KLRR News

Hidden Point

By Axe Perkins

‘Location: Point Nemo Research Vessel’

‘Name: LeCronix, Jackson’

‘Position: Marine Biologist’

‘Date: 8-23-24’

‘Log Number: 228, Day 200 out on the Point Nemo expedition. Current time is 4:37 AM on Friday, August 23, 2024. In T-minus one hour and twenty-three minutes, we will be launching the first manned submersible expedition into the cave system discovered on day 72. From the information we have gathered from our previous thirty-two unmanned expeditions, the cave entrance is over forty-thousand feet below sea level. The entrance is circular in appearance and is forty feet in diameter. These observations of the entrance seem to be consistent for another nine hundred yards inside the cave system. After clearing the nine-hundred-yard mark, the cave widens into a large open cavern. The cavern contains a large air pocket that encompasses most of its interior. Tests have shown that the air is breathable. The cavern seems to have three separate exits that lead deeper into the cave system. Two are dry; one is waterlogged. Further research has yet to be conducted. The manned exploration will be equipped with a remote control submersible and two rovers to explore the offshooting paths. Those of us going down include Marine Botanist Stephany Jenkins, Robotics Engineer Matthew Kramer, and myself, Marine Biologist Jackson LeCronix. The submersible will be lowered into the water and released at 6:00 AM. LeCronix signing off.’

“Okay, running through the checklist one more time. Log: done, sample gathering supplies: all packed and ready to go, food: packed, water: levels checked and packed, backup wetsuit: folded and stowed, boots: check, journ-…” Jackson was stopped mid-checklist due to the sudden appearance of a fuzzy intruder on the duffle bag he would soon be sent into the depths with, “Okay, okay, Professor Marshmallow Fluff: present and accounted for,” Jackson strolled over to his tuxedo cat and the duffle bag that now acted as her perch.

“Hi there, Mallow,” Jackson cooed while petting the smaller critter, “I’m sorry, girl, but I can’t take you into that cave system with me and the others. It’s way too dangerous!” His voice had an exceedingly more worried tone by the time he finished. ‘Meow,’ The fuzzy fiend responded. Jackson sighed, “You don’t want to join me in the depths… no, you want breakfast, and you aren’t gonna let me leave unless I feed you?” Jackson laughed, grabbing Mallow’s bowl and filling it with the cat’s breakfast, “You truly are a fuzzy fiend, here… eat up.” Jackson placed the bowl down for his fuzzy fiend of a four-legged friend.