Interning on the Aronnax

Do I Have Your Attention Now?

A/N: Another chapter I've been waiting ages for! :D

This is taking place in the Islanders arc, but the Dark Orca is still laying low, so there isn't any sub-racing shenanigans.

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"We'll be arriving at the site soon," Will reported around noon.

"Everyone, stay on guard," Kaiko warned.

Fontaine cocked her head. "Why? It's just an artifact recovery mission."

"That we discovered thanks to a map Dolos had," Will said. "And I know Dolos' methods too well to hope that we're the only ones he sold a map to."

"You mean, pirates?" Fontaine asked nervously.

"It's been over a month since we've heard anything about the Dark Orca," Kaiko said. "I don't know why Hammerhead's been so quiet, but he's going to show up soon, I'm sure."

Fontaine shifted and looked at her console. She really, really didn't want to see Hammerhead. She didn't know why Hammerhead hadn't come along demanding to get Finn back, and she was grateful that he was apparently not going to be the one to bring it up. But even if Hammerhead didn't confront the Nektons about "stealing" Finn, her family might notice Finn's absence.

"Any ideas about the inscriptions?" Fontaine asked, changing the conversation.

"The 'withering, extinction, and starvation' part?" Ant asked. "Nope, nothing."

"If something else tries to eat us, I'm leaving," Fontaine put out.

"With that wording, I think it's more likely that we'll get infected by an ancient sickness," Ant said.

Fontaine gave Ant a deadpan look. "Well, that's really helping convince me. But I meant the peeling the fruit part."

"Might be a puzzle we'll have to solve to get to the treasure," Will said. "And the warning could just be to scare off thieves."

"You say that about every warning we find," Fontaine said. She had to grin. "And there's always something real about it."

"If you want to stay and watch the Aronnax..." Kaiko offered, matching Fontaine's grin.

Fontaine shook her head. "No way! Let's go bust that curse!"

Will laughed. "That's right!"

"Nekton family, set sail!" Ant said, pointing dramatically ahead.

"We are going, Ant," Fontaine said.

Ant pouted. "Just go with it, okay?"

"Not if you're going to point at the treasure like that."

Ant dropped his arm. "Aw, come on, Fontaine!"

"No way!"

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Less than an hour later, Kaiko spotted underwater formations similar to the ones on the map.

"The treasure should be right behind those mountains," Will said, consulting the map.

Kaiko stopped the Aronnax. "We'll take the Knights closer, just in case. They're more maneuverable than the Aronnax."

Everyone hurried to the Moon Pool and got into a Knight. Fontaine took the White Knight, Will used the Mag Knight, Kaiko was in the Swamp Knight, and Ant was in the Shadow Knight as usual. Even Jeffrey got a ride, as Ant had added an internal tank for Jeffrey in the chest of the Shadow Knight after nearly losing Jeffrey in the sea worm.