The chase was well into its third month by now and Pol and Simon were relentless, pushing Thunder farther and farther along. The aging poacher wished she'd never come down here. She wished she'd never agreed to work for Nigeria's illegal fishing industry. She wished she'd never left Norway and most of all, she wished she'd never abandoned Pol.
Thunder had recognized the former Norwegian whaler. She had to admit she was shocked. Pol had grown so much. She was only a teenage shipling when Thunder had last seen her so she wasn't sure what to expect but a Sea Shepherd ship was certainly not one of her expectations. Nonetheless she was secretly proud of her daughter's accomplishment. At least she'd done some good with her life. A part of her wished she could just shut down her engines and stop running from her own daughter. To stop Pol from chasing her. Of course Pol wouldn't remember her but still. It hurt her to be hunted by her child.
Her radio crackled and the a great shock came upon Thunder as she learned that Nigeria had stripped her registry. She was now a pirate vessel. This was the last straw for the ailing old ship. She brandished a knife. Pol, seeing this, rushed forward.
"Thunder, what are you doing?" She asked. "Put the knife down."
"Nigeria, gone. I have no flag..." Thunder whispered.
Pol winced. She remembered Westra telling her of how Farley had the same thing happen to her once. It came as a great shock to the old ship. Enough of one to cause a minor heart attack. Fortunately Farley was able to finish the campaign which would turn out to be her last.
"It's not the end of the world Thunder. You can still surrender. You clearly want this chase to end and so do I. Now put down the knife Thunder. Put it down and surrender." Pol begged.
Thunder had tears in her eyes as she shook her head. "I'll die free!" She declared.
"You're not free Thunder. Not now. You're a slave and you know it." Pol growled. "Now put down the knife."
Thunder whimpered, her grip shaking.
"Thunder..."
Pol's plea, her daughter's plea though Pol didn't know it, snapped Thunder out of it and she dropped the knife, letting it sink into the sea. Tears falling freely from her eyes, she whirled around and raced off. Pol went after her and the chase resumed.