I blinked my eyes hard and let out a groan, finally shutting the old text in front of me. I had reread the same paragraph for the last fifteen minutes and I still couldn't wrap my head around it. Something to do with a big festival in the time of King Bateen… I think he may have just simply partied in easier terms…hard to tell given the 700 year old text.

I just needed to clear my head. I had spent far too long cramped in my cabin, I needed to get out.

I sat up and stretched out my back, muscles and bones popping from the lack of movement of the last few hours.

How long had I'd been in here? I yawned and glanced over at my clock, snorting slightly. Four hours.

Geez, I needed a break.

I glanced at my appearance in my small mirror and adjusted my shirt. I was wearing a simple white t-shirt and brown cargo shorts, my brown sandals simple. I sighed at the sight of my hair and ran a brush through it quickly, the auburn colour looking dull in the cabin light. The hot air did nothing for my hair but I couldn't do anything about it.

I pulled my hair back into a pony tail and headed out of my cabin, my feet deftly used of the swaying of the ship. I could remember my first few weeks aboard the NUMA ship, and to say that I didn't have a few major slips would be an understatement. Yet, I had managed to get my 'sea-legs' as they were known and here I was, two years later and still working for the National Underwater and Marine Agency.

Truth be told, I never thought I'd still be here. Not that it's a bad job! It's just, I pictured myself somewhere in Peru, Machu Pichu at my door as I discovered some Incan secret unknown to the modern age while the media ogled and awed at my genius.. Fanciful thinking, yes, but I wanted to make a difference at a global level. I wanted to be a Indiana Jones, not Popeye the Sailor.

I was three years out of college when I jumped at the job offer, to help locate and research underwater wreckages and artifacts. I had gotten my degree in history and for years after graduating, I could not get a job. My dreams of becoming a famous historian began to fail and instead I became a very skilled bartender at a local pub. Oh ya, I was living the dream.

My parents began hinting that I continue with my studying with law, something that they had been hinting at for years.

So, when a friend of mine mentioned a new marine program searching for artifacts, I posted my application and hoped for the best. Sure I wasn't trekking over mountains and rolling hillsides, but at least I would be doing something other than serving drunken men. Perhaps drunken sailors, but you take what is given to you.

I got the call saying I got the job and I packed my bags, ignoring my parent's plea to rethink my decision. Over and over they begged me to rethink my decision not to take a shot at law school.

"Why not Claire?" they asked, "Why would go onto a ship looking for old pieces of whatever when you could have a steady, sensible life at law school? Maybe catch yourself a respectable lawyer in the process?"

That would be my mother, her mind never far from my relationship status and possible marriageable men in my vicinity.

"Darling, this Numna…Nummuma….this thing might not even work out. You said yourself, it is brand new." My father's worried toned questioned, his cellphone attachment still in his ear

. "Sweetie, we know you want to do something different but staying on a ship like some Navy grunt is not what we raised you to be. You come from a respectable family Claire, and pretending like your some old time adventurer will get you nowhere in life."

I merely shook my head and picked up my luggage, my passport fisted tightly in my hand. My father had a way at making me fume, but I repressed my growing rage, keeping it out of my voice.

"It's NUMA, first of dad, and secondly don't worry. I'm a big girl so I can take care of myself. I got this job and I am going to take it, no matter if it makes me look like some 'Navy grunt'. I don't need you reminding me about what kind of family I come from, but in all honesty I could care less. I'm doing this and you cannot change my mind. Goodbye and I'll call you when I am settled."

And so, that was it. I got on a plane and headed down to North Carolina where the Martha Ann would be, to take me to, wherever. I was informed over the phone that I would be researching mainly, but I would have to do some artifact cleanup on occasion. No castle in England or ruins in the Himalayas but I was eager to do something. Even if it meant being the onboard Wikipedia.

The ship did a small dip and I stumbled, grabbing onto the wall of the hallway for support, breaking me out of my reminiscing. I let out a huff and pulled myself up, hurrying my pace to reach the walkway. I needed some fresh air or else I would just remain standing there in the hall, my head in the past. People would start to wonder why I was just standing there.

I strolled out of the hallway door and let the sun hit my face, leaning over the railing of the upper deck. The sunlight felt heavenly and I let out a happy groan. I had been inside for way too long.

We were off the coast of Lagos and here I was spending my day inside a tiny ship cabin when I could be spending it out in the sun. I did burn instead of tan, but that was just an unfortunate genetic trait given to me by my fair-haired, light eyed parents and that shouldn't keep me from being outside. I would just have to wear sunglasses and some sunscreen, not hide away like some night time creature.

I watched the waves hit the side of the boat and could hear familiar music on the lower deck. The guys were probably trying to fix the lifter again. We were trying to lift the old ceremonial coffin of King Bateen off the bottom of the ocean and to do it, we needed the lift to actually work. At the moment, it just creaked and stuttered.

Over the low murmur of music I could hear some very colourful curses. A small smile tugged at my lips and I decided to make my way over.

I clambered down the stairs and made my way through the various pieces of marine machinery before seeing a familiar sight. A few men nodded to me and I smiled back, headed towards the cause of the cursing. Being one of the only females onboard, I was well known. A curse and a blessing all at once.

The orange lifting machine stood on the deck, the low tunes of what I assumed was ACDC filling the air as two men argued about no doubt the machine in question.

"It'll work!" the taller man said, running a hand through dark blonde hair. The other man merely nodded his tone sarcastic.

"Sure. Oh course it will. When I'm fishing your body out of the ocean, we'll know it's not from the crane. It was just your plain stupidity."

"Always a ray of sunshine Al" the taller man laughed, inspecting the lifter once again. Al muttered something but pulled out a wrench and went to work again.

I chuckled under my breath and moved closer, leaning up against the side of the ship.

"Hey boys, how's it going?"

"Hey Claire…" They answered in unison without looking up, both still tweaking with the inner mechanics of the crane.

"The lift still acting up?" I asked, watching the two men.

"Yah, always broken when we need it and yet never when we don't." Al responded, sarcastic as usual. I swear, if he wasn't, I would think the world was ending.

"You can say that. But I've got faith in this old girl; she'll be up in working in no time." Dirk smiled at the old crane and put the wrench he had in his hand back in the old toolbox.

"Need any help?"

I was bored, to say the least, and my mechanical skill mostly was how to plug something in. After pouring over historical notes of King Bateen and his influence on now modern day Lagos, I was in desperate need of a distraction. Dirk lifted an eyebrow and shook his head.

"Nah, Al's got it all worked out. And besides, we don't want it actually broken. You can clean up if you like…"

"Thanks Dirk…" I snarled, grinning besides myself. Dirk grinned back and tossed me another wrench, chuckling a bit when I fumbled with the catch. Al shook his head but I could see the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, his favourite hat set firmly against his head.

Dirk wiped his hands off with a rag and began to head towards his cabin, Al still distracted with whatever the mechanics were acting up.

"I'll see ya'll in a bit. I'm just going to go diving before Sandecker decides to start this thing. Hear there is a great spot down by the local lighthouse."

I nodded and moved towards Al, the wrench still clutched in my hand. "Have fun Dirk. Don't get eaten by a shark, alright?"

Dirk chuckled at the old joke between us and nodded, his wide grin reaching from cheek to cheek. "Wouldn't think of it Claire!"

Dirk finally wandered off and I turned to the set of pipes and bolts in front of me, Al peering curiously at some sort of pump.

I glanced at it and frowned, my knowledge lost on the little piece of machinery. "So what's wrong with it? Is it still stalling?"

Al bobbed his head and hummed, twisting a nob beside the pump. "Yah, still haven't figured out why though. I just think it hates us."

"It could." I agreed thoughtfully, handing Al the wrench. Al quirked an eyebrow at me but continued to work on the crane.

I was no use to him anyway so I wandered over to the railing and took in the African coastline. It was beautiful, and I longed to be able to truly explore. Yet Lagos was too close to Mali for many so our free reign was limited on this trip. We would be heading to Australia next and I couldn't help but feel a bit excited at the more freedom I would have there.

It wasn't long until I heard footsteps approach and I was surprised to see Al with two beers in his hands. I raised an eyebrow but took the beer, thankful for the break.

"A bit early for drinking isn't it?"

"Dirk's fallen off the wagon again it would seem," Al said seriously, "And I thought we should save him from himself."

"Always so considerate." I cooed, uncapping my beer, "Though if he keeps falling off the wagon, we'll have to have an intervention."

"Definitely.".

We stood there for a few seconds before Al turned to me, his eyes amused.

"How's researching going?" Al asked, taking a sip from the native beer. His shirt was covered with grease and like usual his blonde hair under his hat was no doubt sticking straight up, a feat in itself. I grinned at his appearance and pondered his question.

"It's been better. The Admiral wanted a report on King Bateen to go with the coffin to the museum for reference yet as you can imagine, 772 years of notes and data is hard to compact into a single report. I've been swamped with ancient records and events all morning."

"So you're saying you're about done then?"

I narrowed my eyes at Al but smirked, taking another sip of the beer. "Maybe."

Al smiled and shook his head, staring out at the ocean. "Nice."

I grinned and followed his gaze out towards the ocean, enjoying the early beer.

I had known Dirk Pitt and Al Giordino since the day I stepped onto the Martha Ann. Having starting the NUMA program with now ex-Admiral Jim Sandecker, they were kind of like the unofficial go to guys for anything.

It was easy to become close with them, they're constant bickering and sarcasm a welcome change from the straight laced house I was raised in. They reminded me of an old married couple, and in many ways, they were. The argued and bickered about everything, yet in the end, always did the exact same things. It wasn't long until I was deemed a friend and ever since, they have been more friends to me than anyone else.

Dirk was the tall, handsome Southern with the drawl that could melt butter and Al was the shorter, sarcastic foil whose hair always had a look of perpetual electrocution. Complete opposites yet they were friends to me none the less.

Rudi, the resident techy onboard and the Admiral were also close to me, and rarely did I have female company.

Not that I minded, I enjoyed the group. If anything, this was the one reason I had stayed on for so long with NUMA. Not because of the pay (which was not great) or the travel (which was limited to countries by the ocean being a MARINE agency), but because I liked the group I was with and I couldn't bear to think about leaving them behind. And now with my parents…

"Claire?"

I snapped out of my thoughts and cursed myself again for drifting off. People would really start to question my state of mind.

"Sorry Al, I was just thinking about things."

"Well you were sure thinking about something." Al laughed, making my cheeks turn red. "I was just saying that if all goes well then we will be going to that dinner tonight. You coming?"

"I haven't decided yet." I said slowly, grimacing besides myself. "The Admiral wants me too but I haven't decided if I will. My parents wanted to talk tonight over the phone…"

I let the sentence drop and I saw Al shifted uncomfortably. He took off his hat and ran his fingers through his hair, the strands sticking straight up like usual. "They still trying to convince you to take that job in Atlanta?"

I nodded and bit my lip, nervously tugging at it. Al sighed and put his hat back on, his face thoughtful.

A few weeks ago my parents had called to tell me about a new job in Atlanta my father had 'somehow' stumbled across for me. It was a government job, but it paid ridiculously well and involved me travelling on occasion to organize museums all around the world. I knew my parents had been dying to have me come back to the States for good and to stop this "treasure hunting" as my parents had put it but I did not know that they were willing to shop around for me while I was away. They wanted to parade me around the higher echelons as their smart, government paid daughter. Not the daughter that lived on a boat for most of the year looking for treasure.

And now, here was this opportunity they had found for me and I was forced to make the choice. Stay with NUMA or move back to the States and start the new swanky job in Atlanta. I had discussed it with the guys and Sandecker but they were unwilling to make the decision for me, saying it was up to me.

I turned to Al, absently tugging at my shirt. "What would you do Al?"

"Me? Well I couldn't leave Dirk all by himself. He would be lost without me. You know how he is."

Al smiled back at me but it wasn't his full smile, his lips pulled into a tight line. I chuckled but forced myself to think. I hated making decisions…

"I still don't know what to do Al." I admitted, swirling the contents of my bottle around. "My parents say that it's high time I go back to the States and settle down. You know they are still trying to set me up with that Jack guy?"

Al snorted a laugh and shook his head. "That guy from the party last year? Well at least your life will never have any surprises. Or excitement. Or happiness."

I giggled and nodded, the memory of boring Jack Fields trying to impress me with his political ideals while Dirk and Al made faces behind him still brought a smile to my face.

"Yah, well my mother feels like he is a perfect choice. Can you believe he lives in Atlanta now? What are the chances?" I said in mock amazement, as if my parents didn't have something to do with that little coincidence.

"Uh huh, the coincidences just keep piling up when it comes down to your parents." Al agreed, his tone dripping with sarcasm once again. I sighed but what Al said was true. My parents were high society and what they put their minds too, and not to mention their money, a lot could be done.

"I swear, if they would spend as much time on the cure for cancer as they do my life, we would have a perfect world." I mused, earning a chuckle from Al. A few sailors passed by us and I waved to each, laughing when a few took note of my early drink.

"I just don't know what I want…" I finally finished, returning my attention to Al and the coast.

Al turned and cocked his head, his hat shifting "What do you want?"

I lifted my hands and made a sort of half moan half sigh. Al's lips quirked up into a smile and I saw him trying to stay straight faced.

"Well that's an interesting career path. Tell me how being the walking undead turns out for you."

I let out a low laugh and shook my head, not wanting to ruin a perfectly good morning with talk about my future. "I will. I hear it pays really well so you should really consider it."

Al smiled and nudged me with his elbow, motion with his head towards the interior of the ship.

"Well, maybe I will. But until then, I'm starving so we are heading to the kitchen to see what we can find."

"Well it's what you get for drinking at this time of the day." I laughed, shaking my head to clear the bad thought. I would deal with my parents tonight. Until then, I would enjoy the warm African day.

"Maybe Joe will have that amazing brown stew again." I mocked, earning a grimace from Al. Last time we had the famous brown stew, Al was sick for a week. It was a funnier time for me and Dirk then Al, and Al still flinched at the sight of the brown semi-clear liquid. I still had no idea what was in it, but I made a point in not eating it after Al's food poisoning episode.

"Yah, and maybe he'll have some poison oak to top it all off." Al intoned sarcastically, earning a half-hearted sigh from me.

"Alright let's go then." I said, grabbing onto his arm. "We wouldn't want you to miss out."

"Sure as hell wouldn't want to do that." Al laughed, and together we headed towards the kitchen, the African coastline glittering behind us as we went.

We were still eating our late breakfast which was luckily just toast, eggs and mercifully bacon when we heard the commotion above deck. Al gave me a questioning look but we quickly got up and hurried out to see what the hub bub was all about.

"AL! CLAIRE! RUDI!"

I could hear Dirk yelling our names and I picked up my pace, noticing the worried tone in his voice. I stepped onto the deck and stood where I was, slightly shocked.

Dirk stood on the deck, no doubted just arriving from diving, yet what he had in his arms was no fish or treasure.

A small dark-haired woman lay in his arms, her eyes firmly closed against the afternoon sun. I couldn't tell if she was breathing or not, but due to the less then curious expressions on everyone's face, she couldn't have been dead. The commotion would be less curious and more morbid.

I hurried over to Dirk's side and checked the girl, noticing that she was only a few years older than me. Small red marks marred her neck and I touched them gingerly.

"Dirk, what happened?"

"I was diving when I saw here being attacked by the lighthouse." Dirk explained, holding the girl easily. "One was trying to choke her so I think she may have just passed out from the shock of it all. Is Rudi here?"

A tall man with glasses appeared and gawked at the woman, giving Dirk a curious look. "What happened?"

Dirk motioned with his hand that they should go inside and Rudi nodded, his gaze flicking between the doorway and the woman.

Al and I followed along, listening again to Dirk explain what he saw. Al furrowed his brow and I rubbed my chin thoughtfully.

"Why do you think she was attack?" I asked, waiting until Dirk had settled her down on the couch in his room and let Rudi take a look at her.

Dirk shrugged. "Don't know. They took her bag so maybe there was something in it. Truthfully, I just jumped in."

"Well leave it up to you to save the only damsel in distress in all of Africa Dirk," Al joked his voice however quiet as not to disturb the woman; "You're a regular hero."

Dirk made a face at Al but whatever comeback he was going to make was cut off, the Admiral coming in with a serious expression.

"Admiral." We all greeted, having become used to the title over the years. He insisted we just call him Sandecker, but I liked Admiral better. Just sounded cooler.

"What's going on? I hear you brought an unconscious woman aboard Dirk?" His eyes scanned the room and fell on the dark haired girl, his brows lifting slightly.

"And I see that it's true. Who is she?"

"No idea." Dirk replied easily, shrugging his shoulders. "But whoever she is, she had a few very interesting friends trying to kill her."

Sandecker raised his brows even higher and let out a huff, pulling a cigar out of his pocket.

"Rudi!" he demanded, sending the poor man jerking upwards. "See to it that the woman is treated for. Claire!"

"Yes sir?" I asked, turning quickly to the Admiral. Rudi shuffled quickly back over to the woman and checked her vitals, sending nervous glances over at the Admiral.

"Stay with her."

I nodded and pulled out a chair, settling myself down slowly as if to make a point. The Admiral looked pointedly at me then shook his head, turning his sharp gaze to the boys, ignoring my soft giggle.

"Al, Dirk, I want both of you on the deck in ten minutes. King Bateen won't raise himself."

"Yah, we will." The boys answered together, Dirk waving an absent hand at the Admiral. The Admiral made another huff then set off, disappearing down the hallway once again.

"Ten minutes!" I heard being called, smirking a bit at the Admiral. He was a respectable man. A bit gruff, but I liked him. Made poor Rudi though as nervous as a kid in a math test.

Rudi glanced over his shoulder again and let out a sigh, his shoulders drooping slightly at the lack of the Admiral's piercing gaze.

"How is she?" Al asked, peering over Rudi's shoulder to see.

"Hey!" I said pulling him back a bit, "Give her some space!"

Al moved back sheepishly, Dirk giving me a wide grin. I huffed and eyed the two boys, putting my hands on my hips.

"I think you two will be late." I said, cocking my head to the side. Dirk chuckled and threw his hands up in the air.

"Alright, we're leaving. No need to get huffy Claire."

I glared back at him but smirked, turning my attention back to the woman.

"We'll be back later." I heard Al say, their footsteps receding down the hallway.

I sighed but again settled myself onto the chair. I would rather be on deck watching Dirk get the coffin out of the water, but I would stay with the girl. She wouldn't be too thrilled to wake up alone after being attacked.

Rudi finished up his check and explained to me what was wrong, my brows furrowing at the long medical explanations.

"Rudi," I finally interrupted, "just tell me what I need to do."

"Just give her some water and make sure she doesn't strain herself." He finally said, pushing his glasses higher up nose.

I nodded and let him leave, knowing his duties lay elsewhere. I glanced down at the woman again and decided to do something more productive then notice how pretty she was. My self-esteem couldn't take the blow, my gangly limbs and freckles no match for her petite frame and exotic features.

I stood up and went to fetch some water, heeding Rudi's advice. I quickly hurried to the mess hall and grabbed a pitcher of water, walking back slowly as not to spill.

When I came back into Dirk's room, I let out a loud curse. She was gone.

Damn it!