I used my writing skills to network, attending conferences and contacting researchers, pitching article ideas about deep-sea exploration and marine biology, hoping to get my foot in the door.

It was a slow and frustrating process. Many researchers were skeptical, and getting access to a deep-sea vessel was proving to be incredibly difficult.

However, my persistence eventually paid off. I managed to connect with a veteran deep-sea explorer named Captain Eva Rostova. She was planning an independent expedition to explore a different deep-sea trench, known for its unusual geological formations. She was older, experienced, and had a reputation for being a bit of a maverick.

I pitched her an idea for a series of articles about her expedition, focusing on the human element of deep-sea exploration, the challenges, the isolation, the wonders of the unknown depths. I also subtly hinted at the possibility of encountering unexplained phenomena, framed it as adding a layer of mystery to the narrative.