A Blackfish Typhoon

Since penguins have waddled upon the ices of Antarctica, they have been preyed upon by a wide array of ferocious beasts. Skuas, leopard seals and orcas have all made meals out of innocent penguins. Today, times are different as the technological prowess of the penguins far outweighs that of the orcas, who have been made to sign treaties restricting their territory and prey that they can. Many orca pods no longer prey upon penguins, bringing a golden age where penguins are safely able to cross the seas without fear of an orca attack bringing an end to such a journey. As a driller for the Penguin Mining Corporation, orca attacks aren't even at the back of the head of a Penguin Mining Corporation roughneck named Ricky Dravid, a simple man that cares more about the possibility for promotion to driller is what dominates his thoughts. But Ricky is about to find himself in the middle of a conflict between the Penguin Mining Corporation and a large pod of orcas, the Blackfish Kingdom in a struggle for power, survival and wealth.

Prologue

The Weddell Sea was calm today and the sun was shining brightly above, with brightness that indicated the new horizon for the Penguin Mining Corporation. The sounds of hammering and thumping echoed throughout the oil rig, breaking the sound of the icy waters below. Drilling sounds would interlude adding to a neverending chorus of steel and electricity, a beauty to those who made their keep here but to marine biologist Doctor Albert Redshaw, it was discordant sound of pollution that screamed away, ruining the beauty that lay this far from inhabited land. Drops of grease littered the balcony that Albert looked out from and the smell was never-ending, always reminding Albert that he was a burden here. In order to fit the requirements for some tax evading loophole, Penguin Mining Corporation were more than happy to bring on board a scientific research team from a sponsoring University. But most of the people weren't here to look into the wonders of the world around them; all they cared about was getting enough black gold out for their next paycheck.

"Doctor Al" a voice from behind said. Al turned back and saw a roughneck, a tall, stocky fellow with sporting large ungroomed beard. The smell of oil was disconcerting; it would bring another bout of vertigo for Albert, along with his cheek to call him Doctor Al. "The sub's ready for operations, ya'll team has clearance to depart". As prompt as he was in interrupting the Professor's thoughts, the roughneck was quick to leave. Albert sighed and took out the beginning of his planned research paper titled On Baby Weddell Kelp, a largely profiled species of seaweed that was speculated to be a cure for the X virus.

If only my life was that exciting he thought to himself with a half-smile. Baby Weddell Kelp, hey? Professor Albert could only wish that he could care enough about that and nothing else to put effort into writing a good piece. His crew was waiting by the research submarine. The submarine itself appeared remarkably small on the outside, but apparently on the inside it was spascious for a number of penguins of various heights and species. Redshaw himself was a tall Emperor Penguin, who would be sharing the submarine with three other researchers. Among them was Doctor Mitchell Carrick, a redheaded Adelie Penguin with a passion for marine biology, yet his face appeared bored and expressionless, as if Baby Weddell Kelp was the one thing he absolutely hated above all else. Doctor Stephen Naysmith, a Fiordland penguin who had long been a close friend of Doctor Albert. A shame he didn't know of the excitement that was to come.

"Doctor Al" a voice screeched on his ears. "You done with your internal thoughts?" Ah yes, Brendan Tallpenguin, a King Penguin that certainly was not the tallest researcher on this project, but was definitely blessed the biggest sense of humour out of all of them. Al was once able to laugh, but his life choices were really reflected here.

How did I end up here? he thought to himself. Why me? Why not anyone else? He checked his right pocket on his jacket. Yes. Yes, the charm is still there.

"This is Rig" a voice over Doctor Al's radio. "If we're not using stupid codewords, just me, Doctor Louisa. I'll be on shore today; ready whenever you are Doctor Al. Preferably sooner rather than later". That voice belonged Doctor Louisa Kingston. She had quite the story behind her; an orphan from Kingston from unknown parents, she grew up in an orphanage at South Pole City, disadvantaged and without hope, yet rose against society's expectations to earned a PhD in Marine Biology and to publish research papers that had earned the eye of Albert Redshaw. The girl had potential and it had been Doctor Al's pleasure to continue tutor her to greatness. Soon however she would have to let go of his flipper and find her own path. As much as Al liked having her around, he knew that someday their partnership would end. She knew this too, but the thought did not consume her him like it did Doctor Al's; he knew it would come a lot sooner than she expected.

The three finally boarded the submarine. Brendan and Mitchell would grab the controls, driving them through the depths of the Weddell Sea, whilst Redshaw and Naysmith took the back seat. The true driver in this voyage was Doctor Al, who micromanaged the precise directions for Brendan and Mitchell to go. Brendan wasn't a fan of backseat drivers and made a joke that Redshaw couldn't care to hear about. Everyone else was happily talking as they looked for a batch of Baby Weddell Kelp to scan. They would have to keep diving until they were low enough.

"Al" Steve said. Steve was one of the few penguins that Doctor Al allowed to call by that nickname. "Of all the things we could pick to write a paper on, can you tell me honestly why Baby Weddell Kelp? I'm sure the university appreciates the funding, but last year we were studying the migratory patterns of sea birds. Now we're looking at plants?"

"I can tell you honestly" Doctor Al said. Wait, no he can't. "I can honestly say you got the right answer; the university needs the funding". Naysmith raise an eyebrow and grinned.

"No, don't lie to me" Naysmith said. "A nice bit of funding is always good to get on the path to tenureship, but you don't like playing academic politics. Why are we here?" Albert decided to tell a half-truth.

"There is a lot at stake here" Doctor Al explained. "Sure, we may be looking at plants for a bit. But the research we do in the lab is of vital importance. It will save Antarctica, my friend. Save it". Mitchell turned back and grimaced.

"It won't Doctor Redshaw, with all due respect" he said. "I've already done this research before and it is highly unlikely that Baby Weddell Kelp will cure the X Virus. I won't deny it has other medicinal uses, but I know that for certain the genome structure of the plant will not halt the progress of the X virus. Heck, if I remember you were the one who told me it would be a waste of time. Yet here you are arguing otherwise". An awkward silenced rested over the submarine for a while. No one dared look at each other. Redshaw was famed for his temper and everyone expected a flurry of verbal insults. But he was not stirred.

"It'll be different this time" he simply said.

"Woah, awwwkkwardd" Louisa joked over the intercom. "Hey, go to your left. I can see a sizable colony of the kelp growing by that reef. Better get your dive suits and don't forget your cameras". The bulky and fidgety cameras would be a burden in the future, especially after all this was over. It's hard to properly dispose of such material. When they were ready, the four scientists exited the submarine. Outside the sea was pitch black but they all turned on their flashlights. In days past no penguin would venture this deep; too many penguins in the past had been lost at this depth, to leopard seals, orcas and sharks. Nowadays the risk was slim, as penguins were the masters of the sea, not their former predators. It was all too perfect for an attack; no one would expect it here, but in ordinary circumstances, no smart predator would risk it. The Coast Guard and the EPF would crack down so hard on it that even the most criminal of leopard seals rarely dare to feast upon penguins during an investigation, lest there be consequences elsewhere. The entire Weddell Sea was treaty protected and the organised leopard seal clans or orca kingdoms wouldn't dare attack.

The four diver walked over to the reef. A mullet was there, swimming back and forth whilst a colony of crabs were scattered across the rocks. The mullet had a yellow fish in itsm mouth and was gnawing off it. The scraps fell down to the surface and the crabs were next to take their share. These crabs were the skuas of the sea, although instead of feasting upon the corpse of a dead wild puffle, their carrion was the remains of this yellow fish. Nearby was the kelp, which some of younger crabs had appeared to take liking to. Redshaw waved his flippers and the crabs quickly scattered. Go enjoy some lovely fish Al thought.

"Alright, I'll catch everything on tape" Louisa said. "Now, let me check the list here... ok, the light stimulus experiment is first". The scientists turned their attention to the experiment, oblivious of the surroundings around them.

Yes, everything is perfect thought Doctor Redshaw. Too perfect. The scientists kept up some chatter in between their breaths of oxygen. Luckily penguins could hold their breaths for a long time, but at this depth the tanks certainly helped. Redshaw checked that his charm was attached to his swimsuit and there it was, clipped on in place of his knife to fight any hostile predators.

Beep beep the diving watches beeped on all of them. Beep beep.

"Doctor Redshaw" Mitchell spoke up, whilst beginning the repeat test. "There's a large heat signature detected. We better get inside". Redshaw ignored him. Beep beep.

"DOCTOR!" Louisa yelled on the intercom. "You know how Penguin Mining Corporation is. The moment a large heat body is detected, you get inside". The watches started beeping louder and faster. Beep beep beep, then Beep beep beep beep beep, then 'BeepbeepbeepbeepbeepBEEPBEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP.

"Holy Author" screamed Louisa. "GET IN! GET IN NOW!"" The comms suddenly cut, along with the flashlight. A series of clicks could be heard, clicks that sounded like that of a narwhal. The clicks were interfering with the equipment.

"It's just the narwhals" Redshaw said. "Don't worry guys, they'll pass by and we'll be back to normal". The sounds of swimming could be heard close by. Redshaw could almost hear the heart rates of his fellow scientists rising. They never learned how to enjoy the adrenaline of fear. Al himself had lost it a long time ago.

All of a sudden, there was a thumping noise and an arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh sound.

"ORCAS!" one of the scientists screamed, although Redshaw couldn't tell. Now the adrenaline really was rushing. It all happened so fast. Another thump and one of the other scientists was knocked out. Then THUMP! Redshaw then caught the eye of Him, as he swam at him almost gracefully but with the power of a lightning bolt.

"Well" he said to the orca. "It certainly was an interesting career choice". THUMP!

A comm drifted down to the ocean bed and it reactivated the clips disappeared. "This is Rig, Rig to Mullet-1, come in" Louisa said. "Oh Narrator! ALARM! SOUND THE ALARM! WE HAVE AN ORCA ATTACK TO MULLET!"