The Calypso's mission: map the world's ocean floor, and its currents. Samwise Smith's goal: prove that he can run the show, as long as it takes—not just handle the money.

SYNOPSIS:

Samwise Smith, manager of Benthic Enterprises, and hopeful captain of its flag vessel Calypso. Through entrepreneur diligence, training, and a good bit of luck, he's secured grants from France, Russia, England, Prussia, and Italy, to map the ocean's floors and currents. Enough money, supplemented by high-value low-volume shipping along the way, to last around the globe.

Of course, the submersible will need a hefty crew, with delegates from some of those nations to verify his work. Engineers, scientists, oceanographers, and sailors. A new and dangerous world, under miles of water. With the right log-keeping, even high-pressure physics might receive some contributions.

A lofty goal. An investment for decades to come. The wildlife, at least, shouldn't be a concern—submarines do not resemble anyone's lunch, and the general zoological response to a new presence in the landscape is not prompt attack. But months of close quarters, and intricate financing, along with personnel coming and going, may make for a fragile endeavor in terms of the human element. Does Captain Smith really have what it takes to stay underwater eleven and a half months out of twelve, and keep the submarine's crew behind him with that turnover?