Dreams of the Deep

My starship intercepted a strange signal, a recording distorted by the sound of rushing water.

-{{ They left us... - kzzzkt - duty bound to follow them, but I know where it will end.

If you receive this, follow my coordinates and secure the site in case I don't make it back. Please. }}-

The transmission had decayed over time, but the coordinates from the stranger's message appeared to be valid.

I entered a Transmission Tower, and discovered another message from the same stranger.

-{{ LOG: 2015F. Breach Event +407 Sols

If you are listening, you have likely found our final log. I leave this trace as a memory of my fallen friends, and a warning to others who may end up on our path.

I cannot deny myself the vain hope that someone may find me, though I beg you - do not follow. }}-

I noticed the stranger had left behind an upgrade module for the Aeration Membrane. Its installation history contained the serial number of its owner's starship.

Disregarding the stranger's warning, I followed the trail to the submerged wreck of their ship.

-{{ LOG: 0003A. Breach Event +4 Sols

Most of the crew are dead. Only those of us already suited up when the asteroid hit survived the initial decompression. We were lucky that smaller starships were able to get clear before the hull imploded.

None of our ships have hyperdrive capability. We should be able to retrieve the blueprints from the freighter's main databank, though it appears to have crashed in the deep ocean.

Thankfully, we still have the plans for the Nautilon. }}-

The Nautilon Submarine detected a broadcast structure on the seabed.

:: REPEATER SIGNAL DETECTED ::

Despite the decay, the station's mainframe remained functional. The records had clearly been accessed by whoever came here before - the last entry was a download of a High-Power Sonar Unit.

But there was something strange. The timestamps had been purged, and there was no way to tell how long ago the crew had been here.

Had this place been on land when it was last visited? The horrors that lurked outside must surely have come after. But what had drawn them here? Unless...

The High-Power Sonar detected a signal ping from a large freighter wreck.

-{{ LOG: 0012B. Breach Event +8 Sols

Located the wreck, but the ship's computer was a wash-out. We salvaged what supplies we could and left. I don't want to be nearby when the water eats through the reactor housing.

Tidal patterns here are increasingly strange. The water has risen rapidly, but we are yet to see it ebb. We could return and salvage more when the water falls away... }}-

The survivors had made it back to the wreck of their freighter, but moved on soon after. I would have to do the same if I were to find them.

I traced the survivors across the ocean, following the decaying echoes of their signals.

... LOG ACCESSED ... SIGNAL ECHO DISTORTED ... RECOVERING DATA ...

-{{ LOG: 0062A. Breach Event +12 Sols

It was my turn to dive today. Once again, nothing of interest. Nothing but kelp and rocks.

The water is yet to recede. Some of the crew have taken to swimming without their suits. It looks so inviting. }}-

-{{ LOG: 0115C. Breach Event +21 Sols

The secondary dive team came back early today. They found a cave full of strange crystals, but the lights on the sub cut out and forced them home.

They seem upset, disturbed. But we have to go back while we still have an idea of where it is, before the shifting tides rob us. We'll never build anything without advanced materials.

LOG: 0115D. We've fixed the lights on the Nautilon. I'm heading out. }}-

-{{ LOG: 0119A. Breach Event +23 Sols

We found the cave! I knew we would, but what a find!

Great towering crystals of brilliant red, rich metal deposits, concentrated deuterium, all we could ever need. We might just make it after all. Now if only we could get a dry night's sleep... }}-

-{{ LOG: 0328A. Breach Event +98 Sols

I had the dream again.

The endless purple waves, mile after mile after mile. A relief at first from that dull crimson ache. But then... I can't escape the feeling there's something else there. I look around, and there's nothing. Nothing.

I blink, and I see them. Faint at first, just lines. But it's unmistakable. Repeated geometric shapes, traced in the sky. Row after row of triangles, slowly scrolling past. And I can't explain it, but it's the most terrible thing I've ever seen.

It's almost a relief to wake up and see the rain again. }}-

-{{ LOG: 1998B. Breach Event +399 Sols

They've gone back to that wretched cave. Every one of them. No-one is listening to me. We can still build the hyperdrive, I know it. After that, flushing the salt out the launch thrusters will be easy. }}-

-{{ LOG: 2001P. Breach Event +399 Sols

We've all had the same dream, the same rambling, the teeth in the sky, those crystals... It's nonsense. There's nothing else down there. We've taken it all.

But what can I do? Maybe I missed something. Maybe they're right. One last look won't hurt. }}-

The signal strength faded between sites, becoming weaker and weaker.

-{{ Trapped... sub reactor leaking.

It grabbed me, but they're dead now. Their eyes are all shut.

I think my leg is broken. My hand hurts.

If I can just find an air tank, I can still get back home... }}-

The recording continued, but it was just hours of scratchy silence, the static of the currents.

I had a haunting sensation of being watched. I wondered who this crew really were. It seemed I would never find out.