10. SALVAGE OPERATION

Francine teleported herself to air shaft inside the shipwreck.A short moment later, she got to Don Lino's office. Keeping it down, she listened carefully to a talk

between Don Lino and his octopus consigliore.

'' Boss, are you absolutely sure that we have to get her here?'' asked Luca.''I saw her on TV news and I don't think that she's that fake as that so-called '

Sharkslayer' was. She's just too real for me.''

'' So does for me, Luca.' said Don Lino.'' That's why I have to show her who's the boss of the Reef, no matter what kind of supernatural powers she has.

By the way, did you take care of that fish I ordered to bring in here?''

'' Of course, Boss. She's under the silver tray's cover in restaurant room, just like you ordered.''

'' That's a little bit derivative, don't you think?'' thought Francine to herself. Francine got to the restaurant by ventilation shaft. She hid herself under a

tablecloth of one of tables. There were some sharks floating around, watching their hostage, imprisoned under the silver cover.

The aim of the mission was right in front of Francine. Around ten feet of distance between Francine and Sylvia.

'' How will I get her out of there now?'' Francine closed her eyes, lost in thought.

'' Hey!'' said one shark to the other one, as Francine opened her eyes.'' Let's check if that fish is still in there.''

'' But we just did it.'' the other shark, the thinner one, reminded him. The first shark acted like if he didn't hear his partner and unvovered the tray.

'' SHE'S GONE ! ! ! '' the shark mobster paniced.

'' WHAT! HOW COULD YOU ….''

'' ME? YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE AN EYE ON HER, TOO ! ''

'' Oh, God ! What are we gonna do now?''

'' Don Lino will tear us all apart...''

'' No, he won't. ''

Sharks heard a small, childish voice from under the table. Francine swam out so they can see her.

'' Look. How lucky ! ! ! That's the fish Don Lino was looking for.'' said a fatty shark , glad of seeing her.

'' Wow!'' responded the other shark. '' She's the bravest fish I ever saw, or just crazy.''

''Thanks.'' said Francine. '' It's very nice of you. Now, I heard that the boss of yours wants to see me.'

The sharks brang Francine to Lino's office. The most bloodthirsty of all sharks was sitting by his desk.

His boys told him everything about what happened at restaurant.

'' You could escape in every while you wanted.'' said Don Lino to Francine. ''Why didn't you do that? ''

'' Because if I did it, a third party would get harm on it.'' she answered, with no emotions.

Do Lino was surprised, that this puny little fish wasn't trembling when he spoke. She was completely different from any other fish who came face to face

with him. The Godfather of the Reef looked at her with an enquiring glance.

'' You're not an ordinary fish, are you?''

Francine was silent.

'' I give you an ultimatum. If you really don't want anyone to get hurt, you better don't mess with me.''

'' Phew! Like if I ever had.''

'' Don't be that insolent!'' Lino's tone of voice went a little louder and more agressive.

'' Look. To make things clear – I haven't been messing with you and I won't. I have my own stuff on this Reef and I don't want bother anyone. All right? ''

'' That's right you haven't been messing with me, but I'm afraid that you can't be absolutely trusted. Not with these powers of yours.''

Francine's powers sent Sylvia straight to the Wash. She appeared in front of , oscar and Angie, who were just sitting at Angie's box and talking about that incident.

'' SYLVIA!'' they three shouted at the same time. They approached her slowly.

'' Are you OK? '' asked Angie, laying her fin on Sylvia's back.

'' Yeah... I think so.'' Sylvia was a little bewildered, but quickly snapped out of it.'' Where are those sharks? And where is Francine?''

'' She went to that shipwreck to save you.'' explained Angie.

'' OH, NO! That means that she's in grave danger ! ! ! ''