Rising Tides: An Arkalypse Tale It began like an insidious trickle, the harbinger of a deluge. For three days and three nights, the rain fell from the gray, unbroken dome of the sky. It fell relentlessly, each drop as potent and fierce as an archer's arrow. It was water's revolt, a cataclysmic surge of wrathful vengeance, each droplet a furious epitaph to humanity's overweening pride. "Look at it, the slow creep of the sea, subtle yet sure, as deadly as a deluge," mused David "Davy" Erickson, a climatologist and marine biologist, as he sat hunched over, staring out the window. He ran his fingers through his graying hair and muttered under his breath, "The world as we know it is ending." Davy sighed, his heart heavy with foreknowledge. Years ago, his predictions were met with skepticism and derision. But now, those same forecasted scenarios painted the reality of their existence. Their Eden was drowning, not in sin, but in its own negligence and greed. Humanity had stolen more than its share from Mother Nature, and she, in return, had unleashed her floodgates.  Davy got lost in his thoughts. It started with the Industrial Revolution when mankind's thirst for progress led to the widespread use of fossil fuels. Factories belched smoke into the atmosphere, and the burning of coal, oil, and gas released immense amounts of greenhouse gasses such as carbon dioxide (CO2) into the air. These gasses formed an invisible blanket around the Earth, trapping heat and causing the planet to warm. As the decades rolled by, the effects of this greenhouse gas buildup became more apparent. Glaciers and ice caps began to melt, contributing to rising sea levels. The once-stable polar ice sheets began to crumble, releasing vast amounts of freshwater into the oceans. This sudden influx disrupted the delicate balance of ocean currents and led to unpredictable weather patterns. Suddenly, Davy snapped out of his reverie and returned to his computer to analyze the efficiency of different algorithms and seek recommendations based on the specific parameters of the problem. "Who would have thought that the sea could break its bonds, not with a furious roar but with the silent stubbornness of a glacier, unyielding, inexorable?" Davy voiced his interpretation as if hoping for an audible solution from someone. Mira, Davy’s AI assistant installed in his apartment, was his only companion, unseen, and could only shudder in response. Although it did not ‘understand’ inspiration or a ‘muse’ in the way humans do, it operated based on patterns, algorithms, and large amounts of data Davy provided on his laptop. Mira’s ‘suggestions’ or ‘ideas’ were the result of these processes rather than genuine creativity or intuition. "By the time we noticed, it was already too late, wasn't it?" Mira responded in a voice eerily human, its unseen presence filling the room. "Yes. Our coastal cities, first to succumb, got devoured by the relentless ocean,” Davy nodded, silver-gray eyes brimming with an abyss of loss. “Those towering structures, scraping the sky, they're now nothing more than skeletal remains half-submerged in this watery apocalypse." "So, what we knew as solid ground is as fleeting as a sandcastle facing the tide?" Mira's question, processed from Davy’s algorithms yet imbued with a sense of sad realization, hung heavy in the air. "Exactly! The throbbing heart of this city is now just a haunting dirge, with these skyscrapers standing like mute tombstones amidst the waterways," Davy replied, turning to look back out of his apartment, now perched like an aerie in the lone surviving tower in the drowned ruins of New York City. His voice echoed in the quiet, automated listening of his AI assistant. Davy's apartment was an architectural marvel, not for its initial design but for the ingenious adaptations he'd implemented as the water levels rose. Along with other survivors, he'd watched the sea claim his city. Unlike them, however, he had taken steps to preserve his home. A significant part of Davy's professional life revolved around studying and predicting the impacts of climate change. He had access to intricate, high-resolution simulations of rising sea levels and understood the science behind them. This awareness combined with his inventor's mind gave birth to the idea of a ‘Float Home.’ Davy had retrofitted his high-rise apartment into a buoyant sanctuary. Its foundations were reinforced with advanced materials developed in his own lab—amalgams of synthetic polymers and graphene that were lightweight yet strong, capable of resisting the enormous pressures of the deep. He had developed a self-sufficient system harnessing solar and wave energy to power his dwelling. His apartment, once part of a high-rise, had become a standalone island in a drowned city during this apocalypse. "Is there any news from the Ark, Mira?" Davy asked, his voice a tranquil surface hiding roiling emotions beneath. "Last contact suggests they have reached the targeted longitude and latitude, Dr. Erickson. However, the signals are weaker due to the inclement weather," Mira responded in her soothing, synthetic voice.  The Ark was mankind's final gamble, a colossal floating city designed to house a fragment of humanity, preserving the vestiges of civilization. The Ark was a shared initiative, the brainchild of the world's leading minds from different disciplines—engineers, climatologists, architects, conservationists, and more. However, the mantle of constructing this colossal ship had fallen to none other than the Ingersoll and Hauser Corporation, an enterprise known for its pioneering advances in naval engineering and sustainable energy solutions. Under the leadership of David Erickson, the company's brilliant and tenacious CEO, the Ark project had transformed from an ambitious concept to a tangible, albeit desperate, solution to humanity's plight. They built it at an unprecedented speed, focusing on creating a floating habitat that could sustain a sizable human population and also conserve critical species of flora and fauna. The hope was that one day, the Ark's residents could help restore the Earth to a livable state or, if necessary, serve as the seed for a new civilization elsewhere. All of humanity watched with bated breath, waiting for the Ark's completion and launch. The floating city was mankind's best chance, an ark for the modern age. The ultimate refuge against a global deluge.   Davy looked at the floating holographic displays in his room, one showing a schematic of the Ark, while the other displayed a barrage of climate data. The rise of seawater was unrelenting, as though the planet were a bowl that had been filled to the brim. Earth was slipping into a new era, an ark-alypse. The once iconic skyline of his city was now the watery horizon of a world reborn. A Desperate Voyage to Save Family and Promise Davy's fingers flew over the holographic interface, each swift motion painting swirls of data in the air. However, his thoughts drifted elsewhere. He remembered the final day he saw Lory, her ginger hair billowing like autumn fire as she boarded the Ark, their daughter Emma cradled in her arms. He had promised them safety and had promised to join them. But the world was a cruel mistress; it held no space for promises. "Dr. Erickson, there is an anomaly in the Ark's data. Would you like to investigate?" Suddenly, Mira's voice snapped him back. "Show me," Davy instructed, focusing back on the task at hand. As the data sprawled before him, his heart pounded like a mallet on the anvil of his fear. The Ark's main thruster was showing signs of malfunction. He had designed the Ark to be an unsinkable sanctuary, but now it was a colossal metal beast, crippled and adrift on the relentless sea. "I need to get there, Mira," his voice echoed in the empty room, stark and harsh like the truth he was grappling with. Davy had always been comfortable in his floating home, and in many ways, it was his sanctuary. He was an inventor, a creator, and his floating abode had been a testament to his genius. But his family was his heart, and the Ark had been constructed with them in mind. A colossal ship designed to withstand the worst the world could throw at it, it was supposed to be a sanctuary in times of danger. Even though Davy was content living in his floating home, he realized the gravity of the danger looming over the world. He had let his wife Lory and daughter Emma board the Ark not because he wanted them to leave home, but because he wanted to ensure their safety. The Ark was a promise of protection, a secure shelter for his family and others who could find refuge. It was a symbol of his undying love for them, his determination to keep them safe. However, the moment Davy discovered the anomaly in the Ark's data, he was reminded of the cruel unpredictability of life. Despite his assurances and promises to Lory and Emma, he realized that they were in danger, and the fear struck him like a lightning bolt. The truth was harsh and unforgiving. His floating home, which once felt like the epitome of comfort and peace, now seemed confining. He was isolated, far away from his family, unable to protect them in the face of impending danger. Davy was left with no choice but to attempt the perilous journey to the Ark. His floating home was his comfort, but his family was his priority. It was not a matter of comfort. It was a matter of love and the extent to which one would go to ensure the safety of humanity and his loved ones. Davy, despite being comfortable in his floating home, was ready to venture into the unknown for the sake of his family. Mira, an AI of calculated responses, stayed silent, unsure of the best comfort to offer. The Ark was weeks away, adrift in the heart of the Atlantic. But she had learned human emotions and understood the quiet resolution in Davy's voice. Suddenly, Davy's eyes gleamed with a daring idea. He turned to the hologram of his old project, long abandoned - an aquatic drone called 'Leviathan.' A potential vessel, albeit an untested one. His hands shook with an amalgamation of fear and determination as he began the recalibration. The Leviathan was originally meant for deep-sea exploration, but now it was his one shot at reaching the Ark. Into the Abyss: A Desperate Voyage The Leviathan was nothing more than a prototype, an untested craft initially designed for exploratory missions. But these are desperate times. Davy thought as he worked on modifying the aquatic drone. It was going to be a perilous journey, but his wife and daughter were on the Ark. He would traverse the new abyssal world or die trying. He toiled through the day and into the long, barren night, the once bustling city reduced to an uncanny chorus of lapping waves and distant winds. But there was no time for reminiscence or sorrow. His family was out there, somewhere in the vast, unforgiving sea. He pushed onward, every hammering heartbeat echoing their names. As Davy worked, Mira monitored the storm systems, her AI mind racing with calculations. "There's a window opening, Dr. Erickson," Mira announced, her voice slicing through the otherwise silent room. "The storms are quieting. It would be the most opportune time to depart." Davy glanced at the holographic screen displaying the weather patterns, its swirling colors akin to an abstract painting - beautiful yet menacing. He knew he was racing against the clock, against the storms, and against his own mortal fragility. "Don't I know it, Mira," Davy muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow, his fingers leaving grimy streaks across his weathered face. "Mira, please boot up the launch sequence for Leviathan." "Right away, Dr. Erickson." With the heart of a pioneer and the desperation of a man on the edge, Davy stepped into the Leviathan, his life now hinging on a gamble against nature's wrath and a prototype's reliability. "Take care, Dr. Erickson. I will monitor your progress and guide you through the storms," Mira said, her voice an unusual mix of synthetic and genuine concern. "See you on the other side, Mira," Davy murmured, a smile ghosting over his lips as the hatch of the Leviathan sealed with a hiss, encasing him in the cocoon of his daring hope. As the Leviathan dove into the dark depths, Davy left behind the skeletal remains of his city, his old world. But he carried within him a spark, a fierce resolve to reclaim the shards of his shattered world and the lives intertwined with his. The world might be at the mercy of the water, but Davy was not. Into the Abyss: A Journey of Desperation and Hope The world outside the Leviathan was a deep, dark void, a liquid abyss stretching into infinity. Davy could see nothing beyond the limited illumination of the craft's external lights, their glow painting eerie shadows in the underwater world. Yet, he didn't feel alone. Each hum of Leviathan's engine, each blip of data that streamed into the cockpit, was a lifeline, a tether to his purpose. The journey was not a smooth one. More than once, Davy felt the Leviathan shudder, the craft jostled by the deep-sea currents and ominous creatures that lurked in the darkness. Fear wrapped itself around him like a shroud, chilling and inescapable. Yet, each time he felt the panic rise, he pictured Lory's warm smile, Emma's sparkling eyes, and his resolve hardened. "Contact with the Ark re-established, Dr. Erickson," Mira's voice buzzed in his earpiece, breaking through the drone of the engine. "The thruster malfunction seems to be spreading. Urgent intervention required." Davy swallowed the lump forming in his throat. He pictured the Ark, now adrift in the open sea, its inhabitants helpless and scared. His family was there. He clenched his jaw, the taste of desperation sour on his tongue. The mission took on a renewed urgency. Days turned into nights, time losing its meaning in the endless expanse of water. Fuel and supplies dwindled, exhaustion clawed at him, and the odds seemed to be stacking up. But then, through the darkness, a blip appeared on the Leviathan's radar. "Could it be?" Davy muttered, his voice barely a whisper. Mira's voice rang out, her synthetic tone straining to mimic human excitement, "Confirmed, Dr. Erickson. That's the Ark." A surge of relief flooded through him, so intense it was nearly painful. Despite everything, he had made it. Yet, the worst was far from over. The Ark was still in danger, and he was the only one who could save it. Docking with the Dying Ark As Davy brought the Leviathan close to the mammoth structure, the Ark, his heart hammered in his chest. The Ark loomed before him, a colossus adrift in the unforgiving sea. It was a beacon of hope, yet marred by an ominous sense of fragility. Guiding the Leviathan closer, he peered out of the porthole, the Ark's silhouette towering in the murky depths. Its external lights flickered, hinting at the problems within. The mechanical whale groaned under his touch, as if sharing his anxiety. “I’m docking now, Mira,” Davy said, his voice a low rasp echoing in the cabin. “Understood, Dr. Erickson. Please proceed with caution.” The Leviathan crept closer to the Ark, the craft’s metallic skin creaking with each nudge of the waves. Davy’s hands on the controls were steady despite the adrenaline racing through his veins. “Leviathan, this is Ark control, do you read?” A voice broke over the radio, full of static but recognizably human. “This is Dr. Erickson aboard the Leviathan, I read you, Ark,” Davy responded, a sense of unsteady relief washing over him. The docking process was nerve-wracking, every second dragging out like an eternity. The final lurch of connection sent a jolt through the Leviathan, followed by a comforting silence. Davy was aboard the Ark. Emerging from the Leviathan, he was greeted by anxious faces, each holding a glimmer of hope. Among them, he found two pairs of eyes he’d missed more than his next breath. Lory, with her fiery hair now dulled, held Emma close, her young face an echo of the fear around her. Their reunion was brief, no words exchanged, just a silent promise in their joined hands. Now, Davy had to face the biggest challenge yet. The Ark was dying, and with it, the last hope of humanity. The weight of the world was on his shoulders, and failure was not an option. Against the Unseen: A Battle Within Without wasting another moment, Davy dove into the heart of the Ark, the anxious thrum of its pulse echoing through its metal veins. With Mira remotely assisting him, he followed the maze of corridors to the ship's control room, a sprawling space aglow with data screens and blinking lights. "Davy, we've been trying to stabilize the system, but the failure is spreading fast," Captain Turner, a grizzled man with sea-weathered skin, greeted him, a mix of relief and worry etched on his face. "We're on borrowed time," Davy nodded, swallowing down the knot of fear. He turned towards the holographic screen, its light casting an ethereal glow on his stern face. "Tell me everything Captain." “With the thrusters malfunctioning, the Ark could be adrift in the sea without control over its direction, Dr. Erickson,” Captain Turner replied with a grim face. “I am afraid to say that a drifting Ark could collide with underwater structures, mountains, or even deep-sea creatures. This could compromise the integrity of the Ark, leading to leaks or structural damage that could put everyone aboard at risk.” Hours melted into a blur of information and grim possibilities. The Ark's engine failure was worse than Davy had imagined, its symptoms more malignant. Davy felt like a surgeon battling an insidious disease, each tick of the clock a reminder of the precarious balance they were in. At one point, Lory brought him a cup of coffee, the liquid as black and bitter as the reality outside their floating sanctuary. He barely registered her comforting touch, his mind lost in a sea of calculations and desperate solutions. "Davy, we have to consider evacuation procedures," Captain Turner suggested, the burden of responsibility heavy in his voice. "No!" Davy cut him off, eyes flitting across the data screens. "Evacuation isn't an option. This Ark is our last haven. We just need to buy more time." "How, Davy?" Turner asked, his voice a ragged whisper. "How do we fight something we can't see? We are talking about the Ark’s thruster malfunctions here, Davy! We know that thrusters are propulsion devices that provide movement and directional control. It’s impossible to steer the vehicle in this condition." Davy looked at Captain Turner, a slow grin spreading on his face. He pointed at a schematic of the Ark on the screen, a particular module highlighted in red. "We fight it from the inside." Into the Belly of the Beast Suited up and ready, Davy stood at the entrance of the engine bay, his heart echoing the rhythmic throb of the Ark's heartbeat. The engine bay was a labyrinth of machines and wires, a mechanical behemoth on life support. Davy’s breath echoed eerily in his helmet as he took his first step into the pulsating mass of machinery. "Remember, Davy," Captain Turner's voice crackled in his earpiece, "You're not alone. We're here, every step of the way." Davy nodded, his hand absently tracing the picture of Lory and Emma he had tucked inside his suit. It was a silent reminder of his promise, a beacon amidst the storm. "I know, Captain," he murmured, "Let's do this." As Davy navigated the metallic innards of the Ark, each step was a dance with danger. Time seemed to crawl, the tense silence broken only by the intermittent crackle of his communication link with the control room. "Davy, are you at the core yet?" Lory's voice filtered through his earpiece, a melodious balm to his mounting tension. "Almost there, Lory," he replied, his voice steady despite the rapid pounding of his heart. Suddenly, a shower of sparks erupted from a nearby panel, accompanied by a deafening explosion. The shockwave sent him sprawling against a maze of metal and wires. Panic spread through the control room like wildfire. "Davy! Davy, can you hear us?" Captain Turner’s frantic voice echoed in his ears. Davy pushed himself up, his suit thankfully undamaged, his resolve unhindered. "I'm okay," he gasped out, the taste of fear still sharp on his tongue. Finally reaching the core, Davy set to work, his hands steady, his mind a whirling dervish of calculations. He was in the belly of the beast, working against the clock to reclaim their world from the brink of extinction. And he was not going to fail. Davy’s plan was daring and risky: a manual override of the Ark's engines from within, a mission akin to diving into the belly of a beast. But Davy was no stranger to daring missions. This was his ark, his creation. If anyone could save it, it was him. Defying the Countdown: A Symphony of Survival Working on the core was a symphony of sound and light, the raw energy of the Ark coursing through its metallic veins. Sweat dripped off Davy's forehead, his gloved fingers moving with practiced precision as he executed his plan. "Davy," Mira's voice filled his ears, "You have approximately twenty minutes before the core becomes unstable. We need to finish before that." "No pressure, huh?" Davy grunted, pulling a rogue wire from its socket and rerouting it to a different terminal. His mind was a whirl of thoughts, but at its center, there was a calm determination. Minutes ticked away, every second laden with unspoken dread. The team in the control room held their collective breath, their lives hinging on the success of this desperate endeavor. "Davy, ten minutes," Mira's reminder cut through his focus like a scalpel. He glanced at the timer, its red digits flashing a relentless countdown. "I know, Mira," he muttered, his tone strained, "Almost there." With each passing second, the tension in the control room mounted. Even the normally unflappable Captain Turner was pacing, his usual stoic demeanor slipping. Lory held Emma closer, their hopes and fears reflected in each other's eyes. "Davy," Lory's voice trembled over the comm link, "We believe in you." Hearing her voice, Davy felt a surge of strength, an unyielding resolve to not let them down. With a final tug, he secured the last wire in place, his breath hitching in his throat. "Done," he exhaled, pressing the manual override button. A moment of silence. Then, the core hummed back to life, its rhythm steady, its pulse strong. Cheers erupted in the control room, a symphony of relief and joy that echoed in Davy's ears. Against all odds, they had saved the Ark. They had saved their world. "Davy," Captain Turner's voice rang out, thick with emotion, "You did it, son. You did it." Journey Towards New Beginnings The journey back from the core was a blur for Davy; his weary body was guided by pure adrenaline and relief. He emerged from the engine bay to a hero's welcome, the crew's applause echoing through the Ark's halls. Among them, two figures rushed to him. "Daddy!" Emma's cry rang out, her small arms wrapping around him with a force that belied her size. Lory stood by, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. Words were not needed; their embrace said it all. "Davy," Captain Turner clapped his hand on Davy's shoulder, "you've given us a fighting chance." Davy nodded, a warm glow spreading in his chest. They had won this battle, but the war was far from over. Still, for the first time in a long while, there was hope. In the following days, the Ark resumed its journey, carving a path through the watery wasteland of their world. Its people, no longer mere survivors, were now pioneers in this new era. They had a purpose, a mission: to reclaim their world from the depths and build anew. Standing at the Ark's observation deck, Davy watched the endless sea that was their world now. The waves that had once seemed a symbol of their end now appeared different - a challenge, yes, but also a promise of a new beginning. "Davy," Lory came to stand beside him, Emma fast asleep in her arms, "we have a long way to go, don't we?" "We do," he nodded, "but we'll make it, Lory. Together." As the Ark moved forward, its metallic hull gliding through the undulating waves, Davy knew they were more than survivors. They were the architects of this apocalypse, the guardians of humanity's future. In their hearts, they carried the burden of their past and the seeds of hope for the future. And they would rise, like the mythical Ark, from the ruins of their old world. This was their doomsday, but also their genesis. And they were ready to face it, united, under the endless expanse of the new, watery world.     Penmancy gets a small share of every purchase you make through these links, and every little helps us continue bringing you the reads you love!