Connection Terminated

"There were twelve people, alive and breathing,

on this submarine yesterday. Today, there are ten."

When Elijah Smith, an acclaimed Navy recruit, was given the opportunity to board a real submarine with nine other recruits to test their mental, physical, and tactical prowess, he was ecstatic. Even better, his best friends, Rohan and Laila, had been selected as well! After months of dedication, it seemed like things were finally going his way. Hours later, however, as he and his friends go to investigate a disturbance, they begin to realize that they are trapped with a murderer . . . ten-thousand feet underwater.

As events continue to unfold rapidly, alliances and rivalries are made and torn as crewmates discover clues, attempt to fix sabotaged hardware, and figure out a way to communicate with the surface. Relationships between siblings, friends, and past mentors are put under tremendous strain. Questions and accusations are thrown around for the killer's identity. Losing faith in those around him, Elijah struggles with his own personal questions of sanity and insomnia. What can he do if he can't even trust himself?

Only one thing is clear. As the death toll increases, the survivors must find a way to work together. Otherwise, the beautiful vessel they were so excited to board may soon become their coffin.

Tanay Pant is a student who lives with his family and dog in Illinois. He has been writing for as long as he can remember, starting out with scrappy comic books made out of notebook paper before completing Connection Terminated, his second published novel. In his spare time, he enjoys writing for the school newspaper, playing sports with his friends, or listening to music a bit louder than he should.