The Hunt in the Deep

Prologue: 1998, The Marianas

"How much d'ya think it's worth Dave?" asked Robert, David's friend and associate. "Looks to be a small, old pirating vessel Rob, so not much probably," replied David. They were sailing on their small treasure hunting vessel, The Hunter, named after its profession. Robert and David were solo treasure hunters funded by no one, instead relying upon David's generous inheritance. Both men were 25 years old and properly educated, and they loved their hobby, earning piles of cash for piles of gold, silver and other such treasures lying at the bottom of the world's oceans.

The friends were nearing their newest wreck site near the Mariana Trench. "Why are we after this one if it ain't worth much?" Robert asked. "Cause there aren't many wrecks left in our sector," David said. "Well it better be worth that storm we came through, whew that was an event and a quarter hmm... maybe more considering that whirpool." They anchored above the estimated location of the wreck and Robert donned his diving suit. Within half an hour, David had the comm set up and Robert was ready to go. "Good luck," David called to Robert as he got into the ship's bell and descended under water.

"So, how's it going down there Rob?" David asked once the bell touched the ocean floor and Robert set out on his underwater journey.
"Not much, just following a debris trail which by the looks of it broke pretty... hey! There it is, beat up and hanging over the edge!".
"Really, sweet dude," said David, "so how bad did-"
A scream cut him off ending abruptly in choked gurgles.

Stunned into silence, David stared at the intercom for a good 10 seconds before firing a barrage of questions through the microphone. His questions were met by a heavy silence. Even the background chatter of fish ceased. As he was about to break the silence with more questions, the intercom shrieked with static and shut off completely.

Fiddling with the communications setup, David tried in vain to reestablish contact. He gave up when after five minutes the intercom began bursting with sparks. He soon switched his attention to a monitor displaying the interior of the bell. Standing there almost like a scarecrow, he waited and waited. Suddenly, a hand shot through the cords at the bell's floor. David breathed a sigh of relief as the familiar figure of Robert clambered up and pushed the button to pressurize the bell. Rushing out unto the deck, David began the ascending sequence of the bell then stared down the depths of the ocean praying.

The moment the bell touched the deck of The Hunter David marched up in front of it and stood, hands held forward ready for a welcome hug. When the hatch opened and Robert stepped out, David halted midmotion. His face paled and knees buckled. It was Robert yes, but he crawled out of the bell on his hands and knees covered in a viscous black liquid almost like oil. His skin was steaming from numerous red patches all over his body. Half of his lower jaw was sheared off and his once blond hair was now falling in small, steaming patches on his blistered head. 'Robert' got up on wobbly knees, the acidic, oil-like substance burning holes through the deck. Pointing a burnt, trembling finger at David, he let out a bone-chilling shriek before charging.

___________________________
_____________________
______________

Note: Do not take what I write here for reality. I'm not well versed in diving stuff so my details are probably off..by alot. Don't mind that :P

Regards,

Vertinax