SEA

Chapter one

2500

Captain Morgan stood straight, looking at the ship. It was extremely large. It had weapon and defense systems, ranging from shells to machine guns. He sighed and reminisced at harsh memories. Memories about how the world broke apart. His father's weak, dying voice,“Son, this world is too scattered and broken. It can never return to what it was before. It's a pity. You never experienced those days.” His father's voice faded away, and no matter how much he shouted for help, his father died right in front of his eyes. He remembered that helplessness…that—“Captain, they are all here.” A stout man named Elliot said, interrupting Morgan's thoughts. Morgan looked around and said, “Welcome to WDO IX, the ninth ship of the WDO. What are your names?”

“I'm Roy.” “Dennis.” “Carl.” “Jett.” “Hitler.” ….

* * * *

In a horribly populated city millions of people pushed about. Buildings were built atop each other, depriving the sky view from all houses below. Wastelands were claimed, and wars erupted everyday. The sea was drained of it's fish by hungry people. As the population of humans had increased crazily, the need for food also increased. People now could not find places to live anymore. Countries had scattered, some brilliant talents made weapons of mass destruction to be able to feed themselves, which made the small skirmishes to become large-scale fights. Feudal lords were being killed everyday. Only the WDO stood firm as the strongest and unchallenged organization in the world. The World Defense Organization, WDO had started the exploration of Antarctica and the oceans, trying to make them suitable for human survival. Twenty large boats were set for the exploration. In a comfortable room in the WDO, a dark man squinted his eyebrows saying, “Sorry, Captain Morgan, but you are to explore the Lake of no return. Don't worry, you have already written your will, right? Your only regret should be that you wouldn't be able to be buried properly in your home country. But ah, it is an honor to serve the WDO, which, in a viewpoint, is the world!” Captain Morgan almost coughed out blood in anger, “Is this how the WDO treats it's people?” BEEP. The call ended. Morgan slammed the phone down in anger. The lake of no return was famous for its calmness and the beautiful sights overlooking it. Using the best telescope, an explorer named Thomas Wilson found out that it was a point where the sky and the ground connected together, and the lake they saw was actually the sky. Many expeditions went there, aircraft, drones and ship, but they disappeared without a ripple. He looked at their war boat. It looked insignificant compared to the collosal boats that had thick defense and ventured into the lake of no return. The ship's remnants were not even seen. There were five of such places. Bermuda triangle, endless cavity, acid cave, circular desert and lake of the sky. He helplessly picked up the ship's communicator and said, “Return to the ship. We're going somewhere.”

“The place we are going to,” Morgan narrowed his eyes, “needs courage. Are you sure you want to go?” “YES! WE ARE BORN TO SERVE THE WDO!” They yelled simultaneously. Indifferently, he said “We are going to lake of the sky.” He scrutinized them deeply. “Haha, captain, you're really easygoing. I thought that our captain was stone faced.” Roy said with a smile. “You are really good at cracking jokes, captain. You could have simply said acid cave! Haha.” A woman named Lucy laughed. “We are really going to the lake of the sky.” Morgan said with a bitter smile. He picked up the sound record and played the conversation. After that, everyone was quiet. “Is…is… it that place, or another place named the same?” Carl's mouth shivered. As experienced cruisers, they fully knew the horror of the lake of the sky.

Chapter two

The group solemnly boarded the ship. There were a total of 14, adding the captain it was 15. The lake of the sky was located at Luxembourg in Macedonia. It was a 5 day ride using the waterways. During that time, the crew were solemn. Davis threw out his advanced fishing rod that had braised pork hanging down into the sea, and the smell made some small fish be caught. Davis looked dissatisfied and then controlled the hook to dodge the small fish. Carl smirked, “Davis, your so called skills were all imaginary bragging, I suppose—” There was a huge splash in the water which sent all the small fish flying. The big fish was angry. A few small fish wanted to share it's dinner. CHOMP, it ate the meat indignantly. “Haha! A big catch!” Davis said happily. Five hours later, the entire crew were feasting on the fish. “This could sell about two million pounds.” Jett said. “Big nature fed fish are very delicious, unlike the ones in Shul pond.” Lucy laughed.

* * * *

4 days later, the crew were looking forward. “The legendary lake of the sky. This is the first time I've seen it.” “Ah! It's so serene. So beautiful. So… I lack words to describe it —” A loud, blaring voice sounded, TURN OFF ELECTROMAGNETIC DEVICES TO PREVENT DAMAGE. Everyone took a deep breath while Morgan accelerated the ship into the lake of the sky. As they drove forward, Jett's face was drained of all colour. He pointed backwards with a trembling hand. Everyone looked backwards. The entrance had vanished. All around them was a vast expanse of sea. Davis looked indifferent as he threw his fishing rod into the sea. Then, his pupils constricted. The fishing rod glided around the 'sea', but could not enter it. He then realised that the ship did not enter an inch into the 'sea'. Morgan walked out, “The ship is at it's highest speed.” The entire ship now looked like it was floating on the water. "Activate the drill."

Chapter three

Rrrrrrrr

A circular drill emerged from under the ship to anchor it.

drrrrrrrr

Water splashed everywhere. Milan, one of the crew members reported with a serious face,"Captain, there's a complication."