Issue 2: "The Deep, Pt. 2"

The two moved through a small hallway, darkly lit with a number of doors that Aquaman assumed led to the Captain’s private rooms, to a simple elevator. After a brief moment the capsule opened into a large passage, busy with ship’s crew and personnel. Two men fell in behind them as they walked.

“The Leviathan has been in operation only a few years but now fully incorporates all functions of Aquatica International. We are the leading developer in a number of ocean-related products and services, but I doubt you know of us. I have the impression you aren’t the sort of man who reads the newspapers.”

Aquaman regarded the groups of people as they passed, noticing them stealing glances at him. One Asian man in a gathering of people in white lab coats gave him a slight nod.

“It’s been awhile since I’ve been involved in… world affairs. I spend most of my time beneath the water these days.”

“Most of our work is done through subsidiaries so as to provide us a certain amount of anonymity. CEOs who double as submarine captains would certainly garner unneeded press attention.” They proceeded down the long, modern-looking corridor, passing doors, off-passages, and large open-windows in place of walls with what looked to Arthur like sterile research labs behind them, and one cafeteria.

“But still, Captain, it seems somewhat… secretive.”

Krell glanced at mariner with narrowed eyes. “To be quite honest, mister, ah, Aquaman, the average person isn’t so quick to accept things produced from the sea. To them, it is still mysterious and ominous. Full of dangerous things.” He avoided a look from his guest by stopping to activate the large door in front of them, pushing his thumb into a small black pad on the wall. “And we have products in many different areas to think of. You would be surprised how many restaurant chains use our high-protein kelp substitutes. Ah, here we are!”

The door slid open with a hiss and inside led up a small slope. Following the Captain, the path opened up in front of their landing to reveal a large room in a semicircular shape, the walls being thick pieces of glass that revealed the deep blue water of the ocean around them. Various lighted panels lined the outer perimeter, all surrounding a large, centralized captain’s chair. “The Bridge.”

Aquaman took a few steps in for a better look, taking in the high-tech nerve center of the behemoth vessel. “Your ship is truly a marvel of engineering, Captain. I’m amazed that I haven’t received word of it yet.”

“From who, sir?” The Captain questioned amusedly. “Do you converse with the fishes?” One of the accompanying guards let a quick laugh before quickly recovering a straight face.

Aquaman and Mariana chatted as the party walked through the lower passage. A smaller conduit with pipes and rivets visible, small hallways branched off to other doors in regular intervals. The Captain finished giving instructions to an assistant who broke away and moved in the opposite direction.

“We’ve talked enough about me, Aquaman. Please, you must tell me about yourself. A man who moves freely about the sea. And such strength! Where do you dwell beneath the ocean? Who are your companions? Are there others?”

For the first time Aquaman looked uncomfortable. He took in a deep breath. “Well, it’s a long and complicated story.”

“You forget. I am a man who enjoys a good sea tale.” The Captain pressed. “Even in the unusual world we find ourselves in these days it must be a fascinating story.”

“It’s not really. I.. am alone. A player of circumsta…”

Aquaman watched the enormous black ship as it crept quietly into the deep blue distance. He turned and launched himself through the water, swimming back to the ridge where he had earlier confronted the giant octopus. He swam along the rockface until he found the small cave and closed in to retrieve his trident, but it was gone! He scanned the interior for the forked, golden weapon but found nothing. He was positive he had driven it in with enough force to have kept it lodged well in the water-pocked stone. As he pondered where to look next he felt a presence move in the water behind him and wheeled around in place to have a thin, pronged spear plunge into the meat of his shoulder.

A flash of heat and then a dull pressure ripped through his arm. His eyes traced the small harpoon in his shoulder, along attached winding cable two dozen feet back in the water to where it originated, a small craft that was open on the top with several men in black diving suits and equipment standing along it’s front.

The Sea King wrapped his arm into the cable and began to reel in his attackers when a second spear bit into his leg. He closed his eyes for a moment and pushed the pain out of his mind. His anger grew and he jerked the cable, causing the sled to lurch and throw two of the assailants. The third remained and threw a large lever on the control panel and Arthur felt a surge of electricity rip through him.

Again, he fought back. He straightened himself to see the frantic men gesturing wildly and he pulled on the cable again, bringing the ship in closer. The current continued to feed through his body and his movements were slow and deliberate. The black divers moved back into the position on the platform and activated another device as the front of the vehicle opened to reveal a turret that glowed with power.

Aquaman reached down and yanked the spear from his leg, blood spilling out into the water, and broke the charge but it was too late. The concussion cannon fired with a low THOOM! And the force rippled through the water, blasting Aquaman back into the rock cliff behind him, cracking the rock and sending up a cloud of lichen and rock particles.

The men looked on for a long moment, waiting for the haze to clear to see if they could collect their prize. The cannon below their feet hummed, ready for another discharge. One of the divers started reeling in the cable that had still been attached to their intended victim but it came back slack. Another man worked quickly at the controls as Aquaman exploded back out of the cliff.

THOOM!

Aquaman crashed back to the wall behind him and rocks tumbled down around him, and as his mind went dark he only had one last thought…

“Mera…”