in the year 1866, where multiple ships report encounters with a monstrous, fast-moving creature, giving rise to public excitement and scientific debate. Professor Aronnax, recently returned from an expedition, becomes drawn into the mystery and debates the possible existence of the creature with various hypotheses about its nature. As the narrative progresses, it establishes a background of public curiosity and urgency surrounding the 'monster,' leading to the preparation of an American expedition on the frigate Abraham Lincoln, where Aronnax and his companions are invited to join in the hunt for this elusive beast. The anticipation builds as they set sail to confront a creature that could potentially reshape their understanding of the ocean's depths. (This is an automatically generated summary.)