"What is this place?" Simon walks the main room situated in the center of the sub. "This is less of a sub and more of a portable condo." The floors are made of beautiful wood, with fluffy recliners and couches. A massive TV decorates one wall, and a large kitchen occupies the other side. Connected to one side is a bedroom with a luxurious bed and the floor is made of soft carpet. "You guys find anything," Simon asks, walking back into the main room.

Tarma shakes his head, "There's a large library with actual books and I even found a gym, but nothing here indicates it was supposed to be used for any kind of industry work. What was the point of this? Surely a factory under Command's authority wouldn't make a personal submarine like this."

"Nah, that's not the weird part," Martin puts his feet up on the glass coffee table in front of the TV. "The crazy part is that this sub only needs one person to run it. Hell, most of the functions are automated. The technological know-how to make this thing should be near impossible. Whoever had the vision to make this definitely had help."

The three men ponder this question as Marco walks in, "On that note, did we find out how to get this thing home?"

Jost enters after him, "Gin is working on it. He's the most knowledgeable here when it comes to submarines. He said the controls are fairly simple, we just need to find a way to open the building and get past the density shield. There should be a command room somewhere."

Almost as if planned his radio crackles, "Captain, we have located the operations room."

"Well, that's convenient," Martin says with a chuckle.

"What is there? Any instructions?"

"No sir, but there are levers to open the ceiling hatches and take down the shield and air bubble."

"Good. Return to the sub. We will be taking off momentarily." He turns to his team, "Martin, you are the fastest here. Once everyone has entered the submarine you open the preliminary hatches and-"

He pauses as Gin says something in his earpiece. "Belay that. Gin has figured out how to open the hatches and flood the chamber from within the cockpit. The sea treader will retrieve our suits, for now, everyone get comfortable."

Everyone obeys without a word, most of the members finding places to sit in the various rooms. Simon heads to the top floor where a small viewing deck made of see-through material awaits. Mightsea mabye? It's similar to the mineral-based glass of the dome. Simon taps the glass absent-mindedly, sitting in one of the large cushy swivel chairs. A few other crew members join him as they await departure.

The intercom crackles as Gin's voice comes through filling the space, "Attention crew, we are about to leave so make sure you are in a stable place." The people around Simon tense, but he remains relaxed and nonchalant.

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"Disabling air bubble." There are a few seconds of silence and the the pounding of water can be heard, drowning out all sound.

"Activating water hatches." Circular holes appear in the ceiling, each one the size of a samll car. The room quickly fills with water, submerging the vessel.

"Opening ceiling doors." The entire roof spits open, revealing the dark abyss above. Spotlights turn on, illuminating the floor and walls.

"Enabling density shield." There's a deep hum that runs through the submarine, lasting a few seconds. It quickly fades as the underwater vehicle detaches from its constraints, slowly rising above the building.

"Disabling factory density shield." The entire room holds its breath, waiting for the worst to happen. Simon stares at the factory below as the shield comes down. In an instant, the entire place is leveled, flattened to the seafloor. Not a sound emits from the destruction.

The crew members murmur to each other, "Imagine if that was one of us?"

"At least it would be a quick end." The room goes silent again as the sub turns to face the dome, the fake day visible and faded through the glass. Below, the sea treader speeds across the sea floor, its lights disappearing as it turns behind a silt mountain.

A shaky voice speaks up from behind Simon, "How do you do this? Stare into the abyss?"

Simon turns away from the window to see the room empty except for one crew member shaking in their wetsuit. He shrugs, "You get used to it. To a point where being outside almost feels like a second home. But the fear is always there. Never look too long or else it will stare back." The man whimpers before scurrying down the ladder. Simon starts to get comfortable when the intercom comes to life.

"All Dome Technicians report to the cockpit for a meeting." Simon yawns, heading down the ladder. On the second floor, people lounge about, some reading books, a rarity in the city. Some watch TV or play cards. Simon walks through the main corridor, several doors lining the hall. He peeks into them as he walks by. A kitchen, storeroom and small garden room make up the left side. Never thought I'd see a garden in a sub. He glances around the barren space. The walls are filled with dozens of seed bags, and plant pots fill the room with a large garden square in the center. Cool.

At the end, a large vault door protects the cockpit. He taps on it and it opens, the entire team waiting. The pit is spacious, with several holo projectors displaying the surrounding area and submarine-related information with a large table dominating the room. Gin sits in the only chair, a dozen buttons and switches filling a board in front of him.

Martin crosses his arms, "What did you call us for, Gin? I was just getting ready to make some coffee."

"One sec." He flips a few switches before turning to the group, "I thought you guys might want to hear this. Submarine, activate voice log two-two-three."

There's a click followed by a voice, "To the one chosen by our god, this vessel is yours. We will soon perish in this factory, as is the will of our Savior. I have left instructions on how to pilot and maintain this vessel as well as map coordinates for the submarine to follow, as bestowed to me by god. I wish you safe journeys." The intercom clicks.

"What's a god?" Martin asks.

Tarna shakes his head, "The real question you should be asking is who this god is. It seems like they have a plan for this "Chosen" one, and it requires them to go alone." The room goes silent, everyone having their own opinions.

Their Captain claps his hands, snapping everyone out, "Well, it's not something for us to worry about. Command might have a better idea, or maybe it doesn't mean anything, and it's just the ramblings of an insane engineer. For now, let's focus on getting home. We have a busy week ahead."

The team reluctantly agrees as the submarine gets closer and closer to the dome all of them can't help but feel a sense of foreboding.