I realized that if anyone would have the wisdom and knowledge to point me along the proper path in my quest for The Locust, it would be The Nautalis, Wise One of the Deep.

I hitchhiked to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and stole one of their diving bells. Soon I was sinking weightlessly into the inky darkness of eternal night, home to the wisest of God's creations, The Nautalis.

My mind had wandered in the isolation and sensory deprivation of my downward journey. I do not know how long the Nautalis was before me, studying my features in amusement, before I remembered where I was, and saw that my goal had found me.

"Oh Great Nautalis, Wise Wanderer of The Depths! Please help me in my quest to find out why The Locust bit my dog!"

The Nautalis smiled as one might respond to a toddler asking where the sun goes to sleep at night.

"Man in his arrogance rarely asks his planet-mates for help. Your wisdom in seeking an outside perspective is balanced by the greed of your functionalist desires. However, your quest echos a current debate of the lower depths. How many of our young have been taking to your arid cities of the light in recent years, following the sweet hypnotic music of The Locust? The mystery of their appeal, the notoriety of their abuses, the mythology which surrounds their every act bewilder the greatest minds of The Council of Elders of The Deep Ones."

"We ask the Oracles of Dagon, we sacrifice entire cruise ships of innocents to the altars of Azathoth, and yet we receive no answer."

The nautalis appeared deeply troubled.

"This is as great a mystery to us as it is to you."

"When our young cephalopods venture forth from the protective waves of their homes and slither into your horrible cities to follow Born Against, or Dropdead, this we can understand, and deep within our hearts perhaps even feel the pangs of jealousy of a rebelious life never lived. But the vast migrations of deep-sea life that precede every live performance of The Locust, this we simply cannot comprehend."

The Nautalis looked deep into my eyes.

"I fear you have visited my domain in vain. I wish you well, as your quest must continue."

As soon as he had spoken, he was gone from my sight, and I felt myself rising back towards the surface.