Metamorphosis Alpha to Omega: Part 12: Deck 4: Water Deck

There is a calm serenity to be found on this deck. The visitor will immediately be taken by the expanse of water stretching off into simulated horizons, with the occasional brief rainstorm breaking the monotony. Islands can be seen scattered about, with seabirds wheeling about them. Midway through the deck, a great transparent partition separates the deck into two lakes; even now, holo-infographics label one half as the freshwater preserve, the other being for saltwater. Below the surface, the partition simulates upthrust subaquatic mountains, designed to keep the inhabitants from swimming into the partition. Above, a simulated blue sky delivers gentle breezes that caress the peaceful-seeming islands. There is a calm about the place that evokes a feeling of eternity, as though a part of the primal ocean of Earth has been sent out among the stars.

When Warden was still fully operational, deck four was among the most popular recreation areas on the ship. The islands were sculpted to resemble various Earthly islands in miniature, from Hawaii to the windswept, cool isles of the northern latitudes. Resorts and small harbors drew the majority of the visitors. The flora and fauna of the islands was varied, with their main similarity being their attractiveness to human sensibilities. Below the waves, the ecosystem was even more diverse, attracting divers. It was Warden's permanent vacation spot.

Yet deck four was not only for fun. It was the ship's main water reservoir, with great pumps providing water when and where it was needed. Fortunately, each deck was designed to be self-sufficient, so while deck four saw its reserves tapped occasionally, it was mostly intended as a wildlife preserve and basis for planetside aquatic ecoforming. Robotic mining shuttles would explore surrounding space to find sources of water ice, or hydrogen and oxygen, to replenish any water that was lost due to unforeseen emergencies. The great war that raged across all decks of the ship saw all manner of violence, including the flushing of huge amounts of water from decks in order to break sieges or punish enemies, so Warden's mining shuttles saw more use than their builders ever imagined. In fact, even now they are still trying to bring the water content of the ship back to its initial levels. Still, deck four remained serene and timeless, its waters so vast that even the losses could not truly be felt here.

The radiation that engulfed the ship did little obvious damage here. Water absorbed and blocked much of it. Still, enough of it was strong enough to penetrate deep within the lakes, subtly mutating a number of species. The jetpikes streak through the depths, staying well clear of the massive philosopher-sharks. Lullaby coral sends out its gentle susurration, luring in prey to be absorbed, while the hula-kelp entrances viewers with its hypnotic subsurface dance. From somewhere within the unlighted depths, a strange keening song can be heard, the source ever-elusive, with the voice burrowing into the mind of the listener. The song causes an emotional void to be felt in the victim, pulling them ever deeper. The radiation did not create the bizarre menagerie of other decks, but there seems to be a waiting intelligence here, cold, new, and curious.

Next: Part 13: Deck 3: Cargo Deck