Interning on the Aronnax

Well, This Is Awkward

Kaiko leaned back in the pilot's seat and sent a call to the Dark Orca and Pete's submarine, the latter hidden behind the mountains. Almost immediately, an image of the Dark Orca's bridge appeared on Kaiko's screen.

"What're ya-" Hammerhead broke off mid-bellow. He glared. "Nekton!"

"Were you expecting someone else?" Kaiko said with a slight smile.

"This isn't about ya!" Hammerhead yelled. He sounded more annoyed than normal. "So jus' git! This is pirate's business-"

Kaiko tuned Hammerhead out until he could let out some steam. She calmly observed the rest of the Dark Orca's bridge while she waited to see if someone on Pete's sub would respond.

While Hammerhead was yelling, Madeline poked her head out from behind Hammerhead. Her usual glare shifted to something like confusion for a split-second, then her glare returned. Danny Boy, fiddling with something on the back of the helm, didn't react to Hammerhead's yelling or Kaiko.

Kaiko briefly wondered where Finn was. It was rare for him to not be around Madeline, or pop up when Fontaine was nearby. Maybe he was embarrassed about the failed "invasion" of the Aronnax the last time they'd crossed paths.

"Too bad," Kaiko mused. She hadn't forgotten her promise to Fontaine to talk to Finn.

Hammerhead was just winding his yelling down when a second image appeared on the screen.

The second submarine's bridge was the complete opposite of the Dark Orca's rusty, leaky, duct-taped bridge. Resembling more the Aronnax, the second sub had sleek silver consoles rolling neatly from the walls and long, narrow windows wrapped around the bridge. A single chair rose from the center of the bridge with a small console on either side, and was occupied by the only person on the bridge.

"Pete!" Hammerhead yelled.

"Hammerhead," Pete returned calmly.

Apparently, Pete had taken a long time to join the meeting because he'd been shedding his diving gear. He wore a simple brown shirt and black shorts, revealing a thin, wiry frame. He had a plain face, though his eyes were startlingly pale blue against his light mahogany skin. His straw yellow hair was just long enough to be pulled back into a tiny ponytail.

If Hammerhead's fury affected him, Pete didn't show it. He lounged in the pilot's chair with his right leg folded over his left and watched Hammerhead with a bored expression.

"Good, you're all here," Kaiko said, ignoring Hammerhead's glare. "So I can tell you that there's no treasure here."

"How can ya say that when there's-" Hammerhead blinked. He muttered to Danny Boy, "Where'd the treasure go?"

"Kaiko snagged it while you were putting me in my place," Pete said with a nonchalant shrug.

Kaiko eyed him. Had he deduced her actions or seen her escaping with the "treasure"?

"I did," Kaiko said. "And it's nothing but a ceramic urn full of seeds."

Hammerhead, face turning an angry red, made a series of incoherent noises. Pete tilted his head, expression turning thoughtful.

"Who hides seeds?!" Hammerhead yelled.

"Someone who wants to preserve their island," Pete said before Kaiko could. His eyes narrowed. "His heritage. Legacy, perhaps?"

"That's enough out'a ya!" Hammerhead yelled.

"You don't control me, Hammerhead," Pete said, voice cold. "Not anymore."

Kaiko realized there was more than the usual "pirates don't like pirates" arguing going on. She grabbed the joysticks, ready to move between the Aronnax between the two submarines if things got ugly.

"As if I ever did," Hammerhead said, strangely calming a bit. "Turn about, Pete, and get out."

"No," Pete said, matching the calm.

"Last chance, Pete," Hammerhead warned. "That's more than I give anyone, but since ya were crew-"

Pete barked a laugh. "Like I'd believe you." Pete uncrossed his legs and stood with a clack.

Kaiko's breath caught. Now she could see his left leg. Or, where it ended in a knot of scars at his knee. The rest of his leg was carved wood and a metal ankle and sole.

Pete practically snarled out, "I've seen what you do to crew."

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A/N: Introducing: motive and an actual description of Pete! Pete's half Cherokee, half Norwegian, if anyone's interested. ;)

Some more backstory on Pete's development. In early Interning planning, Pete was a rando pirate with a grudge against Hammerhead. For kicks, I went with the stereotypical pirate with a peg leg and named him Peg-Leg Pete. The name Pete ended up sticking by the final version, though Interning Pete is the only version with a wooden leg.