Charge and Kate had decided to go and join Bomber and Buffer. Without the proper equipment, there wasn't a chance to get the sub seaworthy again. The bay wasn't deep so it would be no problem to salvage it later. Sunset bathed the scenery in an eerie gloaming as the four sailors stood together around the little hole at the ground beneath their feet.
"Is there any chance to widen the gap? What if we lower a rope? I mean we can't just stay here waving down shouting rallying calls and watch them drown! There must be something we can do!" Bomber who knelt next to the opening looked up at Kate pleading her to say something that would turn the situation to good account.
"A rope doesn't help if we can't get them out up here. As for widen the gap, that's a blowhole, Bomber, it's concrete everywhere around it. No, the only way out seems to be through the water," Kate answered. She knew that wasn't helpful at all. But she was tired, drained, covered in sand and mud and the concern for her crew didn't made it easier to think straight as well. Although she felt stupid to do so she grabbed the radio and asked, "Spider, RO, it's the X. How are you doing down there?"
Billy's voice sounded strained when he answered, "We're OK." They could all hear RO snorting in the background. "Well at least for now. Will you stop it RO? Sorry Ma'am, it's just getting a bit creepy down here. We lost the flash light and it's only a matter of minutes we have to start swimming. Don't know for how long we can remain radio contact."
They looked at each other in consternation. Time was running out for their crew mates and still they had no idea on how to get them out. Finally Andy coughed and said, "At least we can make it look less creepy." He pulled out his flash light and started to tie it up with a rope.

"Oh, that is so much better! Now I can actually see how much air I have left. Thanks a lot, Charge! That really helped!" Robert yelled.
Spider wondered if it would help if he shook Robert or maybe clout him. He for himself was glad the flickering light illuminated at least some of their prison.
"Why don't you save your strength for later? We just have to stay in here for a little while longer and then they'll get us out," he tried to talk the radio officer down. But RO seemed to be beyond the point of being soothed. Before he could add something Spider felt his feet loosing contact to the ground. He started to tread water. By reflex he used his hands to give himself a boost.
"What are you doing?" Robert looked at him shocked. "You just scuttled the radio!"
"XO, this is Hammersley speaking. How's the situation?" Nav asked over radio. Kate filled her in on the current circumstances. She wondered why Nikki sounded so pleased.
"So that's it. Nav, did you come up with something? I don't know how long they can keep themselves afloat."
They could all imagine Nikki smiling when she answered, "Feds brought someone with them who knows the labyrinth down there. Already preparing for a dive. Just tell Spider and RO to hold on, we're on it. Nav out."
"I thought Swain and 2Dads already tried diving without success?" Rebecca wondered.
"They didn't know the way. If the Feds brought someone along who knows the labyrinth... let's just hope he knows how to dive fast too," Charge answered her.

Already in a wet suit, the diver bent over a scuba tank and checked the display of the pressure gauge. It was one of the women that had come aboard earlier on. Nikki wondered where she had seen her before because the woman looked somewhat familiar. A few red flicks of hair had escaped the diving hood and curled around a worried but concentrated face.
"No 2Dads, there's no way you fit through. I'll go on my own. You stay here and pull them out as planned. I'll signal you with the rope. Just be careful not to pull to fast, it's a bit tricky to navigate around the corners down there."
Nikki felt the urge to raise an objection. "But what with Spider and RO? If 2Dads doesn't fit through, they won't either."
The woman turned. "We'll use the tidal currents to help. In fact it cannot be ruled out that they doesn't fit through. We just cross our finger's and hope for the best. I'll swim in, then we have to wait until the tide turns and then we come out with the current again. It will become tight but it should work. I just don't like to risk someone else getting stuck down there." She shook her head when Leo wanted to adjust the tank at a buoyancy vest. "No, there's no space for that. I'll have to carry it. That way I can better maneuver down there. Trust me, I've already tried." The woman looked pretty confident and seemed to know what she was doing and if the CO and Swain trusted her, Nikki thought she could do as well. But she still had a bad feeling about it. After what had happened to Josh, seeing a diver always gave her the creeps. She hurried to get away and was glad that after she had filled in the CO on the situation back on the island, she could returned to the bridge to keep watch.

"X, this is Mike. Can you tell Spider and Robert to keep an eye open? Help should arrive any minute."
Kate had tried to carry the good news but without the radio the two sailors down there couldn't hear her properly. She waved reassuringly and hoped whoever it was that was coming would do so fast.
Robert saw the light first. He grabbed Spider's arm and motioned to the beam of light getting bigger. They watched the water changing its color from deep black to light-blue and then a dark figure emerged from the water.
"Hey there. Need help?" The diver snatched off his diving hood and long red hair floated around her in the water. She propped the goggles up and smiled at them.
Billy stared at her. "You had been shot! You look pretty good for someone who was shot. You are dead. Does that mean we are..." His voice cracked.
Robert cried out loud. "Ouch!"
"You hurt?" the woman asked caringly swimming closer.
He shook his head and wimped out. "No. I just pinched myself. That really you? I thought... we heard..." Robert wasn't sure what to say.
"I'm sorry about that. Yes, it's me." The woman sighed. "Honestly, I'm really sorry. That wasn't my idea at all! Believe me it had been really difficult for me to hurt you all so much. I wanted to tell you but the Feds didn't allow me. Would spoil everything they said. But when I heard you had trouble I put up a fight. Wasn't easy but now I'm here." She scrutinized them. "Not the time for a mutual debate I guess. Long story short, that's the plan."
Sara explained what they had come up with while Robert and Billy staggered between relief, disappointment and anger.
"So Spider will go first. We just have to wait a little while longer. The current still is too strong. When the tide turns, which will be the fact in about fifteen minutes, you take a deep breath and grab one of the ropes I've fixed down there. If you pull twice, your crew mates will pull you out. If you need, you can take an other deep breath down there before you start with all the fun. I've deposited a scuba tank. And then just let the current do the work. It might feel like being crammed into a washer but whatever you do, don't loose grip of the rope. And don't loosen the second one, we'll need it. When you're out at the other side, Robert and I will follow."
"Why's he going first?" RO objected.
Because we trust him not to freak out and with you, we're not so sure at the moment. I like to keep an eye on you. That was what Sara thought. However she answered, "Make a plan and stick to it. That's what we do, OK? Please trust me, we get you both out of here."
But Robert wasn't sure if he could trust her anymore. He had thought that they were friends. He had denied when 2Dads had asked him but deep down he had felt different. Talking with her over radio had felt good, he hadn't had had the urge to passe for somebody else. Her perceived betrayal had touched him to the quick. She could at least have given him a hint. He knew that he was unfair but that was how he felt right now. If she actually had been in witness protection, she had given up her cover to help them. To help him. That's what friends would do, wouldn't they? But as for friends they wouldn't let one believe for weeks that they had been shot dead either.

Mike peered at the dark blue surface of the water at the point where a thick rope immersed, trying to pierce through the turbulent sea.
2Dads floated next to it, ready to help his friends as soon they reached the surface. Nikki stood next to the Lieutenant Commander and checked her watch yet again. She sighed. It felt like time lapsed away with the speed of a snail. Had the current already turned? Still nobody had felt a tug, the rope lay still. A tense calm covered the ship. She cast a glance at Mike. Her superior seemed calm from the outside but he grabbed the ship's rail so hard she could see the white of his knuckles.
"There, I felt it. Definitely two tugs. Start pulling!" The call changed the scenery completely. A frenzy of activity irrupted, sailors started pulling at the rope, a floodlight dancing over the waves casting eerie shadows.

"Is he out?" Kate asked over radio. They had seen Spider taking a deep breath and disappearing under the water. Now they waited for a sign that he had made it out at the other side. Could it take so long? Before they could hear the answer over radio, they heard the cheers out at the bay. The cold air conveyed the jolly sound far through the calm night.
She let out a long breath – she actuallyhadn't noticed to hold her breath – and smiled with relief. "One out, two to go. It seems we're going to get a happy ending after all."
Bomber smiled too and tried to signal the two people down at the cave that Billy was save.

It was bound to happen sooner or later. Being surrounded by water every day meant to tempt fate. Robert swallowed water and coughed. But he hadn't imagined it to happen in a creepy cave. Definitely something more heroic.
"RO, it's you next. I'll be right behind you. Just hold on tide to the rope, you can't go wrong with this." Sara tried to sound reassuring but she wasn't sure at all. The radio officer looked at her with bleary eyes, his movements slowly and uncoordinated. He seemed to have surrendered. "Listen, I know it has been a long and hard day. You must be dog-tiered and I can understand you just want to rest. But you have to buck up your ideas Robert! Come on. If I can survive a night out at the ocean you sure can survive a day at a sea cave, can't you?"
The young man looked at her more focused now. "There's no need to shout, I'll go. But just that you know even if you're saving my life right now, I really shouldn't forgive you. That wasn't fair, letting us believe... letting me believe you were dead. And don't tell me about witness protection. I know how that works. I thought we were friends, Sara. Now I'm not so sure anymore." He took a deep breath and disappeared.
Sara was shocked. Sure she hadn't expected him to cheer with joy but at least she had expected some understanding.

Later that night after all the cheering had wore off and weariness had exact his toll, the Hammersley pitched and tossed on its way home in a choppy sea, the diesel engines droning a lullaby whilst most of the crew slept in their bunks.
Sara sat at the table in the mess a cup of coffee before her. Some of the crew had been reserved others like Bomber and Swain had been really happy to see her but she hadn't had gotten the chance to talk properly to anybody. Spider and Robert had thanked her after they had been back aboard and then had quickly left for a check up at the wardroom. The federal agent that she had come with had tried to separate her from the crew as much as possible. To remain secrecy. As if that would still matter now. They all knew already. And she had identified one of the men locked up austere as Walker. He had grinned so he had recognized her as well. She sipped at her brew. What Robert had said to her had hurt her more then she would have thought. She still had considered them friends. What could she have done differently? Sara looked up when someone opened the door. A brown haired slender woman stood at the door frame.
"Can't you sleep either?" she asked. "I think we didn't met before. I'm Nikki Caetano. Mind if I join you?"
Sara shrugged. "Sure. Come in." They sat together silently for some time then Nikki started to speak.

Commander Marshall leaned backwards a contend smile on his face.
"So Mike, I thought you might want to know that the Feds arrested the big boss this morning. With the hints on the sub and Mr Magnus' testimony they had enough evidence for a warrant."
"That's good to hear." Mike smiled back and moved to stand up. "If that's all, Sir, I'll be expected back at the Hammersley, Steel beach barbecue as a closing for a long turn."
"That has to wait. Please sit down again. I do have something else I need to talk to you about." Commander Marshall rearranged some of the papers laying at his desk. Now let's see what he's thinking of a shore posting.

A light string bathed the stern in a soft yellow light. Music sounded over the water and some of the passing by people at the harbor wondered what special occasion it was the mariners were celebrating.
Buffer stood next to Kate both looking with interest at the scene before them. They couldn't hear what the radio officer and the marine biologist were talking about but after some minutes Robert's face softened and in the end, he actually hugged the young woman. "That didn't happen, did it?" 2Dads joined them from behind. "I can't believe it."
Buffer padded him on the shoulder. "As I always say, still waters run deep. But don't worry mate, there are plenty of beautiful woman out there. Come on, let's go get something to drink." He headed for the bar followed closely by Leo who let his gaze sweep until he found what he was searching for. A young woman with short brown hair laughed at something her dialog partner had said and tugged a stray of hair behind her left ear. Then she looked up and their eyes locked. You're so right Buffer. And I know one who is sweeter than all the others together.
"Want something to eat?" Kate turned and smiled at Mike who approached her with a plate in hand. "Thanks I already had a lot. What had Marshall had to say?"
"Well that's a long story..."

Charge and Spider leaned with their backs at the railing and enjoyed the party. "I wonder what the X and the CO are talking about. It seems to be something good. See how she's smiling?" Spider pointed at the two officers standing partly in the shadows of the RHIBs.
"Don't you point at people." Charge criticized him mockingly. They both laughed. "Come on, let's go over to Swain and the others."

They joined them right at the moment when Swain asked: "So Sara, what are you going to do now Walker and the others are arrested? Back to your research?"
The biologist shook her head. "No, I don't think so. I think I should do something different, change some things. Definitely not returning to the research station." She shuddered.
"Why don't you join the Navy?" Spider asked.
"Yeah, I think you would do great." Bomber chimed in and Charge nodded.
"Oh no!" Sara shook her head vehemently. "Thanks a lot, but sure no. I was shot at, stabbed, strangled, nearly drowned... that's definitely enough adventure for the rest of my lifetime. Honestly you guys do a great job but... that's not what I want to do. I prefer something more calm. Thought about giving lessons at college."
"And you think that's going to be calm?" 2Dads wondered.
She chuckled. "No, you're right, maybe not so calm. But I think it's going to be fun and I consider the risk of getting shot to be extremely slight. And if the students are getting on my nerves, I still can consider a carrier as a mermaid at the sea life center." They all laughed.

"So he proposed you a short posting?" Kate asked. Her voice betrayed her excitement.
"Yes, he did." Mike didn't gave away any feelings on his face so she asked: "And what did you answer?"
The CO looked around and then pulled her deeper into the shadows between the two RHIBs. "I said I'm going to consider his offer and I can think of at least on good reason to accept." His voice getting a bit husky with the last sentence and he bent down whispering in her ear. "You know what I want to do right now, Lieutenant Kate McGregor?" And then he kissed her.

end