Deep Marine

De: Nick Balgaard

Narrado por: Daryl Branson

It’s July of 2065: twenty-one years into humanity’s quiet march toward extinction. The discovery of a potent, non-lethal, addictive wonder drug—extracted near the Wreck of the Titanic—has decimated the world’s productivity and birth rate. Delaney “Del” Martin is among the few who has elected to avoid it. Instead, he has committed himself to advancing America’s nuclear program. Unfortunately, the mega-corporation that produces the drug doesn’t care about energy. Only profits. And more addicts means a higher bottom line.

Following a violent attack and coming within inches of getting forcefully hooked on the drug, Del finds himself in a state of limbo and instability. In this moment of weakness, a retired officer of the U.S. Navy attempts to recruit Del for an ultra-secret mission. Code-named “Operation Trident,” the mission will occur in the perpetual night of the deep Atlantic, with two miles of crushing seawater overhead.

It’s the definition of a suicide mission: a Hail Mary intended to save the world from itself. And it is expected to cost many lives. The trouble is…Del is a pacifist. And pacifists don’t mix with military operations.

©2024 Nick Balgaard (P)2025 Nick Balgaard