Chapter 1

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July 1998 - Atlantic Ocean 

Peace like a river. 

With that very thought ringing in his ears, the captain gave the order to turn the trawler about. He found no reason to call attention to his ship, which moved slowly in the embrace of deep water, well away from the U.S. Another day was behind them. Tomorrow they would head home with their fish holds full. The crew had worked hard and deserved a rest. 

Settling down in the pilot house, the weathered old captain reached into his coat pocket for the whale-bone pipe. It was a good night to think and so he did, puffing away and thinking back upon his life at sea. It had been his woman, his wife. It was as much a part of him as anything could be. He was satisfied. 

On deck and at the captain's request, Adrik went about checking the handling equipment and trawling warps. How good it made him feel that the Captain had complete confidence in him. He liked the old man. Although he demanded much of his crew, he was the kind of captain who would sacrifice everything on their behalf. Yes, the captain was a good man, a deserved man - well deserving of the very respect he demanded. 

Satisfied that everything was secure, Adrik walked mid-ship, intending to go below deck to join his shipmates in a game of cards. The freshness of the ocean air filled his lungs and freed his mind. The night was crisp and cold - the stars brilliant. If the weather held, he would be home soon, cuddling up next to his wife and newborn son. Ah, good days are ahead. 

In the distance, he noticed a patch of night sky void of stars. How odd that seemed when all around him they shimmered and danced on high. Standing on deck for a few more minutes, he realized the darkness was moving closer, swallowing the stars in its approach. A chill touched his spine, sending him to the pilot house where he reported the phenomenon to the captain. 

In all of his years at sea, the captain had never witnessed anything like it. He stood alongside Adrik, watching the darkness approach until it settled directly overhead and stopped, blocking all of the sky above them. Suddenly, a translucent ring of blue light came to life in a wide circle far out over the ocean, bouncing off the water in a misty aura. 

Several crew members wandered out on deck to see what was keeping Adrik from the game. Many, superstitious from stories their fathers told them as children, hurried back below deck. Seasoned veterans held fast, watching - waiting. The captain ordered all stop. 

"Adrik, bring the lights skyward," the captain directed his First Mate. 

"Yes, Sir," Adrik obeyed, moving inside to follow through on the captain's order. 

Men began complaining of headaches, nausea and a burning sensation on their skin. The captain experienced similar symptoms, but he continued to watch - determined to learn the truth. 

"The lights, Adrik!" he shouted, growing impatient. 

As if in response, a multitude of lights for miles on end illuminated the trawler and surrounding ocean. The intensity forced the men to shield their eyes. Through cupped hands, the captain stole a glance at the light's source but by the time he understood the threat descending upon them, it was too late. 

"All ahead full!" he shouted, sheer terror pushing him towards the pilot house. 

Adrik watched in horror from the pilot house as the old man's body burst into flames, his screams, along with the screams of all the men standing topside, were silenced in their throats. Charred skin peeled away, dropping from bones that drifted towards the deck as ash. Adrik froze, realizing his eventual fate. He didn't wait long.

From a safe distance, piercing red eyes were the sole witness as a massive spaceship settled down on top of the trawler, crushing it as if it were no more than a child's toy made of tin. As it made its way into the water, it sent steam skyward while the ocean boiled in its wake.

Within moments, the intensity of the red eyes were replaced by the darkness. The pulsating blue light that crowned the dome of the spaceship slipped beneath the water's surface, finding refuge in the depths below. Thirty minutes later, the ocean was calm as if nothing had happened at all.

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