This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice.

The storm clouds gathered on the horizon like an army of dark sentinels, their edges tinged with an unnatural green that made Marine Biologist Dr. Sarah Chen pause in her data collection. She had been studying the coastal ecosystem of Mendocino County for three years, but she had never seen the sky take on quite this ominous hue. The waves below crashed against the rocky cliffs with increasing violence, sending spray so high it misted the observation deck where she stood.

"Another sample, Dr. Chen?" Her research assistant, Marcus Rodriguez, approached with a collection vial in his weathered hands. At twenty-four, Marcus had already spent more time on these treacherous waters than most seasoned fishermen, his dedication to marine conservation matching Sarah's own passion.

Sarah nodded, accepting the vial and holding it up to the dimming light. The water appeared murky, with an unusual reddish tint that immediately set off alarm bells in her scientific mind. "Marcus, when did you collect this?"

"Just twenty minutes ago, from the tide pools near Devil's Cauldron." He pointed toward the jagged rocks below where the ocean carved deep channels into the cliff face. "The fish are acting strange too. Found three dead rockfish just floating on the surface, no obvious signs of trauma."

Sarah's stomach tightened. She had been tracking concerning changes in the local marine ecosystem for months. Rising water temperatures, unusual algae blooms, and now this mysterious discoloration. Each piece of evidence pointed toward something catastrophic brewing beneath the waves.