Depths of Paradise

by Vance Albright

  “Our nemesis is thirty-two feet long,” Liz commented. Max did not reply. His full attention was focused on the image in front of him.

  “We have discovered a new species. There is nothing even close to this in the animal kingdom.”

  “What made you say that?” Liz asked sarcastically.

  “It’s not every day you get to discover a new species. Forgive me for being a little mesmerized.”

  “Well, we’re going to blow it up, so enjoy it while you can,” Liz said, patting him on the shoulder.

  “If there’s one, there has to be another,” Max replied. He suddenly found his reply worrisome. The thought—no, the fact that there were more of these creatures swimming around the ocean—was nerve-racking.

  “What do you think those horns are for?” Liz asked, wanting to crush the nervous feeling going around the room.

  “Since the horns are not pointing forward, my best guess would be some type of mating display. Hold on,” he said, zooming in on the water panther’s skull. It was hard to see from a distance, but up close, a slight dome shape could be made out. “Okay, look at the head. See the dome shape? The skull is very thick there. That’s explains how it’s been able to ram ships without getting injured. I bet the skull lines up with the spine to distribute the force from the impact. The horns may also assist with that.” Liz gave him a look that said I don’t buy it.

  “Sorry to be Miss Skeptic again, but I can’t believe these creatures are swimming through the ocean ramming fish with their heads.”

  “I never said that’s how they normally hunt,” Max replied. “It probably learned from trial and error that ramming boats was more effective then biting them.”

  “So, this creature is also intelligent?” Okada added.

  “If we’re corrected and it’s demonstrating the ability to learn, then yes.”

  “How intelligent?”

  “I have no idea,” Max replied, putting both his arms out in an I don’t know gesture. “Keep in mind, everything I’m saying is just theories and speculation. This creature could be as smart as a primate or as dumb as a brick.” Okada’s face gained the expression that only formed when he was thinking hard.

  “Using the information you do have. What would be your best guess on the creature’s intelligence?”

  Max showed a slight sign of frustration when he said, “Okada, I really cannot say. This creature’s brain is most likely similar to species of big cats. I know several species of them are intelligent, but I cannot give you quotes off the top of my head.” Okada realized at the moment he was chasing a loose end and accepted the answer.

  “If you’re done with the 3D image, please check the text document.” Max opened the text document, which contained the same information that was in the data tab. Plus, Ashly’s account of what had occurred during her encounter with the creature. Liz put both hands behind her head and stretched.

  “So. What now?” Okada stood up.

  “I will make preparations for tomorrow’s meeting with Governor Fatu. Max, remain in the lab. Do your best to learn about the creature’s intelligence or possible hunting habits. Liz, ready the X-7 and load any equipment we will need.”

  “Go team!” Liz shouted after Okada finished giving orders.

  “Go team,” Max replied, knowing they had a ton of work ahead of them.

  Chapter 28

  10:50 AM 04/16/2021 HST

  Mya Kendig entered the employee room of the Crescent Moon gaming café. She had gotten the position when Riley had introduced her to the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Hollinger. She was scheduled to work the cash register in the video game section and cosplay as the video game character of the day. The Crescent Moon gaming café was located in Kihei, a few miles from Keawakapu Beach. The front of the store was a café serving small lunches and game-themed coffee. The back of the store was divided into two rooms. One room was a modern video game section, and the other was the retro arcade. Dividing the two rooms was the gaming sales room where people could buy both modern and retro games. Mya handed the completed hiring form to the administrator, Mrs. Hollinger, who shared a small office in the back of the café with her husband. Mr. Hollinger handled supplies and anything store-related. Mrs. Hollinger handled the employee and book side of the business. Both were in their late fifties. Mya loved the idea of older people getting into video games and geek culture. She laughed when at their first meeting, Mrs. Hollinger told her the tales of her youth. How she would steal quarters from her parents’ drawers to use at the local arcade.

  “Everything seems in order, dear,” Mrs. Hollinger said, looking over the papers. “You excited for your first day?” At first Mya was excited to start, but now she was wondering if she should quit before her first day began.

  “Yep,” Mya replied. She paused and thought about how to phrase what she wanted to say next. “Just out of curiosity, has Riley said anything to you about training me?” Riley had agreed to train her on register duties and even managed to convince Mrs. Hollinger to let them work the same shift. Mya had not heard from Riley since the fight. She had no idea how Riley felt, but she was pretty sure she did not want to see her, let alone train her.

  “No, I have heard nothing from Riley, but she should be here in a little bit. Go ahead and punch in, dear,” Mrs. Bowman replied. Her response surprised Mya. She had pictured Riley calling in, demanding that someone else train her.

  Maybe she won’t show up at all, Mya thought. She started putting her password into the time clock when Riley walked in. She saw Mya and walked towards her. Here we go, Mya thought, expecting Riley to dish out another verbal beating. When Riley stood next to her, she focused on the time clock.

  “Hey, Mya,” she said. Mya turned to face her.

  “Hey,” she replied softly. To her surprise, Riley threw her arms around her, hugging her tightly.

  “Thank you!” Riley said in a voice full of graduate. A surprised looked formed on Mya’s face. This was the last thing she expected to happen.

  “Um, sure,” Mya replied, not knowing what to think. Riley released her. Both of them were face to face. Riley had a wide, grateful smile, while Mya had a happy but confused look. “Why are you so happy? I thought you were mad at me,” Mya continued.

  “Haven’t you seen the news or been on social media?” Riley asked.

  “I don’t watch the news, and I have not been on social media since yesterday. Did I miss something?”

  “Mya, yesterday, the Alexandria sunk. Everyone on board was killed.”

  “What! How?” Mya asked. A feeling of fear came upon her. Unpleasant thoughts started entering her mind. She pictured Riley screaming as the water rose around her, trapped at the bottom of the ocean with no hope of escape. Then that monster, that demon, would come up behind her, smirking as it took its latest victim.

  “Mya. You still with me?” Riley asked. Mya smiled and shook her head yes. Riley hugged her again. Gratitude returned to her voice when she said, “You saved my life, girl. If I would have been on that tour, I would have died.” The feeling of fear was replaced with a feeling of relief. She had been right. The creature had attacked the sub. She was so glad she had listened to her instinct and prevented Riley from going. She could not imagine coming in and finding out Riley had been killed. If that had happened, she probably would have ended it. Joining her sister and new best friend in death. Fortunately for her, this time reality was sweet. Riley put both hands on Mya’s shoulders. “Sorry I slapped you and said those all those mean things to you.”

  “Yeah, sorry I drugged you against your will,” Mya replied.

  “Just don’t make it a habit.” Both girls laughed. “Still friends?” Riley asked.

  “Still friends,” Mya replied. She was glad things were patched up between them. The two girls hugged a third time.

  “Okay, enough hugging. Let’s get to work. I have a lot to teach you,” Riley said.

  s s s

  After work, Mya changed clothes and sat on her bed. She pulled
out her phone and looked up the Alexandria disaster. The headline read that fifty-one people were feared dead in submarine sinking. Mya skimmed through the article until she got to the part stating the cause of the disaster. As she expected, it stated the cause was unknown. The leading theory was hull failure. Mya scoffed at the explanation. She knew exactly what caused it. She lay down and put her hands over her face.

  What should I do? she asked herself. She remembered the pain Jade’s death had brought to her, and now fifty-one more families were going through the same thing. She looked at the headline again, knowing she was going to keep seeing headlines like it. What she did not understand was why everyone else seemed oblivious to the situation. She would give anything just to talk to someone who would believe her. She got up, turned the room lights out, and fell onto the bed. She lay in the dark, staring up at the ceiling. It was her way of thinking without distractions. As she lay there, she started going over her options. She knew going to the police or Coast Guard would be useless. What about going to a newspaper or internet blog? No, at best, she would end up on some conspiracy station. At worst, she would be mocked. She quickly sat up when she remembered the call she had gotten a few days ago, from that biologist. Mya grabbed her phone and brought the call history up. She scrolled down until she saw a number that had no contact name above it. She clicked it. Her thumb was about to press the call button when she stopped. A feeling of anxiety started to move though her body. What if he did not believe her? What if he was still angry about how she treated him the first time? Can’t really blame him if he’s still mad, she thought. She took a deep breath and pressed the call button. The nervous feeling in her stomach increased as the phone began to ring.

  It rang twice before a man with a deep Indian accent said, “Hello, this is the IRS.” Mya hung up.

  “Stupid scammer,” she said. She scrolled down to the next unknown number and tried it.

  “Hi, this is Max Varian.”

  Mya gasped. She hastily said in a nervous voice, “Hi, this is Mya Kendig.” She waited for him to hang up.

  “Oh, hi. I honestly did not expect to hear from you,” he replied. Hearing him speak in a clam voice allowed her to calm down at bit. Max was pleasantly surprised himself that she had called. He had figured this lead had been lost. Now he had a chance to speak to an actual witness, and better yet, this time Liz was not around to torment him.

  “Look, I’m sorry I was so rude when you called before. I had just gotten back from my sister’s funeral and was pretty upset,” Mya said, the nervous tone leaving her voice. Max laughed, a little embarrassed.

  “That’s perfectly okay. I’m the one who should be sorry. I had no idea you had just gotten back from a funeral.”

  “It’s fine. There’s no way you could have known,” Mya replied. She struggled for a moment to force the next words out of her mouth. “Look, if you’re still interested, I’d like to share my experience with you, but first I need to know one thing.”

  “Okay, what’s that?”

  “Why do you want to hear about my encounter? Why do you believe I encountered a sea monster when no one else does?” Max stared at the computer screen. The water panther stared back at him. Jaws wide open, ready to attack one of the light drones. He knew his response could make or break the meeting. He knew exactly what she saw, but he could not tell her he was actively hunting the thing.

  “I don’t know if you saw, as you put it, a sea monster, but I don’t believe you were attacked by a shark either.”

  “Again, why do you believe me? Why not think I’m a crazy girl who imagined the whole thing?”

  “Okay, I’ll admit it. I looked you and your sister’s information up on the internet before I contacted you.” He, of course, made that up on the spot. “You don’t seem like a person who would lie to get attention, and you don’t have any history of it. Your sister, Jade, was an experienced diver. She knew the safe areas to dive in, and I’m sure she would have noticed a dangerous shark coming. What really makes me believe the attack was not a shark is the fact that the divers found no body.” He hoped mentioning that was not taking things too far.

  “Okay?” Mya replied. She sounded more curious than upset, so he continued.

  “When an unprovoked shark attack occurs, it normally bites once, then leaves the area. Sharks rarely bite multiple times, and I have never heard of a shark eating an entire body.” Mya felt like a burden had been lifted off her. Finally, someone who might actually listen to hear, but she still needed to know one thing before she was ready to trust him.

  “Thank you for believing me about the shark at least, but why do you care?”

  “Because I work in these waters, and if there’s a dangerous unknown animal swimming around in them, I want to know about it so I don’t get chopped.” Shoot, you may have just blown it, he thought. His worry quickly disappeared when he heard Mya snicker. “And of course, for the safety of the hundreds of people who swim in these waters daily. If you need a selfish reason, discovering an unknown species would skyrocket my career.”

  “Okay, you’ve convinced me you’re not out to use or make fun of me,” Mya replied, hoping she was right. “I’ll share what I know.”

  “Great,” Max replied. “I’d rather do this in person than over the phone. Is there a place you would like to meet?”

  “Do you know where the Crescent Moon Gaming Café is?”

  “No, but I can easily find it,” Max replied.

  “Does tomorrow at eleven a.m. work for you?” Mya asked. Max scanned his memory for when they were examining the sub wreckage. Okada had said they were planning on arriving by two and having the meeting with the Governor Fatu at six.

  “Eleven works fine. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to ask you a question.”

  “Okay,” Mya replied.

  “What made you change your mind?” Mya thought for a moment before replying.

  “To my knowledge, I’m the only one who has seen that thing and lived. One of my friends was supposed to be on the submarine that sunk. I… I just feel I have to do something before that creature kills again.” Hearing that she figured out the water panther had attacked the sub so quickly surprised him.

  “That’s understandable. Your friend’s okay, right?”

  “Yes, thank God, she took a nap and missed the sub.” Mya intentionally left out the drugging with sleeping pills part of the story.

  “I’m glad to hear she’s okay. See you tomorrow.” Max was about to hang up when Mya spoke again.

  “Wait. One more thing.”

  “Sure, go ahead.”

  “No cameras. I don’t even want you having a phone out when we’re talking.”

  “Okay,” Max said, a little confused. “I was not planning on recording you, but I was planning on using my phone to show you some pictures.”

  “Can you print out the photos you were planning on showing me?”

  “If it makes you feel better, sure.” Man, this girl’s paranoid, Max thought to himself.

  “Okay, thanks for understanding,” Mya replied, pleased he was willing to go along with her request.

  “If you don’t mind me asking. Why are you so concerned about getting filmed?” Max asked for his own curiosity. The question annoyed Mya, but she completely understood why he was asking it.

  “For all I know, you could secretly be an undercover reporter for a conspiracy site. I know how crazy my story is, and I know some people would want to exploit it for a quick buck even if it means destroying what little credibility I have left.”

  “I promise I won’t publish anything we talked about or mention your name without asking you first.”

  “Good to know. See you at eleven.” The phone went dead before Max could reply. After hanging up, Mya tried to go about her day, but she started to question whether or not he was being honest with her. She walked over to her computer and Googled Max Varian, biologist. “You should have done this before you called him,” she said out loud. The only relevant s
earch result was the first one. She clicked on it. There were no photos of him. Just an article that detailed his work with the Niihau wildlife sanctuary and mentioned he was involved with training dolphins for marine shows. She searched a little more and found nothing that proved he was being dishonest, so the meeting was still on.

  s s s

  Max knocked on the door of Okada’s office.

  “You may enter,” he said. Max opened the door. Okada was sitting at the desk. The office area was nothing fancy. It only had a small filing cabinet, and an office desk that held a phone and computer.

  “Hey, I just got a call from Mya Kendig. You know, the girl who survived the attack,” Max said as he sat down.

  “I’m aware of who she is. What did she want?”

  “She wanted to meet me and talk about her encounter.”

  “When and where?”

  “Tomorrow at eleven, at some café on Maui.” Okada gave him a look that said, have you forgotten all the things we have going on that day? “I know, with everything else going on tomorrow, it will be cutting it close,” Max added, reminding him he had not forgotten. “But I feel the information she may have is worth investigating.”

  “I agree,” Okada said. He pulled up a schedule and typed for a few seconds, then looked up at Max and said, “I wish to begin examining the submarine no later than two o’clock. Be sure to make the meeting quick.”

  “I can do that. I’d better get back to work,” Max said and started to leave.

  “Max.” He turned to face him. “During your meeting, remember both our governments want the water panther’s existence to remain secret. You cannot tell Mya the truth. In fact, I would encourage you to find a way to convince her she saw a known animal.”

  “I will,” Max replied as he left; a feeling of deep guilt came over him for what he was about to do.