What sleeps in the deep

Ch 7: Reunion

With much caution and accuracy the captain demonstrated his experience and mounted his ship safely near the entry way of the oil rig. As the Captain climbed up with three of his men following close behind him- waiting at the top of the steps was Savanna, her father and Mr. Chen. Savanna immediately extends her hand and welcomes the Captain- with some admiration, "Captain, Mason Hunt! Its a true pleasure to finally meet you. I've been told that your reputation proceeds you."

The Captain was already exhausted from the trip and stressed from the recent journey. He bluntly says, " Madame forgive me but I must cut the pleasantries and get to the point. My entire crew and I were not aware of the possible complications that we had to face for this rescue mission. We were informed that the national Coast Guard was not able to locate the 424. However, if the national coast guard disappears the same way the 424 did- that would have been useful to know before risking our lives."

"Yes, I am aware Mr. Hunt. I wasn't informed on time myself on the whereabouts of the national Coast Guard- especially when our resources were limited to finding the 424 in the first place. I'm not sure if you were aware but communication was down for almost a week at the time of the incident." Silently the Captain nods in agreement and began to process everything that was happening while the three other men behind the Captain, quietly listened.

Savanna then guides the Captain towards the entry way to the office by the control room. She coldly turns towards Captain Hunt, "We run a tight operation. Not only were we able to finally reach your contact, but we were able to dig up some possible information that may be of use. We have some highly classified findings that cannot be discussed outside my office."

"what do you mean, madam?"

"You'll see."

As everyone stormed through the hallways, Mr. Chen moves away from the tight group and makes a quick turn in the hallway. As he approaches the door, Mr. Chen adjusts his suit and clears his throat.

Knock, Knock "Stella, We're all waiting for you at the office. Stella?"

Mr. Chen slowly pushes the door open to see a fixed bed and what looks like an empty room. Quickly Mr. Chen pulls out his radio and immediately calls his 'delta' crew to start a search.

"Mr. Chen?"

Startled now, Mr. Chen turns around just to see Stella holding coffee and a bagel. Seeing how it was a false alarm he pulls his radio and calls the search off.

"I thought I told you we'd get you."

"Yeah, I know but I got hungry."

Sighs "Damn Stella, I don't need a heart attack. Lets go, everyone is at the office now."

With a mouth full of bagel, she smiled and nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile at the office....

"Gentlemen, please take a seat." Savanna point to the office chairs.

As everyone silently sits down, Savanna continues. "You all may have noticed when you walked into this office lots of images and reports all over the walls. We were as confused as all of you were when we first heard of that animal. But upon discovery with the help of our dedicated team we learned that there is more than just one beast."

"Wait, what?!? So are we infested with these giants predators?" interrupted the Captain.

"Yes and no."

"Please elaborate."

"These animals don't really hunt too much on the surface like sharks. But these creatures go for bigger pray deep in the ocean. Something drove them out. Even their behavior is somewhat  disoriented, to say the least. So while we wait for our marine biologist to join us, please listen closely to the last transmission from the 424 at the time of their disappearance. "

The tape starts to play and everyone quietly listens. As the tape moves halfway through the recording as Mr. Chen walks in with Stella behind him.

Savanna then pauses the tape, "Gentlemen, this is Stella."

The crew members and the Captain smile and greeted her but the third crew member had his face partially covered with a hat and handkerchief. He slowly looks up and sees Stella, then faces down.

"Alright everyone, now it's time we go downstairs to the engine room. We all have something important to see."

Everyone now gets up and started heading towards the hallway. Stella started falling behind the group as she was checking her bag. Then out of nowhere the third crew member sneaks up behind Stella and covering her mouth as he pulled her away.

GASP! [Muffled sounds from Stella]

"Shh, I'm here to get you out."

[Muffled] "Kilo?"

"yes"

She pulls herself away from him, "Oh my God, How the hell did you get here?"

"Funny  you ask, I was at the docks when I finished the call. As I was dragging my Canoe to go find you, someone from the ship hollered at me telling me I was crazy. I ignored him and kept going. This caught some attention then the captain of that ship asked why and I told them I was gonna rescue you. So here I am."

"Ummm, wow. So you were going to drown out there for me?" Stella's face was red.

"Well, drowning was not part of the plan but yeah ?"

"Okay,  so I'm glad you didn't do that. And I was trying to tell you before, I am fine. But now that you're here maybe you can help me?"

"sure?"

"So, remember when we were tracking some changes in fish migration before I got chased. Turns out the reason that happened is- here."[she motioned]

"OHHHHHHHH, That makes so much sense!"

"Kilo, just stay with me so we can get to the bottom of this."

"Cool"

As Kilo hurries away to catch up with the group, Stella pulls out a small mirror and noticed that her cheeks are still red from her conversation. Damn it! Now isn't the time to catch feelings. Whats wrong with you????

Mr. Chen then walks up next to Stella, "Got lost?"

"Oh! Wow- Yeaahh."

"You know earlier today I thought you were gonna jet."

"Ha! I noticed. I literally saw you grab that radio as if your life depended on it."

"Do you seriously think it's easy keeping track of you?"

"Oh No! Of course not! I know what I am, even way before I got into the military it was hard to find me."

"Damn, you went to the army?"

"The Marines and yes."

"I did not see that coming."

"No one ever does. Hey, now that were getting to know each other. You got a first name? Because Mr. Chen is good and all but I feel like I'm talking to my teachers again."

"Kevin."

"WOW, I definitely didn't see that coming."

"HA HA, Why?"

"I don't know if it's just me but I thought your name would be scarier."

For the first time Mr. Chen and Stella were walking down the hallway together laughing about each other's fun facts.