“We must get away from that monster,” you say. “In the dark, we cannot tell what we’re up against.”

“Reverse the engines!” orders the captain.

The Abraham Lincoln moves rapidly away from the creature’s light. But the giant animal follows at double speed. It rushes the ship, stopping within 20 feet of the hull. Then, finally, its light disappears under the waves.

It is a restless night as the crew watches for signs of the Giant Narwhal. Lights are spotted, sometimes near, sometimes far away from the ship.

In the middle of the night, you swear that you hear the loud strokes of the animal’s tail and its panting breath as it draws in air.

As a new day breaks, Ned cries out, “There it is, on the port quarter!”

Every eye turns toward the back of the ship. About a mile from the Abraham Lincoln, a long, blackish body emerges from the water. Its tail beats the waves violently. You can see now that the creature is about 250 feet long, much larger than you had imagined.

The captain turns to you and says, “You’re the expert, Mr. Arronax. What’s the best way to attack the beast?”

You consider the captain’s question carefully. Your suggestion could either save or doom the Abraham Lincoln. What will you choose to do?