The Livingston Trench Incident became the catalyst for global reflection, following the rogue actions of seaQuest DSV 4600's Captain Marilyn Stark that nearly led to global conflict.
| Livingston Trench Incident | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| [[Image:{{{image}}}|center|300px|Livingston Trench Incident]] | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Summary | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Conflict: | {{{conflict}}} | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Date: | 12 February 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Related Episode(s): | To Be or Not to Be | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Place: | North Atlantic Ocean, Livingston Trench | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Result: | Establishment of the United Earth/Oceans Organization | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Conflict Chronology | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Background
The incident involves a skirmish near the Northern Marker, which is located along a territorial line in proximity of Ocean Floor Mining Corporation. Mining outposts from several different confederations coexist in the region, and tensions in the region are high, which makes it a potential "tinderbox." Observers have long been aware of this situation, and it is considered a breaking point in relations between different confederations.
The initial conflict escalates when a skirmish occurs near the Northern Marker, as well as a subsequent detection of Reef Runner, a craft operated by Ocean Floor's Bobby. He seeks refuge in Ocean Floor's mining outpost, which is run by Jenny. The situation is further complicated when Jenny discovers that the two hornets that are chasing Bobby are not miners, but a military force. They are using a satellite link to call in their home base, which has caused the situation to escalate into a military intervention.
Following the skirmish, five Class-C shooter submarines arrive to surround the outpost, with each commander asking for permission upworld to attack. This event reveals the true nature of the conflict, which is between different confederations, each with its own territorial claims. The events in the Livingston Trench are not an isolated incident, but part of a larger geopolitical conflict.
seaQuest DSV 4600
Nor-Pac Command dispatches the deep submergence vessel seaQuest DSV 4600 to the area to intercede. Commanded by Captain Marilyn Stark, she arrives ordering W.S.K.R.S. ("Whiskers") targeting sweeps to be directly fed to fire control, as well as the arming of plasma torpedoes; four are armed. Whiskers determine effective firing solutions in the interim.
Heavy sat-link interference prevents Nor-Pac from communicating further, but eventually Lieutenant Timothy O'Neill confirms receipt of stand-down orders. The other five submarine commanders receive like orders from their own confederations.
Believing the "cat and mouse" game to be endless, Stark unilaterally decides to escalate, but authorizes the launch of the weapons. She nearly launches them, but is stopped by her executive officer, Commander Jonathan Ford, who relieves her of duty under Article 20, Section 8 of Nor-Pac Command regulations.
Aftermath
The aftermath of the Livingston Trench incident is significant. The incident is broadcast by EarthCast News, which heightens public awareness of the tensions and conflict in the region. It is revealed that tensions have reached a breaking point in this mineral-rich area, and that different confederations are coexisting, making the area a potential "tinderbox." The United Earth/Oceans Organization (UEO) is formed to administer the situation and to try and bring peace. The U.E.O. is given seaQuest to serve as a peacekeeper and research vessel to spearhead these efforts.
The incident highlights the importance of the Livingston Trench as a site of geopolitical tension and conflict. It also reveals the complex political landscape that exists in the world of seaQuest. The Livingston Trench incident is used as a catalyst for many of the events in the series, as the need for a peacekeeping and research vessel is what brings Nathan Bridger back into service and sets the stage for the events to come. The incident also introduces the concept of confederations and their territorial claims, setting up a conflict that the UEO and the seaQuest will try to mediate in the future.