, but they continued to teach themselves with a variety of research and programs which are healthily funded to provide the top tier research to advance their schools of thought to their fullest. As an added bonus, with the location of Singapore in the heart of the unique tropical marine ecosystems of Indonesia, it is without surprise that Singapore would be home to the Tropical Marine Institute. This science center that was located on the NUS campus also was successful enough to have always active research sites on the hallowed Southern Islands of Singapore. The institute was famous for being an international hub for bio-acoustic research, marine biology and ecology labs, marine mammals research and, most importantly to Rick, the home to the EMID. The Ecological Monitoring, Informatics and Dynamics Group was a research division that specialized in researching sustainability in the world’s marine ecologies and was famous for being able to notice even the slightest saline changes in the oceans before anyone else. Information like this was invaluable to most, but at present to Rick, this information was borderline life and death. 

“And you sure you don’t want me to wait,” Jenn asked, “I really don’t mind. I have a book I could read.” 

“It’s okay,” Rick replied with charm in his voice as he moved out of her car. Closing the door, he leaned into the open window of the vehicle, “I’ll see you back at the apartment.” 

“And you have the address?” 

Rick pulled out of his pocket a piece of paper and waved it to Jenn, “Yes. I still have the address. I shouldn’t be too long.” 

“Then let me stay Rick. I really don’t-” 

“Jenn,” Rick cut her off, “I’ll get a cab when I am done and I’ll see you back at  your place. There is a chance this could go a little longer than I think and you could end up waiting for me till dinner. I would hate that. I’ll see you at the apartment and then we’ll go out to dinner. My treat.” 

Jenn looked at her friend quietly and then nodded while putting the car into drive, “Okay then Rick. Best of luck with what you are doing.” 

“Thanks hon,” Rick said in a smile, “I’ll see you soon!” 

Rick waved her off as Jen drove out of the parking lot of the Tropical Marine Institute before turning to face the establishment. He had been to this facility before, luckily though it was when he was unpublished and the residual celebrity status of Wild Winstons was starting to fade behind him, so Rick had a good feeling that no one would know who exactly he was and avoid the dog whistles of the presumed eyes Vale and Mackenzie had on him. But he also knew that with the recents events at the Mariana Trench, if he did get noticed here; Vale would be on him so fast for the attempt of what he would believe would be them thinking he was breaching the classified knowledge he held. The knowledge he himself truly didn’t believe. Rick pulled out his phone to quickly double check if who was supposed to be there was still there. If they weren’t he would be seeing Jenn a lot sooner without any of the answers he needed. 

“Good,” Rick said to himself as he confirmed on the TMSI’s website, “He still has a lecture this afternoon. Better find him before he starts though because if he gets talking about his squids, then there goes the time I need from him.” 

 With a quick pace, Rick entered the front doors to the Institute and was instantly cooled from the powerful and pristine AC that faded the heat of Singapore behind him. A variety of specimens were already on display as well as a fantastic aquarium featuring a variety of local marine species. From tropical fish, camouflaged crustaceans and a spectacular cultivation of colorful corals , it was a grand display to showcase the biodiversity that was just a stone throw away from Singapore’s shoreline. Local researchers and those from abroad all moved around him in the corridors as language barriers were rare in such a place when they all spoke the same languages of science. While Rick had left the main line of research academia after publishing his book, the community around him made him nostalgic for his lab days. A quick conversation with the building’s front desk and Rick was able to navigate the halls and labs to one of the offices that was designated for visiting researchers. With a knock Rick heard a shuffle behind the door. 

“One moment!” a voice said and the door soon opened to a face Rick hadn’t seen in a long time.

“Hey, you busy,” Rick mused. 

The man who stood in front of Rick was a bit older than him, almost the same age as his father. In fact he and his dad had been college chums back in the day. He was a tall and relatively fit man due to his years as being not just a marine biologist with a squid focus, but a college rowing team member and instructor. He was cleaned up, having probably been prepping on his lecture for the afternoon. Wearing an unbuttoned button up with a shirt that says “All that and some squids” on it with a cartoon squid wrapping its arms around the phrase and khaki pants, the balding man seemed to look at Rick like he himself was a ghost. 

“Rick?” 

“Hey there Archie.” 

In moments Rick was suddenly in a familiar embrace from Archie before being released as the two walked back into the biologist’s temporary office. 

“Come here! Oh my God, Rick! It's so good to see you,” Archie Best exclaimed. 

“Same here,” Rick smiled as they both took their respective seats with Archie behind the desk and Rick on the other. The nostalgia for being in academia, which Rick had  started to feel, was receding cause now he currently felt like a student in professor hours, something he honestly never wanted to feel again. 

“Can I get you anything,” Archie asked and gestured to a small fridge near his desk, “Juice, pop, something a little stronger is also there.” 

Before Rick could decline the offer, Archie looked over Rick one more time, “Wow has it been that long? I almost didn’t recognize you!” 

“I’ll take the compliment,” Rick responded with a smile. It has been a while but moments like that, especially after this morning, were refreshing. And from someone from Rick’s past, it was nice to hear as well as even better that they had to almost second guess. 

Rick had known of Archibald “Archie” Geoffery Best for as long as he could remember. Not only was Archie and his father old school chums, having met in their undergrad in the Bahamas for a marine paleontological dive exploring fossils and environments in the area’s blue holes and it was in their conversations over the Lusca, a legendary creature from Bohemian folklore, that their friendship blossomed and to the point where they worked together on Wild Winstons and beyond. Whenever they ever did stories on octopi, squids or anything with tentacles, Rick would always be happy when their “Uncle Squids” would make it to the show.

But suddenly from the deep, Rick started to wonder, if Archie and their father were that close, then why wasn’t Archie also on the expedition at the trench? Wouldn’t he have jumped at the chance? Rick wasn’t even sure if his father and step-mom even consulted with Archie about the lure? That wonder started to feel more of an uneasy suspension. 

How much did Archie actually know about what his parents were doing down below? 

“Rick?” Archie asked again, “What can I do for you?” 

Snapping back, Rick pushed the thoughts down so they could focus on the present. 

“I need a favor.”

“A favor?” Jeff said with curiosity in his drawl, “What kind of favor?” 

Eyeing the computer, Rick started to speak his gambit. 

“How much access do you have to this place’s databases?” 

“You sure you want to be doing research with everything that is going on?” 

“It’s more of a weather check if I’m going to be honest.”
“Weather channel not cutting it for you?” 

Rick laughed, “No it’s not. I just want to double check something.” 

Archie took a moment before nodding and gave a shrug, “I don’t see why I wouldn’t be able to help you. What other data sets are you looking for?” 

“Let’s just start with the weather and I’ll go from there.” 

“Okay,” Archie said and took a seat in front of the monitor and with a few clicks and taps, Archie pulled back to show Rick the screen he needed, “There you go my friend. A weather pattern map of the center’s weather data for the local area. Looks like nothing but clear skies save for some storms on the west.” 

Archie stood up to let Rick take the seat in front of the monitor, which he then began to gaze over the charts of the South China Sea. 

“And I can add filters and other data sets to this map?” Rick asked. 

“Of course,” Archie said and leaned over, pointing to a sidebar on the map readings, “The regional data sets can be toggled here.” 

“Rad,” Rick said and began to add more data sets from other researchers for the area. Soon the monitor map of the area started to layer data of weather patterns, currents, water temperature, marine life migration patterns and environmental habitat markers of the Singapore Strait for the past forty eight hours. It was a chaotic criss-cross of data and Rick could see in the corner of his eye Archie’s confusion and concerns for what Rick was looking for. To an untrained eye, it was just wild but nothing abnormal.

“Planning a fishing trip?” Archie questioned. 

“What?” Archie responded, still not taking his eyes off the data sets, “What do you mean.” 

“These kinds of parameters are used by two types of people. Environmental scientists and fishermen. And last I checked you are not really either.” 

“Its,” Rick muttered, “to do with a research prospect I’m thinking about exploring in the future.” 

“Ah I see,” Archie replied. 

 Rick kept looking over the data, Archie moved away for a moment to a side table and pulled out two glasses. 

“Can I get you anything to drink?” Archie asked. 

“Water,” Rick replied, “And is this live data or uploaded data?”
“A little bit of both,” Archie replied while pouring two cups of water, “ It’s funny you showed up when you did Rick. I was going to reach out to you sometime later today.” 

“Oh why is that?” 

“I mean,” Archie said as he moved back to Rick and placed the glass of water next to him, “Rick. You know you can talk to me.” 

“Yep.” 

“Rick.”

“Archie?” 

“Rick,” Archie sighed, “Your father was an amazing person and your step mom was-” 

“Don’t,” Rick interrupted. 

“Rick. Come on. I know it must be-” 

“No Archie,” Rick interrupted again and looked at the senior scientist, “Don’t do this.” 

“Do what?” 

“I don’t need to be processing it right now.” 

“But Rick,” Archie responded, “I saw the stream. The whole world did. What happened is a true tragedy and--” 

“And nothing. They knew the risks. At that depth anything could happened.” 

“But that?” Archie said, “If what we saw was right then--” 

“Then it's more important that I look at these data sets. We need to confirm,” Rick said fiercely and then took a breath, “You know my parents. It would be their dying wish.” 

Archie looked over Rick one more time and shook his head. Rick hated this. He knew he needed to talk about it, but it was such a whirlwind of thoughts. Since the sinking there has been absolutely no time to process that his parents were dead and most likely killed by something that has no scientific explanation, let alone a rational one. But Rick realized that maybe he was overstating his time with Archie because the last thing he would need is big brother USA showing up, seeing that this visit was more than a personal call. 

“Rick,” Archie said, “Then answer me this. What exactly are you trying to do research on? This doesn’t feel like your kind of work. ” 

Rick took a moment and then said sheepishly, “Oceanographical abnormalities? I’ll admit I’m a little out of my element.” 

“You’re telling me. And the goal of this kind of research.” 

“Honestly,” Rick looked over the data sets again and noticed that it seemed like the currents coming into the strait from the west were noticing some slight fluctuations that seemed to have an almost side to side pattern. It then clicked to Rick that it was a secondary current. 

“I have no idea Archie,” Rick continued, “I just know that I have to see this through.” 

There was a silence between them and it finally broke when Archie let loose another sigh.

“Okay Rick,” he said, “Just know you can always reach out to me.” 

“I know Uncle Archie. Thank you.” 

“Besides,” Archie said slyly, “I was going to reach out to you for your scientific input as well.” 

“Oh,” Rick said with interest,”About what?” 

“Last night a fishing trawler brought in an unusual catch and its something that I think you’d be able to help me out with. Now that I know you are in Singapore, maybe we can look at the find in the lab we’ve placed it here and then have a meal?” 

“Oh,” Rick said with interest and then cut himself off. As tempting as lab work and the distraction of it from his own strife right now, the idea of looking over a marine specimen with Archie could lead to be somewhat triggering for him. Rick did not need a break down right now because of things that would normally make him happy, instead reminding him grimly that his parents were dead.  

“Rick,” Archie’s words brought them back to the present, “What do you say?” 

“If I didn’t have another engagement in an hour, “Rick lied, “I would take you up on that offer.” 

“Oh another engagement?” Archie laughed, “You and your father were always the same. You could show up in a place and it always seemed you had to see everyone who lived in that place in one night. No worries then. How long are you in Singapore?” 

“Another couple of days before I have to go back to the States and do a proper debriefing with the US Navy about the sinking and then I guess work on getting the…” 

Rick lost the words, realizing that not only did bureaucratic meetings awaited him back in the States but the planning of Hank and Colleen Winston’s funeral. 

“It's going to be okay,” Archie said, “I get it. A lot is going on. Well if you have time to see me before you go, it would be swell.” 

Rick nodded and returned his gaze back at the monitor, “Would it be okay for me to send this data to my email? I think I got what I needed but I want to make sure I can check it later.” 

“I don’t see why not,” Archie said, “And if they ask I can say that you are helping look over some info to help with the specimen we have here.” 

“What is it by the way,” Rick said and then looked somewhat embarrassed for asking after denying questions about it this whole time, “I mean, just so I know what to expect.” 

“Don’t know,” Archie said, “the fishermen say they found some kind of cephalopod they didn’t recognize.” 

Rick laughed, “Good think Singapore has the Squid Guy in town then.” 

Archie nodded, “You know me, I am always looking for answers with that kind of animal.” 

Rick smiled and with a few keystrokes, sent the map data to his personal email and started to collect himself to leave. 

“Thank Archie,” he said, “I’m sorry it was a bit more business than personal but-” 

“You’re your fathers son” Archie chimed, “You always have somewhere to be. I get it.” 

“And hey,” Rick said, “Send over whatever you find interesting with that specimen. When I get some time I’d be more than happy to put some input on it if I think I can.” 

“You got it Rick,” Archie smiled, “And hopefully we can get a drink before that.” 

Rick nodded with a smile and then left the room.

Archie stood there for a moment before taking another sip of his drink, looking over at the computer that still was showing the data sets that Rick was so keen to see. He shook his head, viewing the data and something that held more questions and answers. 

And none of it good. 

Much like his father, Archie knew when a Winston didn’t want to talk about what was really going on, they did a terrible job of hiding it through their work. Checking his watch, he realized he still had time to check out the specimen in the lab before he had to go to this guest lecture. He left the office with a casual stroll as he walked through the Singapore Marine Institute halls to the hum of what he loved about marine labs. The soft drone of the faint movements of other marine scientists doing their work. The buzz of the aquarium filters making sure that the tanks kept their live specimens healthy. The soft klink of beakers as other factors beyond live specimens. Everything from soil samples to ocean patterns were studied here. The unknown depths of the ocean became more and more known in these halls. It was his passion for Archie. But the moment he got to the large bay doors that had a makeshift security station in front of it that reminded him that despite all the progress he and his fellow scientists made aware of the ocean, the seas still held dark and unfathomable secrets. Flashing his badge to the security attendant, he was allowed to enter the room. 

The lab had been overnight made to house the specimen that had been tangled up in the trawlers nets. The lab tables were pushed aside to make room for the makeshift clean room that now housed the large dead thing. Despite the almost pristine appearance of the lab, the familiar but pungent smell of  dead sea animals was overpowering. Archie shook his head to try and dispel the heavy scent that was akin to rotting eggs and fish. But despite the putrid aroma of the animal, what Archie was looking at made him somewhat regret not flat out telling Rick what they had in this lab. 

“Hank,” Archie said to the ether, half hoping that his dead friend and colleague would somehow appear from the great beyond to give him answers, “What the hell did you and Colleen stir up that deep beneath the sea?”

Before Archie, sprawled on a metal table behind the translucent clean room walls, laid a creature that bore a large spiral shell covered in spines and strange orb-like structures, was at least over a diameter of three feet or more. The dead yellow eyes reflected the white lab lights while the dead thing’s tentacles that were at least over six feet in length, drooped around the body like a wilted flower. The two back tentacles were even longer and had feathery structures blooming from the tip. What was even more spectacular was that the shorter tentacles bore  hand sized hooks. While this prehistoric looking creature was unlike anything Archie had seen, it was unsettling to him that his gut was telling him that it was as plain as day: an ammonite. And if that was the truth, if this creature was truly some kind of unbelievable ammonite, it would only lead to questions that had answers that were beyond all his years of being a scientist. Once more, whatever answers he could find, seemed to be tied to the death of a dear friend and the son that he left behind. 

April 24, 2013 

The Singapore Strait 

An Hour off the coast of Bintan 

Local Time/ 5:30pm

The sun had begun its descent to the horizon as the once pure light of day started to burn into its hues of oranges and red to signal that the day was soon to end and that the cool hours of night were just beyond the edge of the horizon. Amongst this shift of the tranquil but fiery lights and speckled darkness, a lone motorboat buzzed its way across the water, breaking the calm surface in its speedful wake. The only ones for miles in this sliver of time, weathered man and his young son broke the calm of the darkening water; alone in this silver of time that for many would find to be a beautiful once in a lifetime moment but for these two, it was an average spectacle that signaled the end of a long and usually fruitless day. 

The true spectacle though, would be if the son would ever sit down properly as the man saw his eight year old child bounce high due to him being unsteady in the chop the boat propelled across. 

“Be careful!” the father shouted in Malay,” I keep telling you not to lean so far off the bow? If you fall out I’m leaving you to the fishes!” 

“No Dad,” the boy responded with a smile as he situated himself back to his perch, “I won’t. How much longer till home?” 

“Judging from the sun,” the sun muttered and squinted at the horizon, “Probably a little after sunset.” 

“Do you think we caught enough?” 

The father hated to lie to his son, but their meager catch barely justified their cooler. As the days have gone by, the cooler that stored their catch became less and less a way for them to afford to pay for the food on the table, let alone the mounting stacks of bills that they would have to push to the side to even put said food on the table. He always found it funny that the tourists who would stay at the luxury resorts in his home of Berakit would always behind their poolside cocktail glasses at the resort he would pick up shifts for now and again would tell him how lucky he was to live there. But all these luxuries on Bintan from the pristine hotels, world renowned golf courses and holiday packages just eroded his home. Born poor, lived poor and most likely will die poor and would never experience the luxuries The man though would be damned if any of this life would repeat for his son. 

“It's enough,” he responded with a sigh, “Tell me. What did we catch today.” 

“Well, we caught-” 

“In English!” the man interrupted. 

“But dad!,” whined the boy, “Why? We are not at school.” 

“No,” the man said, switching back to his birth language, “you need to practice.” 

The boy, upset, sat silent for a moment and like the child he was, let loose an over the top moan of frustrated acceptance. 

“Fish. We got fish.” 

“Is that good English?” 

The boy fell silent again, the man seeing the boy was going through his vocabulary that they had been going over when at home. English would help the boy get to schools outside of Berakit. Hell, if he could get the right kind of scholarships, he could even go be taught in Singapore and the man’s hard work to keep this boat afloat would be all worthwhile. 

“No,” the boy continued, “we caught fish.” 

“What kind?” 

The boy thought for a moment, trying to craft the right words until a devilish grin shone onto his face, curling into a jester-like grin. 

“Big ones.”
The man laughed. Even when frustrated, the boy had a knack for having a good sense of humor. 

“How big?” 

The boy, raising his arms to the length of the cooler and looking at each palm, confirming that he wasn’t going over, “This big.”
“And just fish?” 

“No,” the boy said, “We also got..we also got…Dad what is sotong in English?” 

“Squid.” 

“We also caught,” the boy emphasized on the last word, “four squid.” 

“Good job! You are so smart! Good English!” the man laughed and clapped a hand onto his knee in an effort to have the other hand remain in control of the boat’s rickety motor. 

The boy smiled and then looked down at his feet. 

“Something wrong?” the man asked.
“If my English is good,” the boy muttered back in Malay, “Does that mean I still have to go to school and be away from you?” 

The man slowed the boat a bit to a stop. The words were true, but they didn’t get rid of the sting.

“Yes,” he replied. 

“But what if I don’t want to go? What if I just want to work for you! I don’t need school to work with you right!?” the boy muttered in a solemn tone. 

The man thought for a moment. His son was a smart one, but also a sensitive one. It took some getting used to. Times like this made him miss his wife. But that was a long time ago. 

“Well,” the man said, “the thing is I am not a teacher. I’m a fisherman.” 

The boy looked up from his saddened state at his father, “but I want to be a fisherman!” 

“Well if that is the case,” the father said in a business-like tone, “I’d have to hire you. But you see, I only want to hire hard workers-”

“I’m a hard worker!” 

“That maybe true,” the man continued, “but I need a good hard worker who has gone to school. It’s how I know that not only they know how to catch fish, but also be able to sell them to everyone and not just some people.” 

“Even if I am your son?” 

“Especially if you are my son.” 

The boy thought for a moment and then with a hearty smile, stuck out his hand. 

The man laughed and shook the extended eight year old palm, “We got a deal then?” 

“We got a deal,” the boy grinned again and turned away from his father. The once sorrowful energy of the lad had changed to one of victory. But the real victory was for the father as in this moment, he felt that his son may in fact have a future beyond this. 

“Shall we keep going-” 

“Dad!” the boy said, standing up from his seat. The sheer speed of the kid’s action rocked the boat a bit. 

“Steady on,” the man shouted, “you have to sit down. I’m about to start-” 

“What’s that!” the boy shouted and pointed at the horizon. 

The man couldn’t see it at first, the setting sun was in his eyes. Placing a hand over his eyes to shade them and allow a better sight, he could see it. The ocean was moving, like a large unbreaking wave was heading towards them. He thought any moment the swell would break into a wave but it didn’t. Instinctively, he started to move his hands to get the motor ready to start before he saw it. The tell tale sign of silver speckles.
“Get the net,” he said. 

“What?” the boy questioned. 

“Ready the net!” 

 Just as the father and son had their casting net ready to be released into the water, they were upon them. At all sides of the boat, they were surrounded by a flurry of fish. The man in all his years on the water had never seen anything like it. It was schools of such a variety of fish that something like this was only heard of as an unlikely miracle. 

“Cast it!” he shouted.

The net was thrown and it crashed into the water. The schools of fish that were not caught didn’t 

move out of the way that they would normally do as a reactive flick of the tail. Both of them had to work to pull in a net that was containing such a mixture of fish of all colors and sizes but most importantly, their market price. 

“This is unbelievable!” he shouted. 

"Dad, look!" the boy said over the rapping of slapping fish hitting the deck of their boat, filling the bottom with flopping for life bodies. The man looked up and saw the familiar breaching of dolphins. There were six of them, leaping gracefully out of the water in full. Their sleek bodies didn't crash back into the water, but slid right into the shoal of fish beneath the surface. He noticed none of the majestic sea mammals had fish in their teeth when they would come back up to breach the surface in their aerobatics. There was a small but growing inkling of confusion at this, for why were the dolphins not also taking advantage of this amazing once in a lifetime bounty.

"They have come to shepherd us to good fortune," the man shouted with bravado to hide his creeping concerns.

"Really?" the boy questioned.

The man smiled back, trying to hid the fact that he couldn't shake that something wasn't adding up.

"Should we cast the net again?" the boy asked.

The feeling could wait.

"Of course," the man cheered, "We won't have to work for weeks with two or three more nets like this! We could even get a bigger boat if we wanted to!"

The boy, infected with the man's delight, nodded and readied the casting net again. As the man moved to help the throw though, the boy took a step back from the rim of their craft, nearly slipping on the fish that slapped the air beneath them that would only add to the scream of surprise.

"Dad!"

The man moved quickly to the edge of the boat and then saw them. Huge in their size. At first he thought it was two really girthy dolphins, but it was the gills that made him release their reality. He grabbed his boy away from the boat's edge as the two large great white sharks moved and swam past them, their fins cutting the water's surface to showcase their imposing presence in the school of lesser fish. These were apex predators, much like the dolphins that were swimming pass them. The two species only truly feared each other in these waters. But the growing confusion in the man was metamorphosing into a more primal instinct. One that he was now starting to understand. A feeling that would make creatures like the dolphins and great white sharks brothers in arms instead of competitors.

Fear. 

And while after one more rock of the boat from the shoal of sea creatures rushing past them signified that the strange phenomena was over, the fear had not passed. 

“Dad?” the boy asked wearily, “what was that?” 

“I don’t know son,” the man said looking in the direction of where the shoal came from, “I don’t know.” 

There was silence between them but not within the boat. A splash came from the side as the man realized in their pause, the gasping for water fish they had caught were flopping out of the boat. They quickly grabbed one of the paddles and handed the other one to the boy. 

“Quick,” the man said, “we don’t want to lose any more. Let's make sure the fish don’t jump out before we start heading back.” 

Primordial, the man and son silently hit the fish with their paddles as the smell of blood started to mix with the sea air. In an odd way, the pounding of their catch starting to cease was calming to both the father and the son. This is what fishermen did. This was something they knew. Something they comfortably knew to be the norm and nothing strange out of place out here on the waters they knew so well. 

Or at least, used to know. 

“I’m going to finish off the last of the jumpers,” the man said to his son, “I want you to start counting what we have.” 

The boy nodded and looked back in the direction of the extraordinary shoal of marine life, “Dad?” 

“Yes?” 

“There is a wave coming.” 

“It will pass. Focus on the counting.” 

The boy counted, keeping an eye on the wave. The man continued to hit the fish with the end of the paddle, splattering the blood onto the wood and his open toe feet. A shower was much needed after today. 

“Dad.” 

“What?” 

“Where did the wave go?” 

“What?” 

He looked up and saw that the swell had gone. 

“It must have passed us. It happens.” 

With the last of the fish, the only sound the man could hear on the boat was his son counting. He let out a sigh. He was trying to quit but the first thing he was going to do when getting back on shore was have a cigarette. 

Suddenly a splash from the water came from the side. He must have missed a fish. Lucky fish. 

“Dad!” the boy said alarmingly, “what is that!” 

The man turned to his son and nearly slipped backward at the sudden fright of what was now crawling onto the boat. He knew it was there. He could honestly see it with his two eyes. The man and the boy both stared in shock and awe as the cat-size crustacean moved onto the deck of the boat. 

“What is that?” the boy whispered in alarm.
“I don’t know,” the man said, “A lobster?” 

But it was truly unlike any lobster he had ever seen. In a weird way, it looked like a weird mix-mash of lobster, shrimp and their much nastier look-a-like, the mantis shrimp. It was dark blue in color with faded yellow circles on its sides. It scuttled around the deck on spindly segmented legs, seemingly curious about its environment. It waved its long and almost neon pink antennae that matched its feathery tail fin. These features seemed to almost glow, much like the neon sign of one of his favorite bars back on shore. It was a stark contrast compared to the rest of the primordial looking creature’s body. The man leaned in and pulled his boy closer, lightly but with firmness. Protective. The movement made the creature suddenly turn to them and the man’s lingering fear almost knocked him like a freight train. It now was aware of them.  

“Can,” the boy whispered cautiously, “can we catch it?” 

“I don’t think we should,” the man said. He had never seen anything like it and a part of him shouted to grab the thing. With a haul of fish like this and some new creature that in all of his years of being on the water, he could probably get a new house. But there was something off about this creature and that weariness of the unknown was a louder course of action to him, “It might be best to throw it overboard. Back to wherever it came from.” 

Suddenly, the creature looked away from the two and down at the bottom of the boat, seeing the bloodied fish. It scurried quickly towards them and revealed two slender crab-like claws from under its body, grabbing the nearest fish and inhaling the creature into its mandibles. 

“Hey,” boy shouted protectively, “that's our catch!” 

Breaking free from the man’s hold, the boy moved towards the creature. Alerted from the boy's movement towards it, the creature went rigid and suddenly started to glow a more radiant pink from its antennae. The man, now protective of his son from the unknown creature, lunged forward and grabbed the oar, striking a defensive position in front of his son. 

“Watch out!” he shouted just as the creature's antennae flicked forward and without warning, a small shock of electricity burst out of the whip-like antennae at the man, striking him on the arm. The man howled in pain, dropping the oar and going to feet as he rubbed his arms of the electrical pain that was erupting on them. He had been electrocuted once by accident when fixing the motor. It wasn’t that bad, but he wasn’t expecting a living animal to bring back memories like that. 

“Hey!” the boy roared and grabbed the man’s fallen oar, “That’s my dad!” 

Before the creature could react, the boy grabbed the oar and batted the angeried sea creature and flung it hard back into the sea. The boy went over to the side of the boat to make sure the crustacean was gone but as the pain was residing in his arms, the man noticed the boy’s pride of protecting his pop was already retreating. 

“Dad? Where are we? Is it shallow here?” 

“What?” the man responded, gritting his teeth as the shearing pain started to fade into more of a stinging discomfort. He hobbled over to wear the boy and looked over the rim of the boat. Below the surface, he could see the creature swimming down below them towards a large patch of brown. It looked almost like sea grass but the man had seen seagrass. This wasn’t it. They had yet made it to the shallow waters. There was something wrong here. Something is not right. How did a lobster get out here in the middle of the ocean? Nothing seemed to make sense. The shoal. The dolphins. The sharks. This electrical monster and now suddenly they were in the shallow waters. He knew of no sand bars in this area. And he knew these waters for it was all he truly did have in this world. 

Their catch be damned. 

Whatever they were involved with they had to leave. Every instinct that the sooner they were

home, the safer they would be. 

“We are leaving. Now.” the man said and moved towards the engine, pulling its start up cord and letting the old motor rip out a roar as it tired to start up. The man pulled it two more times before the coughing roars of the motor were suddenly answered by a new sound. A sound that was unlike anything he had heard before. A sound that was like thunder. A sound that alerted him that they had to leave. 

Now. 

Now frantic, the man started to continue to pull the engine of the boat and once again the roars were answered by something much loader. 

“What is that,” the boy screamed his his hands over his ears, “Dad! I’m scared!” 

“Me too,” the man said and with another pull of the old motor “But we will be home soon just one more-” 

The water shook. 

The ocean around them vibrated as the sound boomed all around them. As if something was just as frustrated at the engine’s failure to him. The waters seemed to rock the boat from all sides as something started to surface all around them. 

“Dad!” 

“What in Allah’s name…” the man whispered in shock to the spectacle before him. 

All round them, blue feathery towers started to rise like great sails being propped up by the large dark grey spines that seemed to reach high above them. Higher than the setting sun it seemed. These great and lofty spectacle loomed dangerously and  beautifully above them. It was something alien to the man and he was way beyond his knowledge, or anyone’s knowledge for that matter. The air started to become thick and charged as a humming noise seemed to echo around these plumbled spines. He looked at his son, lunging towards him. He must protect him. He must protect his child. He must protect his world.

“Dad,” the boy said, reaching out to him. 

But the man and son would never be in each other's arms, for in an instant they were gone. A sudden burst of greenish lighting erupted from the spines, making the blue feathers flash a brilliant cerulean light that caught the boat and its occupants in its deadly embrace. As the spines lowered the feathers back into the depths, there was nothing left of the boat that once held the occupants. Only charred debris and lifeless bodies bobbed the water, never to know of the thing that was oblivious to them. To this immense creature, the sound of the motor boat’s failure to start grumbles were simply the calls of some unknown creature that was foolishly challenging this great leviathan. The display it had responded with was only just for show. The creature waited to see if the unknown garbled screeches would respond and to the animalistic mind that resided in it, it had done its job. It had scared off whatever had thought it could challenge it. Feeling slightly drained from using its bio-electrical display to ward off its unseen but not unheard “rival”, the creature knew it had to find more electricity. Its senses were picking up what it thought to be a massively large but oddly centralized storm on the horizon. There it would be able to recharge itself. It felt weary of the waters around it. The small roars were not the only strange and alien sounds of these unfamiliar surface waters. The creature needed to be ready for any and all challenges. Despite its gargantuan size, it quietly moved down, back into the quieter depths and away from the now setting sun to the storm ahead. The creature though would soon learn that what lay ahead of it was no tempest; powered and towering structures the likes it never knew possible would soon loom before it, built by the very unnoticeable beings that it had forever taken away from this world in its very wake. 

April 24, 2013 

The Fullerton Hotel, Singapore 

Local Time/ 8:00pm

“Man,” Rick said cheerfully before taking another bite, “This is rad tofu.” 

Rick sat across from Jen all dressed up in a newly bought green button up with brown pants while Jen wore her classic white formal top and black pants. The pristine and well tailored restaurant Jade wafted with idle chatter and the smell of world renown Cantonese cooking as the two sat amongst other patrons in the Singapore’s monument of a hotel, the Fullerton Hotel. The historic hotel was an icon of Singapore’s waterfront, which Jade had fantastic views of and was a must whenever Rick visited the city. Which was only once as a kid, but the mouth watering memories of food were at the moment overpowering the memories of being here with his dad. 

“I’m still pretty impressed, “Jen smirked as she took another sip from her soup, “that after all this time you’ve stuck with that diet. I almost didn’t recognize you at the airport. Hardly recognize you now.” 

“Amazing what a shower and new clothes can do,” Rick grinned back, “And diet wise, it's pretty amazing what can happen to your life when you listen to a monk in the mountains of Chang Mai.” 

“You were so bent out of shape about it though,” Jenn laughed, “Even the monk was surprised by your reaction.” 

“Well what else does someone do when someone asks you the big questions like ‘if the way you eat matches your beliefs?’” 

“Most people probably say ‘well shit’ quietly in their heads when major life changing thoughts hit them. Not screaming “oh fuck” over and over in a Buddisht temple.” 

“Well,” Rick mused, “where is the fun in that? Besides, if I remember correctly, it was your idea to take me there so long story short, it's your fault.” 

“If that is your way of thanking me for a healthier lifestyle, then you’re welcome,” Jenn smiled and raised her glass of wine, “To taking credit for your health.” 

Rick smiled back and raised his glass of water, “to taking credit for my health.” 

“Though granted,” Rick said as he looked over the menu one more time, “I could also blame you for instead of eating this wonderful Mapo tofu when I could be eating their signature lamb dish. But the Amazon is still on fire so I guess I gotta stick to this environmentally aware and healthy diet I’ve put myself through.” 

“Well,” Jenn said, “Its just nice to see you are still “Ricking” around. All things considering.” 

“Wait. You verbed my name?” 

“Don’t look into it. Focus on that. I'm complimenting that you’re holding up relatively well, as I said, all things considered.” 

“Relatively?” 

Jenn looked over Rick and then looked back at her glass of wine in her hand. She took a breath and put the wine down and straightened herself a bit. 

“I mean,” she muttered, “I don’t know how you are coping with all that is going on right now.” 

“Easy. I got us wine,” Rick smirked.
“Correction. You got me wine. You haven’t had a drop of it.” 

“Well, I have to hydrate first you know before drinking,” Rick said and raised his cup of water and then the other cup that he had with an amber liquid, “water and oolong. Can’t get yourself more hydrated for a bottle of wine.” 

“Rick.” 

“And this is just the start. Remember I put that order for both of us to have the crispy lobster dumplings. It’s a signature dish here. Absolutely-” 

“Rick.” 

“Wonderful,” Rick continued, “but what else do you expect at a restaurant with Michlean stars? Honestly we could be here all night trying this menu. I am in the mood for a foodies night. I mean look at this menu? All this food is to die for.” 

Rick paused at his last words. He shook his head and drank his oolong hard. 

“Why are we here?” Jenn asked. 

“To thank you!” Rick replied, trying to find the pep in his step again, “I mean putting me up so last minute. And with everything-” 

“Rick,” Jenn interrupted, “What were you doing at the marine center today.” 

There was a silence between them. 

“I don’t see how that’s relevant,” Rick said, breaking it, “I was just seeing an old friend.” 

“Archie Best?” 

“Yeah,” Rick responded, making sure eye contact was not made, “He’s in town for a lecture. Might stop by again tomorrow. He has some specimen that just came in. Wants me to check it out. He’s sending me photos of it later today. Might be something fun to do while I’m here before going to the states. Get some lab work in. Unless you have plans for me. I you know I won’t say--” 

“Rick,” Jenn said, “You’re rambling. I’ve known you long enough to know when you are avoiding something. You have to-” 

“It was about the funeral,” Rick interrupted, “Okay? It was about the funeral.” 

Rick took another drink of his oolong tea. 

“Rick,” Jenn said.
“Don’t worry, you’re invited. It’s going to be at my grandfather’s ranch. You know the one in Montana? Should be a fitting service. Everyone but me now will be buried there. Speaking of, should I send an invite to ol’ what's his name,” Rick said with a sharp tongue, “You know, your husband?” 

“Ex husband,” Jenn replied strongly.
Rick’s tension started to lower, realizing that he may have spoken a bit out of turn, “Oh Jenn. I’m sorry. I thought you guys were trying to--” 

“I actually sent the divorce papers a few weeks ago. Colleen helped me with them.”

“Oh,” Rick said and took another long drink of oolong to continue to avoid eye contact with Jenn, “Where are those dumplings?” 

“Rick.” 

“Jenn.” 

“What are you doing?” 

“What do you mean?” 

“I’ve known you long enough,” Jenn said calmly” When you are trying to avoid the subject. And I’ve been patient so far because I’m your friend and I know this is really hard. You’ve lost a parent before and it always stung whenever she was brought up. Now you’ve lost your dad and Colleen and I have to ask, are you okay?” 

“Yeah I’m fine.” 

“Rick,” Jenn said, “You said that the funeral will be at the ranch for them to be buried.” 

“Right,” Rick said, realizing he was caught in the lie. 

“Rick, there were no bodies recovered from Conan Doyle. I saw what happened. Probably half the people in this room saw what happened the other night. Your parents are dead.” 

“Well,” Rick soberly said, “it happens. All great science comes with risks and they took a pretty big risk going that deep.” 

Jenn reached out to Rick and grabbed his hand which he squeezed but let go, placing both his hands on his lap. She looked him over again and she herself took a swig of wine. “Hon, you just started talking to them again after what? Three years? And now they are gone. Talk to me.” 

“Two and half,” Rick muttered, “But who's counting.” 

“Rick,” Jenn said sternly, “You can be honest with me. This can’t be easy for you.” 

“I mean no. It’s not. But at least I was with them. At least we got things sorted.” 

“Did you?” Jenn asked. 

“What is that supposed to mean?” 

“You know she was my friend too,” Jenn continued, “Colleen was there for me during all the divorce. We talked.” 

“You talked with my step mom on the reg?” 

“E-mailed and more recently video chat,” Jen replied, “One of her last calls was about three months ago when I started my divorce with Jason. She was so happy that you guys were talking again. She honestly started to believe that you would never talk to your dad or her about going to work for CRADLE.” 

“Well,” Rick said, “It took them long enough to see for the first time in their lives that I was right about something.” 

“Rick, what a fucked thing to say,” Jenn said agast, “You can’t blame them for going to work for CRADLE. That company isn’t as bad as you think and your parent’s work was unorthodox as it is. Something that CRADLE has made millions on supporting. And remember, they did end up leaving CRADLE in the end. You were more important to them then the work they were doing.” 

“Their work,” Rick said, “is still what killed them though.” 

The silence was thick between them now. Jenn knew that Rick was walling himself up, something that despite his carefree celebrity appearance would have, was something he would aggressively do whenever he faced unprecedented life change. He always would rather ignore something and pretend it never happened then actually talk through it. She sighed and took another big swing of her wine. 

“And we aren’t even talking about the other elephant in the room,” she muttered under the red wine that lingered in her breath. 

“What elephant?” Rick questioned, now beginning to drinking more of his water as aggressively as his oolong. 

“Seriously,” Jenn said with patience losing fast,”You got arrested at the airport. And I know for a fact it wasn’t for the other thing. You know I was followed by black cars after I dropped you off at the Marine Institute. I even got a voicemail from the Embassy from a Mrs.Vale asking if I was who I was and that if a Rick Winston was indeed staying with me. So you tell me Rick. Your parents died on an international broadcast that had one hell of an ending that myself and most everyone here kind of want and answer to. You show up randomly here in Singapore of all places and have the freaking United States government calling me, a Canadian citizen mind you, and you sit here still having a ‘grudge’ with your parents, who may I remind you once again, just died. So yeah, there is a pretty big fucking elephant in the room right now Rick.”  

Rick looked at her with guilt in his eyes and took another drink. Jenn noticed a slight shaking when he brought the cup to his lips. She knew of his anxieties and probably knew better than to lay it on him so thickly, but she needed them to realize that they were not going through this loss alone. Colleen was a dear friend of hers and to see her step son act this way, was not just upsetting to see; it was heartbreaking. When Rick finished his drink, he finally made eye contact with her. 

“Okay then,” he spoke in defeat, “you wanna talk? Let’s talk. What did you see?” 

“Pardon?” Jenn replied. 

“What,” Rick said again with his tone scratching frustration, “Did you see.” 

“Well,” Jenn muttered and held her wine glass close, tracing its rim with her finger and looking into the dark liquid, thinking back to the dark waters that Colleen and Hank were surrounded by in their submersible nearly six miles down beneath the sea. “Well, they had successfully made their descent to the rim of the trench and activated their deep sea lure for squids. Yours folks started to talk about their exploits as scientists and explorers and how science and history are constantly changing in the face of new discoveries and revelations and then those lights came out of the trench and then-” 

“And then the feed cut out,” Rick interrupted, “But what happened after. Did the feed come back on.” 

“No,” Jenn said, “There was an announcement that the Conan Doyle was having technical difficulties. After thirty minutes, the station announced that due to the sudden storm in the area there was an emergency due to an extreme technical difficulty that resulted in the loss of your parents.”

“Hmm,” Rick said, “So they did cut the feed before it was seen.” 

“What?” Jenn asked, “Before what was seen.” 

Rick looked at her and then looked around the restaurant. Despite the intense emotions they

showed earlier, it seemed no one was really paying attention to them. There were some looks but nothing that deemed that they realized who exactly he was or what they were talking about. He took a deep breath and looked back at Jenn. 

“That is the story. But mind you,” he said, “the story you know right now but it’s not what happened.”
“What do you mean?” Jenn asked concernly. 

“Yeah, what I know is being looked over by the US government. They are still investigating what they now call an ‘ongoing investigation’ into the sinking of the Conan Doyle and the death of my parents. Despite me telling them the truth of what happened and even though they made it clear they don’t believe me, they don’t want me telling people publicly  about what I truthfully saw.” 

“And what did you see Rick? What was down there? Those lights? What happened?” 

“They found something. Or it found them.” 

“What are you saying Rick?” 

“Their lure worked. But it wasn’t for squid. They called something out of those depths and it killed them. It then followed the bathscape’s tow line and destroyed Conan Doyle like the research vessel was nothing.” 

“What? Something destroyed the Conan Doyle? It wasn’t a storm?” 

“It,”Rick at a loss for words, “it was the storm? I don’t know. Its just truly unbelievable. It is beyond anything I will ever know. That my parents ever knew. That anyone on this planet has ever known in this world’s natural history.” 

“Rick, what are you saying?” 

“I-” Rick was saying before the eruption of sound broke his words.  

The unnatural sound was soon followed by a massive explosion and the windows shown the fiery

glow of an oncoming disaster. A variety of languages from the surrounding tables aroused them with a variety of fear, confusion and curses. Staff and customers alike moved towards the pristine window to gaze at the mariana view of Singapore’s idyllic harbor front. Rick got up from his chair quickly and Jenn followed suit as they both made their way to see through the window to try and witness the source of the explosions and the continuing drone of the unknown sound that was unlike anything that Jenn had ever heard. They moved through the thick crowd of people, joining the other restaurant onlookers who were now more preoccupied with the thunderous events outside than the dinners that still sat at their tables. Jenn could see billows of smoke and flames as the streets were now rivers of sirens and flashing emergency vehicles lights, all heading to the Mariana South, home to local attractions like the Marina Barrage and the iconic Gardens of the Bay. Well, more like were the home of them, for they now seemed to be behind a wall of smoke and flames. 

And then she saw it. There was something behind the flames and smoke. Amongst the carnage of building debris and the increasing rhythmic tremors, she saw a large mass hiding in the calamity; illuminated by sparks of blue and green lights. 

She turned to look at Rick and instead found him kneeling on the floor. He seemed broken. His arm shook uncontrollably at the face of whatever was across the bay. 

“Rick,” she questioned cautiously, “what is that.” 

Rick was silent. 

“Rick,” she asked again with panic in her voice, “what is that thing.” 

“It’s real,” he muttered under his manic expression. 

“What?” 

“It’s really here.” 

“Rick,” Jenn said and crouched down to his level and pulled his face to face her, “what the hell is that thing?” 

“It doesn’t have a name Jenn,” Rick started to laugh. 

“What,” Jenn exclaimed, “What do you mean it doesn’t have a name!?” 

“It’s what took them Jenn,” Rick manically laughed as he started to break at the face of the reality before them, “It's what killed my parents Jenn. It's going to change everything.”  

Another loud explosion boomed across the Singapore harbor as the chaotic debris of what was

left of famous locations like the Observation Deck and Sand Expo and Convention Center crumbled beneath what was once an unimaginable thing. Jenn starred in primordial terror as from out from the destruction and into the lights of Singapore’s nightlight; starting to show its true form to the world that had all its eyes watching. 

It was big. 

Really big. 

It moved clear of the smoke revealing that the creature was a giant bearing the familiar but truly unbelievable body shape that hadn’t been seen on this Earth for millions of years. Covered in dark brown feathers with light blue highlights, it flexed its longer and darker blue feathers that lay in two rows down the back of its body. Even from this distance, it was clear that under these long display feathers were spines that seemed to spark electricity. Its formidable feathered forelimbs also had a mighty display of blue feathers and ended with two fingers and a thumb-like digit that bore mighty claws, adding to its formidable display. The crested bipedal creature’s feathery but strong tail came into view, showcasing spiny protrusions that also seemed to spark with electricity. The beast stood tall over a metropolis that had every citizen stare in awe and disbelief at the incredible sight for this day and age: a dinosaur. 

The titanic prehistoric creature was over fifty meters tall, snarled at the sight of the city that stood before it. The creature bared its jagged teeth and prominent tusks at the sights of metal towers covered in lights, the sounds of modern technologies and the scents of creatures that it had no idea existed under its feet. It moved its head to survey the sight of the unfamiliar skyline and began to rear its crested head and flexing its arm to showcase a dominating display to the world before it. Slowly but surely, the back feathers started to rise high, giving the creature an almost angelic appearance as the blue feathering started to illuminate its body; the creature then let loose a powerful and unthinkable cry. The bombastic sound that was not just announcing itself to Singapore. No, this creature was unleashing a roar of bygone age to the now modern world that mankind had made. A call to remind all that heard it that mankind’s belief in absolute dominion was in fact a self imposed fallacy. And as the unknowable and unbelievable prehistoric monster sounded its war cry, all Rick could do while he stared at the floor was to start accepting a truth that shook him to his core: this was the day that everything he or anyone knew about this world…was wrong. 

NEXT TIME 

THE RISING CONTINUES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Rising Part 2 Cover by @yokaiju