From the story archive · Fictional encounter
Part of a research team in a submersible studying deep-sea creatures. Six scientists packed into a tiny pressurized cabin. I'm documenting a rare jellyfish when—PRRRT—a barking spider makes an appearance 1500 feet below sea level.
The lead scientist, without missing a beat, calmly notes into the expedition log: "14:23 - Unexpected methane release detected in cabin. Not from external hydrothermal vents." The recording is now part of the Smithsonian's deep sea archive.