How to Find the Lemurian Treasure

|| Part Five ||

Fontaine crossed her arms and then leaned against the wall of the moonpool, trying to turn around so that she could both observe the others and hide her own face from them. If they recognize her now, it wouldn't end up well.

Yes, she finally decided to put on a wetsuit and dive with the pirates. It might not have been the best decision, but curiosity won. What exactly does this place have to do with Ephemychron? Is there really anything worth attention here? She took a risk. At most she will regret it later.

She took a deep breath, relying mainly on herself and her acting skills. It might have been exciting in a way, but it was even more terrifying.

She was going to pretend to be a pirate. Great. Ant would remind her of this for the rest of his life.

But... Ant wasn't here.

Exactly. Ant wasn't here! She was on her own. Now she understood what it really meant. She smiled slightly. Because maybe this whole situation wasn't only about drawbacks? Maybe it wasn't so bad after all?

For the very first time in her life, she got herself into something. All alone. Without consulting his family, without them knowing, without having to endure Jeffrey's stares or listen to his younger brother's boasts and his illogical and nonsensical theories. She didn't know what Ant thought about it because he just wasn't there! He had no idea what she was doing! She wasn't stuck with him now. Honestly, she was at peace. It was a relief. She was free. She could do whatever she wanted and not think too much about the consequences. And even though it was terribly irresponsible, dangerous and stupid, it was also... cool.

Fontaine changed her mind a bit when Hammerhead entered the room with Finn. She tensed. Mainly because the captain of the Dark Orca seemed interested in her standing apart from the other divers. Well, maybe that wasn't the best idea after all.

"Why are you standing there alone, huh?" the man grumbled, coming closer.

She lowered her head and voice so that he wouldn't recognize her identity.

"Uhm...I'm too excited about robbing to talk to anyone, Captain."

She didn't lie that much after all. Honestly, she was excited. Not about a robbery, of course, but about the opportunity to search the wreckage, but it was still excitement.

Hammerhead seemed to like this answer.

"Ha!" he slapped her on the back so hard that she almost lost her balance. "And that's an attitude of a true pirate! You out there," he pointed out to the others who were talking among themselves, "should learn from him! Whatever your name is."

He waved his hand and then walked towards the panel that controlled the chamber.

Seeing the pirates' eyes on her, Fontaine immediately turned around, silently begging them not to recognize her. Then she took a deep breath and tried to shake off the shock she had just been dealt.

"Is everything okay?" she heard next to her. "I'm sorry about him."

"It's fine," she whispered, giving him a thumbs up. "And the slipped discs will probably go back to their place in a moment."

"Nice you decided to do it."

"We'll see if it will be so nice. But, whatever. Not such a bad start. It's getting interesting. Did your father just set me up as a role model for his crew?" she asked, still a little shocked by it.

Finn spread his arms and smiled awkwardly.

"You're good at it, I tol..."

"Do not finish this sentence," she interrupted him. "At least you spare me this."