What sleeps in the deep

Ch 10: Old Man Tricks

Stella and Kilo were compiling as much information as they were able to get their hands on. As Kilo printed out the 'evidence', Stella was putting all the paperwork together. She gathered her printed 'evidence' then looked around the office for a loose folder. After not being able to see one lying around she opened a file cabinet, pulling out a used file folder- dropping all the papers that were wedged inside that file.

"Crap." Stella sets the papers aside and quickly started picking up the mess she made. Suddenly, her face changed as soon as she started briefly reading what was in those files. She then grabbed one paper and then another, setting them neatly on the floor. She then grabbed a cover sheet named 'Proposal' and started piecing together what she was looking at. Progress reports were mixed in with maps. As she laid out the maps she saw X marks on places where fish heavily traveled. But what caught her eye was the X marks that were near ocean caves and trenches. Openings in the ocean that leads to the deep. But why there? Places like ocean trenches are very unstable. Which leaves the question, what were they trying to do?

The documents even revealed the lost equipment in the process to further excavate these areas. But then 6 months prior, the project was 'canceled'. Around the same time people reported seeing things in the water and ships were getting lost. Seeing the massive piece of information now dumped on the floor, Stella quickly picked up the pages and started stuffing them with the rest of the paperwork. As she now stuffs the paperwork in her bag, she briefly leaves the office and reads the name plastered on the door. To her surprise both didn't notice before that this office belongs to the co-executive of the company- Chuck's daughter. The adrenaline began to quickly rush through her veins and she quickly barged back inside.

"Kilo, we need to get out of here-NOW."
Kilo, now startled; looked up in confusion. "What's going on?"
"Look, I'll tell you on the way. We need to go, like pronto!"

Stella was quickly organizing the desk ,closing the file cabinets while dimming the light back to the way it was-even fixing the cushions on the little couch that decorated the office.

"Let me log out, then we leave."
"Hurry up then!" Stella was already looking through the blinds checking to see if anyone was on their way to the office.
"Done!"
"Alright, let's go!" She grabbed Kilo's arm and drags him out of his chair. Leaving the desk chair spinning in the now empty room.

Both zipped out of the office and Stella now walked with determination straight to her room, without loosing her grip on Kilo's arm. Quickly she gathered her surroundings and only saw the workers moving into their stations while some were just hanging out in the cafeteria. Relieved now being a good distance from the office around unsuspecting people, Stella finally let go of Kilo and breathed easier.

"Um, Stella what was that all about?"
"Look, don't judge me but while you were working on the stuff we needed. I was checking some stuff out and didn't like what I saw. Wait a sec- THE USB, OH MY G-"
"Relax! I have it here." Kilo pulls out the USB from his pocket.
"Wow, that was close."
"Yeah, I know. Thankfully I pulled that thing out before you dragged me away."
"Sorry about that. I didn't mean to be forceful, I just don't want us to get screwed over by someone else's can of worms."
"You know what? Let's go to your room to settle down and talk about this better."
"Sounds like a good plan."

Stella agrees and both now finished the journey back to the room. Once inside, Stella immediately locks the door and does a brief inspection of the room for 'bugs'. Then as she finally calmed herself down, she started pulling out all the papers from her bags; laying them all over her bed.

"Whoa, what are those?"
"Says the guy wearing crocs."
"Oh my God, Stella! The papers! I was talking about the papers!"
"I'm messing with you genius! You know I couldn't pass up an opportunity."