THE GHOSTS OF NAVAL STATION SAN DIEGO WEPT WHEN THE SALUTE FINALLY FELL SILENT

They sprinted up the spiral metal staircase, their boots slamming rhythmically against the steps as they climbed through the layers of the subterranean facility. The air grew progressively warmer, but the low, ominous vibration grew steadily louder, rumbling through the steel structure like the heartbeat of a sleeping leviathan.

When they finally burst through the heavy blast doors of Sub-Level One, the upper command level of the naval station was in utter, absolute chaos.

Emergency alarms shrieked continuously, strobe lights flashed blinding red against the polished white corridors, and base personnel scrambled in every direction, shouting orders over the deafening noise. Through the reinforced floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking San Diego Harbor, the night sky had turned an unnatural, bruised violet hue.

Lucas rushed to the primary tactical console, slamming his hands onto the digital interface to override the locked lockdown protocols.

“Base command is completely blind,” Lucas yelled over the noise, his fingers flying across the holographic keys. “All radar arrays are fried, and the harbor surface is experiencing extreme magnetic anomalies!”

Sarah pushed past him, grabbing the master communication mic and switching it to the emergency broadcast frequency.

“All naval units, clear the harbor immediately!” Sarah shouted into the mic, her voice projecting absolute authority. “This is Lieutenant Commander Phibbs. Evacuate all piers and dockyards. Repeat, catastrophic spatial breach imminent!”

Before her voice could echo across the base speakers, the water outside the massive harbor windows began to churn violently. A massive vortex of white-water foam erupted in the center of the bay, spinning at impossible speeds as lightning crackled erratically across the surface, striking the water with deafening thunderclaps.

Marcus stepped up to the glass, standing completely still as he watched the unfolding spectacle.

“It’s too late to clear the harbor, Sarah,” Marcus said softly, his reflection ghosting across the glass against the swirling violet storm outside. “Look.”

From the center of the roaring vortex, a colossal wall of blackened steel slowly broke the surface of the water. Massive, barnacle-encrusted anchors and rusted gun turrets emerged into the night air, sending towering tidal waves crashing against the concrete docks.

Lucas stared out the window, his breath caught in his throat as he recognized the unmistakable silhouette of the massive destroyer rising from the abyss.

“The USS Leviathan,” Lucas whispered, horror washing over him. “It actually came through.”

Suddenly, the base's main power grid failed entirely. The strobe lights died, plunging the command center into total darkness, save for the sickly violet glow radiating from the monstrous ship anchored in the middle of the harbor.