The ''Deepwater trilogy'' is a series of

science fiction Science fiction (often shortened to sci-fi or abbreviated SF) is a genre of speculative fiction that deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts. These concepts may include information technology and robotics, biological manipulations, space ...

novel A novel is an extended work of narrative fiction usually written in prose and published as a book. The word derives from the for 'new', 'news', or 'short story (of something new)', itself from the , a singular noun use of the neuter plural of ...

s written by

New Zealand New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...

author

Ken Catran Ken Catran (born 16 May 1944) is a children's novelist and television screenwriter from New Zealand. Career Catran is the author of many teen novels, including ''Taken at the Flood'', ''Voyage with Jason'', ''Doomfire on Venus'', ''Space Wolf'', ...

. The three books are titled ''Deepwater Black'' (1992), ''Deepwater Landing'' (1993) and ''Deepwater Angels'' (1994). The series addresses a number of current issues like

pollution Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause harm. Pollution can take the form of any substance (solid, liquid, or gas) or energy (such as radioactivity, heat, sound, or light). Pollutants, the component ...

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and

politics Politics () is the set of activities that are associated with decision-making, making decisions in social group, groups, or other forms of power (social and political), power relations among individuals, such as the distribution of Social sta ...

. The most prominent theme throughout the series is that "survival is not for oneself but for a greater cause." Other notable themes and elements include beauty, color, light amidst darkness, responsibility at a young age, the significance of youth in the ongoing existence of the human race,

rebellion Rebellion is an uprising that resists and is organized against one's government. A rebel is a person who engages in a rebellion. A rebel group is a consciously coordinated group that seeks to gain political control over an entire state or a ...

, and fear of the unknown.

''Deepwater Black''

''Deepwater Black'' is the first novel in the Deepwater trilogy by New Zealand author Ken Catran, published in 1992. The story follows Robbie Mikkelson, a 13-year-old boy living an ordinary life until he experiences a phenomenon called "prexing," which transports him between two realities.

Plot

Robbie is an ordinary teenager on Earth, living with his family and dealing with typical school issues. His life changes when Yoona, a girl only he can see, appears and tells him he's needed on Deepwater. Robbie finds himself transported to a massive spaceship where he is Reb, second-in-command. On Deepwater, Reb works with other teenagers—Yoona, Bren, Gret, Lis, and Zak—who are descendants of Solar System colonists. They face challenges including: battling alien creatures (trites, amebs, solunks, and mag-mets), dealing with "Jel," a dangerous substance in the ship's ventilation system, managing long duty shifts to stay alive, growing distrust among the crew, questioning their identities and purpose, Robbie/Reb struggling to reconcile his dual existence as he "prexes" between Earth and Deepwater, with his life on the spaceship becoming increasingly real.

Themes

* Survival for a greater cause * Identity and self-discovery * The role of youth in humanity's future * Environmental issues

''Deepwater Landing'' (1993)

The second book focuses on Denie Miles, who awakens on Deepwater as Cei. The ship returns to space searching for a crucial mission element. New threats emerge both on Earth and in space.

''Deepwater Angels''

In the final installment, Conn (an "Earthkid") wakes up on Deepwater, which is now stranded on Earth. The crew must complete one last mission on their home planet.

Adaptation

The trilogy was adapted into a television series in 1997, marking the Sci Fi Channel's first original scripted production. Titled ''Mission Genesis'' in the United States, it was a co-production between YTV Network and

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, distributed by

Sunbow Entertainment Sunbow Entertainment (formerly known as Sunbow Productions until 1995) was an American animation studio and distributor, founded on June 23, 1980, and owned until May 4, 1998, by Griffin-Bacal Advertising in New York City and in the United State ...

. In Canada and the United Kingdom, the series retained the original title, ''Deepwater Black''.