The Mariner slowly drifted into the unknown, allowing the group the opportunity to observe the pristine prehistoric ocean. For once, the ocean was, well, empty. Few cephalopods swam through it, as did a few fish, making for a rather lifeless scene. The lack of pterosaurs in the sky compounded the sense of emptiness.

That was something that Tai was rather vocal about.

"You'd have thought we'd seen something by now, shouldn't we?"

His sister could already see a flaw in that line of thinking. "While our previous successes would suggest otherwise, keep in mind the open ocean is relatively empty. Most of the food web depends on plankton blooms, and those aren't exactly common. It could be hours before we see something big."

"Yeah, Yeah, I get it. I just wish we could see more around here. It's so boring!"

Nearby, Tristan was busy cutting bait for when they found their target. Chum would probably be a necessity if they wanted to catch a marine crocodile, so it would be best to have some at the ready. As his siblings' banter went on, the boy couldn't help but smile. This was too fun to watch.

XXXXXXXXXX

Back at the park, Alice is...punishing Lucas for his antics.

"So, what have we learned today?"

"That we shouldn't take photos of other people without their permission?"

CRUNCH

"And?"

"That we really shouldn't do it if they are wearing swimsuits?"

"I thought so. Now, may I have your camera?"

The boy didn't even speak, merely handing over the device. Alice swiftly examined its memory, deleting the images she found salacious, before setting it down.

Then, and only then, did she release Lucas from here grip. Barely able to stand, he somehow found the strength to walk over to the fridge, pull out an ice pack, and place it on his screaming groin. As he began to sigh in relief, Alice left the room, satisfied.

Upon closing the treehouse door, she found herself looking at Vera and Elise. The former just seemed mildly surprised by her actions, while the latter's eyes bulged like a fish's.

Alice merely grinned at their expressions. "Justice has been served."

Vera regally facepalmed at her friend's statement. "Only you would consider imitating Yang to be a method of serving justice, even if your target deserved it."

"Hey, RWBY is awesome!"

At that moment, Elise finally recovered from her stupor. "I'm not going to question your methods, but there is one question I'd liked answered."

"Und was, mein lieber Freund, ist das?"

"When is Lucas going to be able to stand again?"

"Probably in about five minutes - he's tough like that."

"Well, I need to talk to him soon."

"Well, you'll have the time soon enough. Now Vera, don't we have a primate to be looking after?"

Vera merely nodded, after which the duo began to walk away.

XXXXXXXXXX

Five minutes later, and Lucas was indeed back on his feet. Still in some amount of pain, he hobbled over to his camera.

Part of him knew this had been a really stupid idea. At the same time, the chance to get pictures of Alice in a swimsuit was too good to pass up. Damn, she looked good.

Sure, Vera and Elise also looked nice, but they couldn't compete with Alice - she managed to make the feminine form work even with a ton of muscle. That she was beautiful besides was just a nice bonus.

Still aching, he finally managed to reach his camera. Halfheartedly, he began to sift through the pictures, already knowing that Alice would have deleted all of the swimsuit photos. Why wouldn't she? This was a violation of her privacy, and pretty much unforgivable besides. He'd been lucky that getting his balls crushed was the worst thing that had befallen him.

So it came as an immense surprise to the boy to notice that some of those salacious images were still on his camera. And these were the really risqué ones, not the conservative ones that someone might pass over in boredom. Additionally, each of these photos had been between several others that she had deleted, so she'd clearly looked over them.

...He'd have to ask her about that later. Otherwise she might do more than just bust his nuts.

Then he heard a knocking at the door. Opening it, he found Elise standing there, looking rather impatient. "Look, come with me, and bring your camera.

XXXXX

"Okay, what are we doing here?"

Lucas had asked something along those lines for the past half an hour as Elise had taken him out to the park's aquatic section, where he had been taken onto a ship and sent out to the edge of the area, eventually coming to a halt at one of the park's border platforms.

"I'll tell you when you get into the elevator."

Complying, Lucas did just that. A moment later, and the elevator began to descend, leading them into the below surface level parts of the area...and then even deeper than that.

In fact, when the doors opened, the two teens found themselves on the sea bed.

Lucas was mesmerized at the sights around him - they were on the outskirts of a coral reef, and not to far away, the age carcass of a sperm whale lay in the sand, being picked apart by sharks.

"...What is this?'

"Officially, it is a junction area for the park's marine turbine power grid."

"And off the record?"

Elise seemed pensive for a moment, before sighing. "How do you think my dad funds this place?"

"Out of his own pocket. I mean, he's rich enough to do that, isn't he?"

"Yes, but that's not how the park gets all of its money."

"Really?"

"Really. Look, this park costs more than a movie by several orders of magnitude. My dad could finance it all by himself, but if he did, it wouldn't be a secret."

"How would him financing it out of his own wallet make it not a secret?"

"It'd be millions of dollars headed into some unknown project. Someone would get suspicious, try ot find where the money went, and then, eventually, a leak would happen."

"So how does he keep it a secret?"

"Spend the money across multiple projects and have help. These turbines are part of a large scale clean energy project. Most of their power doesn't even go to the park, but is sold across the Caribbean."

"And all of the food and water?"

"Arcology research."

"How about the animal care staff?"

"Endangered species rehabilitation."

"Wow, that was well thought out. But how does all of this relate to me?"

"My dad got some assistance from other interested parties in financing this venture."

"Did he tell you that, or Tristan."

"Both - Tristan told us that he did that, but my dad recorded his first meeting for getting sponsors, and that was one of the thing Tristan showed us."

"Okay, but that still doesn't explain why I should be down here."

Just then, the facility shuddered, and a moment later, a minisub floated into view.

Lucas stared at it for a moment, then turned to Elise. "Do you want me in one of those things?"

"...Well, yes."

"Why?"

Elise let out an audible groan at his question. "I'M GETTING THERE! Look, I said that Nigel and my dad had help funding this thing, correct?"

"Yes."

"Well, some of those backers are wildlife groups, who help supply our staff. And they will only do that as long as they have proof of our success, such as videos, written journals, or pictures…"

"Pictures...wait, you want me to take pictures of the animals down here?"

"Yes, stupid. That is exactly what I want you to do...Lucas?...Lucas?...LUCAS!?"

The teen seemed to have gone catatonic when he heard her statement. "...I feel like I just got my dream job."

"If that's being a wildlife photographer, congrats. Oh, and you are getting paid for this."

"I am?"

"Yes. Should I get out the defibrillator?"

"...No, I'll be fine. Also, what are the minisubs for?"

"Taking pictures of marine wildlife. Also, if you're trying to get megalodon pics, turn down the lights."

"Why? Does it attack stuff with lights like in The Meg?"

"Yes, though it won't eat you. It just find the subs annoying."

XXXXXXXXXXX

AN: Well, here is the next chapter.

I wanted to use this chapter to address how the park manages to finance its operations. One person funding it out of his own pocket would be super noticeable, so this is how the park goes below the radar.

Also, despite certain requests I have received, this story will not crossover with The Meg.

And in regards to why the sharks don't eat the subs: they really don't like the taste.

So, Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!