𝗠𝘆 𝗘𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 ⇉ 𝗝𝗝 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸

So Do I

Morning had broken, casting a golden glow over the water as the five Pogues cruised towards their destination on the HMS Pogue. Ariella stood close to JJ, who was steering the boat with one hand, his other hand warmly intertwined with hers.

They chatted softly. Up front, John B, Pope, and Kie were deep in conversation, their voices mingling with the hum of the boat.

"Alright, JJ. Pin it here." John B called out, his voice cutting through the morning air.

"Roger that! X marks the spot." JJ replied, reluctantly letting go of Ari's hand to bring the boat to a stop.

John B leaned over, grabbing the drone and holding it just above the water's surface. "Alright, ladies and gentlemen, to going full Kook."

With that, he dropped the drone into the water, and the trio of John B, Pope, and Kie watched the camera feed intently. Ari held the tether, measuring the drone's descent.

"Alright, JJ, we're right over it. Ten seconds northwest." John B instructed.

"Got it! Ten seconds northwest." JJ echoed back.

Ari's voice broke the anticipation. "One hundred feet." She called out, noting the red tape marker.

Suddenly, Pope gasped and jumped back, eyes wide as a squid darted across the camera feed. Realizing his reaction, he tried to play it cool, but John B and Ari had already noticed.

"What? What happened?" They asked in unison, John B moving closer to Pope.

"It's nothing." Pope muttered, shaking his head as he refocused on the screen. John B groaned, moving back next to Kie.

"I'm sorry. I thought." Pope started, but JJ cut him off, turning quickly.

"Don't do that to me, man." JJ said, his voice edged with mock frustration.

" My bad." Pope mumbled.

"Four hundred feet." Ari called out, marking a line with chalk on the boat's deck.

Thunder rumbled ominously in the distance, and the clouds grew darker, casting a shadow over the water.

"The tide's turning." Ari pointed out, her voice tinged with concern.

"Hey, JJ?" John B called from his position.

"Yeah?" JJ responded, his eyes fixed ahead, scanning the horizon.

"Ten seconds easy." Kie instructed, her tone steady despite the building tension.

"Copy that!" JJ nodded, adjusting the boat's speed as directed.

"JJ, twenty seconds mid-speed, alright? South." John B continued, his voice firm.

"Copy that! Aye, aye!" JJ responded, steering the boat as instructed.

"Keep the tether out of the prop!" JJ glanced quickly at Ari, his face tense.

"I'm trying!" Ari exclaimed, her fingers working quickly to manage the line.

"JJ, keep going!" John B demanded, urgency creeping into his voice.

Thunder rumbled again, closer this time.

"John B, Kie, is that good?" JJ turned to them, seeking approval.

"We're good!" John B gave him a thumbs up, his expression resolute.

"Okay, seven hundred feet!" Ari informed them, marking another line with chalk.

Another clap of thunder echoed, louder and nearer. The wind picked up, whipping Kie and Ari's hair into their faces. The waves grew more violent, the boat rocking with increasing force. JJ's gaze was fixed ahead, watching the approaching storm clouds and the flashes of lightning that lit up the sky.