Hope you guys had a good Easter!
"This is Alan calling Gordon. Do you read me?"
Alan anxiously tapped the balcony guard rail as a whisper of wind ran through his blonde curls. He'd been trying to contact Gordon since Virgil had told him the aquanaut's radio link had gone silent, in hope that his brother picked up.
Alan sighed and dropped his arms over the side of the balcony railing. Worrying himself into a state like this wouldn't do him or his family any good.
"Alan? Are you okay?"
Alan couldn't find it in his heart to turn and face her.
Knowing he was upset, Tin-Tin slowly approached and stood beside him, setting her eyes on the afternoon glow of the sun radiating down on the calm sea. "Your grandmother is worried about you. You didn't come down for lunch."
"Yeah, well, I'm not hungry." he huffed, eyes not leaving the tranquil seascape in front of him.
Tin-Tin turned to him. "Alan, we're all worried about him."
Alan sighed. "I know. I just wish-"
"You were out there with them?"
Alan nodded. "I could be down there right now, looking for him." he lowered his head. "He's my brother, Tin-Tin. I need to know he's alright."
"I'm sure he is." Tin-Tin attempted to reassure him. "He'll get in contact with us when he can, I'm know he will."
"I know. I just can't help but worry. You know what I'm like." he groaned.
Tin-Tin smiled. "That I do. Come on Alan, let's go get you some food." she gently took his arm and pulled him inside.
"Fish people?" Gordon deadpanned.
"I know it's hard to believe, but it's true!"
"Fish people." Gordon repeated, unbelieving of Troy's fantastical story about how Stingray had crashed and why the crew had been captured.
"Well the actual term is aquaphibian, and there are many subspecies to them, just like our personal example in Marina here."
"Yeah but... fish people!" Gordon exclaimed, completely blown away by the prospect. "You're saying that fish people have kidnapped us?"
"Aquaphibians. Yeah, kinda." Troy shrugged. "I know it's a lot to take in, but believe me Gordon, these people exist. A lot of them live like us humans, in peace, wanting the best for each other."
"And on the flip side you have those horrid Titanicans and other evil races who just want to cause harm and invade neighbouring cities."
Gordon exhaled. "This is too much to take in. You're saying that actual people live under the sea? Can breathe underwater? Like mermen and mermaids?"
Troy chuckled. "Yeah! I'm just glad I was able to prove everyone wrong. They all thought I was crazy to pursue the idea that there were living beings under the sea. Proved them all wrong, didn't I, Phones?"
Phones rolled his eyes. "You sure did, skipper. Proved them all wrong by getting your sorry butt kidnapped by them."
"So this is a habit of yours?" Gordon teased.
Troy cleared his throat, "Yes, well, um, our submarine has become quite... familiar with many races of undersea people."
"More like infamous." Phones snorted, turning to Gordon. "They all want to kill Troy, and me too, just because I happen to be his co-pilot."
"It's not like I'm asking for it, you know." Troy pouted.
Gordon smiled and turned to Marina. "And you say Marina here... is also aquaphibian?"
"She's a Pacifican. A mermaid, if you will."
"A tailless mermaid..." Gordon ran his eyes over Marina's slender figure in awe. She looked so much like a human, but there were definitely subtle differences in her anatomy which distinguished her from the others. "This is incredible! It's sure nice to meet a person of the sea! Wow!"
"She's also a princess."
"Oh!" Gordon awkwardly bowed before her, causing the girl to silently laugh. She gestured for him to rise.
"Marina and her people can't speak. She was cursed by the evil King Titan, the guy we originally rescued her from."
"I'm sorry to hear that, your highness."
Marina shook her head and signed something to Troy. Troy smiled. "She says you don't have to call her that, but she appreciates the sympathy."
"You know sign language?" Phones turned to his partner.
Troy beamed. "Surprise. I've been practising with Marina."
"I bet you have." Phones smirked.
Choosing to ignore his friend's comment, Troy took charge of the situation. "Alright, enough chit-chat for now. We've gotta get out of here. Any ideas?"
Gordon walked over to the cell door and observed the hinges. "If only we had a sharp object to pierce these with." He looked back and observed the bleak cell and its surroundings. "But there's just nothing in here that could be of any use to us."
"Hey guys, hold it sec." Phones pushed himself into a sitting position of the bed. "I think I can hear footsteps."
The group listened closely. Sure enough, the light tapping of footsteps could be heard approaching the cell.
"We have to do something quickly!" Troy announced, eyes darting around the cell door. Shaking away his doubts, Troy shouldered the metal door, causing it to rattle against his weight. Phones and Gordon joined his efforts as Marina watched them, trying to think of another way she could help.
"The prisoners are this way. Come along, Anath."
"What sort of name is Anath, anyway?" Gordon panted offhandedly as he barged against the cell door. Knowing they were fighting a losing battle, Gordon gave up and watched as the corridor became illuminated with light. The footsteps became louder and louder.
Gordon braced himself.