[ WP ] A civilization has developed in an ocean trench . Startled by the arrival of a submarine , they decide to send their own explorers to the surface .

Darkness. That ’ s all we had ever known and it is all we thought we would ever know. The stories of my people tell the tale of a time where our ancestors were light landers, braving the hostility of the world above and even conquering great swathes of dry soil. These stories however had long been accepted as mythology, they no longer held any merit for us. That changed with last night ’ s attack. 
 
 The mighty rigid columns that surround our proud capital city were said to be the remnants of a lost past. Often they showed etchings depicting mighty struggles between beings that possessed two flailing limbs attached to their midsection. This is often considered to be the greatest mystery to my people, having been unsolved for centuries. 
 
 I sighed and slightly shifted the right side of my tail fin, closing the tome that I had been surveying for the past few hours. I gently set it down effortlessly while making a mental note to return it to Poseidon ’ s Bounty, our nation ’ s finest and grandest library. The title read ‘ The Island of Atlas ’ in giant bold, brass letters with a fading golden gloss. Volumes such as this were often viewed with disdain and when they were spoken of, if ever, it was with mockery. Isn ’ t it funny how one ’ s sentiment can change so swiftly? 
 
 Perhaps I should introduce myself before I get too carried away, I am known by my colleagues as Epaphras Kanelos. Yes yes, the humour is not lost on me. My dear parents believed it would be suitable for an intellectual family to name their son after sea foam, I won ’ t go into detail but children can be cruel. My occupation is that of a research historian, simply put I am assigned to an exploration group consisting of five soldiers, a physician and a scientist coupling. It is my role to document what occurs during the journey and whether or not what we find is exploitable by our government. 
 
 Mine is not an exciting life, I spend most of my days sitting in the Bounty losing myself within the mythology and history of my people. It is not a respected occupation for the given moment, but that is about to change. Most of our trips are to nearby areas and thus do not reveal much that we do not already know, this time is different. My years of hard work and toil have finally been recognized for their true worth. I have been chosen to accompany the expedition to the surface, the first of its kind and indeed of our kind. I can not help but wonder if it is true, could we have once walked amongst the light as a feared and powerful nation? 
 
 It happened slowly you must understand, the city ’ s defences are unparalleled by any other. At the very outer edge of its limits are sensors that enable the Watch to detect any anomalies. There has not been a foreign detection in recorded history, typically it merely that of a passing pod or shoal. This one was different. An opaque construction, a metallic monster that can ’ t possibly exist. Yet it does. It shimmered close to the boundary walls, seemingly interested in the architectural design as lights shined from its outer skin. It did not last long. 
 
 The Defence saw to its end within seconds, where once there was an alien there was now debris and blood. We couldn ’ t take a risk, you understand? If there are other races out there that are potentially dangerous then they are a threat to our people, to our city. I have been chosen. I will document our journey to their world. I hope that their kind is watching, for it is known that history repeats itself. Atlantis shall be feared once more. 

